My Night At The Magic Kingdom
The 3rd entry in this post series is going to be the story of how I spent the majority of my time while Paula was at the conference. Get ready for a rather lengthy tale. It was a long night and I'm gonna share lots of details.
Those who know me, and based on the above subtitle it should come as no surprise that I spent most of it at Walt Disney World. The best way I can summarize my 6th visit to "the place where dreams come true" would be that it wasn't the greatest experience. But that was mostly because of me. Let me start at the beginning.
Once my wife left our hotel room for her first night at the conference I had to decide how I was going to spend my first night alone in Orlando since 2016 . Ever since we decided to go to Florida, I had debated to what I wanted to do with the free time I would have.
I knew I wanted to do something in Walt Disney World but I wasn't sure exactly what. Although it seemed extremely early, that night, August 16, was the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom.
I had been to the party during my solo trip back in September 2016. So I didn't see any reason to go again. But the first 2019 Halloween celebration at the MK featured the debut of "Mickey's Not So Spooky Spectacular"; a brand new fireworks/castle projection show. I have never been at any kind of debut at WDW. This was my opportunity.
In addition, some of the Disney podcasters I listen to each week and social media people I follow, were going to be at the party too. The chance that I might run into one or more of them also swayed my decision to go.
I left the hotel and about 20 minutes later I was driving under one of my all time favorite signs.
After a wrong turn forced me to circle around Epcot and get back to World Drive, I pulled up to the Magic Kingdom entrance where I had the privilege of paying $25 for parking.
At that time of day, I had to drive around a bit before I found an open handicapped parking spot.
I took, what I consider, the longest walk in a Magic Kingdom day, from the parking lot to the Ticket & Transportation Center.
At the TTC I stepped up to a guest services window. I got my party ticket, after some delay, due to the new cast member needing help to get her ticketing system to work. Because I was buying my ticket on the day of the event, it cost me $101. That's about $20 more than had I bought in advance.
I made my way up the ramp to the monorail platform. Based on observations during my walk from the parking lot and going up the ramp to the monorail this was a transitional time of day for the parks. I'd see that even more once I got to the Magic Kingdom.
Park guests who had been in the park were leaving and Halloween party attendees were arriving for their early admission.
While waiting for the monorail I talked with a group of 4 young women who said they were from Iowa. They told me that the son of one of them had been at WDW with his grandparents all week. His mom was there to surprise him by showing up at the party.
I offered to take a group picture for them, something they were very grateful for. They were very friendly and talked with me the entire monorail ride.
This was my first glimpse of Cinderella's Castle from the monorail on the way to the MK.
The entrance plaza was really busy with the previously mentioned dichotomy of guests coming and going. But it wasn't something that the MK cast members couldn't handle. I got through the bag check and turnstiles quite easily. I was given a wrist band that identified me as a MNSSHP guest. This allowed me to stay in the park when it closed to the public at 6.
I decided to shoot a video as I walked through the tunnel into town square. Here's the link to the video uploaded to my You Tube Channel.
From the town square area, Halloween party guests were directed to the right into a walkway that went behind the Main Street shops and came out near the Plaza ice cream shop in the hub.
I collected candy back in 2016. But I really didn't care to trick or treat this time. So I just walked straight up Main Street.
As I weaved my way through the stream of people I was a bit concerned at how crowded it was. But then again, I knew it was a transitional time in the park so the crowd wasn't something I felt I should concerned about.
My hope was that it would thin out a bit come party time, so that getting around and onto the attractions would be a bit easier.
Even though it was the middle of August and rather hot and humid there were people of all ages dressed in costumes for the party.
I thought this guy's Hagrid costume was a real commitment given the weather. I was tempted to go up to him and tell him he was in the wrong theme park. But I didn't want to interfere with the group picture.
On my way down Main Street USA, for the first time I saw someone playing the Sorcerers of the Kingdom game.
Once I got to the end of Main Street it was really really crowded. I decided to go into the Emporium and walk through to Casey's Corner quick service restaurant.
By this time I was really thirsty. One of the cool things about the Magic Kingdom is any quick service restaurant will give you a free cup of ice water.
Casey's was filled to capacity. It was so crowded that it took me 15 minutes to even get to a counter to ask for my water.
I managed to find a chair in the patio seating area. I enjoyed my water and the rest. As I did this guy came and stood on the fence beside me.
A few minutes later this guy came by to pick up a French fry or two dropped by those around me.
At my first Halloween party I started walking around the park clockwise starting in Adventureland. This time I decided to go the opposite way and headed toward Tomorrowland.
By the time I got over the bridge and walked past Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, the party had officially started. But much to my dismay, the crowd had not thinned out at all. There were a lot of people. The lines for candy at both the Carousel of Progress and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin were already 10 minutes or more.
I decided to get in line for the People Mover. I hadn't been on it since our first visit to the MK back in 2003.
The line was queued up to the end of the switch back railings but it only took about 10 minutes to get to the boarding area. I shot several short videos and have combined them on my You Tube page. Here's the link: Riding The People Mover
At this point in my story, I must share with you something that made it a tough night for me. By the time I got to the place where Tomorrowland meets Fantasyland, the effect of all the walking I'd been doing had me worn out. It was probably more walking at one time than I had done all year. That's may be an exaggeration but only a slight one.
I was tired and thirsty. I sat down at the tables by outside Space Mountain to drink my 2nd free glass of ice water and rest.
It was at that point that I knew if I was going to make it around the park and stay around for the 11 o'clock fireworks show, I'd have to pace myself.
I was hungry but had a hard time finding a place to eat. There were limited options because the quick service places open were few and far between. And all of them were very crowded.
I went into Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe to get a bite. To my surprise, I didn't find Sunny Eclipse on the stage. But rather some cast members leading a room full of kids and parents in a dance party.
Standing just inside the door, I looked back toward the food counter. It was covered up with more people than I'd ever seen there before. I estimated that getting food would take 45 minutes to an hour. I wasn't going to make my way through the dance crowd and then wait that long.
The Mad Tea Party ride had a overlay and lights for the party but the wait was about 15 minute; too long for what it is. Riding it by yourself isn't all that fun.
Now that I was in Fantasyland I checked my Touring Plans app to get an idea of attraction wait times. My favorite MK attraction only had a 10 minute wait, so I made that my next destination. On my way there I passed one of the many character meet & greets: Alice & The Mad Hatter.
In less than the posted wait time I was aboard a boat and headed on my favorite trip around the world.
Here's a link to the video I shot in two of my favorite rooms.
After I exited Small World I was still hungry and thirsty again. I went to Pinnochio Village Haus to try and get something but it was just a candy stop.
I asked a cast member where I could get something to eat. She told me Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square.
I had never been there and didn't really know where it was. By the time I walked to Liberty Square I was so tired, I was a bit disoriented. I just couldn't seem to find the restaurant. I asked a cast member pushing a cart with supplies on it if he could tell me where it was. He said "you're standing in front of it." I was totally embarrassed.
When I found this restaurant just as covered up as the others I left.
I remembered hearing Len Testa, host of the Disney Dish Podcast, mention on an episode where to get the best hot dog in the Magic Kingdom.
I headed to the Liberty Square Market hoping the wait wouldn't be too long.
I went back to the middle of Liberty Square and found a bench in front of the stocks. The hot dog was very good and the water really hit the spot.
As I looked at my watch and my party guide I realized that it was about an hour til the "Boo To You Parade" was scheduled to start.
I got up and headed to Frontierland with the intention of finding a place to watch the parade at the place where it came from back stage into the park.
By the time I got to the walkway outside Pacos Bill's restaurant, I needed to rest again. I found a wall to sit on right next to the Golden Oak Outpost food stand. While I was only there for a breather as I looked around I decided that it would be a pretty good vantage point for watching the parade.
Soon, the line for the food stand extended past me blocking my view. I still had 45 minutes to wait.
By this time the atmosphere of the park had transitioned to fit the darkness of a midsummer Florida night. Because this was a Halloween party the shadows of evening completed the atmosphere introduced by the decorations.
As I glanced to my left I noticed some movement in the plants in back of the fence I was leaning against. Out from between the iron posts this guy cautiously wandered out.
I don't think anybody else saw him but I did.
I had heard about the feral cats of the Magic Kingdom over the years but had never seen one. It was so ironic that the first time I do, it's a black cat during the Halloween party. I couldn't help but thing that this was a fateful element meant just for me.
After surveying the hustle and bustle of the park he decided that it was not for him. He quickly disappeared back behind the fence.
The area that only 15 minutes earlier had been relatively empty had filled up. My view of the parade from the wall was now blocked by people sitting and standing along the route.
Rested and ready to move I decided that I would skip the parade and just walk through Adventureland to the hub to find my spot for the new fireworks show which was now about an hour away.
As I passed by, I thought about trying to ride Pirates of the Caribbean but like everything else it was extremely crowded. So I went right by.
About this time is started to rain. Not a downpour by any means just a light shower. It was enough that some guests put up umbrellas.
I stopped by a enclave in front of the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House to rest. I was disappointed because both the Enchanted Tiki Room was closed and so was Aloha Isle; so I couldn't get a Dole Whip.
By the time I got through the Adventureland arch and into the hub it was extremely crowded. I claimed a spot on a curb with the castle to my left thinking the parade would be coming right by. But I was wrong. When the first float appeared on the spur from Liberty Square I realized it would turn clockwise around the hub and miss me completely.
I ended up leaning over a waist high fence just to get a partial view of the parade as it moved downhill from Liberty Square.
I waited until the parade got through the hub then started scouting out a spot that would be a good vantage point for the fireworks.
I walked across the entire hub but found no place opdn where I could see. I then thought of the last time Paula and I watched the fireworks together at the tables outside the Plaza ice cream shop.
I made my way there and for a while it looked like I was out of luck there too. Eventually, I ended up standing in front of a fence I could see over and could lean on the wall at the same time. Although it was partially blocked by a tree it was a pretty good spot. This was my view of the castle and the show.
I stood next to a young lady who would guess to have been in her mid 20s. While talking with her I found out that she was from San Diego and this was her first week long vacation to WDW. She was very excited about being at the party and seeing the debut of the fireworks. She was very charming.
The fireworks started a little late, about 9:05. But they were worth the wait. I didn't take any pics or video but I found this video of the show on "The Dis" You Tube channel.
Once the fireworks was over it was time to head on out of the park. Paula was back at her hotel and I was exhausted from the party and the entire day.
I slowly walked from the hub toward the front gate until I got to the first door of the Emporium. I learned over the years that you can avoid the throng migrating down the street by going through the store that runs the length of Main Street.
I came out of the Emporium onto Town Square. I was tired but wanted to make sure I didn't trip and fall like I did the last time I was leaving the party.
The walk to the monorail and parking lot was going to be a difficult one for me. So I found a place to sit in front of the train station to rest before heading out.
I thought about staying to watch the 2nd parade but it wouldn't be in the square for another hour. I just wanted to get back to the hotel.
I really wanted to take the ferry to the TTC but the walk to the dock was a lot further than to the monorail ramp.
I got myself up the ramp to the monorail by
pulling on the handrail. When I got into one of the cars with open seating I met a family of 5 who were from Minnesota. There were two parents and 3 boy. I would guess that the kids ranged from 8 to 14.
The mom complimented me on how fast I got up the ramp. I started talking with them.
I felt a bit better after sitting down. I started asking them question and telling jokes to make them laugh. It was a nice encounter.
Once again I made the longest walk from the TTC to the parking lot. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find my car but I had no trouble.
I drove out of the parking lot and down Floridian Way. I stopped at the Speedway before heading back to the hotel. My 2nd visit to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party was over.
While I enjoyed spending an evening in the Magic Kingdom again, I can't say I had a good time.
As I mentioned throughout this post, all the walking was very difficult for me. That's my fault. I was not prepared for it at all. So I'll take responsibility for that aspect of the night.
But the other pertinent negative factor in the experience was what I'll call the deterior-ation of the uniqueness of the party. By selling more and more tickets at higher prices Disney has sacrificed the quality of the party experience.
The waits for candy, attractions, food, and character meet & greets devalues the guest experience. I don't care how special or unique any aspect of the party is if you don't have time to enjoy it, can't enjoy it because of the wait or the crowd it's not worth any price.
In reality, I only rode two attractions and could only get food at what is essentially a "grab & go" in Liberty Square. While it's true the this was my choice, there were factors controlled by Disney that effected those choices.
If the crowd is increased there needs to be more things for them to do and places to go. I would have spent a lot more time in each of the lands if there were things to do without waiting so long to do them. I feel that each minute I had to wait for something eroded away the party's perceived value for me.
You may have not agree. I recently heard a Disney Dish podcast where Len Testa's sister raved about the MNSSHP experience. I believe she was there the same night I was. But she did it as a mom with 2 children. I guess she and her family are who Disney aims to please at these hard ticket events. As a late 50s solo guest I'm almost off the chart as far as the target demographic is concerned.
That may be something I'll have to consider if I ever think about going to the Halloween party a 3rd time.
Now that I've shared with you my Friday night experience in the Magic Kingdome. I'll bring this very long post to a close.
In my next post I will share with you what I did during the day on Saturday. But I want to let you know the lingering effects of the Halloween party was an overwhelming factor in my day.
Thanks for taking the time to read this very long post. See you next time.
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