Just a quick recap from our sold out night (11/24). We had planned to arrive closer to 3, but as it was the last warmish day of our trip, we let the kids swim and showed up closer to 5. Here’s what we were able to get done:
Grabbed SOTMK card then hit the bypass for photos and our first cookie. We’d missed our first FP and were heading for #2 (BTMRR) when we passed by the “zoom” magic shot and hubby wanted to stop. He never asks for anything on our trips, especially photos!, so we waited. The line was only a few families deep but moves sooo slow that we missed our window for BTMRR and just headed to FP #3 (Jingle Cruise). After dinner checked in for our 6:10 ADR at Liberty Tree. The plan was to be done eating right around 7, but unfortunately they told us they were running about 20 minutes behind (boo) so it was nearly 7:30 before we were done.
We popped out the back exit and tried to meet Mary & Bert but they had just cut their line, so we hit BTMRR, grabbed peppermint cookies at the stop at the exit, then circled back. We waited only about 10 minutes and had a great interaction with them! (I think someone had mentioned up thread that they did not have a PP photog, but we had one our night).
After Mary & Bert we headed to Tomorrowland to ride the Speedway before checking in for the fireworks dessert party. As we were crossing the hub, the 8:15 castle lighting was happening, so we stopped to watch (we’ve never seen it!). Then we got a castle pic, rode the Speedway with about a 10 minute wait (the overlay was really cool...don’t miss this one!) and headed to the dessert party.
We enjoyed snacks for about 40 minutes (thought the selection was great and loved that they had several of the party cookies out as well...I stocked up on my favorite, the ginger molasses, and saved me a stop later!). We then headed to the garden in time to catch the end of the stage show before the fireworks started. I really enjoyed the new show, but it was no Holiday Wishes
After the fireworks we headed right to Main Street to grab our parade spot. We ended up with a perfect curbside seat right across from the Confectionary (and the snoap cannon!). I had hubby hold our spot while I took the kids over to meet Santa. Unfortunately, the CM told us that Santa would be leaving at 11 to head to the parade, and we may or may not meet him before then. So we decided to leave and come back after the parade (which had been our original plan, but thought this would help kill time while we waited). She then told us that Mickey or Jack & Sally both had a short wait if we wanted to pop over to the Theater instead. I thought she must be crazy, but the kids and I decided to poke our heads in just to check, and sure enough, there was NO ONE in the lobby in Jack & Sally’s line. We ended up waiting 20 minutes to meet them. I was shocked! After that it was almost 11 and we headed back to DH. By now, the crowds were 2-3 rows deep on Main Street. The Kringle Krew arrived not long after, and DD got picked to go out and dance with them!
The parade was amazing as always.....the toy soldiers are a close second to the gravediggers IMO....then headed to meet Santa after the parade with about a 5 minute wait. We took a picture by the tree on our way out, were on a bus by 12:15 and back at POFQ by 12:30.
The only thing we ended up missing was the Space Mountain overlay, but all in all had a great night. Crowds felt light for a sold out party, and WAY lighter than our sold out MNSSHP earlier this year.
A few pictures from our night: