The (Foodie)Force is Strong with Us...a Feb/Mar 2016 trip! THE END - NEW 9/13 Disneyland TR link!

[chunkymonkey]

Looks like a great meal at Be Our Guest. We've only done lunch, but not dinner there - sounds like something to do someday, though.

It's a nice meal but I realize that if I don't get a dinner ADR I won't be too upset since you can enjoy breakfast and lunch there...and they are almost table service in that they bring the food to you!

Very cool that you were still able to zip over to Epcot and catch Illuminations to cap off the night.

I know! It was a good thing we booked an early dinner (5:45pm)

Love that walk back to the Poly from the TTC!

It was great! I thought it would be really long but it wasn't bad at all!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 3 Part 1: I Stumped Kylo Ren!

Today it was February 29th...a leap day! A rare occurrence indeed! I actually know 3 people born on this day, so I wished them all a Happy 10th birthday etc. Yes they are technically my age, hahaha.

Today we were going to DHS for the whole day! I intended this to be a Star Wars-filled day because we were going to check out Launch Bay for the first time, and we had the Symphony in the Stars Fireworks dessert party later that evening! Initially I did not make any ADRs for today because I just wanted to keep it open to fully immerse ourselves in Launch Bay and didn't want to have to rush to make it to any ADRs etc. But in the end I relented a bit and booked a lunch at Sci Fi so it looks like we do have an ADR afterall! Our FP+ for today were TSMM, Indiana Jones, and Star Tours!

We headed to DHS on the bus from the Poly and got there before rope drop. We actually hadn't decided what to do first. I wanted to head straight to Launch Bay but DH wanted to go to TSMM so he could ride it twice today. I reluctantly agreed to this.

When the park opened we all rushed in the same direction. I knew this was going to happen. We ended up on a very long line outside Pixar Place because everyone wanted to go on TSMM too! I knew we should have gone to Launch Bay first! But since the line grew exponentially longer behind us, I guess we felt like we had to wait at this point.

So I took this Photopass picture while waiting. Haha.

Once the line got moving it wasn't so bad and we were inside waiting after 10 minutes. But then it would be another 20 minutes before we actually got to ride. So a 30 minute wait in the early morning was not what I had expected, but oh well.

Here's DH's outfit. We are representing the Light Side and Dark Side today!

I actually beat DH this time! Yay!

Sorry Steve, you were poned.

I was not that hungry yet since I had munched on some granola bars before we left the Poly and so I decided to forgo breakfast for the sake for heading straight to Launch Bay!

I tried to get the stormtroopers to take a picture with me but they were just wandering all over the place and somehow not wandering near me so I was out of luck.

OK, we needed a plan of action for Launch Bay! So you either get on line on the left for the short movie, or the right side led to the interior of Launch Bay which is where the exhibits and meet n greets were. We decided to enter through the right, and head straight for the meet n greets, then come back out and watch the movie and then head back inside for a proper go round. Seemed like a bit of a loopy plan but it definitely was for maximum enjoyment and less about efficiency!

The left side:

The right side:

Oh hello....

This is Rey with BB-8 and her speeder!

I love how the title shot is one of the first things you see as you enter. It really sets the mood! They did a really awesome job with Launch Bay. I will show you all the shots I took of Launch Bay in my next post, but for now, here's all the meet n greets we did!

We headed straight for the Chewbacca line. The time said 30 minutes but we waited about 20. There are some artifacts to see as you wait in line. Across from Chewie was Kylo Ren. His wait was much shorter!

I like how they had the Jedi and Rebellion/Resistance artifacts on the Lightside and the Sith artifacts on the Dark Side.

Our Chewie meet n greet was out of this world!!! He obviously loved DH's t-shirt. DH told him to "Laugh it up, fuzzball!" which made him roar even more. He had somewhat of an issue with my outfit though, but he still gave me a hug.

He's the best!

Laugh it up, fuzzball!

There is still light in me...right?

It was one of the best meet n greets we ever had!! It was just so much fun, the setting was awesome, and the lighting was perfect (I'm a stickler for good light)!

After Chewie, we went over to Kylo Ren whose wait was a lot shorter.

When we entered the room prior to meeting Kylo Ren, Dh saw these buttons on the wall and began pressing them. They didn't actually do anything though.

Our Kylo Ren meet n greet was very different...he was definitely the most intimidating character we've met. He was not too happy with DH and said something about "crushing the resistance".

But since I was wearing my Vader dress, I didn't take any of his nonsense, so I asked him if he "finished what I started." I think he was taken aback because he didn't actually respond to me so I took a selfie instead.

I STUMPED YOU KYLO REN!!

This is what happens when you are weak!

That was actually pretty fun! We checked the time and saw that we were close to our FP+ for TSMM so we decided to head back there, ride TSMM then come back and finish up Launch Bay.

This time DH beat me...hmph.

Then it was back to Launch Bay! This time we got on line and watched the short movie. It was great! Loved the behind the scenes. I wish I watched it more than once.

It was approaching 11am at this point, so we found the line for the Disney Visa meet n greet. I knew it would be Kylo Ren but I hoped it would be Vader. I wonder why they removed him from the Dark side meets. I had hoped at least that the Visa meet n greet be a different character than Kylo Ren. But oh well. The line when we got there was a bit longer than expected. I think everyone headed there right at 11am. I think if we came back we wouldn't have a wait but oh well.

This Kylo Ren meet was a bit different because he didn't talk unlike the one we had just met. He had a bit of a stare down with DH then pointed where we wanted us to stand. In a way it was more intimidating than talking Kylo Ren and all his "crush the resistance" babble!

I really like our picture with this Kylo Ren though.
I call this one: FAMILY PORTRAIT

"The Circle is Complete."

Coming up...a walk-through of Star Wars Launch Bay!


​

 

[bcwife76]

Oh my gosh, those are awesome!!! Staring down Kylo Ren.....awesomeness!!!!!!

I just love Chewie....I'd be inclined to give him a big hug, he still seems like a giant teddy bear to me

Super jelly of your meet n' greets!

 

[dizneeat]

I am officially caught up here. Took me some time, sorry.

I love the Launch Bay update. We never got around to check it out in March (and we didn't give it too high a priority as I had not done enough homework on it) but it definitely will go on our must do list for August.

Thanks for all the photos - shame on me, but I have not seen any of the Star Wars films, but it is awesome to get to know the characters through your pictures.

 

[nenglim]

joining in...

 

[mlegerto]

What a great start to the day! And very fitting that I've read this updated on May the 4th!

 

[cajunfan]

Nice family portrait!

Nice update. I will have to take lots of pictures of Launch Bay since Matt will not be with me on my trip next week.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Oh my gosh, those are awesome!!! Staring down Kylo Ren.....awesomeness!!!!!!

Yeah it was kinda cool how into it these characters were. Plus the setting and the music were really well done so it added to the effect of the meet n greet!

I just love Chewie....I'd be inclined to give him a big hug, he still seems like a giant teddy bear to me

Super jelly of your meet n' greets!

Chewie is the best! Always so huggable! And love how they got the voices and sounds right!

I am officially caught up here. Took me some time, sorry.

Thank you for reading!!

I love the Launch Bay update. We never got around to check it out in March (and we didn't give it too high a priority as I had not done enough homework on it) but it definitely will go on our must do list for August.

Thanks for all the photos - shame on me, but I have not seen any of the Star Wars films, but it is awesome to get to know the characters through your pictures.

Launch Bay is really awesome! They did a great job with it. I'd definitely recommend seeing Star Wars Episodes IV, V, VI and VII. I would skip the prequel Episodes I, II and III as they aren't very good. Just a lot of effects and not much else.

joining in...

Thank you and welcome!

What a great start to the day! And very fitting that I've read this updated on May the 4th!

View attachment 166511

Haha Awesome!! May the 4th be with you!

Nice family portrait!

Thanks! I thought that was very clever. Hehe.

Nice update. I will have to take lots of pictures of Launch Bay since Matt will not be with me on my trip next week.

You're going next week?!?!? JEALOUS. Have a great trip!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Launch Bay is really awesome! They did a great job with it. I'd definitely recommend seeing Star Wars Episodes IV, V, VI and VII. I would skip the prequel Episodes I, II and III as they aren't very good. Just a lot of effects and not much else.

Thank you! I guess I will need to have an extended session of watching all the episodes you recommended, so I "get" it a bit more once we return in August.

 

[GaRain]

I don't know how to do the "quote and answer thing"
Star Wars Races - I would not say I ran....just jogged a bit - did the 5K!

 

[KathyM2]

But since the line grew exponentially longer behind us, I guess we felt like we had to wait at this point.

The line is always so crazy for this...sadly...if you want to go more than once...it's pretty much the only way to do it - ie: get there at RD...

Love your Launch Bay pics...so is it sort of like a really themed character spot?

 

[amalone1013]

Launch Bay is really awesome! They did a great job with it. I'd definitely recommend seeing Star Wars Episodes IV, V, VI and VII. I would skip the prequel Episodes I, II and III as they aren't very good. Just a lot of effects and not much else.

I watched Episodes IV, V, VI in a row on a site day in high school with some friends... About 10 years ago. I also saw VII this winter. DF is trying to tell me we need to watch ALL of then before our trip this summer... I think I'll use this as justification to just watch some

It's funny, because he likes Start Wars, but is not a huge fan as in doesn't even own the movies. Not like his brother, who has every Star Wars book published. DF is similar to me, I liked them when I saw them (though it was a lot to take in in one day-certain things stuck, like Ewoks!), and would watch some again, but I've never gone out of my way to buy them? I make up for it with my own obsessions haha

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I'm typically a lurker, but I've been reading since your Cruise TR, and I just wanted to say how much I love reading your trip reports! I absolutely love how much Star Wars you two incorporated into this trip and it's been such a fun read so far.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Thank you! I guess I will need to have an extended session of watching all the episodes you recommended, so I "get" it a bit more once we return in August.

Nice! I think I'm going to Disneyland in Aug/September I'm curious to see how the Launch Bays and Star Wars stuff in general compare to DHS!

I don't know how to do the "quote and answer thing"
Star Wars Races - I would not say I ran....just jogged a bit - did the 5K!

That's awesome! Do they allow walkers? LOL, because that would be me.

The line is always so crazy for this...sadly...if you want to go more than once...it's pretty much the only way to do it - ie: get there at RD...

Yes unfortunately this was the worst line we encountered in all the parks! I think it was even worse than the standby line for 7DMT. I hope the 3rd track alleviates some of this problem but my feeling tells me that it's not going to by much.

Love your Launch Bay pics...so is it sort of like a really themed character spot?

It is much bigger and more themed than character spot, especially because of all the exhibits, prop replicas, plus the Launch Bay cargo store. You'll see in my next post!

I watched Episodes IV, V, VI in a row on a site day in high school with some friends... About 10 years ago. I also saw VII this winter. DF is trying to tell me we need to watch ALL of then before our trip this summer... I think I'll use this as justification to just watch some

I usually stick to Empire Strikes Back because that is my favorite one! I tend to like middle movies of a trilogy because there is no tedious introduction and ending. I have high hopes for Episode VIII!

It's funny, because he likes Start Wars, but is not a huge fan as in doesn't even own the movies. Not like his brother, who has every Star Wars book published. DF is similar to me, I liked them when I saw them (though it was a lot to take in in one day-certain things stuck, like Ewoks!), and would watch some again, but I've never gone out of my way to buy them? I make up for it with my own obsessions haha

Haha everyone has their interests but it's great that you are aware of Star Wars! I had to educate my sister and give her a crash course before our cruise and our trip because she really had no clue. She watched all the movies over a few days then watched The Force Awakens and then she was ready!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I'm typically a lurker, but I've been reading since your Cruise TR, and I just wanted to say how much I love reading your trip reports! I absolutely love how much Star Wars you two incorporated into this trip and it's been such a fun read so far.

Thank you so much! I love your username BTW. I'm a big GoT fan!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Day 3 Part 2: Star Wars Launch Bay

Happy belated May the 4th to everyone! And happy early Revenge of the Sixth!

Star Wars Launch Bay is like a mini museum of all things Star Wars! In addition to the meet n greets located inside, there are a ton of replica movie props, costumes, weapons, etc. It's definitely a must-do for any Star Wars fan! If you're not a Star Wars fan, I apologize in advance for this picture-heavy post as it really is just from Launch Bay. We loved walking around here, and we visited multiple times throughout our trip!

I showed Rey's speeder in my previous post but here's a closer view of the speeder and BB-8!

Below I believe is Anakin Skywalker's speeder which he used in The Phantom Menace:

And here's the vehicle used in Return of the Jedi on Endor:

There was a section dedicated to the different transports used in the movies. It was very cool to see all the different Imperial and Rebel ships from multiple movies.

Here are ships you don't see often, the B-wing and Y-wing.

Most people are familiar with the X-wing:

And of course, the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy...the Millenium Falcon!

Here are all the Imperial ships and fighter outfits.

Here we come upon the Cantina setting! It's not a full replica of Mos Eisley's but it definitely channels that theme. This was where the Jawas were out in full force.

Watch out! You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy!

A mock bar set up, complete with blue milk! Although I'm sure they would serve an alcoholic version as opposed to the version Luke drank at his Uncle and Aunt's house on Tatooine.

Well, DH is ready to rumble. It's funny, the drinks are bolted to the surface of the bar. No stealing blue milk everybody!

Holo-chess anyone?

The Jawas were there trading/stealing for everyone.

I stole a selfie!!

This little cage near the Cantina had lots of cool old props in it.

In another section you see all the weapons used.

And right before you enter the Launch Bay Cargo Area there was a mini gallery of art which you can purchase. There were also Star Wars books for sale too.

There was a lot of stuff at Launch Bay and we'd come back multiple times on our trip!

Coming up I'll show the Launch Bay Cargo area and then our lunch at Sci Fi Dine In!​

 

[BlvInMagic]

Your meal at BOG looks absolutely heavenly. Note to self - read Chucnkymonkey's updates after lunch!

That is such a great night-time shot in front of Spaceship Earth! I love how everyone else is ghostly and the focus is on you two... very cool PP Photographer!

ROFL with your Kylo Ren meet! Good for you.. hahahaha! We met him only at the Visa spot -- he was talking then -- and was super intimidating. He mopped the floor with me while my son and DH laughed on. Thanks boys! I'm glad you were able to put him in his place

 

[chunkymonkey]

Your meal at BOG looks absolutely heavenly. Note to self - read Chucnkymonkey's updates after lunch!

It was a great meal! We both enjoyed it!

That is such a great night-time shot in front of Spaceship Earth! I love how everyone else is ghostly and the focus is on you two... very cool PP Photographer!

Yes! It's a great shot! I was surprised at the PP too. I think they have stepped up their game!

ROFL with your Kylo Ren meet! Good for you.. hahahaha! We met him only at the Visa spot -- he was talking then -- and was super intimidating. He mopped the floor with me while my son and DH laughed on. Thanks boys! I'm glad you were able to put him in his place

He mopped the floor with you??? This I gotta see!! I hope he didn't flip you upside down and use your hair as the mop...LOL.
Well I definitely put him in his place, hahaha. No more mops for Kylo Ren! I think he should be a radar technician.

 

[kastoney]

Love all your launch bay pics. You can tell you all definitely enjoyed yourselves. We met Chewie and Kylo on our last trip and completely agree that Kylo has to be the most intimidating character ever. I hadn't planned to take photos because I really didn't know who in the heck he was, but we ended up in an epic stare down until I moved to the M&G area. Simultaneously terrifying and funny ; )

 

[bcwife76]

Ahhhhhh creepy jawa!!!!! You need to put a warning on every entry that includes a creepy jawa

I wonder if your dh had tugged really really hard he couldn've stolen some blue milk

It's really cool how much stuff they have there on display!

And I just realized I need to pm you questions about Maui!!! Going to do that right now