How we fell in love with WDW - Day 9 - MK, WCC & MNSSHP - part 2 added!

[torsie24]

Day 9 - Magic Kingdom, WCC & MNSSHP

We didn’t set an alarm today, but didn’t sleep in too late and were at MK by mid morning. As we arrived it was time for the mini-parade, which we both really enjoyed, especially the dance party part in the hub, it was so fun and full of energy.

Could you ever get bored of this view? I can’t that’s why I have to take a photo from this bridge whenever I cross!

First stop was the Hall of Presidents! We both really enjoyed this and definitely found it much much better than the American Adventure. We enjoyed looking in the store too, America has such a different attitude to politics! I can’t imagine anyone ever wearing a T-shirt with Gordon Brown on!

We also enjoyed a little taste of the ‘american dream’ and a lovely CM took our photo for us.

Next up was adventuring on Tom Sawyer Island, we really loved this and were ages going through the tunnels and in the fort, what a neat attraction.

The lines were pretty long for the big frontierland rides, so we headed into Main Street and perused the stores, Jack tried on another awesome hat:

And I fell in love with a shiny purple witches hat with Minnie ears on, but decided to get it at the party that night. (Bad move!)

Once we were out of the hat store I wanted to find Lady & Tramps little love message near Tony’s Town Square, which I succeeded in doing.

Then we spent some time in Exposition Hall, what a great place!

We were getting ready for lunch by now so headed out and hopped on a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge with hopes of getting a walk up for WCC.

We admired the beautiful pool and lobby and asked the lady at the WCC counter if we could have lunch, she said no problem, it’d be a 30 minute wait, so we sat in the lobby with our buzzer. Pretty soon we were buzzed and before long Jack has what he’d been waiting for since I forced him to read the Menus online!

He managed two skillets before admitting defeat, and for once he actually turned down dessert so he must have been full! I had the cheeseburger which was really delicious, and some of Jack’s cornbread too. I didn’t have dessert either as I knew lots of MNSSHP candy awaited me!

As an aside we had a wonderful server called Jeffro, who sat down at our table to take our order and called Jack ‘cowboy’ every time he spoke to him, we really loved him!

After lunch we walked around the resort so more, and over to the villas as we were both very keen to see Walt’s train set in the lobby.

Time was ticking on and we wanted to be back at the MK all ready to Halloween it up in plenty of time so we went out front to get a bus back to AKL. Our original plan was to wait for an AK bus, but one didn’t come so in the end we hopped on an EPCOT one and waited there for an AKL bus. It seemed a very long journey and I think in future we’d get the boat back to MK and a bus from there! It was good to stop off at Fort Wilderness though!

When we got back to the room Jack used the bathroom and I sat out on the balcony. As I was out there I heard a rustling sound, look around and couldn’t see anybody, so assumed it was the wind, but then heard it again. Out of the bushes came this guy

He must like sleeping in the shade! I couldn’t believe how close he was to me, and I called for Jack but he was still busy and by the time he came out my new friend was back on the savannah.

Up next: MNSSHP!!

 

[Chilly]

Looking forward to hearing about MNSSHP

 

[fizz13]

Love all the exploring you did

 

[torsie24]

We returned to AKL and had a quick swim and then showered and changed into our Halloweeny gear.

We headed out to the bus stop and were soon our way back to the MK. It was the funniest bus ride ever! One little girl was wearing a full costume of the gingerbread man from Shrek, she was the best outfit we saw all night! I didn’t take a photo, but this is what she was wearing:

In no time at all we were pulling up to the Magic Kingdom!

We were at the party by 5pm and it wasn’t too busy getting in. I headed straight to the Emporium to get my hat, but they had all gone!! There were loads earlier in the day. We crossed the street and went into the little store that only does hats and there weren’t any in there either!!! I was starting to give up when we saw one lonely hat sitting behind some big Goofy hats, so I snapped it up quick!

After a slow wander down Main Street we headed left into Adventureland, admiring the beautiful sky on the way:

Our first ride of the evening was the Magic Carpets, as there wasn’t a big line and it’s a favourite of mine. 

We had a walk through Frontierland and although we didn’t fancy getting splashed we did have a fun ride on Big Thunder, we also picked up a fastpass to use later that night. Afterwards Jack bought a light up chomping skull thing that he had seen and immediately wanted (I was sporting my light up pumpkin necklace so I don’t think he felt glowy enough!), we took the opportunity to get our first helping of candy from the trick or treat area at the Liberty Bell dock and then we moved on over the to the Haunted Mansion as there was no way we weren’t riding it during the party!

They had an awesome ghost lady sat out front moaning about how hard it was to be a ghost, there wasn’t a line at that point so we were able to stand and listen to her for a while, she was really funny and was heckling people as they went past.

We made is safely out of the haunted mansion by which time it was finally getting dark so I took a photo of Jack and the castle now our various glowing objects could be used!

A lovely CM saw me taking Jack’s photo and ask if we’d like one together, we said ‘Yes please’, here we are glowing together.

Then we headed into Fantasyland the line for Peter Pan was the shortest we’d seen it so we hopped in, we waited maybe 30 minutes or so, but people were in high party spirits and the Cinderella photo area was out so we had lots to look at.

We enjoyed the ride, but didn’t think it was quite as good as the Paris version (we do appreciate the Paris ride is a lot newer though) it was still very fun and charming though. We had a wander through Fantasyland (collecting more candy along the way) and into Tomorrowland where we rode the speedway. We had fun and I drove this time as Jack had done an appauling job on the Paris version, I can’t say I did much better! Afterwards we went into the store near Auntie Gravity’s and while Jack was browsing I said I’d just go to the bathroom quick, I cut through Auntie Gravity and as I approached the restroom there Darth Vader and two Stormtroopers appeared! Jack loves Star Wars so I ran back in the store and got him so he could see them. Really awesome costumes I think they must have been very expensive as they were just like the movies. (Later on we saw them with their helmets off and they looked very sweaty indeed!)

Next up we took a ride on Astro Orbiters as they looked very fun being up so high. To be honest they made me a little dizzy and the end when they were landing wasn’t the most pleasant, I think one time is enough for me there! Of course it could have been the candy.....

It was getting close to Hallowishes time, and I wanted a good spot so we headed out of Tomorrowland and found a great spot on the bridge. We had a while to wait but filled it with taking photos.

Spooky skull reflection:

We didn’t take any photos of the show because we both wanted to enjoy it, and that was an awesome choice as they were amazing!!!!! (Also none of our firework photos ever come out nice enough to do them justice!)

After Hallowishes we took advantage of the fact our spot was right by a PP photoagrapher and had some halloweeny shots taken:

And then we headed on over to Liberty Square to get a place for the parade, which I was SO excited about! Jack took a seat on a little wall opposite the Hall of Presidents and I went to get us Popcorn and a drink as all I’d eaten wince WCC was candy and I needed something savoury to even out all the sugar. I was absolutely ages waiting at the popcorn cart, and a rude man behind me kept trying to get round me to push in front, when it was finally my turn he actually stepped in front of me so I said “excuse me” really loudly, which caused him to huff and puff at me but no way was he just going to take my spot so unashamedly! I finally had my popcorn (in cute Halloween plastic souvenir cup of course and headed back to Jack.

But he wasn’t there!

Luckily some furious waving caught my eye, he had been moved by a CM so he was now sitting on the curb right outside HoP which was great as the A/C came out the doors and cooled us down a bit. We were also next to a wonderful big groups of ladies and girls who were so happy and excited. Whenever a CM walked by, if they had pins they’d go “PIN MAN!” and they’d come over and trade with them, and also during the parade they really cheered for all the characters which meant they came right by us and really made it wonderful! If you were in that big group watching the 2nd Boo to You parade on October 9th outside HoP then thank you!!

After we’d enjoyed some popcorn and water it was parade time!!!!!

This is seriously the best Disney parade I’ve ever seen and I loved it!! Here are a few photos, but as ever they don’t do Disney justice!! I can’t wait to go back to MNSSHP!!!

After the parade we had another ride on Haunted Mansion as we were right by it, it seems funner at night, I’m not sure why. It is definitely one of my favourite rides! Then we used our BTM FPs, which was awesome on the dark and with everybody’s glowing items!

Time was getting on so we headed over the the castle for the 11.15pm Mix and Mingle. This was an amazing show, even more so as not many people were watching so there was loads of space in front of the castle and everyone was jsut spread out sitting on the floor. It was so fun and relaxed. It really great way to draw the party to an end. The show was awesome!

After the show we headed over to toontown as I wanted to see Mickey and Minnie’s houses and I was hoping that 11.30pm would be a pretty quiet time to do so! I was right and we were able to look round both as we pleased. We then walked the Alice in Wonderland candy trail and got LOADS! I think it was the end of the evening clear out time!

After that it was almost midnight so sadly time to call it a day. But we absolutely LOVED MNSSHP and wish it was on everytime we visit! We’ll definitely be back in September/October to go again!

 

[Chilly]

Lovely evening.

 

[jockey]

Great report we also loved MNSSHP!

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Sounds soooo fun - reading this makes me want to be at MNSSHP, NOW!!!

I love your hat btw! i dont remember seeing any of these when we were there , they had maybe all sold out by the later parties.

 

[joolz1910]

I really want to go to MNSSHP. It looks great!

 

[tinks_1989]

more more i love MNSSHP too

 

[Cyrano]

I think your photos of MNSSHP definitely do it justice

The videos of this parade on youtube confirm your sentiments that it is a great parade

 

[Pegasus928]

Loved reading your report as it brought so many memories back for me from when we were there.
Great pics too

 

[ely3857]

Me & Gavin loved MNSSHP aswell, we were on SpM when Hallowishes was showing and the fireworks looked amazing from the top of the drop!

 

[Ware Bears]

A lovely day I'd love to go to MNSSHP.

 

[jjk]

Great Pictures I love MNSSHP

 

[florida sun]

Great day and great photos

 

[Pinky166]

Another fab day hun.

I absolutely loved MNSSHP & was so glad that we did it twice (once at the begining of the holiday & once at the end), reading your report brings back such great memories.

 

[mandymouse]

Another great day. I love your MNSSHP photos

 

[CustardTart]

A fab day, Victoria - I am SO enjoying your trippie this afternoon!!!
Love MNSSHP and am very happy to be returning this October...