We went to the first party and had a blast! Just got home last night after being at WDW for 10 days. Because we were there for so long, and late info on the party, we went in with no plan. Even though it was sold out, it didn’t feel like it. We went to the Nov 1st MNSSHP and that felt a lot more crowded. We had no desire to meet characters, but I peeked at lines when we walked by: Sandy Claws maybe had 15 people after the fireworks? Moana had about 20 after the 2nd parade. Honestly I think Merida had more people waiting when we walked on that side.
Anyway, we got to MK around 4:45. We left our room at YC at 3:45. Advice if you are staying at a resort that shares bus stops with another resort or has multiple stops: walk to the first stop if you want a seat. It was standing room only when we left YC but we still stopped at BC for more people. I’ve never been on a bus that crowded. It was just DH and I, but that would have been a good time to Minnie Van. Went through security and scanned our magic bands with no problem. More advice if you get your wristband at the main gate, don’t stop at the first person you see with bands, that line is long. Walk closer to the train station, there’s people with no lines. We went through the bypass and got a giant Santa cookie. Did not stop for the PhotoPass which was posing with the party ornament. Used our FP for 7DMT. Then went on HM with no wait. Got a dole whip float, then walked over to Jingle Cruise. Wait time was posted as 40 minutes, so we knew we would have plenty of time to split the float...it ended up being about 8 minutes so we chugged it. We then walked onto Pirates just before 6:15. CMs were checking wristbands at the entrance. We got to HM at 6:45 as they were setting up the Magic Shot...still waiting for Zero to show up
Made our first treat stop at Pinocchio (not on the map?) for hot chocolate and all FOUR! cookies- 1 wrapped Santa, snickerdoodle, ginger molasses and peppermint. That ginger molasses though...I want to find the recipe! We saw Snow White and Aurora come out with their Princes promptly at 7 in front of the turrets between the Pinocchio restrooms and BOG. Line looked short. We then went on Peoplemover for the best view of the castle (I think). We went to Casey’s for dinner. We ordered and paid and I asked DH to go find a spot behind the Hub in front of the Plaza. When I walked back to him, CMs were holding a rope and checking wristbands just outside of Casey’s on Main Street. We could see bits and pieces of the stage show, but I enjoyed the castle projections and music more. We then had a perfect view of the castle lighting at 8:15. Could only see the character’s heads, but it was fine. We got the mistletoe Magic Shot on the bridge into Tomorrowland near Laugh Floor/Stitch. Rode Buzz and the Speedway (DH’s car broke down lol) and hit up both treat spots in Tomorrowland. Walked back in front of the castle around 9:40(?) We were able to see the last few minutes of the show and then people left before fireworks! We were front and almost center. Did not feel tight at all. This was time stamped at 9:45:
I’d prefer to be a little further back, but it was pretty incredible. It was tight walking to Liberty Square after, but we were able to jump in line for the Treat Spot (more ginger cookies!). We sat in the rocking chairs behind the ticket office for a while. We then walked to Tortugas for the pretzel and found our spot in Frontierland for the parade. We arrived around 10:50 and had no trouble finding enough space for me to sit on the ground. It was great! We followed the parade out, cut through Adventureland then the Emporium. Stopped in front of the tree for the Magic Shot (video and a picture with a border). Then safely made it to the exit under CMs instructions. Got the Magic Shot outside (too big to post)...just a gingerbread man and reindeer overlay. It’s cute. I’m sad we didn’t do any other Magic Shots, but we honestly did not see many photographers out. We didn’t time being on Main Street correctly for those photos. It did snow on Main Street periodically. Sorry for the ramble, all my thoughts are not together yet. Like I said we had a lot of fun!
What are your thoughts?
