HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[pudinhd]

I only wish that the full Halloween Carnival was kept open during the Halloween Party (with the full array of crafts, games, pumpkin carvers, etc., that can be found during the daytime) too, but I don't think it was open at full capacity last year. At best the Carnival would be used as a treat trail/station for candy collecting, and a spot for character meet and greets. The regular Halloween Carnival (with the pumpkin carvers and crafts/games) will be open in the daytime during regular park hours, and it is a gem.

Totally great idea! They have Mickey & Minnie greeting right outside the entrance and a treat trail / (Woody & Jessie meet & greet??) in the Thunder Ranch area... So close to such a huge available space!!

 

[LisaT91403]

How are the crowds at DCA during the "overlap" hours between MHP and regular DL hours? We have AP's, and were thinking if hitting DCA from 3:00-7:00ish. It would be on a Friday.

 

[figment_jii]

I was both surprised and unsurprised that Big Thunder Carnival wasn't open during MHP. Even on non-party nights it's still closed around dusk, so perhaps it has something to do with operating that area at night.

Regarding the food, I agree that there might an item or two that is exclusive to MHP, but for the most part things will be available all day.

 

[Sherry E]

"Fall décor" has made its way into Rite Aid! They are selling Fall wreaths, candles and other knick knacks at 50% off, I think the sign said.

It's always good to get a lot of these seasonal sorts of decorations way before the actual season begins, or way after the season ends, as they are on sale then and there is a good supply. The worst time (price-wise) to get Halloween and Fall decorations is probably in October, just as getting Christmas decorations in December is a terrible idea.

Tomorrow I am heading to Ralphs, and while there I will stalk the aisles in search of Fall-ish products. If Rite Aid had some things in stock, I know that Ralphs has to have something too.

 

[sgrap]

I saw a whole bunch of fall decorations and treats (like the popcorn candy mix bags) at World Market today. Sigh . . . even though I'm excited about our October DLR trip, I could use a few more extra weeks of our beautiful PNW summer!

 

[Sherry E]

I saw a whole bunch of fall decorations and treats (like the popcorn candy mix bags) at World Market today. Sigh . . . even though I'm excited about our October DLR trip, I could use a few more extra weeks of our beautiful PNW summer!

Ooooh! Thank you for the idea, sgrap! I didn't even think of Cost Plus World Market -- I have one of those near me, too. It's in the Farmers Market. There should be a circular for World Market stuck in my Sunday newspaper, so I will see if they are showing pictures of any of their seasonal stuff yet. It could be that they have it in stock but don't want to advertise it in print just yet!

Well, you do have a good 5 weeks left (slightly over 5 weeks) of summer, so that is something. That's a good chunk of time to enjoy what's left of the season.

Unfortunately, our fall weather in SoCal will still seem summer-like for a month or two after summer ends!

 

[sgrap]

Ooooh! Thank you for the idea, sgrap! I didn't even think of Cost Plus World Market -- I have one of those near me, too. It's in the Farmers Market. There should be a circular for World Market stuck in my Sunday newspaper, so I will see if they are showing pictures of any of their seasonal stuff yet. It could be that they have it in stock but don't want to advertise it in print just yet!

Well, you do have a good 5 weeks left (slightly over 5 weeks) of summer, so that is something. That's a good chunk of time to enjoy what's left of the season.

Unfortunately, our fall weather in SoCal will still seem summer-like for a month or two after summer ends!

Yeah, our weather usually stays decent until toward the end of September, but all the summer fun ends by Labor Day. College DS goes back to school, 2 DD's and I start homeschooling again, etc. It's all good, but I could use a few more laid-back weeks with everyone home and without a schedule to keep. Although this summer has been way more scheduled than I prefer. DD 13 broke her pinky on June 2nd and that led to surgery, multiple doctor appts and physical therapy! On top of orthodontist x 2, piano lessons, voice lessons, guitar lessons . . . no wonder I need another summer break.

I am super excited that college DS is flying down to meet us at DLR in October when he has a 3-day weekend for "Fall Break." He'll get to go to a MHP with us, too. He hasn't been to Disney with us since . . . good gravy, 2005? We've been 3 times without him! And he went once on his senior class trip (lucky kids . . . class of 15 students can pull off some cool stuff!) for one day in 2012. Anyway, I'm trying to focus on the fun that fall will bring! Right?!?!

Any brainstorms on costumes that are 'cool' enough for a college-age son, a teen daughter and a tween daughter to wear? I'm not going to get away with anything cute-sie anymore! Likely, I'm not going to get away with talking them into anything except maybe a Halloween type t-shirt, if I'm lucky. I have really no idea what to expect at MHP since we've never been. Other than what I have learned from this thread, that is, which is quite a bit!

 

[Sherry E]

Other things I keep an eye on as far as watching for signs of Autumn creeping in are the coupon inserts in the Sunday newspaper! I look at all the store circulars too (which is what clued me in to check Rite Aid for their Fall décor), but I know that when I see the first "Fall ads" in a coupon insert it is 'Game On!!!' from that point forward!

So, in one of the coupon inserts this morning, there it was... the 2-page Glade "Fall Collection" ad! (Am I the only one who loves the assorted seasonal collections that Glade puts out every year?) I only saw one scent though -- "Pumpkin Pie Diner." Or maybe it was supposed to be "Diner: Pumpkin Pie." In any case, that was the only aroma in the Fall Collection. (Maybe more are coming up? They always have an apple something-or-other.)

And then I found a small, less in-your-face ad for the Fall/Harvest Hershey's, Rolo and Reese's candies -- in fact, the Pumpkin Spice Kisses were show in the photo, as well as the "harvest" Hershey Miniatures Assortment.

There is no turning back now, as the "Fall ads" will only get bigger and more prolific from this point forward, paving the way to the eventual holiday season ads!!!!! Wheeeeeee!!!

​

Yeah, our weather usually stays decent until toward the end of September, but all the summer fun ends by Labor Day. College DS goes back to school, 2 DD's and I start homeschooling again, etc. It's all good, but I could use a few more laid-back weeks with everyone home and without a schedule to keep. Although this summer has been way more scheduled than I prefer. DD 13 broke her pinky on June 2nd and that led to surgery, multiple doctor appts and physical therapy! On top of orthodontist x 2, piano lessons, voice lessons, guitar lessons . . . no wonder I need another summer break.

I am super excited that college DS is flying down to meet us at DLR in October when he has a 3-day weekend for "Fall Break." He'll get to go to a MHP with us, too. He hasn't been to Disney with us since . . . good gravy, 2005? We've been 3 times without him! And he went once on his senior class trip (lucky kids . . . class of 15 students can pull off some cool stuff!) for one day in 2012. Anyway, I'm trying to focus on the fun that fall will bring! Right?!?!

Any brainstorms on costumes that are 'cool' enough for a college-age son, a teen daughter and a tween daughter to wear? I'm not going to get away with anything cute-sie anymore! Likely, I'm not going to get away with talking them into anything except maybe a Halloween type t-shirt, if I'm lucky. I have really no idea what to expect at MHP since we've never been. Other than what I have learned from this thread, that is, which is quite a bit!

sgrap --

It almost sounds as if you need a vacation from your summer vacation -- it has been jam-packed with activities!

I hope your DD13 is doing well now! That kind of thing can be so traumatic, especially for a young person. And it isn't 'fixed' in one doctor visit, which prolongs the misery even more.

I know that last year (also in summer, as I recall), DisneyJamieCA/Jamie's daughter suffered an injury too. I don't know how parents keep from losing their sanity and keep staying calm -- I think I would be a nervous wreck all the time if I were a parent, constantly worrying about making sure that my child was safe and unharmed!

Well, the good thing is that your son will be going with you to the MHP! Even if no costumes are involved, it will be a fun time (and there are many people not in costume, so I don't think anyone would feel odd or left out)! If he likes fireworks, I think he will love Halloween Screams. The Halloween t-shirts are pretty cool these days -- and I think that as long as they are Disney-appropriate and not too violent or risqué, a themed shirt is enough to commemorate the occasion if you can't talk your son into any other kind of costume.

I was thinking a few days ago... In the wake of the recent Robin Williams tragedy, I wonder if there will suddenly be a lot of Genies at the MHP this year... or Morks... or Mrs. Doubtfires!

 

[Davidg83]

I can officially confirm this years new seasonal Oreo flavor... caramel apple! I'm not sure if it will be a Target exclusive (like the candy corn flavor the past few years) or if it will be available everywhere. Hopefully the candy corn flavor comes back too!

As for the glade scents I know there were a few other seasonal ones on the display but I didn't pay too much attention because I was excited about the pumpkin one. I'll have to look again today.

 

[Sherry E]

I can officially confirm this years new seasonal Oreo flavor... caramel apple! I'm not sure if it will be a Target exclusive (like the candy corn flavor the past few years) or if it will be available everywhere. Hopefully the candy corn flavor comes back too!

As for the glade scents I know there were a few other seasonal ones on the display but I didn't pay too much attention because I was excited about the pumpkin one. I'll have to look again today.

Davidg83 --

I am glad to know that Glade is expanding its horizons beyond just the Pumpkin Pie scent (even though they didn't show another scent in the ad)! I was thinking, "They've got to have another Fall-ish aroma besides just Pumpkin Pie!" Maybe they will show the other aromas/versions in future ads.

Caramel Apple Oreos!!!! That is totally new, isn't it? I don't recall hearing anything about a Caramel Apple flavor of Oreos in the past -- I hope they're good! I have not tried the Candy Corn version yet -- I need to find someone who buys a whole package of them and will let me try one cookie before I can commit to buying a package. I haven't even tried the "Candy Cane" versions of Oreos.

I did see a Caramel Apple version of Milky Way last year, and there is a Candy Apple version of M&M's this year (the first of many seasonal M&M's, I'm sure).

I notice that Walmart has gotten into the "exclusives" game too. Last year, both Target and Walmart had different exclusive flavors of something or another, whether it was M&M's, Oreos, Hershey's Kisses, etc. I don't have any Walmarts near me, so Target will have to do!


Thank you for the report! I am loving hearing about which seasonal delights are trickling in, slowly (before the onslaught in a couple of weeks)!

 

[bearette]

I went to Disney last year on on overlap, avoid it! I think we rode one ride in three hours. Go to California instead.

Thanks for the food thread. I will have to hit the craft area during the day since I never made it there yet.

 

[Kilala]

Here are the progress pictures of my Autumn Mist unitard. I will be wearing this costume on September 26th.












There are more pictures here http://s499.photobucket.com/user/Naruto-Kitten/library/Autumn Mist costume?sort=2&page=1

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

sgrap -- It almost sounds as if you need a vacation from your summer vacation -- it has been jam-packed with activities! I hope your DD13 is doing well now! That kind of thing can be so traumatic, especially for a young person. And it isn't 'fixed' in one doctor visit, which prolongs the misery even more. I know that last year (also in summer, as I recall), DisneyJamieCA/Jamie's daughter suffered an injury too. I don't know how parents keep from losing their sanity and staying calm -- I think I would be a nervous wreck all the time if I were a parent, constantly worrying about making sure that my child was safe and unharmed!

Good memory, Sherry! Sept, 7th will mark one year since her injury (and for those who weren't on the Christmas thread last year, she had her pinky severed off (and then amputated) in a freak accident). I put on a brave face for her, but I was a mess inside and would often come home after school drop off and burst into tears feeling so helpless. But time does heal and she is completely fine with it now (and has been for about 6 months). We are in such a different place than we were when I shared about it last year - in some ways I can't believe a year has gone by already and in others I can't believe it's only been a year. And I do worry all the time they're going to get hurt

But back to the fun of this thread - I am so excited to see all the holiday flavor treats out! The kids go back to school on Wed (!!!), so I think a trip to Target may be in store to see what I can find. It'll be fun hunting over the next month to see what comes out.

 

[sgrap]

Good memory, Sherry! Sept, 7th will mark one year since her injury (and for those who weren't on the Christmas thread last year, she had her pinky severed off (and then amputated) in a freak accident). I put on a brave face for her, but I was a mess inside and would often come home after school drop off and burst into tears feeling so helpless. But time does heal and she is completely fine with it now (and has been for about 6 months). We are in such a different place than we were when I shared about it last year - in some ways I can't believe a year has gone by already and in others I can't believe it's only been a year. And I do worry all the time they're going to get hurt

But back to the fun of this thread - I am so excited to see all the holiday flavor treats out! The kids go back to school on Wed (!!!), so I think a trip to Target may be in store to see what I can find. It'll be fun hunting over the next month to see what comes out.

Good gravy, the broken pinky doesn't seem quite so terrible now! We have 4 kids, and now only 1 (the oldest--a boy) hasn't broken anything. Parenting is definitely not for the faint of heart--or stomach.

We are almost to the 60 day out point, so talking to the kids today about dining reservations. So far the only food they want is counter service. Debating about Big Thunder BBQ--haven't done that in forever. With college age DS coming, he wants to maximize time with rides and such, so I don't think long character meals will be on his priority list. Wondering about if he'd like the BBQ though. Does it tend to be a long meal? Or just as long as you want to sit there and eat?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Good gravy, the broken pinky doesn't seem quite so terrible now! We have 4 kids, and now only 1 (the oldest--a boy) hasn't broken anything. Parenting is definitely not for the faint of heart--or stomach.

Oh no, it's plenty scary! Although it was very hard on us at the time to not have it reattached, it ended up the best thing. No surgeries and except for a few appts in the first few weeks, it's just been time needed. We also have 4 and DS just bruised his thumb. I've been watching it like crazy to keep an eye on the swelling & bruising because I'm afraid it may be broken.

Sherry, I just came across this article about the PSL at Starbucks.. Apparently the Aug. 26th date isn't for everybody. Sept. 2 remains the general release.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/con...mpkin-spice-lattes-early-theres-twist-n182741

 

[laura&fam]

At Smith's (grocery store) yesterday they had a big display right when you walk in 'Get your Spooktacular Pumpkins here' next to a bunch of ceramic decorative pumpkins. Wasn't expecting that at the grocery store! I have to admit I'm getting a little nervous about finishing the costumes in time. These are definitely the most ambitious costumes I've attempted, and they're not what most people would consider hard

 

[Sherry E]

Kilala -- The costume is coming along very nicely!

Sherry, I just came across this article about the PSL at Starbucks.. Apparently the Aug. 26th date isn't for everybody. Sept. 2 remains the general release.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/con...mpkin-spice-lattes-early-theres-twist-n182741

Jamie --

Thank you for posting that! Very interesting, indeed! That's good to know, just in case people start making a beeline for Starbucks on 8/25 or 8/26 to get their fix o' Pumpkin Spice Lattes (I wouldn't have been one of them, but others might). That article must have just popped up once more information came in.

I think the first bit of news of the Lattes appearing on 8/25 caught on, as a few of the Halloween-related Facebook pages I follow mentioned it, and there are still a couple of articles floating around online about an 8/25 PSL date, like this one, from last week. Those sites/pages are either not aware of or are just not mentioning the whole "scavenger hunt" aspect of it, which is important to remember, nor are they mentioning that the PSL officially appears as of 9/2.

The day after Labor Day makes much more sense to start trotting out the seasonal foods and drinks in restaurants, I think, but it won't stop the stores from trotting out the seasonal food items to go on the shelves!

I love seeing which seasonal things (décor, candles, treats -- all of it) begin to appear over the course of time -- especially which things appear before Labor Day and which ones appear after Labor Day.

Let us know what discoveries you make on your trip to Target!


ETA: It appears that even the E! website has not gotten the memo that the PSL are only available for certain people on 8/25, and will be widely available on 9/2. They are reporting it as if 8/25 is the date for everyone to get the PSL -- Here. (I just got an email alert from E!, which is how I knew that this article went up on their site!)

At Smith's (grocery store) yesterday they had a big display right when you walk in 'Get your Spooktacular Pumpkins here' next to a bunch of ceramic decorative pumpkins. Wasn't expecting that at the grocery store! I have to admit I'm getting a little nervous about finishing the costumes in time. These are definitely the most ambitious costumes I've attempted, and they're not what most people would consider hard

laura&fam --

Did you get your family to agree on costumes? I know you had some holdouts who didn't want to stick to your theme.

 

[Sherry E]

Pumpkin Spice Oreos? I had no idea!!!! See this article -- Here.

And look, there is also a small photo of the Caramel Apple Oreos that Davidg83 told us about!


ETA -- Apparently the Candy Apple M&M's are not worth the money -- Review Here.

 

[laura&fam]

Yes, my boys did finally agree on Toy Story green army men. My DS9 wanted to go as a gory skeleton (blood and guts not just bones) and I told him no way. I said he could be that for Halloween but for MHP it was a Toy Story character or nothing. I felt a little bad not letting him decide but he wouldn't budge on the gross skeleton and I didn't want that at MHP. I'm glad he decided it would be more fun to dress up with us than not.

 

[mummabear]

Disney Store has trick or treat bags and some Halloween shirts in stock.
http://www.disneystore.com/disney/s...ll_Shopping&Ntt=treat&D=treat&Dr=pPublished:1