Day Four: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

We donned our Hawaiian shirts, put Hoot in his Stitch belly shirt and headed off to the Magic Kingdom early for our date at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP). Like silly theme park lemmings, when we got off the monorail, we proceeded to the nearest turnstiles for admission. Our tickets didn't work, and after a moments panic, a lovely Cast Member pointed to a large sign that pointed to the other side to use party tickets. We picked up our trick or treat bags and park maps and stopped for the obligatory potty break before heading down Main Street.

We found a Photopass photographer, and had a series of shots taken in front of the castle. Sadly, Tee's lei had already started to come unraveled, but we made her keep it for the photos. I liked this one after we added the real Stitch to our shot.

As we were headed to Tomorrowland for our first date with Buzz Lightyear and Evil Emporer Zurg, we saw another Photopass photographer set off to the side of the castle and stopped for another round. I love the "shy Hoot" photo the most.

Once we were done, it was off to ride Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. This is my favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom, so I'm awfully glad that Hoot has made it his favorite as well! We rode twice and had a blast. Then, we took the gamble, which paid off, to give Hoot his first experience with Stitch's Great Escape. We also posed for a picture with Pleakley and I got my favorite picture of Tee during the entire trip. I didn't realize how much our shirts' motif matches his here. I also didn't realize that Tee and Pleakley were the same height!

We had a quick bite to eat at Cosmic Ray's and some trick or treating in Tomorrowland, we headed off to Fantasyland. The boys took a spin on the Tea Cups, then we began to work our way systematically through all the attractions there. As we were getting into the queu line for Winnie the Pooh, Tee turned to me and said, "I wonder if we'll get to see Snow White out with all her boys this year?" And, wouldn't you know it, here they came! All seven of them, mostly in step and marching right behind Snow White herself. Their own little parade! We didn't get a good picture, but it was one of the big highlights for us. You never see them out like this, and we only saw them do it last year at the big soggy MNSSHP after the rain began to clear out.

When we got to Cinderella's Carousel, the horse between mine and Hoot's was very low to the ground and we were able to coax Tee into getting on board instead of sitting in the old people chairs. It was a blast, with all the horses racing neck and neck! Just as we were beginning to slow down, I jokingly told Tee she had better pray that her horse ended up low to the ground. Like a well timed curse, her horse ended up as high as it would go! I just laughed and laughed. DH tried to get her to let him help her down, but seriously, this horse was high! We told him we'd just take another spin around, but he didn't believe us and the boys got off! I couldn't believe it! He didn't let Hoot ride the carousel again! What a big meanie!

However, on that second, girls only ride, I learned a little Tee trivia. It seems that once, when she was about 7 or 8 years old, at Six Flags Over Texas, the ride operators had to stop the carousel and make her get off! Why, you may ask? Because she was standing on the saddle, holding on to the pole with one hand, and throwing kisses with the other! (Have I ever mentioned that she wanted to be Calamity Jane when we were kids?) I howled with laughter at this little tidbit! Sadly, or luckily, either way, our horses landed low to the ground after our second ride, and it was off to the second half of Fantasyland for us.

The time for Hallowishes, the fireworks extravaganza, was drawing near, and after a cruise that proclaimed that our globe was not quite as big as we had once thought, we found some seats with a great view of the back of the castle. There was much debate as to how good or bad our view would be among the others nearby, but we figured we had a clear view of the castle, we'd be alright.

Now, I have seen more than my share of fireworks over the years. I grew up with Tee working for Six Flags. I worked at Astroworld and Stone Mountain Park. I've been to Disney World ten times. I can honestly say I have never, ever seen a show quite like this one. I was dazzled.

We started out sitting, but the fireworks were also coming in from behind us. I snatched Hoot up and darted to the middle of Fantasyland, out to the side of Dumbo and the carousel. The entire show was happening right around us, and even right above us! I wouldn't have been surprised if my neck had hurt the next morning! It was truly amazing. When the finale was blasting right overhead, it was so bright Fantasyland was honestly lit up like broad daylight. Talk about some serious fireworks! I think this was my favorite part of the whole trip. Hoot and I totally immersed in fireworks!

Up Next: Day Four: MNSSHP, a giant black horse, and a smoking crocodile!