Pumpkins, and candy, and Mickey, oh my! (TR complete!)

[nwdisgal]

Hey at least when your camera decided to misbehave it did so on a random shot of the beignets.

 

[MA pigletfan]

Your dismeet looks so fun!! One day I will meet a fellow dis'er!!!
Those beignets look really good..of course i missed out on those boooo!!!

 

[mommaU4]

I wish I could go at both Halloween and Christmas but don't have the funds, however I believe Halloween is winning out. We even made it over to CA for the trick or treat party, but it was so crowded since it was Halloween night and I really feel like we missed a lot of the characters, etc. It seems like there were a lot of characters out, rare ones?? Is that normal?? We did walk through Big Thunder and I remember looking at some of the pumpkins but by this time I was dragging, so I really need to go back and experience it more. Now if I only had someone to travel with that would love Halloween and Disney as much as me.

During the Halloween party, there were definitely some rare characters out and about. Captain Hook was one we took a pic with that we'd never seen before. Also Lady Tremaine and the stepsisters. They were a hoot! Too bad they aren't out in the parks more often.

I hope you do get to go back in October and see more of the decorations. Like I said, the pumpkins alone are like works of art.

I really am thinking that Halloween is winning out. I have to totally try one of those chocolate Tigger tail croissants, they look amazing. Also, what is in a Tinkerbell Twist?? They look yummy.

The chocolate croissant was good, but I've read reports from other who said theirs was dry, so it might be hit or miss. The pumpkin muffin was sooooo good. That's a seasonal item that I'd totally recommend trying.

The Tinkerbell Twist is a drink, rather like a slushie, with sour watermelon and sour apple flavors. It might be a bit of an acquired taste, lol, but I love it!

 

[mommaU4]

Just found your newest TR and am really enjoying it We did the drive from Anaheim to Vegas a month ago and I agree it is pretty boring, though rather a novelty for a Brit like me to drive through the desert and use cruise control! (yep that is exciting for me, I think I need to get out more! ) We saw the same fall decs in the Bellagio too but it was soo busy when we were there and couldn't get many good pics. We saw some of the Halloween decs at DL but since it was only just October the parties hadn't started yet so some stuff wasn't out yet. Were the crowds light for your trip? When we went it was surprisingly busy I agree Cafe Orleans is great, I could go for some pomme frites right about now!

Thanks, I'm glad you're reading along!

The drive is rather boring. There is a ghost town you can stop at along the way. We've done that. And there are outlets in Barstow, but other then that, it's pretty monotonous. Although, it can be pretty in it's own way. The mountains especially. For awhile, but after 3 hours.....not so much.

Isn't the Bellagio gorgeous? I love their conservatory. I can't wait to see what they put up for Christmas. And of course, I could never tire of their fountains.

The crowds were light for the first part of our trip, but by Friday they were insane. October isn't the off season it used to be. Not with all the Halloween parties and decorations they do now. It's a fun time to go, but be prepared for some crowds, especially on the weekends.

Mmmmm, pomme frites!!!

 

[mommaU4]

great TR! looks like you were in my neck of the woods for a while. i work just up the street from the Promenade in Westlake and I used to live in Simi Valley. Looks like you guys had a good time i'll be in vegas in 3 weeks for my wedding!!

Thanks! And thanks for reading.
Yes, I was in your area and it's really nice out there. I've always liked the Simi Valley area too.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!! How exciting! Now is a great time to be out here. The crowds are light, the weather is nice and since tourism is slow, there are good deals to be had. I hope your wedding is as special as it should be, and that you have a fun, safe trip.

Hey at least when your camera decided to misbehave it did so on a random shot of the beignets.

Oh yeah, my camera knows the good stuff when it sees it.

Your dismeet looks so fun!! One day I will meet a fellow dis'er!!!
Those beignets look really good..of course i missed out on those boooo!!!

I loved meeting up with everyone. I cannot wait until our March trip. So far we have over 50 DIS ladies signed up, with lots of fun tours, and yummy meals planned. I suppose that will be my next TR. LOL

I actually got to meet some more DISers today! I met up with two of the ladies going in March. (If you are reading, Hi Amy (bigskyernurse) and Jane (cheshiregirl)!!) We went to the Disney outlet and to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen.
I found some great deals on Halloween merchandise at the outlet! The same items I was looking at during my trip in October. I'll have to take a pic and post what I bought.

As for the beignets, well, that's just another reason to go back, right?

 

[Disneygrl36]

Great DIS meet update. That looks like so much fun. If I wasn't so far away, I would be really tempted to join you guys for your ladies trip in March. You DL ladies are very welcoming!!!! I am really glad I started frequenting the DL portion of the boards because of our trip. If I hadn't I would have missed out on "meeting" you guys.
P.S. your new siggie

 

[mommaU4]

Great DIS meet update. That looks like so much fun. If I wasn't so far away, I would be really tempted to join you guys for your ladies trip in March. You DL ladies are very welcoming!!!! I am really glad I started frequenting the DL portion of the boards because of our trip. If I hadn't I would have missed out on "meeting" you guys.
P.S. your new siggie

It was fun, and we'd love it if you could find a way to join us in March! TN isn't that far.....

Everyone on the DL board, and especially the ladies going on the trip, are so nice! It's so refreshing. I love it over there.

Thanks for the comment on my sig.

 

[toocherie]

Hey Beth! What's the weather like in Vegas? Looks like my one-day trip on Wed. is a "go" and I have to figure out what to wear . . . . .

 

[DisneyLaura]

Did you see the recipe for the soup? I posted it on another thread. Let me know if you want it.

I would love the recipe for the potato soup.

Thanks again for reading along everyone. And just to let you know I added a group picture to that last update I did of the mini meet.

Also a funny story that I forgot to mention about Minnie. When we got there that last morning (Friday) it was so crowded and the line for Minnie on Main Street was so long, that we didn't wait but we stood for a minute and watched.

There was an Asian lady in her early 20's or so, up next in line and she was just beside herself to see Minnie! I've never seen anyone, not even a kid act like that. She was shrieking and squealing and jumping up and down. She hugged Minnie, and then stood there forever talking to her and touching her. It was funny and a tad scary at the same time!

Anyway, that night after the mini meet, when we were all on the way out, and saw Minnie again on Main Street only the line was much shorter so we stopped to take that pic I posted of Minnie and the girls. Guess who we saw in line again???

The same lady! Once again she was just overjoyed to see Minnie, ran up to her, was hugging her, etc. And this time, she had bought Minnie a card. She gave it to her, and the CM that was there took it and was reading it to Minnie. It was pretty funny. I can only imagine what "Minnie" was thinking.

WACK NUT

Ummmmmm-WACKO?????????

and "I'm glad I'm in this costume so this nut-job doesn't know what I look like for real?"

My words exactly

 

[mommaU4]

Hey Beth! What's the weather like in Vegas? Looks like my one-day trip on Wed. is a "go" and I have to figure out what to wear . . . . .

Ugh, it's unseasonably warm this week. Today was 80 I think, and tomorrow will be the same. It will gradually cool as the week progresses but only down to 72 or so.

I would love the recipe for the potato soup.

Here you go! I haven't made it yet. If you make it, be sure to post and let us know how it turned out.

4 lg russet potatoes (peeled and small diced)
4 med Red Potatoes (small diced)
6 oz (2 large stalks) Celery (small diced)
6 oz (1 large or 2 small) carrots (peeled and small diced)
1 med yellow onion (small diced)
2 oz unsalted butter
1 lb. bacon (rough chopped) (*tip: place slices of bacon in the freezer for 20-30 min to make it easier to cut. Will slip less)
16 oz chicken stock or vegetable stock
32 oz heavy whipping cream
2 oz flour
1 oz vegetable oil
salt/pepper to taste
*small dice= 1/4 in. x 1/4 in.

Garnish with chives, bacon bits, sour cream, and shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese if desired.

Procedure:
1. Place stock pot (6-8 quart pot) over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil, butter and bacon. Start rendering the bacon (process of releasing the fat through cooking). The bacon will start to release its fat. Do not allow it to burn.
2. Cook bacon till crispy, remove and set aside on a paper towel: leaving the fat from the bacon in the pan. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Traditionally these 3 items are called the MIREPOIX. Sweat the mirepoix until the onions turn translucent. Add potatoes and cook for 4 minutes. Add the flour to make roux. Cook roux until blond in color (about 5 to 7 minutes) while stirring constantly. Add chicken stock and half of the bacon back into the pan (Reserve the rest of the bacon for garnish) Season with salt and pepper.
3. Turn the heat to medium high, bring the soup up to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and tender. mash some of the potatoes for thicker, creamier texture. Add whipping cream and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. You can adjust the thickness by adding water or stock for a thinner soup. It should have a creamy consistency. Adjust your seasoning.
5. Garnish with your desired toppings.

 

[DangerMouse]

Ugh, it's unseasonably warm this week. Today was 80 I think, and tomorrow will be the same. It will gradually cool as the week progresses but only down to 72 or so.

We're at 86 today. Double Ugh!

 

[mommaU4]

We're at 86 today. Double Ugh!

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week and we are still having these temps. Almost makes me miss the snow!!

 

[mommaU4]

Just thought I'd post the pics of my "finds" at the Disney outlet.

I bought the Mickey pumpkin votive holder:

The Jack Skellington pumpkin votive holder, which totally looks like a Sleestak!!!

See?? Told ya!

And the set of three votive holders, a ghost, skeleton, and pumpkin.

Some of those items were selling in the parks for over $15 each. I was able to get everything pictured above for $18 including tax.

And here is a pic of the bracelet I bought in Disneyland that I mentioned in one of my previous posts. I bought this in Frontierland across from the shooting gallery. It's really more of a lime green then it appears in the photo. I like it.

 

[dwheatl]

Great shopping! I love a bargain. Or many!

 

[Disneygrl36]

I your Halloween bargains.
Cute bracelet too........what is it made of?

 

[mommaU4]

Great shopping! I love a bargain. Or many!

Me too!

I your Halloween bargains.
Cute bracelet too........what is it made of?

Thanks, I'm not sure what it's made of. It almost reminds me of a belt or strap of some kind. It's in Frontierland so it's not supposed to be fancy. More natural looking. Then they engrave a name on it and you can add a character. It was pretty cheap too. Between $7-$8 or so. I can't remember exactly.

 

[DangerMouse]

Beth, that Sleestack / Skellington pumpkin reference had me cracking up.

 

[travelmel]

Beth, that Sleestack / Skellington pumpkin reference had me cracking up.

ditto!

 

[mommaU4]

Hi everyone! I haven't forgotten about our last wonderful day!! I'll update this weekend.

Scratch that. I have some time now so I'm going to get started on Day 7........stay tuned.

 

[mommaU4]

Doesn't your time at Disney always seem to go by too fast?? Ours sure did!
I could not believe this was our last day in the park. After a whole year of having APs, and being able to say as the vacation was nearing an end, "We'll be back soon", I now couldn't say that.

I knew I'd be back in March with the ladies, but as a family our Disney trips were done for awhile. Sadly six deluxe annual passes are not cheap to renew!!

So I woke up determined to make it a great last day. Easier said then done when I knew the crowds would be horrendous as evident from the day prior. Ruben's mom had called Friday asking us if there was anyway we could cut our last day short, and drive back to Pasadena to see some more Halloween decorations that Ruben's brother had put up.
At first I had said no way, but then I got to thinking that if the day went the way I feared, then by that evening I'd be irritable and more then ready to leave and run away from all the people.

My only shot at saving the day and ending the trip on a high note was to win some dream fast passes. Well, a night in the Dream Suite would be nice too, LOL, but having gone several times over the past year and never won a darn thing, I would have been thrilled with some DFPs.

The night before I had been talking with Callie (Dangermouse) while at the Cafe Orleans for the mini meet. She's won the DFPs before, a few times actually, and I asked her what her secret was.

She was nice enough to give me some "tips", places the Dream Team can typically be found, how to spot them, etc. So I was on a mission. To win Dream Fast Passes!!

Disneyland opened at 8:00 that day and we were there by 8:10, pretty impressive for my slow poke family. It was still pretty empty and calm. You know, that eerie calm before the storm?

Ruben went to get the free rental stroller, while the kids decided to run off to the Matterhorn before the line got too long.

I decided I was going in search of the elusive Dream Team and took off alone down Main Street. Before long I spotted what appeared to be a Dream Team member. She had on blue pants and a button down shirt. No white vest, but still. She had to be one. I was sure of it.

So I crept slowly along behind her, like a cat stalking it's prey, watching and waiting. Of course, every time she paused or stopped, I had to stop too. So I pretended to be intensely fascinated with the window displays on Main Street. Which actually were pretty darn cute, like this one:

OKay we were on the move again, slowly making our way down Main Street and into the center circle near the Partner's statue. Darn, who are those people and why are they stopping her???
I glance around......oh, pretty pumpkins! I can look busy taking pics of those.

Good, the couple has their question answered to their satisfaction and we are on the move again. She's heading to the castle! She must be a Dream Team member. Callie said they hang out at the castle. OK, this is good! Hang back a little bit, don't look too suspicious. Look around. Pretend to admire the castle as if it's your first time seeing it. Snap a shot of the castle like a good innocent tourist. (I actually love this shot, so I'm glad I took it.)

Then suddenly a voice behind me breaks my concentration. I hear, "Stalker!" and turn to see Callie with a big grin on her face. Good lord she scared the crap outta me!!!

I started laughing and made some comment about her doing the same thing. Then I showed her my "Dream Team" member that I had been stalk........er, following by pure coincidence. Good thing I did, because she informed that was in fact NOT a Dream Team member but just a regular guide/greeter type of cast member.
What??

UGH! Leave it to me to follow the wrong person! Just then Ruben came walking up with the stroller, and said he was going to head over to Fantasyland to let the kids go on Mr. Toad and Snow White.
I told him I'd stay and hang out around the castle and see if I could manage to actually find the right person this time.

So we all three split up. Ruben was off to Fantasyland, Callie sat down to enjoy her coffee, and I proceeded to make numerous trips around the castle looking for.....well, I wasn't entirely sure what or who I was looking for. But I wasn't going to stop until I found it.

Some pictures I took along the way:

Lucky Disney ducks!

Another castle shot

Pretty rose

Snow White

Yet another castle shot, lol

This guy was just creepy! I felt like there was someone in there watching me!!

Backside of the castle just to shake things up a bit

After making a few rounds and not seeing a darn thing, I ran into Stacie (stacielee) and Cheryl (toocherie). They were looking for Callie but she had disappeared. I think they mentioned something about making their way over to Big Thunder Mountain, so I said I'd be walking that way in a few minutes since there wasn't any Dream action going on around the castle.

I'd heard that often the Dream Team can be found on the walkway behind Thunder Mountain so I decided to hang out by the ranch entrance for a bit and see what I could see. Of course I couldn't appear to be just hanging out alone doing nothing, that's just creepy, so I snapped some more pics.

I was wondering what to take pics of next when I heard someone urgently shouting my name. I looked up and saw Ruben. He said that he'd been in Fantasyland with the kids, when Callie had called our cell phone, which he had with him, and had said that her, Stacie, and Cheryl, were over by the exit of Thunder Mountain and they had spotted the Dream Team!!!!

OMG!! Maybe I could finally snag some Dream Fastpasses!! Ruben took off back to Fantasyland to get the kids who were on a ride, and I was off and running (well, not literally, I hate to run) towards BTM.

I'm going to stop the report here for now. This post is getting a little long and we are only about an hour into the day. To find out what happens next you'll just have to stay tuned.