Where were we…? Ah, yes!
I found the video Nate was shooting in one of the photos in the previous installment—Harrison Hightower speaks!
I guess it was a testament to Patrick’s skill that—even though they had no idea who he was supposed to be—so many people wanted their picture taken with him!
We should have taken a picture with these guys!
Nate also got footage of Shiriki Utundu becoming possessed by the Voice of the Magic Kingdom:
Harrison Hightower III: Man of Many Expressions
Another PHOTOPASS pose that got us nowhere…
Even ghouls need to eat overpriced hot dogs…
”Hmmmm… I’ll take one… hot ‘dog’ and… have you any caviar?”
Freaky!
Why, even Jedi want to know what the deal is with Harrison Hightower!
After dinner, we hit up the trick-or-treat trail by Tomorrowland Speedway. It was so dark out there that we actually turned off Shiriki Utundu’s eyes for a while because they seemed painfully bright.
Constance doesn’t know how she feels about Harrison playing peek-a-boo with a cast member!
Actual Cast Member ™
Ah…. Home at last!
So much for the “exclusive” part of MNSSHP—the place was packed!
Holy crap, look at these great shots the Roots got on the ride!
The idol got pretty hard to photograph the darker it got…
It was getting close to time for the fireworks, so we staked out a spot at the end of Main Street.
Gaaah! PHOTOPASS! Put that thing down!
I dashed into Casey’s Corner to get some ice water and ended up getting the nicest compliment from a woman who said mine was the best costume she’d seen all night. Honestly, I had a bit of a complex cuz Patrick’s was SO elaborate and mine had been done so many times. So it was nice to hear that!
Meanwhile, Nate and Patrick played with the camera…
Shiriki Utundu likes suckers—who knew?
Suckers and ice water…
The Roots picked a great spot at the end of Main Street for watching and shooting the fireworks. The park was pretty crowded, but we weren’t shoulder-to-shoulder during the show at least. Patrick and I were surprised to discover that the Magic Kingdom’s Hallowishes fireworks show everyone raves about is the very same Halloween show we’ve had at Disneyland for a couple of years—for FREE! Of course that all changed when our Halloween party moved to Disneyland and they stopped showing it on non-party nights, which ticked off our huge annual passholder base. See what you think…
Put that kid down!!! Oh wait—sorry, Frankenstein!
OK, so now I remember what happened: We actually watched the parade twice, but the Roots took a break from shooting during the first one. We showed up too late to get a good spot that time and were crammed up against some storefronts in Liberty Square just down from the bridge. I remember being extremely hot and uncomfortable in my costume and ignoring most of the candy the performers tossed in favor of an ice water. For the second showing of the parade, Jensey and I staked out her favorite spot, which is right at the edge of the bridge to Liberty Square (on the Liberty Square side). Basically the spot from which you could take these photos:
Now I may be misremembering, but I think the reasons for this being Jensey’s favorite spot are that A) it’s a great place to see the Headless Horseman and where he usually begins to pick up speed, and B) it’s right before a spot where the candy-chucking cast members pick up more ammo, so they usually dump LOTS of it on the crowd in that area. As it turned out, almost all the candy we got at the party came from the two parades—the treat trails were stingy by comparison.
Jensey and I dragged over a couple of chairs and held the spot while Patrick and Nate went off to ride a couple rides. They came back with the coolest story: Apparently a pair of Japanese tourists spotted Patrick as Harrison Hightower near the Winnie the Pooh ride and went nuts, shouting, “Mr. Hightower! Mr. Hightower! Can we get a picture with you?!”
I think that was probably the highlight of the party for Patrick—finally having other guests know who he was dressed as. And it makes me want to take our little costume show on the road to Tokyo Disneyland next Halloween!
When the second parade started, we were kind of disappointed to see that the Headless Horseman merely trotted down the parade route toward the bridge. I’ve since read that he’s not allowed to gallop for the first few parades of the season cuz the horse isn’t ready yet, or something? Let me know if you have the scoop on this…
Here’s a quick video of the Headless Horseman’s trot from the first parade:
As you may know, I am sorta kinda anti-parade, but even I had to admit the floats in Mickey’s Boo to You parade were pretty amazing. If only they could do something about the inane theme song, whose lyrics seems to consist entirely of the words “boo,” “to,” and “you”…
“BOO to you, and to YOU, and you, and you”
“Boo to YOU and you too, BOO to you and you”
“Boo-hoo you, boo to YOU, you boo too”
“Boo boo boooooo, boo boo boo boo booooooo”
“You, you, YOU, you and you and you too” (repeat to infinity/insanity)
I also appreciate the clever inclusion of characters like the Haunted Mansion caretaker and gravediggers.
What I wasn’t prepared for were the pelvis-thrustin’ cowboys! Holy Chippendales, Batman!
Eeyore…? Wait a minute—THAT’s not Eeyore!!!
Goofy’s Candy Co. closes the parade in a shower of foil-wrapped chocolate candies, which make it possible for you to never have to actually buy candy from Goofys Candy Co. again.
After the parade we took a quick look at the dance party going on inside the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon. I think maybe I would better understand the whole “dance party” thing if I were a parent.
“What a novel form of entertainment! I believe I may be ‘cutting a rug’!”
I wanted to get shots of Patrick in front of his beloved Swiss Family Treehouse, but it was a little dark…
Who WOULDN’T want to live there?
At the end of the night we lugged our overflowing trick-or-treat bags back to the hotel and collapsed. I don’t think it’s spoiling the story of our last day to show you how much loot we hauled in…
Ashley
May 6, 2013I was Full-Time up until June of last year. I actually moved back home and I am now back on the West Coast. Before I left I was almost everything you could possibly be at Disney. I started on the College Program back in 2006, was Seasonal, Part-Time and then eventually Full-Time. I started in Custodial, and then eventually worked my way into Attractions. I worked at many a place, starting in Adventureland, and then eventually making my way over to Liberty Square. I was a Skipper, a Pirate, a Maid, and a trainer at the Magic Carpets, The Enchanted Tiki Room and Patrick’s beloved Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. I remember that night very well in particular… well, mainly because you guys were there! I was quite sad to begin with because I didn’t want to be at Hall of Presidents. That “Halloween Season” was the first in which I was trained at Mansion (you know, like the Haunted one!), so I really, really, really wanted to be over at the Mansion. No offense to the HOP, but even though it’s full of a whole bunch of dead people (you know those Presidents, most of them are like old!), a twenty-two minute show about history is not exactly a must do during the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. So, for most of the evening we did exactly what you saw us doing, we stood outside the doors, goofed around with guests, and people watched. It was a great place for people watching, and of course parade watching. If I remember correctly I saw you guys twice. I was our area’s resident Tokyo Disney expert, I have actually amassed a huge collection of all things TDL, so of course everyone was like “Ashley, did you see that awesome Hightower go by?” I’ll be making my first trip to both Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong Disney later this year, I was at Disneyland in Feb. and I’ll actually be at WDW in just a couple of weeks.
Carrie
May 7, 2013Wow! I love learning the backstory to that photo—and I’m totally jealous of your upcoming trips! I hope you’ll do a Tokyo/Hong Kong trip report.
Ashley
May 5, 2013Love, love, love all your trip reports! This one especially is one of my favorites.
Sincerely,
The Hall of Presidents Cast Member who was playing peek-a-boo with Harrison Hightower! Seriously, I can’t believe how fortunate I was to be featured! Your costumes were some of the best I ever saw at a Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Carrie
May 6, 2013Hi there!!! It is so nifty to finally “meet” you! What are the chances…? Do you still work there, or were you on the College Program?
Melissa B
January 12, 2013I work the parades and special events sometimes in the Magic Kingdom. This year I worked the Halloween party and was surprised to see the horse trot as well. When I ask some of the other cast members who have been doing that job for years, they said that they switched the horse from a sprint/run to a gallup around the time of the monorail accident because they didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. Apparently, though the horse used to run fast enough to spark with his horse shoes! Also, the horse that does this role only does this role, so he is VERY well trained.
Carrie
January 12, 2013Fascinating! I love that that’s the horse’s only job. He must be the envy of the corral!
Laura
July 15, 2012WOW! Those costume’s were awesome! When I first saw the picture I will admit I didn’t know who Patrick was. Loved the video of Patrick too. I have been to the Christmas party (we went in Dec 2010) and apparently Florida was having a cold front (of course cuz we were there from CT). It was fun though and that has been a dream of mine to see Disney at Christmas time. Now I want to go for Halloween! Good thing my wedding anniversary is Oct 12 (we’re going to do a vow renewal for our 20th, 4 more years)!
Carrie
July 16, 2012Oooh! How exciting! Happy planning!
Chilly
November 12, 2011Fab update with amazing photos. Love the one of Patrick dancing with Jessie.
lurkyloo
November 12, 2011I love it cuz it’s so incongruous!
Norma
November 4, 2011With regards to the horse and its lack of galloping, when I was at MNSSHP a few years ago the ground was damp and so he had to trot down as well for safety reasons. They actually cancelled the horseman for the first parade because it was too damp. While I don’t know if this is the actual reason, I do know animals and my assumption would be that for the first week or so the horse is only made to trot to ensure that it can 1. handle the crowds 2. handle the costumes and 3. handle the lighting. Even if it is the same horse they’ve used for years, he spends a good 10 months NOT doing that task and a lot can happen to an animal in that time to make them decide that they’re not going to do that particular job again. The last thing they need is for an animal that big to get spooked and try to take off without an exit route, could cause a lot of damage to people and property.
lurkyloo
November 4, 2011Now that’s a thorough answer! That makes a lot of sense. I suppose if it’s for safety, I can accept the fact that the Headless Horseman can’t gallop… 🙂
Jenny
November 2, 2011Amazing! I have really enjoyed your report! I LOVE the costumes! I have been lurking and following you for a couple years (ok that just sounded weird). But your writing is great and very entertaining. I wish I knew you were going to be at the Magic Kingdom I would have had to accidentally bumped into you.
lurkyloo
November 2, 2011Hey, thanks for coming out of lurkdom! Maybe someday we’ll run into each other at one of the parks. 🙂
Elizabeth
November 1, 2011Not ashamed to admit that I clicked on that thrusting cowboy video.
Love that some Japanese tourists recognized Patrick’s character!
And also love that he loves the treehouse…I DO, TOO!
That one picture of it is amazing…and the pic of you guys with the hitchiking ghost is the best I’ve ever seen. Those clever and talented Roots.
The fireworks shots are amazing, but I still don’t enjoy any of them as much as Illuminations. Crazy talk, right?
lurkyloo
November 1, 2011No, I totally understand. Hallowishes has spectacle, but IllumiNations has heart. The whole theme of unity and brotherhood makes me well up every time!
Elizabeth
November 1, 2011Exactly! The music is majestic and the inclusion of the countries lighting up…just love it. I used to go all the time with my best friend since childhood to watch it and she passed away this year. So now it almost always makes me happy cry thinking about her and all the fun we had at Epcot!
I love that place.
lurkyloo
November 1, 2011What sweet memories!
Elizabeth
November 1, 2011Indeed.
Pinkgirl
October 31, 2011Brill, timely update. I’m 150 chocolate bars lighter here on a very mild Halloween night in North East England. Love the spade sparking grave-diggers. Oooh and a bit more eyebrow from Patrick.
lurkyloo
October 31, 2011Oooh! Sounds like a fun Halloween at your place—and I’m betting at least some of those chocolate bars were Cadbury!
Mindy
October 31, 2011I hope I can get some Disneyland fireworks shots as part of my wedding package … hint hint …. lol
lurkyloo
October 31, 2011LOL! I would loooove to see the Roots’ take on the standard Disneyland fireworks, cuz they’re so much better than the Magic Kingdom’s!
Mindy
October 31, 2011Wow! Amazing fireworks shots!
lurkyloo
October 31, 2011Seriously… I need to be plastering my house in those too!