G8RFAN
What were we talking about?
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2003
- Messages
- 798
This was to be a milestone trip for us. It was the first time DS and I were to go to WDW without DW and on a lesser note it was also our first stay at CSR. Booking a room at CSR was quite an achievement for us. Every time we had called CRO in the past, a great Deluxe AP deal was also available or the only thing they had left were the suites for $8 million dollars a night (or so it seemed). This time it was the best deal available. However, this time DW needed to be at the office on Saturday and responded to my off the cuff joke that I can take DS to MNSSHP alone with a lets call to see whats available. So is this a disaster in the making or does DW truly have the conviction that DD can handle it alone? Her constant hints all week long to DS to stay close to daddy at all times and her goodbye to me as she left for work Friday morning softly but firmly telling me I better bring her baby home in one piece werent confidence boosters. 
Friday 10/27
I am not a huge stickler for planning, but immediately we had a shift in departure time. Originally, our plan was for DS to go to school on Friday and leave from there at 2:00 pm. That would have given us an ETA of 5:00 pm, ample time before the start of MNSSHP. The day before, DW suggests to me to leave in the morning and start our day early. Twist my arm. No problem, except that I had a couple of must dos that needed to be done for work. Either Im a dedicated worker bee or a procrastinator. Guess which one.
I get em done and we push off at 11:00 am and arrive at CSR at 2:00. We check in and get assigned a room in Casita 2. As we come up to the room, we see two towel swans waiting for us in the window. Very cute and we decide that not to touch them for the next guests enjoyment. I notice that every other room along the walk way has some sort of towel critter in the window. Not being the nosey type, I dont verify that this is occurring in other floors or other buildings. AFAIK, our Mousekeeper could just have a LOT of spare time on her hands. Checking the map, bus stop 2 was the closest stop, so after packing DSs fireman costume and Mickey pumpkin bucket, we head on out to MK. We quickly learn that bus stop 2 is the first stop in the CSR rotation and determine that well walk that little extra bit to bus stop 1 on our next trip out. MNSSHP die-hard fans may be asking where the heck is DDs costume. While I do have a big bad wolf mask at home, which I have never worn it outside of answering the front door to trick or treaters and other stuff. DW calls me a stick in the mud sometimes, but she didnt say that when she had bought her little red riding hood costume. 
Maybe Ill dress up next year, as I did see a lot more adults dressed up this year.
It was just before 4:00pm and they were already issuing the wristbands and goody bags for the event at the gate. The park was emptying out and we were able to hit almost every one of DSs favorite rides/attractions before the event even started. This was our 3rd MNSSHP; each time the experience gets better .. which actually isnt that hard to do. The first year, it was wall-to-wall people, each station was only giving out one piece of candy, and to top it off it was like 90° out with 100% humidity. We almost talked ourselves into never going again. The second time was better since we knew what to expect (getting a costume appropriate for the weather is very important). We made sure and had a warm weather backup plan. This time, the weather was truly awesome for the event with a cool front passing through that evening. Maybe because they have so many MNSSHP events, the crowds were very manageable prior to 9:00 pm.
Like the last time, the CMs were very generous with the goodies. In fact, we only hit the stations in Toontown and Tomorrowland and still filled DSs bucket. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying Elvis Stitch at Cosmic Rays, dinner at Cosmic Rays and finished up at POC before settling in for the fireworks. I must say, there was a mom that I kept seeing over the course of the evening that was in this pumkin orange skin tight Tigger suit. Wow. Even other moms were giving second looks and giving the silent "Wow". I thnk everyone in the park that night knows who I am talking about.
We mosey back out to the resort buses while a surprising number of people were still waiting to come into the gates. I know there's a lot more to do, but we did it last year and DS is looking tired, but I bet I'll be snoring first. So far he still in one piece. 
Friday 10/27
I am not a huge stickler for planning, but immediately we had a shift in departure time. Originally, our plan was for DS to go to school on Friday and leave from there at 2:00 pm. That would have given us an ETA of 5:00 pm, ample time before the start of MNSSHP. The day before, DW suggests to me to leave in the morning and start our day early. Twist my arm. No problem, except that I had a couple of must dos that needed to be done for work. Either Im a dedicated worker bee or a procrastinator. Guess which one.
I get em done and we push off at 11:00 am and arrive at CSR at 2:00. We check in and get assigned a room in Casita 2. As we come up to the room, we see two towel swans waiting for us in the window. Very cute and we decide that not to touch them for the next guests enjoyment. I notice that every other room along the walk way has some sort of towel critter in the window. Not being the nosey type, I dont verify that this is occurring in other floors or other buildings. AFAIK, our Mousekeeper could just have a LOT of spare time on her hands. Checking the map, bus stop 2 was the closest stop, so after packing DSs fireman costume and Mickey pumpkin bucket, we head on out to MK. We quickly learn that bus stop 2 is the first stop in the CSR rotation and determine that well walk that little extra bit to bus stop 1 on our next trip out. MNSSHP die-hard fans may be asking where the heck is DDs costume. While I do have a big bad wolf mask at home, which I have never worn it outside of answering the front door to trick or treaters and other stuff. DW calls me a stick in the mud sometimes, but she didnt say that when she had bought her little red riding hood costume. Maybe Ill dress up next year, as I did see a lot more adults dressed up this year.It was just before 4:00pm and they were already issuing the wristbands and goody bags for the event at the gate. The park was emptying out and we were able to hit almost every one of DSs favorite rides/attractions before the event even started. This was our 3rd MNSSHP; each time the experience gets better .. which actually isnt that hard to do. The first year, it was wall-to-wall people, each station was only giving out one piece of candy, and to top it off it was like 90° out with 100% humidity. We almost talked ourselves into never going again. The second time was better since we knew what to expect (getting a costume appropriate for the weather is very important). We made sure and had a warm weather backup plan. This time, the weather was truly awesome for the event with a cool front passing through that evening. Maybe because they have so many MNSSHP events, the crowds were very manageable prior to 9:00 pm.
Like the last time, the CMs were very generous with the goodies. In fact, we only hit the stations in Toontown and Tomorrowland and still filled DSs bucket. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying Elvis Stitch at Cosmic Rays, dinner at Cosmic Rays and finished up at POC before settling in for the fireworks. I must say, there was a mom that I kept seeing over the course of the evening that was in this pumkin orange skin tight Tigger suit. Wow. Even other moms were giving second looks and giving the silent "Wow". I thnk everyone in the park that night knows who I am talking about.
We mosey back out to the resort buses while a surprising number of people were still waiting to come into the gates. I know there's a lot more to do, but we did it last year and DS is looking tired, but I bet I'll be snoring first. So far he still in one piece. 
. Great start to your report! DD and I are going Sunday with out DH!
Hi Avivasmom - I grew up in Plantation (age 14 on up). 
I have one goal in mind. Since DW is not with us, I will not feel guilty taking DS on rides that DW does not like since she will not be waiting around for us. DS has never ridden TT and I decide that Im going to wait a year before we try MS. Since it is already 6:00 our only option is the 60 minute standby line. It must have been a good night at TT because there we no breakdowns and we were in our car in 45 minutes. I think DS has a new favorite ride. Its now my time to enjoy the trip and we get to sample the food and wine festival. After a nice red wine from Chile, some Chinese food at ND, a ride on the Maelstrom, we decide to head to MK just to ride the monorail. We caught the start of the fireworks, buy some cotton candy for us and a candy apple by request to bring back for DW.
(wow what an acronym) had only a 5 minute wait as we pass by. We have 20 minutes before the "window" on my FP is over. I ask the CM if that 5 minutes is acurate and he assures me. The show always gets DS in hysterics with the bugs leaving under your legs at the end. He hasnt experienced the sting in the back yet. Wait until his legs are long enough (evil laugh). 
