MNSSHP Costume Clarification

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by kilee
There is another post on this board very similar to this one--- I don't know how to post a link or I would. Where is Safari Steve-- he posted some interesting facts in the other one-- his wisdom could shed some light here!!!

Is this it? CM Safari Steve's post

While children are allowed to dress as their favorite characters year-round in all the parks, adults are discouraged from wearing costumes except for the MNSSHP event. In some cases, your costume may prevent you from being admitted into a park.

 

[Mel6197]

Well what do you all think...

My sister is going as Mrs Potts, Since there is no Mrs. Potts in the parks she should be fine right???

This costume takes up an ENTIRE Suitcase,. I would hate for her to bring it and then not be allowed to wear it.. What do you think??

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Mel6197
Well what do you all think...

My sister is going as Mrs Potts, Since there is no Mrs. Potts in the parks she should be fine right???

This costume takes up an ENTIRE Suitcase,. I would hate for her to bring it and then not be allowed to wear it.. What do you think??

Isn't her face revealed? If so, there's no problem. It's those costumes that are VERY authentic and no one can tell they are not the real characters. With most costumes though, it's quite obvious they're not the real characters.

I wouldn't worry.

 

[RickinNYC]

Oh my God! Now I feel panicked! I'm having a Prince Charming costume made by a fellow DIS member and it's pretty darn authentic looking. Plus, I'm tall (6'4") and have dark brown/almost black hair. And I'm clean shaven.

Folks tell me that though I'm not a skinny dude, I'm still a dead ringer.

AAAAAAaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!

What do I do? Perhaps wear a silly name tag or something that says "Not the real Prince Charming"? I was so looking forward to wearing it!

 

[Zurg]

At MNSSHP there will be adult guests who are dead ringers for actual characters. Well other than the fact that they are pushing thir kid in a stroller or something.

I saw some real great Malficents last time.

It is great fun.

Fear not Rick enjoy. If a kid mistakes you it is no big, you will act cool, you can compliment the kid's costume and let him know you are looking for real characters too.

My Zurg suit gets reactions from kids one wnated a picture, one an autograph, one little Buzz kung fu kicked me, it was fairly funny.

 

[frannn]

I was thinking how silly I was that I didn't buy the adult costumes when they were down to like 8. at the DS the year before last. They even had all the princesses left when I looked, but they were a bit cheesy. Now I am glad that instead (even though I am clearly not a ringer for any of the princesses) I will wear a red shirt with Pooh, yellow pants, halloween Pooh socks, and a cute Pooh headband with the Pooh ears on it. All in all, very easy, and very comfortable, and hopefully people will catch on what I am supposed to be! Oh, I forgot the pooh nail decals!

 

[maci]

I really hope this is one of things that has been blown out of proportion!! I am really worried about this!
My husband and I have spent 400 dollars on our costumes!!! His batman costume is pretty darn authentic looking and it does have a mask, that covers his face, but he has good vision, the eye holes are plenty big. I am going to be supergirl, which I am not concerned about as I have no mask and I am not a disney character.
My husband is SO excited about this, and he is not the type that gets overly excited about things, so I really want this to be a special thing!!

I say the qoute from safari steve..steve if you are out there...while you clarify which costumes are not going to be allowed in.

Finally, WHY does disney not put this on the website or in with the tickets etc??? If REAL looking disney costumes arent allowed then they should have that written some where.. not allow people to get to the gates with expensive costumes just to be turned away!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by maci
My husband and I have spent 400 dollars on our costumes!!! His batman costume is pretty darn authentic looking and it does have a mask, that covers his face, but he has good vision, the eye holes are plenty big. I am going to be supergirl, which I am not concerned about as I have no mask and I am not a disney character.

Sounds like you have nothing to worry about. Neither costume is Disney.

 

[kilee]

That was the correct quote from Safari Steve--- What I don't actually understand-- is for the people doing really "complex" costumes--- how will you ride the rides???? The adults in our group are not dressing up. They pretty much don't want to, they figure the costumes would be to high maintenence in the parks.

 

[PrincessAurora]

Here is my personal experience. A few years back I went to MNSSHP wearing my Sleeping Beauty dress. It is not only authentic (it has animators drooling) but it is WAY better than the parks costume. It is custom made of blue taffeta for the body and lighter blue on the skirting and sleeves, and a shimmery blue bodice.

It has a wig and the first time I wore it at Disneylands Halloween party they put me on the FLOAT for the parade right under Maleficent.

I was mobbed by kids at WDW. I was taking pictures and then a small child handed me an autograph book. I didn't want to traumatize the child (Look kid, Aurora wont sign your book) so I signed it. I had a line. 3 kids in the "Mickey Mafia" were right at my elbow. They told me I could take pictures but couldn't sign autographs. (Like what? I am forging a fictional characters name?)

Don't get me wrong, I understand that Disney wants to maintain control on their image. I am on my best behaviour in the dress. No drinking, swearing, sex talk etc.

So long story short, I wanted to know what they expected me to do. They said I could pose for pictures but couldn't sign autographs. They escorted me away from the line and I hid out in shops on Main street until the kid mob died down then went on my merry way. I had cast members stop me and ask what I was doing in Adventureland or why wasn't I lining up for the parade.

I was very specific that first time I went with asking CAN I DRESS AS A DISNEY CHARACTER and they said YES. Same this time. They try to turn me away, the Mouse better be forking out the cash for the tickets.

There is NOTHING on the website that says you CANT dress like a Disney character. They ASSUME that most adults dressed up are easily not that character. There are freaks like me that do it up real good. If they are going to turn me away then the policy should be No Disney Characters for adults PERIOD. They should not pick and choose. That is not fair. It should be all or nothing.

 

[legs22]

Princess Aurora-
Who made your dress?

 

[mmausse]

I have read this thread and the replies and now, you even have me concerned! Tomorrow I shall call Eisner's office to get an official response, but here is my story.

I have been Maleficent for 4 years at MNSSHP and always on Halloween. My costume IS authentic - from the animator who drew her Royal badness years ago. The silk robes have long been moth eaten but the headpipece remains in tact. It is a full face rubber headpiece complete with horns. I can clearly see out of it but my side vision is blocked unless I turn my head.

I received the costume in 1993 and wore it the first time in 1997. I was swamped by kids - wanting pictures and autographs. I allowed pictures but didn't sign autographs. And I kept in character - I didn't speak, but I have a rather "evil" laugh. I was not stopped by anyone at MK until the parade was about to begin - at which point Security demanded I get below and "in position". I said I was not with Disney, this was my own costume. The guard escorted me to one of the back "alleys" where I de-headed and pulled out my id. He apologized and said I looked exactly like Maleficent - better than theirs. When the parade started, the float had Capt. Hook who was waving to the crowds. When he saw me, he almost fell off the float. He ran to the back of the float and got Maleficent's attention and pointed to me. We were dressed alike - at the time the silk robes had not completely been eaten by moths, but that's where the similarity ended. She had no headpiece or mask - her face was simply painted with some billious green eye shadow and red lipstick, and the cotton horns on her head. She pointed to me as well and called, "Sister, my sister, where have you been, we have missed you." I graciously bowed but said nothing. The float sort of stopped as they tried to figure out what to do (which messed up the rest of the parade). A security man appeared again, right behind me, it was rather scary, and asked me to follow him. They then asked me to replace the MK Maleficent in the next parade. They also asked me to behave like their characters - don't speak, when they heard my laugh they said it was ok, and try not to scare anyone. A little bit hard since that's what the mask is supposed to do. I agreed and I know they were watching me. The best part of the evening came when a little 3 yo boy, dressed as a rabbit (he was in a white fluffy costume) ran straight at me full steam - he almost knocked me over (he only cam up to my knees)! He wasn't afraid and said I (Maleficent) was his favorite and he loved me. His mother came up and asked me if she could take a picture of me with him - I explained I wasn't a CM, just a guest. She said that her son had looked all over for Maleficent and was told by CMs she wasn't giving autographs or taking pictures. I couldn't break his heart so I agreed and, yes, I signed an autograph - Maleficent, born to be bad. But it warmed the cockles of my heart.

I have been Maleficent at MNSSHP on Halloween in 97, 99, 00, and 01. In 2001, out of concern for my safety, WDW gave me a body guard. I had access to all the back areas and was not to de-head in public. I had a great time!

As someone so eloquently stated, if WDW doesn't want guests to show their support for their favorite villains or Disney characters, they should ban them completely, not single out guests who show their creativity and imagination. After all, if our costumes are better than theirs, how about they give up on their executive bonuses and spend the money on creativity.

 

[eeyore0062]

Just got my costume today. I am going as Bo Peep and DH is going as Woody. Being that my husbands hair is not about his collar or his ears and is salt and pepper, and he has that middle aged ponch, I don't think anyone will think he is the "real" Woody, and I believe the "real" Bo Peep weighs probably about a good 25 lbs less that I do, so we should be OK! DD is going as Pocohontas.... I know, not in the same theme, but the costume is perfect for her

Last year, my hubby went as a pirate, and I went as a gypsy. My parents were Mousekateers and DD was Minnie.

 

[legs22]

mmausse: Great story! Will you be there this year and if so which night?

Anyone out there that's dressing as Mrs. Potts? My DD6 is dressing as Belle so I was trying to stay in the same theme.
I wonder about the ease of using the restroom in that one.
Or maybe I'll just wear a Halloween T-shirt.

 

[PrincessAurora]

Originally posted by legs22
Princess Aurora-
Who made your dress?

My roommate at the time, Ruth Daughters (Dot from my last 2001 trip), made it for me. That same year she also made a Brier Rose outfit for her.

I'll post a picture after the party with my Trip Reports.

 

[mmausse]

Originally posted by legs22
mmausse: Great story! Will you be there this year and if so which night?

I'll be there spooking it up (hopefully without intereference from CMs) on the 31st!!!

 

[jghra]

Originally posted by skiwee1
We will be going to the one on the 16th. I have yet to get the shirts made up. You would think it simple to get a plain white shirt with our names on it but we have no T-shirt shops around here. I suppose I could make them but I don't know who sells iron on letters. What does your costume consist of? Shirt and ears? My mother wants to have the name Annette on hers instead of her own! LOL!

I am doing white shirts and using HP Iron On Transfers for the names (prints from your computer printer - easy). I typed our Names in Microsoft Word with a Times New Roman Font and a font size of 121. I arranged the print orientation as Landscape. (When printing the iron on transfer don't forget to mirror the image). You can buy the Iron On transfer paper at any office supply store and there are other brands besides HP. I think the packet of 12 sheets (more than I need) was about $12-$15.
I used the Iron On Transfers for Cub Scouts several years ago and it worked great.

We have adult WDW ears and I have bought 2 old Mickey Mouse Club Member pins (from EBay) and pinned them on the front of the Mouse Ears. The pin covers up the Walt Disney World patch and makes them look more like the old Mousekeeter ears. We will probably wear jeans or shorts with the shirts.

Easy costume, but we should be able to get around easier than other types of costumes. I had all sorts of ideas, but I knew if I was going to get DH to dress up it would have to be simple.

Have a great time Oct 16th. We will be back home by then (heading home Oct 15th) But let's not think about that!!


Gretchen
the "G" in JGHRA

 

[Baloo]

mmausse...what a fascinating story! I think we might have seen you back in '97 but Erich was going through his, scared of characters phase, as a 4 year old then!

After all, if our costumes are better than theirs, how about they give up on their executive bonuses and spend the money on creativity

Amen....and throw us who hang out at the DIS and know more than a person working at WDW some of that too!!! Let us know what happens!

This will be our 8th MNSSHP .Here's my costume tips after observing /doing it for that many years!

Make sure your child's costume is COMFORTABLE and EASY to get around in.You'll be getting on and off rides and do not want anything that is cumbersome.

I also suggest something in a light weight fabric.Those of us that are accustom to Halloweens up North are use to Trick or Treating in something warm.I grew up in Indiana and it was always cold and/or raining when I was a Trick or Treater! The costumes that are sold through the Disney catalog,like Tigger or Pooh,the jump suit FUR type ones,those are really TOO HEAVY for a Halloween in Florida!The most we've ever needed at MNSSHP is a light jacket or sweatshirt.I make my boys costumes.Let's see the costumes I can remember... Erich has been a Mickey,a pirate ,a t-rex,a turtle,a triceratops,an Ewok.Jonathan and Erich were Teenage Ninja Turtles in '01 and Pokemon in '02.I make the costumes from shorts and t-shirts.Then I have a sweatshirt and sweatpants that are the same color that they can wear over the shorts and under the shirt if the night is chilly.Joe and I have worn light jackets.

If your little girl is going to be a Princess or something quite lovely... I know she looks adorable in those glass slippers but bring sneakers or some other comfortable shoe for her to wear.I've seen little ones dragging around crying about their feet hurting because they're in those plastic dress up shoes which are killing them!

Here's Disneys "official " guidlines for costumes at MNSSHP:

They should not interfere with their ability to board and unboard attractions and WDW transportation system..

Do not drag on the ground.

Do not contain sharp or pointed objects or material that may accidentally strike another guest.

Be offensive to other guest.

Should not contain any weapon(s) which resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.


About the last one....when Erich was the pirate he had a flexible rubber pirate knife with a skull on the end.When the boys were Ninja Turtle's one had plastic swords strapped to his back and the other the little plastic daggers in his belt.We had NO PROBLEMS either time with these props.

A funny story about my DH at MNSSHP 2 years ago.He loves Grumpy and spotted his favorite Dwarf and Snow White on the bridge to Tomorrowland..."Honey take my picture!" DH says putting his arm around the Grump...not realizing the couple did NOT work at WDW...so I have a picture of my Grumpy,um I mean Joe, with someone elses Grumpy!! Joe felt pretty dopey after that!!! Later that evening we found the"real" Grumpy and got another picture!

 

[happiest in Disney]

We are going as Capt. hook, Peter Pan, And Tinker Bell....
Capt. Hook and Peter Pan are for my DH and DS both purchased at the Disney Store...My Tink Costume is home made but beautiful...the crown and wand are from the Disney Store....I'm A little nervous now....I'm not a tink lookalike or anything but I am tiny...and I have Blonde hair....Well I guess I'll just have to see what happens...maybe a change of clothes in the back pack just in case.....

 

[TraceyL]

Originally posted by mmausse
I'll be there spooking it up (hopefully without intereference from CMs) on the 31st!!!

Cool ! I look forward to seeing you ther e- my DD will be dressed as Aurora - please be nasty to her lol !!