Trip Report Tale of our adventures

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

They sat us in the very first row of the Lion King Show, when Annette inquired about getting a return time for the show. We all thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was good to sit down, and to get in out of the bad weather.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

When the Lion King show was over, we headed for the park exit. It was apparent that it was going to rain all night. However, we stopped at Rainforest Cafe, to see if we could get seated for dinner. They sat us almost immediately. The food/drink was delicious

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I was hoping the rain would stop, and that we might be able to see the night time offerings of the Animal Kingdom, However, the rain did not lessen. It got worse. So this would be the third night in a row, and the third park in a row, where we got rained on so heavily.

It was very very dark, and confusing trying to locate the bus stop for Pop Century. Once we did leave, we got detained a 2nd time because another bus had broken down. I think we sat without moving on the bus, for an entire half hour.

When we finally got to Pop Century, I did the usual. I had some hot tea, and brought back breakfast stuff back to the room for the next morning. Tomorrow would be our day for the Halloween Party. Stayed tuned and find out how the weather treated us on that day.

Songbird76 · Sep 23, 2016

BAChicagoGal said:
We had lunch at Flame Tree BBQ, and then Annette and the others went and saw the Bugs Life Show. I don't care for that 3D bugs show. It was just about now that the rain came pouring down on us, and our fastpass for Expedition Everest was cancelled, because they closed down the attraction. We sought shelter in a nearby gift shop, and I bought a Mickey T-shirt, and a hat to wear on my birthday.

How did Carissa do with the Bugs Life show? I found it intense myself, and my son started screaming towards the end. He was terrified by it. My daughter was ok, but it wasn't her favorite, either. My husband missed the last part of it because he had to rush my son outside when he freaked out. It was not a success for us.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

Songbird76 said:
How did Carissa do with the Bugs Life show? I found it intense myself, and my son started screaming towards the end. He was terrified by it. My daughter was ok, but it wasn't her favorite, either. My husband missed the last part of it because he had to rush my son outside when he freaked out. It was not a success for us.

I cannot say first hand because I myself will not view the show. I did that years ago, and I hated it. Why? Because I hate bugs. I had to look away from the action, and just think of something else, until it was over. When Annette, Pat and Carissa exited the theatre, they all seemed fine. So I assume Carissa had no problem with what she saw.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

That brings us up to Friday, September the 2nd. It was the day of the very first Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. We originally bought 6 tickets, and now we were 4, so Annette spent the morning driving to her brother in law's house to pick up her two young nephews to take them to the party. Her own two kids were not interested at all in coming back for the festivities. So they stayed where they were.

I spent the morning relaxing, and later in the morning, I took a stroll over to the Art of Animation Resort. I took some photos, and I had lunch in their food court. The resort is wonderfully themed. I'd love to stay there on a future trip.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

The line from Pop Century to the Magic Kingdom, began to fill up about 3 o'clock p.m. It was full of party goers dressed up in their Halloween garb. I chatted with an older mother and daughter who were attending their very first Halloween Party like us. I got a pic of Annette, Pat, and the kids in line. Sadly, they never posted at any of the Memory Maker spots that night, so no souvenir pic of Halloween night for them.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

We arrived at the Magic Kingdom security just about 5 minutes to 4 o'clock. You can see by the pic just how crowded the night was going to be. Who says the parks are less crowded? I did not find that to be true about the party. We went through security, and through the entrance, and were given our wrist bracelets for the night. I grabbed a party map, and I said my goodbye's to Annette and her group. I was more than ready to enjoy my first Halloween party solo.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I always stop for pics before running down Main Street to go and do something else. It sets the mood for my day/night/event. The park looked great all decked out for Halloween. Although in some ways it felt strange celebrating Halloween, and I had not even officially celebrated my birthday yet. Yes, I was wearing a birthday button, but my actual birthday was still 2 days away.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

Strolling down Main Street is a favorite thing for me to do. Taking a pic of the Main Street clock is a tradition of mine. Getting a pic with the castle in the background is another. It doesn't take that much time out of your time in the park, to just slow down a bit.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I decided that the first thing on my agenda, should be dinner. I was right there by the Plaza, and so I asked for a table. The wait was just about 10 minutes, which was perfect. I was seated near a window, and I had a great view of the guests rushing by in their Halloween garb. Once my meal was finished, my energy level was up, and I was ready to tackle the park, and enjoy my evening.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

As I entered the Hub area, the Move It, Shake It parade was coming by. I had never experience that before. I always love anything with lots of Disney characters, and it did have that. We got a small amount of rain after these short parade came by. Enough to make the pavement wet, and slippery in spots.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I am calling these pre party pics, because it was way before 7 p.m., the official start of the event.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I take photos as a way to document my days in the parks. Not everything gets photographed however. So it may seem like I did not do much. Perhaps, I just did not take a picture of every attraction I saw/rode/experienced. I did get some photos of the Haunted Mansion. I definitely wanted to ride that ride during the party. It's one of my favorite rides, for sure.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I headed back toward the Hub with the goal being to end up in Fantasyland. I wanted to eventually end up in the Circus area, and I could then take the train back to Frontierland. I later found out that the train was not running. Whose bright idea was that? Was it intentional, or was it some kind of breakdown? Along the way, I saw lots of long lines for character meets. Why doesn't the Halloween Party offer it's guests fastpass choices for the character meet and greets? Seems like MDE could handle that quite nicely. Then again, not all my ideas work out well on paper.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I happened across this attraction when there was no line at all. I had never done this experience, and so I decided it was time. I absolutely loved it. It would have been nice to get a photo with Belle, but I understood the attraction policy.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I love the balloons that they sell in the parks. Since I never buy one, since I can't take it home on the plane, I photographed them instead.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

Nightfall is a very special moment in the parks. The castle looks especially beautiful at night.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

In the center of all the magic are Walt and Mickey. Remember folks, It all started with a mouse.

BAChicagoGal · Sep 23, 2016

I eventually made my way back to Frontierland. I decided to watch the parade from there, rather than from Town Square. Onereason for that, was the headless horseman. However, it was too early for the parade, but I ran instead, into these guys.