HalloweenTime at DLR Superthread #4

[kim3339]

figment~ did you happen to notice if they still have the 45th anniversary HM stretching room popcorn bucket available?

 

[Sherry E]

Oh my, that Apple Pie Funnel Cake looks too delicious to pass up. I might find myself eating my way through DLR.

2tinkerbell --

I had read about the new funnel cake a few weeks ago (but didn't see a photo), and knew it was coming to this year's seasonal offerings -- but I must admit that it looks much, much better in the photo than it did in my mind! I'm not even a big funnel cake person (I prefer regular cake if I'm going to eat cake), but it does look too delicious to pass up, as you said. The question is -- will it look that good in person? And will it taste good?

 

[2tinkerbell]

figment~ did you happen to notice if they still have the 45th anniversary HM stretching room popcorn bucket available?

Sorry I'm not figment and I don't want to step on their toes but I believe it was available at the NOS popcorn stand (according to Figment's #4). Again, I apologize if I am out of line.

 

[Sherry E]

figment~ did you happen to notice if they still have the 45th anniversary HM stretching room popcorn bucket available?

kim3339 -

From figment_jii's post above: "They still have the Disney character stretching portrait popcorn bucket (HM 45th) at the NOS popcorn stand."

(I'm only answering because I'm not sure if figment_jii will get back here again until tomorrow or after the MHP!)

Sorry I'm not figment and I don't want to step on their toes but I believe it was available at the NOS popcorn stand (according to Figment's #4). Again, I apologize if I am out of line.

2tinkerbell --

In this case, figment_jii is at DLR and may not get back here to this thread until tomorrow. We have no clue when figment_jii will return. So I think it's okay to point out what figment_jii posted above about the bucket, since it was overlooked the first time around!

 

[kim3339]

Sorry I'm not figment and I don't want to step on their toes but I believe it was available at the NOS popcorn stand (according to Figment's #4). Again, I apologize if I am out of line.

kim3339 -

From figment_jii's post above: "They still have the Disney character stretching portrait popcorn bucket (HM 45th) at the NOS popcorn stand."

(I'm only answering because I'm not sure if figment_jii will get back here again until tomorrow or after the MHP.

Thanks guys! I totally missed that.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks guys! I totally missed that.

kim3339 --

No worries -- it's easy to miss certain bits of info on a forum like this! I know that people miss a lot of things that I post, and I'm sure I've overlooked or skipped over a lot of things too!

(Somehow I completely missed hearing about the fact that the Critter Breakfast at Storytellers Café no longer allows menu orders [it's now buffet only], and I'm not sure how that one slipped past me. I only found out because another DIS'er pointed it out to me when I incorrectly posted that you could order off the menu or from the buffet, but the menu option has been discontinued since earlier this year!)

 

[pudinhd]

(Somehow I completely missed hearing about the fact that the Critter Breakfast at Storytellers Café no longer allows menu orders [it's now buffet only], and I'm not sure how that one slipped past me. I only found out because another DIS'er pointed it out to me when I incorrectly posted that you could order off the menu or from the buffet, but the menu option has been discontinued since earlier this year!)

I think I just read you could do menu orders or buffet orders at breakfast on the Character Super Thread. I think it was recent information, but I guess it's possible it was old... (Slightly off topic! )

 

[Sew into Disney]

No need to read through all the pages when the answer is on page 1 of this thread, post #3 -- HERE (See question #22).!!

Thank you Sherry I have read that first page a few times. No idea how I missed that.

I am feeling a little nervous about this trip. We normally do 3 days in the park but will only be doing two this time (with the MHP on day 2). I have never been to the park at this time of year and I am afraid we will miss something.

 

[Sherry E]

I think I just read you could do menu orders or buffet orders at breakfast on the Character Super Thread. I think it was recent information, but I guess it's possible it was old... (Slightly off topic! )

pudinhd --

Really? Well, I am confused! I replied to someone's post (they were asking about Storytellers/the Critter Breakfast) and I mentioned the menu and buffet options (because that had been the scenario for years). Another DIS'er pointed out that the menu option was removed earlier this year (maybe in the Spring, I think?). I corrected my original comment because I didn't want anyone to mistakenly think they could order off the menu if it's not possible, and I wondered how I totally missed hearing about that development. I will mosey over to the Character Meal Superthread and see what the latest scoop is on the Critter Breakfast!

Thank you Sherry I have read that first page a few times. No idea how I missed that.

I am feeling a little nervous about this trip. We normally do 3 days in the park but will only be doing two this time (with the MHP on day 2). I have never been to the park at this time of year and I am afraid we will miss something.

Sew into Disney --

No problem! As I mentioned to kim3339 above, I'm sure I miss or overlook a lot of things as well!

Since this won't be your first trip to DLR, and you already know which things you enjoy and like to do, I would say that the "Halloween element" of the parks right now would not necessarily require a lot of extra time and days. I think that 2 days will be fine. The MHP will be reserved for day 2, and the other Halloween stuff -- the Carnival, the 2 ride overlays, the Dia de los Muertos display, the Ray Bradbury Halloween tree, the pumpkins on Main Street -- can easily be seen/done in one day. You can even fit in a trip to World of Disney in DTD to see the extra Halloween displays.

Now if you were going for the holiday season and it was your first holiday season experience, I might suggest that having a 3rd day would be necessary or advantageous. There are more things to see and do during the holidays that are not in place during Halloween Time, and there are more decorations and details everywhere. Halloween Time has really been scaled down and confined to Disneyland, for the most part, so it's not like there are Halloween Time things all around both parks and the hotels, and in DTD and all of that. It's limited, so it's more manageable in a shorter trip, I think (in my opinion).

 

[zanzibar138]

pudinhd --

Really? Well, I am confused! I replied to someone's post (they were asking about Storytellers/the Critter Breakfast) and I mentioned the menu and buffet options (because that had been the scenario for years). Another DIS'er pointed out that the menu option was removed earlier this year (maybe in the Spring, I think?). I corrected my original comment because I didn't want anyone to mistakenly think they could order off the menu if it's not possible, and I wondered how I totally missed hearing about that development. I will mosey over to the Character Meal Superthread and see what the latest scoop is on the Critter Breakfast!

I've been pretty quiet since I got back, but I can put this one to rest. We did the character breakfast at Storyteller's on 9th September, and there was no menu available. It was buffet only. Still good though

 

[Sherry E]

I've been pretty quiet since I got back, but I can put this one to rest. We did the character breakfast at Storyteller's on 9th September, and there was no menu available. It was buffet only. Still good though

Welcome back, zanzibar138!!

Thank you for solving the mystery of the Critter Breakfast menu (or lack thereof)!

Now...tell us all about your trip! How was it? Did you enjoy the Halloween Time festivities? Did everything go well during the trip, or were there any not-so-great moments? Give us the scoop!

 

[lorijohnhill]

Would someone please educate me about the popcorn buckets? The picture I saw didn't look like a bucket to me, so I'm confused. I've never had popcorn at DL (and haven't been to DL for five years). Do they sell the popcorn in these buckets? Are they plastic, paper, or some other material? My daughter and I love popcorn, so I am very curious about these.

 

[Sherry E]

Would someone please educate me about the popcorn buckets? The picture I saw didn't look like a bucket to me, so I'm confused. I've never had popcorn at DL (and haven't been to DL for five years). Do they sell the popcorn in these buckets? Are they plastic, paper, or some other material? My daughter and I love popcorn, so I am very curious about these.

lorijohnhill --

figment_jii is a popcorn bucket collector, so she will be able to give a better response the next time she checks in here.

I guess they are made of some sort of plastic. Every year or every couple of years, Disney comes up with a clever new design for the buckets. In the past there was a Ghost Mickey. Now there is the Hatbox Ghost Mickey. During the holidays there has been a Santa Mickey. There is usually some sort of Nightmare Before Christmas-themed bucket.

You can get them with popcorn in them at the popcorn carts, but I think -- and hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong -- some of the buckets can be purchased without popcorn in them, as I think a lot of folks collect them and don't necessarily want popcorn. I know that was the case for the old Ghost Mickey bucket -- it could be bought without popcorn in it, but you could get the popcorn separately.

 

[zanzibar138]

Welcome back, zanzibar138!!

Thank you for solving the mystery of the Critter Breakfast menu (or lack thereof)!

Now...tell us all about your trip! How was it? Did you enjoy the Halloween Time festivities? Did everything go well during the trip, or were there any not-so-great moments? Give us the scoop!

Well the BIG news is that I finished both the 5k and the 10k and got my big shiny medals But that's hardly Halloween related

There was definitely NOT a huge Halloween prescence in the parks. You really had to go looking for it. I did notice that they changed out the flowers for yellow/orange/red ones though.

On the first day of Halloween time (which also happened to be Dapper Day), the crowds were absolutely insane! HMH was completely mobbed and we couldn't get anywhere near it. SMGG had over an hour's wait the whole day. The weekend was actually a lot quieter and we managed to do both HMH and SMGG then instead. Unfortunately I could never stomach the wait for Jack and Sally.

I did briefly stop by the Big Thunder Ranch area while on the lookout for Chip N Dale. Chip was there in his police costume, but the meet and greet experience was very casual and CMs not particularly useful for helping/taking photos for solo travellers etc. I didn't see the pumpkin carving artists (but I was there quite late in the day), but I did enjoy the little decorated house with the pumpkin people in them. The wait for Conjure a Villain was too long for me not knowing who I would get and being on my own with no one to talk to in line. However, they did have a gypsy providing entertainment to guessts in line.

I'm happy that I got to experience some of Halloween time, but I won't be in a hurry to go back at that time of year. I think it was just too half hearted to work for me - without having the novelty factor of it being completely over the top, I would prefer to have nothing at all. However, if I had the opportunity to actually go to a MHP it might make a difference

In general though, we had an absolute BLAST and DH is already planning next year's trip

 

[Sherry E]

Well the BIG news is that I finished both the 5k and the 10k and got my big shiny medals But that's hardly Halloween related

There was definitely NOT a huge Halloween prescence in the parks. You really had to go looking for it. I did notice that they changed out the flowers for yellow/orange/red ones though.

On the first day of Halloween time (which also happened to be Dapper Day), the crowds were absolutely insane! HMH was completely mobbed and we couldn't get anywhere near it. SMGG had over an hour's wait the whole day. The weekend was actually a lot quieter and we managed to do both HMH and SMGG then instead. Unfortunately I could never stomach the wait for Jack and Sally.

I did briefly stop by the Big Thunder Ranch area while on the lookout for Chip N Dale. Chip was there in his police costume, but the meet and greet experience was very casual and CMs not particularly useful for helping/taking photos for solo travellers etc. I didn't see the pumpkin carving artists (but I was there quite late in the day), but I did enjoy the little decorated house with the pumpkin people in them. The wait for Conjure a Villain was too long for me not knowing who I would get and being on my own with no one to talk to in line. However, they did have a gypsy providing entertainment to guessts in line.

I'm happy that I got to experience some of Halloween time, but I won't be in a hurry to go back at that time of year. I think it was just too half hearted to work for me - without having the novelty factor of it being completely over the top, I would prefer to have nothing at all. However, if I had the opportunity to actually go to a MHP it might make a difference

In general though, we had an absolute BLAST and DH is already planning next year's trip

zanzibar138 --

Thank you for your review/recap!

Congratulations on finishing your races and for getting your medals! That is big news, and it is something to be very proud of! I am so glad that you had a blast for the most part, and that the trip was goodl!

I had planned to go on the first day of Halloween Time/Dapper Day, but it was way too hot for me! I thought that the heat would have scared off some people, but I guess not.

You have discovered what I have been grumbling about for a while -- the lack of a really extensive, all-encompassing Halloween experience at DLR! Now you see what I mean or have meant when I have repeatedly said that California Adventure needs some Halloween fun too, and that even in Disneyland it (the Halloween presence) is not everywhere!

Halloween Time is only focused on Main Street, in Frontierland and in New Orleans Square -- and a lot of the things in NOS are not exclusive to Halloween Time, but are there through the holidays too. SMGG almost doesn't even seem to fit into the season, as there are no Halloween decorations around it. The Halloween Carnival is really the hub of activity during the daytime (I love the Scare-Dy-Crow Shack, with the pumpkin people and retro pumpkin decor), and a lot of things are confined to that one location.

It's very interesting to read the different perspectives and observations from people when they come back from their first Halloween Time trips, as some will excitedly say "There were Halloween decorations everywhere, all over the parks!" and others will say what you said, which is that you have to go looking for the Halloween presence (which I agree with!). I have read comments along the lines of both of those sentiments.

I think that the MHP is definitely becoming more necessary to the overall Halloween Time experience than it used to be, as Disney continues to scale back and reduce what is available in the daytime/non-party hours. It is certainly possible to enjoy Halloween Time for a day or two without going to the MHP, but I think that the whole Halloween Time experience is more complete with the Halloween Screams fireworks, the trick or treating and the Cavalcade, as well as all of the characters that are out at the MHP. The MHP just fills in a Halloween Trip a little better -- it fills in some of the gaps.

The Halloween party existed before Halloween Time (the season) existed. I really think that Halloween Time was created around the MHP (and all of its previous versions/names), to give the party some context, and I think that the MHP, HMH and SMGG are supposed to be the main highlights that headline the entire season. In the past, when the party was held in DCA, Disney made an effort to decorate that park too (at least in one area -- Candy Corn Acres). Once the party was taken out of DCA, all of the decorations went with it (and those Candy Corn Acres decorations never appeared in Disneyland).

In the case of Thanksgiving/Christmas/the holiday season, because there is no party (thankfully), there have been decades to fine tune the seasonal events and enhance the entertainment. There are decorations, beautiful trees and lights everywhere, and all sorts of themed decor and themed holiday music in each land. It is really an all-encompassing, thorough experience. I guess I would never expect Halloween Time to reach that same level of detail, but I just wish that Disney would do more with Halloween Time than what they're doing, instead of keeping it as is or scaling it back.

 

[mummabear]

Well the BIG news is that I finished both the 5k and the 10k and got my big shiny medals But that's hardly Halloween related

There was definitely NOT a huge Halloween prescence in the parks. You really had to go looking for it. I did notice that they changed out the flowers for yellow/orange/red ones though.

On the first day of Halloween time (which also happened to be Dapper Day), the crowds were absolutely insane! HMH was completely mobbed and we couldn't get anywhere near it. SMGG had over an hour's wait the whole day. The weekend was actually a lot quieter and we managed to do both HMH and SMGG then instead. Unfortunately I could never stomach the wait for Jack and Sally.

I did briefly stop by the Big Thunder Ranch area while on the lookout for Chip N Dale. Chip was there in his police costume, but the meet and greet experience was very casual and CMs not particularly useful for helping/taking photos for solo travellers etc. I didn't see the pumpkin carving artists (but I was there quite late in the day), but I did enjoy the little decorated house with the pumpkin people in them. The wait for Conjure a Villain was too long for me not knowing who I would get and being on my own with no one to talk to in line. However, they did have a gypsy providing entertainment to guessts in line.

I'm happy that I got to experience some of Halloween time, but I won't be in a hurry to go back at that time of year. I think it was just too half hearted to work for me - without having the novelty factor of it being completely over the top, I would prefer to have nothing at all. However, if I had the opportunity to actually go to a MHP it might make a difference

In general though, we had an absolute BLAST and DH is already planning next year's trip

If I remember right you were deciding whether to do the F! dessert party last time we "spoke", did you end up doing it?

 

[zanzibar138]

If I remember right you were deciding whether to do the F! dessert party last time we "spoke", did you end up doing it?

I ended up going with the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour instead (Plan A) as I heard that they were including the Dream Suite while Walt's Apartment was out. It was fantastic!

 

[mummabear]

I had planned to go on the first day of Halloween Time/Dapper Day, but it was way too hot for me! I thought that the heat would have scared off some people, but I guess not..

Holy Smokes wasn't it hot-the whole 2 weeks we were there. I think we achieved a little less than we normally would in the parks as we just couldn't be bothered criss crossing the park/parks to pull and use FP's the way we normally would-plus I tell you, baby wearing in that heat was a new kind of torture!

You have discovered what I have been grumbling about for a while -- the lack of a really extensive, all-encompassing Halloween experience at DLR! Now you see what I mean or have meant when I have repeatedly said that California Adventure needs some Halloween fun too, and that even in Disneyland it (the Halloween presence) is not everywhere!

It's very interesting to read the different perspectives and observations from people when they come back from their first Halloween Time trips, as some will excitedly say "There were Halloween decorations everywhere, all over the parks!" and others will say what you said, which is that you have to go looking for the Halloween presence (which I agree with!). I have read comments along the lines of both of those sentiments.

Had it not been for this super thread I would not have known about the BTR Jamboree, with hindsight I'm sure it was on during our last trip-same dates 2012. We have seen HHM each time since 2005 and SMGG last time as well but had no clue about the rest.
It is on the map and the map is "Halloweened" a very clear difference from the week before but doesn't say alot about the jamboree.

 

[zanzibar138]

Holy Smokes wasn't it hot-the whole 2 weeks we were there. I think we achieved a little less than we normally would in the parks as we just couldn't be bothered criss crossing the park/parks to pull and use FP's the way we normally would-plus I tell you, baby wearing in that heat was a new kind of torture!

Yes! It was disgustingly hot and humid except for that one day when it actually rained and we got a very brief respite from the heat. It was even worse in mid-September than it had been on Labor Day weekend!

We're not normally midday break people, but we couldn't survive any other way on this trip. Between the crowds and the weather that weekend, we really didn't 'achieve' much at all. Still had a great time though

Had it not been for this super thread I would not have known about the BTR Jamboree, with hindsight I'm sure it was on during our last trip-same dates 2012. We have seen HHM each time since 2005 and SMGG last time as well but had no clue about the rest.
It is on the map and the map is "Halloweened" a very clear difference from the week before but doesn't say alot about the jamboree.

I didn't bother to pick up a map the whole time I was there - even forgot to get one as a souvenir I agree the BTR area wasn't very well advertised.

 

[figment_jii]

figment~ did you happen to notice if they still have the 45th anniversary HM stretching room popcorn bucket available?

Just a brief update...the NOS popcorn stand may not be open the entire day. Thy closed around 8:15 pm tonight (Thur) and I asked the CM (I know, that can be unreliable) and he said they normally close about 1 to 2 hours before the park closes. I don't know why, but it something to keep in mind if you're looking for the Zero or Stretching Room buckets.

Would someone please educate me about the popcorn buckets? The picture I saw didn't look like a bucket to me, so I'm confused. I've never had popcorn at DL (and haven't been to DL for five years). Do they sell the popcorn in these buckets? Are they plastic, paper, or some other material? My daughter and I love popcorn, so I am very curious about these.

Thank you Sherry! As she said, the buckets are made of plastic. They are either cylindrical or in the shape of a character. I'll post some photos of the Halloween ones when I get home. You can usually ask the CMs if you get the popcorn in the standard cardboard container instead of in the bucket if you don't want to get it dirty (most premium buckets hold more popcorn than the cardboard containers, so it's a trade-off). The round/cylindrical bucket is easy to wash, but the premium character ones are tougher to wash because some have odd shapes and/or things that don't do well getting wet (like Zero's light-up nose).