We are back from our trip and things have settled down somewhat. We had a great time at the 9/30 MHP. Thanks so much for some of the tips that I received here.
First, our experience could be a tad different than others. My DD has some neurological challenges so things are worked around her. It was her birthday trip after all.
We were staying at the DLH and riding the Monorail into the parks was the greatest thing since sliced bread for my DD. We had a late lunch, early dinner at Tanegora Terrace. We headed over to DL around 4:00pm. At the Monorail station, we were told that we couldn't get our MHP wristband. We used our Park Hopper tickets to get into the park. In hindsight, this didn't work out very well. I thought that we could get into the parks and then get our wristbands at the Fantasyland Theater and things would be calmer, less hectic and therefore less overstimulating for DD. Well, we get over to the Fantasyland Theater and the line is super long - like really long. They had about 3 stations that took your ticket and activated it with only 2 people putting on the wristbands. The line moved very slow. I inquired of a CM how long it was taking and she said the quickest way would be to exit the park and re-enter at the turnstiles. We experienced our second pixie dust of the evening when a suit came up to us as we were discussing what to do. He took our e-tickets and came back with our bags, wristbands and paper tickets. Thank you Steve!
We worked our way into Toontown to the pre-party. The lines for the characters were really long and my DD wasn't as interested in them as she was in the treat trails. We did the treat trail outside of Roger Rabbits, the treat trail that wound through Minnie's and Mickey's houses and the treat trail across the way at Donald's.
My DD was really into the treat trails! The CM's don't just put a piece of candy in, but, they were putting 3 pieces of candy into the bag. My DD had the light up pumpkin bag and I had the Minnie Mouse bag. We did a couple more treat trails - Fantasyland area and Pixie Hollow - as we were working our way down to Main Street. They had a treat trail at Town Square which I wish I had done twice because I like Werthers.
We were standing in line to see the Villians which were in front of the Train Station. They had 3 of them: Captain Hook, Evil Queen, and someone else. While we were in line they changed. My DD really enjoyed the Villian changing parade. She had left me standing in line so she could move over to see it. Lady Tremaine and the step sisters were following the carriage and Drucella came over and talked to my DD. The Queen of Hearts was around Town Square, but, she didn't seem to want to interact with anyone and kept running away. My DD saw Frollo, Maleficent, and Cruella (who was congered up earlier at the Carnival Villian thingy). They did have the Photopass Photographers there. Maleficient was superb and very much in character.
My DD was also able to get Lady Tremaine's autograph and picture.
We walked up Main Street and it was apparent that if you wanted any place to watch the fireworks, that you better get your spot for the first parade then too. This was not our plan, but, we rolled with it and found a spot on the curb. Warning, my first rant: My DD and I were seated on the curb and this family moved their stroller right up to the curb blocking any view that we may have. Put your child on the curb and leave your big honking stroller in the back! Besides, the stroller contained a 5-6 year old child who kept throwing fits (kicking her feet and screaming) when she wanted something. It took 3 adults to cater to her wantings. Because of the stroller and the child, I changed places with my DD and we played Uno while waiting for the parade.
The Calvacade was fun and very much worth seeing. Somehow, I think the second one would be better - less children and strollers, but, I don't know how to figure that out to get a spot for the fireworks too.
We moved over towards the hub to watch the fireworks. Warning my second rant: My DD was standing there and this about 4 year old boy ran right into her, about knocking her over. He just ran off and I didn't think much about it until this mother came up to my DD and started yelling at her. Then she looked at me and was telling me that my DD ran over her kid. My DD told me that wasn't what happened and that the kid ran into her. There was a lady standing next to me and she said she saw the whole thing. By now my DD is upset and the mother turns to yell at me again. I asked, "What do you want me to do about it?" She said, "You need to teach your kid to be more aware!" I didn't respond and just went quiet. The lady next to me started in on the mother and told her to "back off" and that her "son ran into [my DD]" and that she "needed to teach her son to be more aware." The mother stomped off but she and her husband just glared at me for some time. The lady and I tried to calm my DD down. A CM came up to my DD. He was really really nice and was asking her questions about things. He suddenly looked at me and said, "There are 2 of you?" to which I replied, "Yes." He said, "Come with me." We had seats at the hub to view the fireworks. Thanks! This was our 3rd pixie dust of the evening.
The entire Main Street was wall to wall people. It was something to see - I don't think I've ever seen Main Street so full of people before.
My DD and I simply loved the fireworks! However, I must have been tired or losing it, or something. I never saw Zero fly. I might not have been looking at the right place. But, I thought the fireworks were the best I've seen Disney do. They were awesome!
The plan was to move over to the Golden Horseshoe area, which we did. I love the interactive scarecrows! My DD got quite a kick out of them and watching them.
We were going to see Jack Sparrow and watch the Cadaver Dans. However, my DD just looked at me and said she wanted to leave. She was reaching her limit of trying to walk through the crowds. I've learned not to push it when she says that she needs to leave. Besides, she and I both were up at 4am MDST. We worked our way through the stores and out of DL.
Overall it was very much worth it. I appreciated the CM's as they were checking for wristbands a lot. In the line for the Villians, along Main Street for the parade, and prior to entering ToonTown. I would definitely do it again.
I would do less trick or treating next time. We really have an overload of candy because we got caught up in the fun. We didn't focus on rides, but, we had a
DAS time for the Matterhorn so we rode that when we first entered the park, prior to trying to get our wristbands. Therefore, I don't know if they were issuing DAS return times during the party or not.
! )
