You’re writing a TR? Really? (Christmas at POR, 2010)

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Chapter 5 – Day 2

- Part-4: “TSM - Take two… Slow-mo camera ready… Action!”

It’s a good thing we like the details. It’s the little extras that make Disney one of the most surprising and entertaining destinations imaginable. There are more details built into to Toy Story Mania then you can “Shake Your Money Maker” at. Good thing too, ‘cause, we were going to have time to take them in. When we got back around to TSM, the wait was actually down a bit. It was still 90 minutes, but that was down from a while ago, and although it had only been just a smack over an hour since rope drop, they were also completely out of fast-passes. If we’re riding, then we’re standing. And so we do. The line does move pretty continuously which helps, but it was still long. Bad for me, good for you in as much as we had plenty of time to take pictures (of the queue that is). Once you walk through the door, you are magically shrink down to “toy-size” and the entire queue is presented (quiet effectively) from this perspective.

This is called “Standing”. We’d be doing a lot of this today.

As is true with longer queue waits, you will encounter all kinds of people and situations. Something about a long line will bring out the impatience and at times out right arrogance of some folks. This is an unfortunate truth, but it is a truth. We’ve all seen the various manifestations of this reality. At one point, some of the younger adults ahead of us decided to clime up onto the railings to get a better view of how the line was moving ahead of them. This resulted in what for me was the quote of the trip, when one of the CMs had to call out: “Please don’t climb on Andy’s toys… Thank you.”

Here’s what those of us that stayed on the ground were able to see:

Finally we get onboard our chariot and head out into shooting gallery land. The best part of the ride is when the cart zooms off from one lo-cal to the next (IMHO). The video game aspect of the ride is entertaining, but not being a gamer myself, it just isn’t the “end-all, beat-all” that most of the younger crowd makes it out to be. As for the final score… Surface it to say, Max beat us (but not by anywhere near as much as he had hoped to). As for the score of the ride itself… It’s a lot of fun and I’ll do it again, but I won’t be waiting over an hour again. It’s cool, but not that cool. Once the new wares off it and the wait and pass times get more reasonable, then I’ll be back. But I’m glad I did get to do it while were down there this time around.

 

[afwdwfan]

sleeping is often fitful and at times illusive (except when aided by shear exhaustion).

...or Nyquil

{Did I mention that she married “stubborn” and then gave birth to “even more stubborn”? She really deserves you’re sympathy.} Basically, the boys took the forecasters at their word. We should not have done that.

Well, she won't get that much sympathy... she said "yes" to one and is half responsible for the other one.

First, if we wanted to ride anything today, we’d be standing in line for a while. Second, it was cold!

Never a good way to start the day. But at least it is in Disney!

It’s a good thing we like the details. It’s the little extras that make Disney one of the most surprising and entertaining destinations imaginable. There are more details built into to Toy Story Mania then you can “Shake Your Money Maker” at. Good thing too, ‘cause, we were going to have time to take them in.

Well, that is one good thing. I hate how long the standby line always is for TSM, but if I'm going to wait in a standby line, that's always a good one to wait in. I love the detail in all the oversize toys. It is always fun to look at them. It's just that I could look at them for about 15 minutes and I'd be good to go.

As is true with longer queue waits, you will encounter all kinds of people and situations. Something about a long line will bring out the impatience and at times out right arrogance of some folks.

Not everybody though. I always enjoy the ones who say "hi" or give you a high 5 as you pass them every few minutes in a queue.

Once the new wares off it and the wait and pass times get more reasonable, then I’ll be back. But I’m glad I did get to do it while were down there this time around.

Maybe that will happen now that Star Tours 2 is up and running. The problem is still that this is really the "only" high profile ride in DHS without a height limit though. They really need to add another good family ride there.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Andy,
Thanks for following along. I love your commentary
(you’re doing a good job of keeping me honest).

---Quote
sleeping is often fitful and at times illusive (except when aided by shear exhaustion).
---End Quote---

...or Nyquil

Good point. Note to self: “Bring Nyquil (not the OTC stuff, but the “real stuff” that you have to sign for )

---Quote
{Did I mention that she married “stubborn” and then gave birth to “even more stubborn”? She really deserves you’re sympathy.} Basically, the boys took the forecasters at their word. We should not have done that.
---End Quote---

Well, she won't get that much sympathy... she said "yes" to one and is half responsible for the other one.

Another good point, but I don’t think it’s in my best interest to play that particular card very often.

---Quote First, if we wanted to ride anything today, we’d be standing in line for a while. Second, it was cold!
---End Quote---

Never a good way to start the day. But at least it is in Disney!

Just being at Disney always makes things bearable. A “bad” day in “The World” still beats out my best day at work. The crowds were a bit tough to deal with, but the few days on either side of Christmas are an extreme exception. I’ve generally had to travel during peek times at the parks, but this crowd was surprisingly large. It certainly beat out the times I’ve been on site during spring break and even Memorial Day. I’ve never been in the parks during Independence Day, but I suspect that it’s similar. Oh wait… there was one other day that was even more crowded then this one and I’ll be talking about it in Chapter-6 (I think that what they call foreshadowing ).

---Quote
As is true with longer queue waits, you will encounter all kinds of people and situations. Something about a long line will bring out the impatience and at times out right arrogance of some folks.
---End Quote---

Not everybody though. I always enjoy the ones who say "hi" or give you a high 5 as you pass them every few minutes in a queue.

Also true. The way I wrote that does focus on the negative (simply because the negative tends to stand out in our minds ). It’s better to dwell on the positive, and there is certainly more positive interaction with other guests. I’ve had more really great conversations with complete strangers while waiting in a long line then I can count.

---Quote Once the new wares off it and the wait and pass times get more reasonable, then I’ll be back. But I’m glad I did get to do it while were down there this time around.
---End Quote---

Maybe that will happen now that Star Tours 2 is up and running. The problem is still that this is really the "only" high profile ride in DHS without a height limit though. They really need to add another good family ride there.

Bingo!!! You put your finger directly on the problem. The Star Tours reopen will help, but they do need more young’en friendly “rides” (as opposed to attractions) in that park. Hopefully they realize this and we’ll be seeing new magic in the near.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Man, Rob, you're updating so fast it's making my head spin! Rather than multi-quoting several posts, I'll just try and catch up with some odds and ends...

First off, good call on avoiding crowds and spending some time wandering the resorts to see the Christmas decorations. I hope to do that someday. It's one reason why I favor staying on-property--the resorts themselves are part of the magic and atmosphere of Disney World.

So does the gingerbread house actually sell some gingerbread? Because that would be awful hard to smell it and not be able to eat any.

Looks like a great seat at Ohana. Sorry the meal wasn't quite up to snuff. I haven't tried that one out yet...do you think I should?

Your story on not dressing properly for the weather sounds like a . Don'tcha hate giving the DW ammo like that? On the plus side, you have a cool new Disney jacket!

90 minute wait... I do agree that the TSM queue is pretty cool, though. And I totally agree with Andy on the need for more family-friendly rides at DHS. I'm sure Star Tours will help quite a bit--that'll be popular for a while. But increasing the options for families would be a huge help.

 

[afwdwfan]

I’ve never been in the parks during Independence Day, but I suspect that it’s similar.

Been there, done that. I think it was in 1994, I would have been about 12 when we were there and we were in a pattern of going every 4 years or so. We spent Independence Day in EPCOT that year. The main thing that sticks out in my mind about crowds from that year is how short it seemed like the lines were by comparison when we went back the last week of July in 1998! It really felt like there was nobody there compared to what I remembered from our trip before that.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Man, Rob, you're updating so fast it's making my head spin! Rather than multi-quoting several posts, I'll just try and catch up with some odds and ends...

Yah… I am moving kind’a fast. There are two things going on here. One is that I’ve given myself the challenge of trying to finish this one up before we head off on the next adventure. The other one is that although I’m not a veteran writer by any means, I’m just having way too much fun putting this monster together. I’m sort of turning into Dr Frankenstein and the TR seems to be my latest creation. Thanks for trying to follow along. I really do like hearing the input, opinions and even the digs and jabs that often show up from time to time (although y’all have been pretty easy on me so far).

First off, good call on avoiding crowds and spending some time wandering the resorts to see the Christmas decorations. I hope to do that someday. It's one reason why I favor staying on-property--the resorts themselves are part of the magic and atmosphere of Disney World.

Agreed (emphatically)! We’ve always felt that this was true. As such, we’re planning to take that conviction to the next level. after we get back from cursing on the Dream next month, we’re heading over to the Wilderness Lodge for a couple of days without park tickets! I believe that this will be one of our best stays on property, but I’ll certainly let you know how it turns out.

So does the gingerbread house actually sell some gingerbread? Because that would be awful hard to smell it and not be able to eat any.

They most certainly do (right out of one of the windows in the house) And as someone that has a particular affinity for anything with ginger in it, I’ll tell you that it’s pretty dang good stuff as well. There is also a smaller version of this in the American Adventure area of the World Showcase and they will sell you some as well.

Looks like a great seat at Ohana. Sorry the meal wasn't quite up to snuff. I haven't tried that one out yet...do you think I should?

I would say… Yes. Nearly every review I’ve ever read raves about Ohana, and everything else about our outing there was excellent. They only missed on one part of a multi course meal (an important one, but only one). I intend to try it again the next time I’m on property and have the dinning plan built into the reservation (just to make sure that I give them a fair shake).

Your story on not dressing properly for the weather sounds like a . Don'tcha hate giving the DW ammo like that? On the plus side, you have a cool new Disney jacket!

And it’s an excellent jacket as well. As for ammo… I mess up on such a regular bases that she has to kick all the rest of the ammo out of the way just to find a specific one to whack me with. The best part of that (for me) is that for some reason, even with all the openings I leave her, she rarely ever beats on me for my foibles. I have no clue how on earth I succeeded in finding that girl.

90 minute wait... I do agree that the TSM queue is pretty cool, though. And I totally agree with Andy on the need for more family-friendly rides at DHS. I'm sure Star Tours will help quite a bit--that'll be popular for a while. But increasing the options for families would be a huge help.

Yep. That’s a definite need. So… What should we tell them to build next over at HS? Hummmm….

Been there, done that. I think it was in 1994, I would have been about 12 when we were there and we were in a pattern of going every 4 years or so. We spent Independence Day in EPCOT that year. The main thing that sticks out in my mind about crowds from that year is how short it seemed like the lines were by comparison when we went back the last week of July in 1998! It really felt like there was nobody there compared to what I remembered from our trip before that.

After Max gets out of school and we go down there in October or March, I suspect that the difference will likely make us faint. The folks that can travel during those time frames are spoiled indeed.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Chapter 5 – Day 2

- Part-5: “Catching the limo…”

Once we were magically transformed back into regular sized humans and finally emerged form TSM, it was just about time to make use of the passes for the Rock n Roller Coaster. Good thing the HS is not all that large. You can easily traverse the entire park without really working up a sweat (in the winter that is). The RRC is one of the attractions that Tamara has chosen to skip. She’s done it before, but wasn’t really in the mood this time around. I felt bad about her having to wait on us, but she insisted that we go on. {Did I tell you that I married way above my level? Well I did. W-a-y above…} Anyway, its off into the studios of G-Force Records we go…

Once we’ve successfully made it to the show on time (again) we were all ready for a nosh and something to beat off the wet cold that was still just dominating the day. So we headed over to the Starring Rolls Cafe for a couple of pastries, two coffees and a latté (I’ll let you decide who had what). Actually it was getting close to our lunch time reservation, but we all felt that the hot drinks were a definite must at that point in the day.

So… Now what? Well by this time we’d determined that every ride that had a fast pass option was pretty much out of them. So the queue waits were going to be rather trying. We’ll… Most of them that is. The line for the Great Movie Ride hasn’t been long for a number of years. That’s partly because it’s the oldest attraction in the park, and most folks consider it to be… Well… Honestly…. Lame. But it’s one of the first things Max ever had the opportunity to ride (way back in his kindergarten days), so we have a little bit of a soft spot for that old hack. It also happens to house one of the better Hidden Mickeys in the parks. It’s buried in the clouds of the mural painted on the wall inside the loading area for the ride. I’ll try to take a picture next time I’m down that-a-way. In the mean time, you’ll just have to search for it yourself (I’ll just be over yonder in the gift shop looking over all of the cool Disney-Villains paraphernalia and waiting on my dinner ressie, so you can just come on over and get me once you’ve found it).

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Chapter 5 – Day 2

- Part-6: “Dinner and a Spectacle”

Dinner time! Not supper, dinner. We have a bit of a hard time deciding where to grab a meal at Hollywood studios. All the counter service is fairly good, but some of the signature restaurants here are not at the top of our list. Folks rave about Mama Melrose’s, but we just weren’t pleased with either the food or service here. The Sci Fi Diner is a lot of fun and gets high marks for theaming, but the food is only so-so. One of these days we need to try the Brown Derby, but at the cost of two DP credits, it wasn’t going to be this time around. There is one spot that is a pretty consistent winner though. The 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Form the décor, to the servers, to the comfort food, to the admonishments to keep you’re elbows off the table, I just like this place.

Here’s a few pictures from the living room:

Now that I’d devoured some meatloaf, veggies and cobbler, it was time to get into another of our families’ favorite attractions. “Jones!!!” I’m pretty sure we’ve seen the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” every time we’ve ever gone to Hollywood Studios (or MGM as the case may be). It’s a good place to rest the feet, and nice long show with a fairly engaging preshow, and highly entertaining to boot. We were down pretty low in the theater (although off to one side) so I took the opportunity to take a few snapshots of the action (as they actually allow it). These ain’t what you’d call: “professional”, but you can at least get the idea of what was going on.

 

[Wherem I Now]

I've only eaten at 50's Prime Time once but it really is a great experience!

Indiana Jones is still an awesome show even after so many years and knowing how everything works. It's really cool how the theater goes from the closed in, dark feel to being outdoors when they pull the first set away.

 

[afwdwfan]

Enjoyed the updates. Hard to multi quote and pick on you though since it is picture heavy.

I love Rock 'n Rollercoaster. That's a ride that I can't get enough of.

The Great Movie Ride is a classic and I enjoy it now, but I remember riding it for the first time when I was little after MGM just opened. It scared the Beverly out of me. I didn't like the cowboy or the alien. It gave me nightmares.

Love 50's diner. Great food and fun atmosphere. Hard to go wrong with that choice.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Enjoyed the updates. Hard to multi quote and pick on you though since it is picture heavy.

Yah… I did get a little carried away with the pictures. It’d be different if I were a really good photographer, but I’m just your run-of-the-mill snapshot collector. I’ll try to be a little more judicious about the number of images posted beyond what’s really necessary to convey the point at hand.

I love Rock 'n Rollercoaster. That's a ride that I can't get enough of.

Me Tooooooooooooooooooooooooo…
Could ride that one a-l-l... d-a-y... l-o-n-g...

Indiana Jones is still an awesome show even after so many years and knowing how everything works. It's really cool how the theater goes from the closed in, dark feel to being outdoors when they pull the first set away.

It never seems to get old. And I have to agree on the first set change. When they strike the temple scene and the sunlight floods into the theater, the entire experience changes dramatically. Even though I’ve seen it enough to quote some of the dialogue, there are almost always a few folks sitting around you that have never seen it and will gasp in all the right spots (especially at the point where the “audience plant” gets slugged by our heroin).

The Great Movie Ride is a classic and I enjoy it now, but I remember riding it for the first time when I was little after MGM just opened. It scared the Beverly out of me. I didn't like the cowboy or the alien. It gave me nightmares.

Max had a similar reaction to it. I think he was six the first time he encountered the “Alien” section of the ride. That might be why he still likes it. Now each trip back, he gets more and more of the references and scenes as his range of experience and backlog of movies seen keeps expanding. What is also fun (since we already know the story line) is to spend the ride trying to find the hidden Disney references and other movie references buried within the thing. Stuff like the names on some of the business’s windows is a few of the scenes or the hidden Star Wars references in the Egyptian Temple area.

I've only eaten at 50's Prime Time once but it really is a great experience!

Love 50's diner. Great food and fun atmosphere. Hard to go wrong with that choice.

We’ve been to the 50’s diner several times. Must agree that it’s consistently good. The discovery on this trip was the Fried Chicken. That’s what Max ordered this time around (as he’s finally becoming more adventurous in his old age and branching out for his usual burger requirements). Anyway, the chicken was some of the best I’ve tasted anywhere, and being a southerner, I tried lots of variations on the theme. We were very surprised by that in particular and I may have to have more then just a bite the next time I’m back over there.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

The RRC is one of the attractions that Tamara has chosen to skip. She’s done it before, but wasn’t really in the mood this time around. I felt bad about her having to wait on us, but she insisted that we go on. {Did I tell you that I married way above my level? Well I did. W-a-y above…}

As did we all, my friend. Sounds like a good woman.

The line for the Great Movie Ride hasn’t been long for a number of years. That’s partly because it’s the oldest attraction in the park, and most folks consider it to be… Well… Honestly…. Lame.

It also happens to house one of the better Hidden Mickeys in the parks. It’s buried in the clouds of the mural painted on the wall inside the loading area for the ride. I’ll try to take a picture next time I’m down that-a-way. In the mean time, you’ll just have to search for it yourself (I’ll just be over yonder in the gift shop looking over all of the cool Disney-Villains paraphernalia and waiting on my dinner ressie, so you can just come on over and get me once you’ve found it).

No, please, come along and point it out to me. I insist.

There is one spot that is a pretty consistent winner though. The 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Form the décor, to the servers, to the comfort food, to the admonishments to keep you’re elbows off the table, I just like this place.

Excellent choice. I haven't tried them all, but this place became one of my favorite restaurants at WDW. Loved everything about it. Especially the fried chicken, which I see you raved about as well.

I’m pretty sure we’ve seen the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” every time we’ve ever gone to Hollywood Studios (or MGM as the case may be). It’s a good place to rest the feet, and nice long show with a fairly engaging preshow, and highly entertaining to boot.

Great show. I might be biased because it's based on my favorite movie ever, but that show never gets old to me.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

As did we all, my friend. Sounds like a good woman.

You better believe it. I’m still at a loss to figure out just how I succeeded in snagging this one (much less understand why she ain’t kicked my tail to the curb yet)

No, please, come along and point it out to me. I insist.

Excellent choice. I haven't tried them all, but this place became one of my favorite restaurants at WDW. Loved everything about it. Especially the fried chicken, which I see you raved about as well.

The chicken took me totally off guard. Most restaurants fowl up this simple dish (and often spectacularly so). So I was shocked when Max ordered that and it turned out as good as it was.

Great show. I might be biased because it's based on my favorite movie ever, but that show never gets old to me.

Agreed and for pretty much the same reason. The first and third Indy movies are hard to beat for shear adventure and entertainment.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Chapter 5 – Day 2

- Part-7: “Other Sorts of Spectacles”

After making our way out of the Indy Theater, we decided to head over to the Tower of Terror to see what the wait time would end up being. Granted it is on the other side of the park, but as I’ve said before, at HS, that’s really not all that far. Once we get back down to the end of the boulevard though, the stand-by line turned out to be running 90ish minutes or better. It was time to discuss the pros and cons. The ToT is one of the better attractions but there are some folks that simply can’t bring themselves to get on the thing. My DW fits into that category. Neither she nor I are very fond of freefalls, but I don’t mind them when there is the force of speed involved (thus converting the fall into a dive). The tower doesn’t actually let you drop. Rather it pulls you down so you don’t notice the weightlessness so much, but it’s still more then Tamara really wants to deal with. Needless to say, that leaves the decision to the guys and I deferred to my son. He’s ridden it many times before, and knows that we’ll be coming back, so this time around, the wait was just more then he really wanted to deal with (especially after the long stand for TSM).

Now what? Well, we decided to head back over to the Streets of America section on the park and see what was going on. On the way over there we rummaged around a few of the shops (just to be sure there wasn’t something that we desperately needed). At the corner of the New York street, there is a spot called the Writers shop that is sort of a book store themed gift shop that also sells coffee, muffins, cookies and such. I figured that if there was anywhere on property that I might just be able to find a new pair of reading spectacles (to replace those lost on Expedition Everest), this would be the place. But, alas... No such luck (the cookies were good though). Well the next nearest attraction in the area was “Muppet Vision 3D” (another of our favorites), so we decided to take in the show. We got there just at they were closing the door for the beginning on the next load-in. But that wait would only be a few minutes before they opened them back up again, se we hung around.

A few minutes latter, they let us on in. Being at the fount of the line, we got to get a good look at the preshow area (which looks a lot like this)

…and we also got to take in the entire pre-show, which is good because the Muppets put on one of the best pre-shows of any attraction at WDW. Another bonus for being at the head of the queue was that at least this time around, we wouldn’t have to fight so hard for a seat in the theater. Additionally, it allowed us to sit on the front row for once. Being down there adds a different dimension to the experience. Truth be told, where you sit in any of the “3D” theaters has no effect on the 3D experience (which a lot of folks refuse to believe no matter how you plead with them to just move on down the row and let everyone else have a seat), but it does effect your view of the animatronics that go along with the film (it was particularly fun to watch the penguins in the pit-orchestra).

Once the folks at Muppet Labs had succeeded in blowing up the entire theater (again), we walked down toward the Lights, Motors, Action show, but we’d already missed the start of the last performance for that one (maybe next time). But we weren’t too upset. The sun had set by then and it was time to take in a very different type of spectacle.

One that only shows up during the holidays…

 

[afwdwfan]

He’s ridden it many times before, and knows that we’ll be coming back, so this time around, the wait was just more then he really wanted to deal with (especially after the long stand for TSM).

I love ToT but I don't think that's a ride that I would wait 90 min for either.

At the corner of the New York street, there is a spot called the Writers shop that is sort of a book store themed gift shop that also sells coffee, muffins, cookies and such. I figured that if there was anywhere on property that I might just be able to find a new pair of reading spectacles (to replace those lost on Expedition Everest), this would be the place. But, alas... No such luck (the cookies were good though).

They also sell some delicious fruity flavored frozen drinks that taste fantastic during the heat of the day. Why didn't you try one of those?????

…and we also got to take in the entire pre-show, which is good because the Muppets put on one of the best pre-shows of any attraction at WDW.

Truth be told, where you sit in any of the “3D” theaters has no effect on the 3D experience (which a lot of folks refuse to believe no matter how you plead with them to just move on down the row and let everyone else have a seat)

What? You want me to move from the middle of the row? Do you have any idea how much money I spent to be here?
Oh, really, you spent that much too?
Well, it cost me a lot of money to be here and I'm going to sit where I want to!!!

Sorry, just made me think about your negative guest interactions comments in the last updates.

Once the folks at Muppet Labs had succeeded in blowing up the entire theater (again)

You'd think that they have a bunch of DIS Dads working there. Speaking of which, I wonder if they're hiring?

One that only shows up during the holidays…

Awesome!


I like your laidback touring approach. I just hope that I can slow down to stop and smell the roses when we go. I tend to want to do everything multiple times when I get the opporunity to go my one time every 3 to 10 years.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

They also sell some delicious fruity flavored frozen drinks that taste fantastic during the heat of the day. Why didn't you try one of those?????

No clue. I must have been having a senior moment.

What? You want me to move from the middle of the row? Do you have any idea how much money I spent to be here?
Oh, really, you spent that much too?
Well, it cost me a lot of money to be here and I'm going to sit where I want to!!!

Sorry, just made me think about your negative guest interactions comments in the last updates.

Oh, just wait until we get over to MK in the next chapter.

I’m one of those folks that try really hard to just go with the flow and not get in anyone’s face about minor things (like common courtesy, or consideration ). As such, I’ve gotten stepped on a few times in my life.

You'd think that they have a bunch of DIS Dads working there. Speaking of which, I wonder if they're hiring?

Good question. I’m pretty sure I could work for Dr Honeydew. I’ve got a lot of experience with things that go mightily wrong and/or blow up in your face.

I like your laidback touring approach. I just hope that I can slow down to stop and smell the roses when we go. I tend to want to do everything multiple times when I get the opporunity to go my one time every 3 to 10 years.

Oh,believe you, me… There are many things I’d ride all day long if given the opportunity, and we’ve made many trips that were very heavy on rides. But… Christmas is a different situation. We’ve been down to WDW enough times now that we can justify skipping even a major attraction from time to time. And yet, even though we’ve been able to go relatively often, I can never be certain that I can pull that off (I’ve just been very lucky so far). The only reason I haven’t tried to buy into DVC is that for nearly ten years now, I just can’t guarantee that I’ll have gainful employment beyond the end of the week (and that’s a long time to be under constant stress for the same reason). We like the Disney experience so much that as a family, we’ll purposely do without a lot of other things in order to justify the extra cost of a trip to The World, but I also need to have the option of canceling it at the last minute.

I really could use that job at Muppets Labs… If I could survive the random explosions, the work would likely be far more stable

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I've been falling horribly behind on all of the TRs that I've been following, so this morning I sat down and plowed through all of your updates, all the way back to where I left off at Animal Kingdom. You're doing a great job - hopefully I can keep up now!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I've been falling horribly behind on all of the TRs that I've been following, so this morning I sat down and plowed through all of your updates, all the way back to where I left off at Animal Kingdom. You're doing a great job - hopefully I can keep up now!

Thank you Master… ...I try.

High praise indeed... Seriously, I’m just honored that anyone even subscribed. Andy has been doing a really good job of keeping me honest though (and I appreciate it ).

I’ve been reading along with you’re Houston TR but haven’t posted anything so I can’t even think about complaining when it comes to the number of posts anyone else has on my little effort. This tells me that I need to get out of the shadows a bit more and join in on the conversations (which is part of what I’m doing with this trip report in the first place). Considering the normal way that the DisDads generally go about hijacking a TR, I figure that either A: I’m moving too fast, B: y’all are being kind to the first timer, or C: the bulk of you haven’t found this one yet. I suspect the serious hazing is on its way.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

The ToT is one of the better attractions but there are some folks that simply can’t bring themselves to get on the thing. My DW fits into that category. Neither she nor I are very fond of freefalls, but I don’t mind them when there is the force of speed involved (thus converting the fall into a dive). The tower doesn’t actually let you drop. Rather it pulls you down so you don’t notice the weightlessness so much, but it’s still more then Tamara really wants to deal with.

Really? I'd say I noticed it quite a bit.

Once again, your DW is a good woman.

Well the next nearest attraction in the area was “Muppet Vision 3D” (another of our favorites), so we decided to take in the show.

The Muppets are great! Have you seen the trailer for their new movie?

…and we also got to take in the entire pre-show, which is good because the Muppets put on one of the best pre-shows of any attraction at WDW.

The pre-show is like a bonus attraction.

Another bonus for being at the head of the queue was that at least this time around, we wouldn’t have to fight so hard for a seat in the theater.

And you didn't have to crop-dust anybody as you climb over them, either! Come to think of it, maybe that's a drawback.

Once the folks at Muppet Labs had succeeded in blowing up the entire theater (again), we walked down toward the Lights, Motors, Action show, but we’d already missed the start of the last performance for that one (maybe next time).

Darn. That's a pretty cool show, too.

But we weren’t too upset. The sun had set by then and it was time to take in a very different type of spectacle.

One that only shows up during the holidays…

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Really? I'd say I noticed it quite a bit.

It’s an odd thing, but on this ride, I don’t notice that dead-stomach feeling one usually experiences when you’re dropped and only the acceleration of gravity is pulling at you. It could be that the darkness is keeping me from having a visual frame of reference and preventing my eyes form sending confused signals to my brain (that’s also assuming I actually have something that resembles a brain). But I also noticed that any type of ride that has a lot of speed and force behind it is a lot easier to deal with in general and especially in a drop or any kind of steep down hill.

Once again, your DW is a good woman.

The Muppets are great! Have you seen the trailer for their new movie?

I saw a link for it on the DDC yesterday. I didn’t see it coming at all. Very funny.

The pre-show is like a bonus attraction.

You betch’em Red Rider.

The only preshow that was near as funny was the one for the long gone “Cranium Command” that was in the now defunct Wonders of Life pavilion at EPCOT (but I’m really showing my age here).

And you didn't have to crop-dust anybody as you climb over them, either! Come to think of it, maybe that's a drawback.

I think it’s a drawback. I should have thought about that when I was dealing with this same peanut butter over at the PhilharMagic (but again, I’m getting ahead of myself ).

Darn. That's a pretty cool show, too.

Yep. But, I have seen it many times, and as Arnold would say: “I’ll be back”.