We went on Friday 10/23 to the MHP and MSBB.
Disneyland was packed and the weather was warm. I don't know about others but it felt very crowded. The treat lines were long, we did 3; 1 in Toon Town during pre party (left right after, too crowded), 1 in the Mickey's BBQ ranch and the last across from pirates of the Caribbean. CMs were handing out 1-2 pieces of candy, only 1 CM in Toon Town gave us 4 pieces.
In all we rode 5 rides (Snow White, Matterhorn, BTMR, HM, & Indiana Jones).
The highlight was the Mystical Spirits Of Blue Bayou dining event. We checked in shortly after 4:30pm, the CM went over our meal choices and then put a #15 next to our name, I guess this was our seating assignment. We were asked to come back at 6:45pm. When we came back we had to wait in line, a CM with a basket came by and handed us buttons to wear per Dr Facilier's request. At 7pm as we were being let in, there was a CM checking for wristbands, the party in front of us did not have them, they hadn't paid for MHP, the CM then asked someone on his little mic to hold 5 party tickets for the BB. Inside the BB a CM checked our name with her tablet and then another CM took us to our table, it was towards the front and right in the of the center from the stage. There was already Dr Facilier's concoction beverage waiting for us with a glowing clear plastic diamond inside. Our server went over our meal choices again and then brought a bread basket, we asked for other beverages (CM didn't offer us alternatives but was glad to bring them). Our appetizers came soon after, my DD and DS didn't like their crab cakes, I got the same thing and I loved it, DH got the goat cheese tart and he loved it. We knew going in that the kids would not be very fond of the food since the menu was not very kid friendly.
The Cadaver Dans went on first, then Dr Facilier with the Bayou Belles. They were all awesome, afterwards the Belles handed out bead necklaces. Our entrees were brought out, I had the fish, DD had the chicken, and both DH and DS had the braised short ribs, entrees were very good, even my DD loved hers, my DS ate some of his food (he said it was ok, lol). Dr Facilier then went from table to table for pictures. Two of the Bayou Belles brought out the bride, they walked around the room. After they left, another two Bayou Belles brought out the tightrope walker girl from the Haunted Mansion. Our Desserts came next and they were delicious, the presentation was so beautifully done we didn't want to eat them...but we did. Then came the Pirates, they were hilarious, they made us stand up and recite some sort of spell to open the chest (that had candy bags). They passed them out to a few tables and the servers passed out to the rest of the tables, the bags were barely half full (which we were ok with). When we were done, Dr Facilier ended the night by telling us to follow the people with the lanterns. The Bayou Belles passed out Dr Facilier's calling card (chocolate) and then we were given a lithograph on the way out. We were the third group in line standing behind the CM with the lantern. We had to wait a while outside because they were removing a guest on a gurney from the Pirates of Caribbean ride. We were then taken to the hub, we ended up in the first bench facing the castle. I did note earlier the benches on the other side of the Walt and Mickey statue but those benches are facing Main Street, I really don't think anyone from the party was seated or ever intended to be seated there. The Halloween Scream fireworks were amazing, the people in front of us were allowed to stand and we could only see the upper half of the castle but we still had an awesome view and we didn't mind. Most of the action was above anyway. Our children were very happy and excited and that's all that mattered to us.
Afterwards, we went to do the AP treat trail and then went back to ride the HM. We met up with my brother and sister-in-law after HM to ride Indiana Jones. Then a CM was awesome enough to show us the tree where " the little man at Disneyland" lives and the Dominguez tree. After, that we thought about going to space mountain but we were all tired. So we went home instead. I'm thinking of going later this week to ride SMGG. Does anyone know how long space mountain will have the ghost galaxy theme?
My thoughts: The MHP was a lot more crowded than I was expecting it to be, the CMs were giving less candy than I remember from other parties. The MSBB was awesome, our kids were thanking us so much for taking them, they just loved the entertainment. So, yes, we would do the MSBB again.
Note: I tried to add a pic of Dr Facilier and the Pirates but it gave me a 'file to large' message. Sorry for the quality of the pictures, they were taken with my phone. I am the world's worst picture taker and I do it sporadically when I remember that I can.
