HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[KOUKLI]

Hello everyone!

Long time lurker, first time poster! I'm very much looking forward to MHP this year. It will be the third trip for my husband and I to the USA but the first time for my brother and sister so we are very excited. We will be between both parks from October 26th - 31st and are all attending two MHP's one on the 27th (my birthday) and 31st for Halloween!

I've seen some Halloween merchandise is already in the park and am hoping that they are still there by the time we arrive. It seems like we must miss a lot of the good stuff as they go on sale quite early.

 

[zanzibar138]

I hope that if they do introduce a villain meet n greet it will be one that everyone can get to (not just those with a Disney Visa). I read that Constantine was going to appear at the villains thing at WDW, which I thought was pretty cool! I'd love a muppet meet n greet

LostGen - I don't think you can really make a sweeping statement that a movie is 'not very good', especially when it has such a massive following like NBC does. It's not to everyone's tastes, and you personally might not like it, but there are definitely people out there who think it is good, me included. I can't wait to ride HMH! FWIW, the movie is about what happens when 'two holidays collide', making it both a Halloween AND a Christmas movie.

Personally I don't like Star Wars, and wish Disney didn't have anything to do with it. Clearly there are plenty of people who do like it though and obviously it's a big drawcard for Disney, so I understand that they will continue to run with it.

 

[KOUKLI]

Here are a few shots of our Halloween Time trips.

Here are two, one on our first trip having been together for 3 months and the other on our Honeymoon 2 years later

The rest are from last years trip. So excited for this year!!

 

[mummabear]

It's interesting you should say "Nightmare Before Christmas" is a Christmas movie because there was a discussion here on the board about whether it was a Christmas or Halloween movie (I can't remember if it's was it's own thread or on the previous Halloween SuperThread). It was pretty evenly split whether folks felt it was a Halloween or Christmas movie.

I do agree with kylie71 that's it's a fairly popular ride. It has it's detractors here on the Disboard, so not eveyrone likes it. Yet, enough must like it that DLR keeps doing it each year. When I first saw the overlay, I wasn't impressed with it, but it's since grown on me. I'm not a big NBC fan, so that really doesn't have any bearing on the ride for me.

I much prefer it with the overlay, in fact without the overlay I could easily skip it.
We bought the movie because we liked the overlay so much and couldn't even sit through the whole thing, it was not our cup of tea at all, yet the ride (with overlay) is one of my favourite rides.

I think it os both a Christmas and Halloween movie (they collide don't they?)

I'm hoping there will be something small light and fun to buy. I want to get the boys the glow with the show ears so they will take up room. With Disney being the end of a world trip I think we will be running out of luggage room.

Oh good luck. Stuff is so much cheaper in the US, we take 2 bags over and 5 home....

The other day I mentioned the silly sentence, "Throughout your day, challenge your family to see how many photos you can take with Disney Villains who are creeping about" during Halloween Time, in the Disney Visa Fall 2014 newsletter/magazine (titled "Treats and Traditions for Fall Festivities"). It is silly because it seems to imply that people will be able to find multiple Villains throughout the day, when -- for the last 2 Halloween seasons -- there has been just one Villain per 'shift' at the Conjure a Villain tent of the Halloween Carnival in the daytime (often times the same Villain is there repeatedly), and most of the Villains have been at Mickey's Halloween Party (a separate, hard ticket event).

Of course, things could change this year and maybe the Villains will suddenly be more available in the daytime (like another photo spot similar to the old photo spot they used to have, pre-2012) this year.

When probing further, I noticed that on the Disney Rewards website there is a reference to a "Disney Villains Meet ‘n’ Greet" (in the paragraph about Halloween Time), at the very bottom of THIS PAGE.

Rhetorical questions (because no one has the answers): Does this mean that there will actually be a "Villains Meet 'n' Greet" beyond the (almost pointless) Conjure a Villain tent? Or, is Disney just being clever with the wording and is actually referring to the Conjure tent as the Meet 'n' Greet?

I hope it's not a Disney Visa only meet-those of us overseas are not eligible for one...

 

[TulipsNZ]

Oh good luck. Stuff is so much cheaper in the US, we take 2 bags over and 5 home....

I'm glad it's not just us, hubby has been eyeing up so much that I'm worried about our return luggage costs. His is justifiable from a work perspective but I still think my shopping needs some room

 

[zanzibar138]

Oh good luck. Stuff is so much cheaper in the US, we take 2 bags over and 5 home....

I'm glad it's not just us, hubby has been eyeing up so much that I'm worried about our return luggage costs. His is justifiable from a work perspective but I still think my shopping needs some room

I'm so jealous! This is going to be a total budget trip for me - I haven't managed to save up much spending money

 

[mummabear]

I'm so jealous! This is going to be a total budget trip for me - I haven't managed to save up much spending money

We buy nothing here in NZ, then buy all the kids clothes, shoes for everyone, toys etc when we visit. Much cheaper more choice.

 

[zanzibar138]

We buy nothing here in NZ, then buy all the kids clothes, shoes for everyone, toys etc when we visit. Much cheaper more choice.

I had heaps saved up and blew it all on DH's birthday present this year

To be honest though, I'm not sure we'll even have time for shopping on this trip (yes, for those following along, I have nearly a month in the US and am not willing to take a morning/afternoon off from sightseeing for shopping...). I'm really not the shopping type

 

[mummabear]

I'm glad it's not just us, hubby has been eyeing up so much that I'm worried about our return luggage costs. His is justifiable from a work perspective but I still think my shopping needs some room

Dump anything like shampoo from your luggage to gain weight, make use of your carry ons (4x7kg plus a personal item-ie a camera bag or purse each) wear your heaviest clothes/shoes onto the flight.

 

[Vala]

Maybe...it's be great if they did have new decor and new elements for the Mad T Party to celebrate Halloween. Last year there were spiders on the entry, ghostly lanterns hanging overhead, and the band performed "This is Halloween". There was also the Halloween cocktail. In terms of Tweedle Dee and Dum (the Mad T Party version), they had a modified opening dialog that incorporated references to Halloween. They may have some new dialog this year, but I would guess much of it will be similar to last year (I'm not sure they'd opt to have the Mad T Party characters dress up in Halloween costumes...it might be kind of hard to tell who they are without they usual outfits).

Last year the costumes and make up got more "spooky" over the course of the sets. The storyline was that someone had "spiked the tea" and the band was slowly turning into zombies. Dormouse tried to eat me.

Start of the show:

Changes oved the course of the other three sets:

Sorry, I guess you can tell I am a member of Team Dormouse.

Mad Hatter during the last set - that shot gives you an idea of some of the spookyness they worked in. Some of the effects were really amazing.

 

[Sherry E]

We've (I've??) been keeping track of the early appearances of Fall/Halloween-ish things in various stores, which began in July and have continued into this month.

It seems that I am not the only one who is eager for the seasons to change. There must be a big push for the end of summer by people who are anxious for autumn, and now even more retailers are getting on board (those who were not already on board to begin with).


One of the many, many, many, many Fall/Halloween/Holiday-related pages I belong to on Facebook reported that the popular Pumpkin Spice Lattes that Starbucks makes every year are going to be available at Starbucks locations starting Monday, August 25th this year -- which is, apparently, earlier than they have been available in the past. (I don't know -- I've never bought a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks.)

Here is an article, titled "Pumpkin Spice Lattes returning earlier than usual" that I just found.

That means that everyone should be able to get the lattes at the 3 Starbucks locations at Disneyland Resort (Market House; Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café; Starbucks in Downtown Disney) as of that date!

 

[Sherry E]

Vala -- Amazing photos of the Mad T Party!



Bret -- I'll let you know if, for some reason, I end up at DLR during the same time you're there over Halloween Time! There are certain reasons why going earlier in the month would be good, and certain reasons why going later would be good. I just have to decide.



zanzibar138 & mummabear -- I doubt that the wording in the Disney Visa newsletter/magazine meant anything. Everything is probably going to be business as usual on the Halloween Time front this year.

I am not suggesting that Disney should do a Villains meet & greet for only Visa people, of course. They already do enough events/contests that exclude a lot of people, as we know.

However, Disney already has a character photo spot for Visa card members in DCA, and the characters there are pretty standard. It would be a nice surprise/perk for the Visa Card/Rewards members if Disney put a surprise Villain there for the members to get photos with, and I wouldn't be unhappy about it. I doubt that they will do that, but if they did I'm sure there would only be one Villain.

Either way, they will still have the silly Conjure a Villain tent in DL, for everyone to meet one Villain at a time. In fact, putting a surprise Villain at the Visa spot in DCA might possibly shorten the long line at the Halloween Carnival for the Conjure a Villain tent! It could work to everyone's advantage if they ever did it that way.

Again, though, I really don't think it will happen (a Villain for Disney Visa/Rewards folks). I won't complain if it does, but I am not expecting anything like that, at all.

Hello everyone!

Long time lurker, first time poster! I'm very much looking forward to MHP this year. It will be the third trip for my husband and I to the USA but the first time for my brother and sister so we are very excited. We will be between both parks from October 26th - 31st and are all attending two MHP's one on the 27th (my birthday) and 31st for Halloween!

I've seen some Halloween merchandise is already in the park and am hoping that they are still there by the time we arrive. It seems like we must miss a lot of the good stuff as they go on sale quite early.

KOUKLI --

Welcome!

Thank you so much for joining us, and for sharing your beautiful, festive pictures! You and your husband are an adorable couple!

You're absolutely right about the merchandise's early release contributing to certain things selling out. I think it happens for the holiday season as well as Halloween. The earlier the merchandise appears outside of the actual seasons in question (Halloween things appearing in summer; holiday/Christmas things appearing during Halloween Time), the more of a chance there will be for them to sell out early.

I suspect that Disney probably got in one big supply of merchandise now, which is presumably intended to last into the first couple of weeks of Halloween Time. Around the time of the MHP's first night, there would probably be another supply of merchandise (though maybe slightly smaller than the first supply) coming in to cover the time frame extending to October 31st. Some things will sell out along the way, and some things mysteriously seem to disappear and never get restocked. Along the way, before Halloween, Christmas things will also begin to appear in the shops as the Halloween things sell out, a little at a time.

Anyway, it sounds like you have another great Halloween trip coming up (with 2 MHPs), and being at the MHP on October 31st will be amazing. In fact, that's a date I seriously have my eye on for the MHP too. I am considering a 10/31 MHP. I haven't made up my mind, but it is definitely a strong possibility!

​

 

[figment_jii]

Changes over the course of the other three sets

Great photos! I only stayed to watch the first set (had to head over to DL for fireworks and Fantasmic!), so I didn't get to see the progression. It's great to see that they did do something for Halloween! Did they do in any other Halloween-ish songs? They did "This is Halloween" for the first set (when I was there), which seems like it's one of the "standard" Halloween songs in Disney because it's in the fireworks show and the Cadaver Dans sang it as well.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I can't remember if I have asked this before or not (I am old and tired):

Would it be best to watch NBC before riding the HM with the overlay? My DD and I could certainly do that before our trip.

TIA

 

[figment_jii]

Would it be best to watch NBC before riding the HM with the overlay? My DD and I could certainly do that before our trip.

I don't think you have to watch NBC to enjoy HMH, but it doesn't really hurt either. If you've never seen NBC, then I would probably watch it once before you go to get a sense of who is who and to get a sense of the overall story (i.e., in the words of the host: "I know you’re curious to see what’s inside… It’s what happens when two holidays collide..."). The ride is not a re-telling of the movie, so in that way, it's less critical to watch the movie. It uses some of the same characters (e.g., you'll see Jack, Sally, Zero, Lock, Shock and Barrel, Oogie Boogie, etc.) but doesn't really have any scenes in the ride that are from the movie.

 

[Sherry E]

Continuing "Pumpkin Watch 2014".....


Upon further investigation on a fantastic site called The Impulsive Buy, which actually has a section called "SPOTTED ON SHELVES" (in which they report on interesting new, limited edition and seasonal food items as people spot them), I found another pumpkin item that has apparently sneaked into at least one store without fanfare! Pumpkin Spice Milano Cookies!



So, let's recap the Fall/Halloween foods and drinks that have been spotted so far, by various people in various places (not at Disneyland Resort, but just around various stores):


Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale (spotted at K-Mart)

Brach's Apple Pie Candy Corn has been spotted (at Walgreens)!!

Brach's Caramel Macchiato Candy Corn has been spotted (at Walgreens)!

Brach's Mellowcreme Autumn Mix (K-Mart)

Brach's S'mores Candy Corn!! (K-Mart)

Candy Apple Milk Chocolate M&M's have been spotted (at Walmart)!!!!

Caramel Apple Oreos have appeared at Target, though it is unclear as to whether they will be a Target exclusive or available in many stores (reported by DIS'er Davidg83)

Caramel Apple Twizzlers (spotted at Walgreens)

Dannon Oikos Caramel Macchiato flavor (spotted at Ralphs)

Entenmann's Salted Caramel Iced Cake!!!! (Spotted at Stop & Shop)

Godiva Caramel Nut Brownie Truffles (not sure if this is a "Fall item"?)

Godiva Pecan Caramel Sundae (not sure if this is supposed to be a "Fall item"?)

Peeps Pumpkins (spotted last week at K-Mart by a Halloween-related Facebook page admin)

Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Spice Milano Cookies!!!! (Reported on The Impulsive Buy on August 4th; spotted at Walmart)

Pillsbury Pumpkin Pie Toaster Strudel (spotted on July 16th, at Walmart)

Pumpkin Noosa Yoghurt (at Target)

Pumpkin Pie Spice Jif Whips (which we already learned about back in July, from DIS'er Davidg83 -- spotted at Target)

Pumpkin Spice Oreos are rumored to be headed to store shelves near you!

Samuel Adams' Octoberfest Seasonal Brew (spotted at K-Mart)

Siggi's Pumpkin and Spice Yogurt (spotted at Target, August 20th)

Skittles in pumpkins and green ghost dispensers (to give out to trick-or-treaters on 10/31, I assume -- also spotted at K-Mart)





Additionally...


Lots of regular candy corn in big bags (it was spotted at K-Mart)

Cotton Candy in Halloween containers (K-Mart)


And, of course, we now know that the Pumpkin Spice Lattes are headed to Starbucks (and probably to DLR) by 8/25 or 8/26 for some folks via a scavenger hunt sort of thing (as reported by DisneyJamieCA), and by 9/2 for the general public!




Glade's Fall Collection (featuring a "Pumpkin Pie Diner" fragrance) appears to be out or about to hit the shelves.

Apparently, Autumn-ish Yankee Candles are available now, and there was a 'sneak peek' of Bath and Body Works' annual Fall line of products a couple of weeks ago.

"Fall Décor" has arrived at Rite Aid, at a discount!

Halloween décor (ceramic pumpkins, etc.) has appeared at Smith's grocery store (as reported by DIS'er laura&fam)

And we know that Halloween costumes have appeared at Costco and at party supply stores, while Halloween-ish décor and knick knacks are at the craft stores.

Fall and Halloween décor has arrived at Cost Plus World Market and at Pottery Barn (as reported by sgrap and 2tinkerbell, respectively)!


Autumn is coming, folks!!!!




But... are you ready for the shocker? Here goes. Even I can't believe this one, and I am pretty lenient and open-minded about the early appearances of seasonal décor, merchandise and goodies. You may want to sit down for this one.

Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream CHRISTMAS TREES were spotted at Walmart!!!!!!!!!!!! On August 11th!!!!!!!

I am strangely horrified and delighted by this news, all at the same time! The regular Reese's Peanut Butter Trees haven't even hit the shelves yet (nor have the Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins, from what I have heard), but the ice cream versions are already out!

​

 

[figment_jii]

Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream CHRISTMAS TREES were spotted at Walmart!!!!!!!!!!!! On August 11th!!!!!!!

Okay, I gotta say it...could those be left over from last year? I'd check the expiration date before buying them. I'm having a hard time picturing Christmas treats showing up in stores in August. Though, stranger things have happened...

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Okay, I gotta say it...could those be left over from last year? I'd check the expiration date before buying them. I'm having a hard time picturing Christmas treats showing up in stores in August. Though, stranger things have happened...

I was thinking the same thing. Somewhere, somebody found a case of unopened ones in the freezer and decided to put them on the shelves. But now, I'm going to start walking up and down the aisles at stores just to see what might be out there

 

[Sherry E]

A random, old, leftover box of ice cream trees would make sense (much like the leftover Peppermint Wonderland ice cream that was lurking on shelves well into June at Grocery Outlet).

I don't know if the Trees are old and leftover, or brand new on the shelves. Maybe Walmart got in an earlier shipment than what they expected?

Decide for yourselves. Here is the page (the Trees are the very last photo in the blog) - http://www.theimpulsivebuy.com/wordpress/2014/08/11/spotted-on-shelves-8112014/.

​

 

[mummabear]

I had heaps saved up and blew it all on DH's birthday present this year

To be honest though, I'm not sure we'll even have time for shopping on this trip (yes, for those following along, I have nearly a month in the US and am not willing to take a morning/afternoon off from sightseeing for shopping...). I'm really not the shopping type

We are a well oiled machine at this now, shopping with 3 kids under 5=not a lot of fun. So we hit 1x walmart super store and then 1 x outlet and be out in a couple of hours, we know what shops to go in and skip all the others...

This is us after about 20 minutes in Walmart: