The Berg-Berts do WDW, Part 30 – Closing Thoughts

[latoberg]

We got to the Magic Kingdom well in advance of the party.

We were looking for supper. We decided to go to Cosmic Ray’s.

I'm too sexy for this armor

Nothing spectacular. It’s counter service. But I was itching to go do something. Oh, I did make one little kid cry. I walked by the window and just waved. I was friendly enough about it. But the kid was on the way to meltdown. I just pushed him over the edge. It’s wrong, but I got a little bit of a charge out of that. I know. Bad, bad, bad.

We left Ray’s quickly after setting the child off. And set out to make the youngest of our party happy. We rode Peter Pan. This is the picture. Me as Hook (very unconvincing) and #2S as Pan riding together on Peter Pan. That was kind of fun. Then we went and did something he didn’t like. Just to maintain balance in the force. We rode Haunted Mansion. #2S no likey this ride. I covered his eyes while he covered his ears.

After the Haunted Mansion, it was close to parade time. And I did NOT want to miss the parade. I wanted to see the Headless Horseman’s ride. For the Halloween party parade, a Headless Horseman rides a real horse the entire parade route. This is cool to me. I don’t know why. So I wanted a decent seat to see it. When we got to the parade route, people were already at the ropes. So we grabbed the closest opening and got ready for the parade.
Over the loud speakers, a narrator prepared the crowd for the appearance of the dark rider. And at the end of the tale, he rode through the street. It was very cool. I wish I had better pictures of his ride. It was cool.

That also describes the parade.

The Boo To You Halloween Parade is perhaps the coolest parade I have ever seen at a Disney park. The characters look great. The music is catchy. It is fun with just a little bit of something different.

And now that that was out of the way, it was time for the real fun of the evening: characters and candy. And we didn’t get much of this at first. It seems that this was the first sold out Halloween party of the year. And it was packed with people. There were crowds at every candy station and every character station. There were lines at the rides. This is a limited ticket event. But 20,000 ish people is a lot of people. Especially when you are all after the same thing.

Eventually the crowds were thinning and we were able to get some candy and meet some characters. The most memorable interaction was with Jasmine and Aladdin.

We got up to the front of the line. Of course they had seen us dressed up and made some comments. Lisa had made some kind of comment and Aladdin said sometimes it’s hard being married. I replied, “Yeah, but your married to a princess. I’ve got a witch.” And he got a very good chuckle out of that. Lisa didn’t appreciate it though.

There was one character we had all been waiting to meet. The one character who has been the most loved in our household. There is only one character that tops our list of must meet this evening: Maleficent. Ever since #1S was 10 or 11 months old, he has been enamored with Maleficent. Our first trip to Disneyland, the only thing he really wanted was the Maleficent figure from Mattel. In other words, he wanted Maleficent Barbie. And he got it. And he has loved that thing ever since. He got the stuffed dragon the last time we were at WDW. And he was heartbroken when we couldn’t meet her at Disneyland or at WDW last time. There is really only one time when Maleficent is out – Mickey’s Halloween Party. And there was only one time to meet her – the Villains Meet and Greet in front of the castle.

The Villains have a little dance show they put on and then they come down and meet people for pictures. I am a videographer. I love videoing everything. And I wanted to get as much of the party on tape as possible. We got to the forecourt stage with plenty of time. Everyone behind us was watching the parade route for the headless horseman. We jumped right up front for the show. Dressed as I was, I wasn’t interested in sitting down until the show started. So I was standing there getting my video camera ready for the show to begin. Lisa and the boys were all sitting down. Then I start to hear people not-quite-yelling from behind me, “Down in front.”

Excuse me, but the last time I checked, this was not a theater. This is the place where people STAND and watch shows on the stage. I was here first and have every right to stand here if I want to. But I am also polite. If it is just too much work to get your lazy behind up off the oh-so-comfortable concrete to watch the show, then I will leave my family and go somewhere else. And that is what I did. I thought, why fight with these less than civilized jerks and ruin everyone’s evening.

The show was very cool. The dancers were pretty hot. And I don’t mean the, “my isn’t it warm out here this evening” hot.

I think the raven knows it's a wig

We headed back over to ToonTown to head down the Queen of Hearts candy trail. I say it was hers cause we didn’t see Alice. And the Queen was in very fun form. She had us rolling. #1S went up for an autograph. But she wouldn’t take anyone’s pen or book without a bow. Then, when he finished, he was supposed to take her hand and kiss it. Well, our son isn’t that up to par on how to treat royalty. He would step up to her to take a picture and she would stamp her foot and put her hand out. He didn’t get it. Finally Lisa filled him in on what she wanted. When he fulfilled her wish, she was eager to take a picture. Lisa got #2S’s book out to get one for him. He was too wasted to meet her. He stayed in the stroller. Lisa did the whole curtsy and flairing her cape out. They were having a good time.

Lisa and #1S stripped off their costumes leaving me and Peter Pan decked out. It was quite amusing to see. Here I was dressed as Captain Hook pushing #2S around in the stroller dressed as Peter Pan. Write that into the next direct to video sequel.

I would say that something excited happened after that. But nothing really extraordinary happened. The crowds were beginning to thin out. We were able to get loads of candy. We saw a few other characters that night. But there wasn’t much beyond that. We didn’t ride anything else, because we were all over the unique party stuff. We didn’t do the dance parties where some of the characters were. So we missed that. But we had a wonderful time

And by the time we left around 11:30, #2S was completely out of it.

 

[eeyore45]

Very Very COOL m- -

THank you, Thank you!!

I love the costumes.

I'm afraid of the crowds. We went last year, and dh said never again, too much money, too many people. I keep reading posts on how low crowds it was... I was getting sucked in again!!

 

[latoberg]

Very Very COOL m- -

THank you, Thank you!!

I love the costumes.

I'm afraid of the crowds. We went last year, and dh said never again, too much money, too many people. I keep reading posts on how low crowds it was... I was getting sucked in again!!

The crowds were not "low" by any stretch of the imagination. It was a sold out event. We only found that out the day after.

And while the limited number of people my be "small" in relative terms to a busy day at MK, two factors outweigh that assumption:

1.) Of that 20,000ish people, 15,000 are all going to the same places. Candy and characters.
2.) We live in a city of 17,000. That was everyone from our city and the next little community over in an area about the same size as our downtown.

 

[Minnie]

Lacto - On our party it was also very crowded. The trick or treat lane was so bad I started getting claustrophobia. I bribed DS with picking out any kind of candy at home if we could get out of there.

The MVMCP we went to in early Dec a couple years back was much better crowd wise. Seemed like the party stuff to do was more spread out so the crowds weren't as bad. Also the rides were walk on then. I'd do it again in a heartbeat but I think the MNSSHP was our one and only.

 

[latoberg]

Lacto - On our party it was also very crowded. The trick or treat lane was so bad I started getting claustrophobia. I bribed DS with picking out any kind of candy at home if we could get out of there.

The MVMCP we went to in early Dec a couple years back was much better crowd wise. Seemed like the party stuff to do was more spread out so the crowds weren't as bad. Also the rides were walk on then. I'd do it again in a heartbeat but I think the MNSSHP was our one and only.

I toyed, very briefly many times, with shelling out the $50 for MVMCP when I go in a few weeks. I just don't know, though. Hard to justify it. Especially since I want to go back to the Adventurer's Club.

 

[NAB]

Wow great costumes. I think you are Mark's twin brother Lacto.... Was it cool that night or did get hot in those?

What was the hoop thing Lisa was holding in the one pic? Was it some kind of stitch work she was making?

Really looks like a cool party though.

 

[drebert]

Wow great costumes. I think you are Mark's twin brother Lacto.... Was it cool that night or did get hot in those?

What was the hoop thing Lisa was holding in the one pic? Was it some kind of stitch work she was making?

Really looks like a cool party though.

We had really good intentions of having the characters sign a "vacation" disney shirt. So, the hoop was so the surface would be firm for them to sign. It ended up being too much trouble and we ditched the idea.

It really didn't get extremely hot in the costumes but it did get a little uncomfortable. That's why Nick and I shed ours toward the end of the party.


I really don't believe I looked scary enough. There's something about a villain in glasses that isn't very convincing!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Excellent party!

Oh, I did make one little kid cry. I walked by the window and just waved. I was friendly enough about it. But the kid was on the way to meltdown. I just pushed him over the edge. It’s wrong, but I got a little bit of a charge out of that. I know. Bad, bad, bad.

I'm sorry but this is funny....

Excellent pictures too!

 

[horsegirl]

And I did NOT want to miss the parade. I wanted to see the Headless Horseman’s ride. For the Halloween party parade, a Headless Horseman rides a real horse the entire parade route. This is cool to me. I don’t know why. So I wanted a decent seat to see it.

I know why. No, not really but horses are way cool. So is the HH. And the sound of the hooves on the pavement. The sheer excitement of catching a glimpse. I have loved galloping on my mounts since I was a small girl. It is fantastic.

The Boo To You Halloween Parade is perhaps the coolest parade I have ever seen at a Disney park. The characters look great. The music is catchy. It is fun with just a little bit of something different.

I have never been. Now I realllllllly want to...perhaps next year. Super pix and super costumes! I bet you liked Jasmine! She was a beauty!

I replied, “Yeah, but your married to a princess. I’ve got a witch.” And he got a very good chuckle out of that. Lisa didn’t appreciate it though.

Thanks for making me laugh at dre's expense.

There was one character we had all been waiting to meet. The one character who has been the most loved in our household. There is only one character that tops our list of must meet this evening: Maleficent. Ever since #1S was 10 or 11 months old, he has been enamored with Maleficent. Our first trip to Disneyland, the only thing he really wanted was the Maleficent figure from Mattel. In other words, he wanted Maleficent Barbie. And he got it. And he has loved that thing ever since.

Yikes, she is ugly with all that green paint on her face! But great pix!!!!!!!!!!!!

You do not fail as your self proclaimed title, Postmodern Rennaisance Pastor. You like hot babes, Disney, Dressing up and even being cool with your son having an interest in gender bending toys. I love that! I really do. My youngest son, who is last in line behind his sister loves trucks, swords and dolls. I think he is going to be a wonderful father!

Todd. This was such a fun installment and has defined for me a sceduling outline that include MNSSHP the next time we go to Dis....

Thanks and you all looked great!

 

[latoberg]

Yikes, she is ugly with all that green paint on her face! But great pix!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dre will probably kill me for these but these were from 3 years ago Halloween with a "homemade" Maleficent costume.

But she isn't close to a computer for a while. So I'm safe until tonight.

You do not fail as your self proclaimed title, Postmodern Rennaisance Pastor. You like hot babes, Disney, Dressing up and even being cool with your son having an interest in gender bending toys. I love that! I really do. My youngest son, who is last in line behind his sister loves trucks, swords and dolls. I think he is going to be a wonderful father!

Lisa and I were just having a discussion about the boys and princesses. #2S just HAD to buy one of the Minnie stuffed dolls that was dressed as the Queen from Snow White. #1S has an almost complete set of the Disney Villain Dolls inlcuding Maleficent and the Queen. We are not the least bit embarrassed by their love for their toys nor their playing with them.

And yes. I like hot babes. My wife chief of all. But she lets my eye wander. But she has a nasty infatuation for Hugh Jackman. Especially in leather.

 

[NAB]

Poor Dre.

First her butt shot that you pointed out and now this.

Be careful or she is going to start posting pics of you. What I am saying Dre lets see some pics.

My son still plays with dolls, only he uses them like action figures. Even calls one super baby and sleeps with one called Meatball. When his friends come over he will throw them all back in DD's room and blame her for them being there.

 

[latoberg]

We really did something stupid that next morning. Not chronically stupid. But it was stupid, nonetheless. We got up early. We were out late and Lisa and I didn’t crash until after 1:00. Then we were up early the next morning. We had to be. It was Maelstrom Meet day. Today was the day we would meet some more of our Maelstrom friends. And we were meeting at Animal Kingdom. To ride Expedition: Everest.

We drug the boys out of bed and got them dressed. Lisa made plans to meet the first couple of friends who would be at AK first thing at the bus stop. So off we go to meet Ashclan and Mr. Ash. But someone was missing from our little crew. The newest member of the family didn’t make it out of the room. No, not #2S. Pal Mickey. #1S was in a tizzy because he forgot his Pal. And I wanted him to get every moments enjoyment out of that investment. So I hiked back to the room to get Pal Mickey while Lisa and the boys met our new friends.

When I got back, I got to meet the Ash's. First impressions are lasting. Ash, ya’ll are tall. That’s my first impression. But we struck off on our journey to the Animal Kingdom.

When we got to the gate area, we met another one of our new friends. And someone who believes it is her vocation in life to give me a hard time. Which makes us a compatible pair. Because I feel the need to harass her. Horsegirl was at the gates and called us up to join her. We were to meet others and ride Expedition:Everest. But we had another plan.

They were late. So we were going to ride it before they got there. Then we could ride it with them after they finally arrived.

We get through the gates and get to watch the opening of the park ceremony with Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Mickey.

^Ash__________^Horsey

Then it’s off to Asia.

Let me refer you back to a previous post. I have a thing about roller coasters. I’m terrified of them. Every coaster I had ever ridden prior to this trip gave me butterflies and palpitations of the heart. I knew what was going to happen. We were going to get on this ride. It is supposed to be one of the wildest rides at Disney. And I am going to voluntarily get on it. Yes, we did Big Thunder Mountain earlier in the week. But this is different. This is supposed to be a bigger thrill ride.

We get in line. Lisa decides to stay with the boys. Ash and Horsey get one car. Mr. Ash and I get in the car right behind them. Mr. Ash and I share something in common. We don’t “do” coasters. So it is fitting we are sitting together. We roll out of the train station and I notice something. I am not the least bit freaked out. Not butterflies. No palpitations. Nothing. And the whole ride was that way. There was not one single moment of fear. Discomfort, yes. But no fear.

We got back on terra firma. And Ash and Horsey want Lisa to go. I volunteer to stay with the boys this time. But Mr. Ash says he will watch the boys. Right, we just met this guy. We don’t know his full name or much about him. We most likely may never see him again. And he thinks it’s okay to leave our boys with him?

Okay.

So off we go. Ash and Horsey in front. Me and Lisa in second. Well third. You may have seen this picture before, but here it is. Proof positive that I rode Everest. That’s Horsey right in front of Lisa. She is only making that face because of the poor woman in the front.

We hop off and Mr. Ash is right there with the boys. And they have found a new friend. They like him.

A bunch. And he tells us that the rest of our merry crew has arrived. They are on Everest right now. So we meet the rest of the crew when they get off. Sher and her friend. Jami and her two friends. And we all decide to ride again. Except Mr. Ash who has now become the newest best friend of our boys. They still want to know how he knew the monkey's names.

We all get in line for Everest. This is the third time in like 30 minutes. No problem whatsoever. And this time through has special treats. Jami brought cookies to share.

These are, now, world famous cookies. And they are delicious. I have said that every person has their price. Mine can be paid in chocolate chip cookies. But we all get aboard the train. 9 of us. But this time, I didn’t do so well. When we got back to the station, I admit, I was feeling a little green under the gills. My head was swimming and my tummy was doing backflips. That is all for me.

But everyone else was done also.

We left to find bathrooms and explore the rest of the park. Well, actually, our friends were exploring the park. We were finding breakfast and leaving. So we said our goodbyes and parted ways.

The Bergberts meet Plutopants

The four of us found some food at the Tusker House. Muffins and stuff. And coffeeish. Before we left, we ran into a lot of characters that we didn't get to see earlier in the week.

This was after #2S dropped the pen.

This pose was a thoughtful wondering after we told Timon that there was a big tree in the middle of the park filled with bugs. It was getting to be lunch time for Timon.

And last but not least, the only full-time clergy on staff at Disney. So of course we had to get together at least once. I try to meet up with him everytime I go. Men of the cloth have to stick together.

Funny that our hair is similar. And general body shape. But I don't wear a robe very often.

But we left for the Magic Kingdom. We rode the monorail into the MK after getting off the bus. The boys chatted with an older gentleman as we waited.

Our boys are truly wonderful. They are, for the most part, respectful of others. They love to talk. And they behave very well in public. If not, they are not unreasonable when we call them into line. I am very proud of them. They had just met a whole gang of new people and they weren’t the least bit put out by it. They were having just as much fun as the adults. And that is how our boys are. They have developed the ability to be with anyone.

 

[horsegirl]

Dre will probably kill me for these but these were from 3 years ago Halloween with a "homemade" Maleficent costume.

But she isn't close to a computer for a while. So I'm safe until tonight.


Lisa and I were just having a discussion about the boys and princesses. #2S just HAD to buy one of the Minnie stuffed dolls that was dressed as the Queen from Snow White. #1S has an almost complete set of the Disney Villain Dolls inlcuding Maleficent and the Queen. We are not the least bit embarrassed by their love for their toys nor their playing with them.

And yes. I like hot babes. My wife chief of all. But she lets my eye wander. But she has a nasty infatuation for Hugh Jackman. Especially in leather.

Nice pix Dre!

Okay Todd. Now throw up the bathing suit pix while she is gone.

 

[latoberg]

Nice pix Dre!

Okay Todd. Now throw up the bathing suit pix while she is gone.

My wife and I have an agreement. I don't do things that are chronically stupid and she doesn't hurt me.

 

[horsegirl]

The Bergberts meet Plutopants

And last but not least, the only full-time clergy on staff at Disney. So of course we had to get together at least once. I try to meet up with him everytime I go. Men of the cloth have to stick together.

Funny that our hair is similar. And general body shape. But I don't wear a robe very often.

Our boys are truly wonderful. They are, for the most part, respectful of others. They love to talk. And they behave very well in public. If not, they are not unreasonable when we call them into line. I am very proud of them. They had just met a whole gang of new people and they weren’t the least bit put out by it. They were having just as much fun as the adults. And that is how our boys are. They have developed the ability to be with anyone.

They truly are and for the life of me, I do not know how you produced such amazing and beautiful children. Oh, wait. The lovely Dre is their mother.

And here, you are a poker face. Who knew you didn't do coasters.

Respectfully submitted,

Your arch nemesis and devotee,

 

[horsegirl]

My wife and I have an agreement. I don't do things that are chronically stupid and she doesn't hurt me.

Ooooh. That must be hard for you.

 

[latoberg]

Ooooh. That must be hard for you.

In truth, I am very able to avoid chronically stupid.

Simply stupid, plain old stupid, and absurdly stupid - yeah. I don't avoid those very well.

 

[horsegirl]

In truth, I am very able to avoid chronically stupid.

Simply stupid, plain old stupid, and absurdly stupid - yeah. I don't avoid those very well.

You forgot one. Spacey stupid. That's mine.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

And last but not least, the only full-time clergy on staff at Disney. So of course we had to get together at least once. I try to meet up with him everytime I go. Men of the cloth have to stick together.

Funny that our hair is similar. And general body shape. But I don't wear a robe very often.

I love this picture!

Great photo's and recap of the mini-meet.

It's probably a good thing I wasn't there because I don't do coasters either, and I probably would have felt that I had to go.

Maybe that might have been a good thing

If you could do it, maybe I could?

Thanks again!

Enjoying the read and pictures.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Dre will probably kill me for these but these were from 3 years ago Halloween with a "homemade" Maleficent costume.

But she isn't close to a computer for a while. So I'm safe until tonight.

Just had to re-quote.



You look great BTW Dre!