Halloween Weekend with our Favorite Disney CM...new PTR LINK p. 16

[Nermel9]

Awww, cute pictures with the Dwarves!

We didn't do any of the candy trails at the parties. Brandon just saw lines and lines of people at them and didn't want to wait, so I didn't get any candy! If I ever do a MNSSHP again, I'll go to the candy trails alone!

Donald and Daisy look so cute! I think we walked by them, but as always, the line was too long.

I love the Peoplemover at night!

 

[Caretames1]

You did the right thing by waiting in line and being done with the 7 Dwarves by 7. I can't believe that people will waste prime party time by waiting for hours!

We never made it over to Tomorrow land, but Woodys dance party was a blast!


Kadence loved Trick or Treating there! A highlight for sure!

Nice Jerserys!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Congrats on your 7 dwarves photo! I think it would be cute if Dopey met with Snow White sometimes, something to make her meet'n'greets a little more interesting.

Aw, Donald and Daisy have such cute costumes. I prefer their various wardobes to Mickey and Minnie's, I think (especially in Hollywood Studios).

I love the TTA at night - in fact, I don't think we've really gone on it during the day. It does make me sad that it's not open during evening EMHs, though. It's like the perfect last ride on a 3AM magic hour!

Thank you! Yes, I agree. At first I thought Snow White was a part of it but when I was looking before the trip to see which characters were there I realized it was just the dwarves. Oh well. It's still pretty cool!

The DHS costumes are adorable!

I really hope that I get to go to a Halloween Party someday, the parade and fireworks look awesome and I love the characters they have out and the costumes that the regular characters have.

Yes, it is well worth the extra money to try atleast once. I hope you get to go some day.

What fun! I keep saying this, but your wonderful pictures just reiterate it, I must get there for Halloween one of these years.

I'm glad you like all the pictures. Like I said to Lifelong_Dreamer, it's definitely a great event worth doing atleast once!

We did the same thing and headed straight to the dwarfs line upon entering MK! Love your pic with them and I was stood next to Sneezy as well and loved how he kept in character

Wow 18 truckloads of candy sure is crazy though it's probably needed with the amount of people that attend the party!

They were so cute acting like their character.

Yeah. I've seen pictures where people (especially with kids) end up with bags and bags of candy.

AHHH so cool that you got to meet the dwarves! I wanted to meet them at the Christmas party (spoiler alert: I didn't get to. hahaha).

I love the character costumes. Donald dressed as a pumpkin sounds too cute to be true. The pirate costume looks awesome too!

Aww, bummer you didn't get to see them at the Christmas party. More reason to go again though, right?

Awww, cute pictures with the Dwarves!

We didn't do any of the candy trails at the parties. Brandon just saw lines and lines of people at them and didn't want to wait, so I didn't get any candy! If I ever do a MNSSHP again, I'll go to the candy trails alone!

Donald and Daisy look so cute! I think we walked by them, but as always, the line was too long.

I love the Peoplemover at night!

Thanks.

The lines actually weren't that bad and they moved pretty quickly. You will have to do it next time.

It was cool riding at night but the Peoplemover is great at any time.

You did the right thing by waiting in line and being done with the 7 Dwarves by 7. I can't believe that people will waste prime party time by waiting for hours!

We never made it over to Tomorrow land, but Woodys dance party was a blast!


Kadence loved Trick or Treating there! A highlight for sure!

Nice Jerserys!

I agree. And waiting before made me feel like I wasn't missing out on anything else. haha

I bet Kadence had such a good time.

Thank you...gotta love Aaron Rodgers. Still sucks they are out. I've decided the Super Bowl stinks when they're not in it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Alright everyone, we're nearing the end of this trip report (sort of) and I need to get a move on! So, I'm going to combine updates for both the fireworks and the parade. I won't have too much commentary since I've got a bunch of pictures. I'll let them do the talking instead. And I'll even provide you with some background music too.

Sunday, October 30, 2011 cont'd (part 6)

When we were done in Tomorrowland we started making our way back toward Main Street for the fireworks and also the Boo to You Parade.

I got another shot of the castle. There's just something about the lights shining on it that make it even more awesome...and in this case, a little more Halloween-ish. haha

We were going to the second parade of the evening because from our past experience at the parties, it seems like more people do the first one (especially when they've got little kids). Plus it gives you more time to enjoy other things during the party.

Normally for the fireworks we are a little further down Main Street, more towards the park entrance. This time we ended up finding a spot right near the hub.

I think one of the Villains shows might've just ended so there were a couple characters out doing meet and greets.

As we were waiting, I played around with my camera settings. I figured that since we were so close, I better get some halfway decent fireworks shots! But in the mean time I ended up with a few more castle pictures.

Soon music from the Haunted Mansion filled the air and the show began.

Just like Wishes, this show is awesome in that it synchs up the fireworks and lighting to the music (which is a medley of some of the more spooky Disney songs, including HM music and songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas). Here's a short video clip featuring Pink Elephants on Parade.

These are probably the best pictures I got during the show...who would've thought that a fireworks setting would work for taking fireworks pictures?

I think I forgot how good these fireworks really are. Such an awesome show and it doesn't make you tear up like Wishes. LOL. (Still love you, Wishes).

In between shows we just hung out around Main Street and browsed in some of the shops. I had another person comment on my Packer jersey in the Confectionery. A CM said he didn't like it. I noticed on his nametag he was from the Chicago area...he was probably a Bears fan. Atleast he liked my Marquette jacket because he said his uncle went there. We also stopped in the art shop which is always fun. I seriously want this picture:

I think it was only $2500. OK, so maybe that's a little out of my price range but it's still gorgeous. Love The Princess and the Frog!

As it got closer to parade time, we found a spot on the curb to watch. I saw that some of the Pooh characters were at the end of Main Street taking pictures. I wanted to get a picture with some more characters in their Halloween costumes so I kept watching the line. When I noticed it was getting shorter, I asked Emma if she wanted to come with me. Sadly, when we got over to the line, the CM said they had already cut it off because Pooh and his pals had to go get ready for the parade. So instead we got a picture with the castle in the background.

Up next: Boo to You (and you and you and you)!

Cont'd in next post...

 

[wdwgirl03]

Cont'd from previous post...

One of the things I was most looking forward to was the ride of the Headless Horseman before the parade starts. I love the whole spiel they do to announce his arrival. It's all pretty epic. The only sad thing is that he ride by so quickly. I knew if I tried to get a picture I'd fail. Instead I tried to go for a video but even with that I managed to get a measly 3 seconds.



But atleast you can sort of see what it's like.

Fortunately for everyone, Emma managed to get a pretty awesome picture at the party she went to with her roommates!

Then there was a few minutes in between the Headless Horseman and the actual start of the parade.

Gotta love CMs who "paint" characters on the ground!

Soon that all too catchy song began playing. In order to get the full experience of the parade, CLICK HERE, minimize the window, and enjoy the pictures! It won't take you 8 minutes to go through the pictures, but if you listen to the song long enough you can see how the music matches up with the pictures.

It's not so very scary...

It's really not so scary...

(side note, here are the Pooh characters I wanted to meet!)

Drink up me hearties, yo ho!

Haunted Mansion!

(I was so sad the gravediggers didn't do their shovel routine in front of us)

Of course at the end of the parade they hand out more candy. One CM gave me a handful of Goofy's lollipops.

If you listened, do you now have that song stuck in your head? Because that's pretty much what happens at the end of the parade! I know I left the park singing it over and over in my head. LOL.

As we walked out of the Magic Kingdom, I had mixed emotions. I really enjoyed the party but at the same time I was also a little bummed because it was just about time to say good-bye to Emma. We were still planning on (hopefully) meeting up in the morning before our flight but it was just so strange walking to the bus stop for SSR while she went to hers for the CPers. It's already sad enough leaving the MK and then throw that into the mix it was extra depressing.

On that happy note...

Here are a couple parting shots as we headed for the buses.

up next: A WET morning at Downtown Disney

 

[marDgreen88]

Hallowishes looks AWESOME. Great pictures!
I mean, come on, $2500 is a STEAL. I can't believe you didn't snatch that puppy right up! I really do love that picture though, it's gorgeous! If only it was cheaper. (About $2400 cheaper hahaha)
Aw, it stinks when you go try to meet a character and then you can't. Booo.
Excited to see Boo to You pics! I LOVE that parade a lot, probably too much for someone who's never actually seen it in person...

ETA: OH HELLO. I had this page open while I went to do something else, so I somehow missed that you had already added the Boo to You pics! They're awesome as well! YAY

 

[TanzUnited99]

I love the Halloween-ish shot of the castle!

Also great pics of Hallowishes and I agree in that the show doesn't make you tear up like Wishes but is spectacular in it's own way.

Wow Emma got a great shot of the Headless Horseman - I didn't have much success either.

Loved seeing the pics of the Boo to you Parade with the music though you are right - it'll be stuck in my head for the rest of the evening!

 

[Nermel9]

Great Hallowishes pictures!

I love that painting of Tiana and Naveen!

I just watched your 2 second video of the Headless Horseman and now I want to be at a Halloween party! I love the Haunted Mansion part of the parade!

 

[Caretames1]

Thank-you for the music! What a great way to look at MNSSHP photos!


We missed out on Pooh and the gang too. The line was so long the one time we were close.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great updates! I love the fireworks and parade at MNSSHP...I've done the MVMCP also, but much prefer the Halloween one....so much fun!

 

[disneygeeks]

Now I take it that the 18 truck loads of candy is not for 1 night but that it's for the 4-5 weeks they have halloween going on at MK

 

[disneygeeks]

awesome pictures of the fireworks and castle and great little video

 

[disneygeeks]

more great pix and great mix of music and pictures.....loved it

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hallowishes looks AWESOME. Great pictures!
I mean, come on, $2500 is a STEAL. I can't believe you didn't snatch that puppy right up! I really do love that picture though, it's gorgeous! If only it was cheaper. (About $2400 cheaper hahaha)
Aw, it stinks when you go try to meet a character and then you can't. Booo.
Excited to see Boo to You pics! I LOVE that parade a lot, probably too much for someone who's never actually seen it in person...

ETA: OH HELLO. I had this page open while I went to do something else, so I somehow missed that you had already added the Boo to You pics! They're awesome as well! YAY

LOL, I know, right? All of those pictures are so pretty. They should do postcard versions (or maybe print size versions, like 11x14 like the little ride posters!).

Glad you liked all the pictures!

I love the Halloween-ish shot of the castle!

Also great pics of Hallowishes and I agree in that the show doesn't make you tear up like Wishes but is spectacular in it's own way.

Wow Emma got a great shot of the Headless Horseman - I didn't have much success either.

Loved seeing the pics of the Boo to you Parade with the music though you are right - it'll be stuck in my head for the rest of the evening!

I definitely agree. All of the fireworks shows are unique which is why they're so fun.

She did get a great picture. I don't know how she did it!

haha, I hope it wasn't stuck in your head too long.

Great Hallowishes pictures!

I love that painting of Tiana and Naveen!

I just watched your 2 second video of the Headless Horseman and now I want to be at a Halloween party! I love the Haunted Mansion part of the parade!

The HM part is really cool. I love the man walking the dog.

Thank-you for the music! What a great way to look at MNSSHP photos!


We missed out on Pooh and the gang too. The line was so long the one time we were close.

You are welcome...glad you enjoyed it!

Bummer you guys missed Pooh too.

Great updates! I love the fireworks and parade at MNSSHP...I've done the MVMCP also, but much prefer the Halloween one....so much fun!

haha, I love the Halloween party but I actually prefer the Christmas one. I have a feeling though it'll be a very long time before I ever get to go to one again being on a teacher's schedule.

Now I take it that the 18 truck loads of candy is not for 1 night but that it's for the 4-5 weeks they have halloween going on at MK

Yes, that's for the all the parties. Can you imagine 18 truckloads per night?!

awesome pictures of the fireworks and castle and great little video

Thanks.

more great pix and great mix of music and pictures.....loved it

Glad you liked the pictures/music!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Alright everyone, it's time to wrap up this trip report! Sorry for the lack of pictures in this update-I didn't take too many because of the rain!

Monday, October 31, 2011 aka Happy Halloween!

As is always the case, the end of our trip came way too quickly. Of course it also might've been due to the fact that we only had two days, but still. Time always flies in Disney World. Because our flight back home wasn't until mid-afternoon, we were able to sleep in (which was also nice after a long evening at MNSSHP!). I'm not going to lie, waking up that morning was difficult. I'm going to sound like such a baby but I was sad that we were going to be leaving Emma, knowing that I wouldn't see her again until January. I was literally fighting back the tears all morning. Oh, and it didn't help that the weather was pretty lousy that morning too. I mentioned in the PTR how the forecast was showing rain for the whole weekend. Sunday was fine but then the rain came through again which stunk because we were planning on going over to Downtown Disney to kill some time before the ME came to pick us up.

Mom called Emma to ask if she felt like doing anything. Since we had to be out of our room by 11 (I think) anyway, we still ended up going over to Downtown Disney to meet up and get some lunch.

When we were ready we called bell services to help with the luggage and the CM took us to the Carriage House. I was sort of wondering if the resorts did anything fun for Halloween. Saratoga Springs had a little Cast Member pumpkin decorating contest. They had a bunch of pumpkins on display and then little slips of paper where you could vote for your favorite. Some of them were pretty clever.

The Phineas and Ferb one (in the middle) played music! haha

Jack Skellington.

In case you're wondering, I voted for the Pooh one in the first picture. I just thought it was cute.

We then went into the Artist Palette shop for a little bit. Well, as I was looking around at any last-minute souvenirs I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. I had my hat with me (mostly for some protection from the rain when we got outside) so I tried to hide behind that, but Mom still noticed and then I'm pretty sure Dad did too. I don't know why I was having such a hard time. It was weird the day she left for FL but after that I was fine. Sure, I missed her but at the same time I didn't (I hope that doesn't sound cruel...) because I knew she was having a blast, plus it was always fun reading her blog posts and checking out her new pictures on facebook. Maybe I just hate good-byes? Anyways...

Despite the tears I did manage to spot some new Saratoga Springs merchandise. I had never seen resort-specifc stuff there and I was eyeing up a really cute little shotglass with a SSR logo on it. I ended up waiting to get it though so I wouldn't have to carry it around at DTD. After browsing around we headed out to the boat dock. Emma was going to meet us there instead of coming to the resort.

Once at DTD we found shelter at World of Disney. While we were in there Emma called to say she made it so we went back outside to wait for her. When she found us we went back inside to get a couple things (our Duffy Christmas bear and a few more It's A Small World vinylmation keychains-it seemed like Mom was becoming addicted to them too, haha!). The rain made walking around not as much fun as it usually is so we didn't spend too much time there. We went into a few more stores, including the Christmas store where Emma and I got our ornaments for last year. You'll see which one I ended up with at the end of this post.

Instead of eating lunch at DTD we all ended up taking a bus back to Saratoga Springs and ate at the Artist Palette. I got a sandwich, Emma got chicken tenders, Dad got a Caesar salad. I'm not sure what Mom got. After eating I went to purchase my shotglass, as well as a vinylmation for Emma for "hosting" us over the weekend. I spotted a Storm Trooper in the trade box, which Emma wanted, so I ended up trading for it. She was pretty happy.

And then came the moment I was not looking forward to-time to say good-bye. I managed to pull it together a little bit but it was still sad when Emma said, “See you in January.” We all gave her one last hug before she headed back out to her bus stop and we went outside to wait for the ME.

A couple parting shots from SSR...

It figures that by that time the rain had stopped!

And so was the end of our trip. We arrived at MCO with plenty of time to spare and then had an uneventful flight home. We all had a great time spending the weekend with Emma and attending the fall events. I think I still prefer the holidays and even the Flower and Garden Festival but it’s still a fun time to go, especially for MNSSHP. If you’ve never been during that time, I’d recommend trying it out sometime.

Oh yes, and here are a couple more of my souvenirs. Of course I chose a Tinkerbell ornament!

Thanks to everyone who followed along-it’s always fun sharing our trips with you guys. Now it’s time to count down to April! I’m not going to start a new PTR right away but I will say that we have made a couple reservations for ADRs and other things…as for what reservations we made, you’ll just have to wait to find out. As for another future trip, we’ve got a couple options. We’re probably (hopefully) going to make a reservation for this December since I’m dying to see the Christmas decorations again. And once Emma graduates she is planning on going back to Florida for either the Spring Advantage ’13 College Program (4 months of WDW wasn’t enough for her!) or one of the Professional Internships if she gets accepted, which means we’d have to go visit her at some point-maybe another spring break trip. So we’ll see what all unfolds.

Thanks again for reading and as they say, see ya real soon!

 

[marDgreen88]

Aww, it's over! Sorry the weather wasn't great for your last morning!
It's cute that you were so sad to say goodbye. I understand haha.
YAY for the April trip! That would be awesome if yall got to go in December!

ANYWAYS... I enjoyed this TR and I'll look forward to your next one too!

 

[Pinkocto]

Sometimes our emotions just get the better of us, no need to feel bad about it

Too cute about your mom and the keychains. I have finally found something to collect, the new Cutesations! I wanted to like the Vinylmations I really did, but now that these are out I'm hooked.

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. Countdown to April

 

[IheartDDuck]

I would have been sad if I had to leave too. I'm sad it's over, but you've got another trip on the horizon, so that's always fun.

 

[ladybugjen]

Thanks for the trip report. Brought back wonderful memories of our trip in september! Looks like you guys had a great time!

 

[Merida]

All the Christmas decorations are cute! But I think I agree with you that fall isn't quite as nice as winter/Flower festival. Just much more my personality.

Glad you had a great trip and that you get to go back soon!