HalloweenTime at DLR Info and Photo Superthread #3

[Sherry E]

Cool. I was getting worried the way the thread had turned. I appreciate all your efforts here and the work you have put into it.

As for the pins I should be there a week from tomorrow so hopefully they will have everything out by than.

On the tour, it was booked up the Friday so we rearranged our trip to stay there Sat instead of going to the LA Zoo and the Tar Pits. A bit of a disappointment for Amy since she was looking forward to the zoo and the convertible I rented for her to drive around LA but the plus side is she gets to see WoC which is her favorite.

Jim

Thank you so much for the kind words. I appreciate it.

Oh, never fear - I would still always recommend to anyone that they visit Disneyland during Halloween Time! There are many things to enjoy about the season, as you know (because you've seen it all in person). Of course, with each passing year, there may be changes. Sometimes things get added in; sometimes things get taken away. Sometimes I wonder what Disney is thinking!

We are always here to discuss breaking news, recent reports or changes as they happen, and some things may be more popular than others. I may grumble momentarily but, at the end of the day, whether I am a fan of some of the current season's changes or not, I still love Halloween Time! It's still my second favorite time of the year to visit Disneyland (second only to the holiday season). And I'm actually hoping that when I get there and see some of the new things in person this year, I will like them much more than I expect to like them.

Yes, I think that you should find a lot of pins by one week from tomorrow. There will be regular Halloween Time pins, and then there should be an extra pin (or two) that is put out especially for the Halloween Party on 9/28. Some party-specific merchandise doesn't hit the shelves until a few hours before the party begins.

So you're doing the Halloween party on Friday and the tour on Saturday?

Well, the zoo is a lot of fun but you're not missing too much by skipping the Tar Pits (I don't know if you've been to the Tar Pits before?). I think your choice to be in the parks on Saturday is a good one.

I live very close to the Tar Pits and its next door neighbor, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the biggest excitement there recently has been a giant rock. LACMA has a giant rock sitting in the middle of a field, and it is an art installation. It's called "Levitated Mass," but it's not actually levitating in the sense of floating in the air. It's propped up on a couple of walls and people can walk underneath it and marvel at the giant rock!

Yep, we are living it up here in Los Angeles. Wild, wild times.

It would have been lovely to drive around in the convertible, though - the weather has been perfect for it. (Thankfully, it has not been as miserably hot in the last couple of days as it was over the weekend.)

You'll have a wonderful time!

 

[laura&fam]

Well, the zoo is a lot of fun but you're not missing too much by skipping the Tar Pits (I don't know if you've been to the Tar Pits before?). I think your choice to be in the parks on Saturday is a good one.

DH had to re-live his childhood and visit the Tar Pits last DL trip. The coolest thing for me was the actual tar pit outside the museum. Not even close to worth the drive though. Of course we were all tired and sick of driving so that made a big difference.

Thanks for this thread Sherry! It has really helped me get excited for our trip even though some not so magical stuff has been going on.

 

[Sherry E]

DH had to re-live his childhood and visit the Tar Pits last DL trip. The coolest thing for me was the actual tar pit outside the museum. Not even close to worth the drive though. Of course we were all tired and sick of driving so that made a big difference.

Thanks for this thread Sherry! It has really helped me get excited for our trip even though some not so magical stuff has been going on.

You're welcome, laura&fam - and thank you for the kind words as well. I'm glad the thread had helped a little, and I am actually hoping that when we all finally get to DLR and sees everything in person, some of the questionable elements to this year's season will seem much more acceptable. Maybe the odd Villains set-up will seem OK when we are actually right there, meeting the Villain in the tent. (Crossing my fingers.)

I am laughing at the "DH had to re-live his childhood" comment.

I think you described the Tar Pits well. The big tar pit outside the museum is strangely fascinating (though I'm never sure why it is). It's a cool place in general if you're already near it, or if you are already going to be in the area doing other things and can easily stop there to check it out (like, say, maybe you're already driving around as Jim said he had planned to do before deciding to stay at DLR on Saturday). There are some interesting things to see at the Tar Pits. The George C. Page Museum is decent. Sometimes I will go to the Tar Pits and LACMA and wander around, taking photos of flowers or other things (like the giant rock!), just to see if I can get any reasonably good shots. Then again, I live close to it so it's not a big trek at all. I walk by there all the time.

But, at the end of the day, the Tar Pits alone are not worth a drive from Anaheim. The Tar Pits would have to be lumped in with some other activities in L.A. to make a drive like that worthwhile!

 

[Kilted Candyman]

It was kind of a match set - live animals at the zoo and dead at the tar pits!

I actually like palo history so I wanted to see it. It was also along the way back from the zoo to the airport hotel we had planned on.

As for the car, Amy has always wanted to drive a convertible and LA seemed like the "happening" place to do it. This trip is a combo birthday for us, her's this month and mine next month so this was a present for her but now it is kind of pointless when we just need a shuttle to and from the airport.

Jim

 

[tksbaskets]

Did I reveal my 'real' name?? Whoops! My BFFs also call me TK too so I'll go with that!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I think you described the Tar Pits well. The big tar pit outside the museum is strangely fascinating (though I'm never sure why it is). It's a cool place in general if you're already near it, or if you are already going to be in the area doing other things and can easily stop there to check it out (like, say, maybe you're already driving around as Jim said he had planned to do before deciding to stay at DLR on Saturday). There are some interesting things to see at the Tar Pits. The George C. Page Museum is decent. Sometimes I will go to the Tar Pits and LACMA and wander around, taking photos of flowers or other things (like the giant rock!), just to see if I can get any reasonably good shots. Then again, I live close to it so it's not a big trek at all. I walk by there all the time.

But, at the end of the day, the Tar Pits alone are not worth a drive from Anaheim. The Tar Pits would have to be lumped in with some other activities in L.A. to make a drive like that worthwhile!

We loved the Tar Pits and the George C. Page museum. We combined this with a visit to Griffith Park last year. Unfortunately we went on a Monday when the observatory was closed. So we also made a special kind of pilgrimage and headed to Glendale so that I could pay my respects at Walt Disney's final resting place.

Corinna

 

[kim3339]

So this is my double post. Thought I posted this in here and I did it in the Party thread instead. That's okay, just more answers to my ?'s.

I leave a week from today and my excitement/ocd has officially kicked into overdrive. I have too many questions, hopefully everyone can help me.

Should I ride the tram to see the decorations by the loading zone?

I got my AP mailer and they said there are 50 stations!?! Is this true? Not that I would go to them all, I was just thinking there would be 10-12 or so.

I'm going down solo, & know it's the 1st party ~ is 1 or the other parades less crowded? And where's the best place to sit for the parade and fireworks? B/c I'm alone, do you think I would be able to walk around in b/w the 2 or should I just stay in the same place?

Last 1 that I have (that I can think of as of now ) do they add some Halloween/villans to WOC or does it stay the same?

Thanks for indulging in my craziness and the all advice/info on the thread. It's helped a TON!!!

 

[isisisme]

I am not sure if the lantern is going away as well. Mouseplanet just said the popcorn bucket.
I am actually hoping we get a new Halloween bucket next year. My husband will not be so happy, but I will be!
I actually get one of the Halloween travel mugs every year, which he thinks I should maybe do without. I even get the crappy coffee in it and just toss it out. LOL

I was hoping for a new demitasse cup this year too. But, maybe I will have to get a second Mickey one.

I too wish that there would we had more info on the tasty treats for the season. I need to plan what I am going to eat since we come right at the end of the season and sometimes stuff is gone Nov 1st.

(BTW, I cannot wait until we get to head down for Halloween).

 

[Kilala]

I should get one of the popcorn buckets this year. I never get things like that. I can wait to see pics from everyones trip. I will post pics myself. I'm getting very excited

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i was told the latern wasnt coming back this year but the cm i spoke to was happy it did she said even if it is only this year im glade they brought it back. She did also say shes heard both latern and popcorn wouldnt be here next year but it can always change

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

Cant wait to head about everyone's trips! And see all the amazing photo's!

 

[Kilala]

I will post pics from 2006 to 2011 later on tonight for sure.

 

[Sherry E]

It was kind of a match set - live animals at the zoo and dead at the tar pits!

I actually like palo history so I wanted to see it. It was also along the way back from the zoo to the airport hotel we had planned on.

As for the car, Amy has always wanted to drive a convertible and LA seemed like the "happening" place to do it. This trip is a combo birthday for us, her's this month and mine next month so this was a present for her but now it is kind of pointless when we just need a shuttle to and from the airport.

Jim

Jim -

Live & dead animals all in the same day! Well, you would definitely enjoy the George C. Page Museum.

And, as I mentioned previously, now that the weather is not as miserably hot as it was over the weekend and Autumn is slowly creeping in (even though it is still warm), it would be perfect convertible weather for driving around L.A., and down by the beach, etc. But...you'll be able to do that again in the future, hopefully. At least this time you'll get to experience the tour and the party at Disneyland.

A few month ago I was actually going to start a photo thread on the Tar Pits & LACMA over in the Southern California forum, specifically for folks who may be visiting L.A. from other states or countries and who want other things to do while in the area besides just going to Disneyland. I may still do it.

Did I reveal my 'real' name?? Whoops! My BFFs also call me TK too so I'll go with that!

TK -

When I saw that you had signed off with your name, I thought "Maybe she is trying to tell us that she wants to use her name instead of TK," so I figured I'd better ask. But I am happy to stick with TK if that's your preference!

We loved the Tar Pits and the George C. Page museum. We combined this with a visit to Griffith Park last year. Unfortunately we went on a Monday when the observatory was closed. So we also made a special kind of pilgrimage and headed to Glendale so that I could pay my respects at Walt Disney's final resting place.

Corinna

Corinna -

I think that the Tar Pits, the George C. Page Museum and the Griffith Park Observatory would make a fun, educational day (even though the Observatory was closed). I would throw LACMA in there too, just because its right next door to the Tar Pits and it has the giant rock! The Getty in Brentwood is a gorgeous museum and garden as well.

So this is my double post. Thought I posted this in here and I did it in the Party thread instead. That's okay, just more answers to my ?'s.

I leave a week from today and my excitement/ocd has officially kicked into overdrive. I have too many questions, hopefully everyone can help me.

Should I ride the tram to see the decorations by the loading zone?

I got my AP mailer and they said there are 50 stations!?! Is this true? Not that I would go to them all, I was just thinking there would be 10-12 or so.

I'm going down solo, & know it's the 1st party ~ is 1 or the other parades less crowded? And where's the best place to sit for the parade and fireworks? B/c I'm alone, do you think I would be able to walk around in b/w the 2 or should I just stay in the same place?

Last 1 that I have (that I can think of as of now ) do they add some Halloween/villans to WOC or does it stay the same?

Thanks for indulging in my craziness and the all advice/info on the thread. It's helped a TON!!!

kim3339 -

I know you already got some answers to your questions in the party thread. I'll tackle a couple of your questions.

About the tram display - if you wouldn't ordinarily be riding the tram, then I suggest riding it to and from the Mickey & Friends parking structure so you can see the decorations. If you are riding the tram from Mickey & Friends to Downtown Disney, the tram display will be on your right-hand side (if I recall correctly). It's kind of broken up in sections - there is the part you see above, in perlster's photo, and then there is another cute part with ghosts. Have your camera poised and ready to shoot, as you will be moving past the display and won't have time to set up a shot if you decide to take a photo right when you see it.

Some folks have been known to actually go up into the Mickey & Friends structure, though (I can't recall which floor/which character level was supposed to be the best for viewing), to take photos of the display from overhead (using a zoom lens, of course), looking down. It's tricky, but at least you wouldn't be moving past it that way.

Yes, there are probably about 50 treat stations. Keep in mind, there are treat trails and then there are treat stations. Each treat trail may have 2-4 treat stations along the path. For example, at Innoventions there is a treat trail. You can follow the trail and hit each station, collecting candy. Pixie Hollow is another spot for a treat trail with a few stations. Some restaurants and rides are used for treat trails and their stations.

Many people do not go to each treat trail, so they skip a lot of the stations. Last year we hit all the trails and all the stations except for whatever was set up in the French Market. There was a treat trail at the Golden Horseshoe, with a few treat stations inside the building (and extra decorations, too!). POTC's queue had a treat trail and a few stations because POTC was closed last year.

You will get a map at the party that gives a rough (though not entirely accurate) idea of where the trails are. Each trail is generally marked by a giant ghost Mickey, and each station usually has a smaller, earless orange Mickey face hanging above the candy handout area.

Some of the stations seem independent of trails because the stations may be far apart.

 

[Susiesark]

I actually get one of the Halloween travel mugs every year, which he thinks I should maybe do without. I even get the crappy coffee in it and just toss it out. LOL

I was hoping for a new demitasse cup this year too. But, maybe I will have to get a second Mickey one.

I got the Donald demitasse cup last year and wanted the Mickey one, so we bought it and threw out the tiny cupcake. We tried giving it away and no one wanted it. BTW the Mickey demitasse cup is available to purchase at the Plaza Inn, for $6.99, and the Donald cup is available at the Ranch BBQ, for $7.99.

 

[Susiesark]

Sherry E The giant rock!!! HaHaHa!!Isn't that something! We had to drive slowly down the street to see it. And now we are waiting and watching for the space shuttle to fly over tomorrow!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry E The giant rock!!! HaHaHa!!Isn't that something! We had to drive slowly down the street to see it. And now we are waiting and watching for the space shuttle to fly over tomorrow!

When that giant rock arrived at LACMA early this year - before it became an official art installation - people were actually lined up along the streets early in the morning to see it pass by (very, very, very slowly) in a truck, en route to LACMA.

Then, as the months passed, the rock sat there in the middle of a lot/field, covered in a giant trash bag (to add a degree of mystery and protect it from the elements), as workers carved out a tunnel and built two walls on either side of the tunnel. I kept thinking that the rock was going to be suspended in the air somehow (not an easy feat because it's so heavy), hence the "Levitated Mass" title. When it finally became a full-fledged art installation, it was merely propped up on the two walls, above the tunnel, so that people could walk under the tunnel and say, "Look! I'm standing underneath the giant rock!"

The press totally misreported the allure of this rock, claiming that LACMA experienced record-breaking attendance over the weekend that the rock was unveiled and that people came out in droves to see it. I walked right by that rock on its opening weekend and I saw maybe 5 people posing for photos with it on one side! Maybe the masses descending upon LACMA after I passed by, but I don't know... I've seen a few Egyptian exhibits (including King Tut) at LACMA and those crowds seemed larger to me.

At least it was a privately funded project, and not anything that came out of tax dollars.

The shuttle is piggy-backed on an airplane - I wish it were flying separately.

 

[Kilala]

Here are some pics from MHT from 2006. I went as a cat I use to have. Her name was Saiyuki

The rest are found here http://s499.photobucket.com/albums/rr357/Naruto-Kitten/Mickeys Treats 2006/

 

[revwog1974]

I have a logistical question. If you are at the party and you're carrying your bag of candy, what do you do with it when you go to one of the dance areas, or get on a ride? I can't leave it with someone else, as it will just be me and my 6-year-old. If I bring a backpack to put it in, will I be able to set the backpack to the side when we pose for photopass photos? Thanks! I'm a worrier!

 

[Sherry E]

Those photos are great, Kilala! What a cute costume idea.

I miss the giant candy corn and candy corn CALIFORNIA letters!

 

[Sherry E]

I have a logistical question. If you are at the party and you're carrying your bag of candy, what do you do with it when you go to one of the dance areas, or get on a ride? I can't leave it with someone else, as it will just be me and my 6-year-old. If I bring a backpack to put it in, will I be able to set the backpack to the side when we pose for photopass photos? Thanks! I'm a worrier!

Very good question! Hopefully some of our party regulars will have some answers.

Not last year, but the previous time that I went to a party I set my bag down when we posed for photos. You can easily set it aside then and keep an eye on it while the photos are being taken.

I think that you can rent a locker for the party - someone correct me if I'm wrong. I wonder if that's what other guests do if they plan to get on rides and dance.