The Pirates and the Frog (7/17 Welcome to the Next Adventure!)

[TheCapellsMom]

Thanks to all of you who have noticed & complimented us on our Disney attire!
While DH is planning the trip & making ADRs, I like to channel my pre-trip excitement into planning our outfits and gear for the trip.

This of course involves shopping, which is just fine with me!

Since even I can't justify spending outrageous amounts on vacation outfits, my favorite place to shop is eBay.
I always keep my eyes out for clothes and other themed items that are reasonably priced.
Sometimes the best deals you find are people who were dumb when they listed the item.
Try searching for "Dinsey" and you'll see tons of items for sale by people who can't be bothered to double check their spelling!

Since everyone is asking, many of DD's hairbows (including the crocheted ears) also come from eBay sellers. You can find TONS if you search for something like "mickey bow."

Since DD is older, I always get the ones with the French Clips (NOT THE ALLIGATOR CLIPS) because they are less likely to slip or fall out when she runs around.

I also always ask the bow-makers to make me a good deal so I can buy a batch of 4 or 5 bows from them.
That way, the prices are much better per piece & you can have whatever you want custom made for you.

One hint: don't wait till the last minute to shop for Disney trip items!
You will end up spending more if you are desperate to get something right away. Especially holiday themed items. You should shop for X-mas things in July. NOT November!
I just buy things when I find them cheap & save them up. You should see the stash of Disney things I have hidden away for my kids to grow into!!!

 

[thecapells]

Sorry for not being around great pix !!Glad the boys got to fight Capt Jack !!!Kyle di in 2007 and he still talks about it !!!!

DD and DS had a great time learning to fight with the master himself!
And that was just the start of the evening!
Sorry, I've been away a bit but work's been hectic.
But I'm back now and it's time for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!

 

[thecapells]

From Cinderella’s Carriage we dashed across Fantasyland as the park began to empty out.
A ghoulish voice could be heard announcing the coming of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Finally, we arrived at Mickey’s Toontown Fair.
Our Invasion would begin here.

We headed straight for the head honcho’s house himself.
Adorned in the colors of the season, there was even a pumpkin in the shape of his head!

We quickly made our way through the Mouse House and into his backyard.
Mickey had decorated back here as well and me crew stopped for some pictures.

Just short of the entrance to the Judge’s Tent, we found a familiar site.
A lad dressed in that khaki vest complete with portrait-maker in his hand was standing idly by.
After some quick dialogue, we surmised that Mickey would be making his way here once the party started.
In fact, after making friends with the magic portrait man, he created some extra magic for us.

It was about 6:50 so we settled in and marked our spot as first on line and could now relax.
However, fate had other plans.
The Princess had chosen now to inform me that she had to use the latrine.
Of course she did.
So I took her in hand and we dashed through the garage and over to Pete’s.
With the clock ticking, we high-tailed it back and arrived just in the nick of time.
For, just then, the ghoulish voice returned and declared the party officially started!
Sure enough, Mickey Mouse appeared dressed as a purple vampire.

Little X was astonished to see Mickey himself appear as you can see below.

I, of course, started snapping away.

And then me crew finally got the Mouse just where we wanted him…

And little X even got a closeup

As did the Pirate Princess:

But we couldn’t stay all day as a lengthy line had formed behind us and ruined our plans.
So we headed out back through the garage.
Outside was a candy station so me crew quickly plundered their share and we headed next door.
But first, me Pirate Princess posed with Mickey’s pumpkin.

 

[thecapells]

Next door, we charged through Minnie’s House and into the garden.
There we stumbled into a line for the gazebo.
We waited about 10 minutes until she was alone.

Then me crew attacked!

And, of course, little X got his one on one time as well…

Complete with a kiss…

On the way out, we noticed some of their decorations as they tried to scare other peasants.
But we be pirates matey, and don’t scare easily!

 

[skhermsmeyer]

I haven't been on in about a week or so and I have apparently missed some updates!

First of all, I hope you all have a FABULOUS trip and are getting readjusted to the real world without too many major mouse with-drawls.

Love all of the photos from the party! Your costumes are great and very fitting since the kids got to participate in the Pirate's league. I saw the show while I was waiting for my family in December and it looked like a good time. I can't wait until Noah gets to do it in May or our fall trip.

X looked so enthralled by Mickey and Minnie dressed in costume.

And thank you for the ebay tip! I'm getting ready to look at it before I head off to bed.

 

[thecapells]

I haven't been on in about a week or so and I have apparently missed some updates!

First of all, I hope you all have a FABULOUS trip and are getting readjusted to the real world without too many major mouse with-drawls.

Love all of the photos from the party! Your costumes are great and very fitting since the kids got to participate in the Pirate's league. I saw the show while I was waiting for my family in December and it looked like a good time. I can't wait until Noah gets to do it in May or our fall trip.

X looked so enthralled by Mickey and Minnie dressed in costume.

And thank you for the ebay tip! I'm getting ready to look at it before I head off to bed.

Welcome back!
As you can see, the TR is in full Pirate swing and we're having a blast!
And I'm in the process of working on our Photopass pics for the trip we just got back from so another TR will be right behind!

 

[dawnbu40]

for the party starting!!

Love the pics with Mickey and Minnie! The way X is looking at Mickey is just adorable !

Can't wait for more

 

[englishrose47]

Great Pix with Mickey and Minnie !!!

 

[thecapells]

for the party starting!!

Love the pics with Mickey and Minnie! The way X is looking at Mickey is just adorable !

Can't wait for more

He was sooooo excited to meet the Big Cheese!

Great Pix with Mickey and Minnie !!!

We had lots of fun - meeting Mickey and Minnie in costume was our #1 priority!
And the pics came out great!

 

[thecapells]

We headed out of Toontown Fair and back towards the colonies.
We figure they be ripe for pillaging at this time o’ night.
On the way we passed many a character all decked out for the evening.
As we crossed Fantasyland, a Tigger and a Piglet crossed our paths in disguise!

Back in the colonies, the air grew stale and the skies seem to darken.
A dread had come over this place.
We neared the mansion on the hill and heard shrill screams from within alongside the howl of a beast.
Aye matey, this house be haunted.

On the lawn, a ghostly figure sat on a bench and warned all passerbys to be wary.
And a ghoulish fog rolled in over the cemetery.

Avast ye! We held our ground – mists and overgrown dogs would not scare these pirates away!

We eyed a carriage nearby and approached the vehicle.
However, this was a horse-drawn carriage but there by no horse!
Something indeed was afoot this evening.

Little did we know it was right behind us!!

Me crew was chilled to the bone – so much so that me First Mate refused to enter the abode on the hill.
I explained it be no different inside whether it be day or night outside but he would not budge.
So rather than ruin our evening, we began the walk back into town.
It was a long walk so we decided to stop and try to hitch a ride…

Then we noticed who was trying to hitch along with us.
I grabbed me sword - Be gone ye scum!

The spirits disappeared and we be on our own once again.
We wandered over to a nearby bench to rethink our plans.
X was all giggles at everything we’d seen thus far.

So we decided to make our stand here.
Legend had it that this was the same path schoolteacher Ichabod Crane was chased down years past.
X wanted to challenge whatever foes might emerge out of the dark on this evening so he grabbed a glowstick and settled in!

Some witches working for the mouse began to swab the decks nearby in the shape of something familiar.

However, they did not stop at a Mouse for on this Haunted Eve, it would become a Vampire Bat!

Then the lights went out and we heard the tale.
The gruesome tale of a horse and his rider – a rider who had no head.
And one who was on the lookout for a new one!
Beware, me friends, the Headless Horseman Rides Tonight!

He came eerily close to me crew.
The Princess and X hid their eyes and even the First Mate could only muster a glimpse before cowering in fear.
The evil that accompanied the rider soon washed away though in his wake.
Merriment ensued as the slaves of the Mouse once again made their way into the walkways to peddle their wares.

And then again they were gone.
Music sounded in the distance.
What be coming our way now?
Stay tuned…

 

[englishrose47]

Loved the Ghosty pix !!!

 

[MEK]

That picture with the ghosts is Great!!!!!!!!! I seriously did not even know that that photopass picture existed. You guys make the cutest pirate family. I just had to stop by for a "cute kid" fix and your pictures always deliver.

 

[dawnbu40]

The PP pictures are awesome!! Judging from their expressions your kids would make great little actors So cute!

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Love the PP ghost pictures! I like how X looks so calm while you're all so "scared" The Headless Horseman picture is very cool. I can see where it would be a bit frightening to see him come riding down MS.

 

[thecapells]

Loved the Ghosty pix !!!

Thanks - I couldn't wait to take those!!

That picture with the ghosts is Great!!!!!!!!! I seriously did not even know that that photopass picture existed. You guys make the cutest pirate family. I just had to stop by for a "cute kid" fix and your pictures always deliver.

Yeah, being the Photopass junkies we are, we were very psyched for new Magic Shots!!

The PP pictures are awesome!! Judging from their expressions your kids would make great little actors So cute!

I don't quite think he knew what was going on in that one.

Love the PP ghost pictures! I like how X looks so calm while you're all so "scared" The Headless Horseman picture is very cool. I can see where it would be a bit frightening to see him come riding down MS.

The Headless Horseman was very cool.
Our only regret is not actually doing Haunted Mansion for the Halloween Party.
Not quite sure what got into DS but he was really freaked out by the idea.

 

[thecapells]

Twas about half past 7 by now and the sky was jet black.
The lights of the colonies began to dim.
We could hear eerie music in the distance.
The din grew louder
And then, around the corner, this appeared…

Apparently Mickey and his friends were on the march.
First to appear were Alice, the White Rabbit, and Snow White dancing with her dwarves…

Then a floating gazebo with Mickey himself.
He had already changed from his Vampire costume into a jester of sorts.
Minnie was now a Princess.

Daisy and Donald were on the other side of the gazebo also in royal attire…

Following the gazebo, creatures from the legendary Hundred Acre Wood appeared.
And some of them were not so happy.

Even Kanga and Roo made an appearance…

Then the music kicked in and me crew stood at attention.
Looking ahead, familiar vessels approached.
First, Captain Hook aboard the Jolly Rodger.

Followed closely by Tic Toc the Croc

Me crew ducked out of the way for that creature to pass.
But the Black Pearl be not far away for Captain Jack Sparrow made his appearance next.
Savvy?

The music changed once again but this time with a bit of a fright.
The gravedigger and his dog were the first around the corner.

Followed by a team of gravediggers sparking their shovels against the pavement.

And, of course, the graves they be digging came floating behind.

Followed closely by the ghosts from those graves.

And finally the 3 famous hitchhiking ghosts

After the ghosts floated by, the music changed once again and some classic characters of old appeared led by the dancing couple of Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar…

The Country Bears came twanging behind.

Followed by a chicken in a barn.

With pumpkins in the windows.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, can someone please explain to me the significance of this chicken?
I could not place it…]

 

[thecapells]

After the barn, it was the villains chance to shine.
Led by the infamous Magic Mirror and band of skeletons.

The finale was a truck owned by Goofy’s Candy Co and driven by Pluto.
And then Goofy driving some sort of candy machine.
Both dogs threw candy into the crowd.
Me crew scrambled as if it was gold!

And with that, the colonies once again went dark.
Me crew got our things together and plotted our next move.
After a quick visit to the latrine, we headed back towards the town of Sleepy Hollow.
X was due for some white gold (that's milk to you and me) and we decided to head back to Main Street with our prize.
The Villains were finishing up their show in front of the castle so we stayed a spell.
And then, we felt it.
Drops began to fall from the sky.
Things were about to get interesting...

 

[All7OfUs]

Still enjoying all the pictures and adventures your pirate crew had! I think I finally just figured out why you were growing out your beard when we all met up in DC. It was to sport your very true to likeness Cap'n Jack!!

 

[thecapells]

Still enjoying all the pictures and adventures your pirate crew had! I think I finally just figured out why you were growing out your beard when we all met up in DC. It was to sport your very true to likeness Cap'n Jack!!

Aye, ye caught me there!
I figured if we're really doing pirates, then I better live up to my part!
And it was an excuse for a lazy guy like me not to shave for a while!

 

[dawnbu40]

Nice update! I love that parade!

I remember seeing the chicken in one of the really old, early cartoons but I have no idea of her name.