The ABC's of Sauntering Through WDW- J is for: Just Like That, It's Judiciously Ended! (4/23)

[Steppesister]

This is fantastic! Such a great interaction and awesome photos! We also did this meet, as I'm sure you can imagine, since we went as Chesh and the Hatter.

I'm sure yours was super fun too. MH is such a spazz; I love him!!

Amazing!!

Not a bad attempt here at all! Considering the variables, I think you got a pretty great shot.

Thanks, Meghan! I gave it my best.

My favourite part of this parade

Mine too!! I love the sparks!

But this is a great shot!

Thanks, again!

I got this one, too! I love MNSSHP pins. And Orange Bird. So it was the perfect pin, basically.

Isn't it a fun one?! I love that Orange Bird made a big comeback!

 

[Steppesister]

Your costume turned out great. MNSSHP looks like so much fun. One day!

Thanks, Lessa! I always have such fun at those parties! I super hope you get to go sometime!

For some reason, I'm hearing this in a total Johnny Depp voice, lol.

LOL!!! I have NO idea why...?

And, I thought I had quoted another bit - anyhow, your Steampunk Alice costume was awesome! Great photos with Alice and the Mad Hatter - glad you got your absolute must-do.

Thanks!! I really loved it too and it makes for a much more festive party when you go in costume!

 

[cinderkelly]

Look at me go! I haven’t disappeared yet!

And there is simply NO better place to have a nice, quiet libation than the Nomad.

We just visited Nomad Lounge on our last trip and absolutely loved it!

Did you know that there are 4 distinct themed areas on Discovery Island alone?

I did not know that !

I'm sure they are as reasonably priced as a Disney soda or resort parking.

I hope you've enjoyed our photo tour today

I really have!

several thousand other costumed guests must have gotten the same hankering, as it took about 30 minutes to order and get my nuggets.

Wait a minute! A seasoned DISer like you doesn’t do mobile ordering??

I saw not one, but two, scalawag pirates making a bit of their own mischief

I really enjoyed the extra added touches for the Halloween party on pirates

One thing that struck me and I was very happy about was the crowd level.

I thought the same thing. Very decent crowd level.

As they say in Holland, “It tasted like an angel peed on my tongue”.

Ok, never heard that one

Well, when the dad figured out I was there to make a serious attempt at that one photo, he offered to let me stand in front of him when it was time.

That was really nice!

Not perfect by ANY stretch of the imagination, but not too shabby for: dark, moving target, handheld, less-than-perfect location. There's always next year!

I have yet to get a shot of him that isn’t all blurred to oblivion. You did better than me!

Instead of looking scared, in most of my attempts at being cute or horrified, I simply ended up looking constipated.

Stop laughing!!!

But I can’t !

Madame Carlotta was in fine form cracking the most hilarious jokes as her usual,

We loved watching her! So dang funny

Your costume was amazeballs by the way!

 

[Steppesister]

My daughter gets comments on her Rainbow hair all the time and she loves it too! She say's its so much fun, especially when it's a little girl who is just so taken with the way it looks.

I'm sure she loves that! How fun that she has a way to invite interaction and play with the younger set!

I am glad to hear this. I had heard that the party's weren't worth it any more because they were so crowded and you didn't get to do anything. I had heard that the general public was being allowed in to shops and restaurants even though they had not paid for the ticket. I am excited to know that it is not the case, at least not at all parties.

I think the parties that are closer to Halloween are probably more crowded and not as fun. And I agree, the parties rules about no other guests SHOULD be enforced so that those of us who pay extra can enjoy it with fewer people, shorter lines, etc... I can't speak for all the parties, but they were checking bands frequently for mine.

I had heard that this was pointless as well. Again super glad to hear that it is fun. I had thought it sounded amazing to have live people in there playing with the riders. When I started hearing bad things, I got a little disappointed.

The earlier you line up, the less time you'll spend there. However, I also saw shorter lines for SOME characters LATE in the party as well. Jafar, Queen of Hearts, Alice were a few whose lines dwindled later.

But I think you were talking about the live characters? They totally were fun and worth it. They really got into their roles and were super funny. I'm curious what "bad" things you were hearing? EEK! I hadn't heard about any of that.

I love just walking around taking in the atmosphere.
As usual, your pictures are just simply amazing!

Thanks, Jenn!! Half the fun is the fog and lights and music!

Glad my laptop screen needed cleaned. I just had to spend a few minutes wiping my soda off it!

Yes...there is ALWAYS next year!

Already planning it!

It does look a bit forced for sure! I think the key is to not think about it when they take the picture. Remember, Pkondz didn't get asked about constipation when he was distracted on his last border crossing!
LOL but the blond hair just makes this costume! I almost didn't recognize you.

I swear I wasn't about to poop.

I think my problem was I had no idea what the photo in some cases was even supposed to BE, so didn't know what pose to strike or whatever. I'll try again next year.

As for PK, it's probably best he stay distracted.

I was serious contemplating NOT wearing the wig at all, but I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo glad I did.

Years ago, I actually ran into my neighbor when I was there. It was one of the times my aunt had taken me when I was 16. I was walking around where "It's a Small World" is and it freaked me out hearing someone say my name and seeing it was them.

That's amazing! And yes I can totally see how that'd be very unnerving!

This looks a little scary to me! Guess that is the point though, right!

Yep, but I can assure, it was really very, very good. I was pleasantly surprised!

I actually was thinking this. As I was scrolling through the pics above this statement, I was thinking "How did she not got to HM. That's just not even possible is it? How does one go to MNSSHP and not do HM. Thanks for not disappointing me! I was worried!

It wasn't going to (not) happen)! I was cutting it close, but made it. And was glad I did. I don't remember the CMs having special FX makeup the year before.

This needed an Epilepsy warning! HAHA *Jumps out of the Rabbit hole!*

Gotcha!

Come back for Tea anytime, Dearie!

 

[Steppesister]

Look at me go! I haven’t disappeared yet!

YAY!! Kelly's still here!!

We just visited Nomad Lounge on our last trip and absolutely loved it!

Isn't it divine?! So comfy and inviting?

Wait a minute! A seasoned DISer like you doesn’t do mobile ordering??

I haven't given it a go yet. Not sure how it works so have put it off.

I really enjoyed the extra added touches for the Halloween party on pirates

Me too!! I hope they do a bit more with the party in the future too. JC just screams for some overlay or live interaction fun!

I thought the same thing. Very decent crowd level.

I'd say, at least on my party night, if you wanted to focus on rides alone, you could get loads done with minimal waits. Characters, depending on who ebbed and flowed, and there were SCADS for PP photogs out so no lines there either.

That was really nice!

It really was. I would never have just barged in (as some seem to be in the habit of doing ) but I was grateful he offered.

I have yet to get a shot of him that isn’t all blurred to oblivion. You did better than me!

Blurred to oblivion was my last year's attempt. I'm just going to say again how much I love my new lens for dark situations.

We loved watching her! So dang funny

Your costume was amazeballs by the way!

I've been lucky enough to catch her twice now. The first time she was going on and on to some guest about Alabama's sports teams because of his shirt.

Thanks!!! I think the kids and I have our idea for next year's costume.

 

[Steppesister]

Last bits and pieces of MNSSHP...

I ran a bit short on space for a few photos that I wanted to include in my last update. So here's a little bonus round just to be thorough.
While I was getting my Dole Whip Cake of Deliciousness, I noticed the area was lit with black light and it was PERFECT for my costume! What a happy surprise! What 8 year old at heart doesn't love black light effects?! I am not shy one bit in asking others to take my photo, so did. A very kind gentlemen obliged and I ended up with this, one of my very favorites of the night. I adore it!



I also think this might be my favorite of the Magic Shots of the night. So cheesy Taco Bell called and asked for rights...



And a few misc leftovers just for fun...










The ever-popular pet cemetery:



And the less-popular new Redhead:

 

[Chrystmasangel]

But I think you were talking about the live characters? They totally were fun and worth it. They really got into their roles and were super funny. I'm curious what "bad" things you were hearing? EEK! I hadn't heard about any of that.

Correct, I was. I had heard that they just weren't interacting well, and that it didn't bring anything special to the parties. Also that it didn't add enough "different" to the ride to justify it being advertised as it was with the party.

I ended up with this, one of my very favorites of the night. I adore it!

I absolutely LOVE this! I am a huge black light fan and this does not disappoint!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Oh no!! They were'n't there??!!

Not even they Puke Cups had their psycho overlay on? I'm becoming more than just a little sad for your Party experience!

Oh no, I'm confident all that wonderful stuff was there, I just did not get the opportunity to see it. The short version...2 hours and 20 minutes in the line for Moana, the parade and fireworks was the sum total of my party experience. The who, what, when, where and why...WHY!...WWWHHHYYYY!!!!! will eventually be revealed in my TR.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I skipped through the gates and knew I needed to get my wristband and my trick-or-treat bag first, so headed towards the right to a special backstage-y area where I got my first fistful of candy.

Hopefully it was good candy and not those orange circus peanuts.

Unfortunately, several thousand other costumed guests must have gotten the same hankering, as it took about 30 minutes to order and get my nuggets.

Sorry folks! Party's over!

*** Of note, Casey's entrances were roped off and ONLY guests with wristbands were being let in and allowed to order. I'd have thought they'd have gladly taken non-party go-er's $$$$ as they made their way out of the park.

Nah, who cares about people who just paid for regular admission?

The first one was Gunpowder Pete holding up a "Wanted" sign for… himself. It was hilarious!

Love it!

On one of the bridges a Pirate Captain was talking to guests as they passed below. One guy in our boat yelled up to him, “Have you seen the Captain?!”

Pirate: “I AM the Captain!”

The Guy: “NO, the other Captain- Captain Jack Sparrow.”

Pirate: <Rolls eyes and states in tone of complete exasperation and disdain> “He’s not a REAL captain, you know.”

One thing that struck me and I was very happy about was the crowd level. Honestly, it wasn’t bad at all.

That's good to hear! I had heard the parties were getting more and more crowded.

As they say in Holland, “It tasted like an angel peed on my tongue”.

Which is...good?

Not perfect by ANY stretch of the imagination, but not too shabby for: dark, moving target, handheld, less-than-perfect location.

That's actually pretty good for those conditions!

And take your wife out to dinner once in a while, you stingy, rotten scoudrel!

Hey, she's allowed to take me out once in a while, too, ya know. How come they never think of that??

"Didn't you hear the Pirate Lady?! You're supposed to take me out to dinner once in a while!"

Oh, sure, in all of my free time! I guess the lawn just mows itself around here!

"I LOVE my job!!!! <"Do I HAVE to keep doing this parade over and over and over and over.... forever?">

Caught her at the perfect time.

Just as the parade ended I turned to go and a very familiar looking couple were standing there. It was the same couple I’d waited in line with for Alice hours earlier! Ha, out of thousands of people, what were the odds?! (Don't answer that! They were better than winning the 1.6 billion in the lottery last week.)

Wait...what? I want my $20 back!

I simply ended up looking constipated. @pkondz , is that what you look like during your border crossings?

I have no idea why a burning pumpkin in my hand would be funny!

It's late at night. At some point, EVERYTHING is funny.

At 10:00 I found a place to watch the fireworks and scored a SWEET spot on the hub with a rail in front me so there could be NO intruders.

Perfect spot! Great shots.

the Meunster Burger at Cosmic Rays. It’s topped with Muenster cheese, tater tots, and the spicy sriracha aioli, and bacon. And wow, it was good!!

That does sound pretty tasty.

 

[Steppesister]

Correct, I was. I had heard that they just weren't interacting well, and that it didn't bring anything special to the parties. Also that it didn't add enough "different" to the ride to justify it being advertised as it was with the party.

Well, I don't know about the other nights but for me and this party, it was fun. I hadn't read any real reviews of the addition or anything so it wasn't hyped up nor were my expectations high, or well.... anything. So whatever it was ended up being really fun. Plus, I think they have a fair amount of leeway to interact so if guests are game to play along, it'll be much better. But... just a guess! LOL! I really have no idea!

I absolutely LOVE this! I am a huge black light fan and this does not disappoint!

Quite a happy accident!

 

[Steppesister]

Oh no, I'm confident all that wonderful stuff was there, I just did not get the opportunity to see it. The short version...2 hours and 20 minutes in the line for Moana, the parade and fireworks was the sum total of my party experience. The who, what, when, where and why...WHY!...WWWHHHYYYY!!!!! will eventually be revealed in my TR.

Oh. My. Gawd. My heart is breaking just a little. However, I do know others who've stood in similarly long lines (in the rain) for one shot/interaction, so at least you WILL have a story to tell. Not that Trip Reporting is the end all, but, we are all going to be very interested in this one.

 

[Steppesister]

Hopefully it was good candy and not those orange circus peanuts.

Those are just... gross. Chewy chalk- reminds me of a laxative I took once. This was good stuff- individual sized M and M's, Starbursts, Skittles, Mars, etc.... I just broke them out yesterday and have rationed a piece/bag a day until they are gone.

Nah, who cares about people who just paid for regular admission?

I could care less if they're in the shops on Main Street until 7:00, but the restaurants might be a drag if they were filled with non-party folk.

That's good to hear! I had heard the parties were getting more and more crowded.

I chose one earlier in the season AND a mid-week party. I think that does make a difference.

Which is...good?

Yes, that is a "good" idiom.

That's actually pretty good for those conditions!

Thanks.

Hey, she's allowed to take me out once in a while, too, ya know. How come they never think of that??

Of course, but the photo series happened to be a female version. If it were a male version... er... nm....

Oh, sure, in all of my free time! I guess the lawn just mows itself around here!

Lawn, schpawn.

Caught her at the perfect time.

Photography: 10% skill; 10% patience; 80% luck.

Wait...what? I want my $20 back!

Well, looky at you. Your chances were 10 times better than mine!

It's late at night. At some point, EVERYTHING is funny.

Except 30 minute bus waits to go home.

That does sound pretty tasty.

I would actually go out of my way to get one again if they kept it on the regular menu.

 

[thumper*]

the Dole Whip Pineapple Upsidedown Cake. As they say in Holland, “It tasted like an angel peed on my tongue”. Absolutely divine!

Love these pics and your costume is awesome

 

[pkondz]

Here eat this..

Yumm! Treats!

NO!!! The other one!

Dang it!

Sigh…. Now you have to eat this one too.

More treats?

A word of warning though, stay very close, the Queen of Hearts is lurking about, along with several of her Villainous Friends, who love nothing more than to make a little mayhem.

oooohhhh…. scary boo!

Nice one!

such an expensive exciting party as this

And yet... sooooo worth it. At least for me.

I ended up doing all I really wanted to.

Great!

I think that's where some people go wrong. You just can't do everything. But if you go in wanting just a few things... then it's fun and a whole lot less stressful.

headed towards the right to a special backstage-y area

I remember that.

I was already getting some fun comments on my Alice-gone-Steampunk get up, and it was FUN!!!

Great! That makes the night even more fun.

I’d read a lot of reviews on the special treats being offered and none were getting hugely great reviews so opted to skip most, if not all.

I stumbled on a similar (maybe the same) review. I was pretty surprised at how poorly everything rated.
I remember thinking I'd only want to try one or two things. The rest? Nah.

but Casey’s Nuggets are that one thing that I try to get every trip.

I remember how much you love those.

it took about 30 minutes to order and get my nuggets.

Whoa. Long time. I wouldn't have stood in line that long for them... but would for a Dole whip float.
So I get that you did.

Nice shot. They sure look like they're having a good time.

*** Of note, Casey's entrances were roped off and ONLY guests with wristbands were being let in and allowed to order. I'd have thought they'd have gladly taken non-party go-er's $$$$ as they made their way out of the park.

Huh. And yet... then the wait would've been an hour.

I found myself in a not-so-bad 30-minute queue.

Not bad. Not like some people who wait 2.5 hours... in the rain...

But who would be stupid enough to do that?

They were about my age and we had fun talking about the party and people watching.

People watching is great at that event. Nice you had some company.

me, her, umm…. less prim counterpart,

Hello!

we all prattled on about being punctual.

Can't be late, ya know.

Love your costume. And... flashing a little bit of leg. What a naughty little Alice you are!

Instead, I’ll take us over to Pirates where I’d heard they added some live characters to the attraction.

Heard that too.
But I'd heard that it wasn't a big deal. Glad that seems to be (at least for you) not the case.

The first one was Gunpowder Pete holding up a "Wanted" sign for… himself.

No one pointed this out?

The next was another pirate who swore he was behind bars for “no reason” and “was completely innocent”.

He probably was, poor man.

One guy in our boat yelled up to him, “Have you seen the Captain?!”

I'm surprised. So many people just sit quietly and wouldn't do that.

Pirate: <Rolls eyes and states in tone of complete exasperation and disdain> “He’s not a REAL captain, you know.”

Dang! Nice shot! Super low light and moving? Nice.

Ride lines were short and while I waited just a tad too long to get a spot for the parade, it was still very doable about 30 minutes before.

That's not bad at all!

Awesome...

Only problem is...…..
I found myself oohing and ahing over so many photos that... I figured I'd just not comment on each one and just give you a blanket "Wow! You got some really good shots!"

Love how you captured the fog in this one.

But hey, what do I care? I eat mushrooms and drink blue stuff, so there ya have it.

the Dole Whip Pineapple Upsidedown Cake.

Hmm... my Mom used to make upside down pineapple cake. I didn't care for it. Don't know if I'd enjoy this.

As they say in Holland, “It tasted like an angel peed on my tongue”.

Hmmm...
Nope. I'll stick with the float, thanks.
But glad you enjoyed it.

I had one goal in mind: get a decent shot of the Headless Horseman.

Tough shot. Very.

But, as I said, I waited just a tiny bit too long and spent a good while trying to find an unobstructed place.

Whoops! Yeah, that's half the battle right there.

How did I know they were nice? Well, when the dad figured out I was there to make a serious attempt at that one photo, he offered to let me stand in front of him when it was time.

That is nice.

Not perfect by ANY stretch of the imagination, but not too shabby for: dark, moving target, handheld, less-than-perfect location.

Not bad at all, considering the variables.
And much better than some I've seen.

The rest of the parade is always super fun and I always enjoy it,

especially the grave diggers, the ghostly ballroom dancers, and the Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Yup!
And until a few years ago, the cemetery keeper and his dog.

Hey!!! YOU! Pick up your socks and clear your dishes off the table!

Okay! Okay!!!!

Sheesh. Can I at least put my socks in the dishwasher?

Man! Your parade photos are sharp! You got a lot of really good ones!

And take your wife out to dinner once in a while, you stingy, rotten scoudrel!

I did! Just yesterday! Sheesh!

You caught the sparks! Nice one!!!!

"Didn't you hear the Pirate Lady?! You're supposed to take me out to dinner once in a while!"

I wear that expression on occasion, as well.

Paparazzi... please.

"I LOVE my job!!!! <"Do I HAVE to keep doing this parade over and over and over and over.... forever?">

Poor thing looks dead on her feet.

Ha, out of thousands of people, what were the odds?!

Approximately one in a few thousand.

Don't answer that!

oops! sorry.

They were better than winning the 1.6 billion in the lottery last week.

I said hi and we went our separate ways.

Well, that was abrupt!

Instead of looking scared, in most of my attempts at being cute or horrified, I simply ended up looking constipated.

@pkondz , is that what you look like during your border crossings?

It's like I'm looking into a mirror.

I appreciate the extra hair.

<straining.. straining>

Geez, just relax and take some Ex-Lax.

Stop laughing!!!

I can't stop!

Here: Let's just look like I just got caught with another nurse's pen during a shift:

A fate worse than death!

Man I love these shots!

I have no idea why a burning pumpkin in my hand would be funny!

I think you look scared. Great shot!

I managed to get them all but the Hitchhiking Ghosts. Ah well, next year!

Next year!
Wish I could too! (say "next year" I mean. )

I was happy to have my new lens with me for trying it out on the HM. But it’s just so darn dark in there! I ended up with a (very!) few that are passable shots and not much else. Still fun to try…

HM is pretty hard to shoot. Some areas more so than others... and you're always moving, too!

At 10:00 I found a place to watch the fireworks and scored a SWEET spot on the hub with a rail in front me so there could be NO intruders.

Nice!

After a few shots, I just leaned back and enjoyed the show perfectly content and satisfied.

Awww... I bet that was just heaven.

I had arranged to meet up with Lorie, @tazdev3225 after the show and found her right away in front of Casey’s.

Nice! A DISmeet!

as usual, I sucked at remembering to document it with a photo.

Too bad.
But I've done that. You're so busy yapping that... you just forget.

Hmmm... not sure. How was the bun?

I waltzed off to the HM.

Glad you did. You cannot miss that ride during MNSSHP.

One simply does not go to Mickey’s Party and NOT ride The Flagship Attraction.

correct.

Outside, Madame Carlotta was in fine form cracking the most hilarious jokes as her usual,

She's great, isn't she?

Dang! Excellent shot!

love this part.

You caught that?!?!?!

Orange Bird!

Well! Rude!

But then again, I already knew that from when you re-met your friends at the parade.

Like that shot too.
Liked all the shots!

Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

 

[pkondz]

I ran a bit short on space for a few photos that I wanted to include in my last update. So here's a little bonus round just to be thorough.

Yay!

What 8 year old at heart doesn't love black light effects?!

Love that!
Love the glowing epaulettes, stocking and... your nails!

I love this!

"EEEEEeeeee!..."

Tough one. Nice capture!

I see what @franandaj mean.
She's not as pretty as she used to be.

Still.... I think I'm okay with a redhead pirate.

 

[Steppesister]

Anyone else thinking: Thank God it’s Friday?!?!

Replies this weekend....

What’s y’all doin’?

 

[pkondz]

Anyone else thinking: Thank God it’s Friday?!?!

Replies this weekend....

What’s y’all doin’?

Not me.
Tomorrow it’s back to work. Lots of housework today.

So.... nope.

But I did think that on Tuesday.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Not me.
Tomorrow it’s back to work. Lots of housework today.

So.... nope.

But I did think that on Tuesday.

I knew Canada was different. ........but Friday on Tuesday?

 

[pkondz]

I knew Canada was different. ........but Friday on Tuesday?

We march to our own drummer.

Well... I do.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

We march to our own drummer.

Well... I do.