All about our Trick or Treat Haul - 4 people in total, no allergies.
Candy / Quantity
AppleApple GoGo Squeeze 3
AppleCinnamon GoGo Squeeze 7
Twix (Fun Sized) (White) 16
Skittles (Fun Sized) (Original) 95
Skittles (Fun Sized) (Sour) 36
M&Ms (Fun Sized) (Peanut Butter) 25
M&Ms (Full Sized) (Caramel) 16
Twix (Fun Sized) (Dark) 16
Maltesers (Fun Sized) 27
M&Ms (Fun Sized) (Peanut) 55
Snickers (Fun Sized) (Crispers) 64
Snickers (Fun Sized) (Peanut Butter) (Squared) 28
Snickers (Fun Sized) (Real Peanut Butter) 8
Dove Circles (Mocha & Latte) 15
Dove Circles (Peanut Butter) 1
Skittles (Fun Sized) (Wild Berry) 57
M&Ms (Fun Sized) 81
Lifesaver Gummies (Big Rings) 53
M&Ms (Fun Sized) (Caramel) 47
Lifesaver Gummies 67
3 Musketeers (Fun Sized) 44
Snickers (Fun Sized) 7
Snickers (Minis) 105
Dove Minis 83
Twix (Fun Sized) (Left) 78
Milky Way (Minis) (Midnight) 16
Milky Way (Fun Sized) 43
Milky Way (Minis) 79
Twix (Fun Sized) (Right) 71
Starburst (Original) 106
Starburst (FaveREDS) 123
Total Pieces: 1472
Total Weight: 49.5 pounds
Went to most stations, sometimes multiple times. Did not get to Country Bears. Best stations for volume were Philharmagic and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Cast members were generous with candy, energetic and very excited about the different costumes they recognized - especially those that were not typical or showed creativity.
Sorcerer cards were easy to get - out in front of the firehouse and the castmember marked your wristband with a sharpie.
Ride overlays were unimpressive -
SM in the dark was even more jarring and the music did not plus the experience as it was not Halloween themed, just thumping.
POTC - There was a pirate in the load area announcing to be on the lookout for Gunpowder Pete. Gunpowder Pete was a live pirate on a bridge towards the end. I had to laugh as the interaction went something like this. GPP: Yo Ho, Yo Ho, I am Gunpowder Pete...And then we sailed under. We didn't see any other evidence of live characters. Overall this seemed like a distraction to me and a way to lure people into rides.
Teacups - visibly striking lighting effects but the music wasn't themed when we passed. It was cool to see though.
A highlight is the Haunted Mansion lighting and watching the characters on the lawn. That is the best ride plussing that is done!
The special snacks that we tried were fine. We had the Hades Nachos that were nothing special but you could fix them any way you wanted at the fixins bar at Pecos Bill. My kids said the cider donuts and caramel pretzel were fine. Their favorite was the frozen apple cider. All of these were available at the Outpost behind Pecos Bill's. It was a hot night so we didn't eat much but had our share of ice water, soda and a LaFou's Brew as well.
The merch was plentiful as far as we could tell but we usually only get what we really want BADLY. I found headless horseman and light up gargoyle ornaments to buy. Neither are party specific. We are past tshirts, popcorn buckets and pins, but everything we saw was well designed/themed.
The parade and fireworks are amazing as always and the Halloween themed music and lighting in each area of the park really set the stage for a fun evening. We have done all of the characters so we don't wait in line for them anymore, but it is always exciting to have their presence in the park. At one point Cruella was back by Be Our Guest with no line (close to the end of the party) and she was a hoot to watch.
If you need an air conditioned escape, I highly recommend the Philharmagic Theater that plays spooky cartoons on a loop - catch Spooky Scary Skeletons or Mr. Toad if you can.
Can't wait to go back next year!!!