Timon
11-14-2003, 01:32 PM
The Timon Family Halloween Trip Report
Cast of characters:
Mark AKA Timon (and Gaston for MNSSHP only) as the Dad
Janice AKA Belle (for this trip only) DW of Mark and DM of Robby
Robby AKA The Beast and leukemia butt kicker
10/30/03
We touch down at Tampa International at 4:15 PM, 15 minutes ahead of schedule :clap: , and Robby and I head to the luggage carrousel while Janice goes to the Hertz counter to rent the car. By 4:45 we’re in our car and headed to the “World”. I’m on cloud nine thinking we’ll be all checked in and in the Magic Kingdom by the official start of MNSSHP at 7:00P.M. Then it hit me, or more realistically I ran into it…traffic, rush hour traffic. I had completely forgotten all about our arrival coinciding with the start of rush hour. Rush hour was bad enough, but add to it the fact that I had never done the route we had to take, and didn’t really “know “ where I was going (I had map-quest directions) and you can imagine my anxiety :hppmad: . We finally make it to I-4 and at least now my not knowing where I’m going anxiety is gone, but the traffic is still there. What should have been a 90-minute ride at the maximum (more likely a 70 minute ride) turned into a 2-hour ordeal.
We finally arrive at Old Key West and are welcomed home by the security guard at about 6:45 P.M. :D , 15 minutes before MNSSHP starts :mickeyHalloween: . We check in, and as we’re checking in the CM is telling me all about what’s going on and going through the whole spiel that she has to go through. The whole time I’m trying to tell her just give us our keys and let us get to the park. I understand she has certain requirements that go along with her job, but we planned on only being there the one night, and all of the special things that she had to tell us really didn’t apply :shrug: .
Finally we’re in our room by 7:05. Robby and I get our costumes out and put them on. Robby was The Beast and I was Gaston. Janice decided she didn’t want to wear hers. I understood, since she was going to be Belle and it is a gown that she was going to wear and she would be wearing it for the wedding reception the next night. By 7:15 we’re at the bus stop with a large crowd of others going to the party. It seems there hasn’t been a bus for more than 45 minutes. We luck out because within 5 minutes there’s a bus with 2 more right behind it. The first one filled up before we could board it, but we made it onto the 2nd one with no problem. By 7:40 we’re through security and on our way up Main Street USA. There was a sign outside of the entrance that said that tonight’s event was sold out and I thought to myself this place is going to be mobbed.
As we head down Main Street USA we take in all of the sights sounds. Ghosts, witches and bats were flying across the faces of the buildings, many people were in costumes, and “spooky” music was coming from the speakers.
Our intended first stop is the Haunted Mansion but as we approach Liberty Square the streets were roped off for Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade. We were just outside of the Liberty Tree Tavern, across from the Hall of Presidents. There was also a storyteller telling the tale of Icabod Crane (poor, poor Icabod Crane) and the Headless Horseman. I figured this was a pre-show for the ride of the Headless Horseman and we just couldn’t miss that. So we stayed there, in the handicapped section as Robby was in a wheelchair, and listened to the storyteller. I was also intrigued because Washington Irving, the author of the Legend of Sleepy Hallow, used the name of a real person for the character Icabod Crane. The real Icabod Crane was a colonel in the Continental Army whom Irving served under. When Colonel Crane retired he built a house on Staten Island in New York. That house was eventually purchased by my grandfather and was the place where my father primarily grew-up. I spent many a holiday in that very house as a child. I’ve digressed enough. My speculation was right. Not a minute had passed after the storyteller had finished his tale when the Headless Horseman galloped down the street. I had my video camera at the ready and I got him as he went by.
Not long after that the parade started. Robby was right on the rope and many of the characters came to shake his hand. Depending on who it was Robby would either give them his paw or growl at them. Snow White came over to him and Robby growled at her and her reaction was wonderful. She acted surprised and frightened and then saw Robby laughing and gave him a huge smile and laugh. It was truly a magical moment. The rest of the parade was wonderful. I like the fact that so many Disney villains are included. I especially loved the Dalmatians that were in a cage behind the float that carried Miss Cruella.
After the parade we made it the rest of the way to the Haunted Mansion. As we approached the entrance I noticed and horse-drawn hearse that neither Janice nor I ever remembered being there before. I wondered if it was brought out for the party or is it there all the time and we just never noticed. The ride itself was a walk-on, something I didn’t expect for a sold-out event.
From HM we take in Mickey’s Philharmagic. What a wonderful attraction. It is truly a delight for the senses. My only regret as far as this attraction is concerned is that we went at the wrong time. I forgot to check my watch before we went in and as we came out the last few fireworks were going off. As a WDW veteran I should have known better, but then again now that we’re DVC owners I know we’ll be going back.
Next, we head over to Pooh. There is a 15-minute wait which, as all WDW veterans know, is nothing. As we’re getting on the ride I make mention to Janice about how I want to look for the picture of Mr. Toad handing the deed over to Pooh. Janice, Robby and I were seated in the back and a couple was seated in the front. As we go from one room into another the woman in the front seat turns and points behind me and to my left. I looked to where she was pointing and there was the picture. If you don’t know where it is you will definitely miss it. Even if you know where to look, because it’s behind you and to your left as you enter the room, you may miss it anyway. The woman told me it took here several rides before she was able to locate it.
After Pooh we head over to Cosmic Rays Starlight Café for :burger: s for Janice and I and a hot dog for Robby. It’s after 10:00 and we hadn’t had anything since the airport in NJ, so this hits the spot. I had a 7:20 PS at the Liberty Tree Tavern, but because we were running so late we didn’t want to waste time with a sit-down meal, so we blew it off.
After eating Robby and I do Space Mountain twice since it’s a walk on each time. After the second time we pick-up Janice and walk into Carousel of Progress. I like this attraction just as much now as the first time I saw it at the 1964 – 1965 NY Worlds Fair. I like the new song; There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, but miss the original one; Now Is The Time.
It’s after 11:30 now and there’s not much time left to our evening. It’s just not a trip to WDW for us if we don’t ride Big Thunder Mountain RR, but it’s down for renovation, so Robby and I enjoy a leisurely ride on Splash Mountain. Janice doesn’t like rides with drops so she won’t do Splash. After Splash we head back to OKW having enjoyed a truly magical evening.
Afterthought: If you plan on going to MNSSHP don't let the event being sold out bother you. As I said earlier the night we were there it was sold out, and you wouldn't have known it by the wait times. I think Disney limits the number of tickets. It reminded me of an E ride night as far as wait times were concerned.
Cast of characters:
Mark AKA Timon (and Gaston for MNSSHP only) as the Dad
Janice AKA Belle (for this trip only) DW of Mark and DM of Robby
Robby AKA The Beast and leukemia butt kicker
10/30/03
We touch down at Tampa International at 4:15 PM, 15 minutes ahead of schedule :clap: , and Robby and I head to the luggage carrousel while Janice goes to the Hertz counter to rent the car. By 4:45 we’re in our car and headed to the “World”. I’m on cloud nine thinking we’ll be all checked in and in the Magic Kingdom by the official start of MNSSHP at 7:00P.M. Then it hit me, or more realistically I ran into it…traffic, rush hour traffic. I had completely forgotten all about our arrival coinciding with the start of rush hour. Rush hour was bad enough, but add to it the fact that I had never done the route we had to take, and didn’t really “know “ where I was going (I had map-quest directions) and you can imagine my anxiety :hppmad: . We finally make it to I-4 and at least now my not knowing where I’m going anxiety is gone, but the traffic is still there. What should have been a 90-minute ride at the maximum (more likely a 70 minute ride) turned into a 2-hour ordeal.
We finally arrive at Old Key West and are welcomed home by the security guard at about 6:45 P.M. :D , 15 minutes before MNSSHP starts :mickeyHalloween: . We check in, and as we’re checking in the CM is telling me all about what’s going on and going through the whole spiel that she has to go through. The whole time I’m trying to tell her just give us our keys and let us get to the park. I understand she has certain requirements that go along with her job, but we planned on only being there the one night, and all of the special things that she had to tell us really didn’t apply :shrug: .
Finally we’re in our room by 7:05. Robby and I get our costumes out and put them on. Robby was The Beast and I was Gaston. Janice decided she didn’t want to wear hers. I understood, since she was going to be Belle and it is a gown that she was going to wear and she would be wearing it for the wedding reception the next night. By 7:15 we’re at the bus stop with a large crowd of others going to the party. It seems there hasn’t been a bus for more than 45 minutes. We luck out because within 5 minutes there’s a bus with 2 more right behind it. The first one filled up before we could board it, but we made it onto the 2nd one with no problem. By 7:40 we’re through security and on our way up Main Street USA. There was a sign outside of the entrance that said that tonight’s event was sold out and I thought to myself this place is going to be mobbed.
As we head down Main Street USA we take in all of the sights sounds. Ghosts, witches and bats were flying across the faces of the buildings, many people were in costumes, and “spooky” music was coming from the speakers.
Our intended first stop is the Haunted Mansion but as we approach Liberty Square the streets were roped off for Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade. We were just outside of the Liberty Tree Tavern, across from the Hall of Presidents. There was also a storyteller telling the tale of Icabod Crane (poor, poor Icabod Crane) and the Headless Horseman. I figured this was a pre-show for the ride of the Headless Horseman and we just couldn’t miss that. So we stayed there, in the handicapped section as Robby was in a wheelchair, and listened to the storyteller. I was also intrigued because Washington Irving, the author of the Legend of Sleepy Hallow, used the name of a real person for the character Icabod Crane. The real Icabod Crane was a colonel in the Continental Army whom Irving served under. When Colonel Crane retired he built a house on Staten Island in New York. That house was eventually purchased by my grandfather and was the place where my father primarily grew-up. I spent many a holiday in that very house as a child. I’ve digressed enough. My speculation was right. Not a minute had passed after the storyteller had finished his tale when the Headless Horseman galloped down the street. I had my video camera at the ready and I got him as he went by.
Not long after that the parade started. Robby was right on the rope and many of the characters came to shake his hand. Depending on who it was Robby would either give them his paw or growl at them. Snow White came over to him and Robby growled at her and her reaction was wonderful. She acted surprised and frightened and then saw Robby laughing and gave him a huge smile and laugh. It was truly a magical moment. The rest of the parade was wonderful. I like the fact that so many Disney villains are included. I especially loved the Dalmatians that were in a cage behind the float that carried Miss Cruella.
After the parade we made it the rest of the way to the Haunted Mansion. As we approached the entrance I noticed and horse-drawn hearse that neither Janice nor I ever remembered being there before. I wondered if it was brought out for the party or is it there all the time and we just never noticed. The ride itself was a walk-on, something I didn’t expect for a sold-out event.
From HM we take in Mickey’s Philharmagic. What a wonderful attraction. It is truly a delight for the senses. My only regret as far as this attraction is concerned is that we went at the wrong time. I forgot to check my watch before we went in and as we came out the last few fireworks were going off. As a WDW veteran I should have known better, but then again now that we’re DVC owners I know we’ll be going back.
Next, we head over to Pooh. There is a 15-minute wait which, as all WDW veterans know, is nothing. As we’re getting on the ride I make mention to Janice about how I want to look for the picture of Mr. Toad handing the deed over to Pooh. Janice, Robby and I were seated in the back and a couple was seated in the front. As we go from one room into another the woman in the front seat turns and points behind me and to my left. I looked to where she was pointing and there was the picture. If you don’t know where it is you will definitely miss it. Even if you know where to look, because it’s behind you and to your left as you enter the room, you may miss it anyway. The woman told me it took here several rides before she was able to locate it.
After Pooh we head over to Cosmic Rays Starlight Café for :burger: s for Janice and I and a hot dog for Robby. It’s after 10:00 and we hadn’t had anything since the airport in NJ, so this hits the spot. I had a 7:20 PS at the Liberty Tree Tavern, but because we were running so late we didn’t want to waste time with a sit-down meal, so we blew it off.
After eating Robby and I do Space Mountain twice since it’s a walk on each time. After the second time we pick-up Janice and walk into Carousel of Progress. I like this attraction just as much now as the first time I saw it at the 1964 – 1965 NY Worlds Fair. I like the new song; There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, but miss the original one; Now Is The Time.
It’s after 11:30 now and there’s not much time left to our evening. It’s just not a trip to WDW for us if we don’t ride Big Thunder Mountain RR, but it’s down for renovation, so Robby and I enjoy a leisurely ride on Splash Mountain. Janice doesn’t like rides with drops so she won’t do Splash. After Splash we head back to OKW having enjoyed a truly magical evening.
Afterthought: If you plan on going to MNSSHP don't let the event being sold out bother you. As I said earlier the night we were there it was sold out, and you wouldn't have known it by the wait times. I think Disney limits the number of tickets. It reminded me of an E ride night as far as wait times were concerned.