Trick-Or-Treat & Birthday Sweets! Oct 2013 PTR *NEW* 11/4 TR Link Posted!

[LadyBeBop]

I can't imagine a major amusement park closing up early due to low attendance. Now, as a college student I worked summers at a major amusement park (Kings Island). I was sent home early due to low attendance (actually, I volunteered to go home). But the park never closed before its scheduled closing time. There's always someone working.

 

[DDuck4Life]

I was beyond pissed at the fact that Dollywood was closing early. And they fact that they tried to call it a slow closing. Bull, it basically meant if you weren't in line for an attraction or inside a restaurant you couldn't do anything except leave. I was not happy at that point.

They were giving rain check tickets though it wouldn't have helped us it was nice that they were offering. If it was a refund I would have been tempted to take it.

A month later and I'm still upset about it.

 

[skier_pete]

Boy, that really sucks about Dollywood. I hope your second day there turned out better than the first. I don't blame you guys for being P.O.'d, I would've been pretty much fuming myself. I suppose rain checks are all you could reasonably expect - except that I would have hoped they would tell people

It's undersandable when rides close because of weather, but to just close up all the concesssions and such. Holy crap! Good way to make sure you'll never come back.

I know lots here whine about Disney's "lowered standards" but we (a) don't see it ourselves and (b) if they ARE lower, they are still 10x above most entertainment venues.

Oh - I was looking over the "Eat to the Beat" listing and saw that Hanson is coming November 4th -5th. I immediately thought of you, and that you will be missing out this year. We have Big Bad Voodoo Daddy there our day, who I like, but I don't know if I will bother to watch them again this time.

 

[afwdwfan]

Let's see, how to describe this show...honestly, it was just really strange! It was Dolly singing and I guess reminiscing about her childhood in the Smokies, but I just didn't get it.

I think you explained the strangeness when you said the part about "Dolly singing and reminiscing"

Another thing that annoyed both of us was that there was a point with a thunderstorm in the show, and they had a rain feature that sprinkled us with water several times. Seriously?! We are all here to escape the REAL rain pouring down outside, turn the water feature off!

It wasn't a water feature, it was a leaky roof.

Not gonna lie, DH was pretty ticked off and when I said we could just eat there the next day, he basically had the attitude of, "Well, if they don't want my money today by closing early, why give it to them tomorrow?"

I can't disagree with that logic. I think I'd have been pounding on the door asking them why they're closed before the posted time.

She came back to tell us that due to low attendance, they were doing a "slow closing" of the park.

Now that is about as frustrating as it can get.

He did have a "moment" during dinner, probably when I was fussing for him to sit down on his seat, that turned into one of the most hilarious pictures of him EVER.

That is a great picture! Good blackmail material for later on in life.


I hope you have a better experience the next day. Even though we go to Gatlinburg quite frequently, I haven't been to Dollywood in probably close to 20 years. I hope that it does have some redeeming qualities when you try again.

I can't imagine a major amusement park closing up early due to low attendance. Now, as a college student I worked summers at a major amusement park (Kings Island). I was sent home early due to low attendance (actually, I volunteered to go home). But the park never closed before its scheduled closing time. There's always someone working.

Love Kings Island. It's no Disney World, but still a step above a Six Flags.

I was beyond pissed at the fact that Dollywood was closing early. And they fact that they tried to call it a slow closing. Bull, it basically meant if you weren't in line for an attraction or inside a restaurant you couldn't do anything except leave. I was not happy at that point.

They were giving rain check tickets though it wouldn't have helped us it was nice that they were offering. If it was a refund I would have been tempted to take it.

A month later and I'm still upset about it.

I'd be pretty upset about it too. I'd have probably had some not so nice things to say to the CM that had to tell me about the slow closing.

Actually, I probably would have been very tempted to go to guest services and ask for a refund, regardless of what they were offering.

 

[MEK]

You never know what you are going to get when you go to another theme park. So annoying. I don't blame you for being irritated, especially when the only thing you got to see was some stupid show that you didn't even like. Bummer.

I know sometimes when I get super hungry I just eat whatever. I don't even care anymore.

*Sigh* I'm sure you just missed WDW at this point.

That is a very funny picture of Paxton.

Hope tomorrow is better.

 

[khertz]

I would have been as upset as you and your DH were. That is just ridiculous. What kind of an amusement park starts closing up early because of low attendance??? I mean, I can see a small local amusement park pulling off something like that but Dollywood is pretty well known. It's a decent tourist attraction. Sheesh.

That's exactly what we were thinking! I even said to DH, Disney wouldn't close up because some rain made people leave!!! I know it's probably their slow season and all, but closing up 2 hours early without any warning was pretty unprofessional. If the person selling us the ticket had told us that, we might have considered pushing our days back to get the full time we had anticipated in the park.

You know, this story is reinforcing my fear of trying out non-Disney amusement parks. I always think that Disney has ruined most other parks for me because of the high standards in customer service it has set. I've been debating for awhile now whether to take the kids up to Sesame Place which is about 2.5 hours by car north from here and each time I back out of the plan.

I think Disney has definitely ruined us, especially now having tried our first non-Disney park in a LONG time. Minus Universal Studios, I haven't been to a non-Disney park since Jazzland was still open in New Orleans when I was in high school. And now I think it will be a long time before we venture out to one again.

I can't imagine a major amusement park closing up early due to low attendance. Now, as a college student I worked summers at a major amusement park (Kings Island). I was sent home early due to low attendance (actually, I volunteered to go home). But the park never closed before its scheduled closing time. There's always someone working.

It was pretty crazy! And the fact that there was no warning, they just closed everything up. And like DH said in his post, if you weren't already in line or inside of the food establishment, you were SOL like us and had to just make your way to the exit. I can TOTALLY understand sending staff home for low attendance, but not closing the whole park two hours early!

A month later and I'm still upset about it.

Boy, that really sucks about Dollywood. I hope your second day there turned out better than the first. I don't blame you guys for being P.O.'d, I would've been pretty much fuming myself. I suppose rain checks are all you could reasonably expect - except that I would have hoped they would tell people.

We only found out about the rain checks because as we were grousing to each other about how annoyed we were over the situation, a CM overheard us and told us about them. So they really weren't even making much effort to let people know about the rain checks. Had they offered a refund, we most likely would have taken them up on it and found something else to do the next day.

It's undersandable when rides close because of weather, but to just close up all the concesssions and such. Holy crap! Good way to make sure you'll never come back.

You hit the nail on the head there! And by that time, the rain had actually stopped, so we could have gotten quite a few things done in those 2 hours had we been able to stay.

I know lots here whine about Disney's "lowered standards" but we (a) don't see it ourselves and (b) if they ARE lower, they are still 10x above most entertainment venues.

Amen to that! I actually posted about our experience at Dollywood on the Theme Parks board on a thread with a complaint about everything not being open in the evenings at the Disney parks. Hey, I will take one or two CS restaurants and shops being closed early if it means the rest of the park and the attractions stay open! Better than being ushered out the gates 2 hours early because EVERYTHING is closed!

Oh - I was looking over the "Eat to the Beat" listing and saw that Hanson is coming November 4th -5th. I immediately thought of you, and that you will be missing out this year. We have Big Bad Voodoo Daddy there our day, who I like, but I don't know if I will bother to watch them again this time.

I am so bummed to be missing them!!! However, at least it has worked out that the two years I missed them at Epcot (2011 and this year), I get to see them in a full concert on tour, so I guess I can't complain too much. And unfortunately, there is really no one I'm interested to see during the time we are there either. Bummer!

 

[khertz]

I think you explained the strangeness when you said the part about "Dolly singing and reminiscing"


It wasn't a water feature, it was a leaky roof.


I can't disagree with that logic. I think I'd have been pounding on the door asking them why they're closed before the posted time.

Actually, now that you mention it, I'm surprised this wasn't the approach DH took in the situation!!


Now that is about as frustrating as it can get.


That is a great picture! Good blackmail material for later on in life.

Right?! It was just so funny! Every time I look at it, I can hear him in my head perfectly saying, "NO, Mama!"


I hope you have a better experience the next day. Even though we go to Gatlinburg quite frequently, I haven't been to Dollywood in probably close to 20 years. I hope that it does have some redeeming qualities when you try again.

Hopefully I can update soon, since DH is finished editing all of the pictures!

Love Kings Island. It's no Disney World, but still a step above a Six Flags.

If Wyndham ever opens a resort in Ohio, I know we will be visiting KI. When we bought our Wyndham contract, they had us fill out some kind of survey asking 3 of our top places to visit, and I thought the lady was going to fall out of her chair when DH listed Ohio as one of his top 3! Because of King's Island and Cedar Point, of course. I might have told that story on here before, but it still makes me laugh!


I'd be pretty upset about it too. I'd have probably had some not so nice things to say to the CM that had to tell me about the slow closing.

Actually, I probably would have been very tempted to go to guest services and ask for a refund, regardless of what they were offering.

You never know what you are going to get when you go to another theme park. So annoying. I don't blame you for being irritated, especially when the only thing you got to see was some stupid show that you didn't even like. Bummer.

Although Paxton had fun on his little kiddie rides, it was still a major disappointment that not only was the park closing, but also that we really didn't get to do anything fun! It was also kind of sad putting Paxton on a ride and just being able to watch him ride instead of getting to ride with him. He was a little confused by that at first, but didn't seem too bothered by it. Now I can totally and completely understand Walt's vision for his parks where parents and kids can do EVERYTHING together!

I know sometimes when I get super hungry I just eat whatever. I don't even care anymore.

That was exactly how we were feeling that night. Just give me something to eat, I'm tired and frustrated and hungry!

*Sigh* I'm sure you just missed WDW at this point.

Absolutely a million times yes!

That is a very funny picture of Paxton.

Hope tomorrow is better.

Even when he is mad, he makes us laugh, that's for sure!

 

[DDuck4Life]

Since DW was looking to make a Disney Update to this PTR and wasn't sure what to post I figured I would jump in and share a little bit of Disney awesomeness I came across while looking for some Disney deals online.

I'm sure some of you have heard of a site called Threadless. For those that haven't basically it's a site that people submit their designs to get voted on, the top designs will get made into T-Shirts. They have had some Disney design contests along the way with some cool and unique designs being made into shirts.

Threadless Disney Shirts

The best part is they are all on sale for only $15 until tomorrow 10AM Central. Not much time to get in on the deal but still some. We managed to pick up a few for our upcoming trip. We're always looking for unique Disney items to wear that not everyone has and these certainly fit that description.

These are the ones we decided to get for ourselves. Top 3 are for me Bottom 2 for DW

Pretty cool Designs for Monsters, Inc, Toy Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Villains check them out.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Those designs are awesome! Out of the ones you picked, I think my fav is the one with the Abominable Snowman (why does my tongue always get tied up when saying that??). The yellow snow cones. The quote that mashed up two different quotes from the movie perfectly.

 

[afwdwfan]

Those shirts designs look great! I might have to check it out and see what else they have.

 

[khertz]

Those designs are awesome! Out of the ones you picked, I think my fav is the one with the Abominable Snowman (why does my tongue always get tied up when saying that??). The yellow snow cones. The quote that mashed up two different quotes from the movie perfectly.

Don't worry...it's lemon!

Those shirts designs look great! I might have to check it out and see what else they have.

Sometimes I have a hard time choosing because they have great designs!

 

[khertz]

Although it's only the end of May, and summer is about to be in full swing (though you'd think it already was with this heat...hard to believe earlier this month there was a day where the temps dropped into the 50's!), I just can't stop thinking about Halloween. Specifically, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!

Is it because it's our first Halloween party ever? Is it because I have read so many TR's recounting all the fun they had at the party recently? Or is it because I'm freaking out a little about how we are going to get it all done with DS???? Probably mostly that last one, if I'm being honest, but I'm still REALLY REALLY excited about the party!

Since we have our costumes mostly figured out, I have moved on to trying to plan a course of action, if you will, to get us through the night and hopefully maximize the time we have before DS presumably passes out in his stroller for the night. (Still not looking forward to first transferring him to the car seat, then getting him out at the resort...too bad I can't just push him in the stroller all the way from the MK gates back to Bonnet Creek!!)

I'm still struggling with what I want to do and in what order, but I have kind of an idea of what we will do.

(All of the images in this update are from a Google Image search!)

1. Get something to eat as soon as we enter the park. We decided already that we would kind of let DS nap until he wakes up on his own instead of getting him up and ready in enough time to be AT the MK for 4 pm. But hopefully we will be getting into the park no later than 5 or 5:30, our usual dinner time. So first things first will be to grab some dinner before it's party time.

2. Line up for our most important character meet at 6:30. Most people go for the 7 Dwarfs but I think for us (ie. ME) the most important one will be the princesses with their princes, because I don't want to spend a ton of party time in line for that one, but I definitely want to meet these two!

The other character meet we definitely want to do is seeing Mickey & Minnie in their Halloween costumes!

I'm not entirely sure when in the night to do this. Maybe right after the princess meet if the line is not terrible. The third one I'd like to aim for is Jack Sparrow. Depending on the lines and all of the other things we want to do, this may or may not be possible.

Other potential, but not absolutely necessary character meets (based off of last year's options):

Tarzan, Jane & Terk
Winnie the Pooh characters
Donald & Daisy​

Some of these I am anticipating will just have to be done after DS has fallen asleep. I know there is no way to fit them all in prior to the first parade, which is our window of opportunity for those high priority meets since I think DS will fade fast after the parade and fireworks. But I think it will still be pretty cute to get pictures of him with the characters while sleeping in his stroller!

3. Go to a character dance party. Most likely, this will end up being the dance party in Frontierland with Jessie & Woody because DS loves the Toy Story characters. And he loves to dance! I thought this would be a perfect way to spend some time prior to the parade, possibly with one of us staying with him to dance while the other maybe goes to hold a spot on the parade route in Frontierland.

4. See the first Boo To You Parade. I know, everyone recommends seeing the second parade. But with a little one, that's probably not going to be possible and I definitely want him to see and enjoy the parade! We do plan to see it from Frontierland, as I said before, so hopefully it won't be impossible to get a good viewing spot. Can't wait to see the Headless Horseman!

5. See the Villains Mix & Mingle castle show. I'm thinking, if possible, it might be best to see the show that happens between the first parade and the fireworks. I don't know that I'm very worried about lining up to greet any of the villains for photographs, but if the lines are not too long and we can still see the show, we may go for one or two after the show.

6. Enjoy Hallowishes. So excited about the fireworks! I have seen videos and they look amazing. I can't wait! Not sure how DS will be with fireworks since he has recently become a little scared of thunder. He doesn't cry, but he does get a super worried look on his face and slaps his hands to his cheeks Home Alone style every time he hears it, so fireworks might be a little more frightening than before. Hopefully those earmuffs we got him will do the trick!

After Hallowishes, DH plans to stay to see the second parade with his tripod to get some pictures. If DS is still awake, I may take him on a couple of Fantasyland rides if he is up for it. Or do some of those other character greets I had mentioned wanting to try.

Once he falls asleep, there will not be much for DH or I to do besides walk around and enjoy the ambiance of the party. Attractions won't be high priority because we would have to switch off for EVERYTHING so one of us could stay with DS in the stroller. So that leaves our lowest priority for the party...

7. Trick or Treat at the candy stations. I would actually like to see the candy stations for the themeing, and who can say no to handfuls of candy? So the last hour of the party (if we last that long and don't decide to head out early) will probably be spent trick or treating. It's about the only party-specific thing we will be able to do together!

I know going in, I am just going to have to be flexible about some things! It's going to be impossible to cram the entire party's worth of activities in before 10 pm, when I think DS will be completely out, if not earlier. Bedtime is 8 pm at home, but he has been known to play in his crib until 9 pm some nights, so I am thinking at least through the fireworks is our window of opportunity. I know I will have to sacrifice some things, but these are my grand plans for the night.

For any MNSSHP vets, am I missing anything? Being totally unrealistic? Crazy?

EDITED TO ADD: (Thanks for the reminder, skier_pete!). Another thing on the list is the PhotoPass photo opportunities! I know there was one last year with the hitchhiking ghosts that I'd like to look out for, and the ghost in front of the Haunted Mansion. Last year, they were doing that shot during regular park hours too, so we may not need to spend party time doing it though.

Whether we get to do it all or not, I'm still super excited for our first Halloween Party!

Also, don't forget to check out DH's post a few posts up from this one about the t-shirts we purchased from Threadless!

 

[afwdwfan]

(though you'd think it already was with this heat...hard to believe earlier this month there was a day where the temps dropped into the 50's!)

Wow... we had 40's at night last week.

Of course now we're back to highs in the mid-80's.

(Still not looking forward to first transferring him to the car seat, then getting him out at the resort...too bad I can't just push him in the stroller all the way from the MK gates back to Bonnet Creek!!)

You could, but that would be a long walk.

2. Line up for our most important character meet at 6:30. Most people go for the 7 Dwarfs but I think for us (ie. ME) the most important one will be the princesses with their princes, because I don't want to spend a ton of party time in line for that one, but I definitely want to meet these two!

I can't say that I'm suprised by this one. Good luck!

5. See the Villains Mix & Mingle castle show. I'm thinking, if possible, it might be best to see the show that happens between the first parade and the fireworks. I don't know that I'm very worried about lining up to greet any of the villains for photographs, but if the lines are not too long and we can still see the show, we may go for one or two after the show.

This would be my number 1 priority! I'd love getting to see some villains and maybe get to meet a few of them!

7. Trick or Treat at the candy stations. I would actually like to see the candy stations for the themeing, and who can say no to handfuls of candy?

Free rolleyes1) candy!!!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Don't worry...it's lemon!

Love it. Every time I hear the Abominable Snowman say that to Mike W, I always want to mutter back "Suuuuuure. Because lemons just grow off trees everywhere in the Himalayas!"

I totally share your level of anxiety trying to plan out MNSSHP. My first impression after a couple of attempts at a touring plan is: It's hard to fit everything in!

Between the two parades, Villain show, and Hallowishes with the built-in time before these events staking out a spot, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of time for other things especially character meet and greets. It seems like the 1 hour after the second parade could be very useful which I think I'm going to spend mostly in the Haunted Mansion area.

And then I'm having my own issues with character meet and greets. The thought of getting in line by myself and interacting with the characters without my kids as a buffer or a "surrogate" is giving me pause. Especially the ones with princesses!

It sounds like your DH has the same idea as I do for photography! I'm currently thinking handheld shots in Frontierland for the first parade. Tripod shots from Main Street for the second parade.

 

[khertz]

Wow... we had 40's at night last week.


Of course now we're back to highs in the mid-80's.

I can't tell you how jealous this makes me! It's just plain old HOT around here all the time now.

You could, but that would be a long walk.

I sure wish it was closer, because I would be sooo tempted.

I can't say that I'm suprised by this one. Good luck!

Am I than transparent?! I have the picture of Paxton & Rapunzel as my computer background...

This would be my number 1 priority! I'd love getting to see some villains and maybe get to meet a few of them!

I'm excited about the show, and were it just DH and I, we would probably try for a few of the meets after the show.

Free rolleyes1) candy!!!!

Ah yes, gotta take advantage of those "free" treats offered at the hard ticket parties.

Love it. Every time I hear the Abominable Snowman say that to Mike W, I always want to mutter back "Suuuuuure. Because lemons just grow off trees everywhere in the Himalayas!"

That was one of my favorite lines in that movie!

I totally share your level of anxiety trying to plan out MNSSHP. My first impression after a couple of attempts at a touring plan is: It's hard to fit everything in!

Between the two parades, Villain show, and Hallowishes with the built-in time before these events staking out a spot, there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of time for other things especially character meet and greets. It seems like the 1 hour after the second parade could be very useful which I think I'm going to spend mostly in the Haunted Mansion area.

It is going to be REALLY difficult to fit everything we want to do in, if not impossible. But I'm sure we will be happy as long as we get to see the parade and fireworks.

And then I'm having my own issues with character meet and greets. The thought of getting in line by myself and interacting with the characters without my kids as a buffer or a "surrogate" is giving me pause. Especially the ones with princesses!

Do you read Rob's (DisneyKid4Life) TRs? He recently took a solo trip and swore off character meets, but ended up doing it and getting some funny poses! I wouldn't completely eliminate it from your list. Here's the link if you're interested.

It sounds like your DH has the same idea as I do for photography! I'm currently thinking handheld shots in Frontierland for the first parade. Tripod shots from Main Street for the second parade.

I guess it's a good plan if you both have the same idea!

 

[skier_pete]

Well, I'm sure you've seen my comments on the MNSSHP before, so I'll try not to rehash too much. What you listed though is about all we managed to in the 5 1/2 hours we were there. The princess meet and greet lines were ridiculous. We ended up finally seeing them at about 11 PM when the line was "only" 20 minute long. The rest of the night it was 45 minutes or more. We saw Mickey and Minnie with a very short wait about midway through the night. We went to 2nd parade, which was insanely crowded. The whole thing was insanely crowded, really. I would agree do the earlier parade, their was no real advantage to waiting that we saw.

Also, the villian mix and mingles show is OK, but the lines for the Villians M&G are really long. You might get to meet one MAYBE two, depending on who you pick. If you pick Maleficent her line is so long almost instantly you can't get to her. She is usually on the far left (stage right) side.

The trick or treating lines aren't generally very long, and really aren't "themed" at least they weren't in 2010. We really only waited maybe 30 seconds to a minute for those. The one at the back of toontown along the Alice and Wonderland trail there was the only one with a sort of theme and there were several stations, but THAT one was BADDD - like a huge line with 15 minute wait to get into it.

The rest of the night was wait, wait, wait for everything. Ugh, I think I am rehashing it...I really hope you guys have a better experience with it than we did. I really wish we had bothered to do a few rides, because they were the only things that there weren't waits for (except Haunted Mansion of course). Oh, that reminds me, check out the "ghost" at the haunted mansion and the photo op there - that was pretty neat.

 

[khertz]

Well, I'm sure you've seen my comments on the MNSSHP before, so I'll try not to rehash too much. What you listed though is about all we managed to in the 5 1/2 hours we were there. The princess meet and greet lines were ridiculous. We ended up finally seeing them at about 11 PM when the line was "only" 20 minute long. The rest of the night it was 45 minutes or more. We saw Mickey and Minnie with a very short wait about midway through the night. We went to 2nd parade, which was insanely crowded. The whole thing was insanely crowded, really. I would agree do the earlier parade, their was no real advantage to waiting that we saw.

Actually, your post inspired me to go back and re-read your MNSSHP updates from your previous trip, and it's kind of exactly what I worry will happen for us. But I am just going to plan as best I can and hope that it all works out for the best. The more I think about it, the more I am leaning away from trying to fit in a meet with the Dwarfs. Honestly, Paxton doesn't even know that movie at all, and it's not a favorite of mine. I know it's a big deal for the parties because it's the only time you see them all together. But I think if I'm going to wait a long time for characters, I'd rather invest the time in the princesses with their princes.

Also, the villian mix and mingles show is OK, but the lines for the Villians M&G are really long. You might get to meet one MAYBE two, depending on who you pick. If you pick Maleficent her line is so long almost instantly you can't get to her. She is usually on the far left (stage right) side.

I don't have any affinity for any particular villains enough to warrant standing in line to meet them. So I think you just made my decision for me...we will probably just see the show and move on!

The trick or treating lines aren't generally very long, and really aren't "themed" at least they weren't in 2010. We really only waited maybe 30 seconds to a minute for those. The one at the back of toontown along the Alice and Wonderland trail there was the only one with a sort of theme and there were several stations, but THAT one was BADDD - like a huge line with 15 minute wait to get into it.

Candy won't be a priority, so I figure we might hit a couple of trails when we are about done for the night if we have met the characters we wanted, etc.

The rest of the night was wait, wait, wait for everything. Ugh, I think I am rehashing it...I really hope you guys have a better experience with it than we did. I really wish we had bothered to do a few rides, because they were the only things that there weren't waits for (except Haunted Mansion of course). Oh, that reminds me, check out the "ghost" at the haunted mansion and the photo op there - that was pretty neat.

I forgot to put that on my list...the PhotoPass photos!! I definitely want to try for a picture with the hitchhiking ghosts! And at least make a pass by the Haunted Mansion, although I don't see the need to ride it during the party.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I forgot to put that on my list...the PhotoPass photos!! I definitely want to try for a picture with the hitchhiking ghosts! And at least make a pass by the Haunted Mansion, although I don't see the need to ride it during the party.

Madame Carlotta and Rinotta supposedly take turns sitting out on the front lawn of the Haunted Mansion. The pictures I've seen at night are really cool!

If you haven't read EasyWDW's Josh summary of the 2012 MNSSHP, I would definitely recommend it. Helped me get my bearings!

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...locations-strategy-pictures-videos-and-fluff/

 

[wdwgirl03]

I think it is definitely a good idea to get in line right away for the princesses and princes. When we went a couple years ago we went straight for the 7 dwarves and I think we only lost 20 minutes of party time because we were pretty close to the front of the line. The Daisy and Donald line was not very long at all-don't know about Mickey and Minnie but my guess is that they are more popular. My sister and I just missed out on the Pooh characters because they had to go get ready for the parade.

Hope you get to do most of the stuff on your list! The parade and fireworks are pretty cool. I love the Headless Horseman!

 

[khertz]

Madame Carlotta and Rinotta supposedly take turns sitting out on the front lawn of the Haunted Mansion. The pictures I've seen at night are really cool!

If you haven't read EasyWDW's Josh summary of the 2012 MNSSHP, I would definitely recommend it. Helped me get my bearings!

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...locations-strategy-pictures-videos-and-fluff/

Thanks for the link!! I have been looking all over to collect as much info about the party as I can, but I had not seen that one yet.

I think it is definitely a good idea to get in line right away for the princesses and princes. When we went a couple years ago we went straight for the 7 dwarves and I think we only lost 20 minutes of party time because we were pretty close to the front of the line. The Daisy and Donald line was not very long at all-don't know about Mickey and Minnie but my guess is that they are more popular. My sister and I just missed out on the Pooh characters because they had to go get ready for the parade.

Hope you get to do most of the stuff on your list! The parade and fireworks are pretty cool. I love the Headless Horseman!

I'm hoping to use the same logic most people put into meeting the Dwarfs into meeting the princesses...do most of the waiting before the actual start of the party so that we don't lose a lot of party time standing in that line. Most of what I've read online says that Mickey & Minnie shouldn't be too difficult to meet, so fingers crossed on them! They are really the only other "must do." Any others we get to do are just lagniappe after that!

I'm really excited about the parade and fireworks! I'm hoping DH can get some good pictures.