Time to DOUBLE up!! 2 for 1 Pre-TR!!!!!!! TRIP REPORT HAS STARTED!!!!!!!

[PopArtGal]

You guys seemed to have had a blast with MJ

 

[onelilspark]

Is MJ coming on the October trip?

 

[PopArtGal]

MNSSHP looks awesome!

 

[PopArtGal]

Juliana and the girls are too cute in their ballet outfits.

 

[disney<333]

Hi Tim,
How's everyone?
Your plans are really coming along!
The day you need a little snack at Mk before Cindy. I think it's the day your having cindy and your having Kona for breakfast?
Well anyway on our nov trip we ate at sleep hollow.
One of the best snacks I ever had at Disney.
Here's the menu.
http://allears.net/menu/menu_sh.htm
We got the cookie sandwhitch. It was huge they give you two HUGE chocolate chip cookies with plenty of ice cream. Yummy!
We also got the funnel cake and they gave us whipped cream for free. That was yummy too.
We were very full and could not finish.

 

[that's nice]

Y&Y is SO good. Wait..I've only eaten at the sit down part of it. Is the counter service part the same food?

Does Juliana like pizza? If she does, I'd take her to Pizzafari. The pizzas come in a smaller portion, which would be great for her.

I think we have gotten Juliana pizza from Pizzafari our last 2 times in AK. She is happy with that. I think Mel has gotten a salad from here too.

I think the Y&Y CS is the same food. Here is what they have:
Honey Chicken $9.99
Sweet and Sour Pork $9.99
Shrimp Lo Mein $10.99
Kung Pao Beef $10.99
Mandarin Chicken Salad $7.99
Pork Egg Rolls $3.29
Chicken Fried Rice $3.99
Basket of Fries $3.49

Wow I'm so behind!

I love cocktail "hour" when the kids are off to bed

WOW you are behind! LOL

We got to have a few cocktail hours each night, sometimes lasting till early morning!!

the MJ doll is so neat!

Is MJ coming on the October trip?

MJ was a hit. Unfortunately he isn't coming to WDW in October. But you never know, he might make an appearance in March!!!!!

Juliana and the girls are too cute in their ballet outfits.

Thank you! She hasn't had class for the last 2 weeks because her school went to China. She has been missing it, but she gets to go this Wednesday.

Hi Tim,
How's everyone?
Your plans are really coming along!
The day you need a little snack at Mk before Cindy. I think it's the day your having cindy and your having Kona for breakfast?
Well anyway on our nov trip we ate at sleep hollow.
One of the best snacks I ever had at Disney.
Here's the menu.
http://allears.net/menu/menu_sh.htm
We got the cookie sandwhitch. It was huge they give you two HUGE chocolate chip cookies with plenty of ice cream. Yummy!
We also got the funnel cake and they gave us whipped cream for free. That was yummy too.
We were very full and could not finish.

Good suggestions! We might have gotten funnel cakes here before. That would be a good use of snack credits!!!

I have seen the cookie sandwich and that thing is HUGE!!! LOL

 

[tinkgurl]

I think the Y&Y CS is the same food. Here is what they have:
Honey Chicken $9.99
Sweet and Sour Pork $9.99
Shrimp Lo Mein $10.99
Kung Pao Beef $10.99
Mandarin Chicken Salad $7.99
Pork Egg Rolls $3.29
Chicken Fried Rice $3.99
Basket of Fries $3.49

Yep, that's pretty much the same stuff as the sit down. B/F got the honey chicken. I ordered the steamed mussels of the appetizer menu and the house salad.

 

[Sandy321]

we have really good chinese, japanese, thai here - I was so under whelmed with the CS at AK its not funny - the honey chicken had an 'off' taste (but I'm thinking- - not sweet, no sesame oil flavor, not "off" as in YUCK, just not what I expected "off") You have this tall take out carton, filled with plain rice or rice flavored with soy sauce (not a high end soy sauce) with a few chicken topping it...

again, I've read several reviewers who enjoyed the CS.... I also thought it was fine to sit outside in Jan, but in the heat of Oct, June? I'm going to Flame tree and sit at Pizzafari!! I think we ordered sandwiches from Pizzafari, and really enjoyed them -

Its not long before you are in the BTW - how's your costume coming?

 

[All7OfUs]

Finally feeling human again! I swear I was so sick on Friday, I thought I might have to call the local doctor- that is one scary thought!

I might have to agree with Sandy on the "let's make the food taste as bland as possible" at Disney. I noticed it at my first trip on 2001 when we ate at The Marakesh. Moroccan food is supposed to be quite spicy; I tasted very little cinnamon or cloves or red pepper. I was so disappointed!

Then, last year, at the Japanese counter S. place.- again, the noodles tasted like Cup Ramens you can get at your local Winco or Walmart. Sad...!

If you have travelled and know the real deal, Disney isn't the place to expect authentic tastes or flavors. In order to satisfy the more generic likes of most travellers, they do have to do this, and I understand, but it can take one by surprise if they are expecting a real (insert ethnicity) dining experience.

 

[that's nice]

we have really good chinese, japanese, thai here - I was so under whelmed with the CS at AK its not funny - the honey chicken had an 'off' taste (but I'm thinking- - not sweet, no sesame oil flavor, not "off" as in YUCK, just not what I expected "off") You have this tall take out carton, filled with plain rice or rice flavored with soy sauce (not a high end soy sauce) with a few chicken topping it...

again, I've read several reviewers who enjoyed the CS.... I also thought it was fine to sit outside in Jan, but in the heat of Oct, June? I'm going to Flame tree and sit at Pizzafari!! I think we ordered sandwiches from Pizzafari, and really enjoyed them -

Its not long before you are in the BTW - how's your costume coming?

I think I'm gonna be a pirate. I just need to find the right costume for me. I hate ordering this stuff online- you never know what's going to show up. There might be a few costume stores popping up around us now. I need to check out one of those first. If I end up ordering online, I need to do it by Wednesday.

I don't love Chinese food. I will eat it on occasion though. If I'm hungry enough I will eat anything!

Finally feeling human again! I swear I was so sick on Friday, I thought I might have to call the local doctor- that is one scary thought!

I might have to agree with Sandy on the "let's make the food taste as bland as possible" at Disney. I noticed it at my first trip on 2001 when we ate at The Marakesh. Moroccan food is supposed to be quite spicy; I tasted very little cinnamon or cloves or red pepper. I was so disappointed!

Then, last year, at the Japanese counter S. place.- again, the noodles tasted like Cup Ramens you can get at your local Winco or Walmart. Sad...!

If you have travelled and know the real deal, Disney isn't the place to expect authentic tastes or flavors. In order to satisfy the more generic likes of most travellers, they do have to do this, and I understand, but it can take one by surprise if they are expecting a real (insert ethnicity) dining experience.

I'm glad you are feeling better. Juliana just came down with a little cold yesterday. I think we are keeping her home from school tomorrow. We told her and she was so disappointed.... she wants to go.

When we go on vacation I don't expect the food to be great. We are lucky, in CT we have a lot of great restaurants and probably the best pizza in the country (I'm sure some will beg to differ)- even better than New York. If you want Italian we have that covered. New Haven has a ton of great ethnic places to eat and is about 40 minutes from us. I just want something edible when I am out of here... although in with the price of food in Disney, we should have that 'great meal' every time.

 

[All7OfUs]

Totally AGREE! Plus, I think the way it's advertised makes one think that they are going to get an authentic meal. Seriously, if they could just make it really, really, really , real, then it would a grand slam! Combined with THAT kind of atmosphere/theming, the folks like my parents wouldn't even entertain the idea of going off property to eat. We ended up going to PF Changs about 5 hours away from the parks to eat one night (ok not that far, but when your kids are wanting to be in the park, and thier mom (me) has shelled out about a thousand bucks (maybe more) to maximize property time), we were irritated. It's too bad for Disney, and for patrons, that it can't all be PF Changs quality- since you're paying the same price.

Anyway, I'm like you. I'm happy to adjust my expectations in order to maintain the continuity of not leaving property. Even if the food is craptastic.

 

[shordiebecka]

i don't like any CS at DHS- just never had a good experience there! I always take a break and head to the boardwalk/beach club area and head back. I love the boat ride.

Let me just say, I was just going back through your tirp report and noticed your picture of you going as the guy from yo gabba gabba- I think this show is so FLIPPIN weird! I mean these kids shoes, they're all a little strange..but that show is just so strange!

 

[TarzansKat]

Hi!

I just have to say that you have a beautiful family!

I'm on page 47. Not bad for one sitting, eh? However, my darling husband has made dinner (as I begged him to, because he makes the best wings ever) and now it's time to eat and get off the DIS boards! Because although I do all the packing for our trips, I think they'd disown me if I sat in front of the computer with my wings.

Plus the keyboard would get so messy.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Your trip is getting SO close!!
Have an amazing time, I know you will!!

 

[that's nice]

Totally AGREE! Plus, I think the way it's advertised makes one think that they are going to get an authentic meal. Seriously, if they could just make it really, really, really , real, then it would a grand slam! Combined with THAT kind of atmosphere/theming, the folks like my parents wouldn't even entertain the idea of going off property to eat. We ended up going to PF Changs about 5 hours away from the parks to eat one night (ok not that far, but when your kids are wanting to be in the park, and thier mom (me) has shelled out about a thousand bucks (maybe more) to maximize property time), we were irritated. It's too bad for Disney, and for patrons, that it can't all be PF Changs quality- since you're paying the same price.

Anyway, I'm like you. I'm happy to adjust my expectations in order to maintain the continuity of not leaving property. Even if the food is craptastic.

LOLOL I love craptastic!!!! I need to try to use that on a daily basis!!!!!!!

i don't like any CS at DHS- just never had a good experience there! I always take a break and head to the boardwalk/beach club area and head back. I love the boat ride.

Let me just say, I was just going back through your tirp report and noticed your picture of you going as the guy from yo gabba gabba- I think this show is so FLIPPIN weird! I mean these kids shoes, they're all a little strange..but that show is just so strange!

We had an OK experience with CS at DHS but not overly happy. The pizza at Toy story Pizza planet was actually pretty good...and it came with a salad as well.

I think DJ Lance would be sooo funny. I've already decided against it though.

Hi!

I just have to say that you have a beautiful family!

I'm on page 47. Not bad for one sitting, eh? However, my darling husband has made dinner (as I begged him to, because he makes the best wings ever) and now it's time to eat and get off the DIS boards! Because although I do all the packing for our trips, I think they'd disown me if I sat in front of the computer with my wings.

Plus the keyboard would get so messy.

WOW you are fast. There is quite a bit of banter. I need to get chapters on my first page like you do. I just need to figure out how to do it.LOL

Wings+Keyboard=Disaster!

Your trip is getting SO close!!
Have an amazing time, I know you will!!

Thanks!! We are really starting to get excited!!!!

 

[that's nice]

I've been following the MNSSHP tips and tricks thread found here--> http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2236300&page=73 and here is a recap of some great info::::

Here is a link to THIS years party map. (thanks for posting it)
http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/photos/mnsshp-map1.htm

Here are links to blogs about this years Halloween party WITH photos.
http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/08/...for-halloween/

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jacksp...lloween_2.html (in this blog there are lots of photos and even one of the Disney bags DISNEY gives you for FREE)

Link to this years Disney pins
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2256646


No the ticket’s are not “special” themed. They just have characters on them not Halloween themed. You as an adult will not feel like a freak if you dress up. It’s Disney you don’t have to act your age LOL If you have a child many people suggest you dress them up so they don’t’ feel left out.

01. * take a rest during the day before the party.

02. * You can get into the park at 4pm with your MNSSHP ticket. This is a great way to avoid the 7pm rush of people coming out of the park! None of the party activities begin until 7pm. The reason to get in at 4pm is to get your wristbands, candy bags, settle in, get something to eat, map out your game plan and you will be ready at 7pm to participate in the festivities. If you get there at 7pm, you will have to wait in a long line to get in and get your wristbands and candy bags and you will be later starting the party. If you don't plan to get to MK at 4pm when you can first get in, still plan to go somewhat early if you are traveling via buses from the resorts. Many, many, many families go back to the resorts for their children to change into their costumes and then catch the bus to return to the MK for a 7pm party.

03. * Second Parade is much less crowded.

04. * Do not waste time early in the party waiting on lines for candy. Towards the end of the party, the lines disappear, and "SOME" cast members will give out candy by the handfuls. They actually will try to fill your candy bag to the top if you let them. Again not all cast members do this.

05. * If you are a BIG candy hog make sure you bring your own big trick or treat bag. Disney does hand out smaller bags about the size of a sandwich paper bag. Don't forget to say THANK YOU (it is nice to hear).

06. * Just outside of the Carousel of Progress, they have a candy station set up where you walk through some illuminated hoops, and end at barrels where cast members are stationed to distribute the candy. Early in the evening, you will be waiting on line to get candy. Later in the evening, you will be able to walk right through and get the candy. If you wish, you can continue looping though as many times as you like.

07. * Headless Horseman - Line up early he comes out about 15 minutes before the parade starts.

08. * Photo Ops - I would suggest you line up on your first MUST character line before 7:00.

* Cinderella's coach is out in the Fantasyland stroller parking area (next to It's A Small World). Get there early- the line gets long and closes quickly.

* Tarzan, Jane, Terk, Rafiki, and Baloo are in a large room next to the Dole Whip stand that is opened up for the party. As you exit, they give you special candy it was different from the candy being distributed elsewhere. It's on your right as soon as you cross over the bridge to Adventureland. You enter the room referred to through doors that are adjacent to the little dining area. There are cast members stationed there inviting people in, and there is a small sign identifying the area.

* Alice, Tweedle Dee and Dum, the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts are on the trail between Toontown and Tommorrowland.

* Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs are in Fantasyland near Dumbo or the entrance to Toontown, fairly close to the teacups (I have heard different stories of where they are - so check with a CM) Get there early- the line gets long and closes quickly.

* Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween Costumes were at the beginning of Main Street, in a Gazebo, between Exposition Hall and the Train Station. I also heard you can find Mickey in costume in his house and Minnie in Toontown Hall. Again ask a CM

* Donald at Donald's Boat

* Goofy at Barnstormer

* Cinderella/Prince Charming and Aurora/Prince Phillip should be in Toontown in the Princess room

* Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet are out, in costume near Pooh's Playground

* Woody, Jessie and Bullseye should be in Frontierland, near the Diamond Horseshoe

* Peter Pan, Wendy, Hook, and Smee should be near the PotC ride

* Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, and Genie should be near the Carpet ride

* Daisy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Belle at Toontown Town Hall gift shop

* Little Einsteins at Toontown Train station

* Ariel at Ariel's Grotto

* Goliath the Gargoyle behind Cinderella Castle

* Br'er Bear & Br'er Rabbit at Big Thunder Mountain

* Buzz Lightyear at Timekeeper

* Stitch at Cosmic Ray's

* Fairies in Toontown tent

* Stepsisters and Lady Tremaine in Belle's Garden (I heard Merlin was here at one time)

* Make sure you stick around after the Villains show, they come down and you can get pics with them! They don't do autographs, because of time constraints, but you can meet Malifecent, the Evil Queen, Cruella DeVil, the Queen of Hearts, Frollo, Captain Hook, and Jafar. The villains are out for about 15 minutes after all of their shows EXCEPT for one show. There is one show per night that they don't stay out after because there isn't enough time, I heard it was the show before the fireworks.

09. * Other Photo Ops-There's a Mickey ghost on a pathway near Crystal Palace, the store Windows on Main St, a HUGE Pumbaa in Adventureland -- the candy stops have neat displays to take photos after the crowds die down.
There is a huge blow up Stitch on top of the building that holds Monsters Inc.
You MUST get your picture taken in front of the horseless carriage in front of the HM. When you see it on photopass...you have a "guest" in your picture

10. * Enjoy the hidden gems: the ghouls in front of HM are awesome and if they tease you, zing 'em back.

11. * If it calls for rain bring your ponchos.

12. * During the party Face painting is FREE

13. * Face makeup doesn't run too much in rain, but does smear when you try to wipe the pouring rain off your face.

14. * If you want MNSSHP T-shirts (last year's were about $20-$24, be sure to buy them sooner than later during the night. They do run out.

15. * Take your Glow Sticks with you it’s cheaper than buying them there. Maybe bring a small flashlight for map reading or walking in the dark LOL

16.* Remember to take it all in, RELAX and have fun. You probably won't be able to do every single thing so do your MUSTS first

17.* WEAR COMFORY SHOES PEOPLE LOL

This is a photo of the Disney bags sold at your local Disney store around $2.50 each.

 

[All7OfUs]

Okay, that's one serious long post! Going to take me a long time to really digest it all and, well, memorize it, like I tend to anally do sometimes.

Quick comments:

does the line to HM get so long that it becomes virtually, and even not so virtually, that one cannot ride it?

do people really want to haul a bunch of candy around for 5 hours?

do bulky costumes just become a burden after a while?

I'm looking forward to this!

Can't wait to:

dress up
see the headless horseman
sing Boo to You
watch the villian show
see rare characters
ride HM

What are you priorities for this, Tim?? I guess with all that's going on at this party, you have to focus a little, right?

 

[tinkgurl]

I wish I could say I've been to MNSSHP but I haven't! Have you decided on costumes yet?

 

[that's nice]

Okay, that's one serious long post! Going to take me a long time to really digest it all and, well, memorize it, like I tend to anally do sometimes.

Quick comments:

does the line to HM get so long that it becomes virtually, and even not so virtually, that one cannot ride it? Last year, the party was very busy.(i thought) There were waits for rides but they weren't more than 15 minutes. We also went on a Sunday October 20th. 1) It was on a weekend 2) It was much closer to Halloween. We are hoping that it will be less busy than last year.

do people really want to haul a bunch of candy around for 5 hours? People do but with having the stroller, we just throw the bag under it when we go on rides.

do bulky costumes just become a burden after a while? I would think so... especially if it is a hot night. That is why I refuse to wear the Mad Hatter costume. I'm not sure if we are going to wear our costumes into the park or if we are going to change into them.

I'm looking forward to this!

Can't wait to:

dress up
see the headless horseman
sing Boo to You
watch the villian show
see rare characters
ride HM

What are you priorities for this, Tim?? I guess with all that's going on at this party, you have to focus a little, right?

I think I will run through my plan tonight with my must do's, wants, and don't cares!

I wish I could say I've been to MNSSHP but I haven't! Have you decided on costumes yet?

Juliana is going to be Alice and Melody is going to be Jasmine. Both of their costumes came on Friday. I'm still working on mine, but I think I am going to be a pirate. What type of pirate is yet to be seen.

 

[that's nice]

This afternoon we went out to get the mail and there was a post card for Juliana. Cinderella sent her a post card of her castle. Here is what the card said:
Princess Juliana,
The Fairy Godmother, the mice, and I are looking forward to having dinner with you at my castle. I can't wait to see you again!

Love, Cinderella

Thank you to taychase1015 for being her Fairy Godmailer! We are getting so close and getting very excited!!!! A lady that Melody works with is going down to Disney with her family 2 weeks after us. We are going to send her 3 kids postcards and I am going to find 3-4 more from the Fairy Godmother thread. I love this idea and love spreading a little MaGiC!

I've also starting checking long range forecasts and checking the tropics for any storms. So far so good on the tropics.. I will keep my fingers crossed. The temperatures look like they will be in the upper 80 to 90 during the day and low 70's for a low at night. That sounds great to me!

Here is the list I have compiled from your ideas from my PTR that I need to do. If I missed your suggestion or idea let me know!

TIPS Things to DO!

Take a picture of our feet on the TTA.

If you talk to the guy standing at the beginning of the line for the train and ask him if you can have Julianna be the "guest conductor" they will give her a card to present to the loader guys. She (and you maybe-not sure on this) can sit in the back and she'll get to say, "All Aboard!", and be the conductor of the ride.

--Oh yeah, and the Columbia Harbor House is across from the HM entrance. I like it because it has some things that are a little different than your ordinary burgers and dogs.

--The shutters in Lib. Square hang crooked because during the war they used the metal hinges for making bullets and replaced them with leather, which stretched over time, making the shutter sag. Cool, huh?

--They give out free fudge samples in the Confectionary on MS sometimes.

--Oh, and everyone tells you to go to the left on Pirates, don't listen. Watch as people are going up and in. If everyone is going to the left, you go to the right. If everyone is going to the right, you break and go to the right. It's hardly ever that people split 50/50. So I don't listen to the "always go to the left" philosophy. I listen to the "people are sheep, don't be a sheep" philosophy! But I think that's more of a tip than a little known fact...my bad.

--See Tinker Bell store behind the castle at Tinkerbell's Treasures. She's actually not in the drawer anymore! There's now twinkling lights that zoom by on the walls every once in awhile, which is supposed to be her flying around and then at the cash register, the CM waves a wand and Tink appears on tv behind them. It really is cute!