Disney's Happiest Haunts Tour (and a Dream Hour at Disneyland) October 7th, 2008

[Aladdin]

Next on the tour was Candy Corn Acres. We were told the history of Candy Corn, and how Trick or Treating originated with a not so happy start.





Our Guide also had some stories about the Jack O'lantern,



Our special Keys on our lanyard allowed us entrance into Disneyland.



She also stopped to mention that last year, hundreds of pumpkins were used to make the floral Mickey. She then looked at this years version and said: "Someone must have forgotten to go to the pumpkin patch this year."



We stopped near the castle and heard about oftentimes goblins will disguise themselves as children in Fantasyland. She also talked about the origin of bobbing for apples, and talked about her friend "Snow White step Mom" who was once fairest of the land. She wasn't a villain. Just misunderstood. ( Hahahaha. Love that little twist in the style of the Wicked Musical!)



Someone pointed out a yellow and white cat that was walking on this fence (I was too slow with the camera) near the castle. Our guide said, at least it wasn't a black cat.



Our next stop was at Snow White's Scary Adventure. Our guide told everyone to be nice to the Queen in the window above, and wave to her - she might just have something nice for us at the end of the tour.





Then we got to go someplace that a DL geek, like myself truely appreciated! We got to go a little ways up the stairs to the old Skyway location! Here she told us how years ago guests used to hear strange sounds as the skyway went through the Matterhorn, and occassionally an unusual sighting. Our guide told us the guest really shouldn't have been so scared, it was only the Friendly Yeti, trying to get a Churro!




At this point our guide noticed our Ghost hunter guide down below. She said she had a surprise for our Ghost hunter guide, and not to mention who had been leading the tour.

Our original ghost hunter guide leads us over to Big Thunder, and talks to us about the headless horseman. In the meantime, we could see our other guide sneaking up behind, with a suprise.









This little prank has our ghost hunter guide screaming and running away.



We then head over to Big Thunder, and



Learn a little more about this train that runs through the mountain, without an engineer.



We do board the attraction for a quick spin through the haunted moutain



We also stop at the display in Frontierland for Day of the Dead, with some more info about the history of that holiday



Next we make a short stop near Pirates, and hear a story about Lafitte had spent some time in the Haunted Mansion, and how he dug tunnel over to the island, where a Pirates Lair has been recently discovered, we also hear a little about Black Beard. Then our guide asks if we have seen the cursed treasure in Pirates. As several of us said Yes, she said, oh we need to take care of that, and leads us to outside the 2nd story window of the Voo doo priestess that is chanting back in New Orleans square.

Then we head over to the Court of Angels. Where our Ghost Hunter guide surprises our other guide this time. As she leaves, she says she will see us one more time, before the tour is over










Our ghost hunter guide reveals some information to us about the person that just left. And says we should head over to the Haunted Mansion to track her down.



I don't want to give away all of the tour here, but let me just say, that if you tour the Haunted Mansion with this group, you may just find yourself tuned in better with the spirits, and you may just have an additional sighting!



And some people here at Mice Chat have asked if a certain something has returned this year. Sure enough, look closely in this picture and you will see it! (Just in case you can't see it here, I've got a close up in the next picture.)



Yes, the Monkey Bride has returned!



After the tour, our original guide says that basket was left with our other host, by Snow's Step Mom.






A Cinnimon Candy Coated apple for each of us.



Overall, I would say the tour is fun (albeit a little corny at times) The guide who appeared after we got off the Tower of Terror did a really good job.

Some of the Halloween stories, origin of things associated with Halloween were ok, and added variety, but the stories I enjoyed most were those that incorporated the Attractions. They also talked about Disney Cartoons like The Skeleton Dance, and the first time Halloween appeared in any cartoon, with Huey Dewy and Louie.

It really is a nice addition to the other tours that DL does, and it adds a nice variation to the other tours, that this one is not a repeat of what the other tours do.

They were really great at making sure that the little girl in our tour felt included and wasn't scared. Even though mostly adults were on the tour, if kids are at least 7 or 8, with a good attention span, this might be a good tour for them as well.

The way the two host "traded off" with each other did keep the tour interesting, and added to the fun. Hopefully they will fine tune the Ghost Hunter character a little. And the dead pan 2nd host really kept things interesting.

Hopefully they will do some fine tuning to the tour. ( Hospitality Room with out beverages? Not even a water cooler???, How about a Certificate with the Rules from "Ghost Relations", Loved them tieing in the attractions with some of the stories, would like more of a background story for how Pirates is linked to the HM, how about more of a background story of Constance -even though we dont see her this time of year, and the story for ToT and the items in the case just didn't make sense, give more of a background story for ToT, don't talk about some of the favorite previous episodes) Those are all things that could improve the tour, but I really do like the main story of the tour with the two hosts. It would also be nice if there was a special effect used exclusively for this tour - rumor has it that there was going to be more - maybe they can work it out for next year.


The tour ended just before park closing at 8pm, so I started heading to Festival Arena, for the extra hour. The line was almost all the way down to old location of the McD's fry Wagon. I barely got in to Festival arena, when they asked Mickey and Minnie to announce DL was open for the extra hour. We could hear the "Disney Radio" type music playing while we were in line.

They also announce which handful of attractions would not be open (surprised that Haunted Mansion would NOT be open for the magic hour)



I headed to Peter Pan First, Then Big Thunder, Pirates was next, primarily because I wanted to get a picture of the Donkey and the Dog have FINALLY been reunited!!!!!!!



Then with just a few minutes left, I headed over to Nemo, as the last attraction for the night. Even though the line was short, not too many subs were running so it did take a little while to board.

Heading down Main Street, they still had the Music going, however the shops were all closed, and the sevice lights were on. not exactly a good show. They really should have left the ice cream shop and the Emporium open for the extra hour guests. But since they are just about done with this whole dream thing, that suggestion will probably fall on deaf ears. Not even World of Disney was open when leaving DL.

Mickey winked as we departed



And you always have to look back for one more glimpse of the castle.

[Legally Brunette]

Very cool TR! Thanks for the peak at the extra hour dream. That looks fun.

[Aladdin]

Just testing, this thread should be open.

[pratt55]

Whoa, that is weird I thought I posted in here earlier about what a great report it was and that I was jealous that you stayed an extra day, did the tour and got the magic hour pass. So anyway I'm still jealous but glad it worked out for you because you deserve it.

[Aladdin]

Yeah, Lisa, something BiZaRrO happened to this thread! Maybe a ghost DID follow me home, and attempted to send this threaed to the TwIliGhT zOnE?!?!?!?!

[SeaWolf38]

MGB were there for the Extra Hour Party, too, and Haunted Mansion WAS open, but most ppl didn't know it because the DJ said it was closed. She and I were heading to Splash, when we passed HMH and the lady out front said they were wide open! Fun riding it with barely any people on!

Aladdin, do you get a private tour of the HM or something with that tour? And the same w/ the ToT?

[RumRunner31]

Originally Posted by SeaWolf38

Aladdin, do you get a private tour of the HM or something with that tour? And the same w/ the ToT?

I can answer that one; I wouldn't say it's a private tour of either, but at ToT your guide escorts you through the entire queue (whether you're riding or not) and points out artifacts of interest, and you get your own private library room and elevator. At HM, your guide gives you as much background story as is official per WDI, then you get your own private lobby and stretching room, and you see a special ghost in the mansion once you're in the buggies.

[BFJen]

Thanks for the great report! Sounds like so much more fun than the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour!!

[SeaWolf38]

Originally Posted by RumRunner31

I can answer that one; I wouldn't say it's a private tour of either, but at ToT your guide escorts you through the entire queue (whether you're riding or not) and points out artifacts of interest, and you get your own private library room and elevator. At HM, your guide gives you as much background story as is official per WDI, then you get your own private lobby and stretching room, and you see a special ghost in the mansion once you're in the buggies.

Very neat! Special ghost, huh? Would that be the monkey bride Aladdin pointed out?

[aashee]

Great report Aladdin! Glad to see it opened back up. This is actually a great idea for Birthday and Christmas presents for Disney freaks.

Thanks for the pictures and the great detail in explaining it!

[WheresMickey]

Great report! I was always wondering about this tour.

[jackskeleton1015]

Hey did you get the dream fastpasses

Or what is this magic hour thing help please curious

[Aladdin]

Originally Posted by SeaWolf38

MGB were there for the Extra Hour Party, too, and Haunted Mansion WAS open, but most ppl didn't know it because the DJ said it was closed. She and I were heading to Splash, when we passed HMH and the lady out front said they were wide open! Fun riding it with barely any people on!

Aladdin, do you get a private tour of the HM or something with that tour? And the same w/ the ToT?

Just to add to what Rumrunner said, We did go through ToT and HM during normal operating hours, and our guide leads us through the Fast Past Line - to get us to the front of the line. For Snow White, we went through the regular line, but there were only a few people in the line. For Big Thunder we entered through the exit, to get on a train.

For the extra hour, you had to have one of the lanyards that were handed out during the day (I got one getting off the Matterhorn and some were handed out at the castle later in the day). I was going to see if HM was really closed or not, But once I got out of Pirates, I had to make a quick trek over to Nemo, since I wanted to get on that befor the hour was up. Interesting to know that the HM was actually open during the extra hour.

Originally Posted by jackskeleton1015

Hey did you get the dream fastpasses

Or what is this magic hour thing help please curious

[twobluestripes]

I didn't know the donkey and the dog were back!!! What wonderful news!!!

[SeaWolf38]

[quote=Aladdin;3187624

For the extra hour, you had to have one of the lanyards that were handed out during the day (I got one getting off the Matterhorn and some were handed out at the castle later in the day). I was going to see if HM was really closed or not, But once I got out of Pirates, I had to make a quick trek over to Nemo, since I wanted to get on that befor the hour was up. Interesting to know that the HM was actually open during the extra hour.[/quote]

Yea, it was a complete surprise to us. We managed to get 4 rides in, so it was a well-used hour for us haha.