This is the dawning of the rest of our lives... AT DISNEY WORLD!!!! COMPLETED 1/6!!!!

[Disneyfreak508]

GOD your pictures are SO pretty. They just make me want to go to Magic Kingdom so bad. I miss Christmassy Main Street and the Haunted Mansion and even the Hall of Presidents! AHH 72 more days. Come on.

[__disneygirl]

Originally Posted by Disneyfreak508

GOD your pictures are SO pretty. They just make me want to go to Magic Kingdom so bad. I miss Christmassy Main Street and the Haunted Mansion and even the Hall of Presidents! AHH 72 more days. Come on.

JESS!! You seem to be my only reader left! LOL. Thanks for hanging in. I miss it SO MUCH TOO! I am awfully sad I will not be seeing a Christmassy Main Street this year. I will again be living vicariously through you!!

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

I'm here!

The last full day is bittersweet. I always want to run around like a manic too. The problem with that plan is that the day goes by in a blink from all the running. I think a slower pace is the best way to really enjoy your last day.

[clynngibson]

I was going to wait until I got to the end of the TR to reply, but I have to do it now!!! I saw your title about becoming Clark Griswold and I KNEW it had to be about a squirrel attack!!!! THOSE THINGS ARE EVIL!!!!!!!!!! I was attacked by one when I was a little girl and ever since then, they have been out to get me! Ugh I hate those things!!!! Then, fast forward about 20 years, when I was in college, somehow one got into the football stadium. It was running around peoples feet and when it got to me, it decided to jump in my lap and then to my shoulders and start running around on everyone's shoulders! I WAS FREAKING OUT! OMG I hate those evil evil creatures!!

I am sorry that happened to you lol but I am loving your TR, though!!

[flyergrad09]

Yay! I'm so glad that you finally discovered the wonderfulness that is the Hall of Presidents! I love Morgan Freeman's narration. Seriously, that man could read the menu at a McDonald's and make it sound good! Plus, an attraction that makes me teary-eyed (or weepy, depending on the day) over U.S. history is clearly doing something right.

[beachphotog]

I'm not what you would call a "patriotic person" but I always have to do the Hall of Presidents and American Adventure. I am a person who is impressed by the human spirit and what we can accomplish. <sheds tear>

You know, I always forget to look for Mr. Toad... And this time when I remembered, it was too dark to see and I had a Castle Stageshow/Holiday Wishes/Christmas parade to stake out a seat for. Oh well, there's always next time.

I'm so looking forward to this and your subsequent TR, as I am currently sitting at MCO experiencing a severe case of PDD.

[__disneygirl]

Originally Posted by Curiouser&curiouser!

I'm here!

The last full day is bittersweet. I always want to run around like a manic too. The problem with that plan is that the day goes by in a blink from all the running. I think a slower pace is the best way to really enjoy your last day.

Yay!

You are 100% right. It's way better to just accept you're not gonna get everything done and pick a select few things to enjoy.

Originally Posted by clynngibson

I was going to wait until I got to the end of the TR to reply, but I have to do it now!!! I saw your title about becoming Clark Griswold and I KNEW it had to be about a squirrel attack!!!! THOSE THINGS ARE EVIL!!!!!!!!!! I was attacked by one when I was a little girl and ever since then, they have been out to get me! Ugh I hate those things!!!! Then, fast forward about 20 years, when I was in college, somehow one got into the football stadium. It was running around peoples feet and when it got to me, it decided to jump in my lap and then to my shoulders and start running around on everyone's shoulders! I WAS FREAKING OUT! OMG I hate those evil evil creatures!!

I am sorry that happened to you lol but I am loving your TR, though!!

AHHH! Wow, that is totally crazy! I can't believe that happened. They are really aggressive. It was scary!

I'm glad you're enjoying the TR so much, Thanks!

Originally Posted by flyergrad09

Yay! I'm so glad that you finally discovered the wonderfulness that is the Hall of Presidents! I love Morgan Freeman's narration. Seriously, that man could read the menu at a McDonald's and make it sound good! Plus, an attraction that makes me teary-eyed (or weepy, depending on the day) over U.S. history is clearly doing something right.

That is so true. He is amazing. It totally made me tear up too!

Originally Posted by beachphotog

I'm not what you would call a "patriotic person" but I always have to do the Hall of Presidents and American Adventure. I am a person who is impressed by the human spirit and what we can accomplish. <sheds tear>

You know, I always forget to look for Mr. Toad... And this time when I remembered, it was too dark to see and I had a Castle Stageshow/Holiday Wishes/Christmas parade to stake out a seat for. Oh well, there's always next time.

I'm so looking forward to this and your subsequent TR, as I am currently sitting at MCO experiencing a severe case of PDD.

I don't think I'm that patriotic either but I totally loved it too. It was very, very impressive to me.

I forgot to do it for so long, and now I can't walk by there without waving at Mr. Toad, so I'm sure you'll remember eventually! :D AHHH I want to go to MVMCP so bad!

Thank you so much! Ahh, I'm sorry your trip is over. But, don't cry because it's over... smile because it happened. I know that's super cheesy but hey, it's true! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

[cindianne320]

We saw the Hall of Presidents for the first time in 2010. We liked it so much, we went again in 2011! Now with 2 little ones, we probably won't be back there for awhile, but for sure will again in the future!

(And I thought you were joking that is where you were headed! LOL!)

[__disneygirl]

Originally Posted by cindianne320

We saw the Hall of Presidents for the first time in 2010. We liked it so much, we went again in 2011! Now with 2 little ones, we probably won't be back there for awhile, but for sure will again in the future!

(And I thought you were joking that is where you were headed! LOL!)

Yeah, I'm sure young children probably wouldn't find it as fascinating but definitely something that would be cool once they start to learn about the presidents in school! I just love that attraction.

LOL I do often make fun of attractions like this... but I still do them!

[__disneygirl]

DECEMBER 13, 2011
Day 9, Part 2 In Which I Mourn Toontown and Meet Up With Mom

While walking away from the Mansion, I noticed my mom had called while I was on the ride. I sat down on a nearby bench to call her back, and we decided to meet up in about an hour at Hollywood Studios.

The next call I made was to Disney Dining. I was a changin' my "no-ADR-on-the-last-full-day" tune. I really felt like eating at 50's Prime Time, so I called to see if they had availability, and they did! Woo! My mom loves it there (she just calls it Mom's Kitchen), so I figured it would be good to surprise her with that once we got to Hollywood.

I mosied on into Frontierland...











I went up to the train station so I could catch a ride on the good ol' Walt Disney World Railroad.



Look what I found in my purse! Lady bugs are good luck, you know.

Well... they're supposed to be.

Unfortunately, I was once BITTEN by one when I was a child. Yes... lady bugs bite. And it hurts. A lot. Just a life tip: EVERYTHING BITES.

So instead of touching the Disney ladybug, I got a piece of paper from my purse and picked it up using that, and left it there in Frontierland for a life of magic at the Kingdom. What could be better? I wish someone would pick me up and leave ME there.






Look, teepees! (Tipis? ...Who can be sure?)

I posted on Twitter:
WDW Railroad isn't the same, I miss Toontown... But I am unbelievably excited for the expansion of Fantasyland. I can't even.

Yeah, it was really weird seeing Toontown mostly gone with all the walls up. It made me kinda sad at the time. It's crazy to think of how different things are now having seen Storybook Circus New Fantasyland on my most recent trip. I know I've said this before but it was truly beyond my wildest dreams! Now I don't miss Toontown so much anymore.

I got off the WDW Railroad once we hit Main Street so I could head out and meet my mom. As I walked down the steps I spotted Snow White skipping down Main Street while singing, humming, and waving at people. It was the most adorable thing ever. She spotted me and said "Oh! Oh, hello!" in her sweet little voice. It was a big moment for me.

I love when characters are just wandering around like that. They do that a lot more at Disneyland than at WDW for some reason, and watching the videos is so fun. If you've never heard of "Spieling Peter Pan" (Andrew Ducote), look him up. Make sure you have hours free before you do this though, because trust me, you will fall in love. I mean, the guy married a girl who played Wendy. It's just too adorable and magical.

From the Main Street of Walt's hometown Marceline, Missouri... I hopped a bus to Hollywood, and was there within minutes. Magic, I tell ya!

I took a photo of this window display:



I LOVE Huey, Dewey, and Louie. At the time, I couldn't remember Dewey's name, so when I showed my mom the window display on the way out, I said "Look! It's Huey, ...something... and Louie. What's the middle one's name? Why do I feel like it's Dewey? It's Dewey, right?"

She shrugged. I'm sorry, Dewey! We couldn't remember. But I do remember that you're in a really cute Christmas special and an even cuter Halloween one and I love you.

I also took a picture of these lambs? What is this?



We're running on the fumes at this point in the TR.



I don't think I've ever actually been inside Oscar's. I was going to go in but then I noticed the "strollers and wheelchairs" sign. Being that I need neither, I kept walking, but I probably should have went in cause knowing Disney, it's decorated to the nines with awesome stuff. Next time!

I met up with my mom near this puppy...



LIKE THE HAT?

We were ready to ride one of our ALL TIME FAMILY FAVORITE ATTRACTIONS...



The Great Movie Ride!

On my childhood trips, my dad was never super crazy about going to Disney World. I mean, he enjoyed himself, but he took us because we loved it.

There were several things throughout the parks he did find very special though, and the Great Movie Ride was one of them. He's a huge classic movie fan, in fact he finds most films made after the 40's to be absolute crap.

He'd always say, "Let's go see James Cagney!" and often wanted to ride more than once. My mom and I adore this attraction too, so this was one of those things we'd all get really excited as a family to go and do, so I have lots of good memories of that. And contrary to a lot of opinions I hear, I don't think they should change it. Like at all (I'd definitely be in favor of an additional GMR with more recent films, or a Great Television Ride!). I love the classic films they feature and I think it captures a certain unrepeatable moment in time in Hollywood. I just love this attraction so much.





This attraction features a few of my all-time favorite Hidden Mickeys, including the ever-elusive Hidden Minnie that is in this mural. I have been looking for this Minnie for 10 years now. I just never have enough time to find her. I refuse to ask a CM to point her out... I MUST find her on my own! I'm sure I will someday.



Here's a favorite Hidden Mickey of mine. Can ya spot him? Crappy pic I know, but if you look closely, he's there! I love the Mickeys that aren't just the classic three circles. If you haven't seen this one before, I'll give you a hint... only a small part of Mickey's body is visible, but you can sure tell it's him.



I took this during the western scene because I never noticed the Pocahontas newspaper before, which I thought was a nice touch. I know they mean the real one and not the Disney one. But still, yay!





I LOVE this scene! Right before we left for Disney, I had just watched Alien after not having seen it in years, so I appreciated it even more. I really hate when people say this scene doesn't fit in with the rest of the ride. Yeah, it may not be on the same level as some of the other classics, but they had to include horror, and it's definitely one of the most widely praised and well crafted horror films at all time. I love this movie and think it deserves to be there.



We welcome you to munchkin land! I really have to re-watch this movie too. I haven't seen it from beginning to end in years!

I was SO excited during this ride because I finally spotted the Hidden Mickey and Donald in the hieroglyphics. It's hard to spot because there are so many and you don't have that much time to look, but I finally caught them and got SO EXCITED! haha, it's just so fun when you finally find one you've been searching for!


There they are! This is such a creative HM. Obviously this isn't my pic (shoutout to Jack Spence, whoever you are!). If you want to find this, It's to your left right before the Egyptian scene ends. I never knew that because I like to find them without much guidance, so I would just endlessly look all around in a panic, but it's pretty easy to spot if you know where you're looking!

I'm curious... what's your favorite Great Movie Ride scene? Mine is probably Casablanca, but it's hard to choose!

Up Next: Our ADR in Hollywood and one of the best times we had the entire trip!

P.S. All of you probably know but I figured I should mention it... I started my new TR! The link is in my signature!!! STUCK IN DISNEY BABY!!!!!!

[flyergrad09]

Those lambs look vaguely familiar, but I can't think of where I've seen them. Fantasia, maybe?

I've been looking for that hidden Minnie for forever! I don't spend enough time in that front room to get a good look at that mural.

I don't really like the scene from Alien. I don't think it needs to be removed, but it's probably my least favorite. I do think that the Great Movie Ride could use an update to include movies from the past 20some years. Or at least redo some of the old scenes (like Tarzan & Jane... it makes me so sad to see that scene at a place where they're known for amazing audio-animatronics!). My favorite scene is probably the Wizard of Oz scene. It's so immersive!

[cindianne320]

I hope they never replace it! Add to it, yes, but no replacing! It's a family favorite in this house, too! It will forever remind me of my childhood.

My favorite scene is definitely the Wizard of Oz. Did the Wicked Witch used to be a live cast member? Or is that just my childhood memories believing too much?!

[LifeIsDis]

I am in love with Disney’s window displays. They are just perfect.

I know where the hidden Minnie is on GMR and have seen it before…. But you said you want to find it yourself so I won’t give any hints!

And I have seen Mickey and Donald in the hieroglyphics too. I love finding stuff like that!

[marDgreen88]

I have nightmares about ladybugs because my first dorm room was infested (most likely an exaggeration) with them. They'd hang out on the ceiling. I was on the top bunk. Sometimes I'd try to spray air freshener on them. They would not die. They are invincible. Their bites are terrible. (AND none of the other rooms in the hall had that problem. NONE!) So yeah, I don't like ladybugs.



I don't think the Great Movie Ride should be changed. I don't have a big personal attachment to it or anything, but it's a classic. And I know how I'd feel if one of my favorite rides were to change. Plus, my dad says "UNGAWA" a lot and if they removed the Tarzan part of the ride it just wouldn't be the same!

I had no idea that Hidden Mickey and Donald existed! That is too cool!

[__disneygirl]

Originally Posted by flyergrad09

Those lambs look vaguely familiar, but I can't think of where I've seen them. Fantasia, maybe?

I've been looking for that hidden Minnie for forever! I don't spend enough time in that front room to get a good look at that mural.

I don't really like the scene from Alien. I don't think it needs to be removed, but it's probably my least favorite. I do think that the Great Movie Ride could use an update to include movies from the past 20some years. Or at least redo some of the old scenes (like Tarzan & Jane... it makes me so sad to see that scene at a place where they're known for amazing audio-animatronics!). My favorite scene is probably the Wizard of Oz scene. It's so immersive!

Hmm, I don't know. I haven't watched Fantasia in ages! I have the tape sitting right here though, so I should really watch it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't find it! It's the most elusive HM ever for me. Usually I'm pretty good at finding them, but that one is hidden very well!

I don't really want them to add more movies because I feel like they'd have to remove something to do that and I don't want them to If they could just add on, that would be okay, but I mean, like I said I really love how they represent the classic era of film, but of course they do have films that came out way past that time.

I agree, Tarzan definitely needs a bit of a refurb! Overall, though, I think most of the animatronics have held up very well... I mean, it's crazy how real Judy Garland looks. I don't know why she looks so perfect and some of the other ones don't.

Originally Posted by cindianne320

I hope they never replace it! Add to it, yes, but no replacing! It's a family favorite in this house, too! It will forever remind me of my childhood.

My favorite scene is definitely the Wizard of Oz. Did the Wicked Witch used to be a live cast member? Or is that just my childhood memories believing too much?!

Me too!

Hmmm... I don't know! I do know that at some point they replaced the witch animatronic with a more technologically advanced one so that she would move more fluidly, but that's all I've heard about it.

Originally Posted by LifeIsDis

I am in love with Disney’s window displays. They are just perfect.

I know where the hidden Minnie is on GMR and have seen it before…. But you said you want to find it yourself so I won’t give any hints!

And I have seen Mickey and Donald in the hieroglyphics too. I love finding stuff like that!

Me too! It must be so fun to be the people who get to design that. I wonder if it's the imagineers or a different creative team.

AHH I'm jealous. I swear, one of these days I'm just gonna have to step aside from the line and examine that mural until I see it.

So do I! It's so much fun, especially when it's something super unique like that and not just a regular Hidden Mickey.

Originally Posted by marDgreen88

I have nightmares about ladybugs because my first dorm room was infested (most likely an exaggeration) with them. They'd hang out on the ceiling. I was on the top bunk. Sometimes I'd try to spray air freshener on them. They would not die. They are invincible. Their bites are terrible. (AND none of the other rooms in the hall had that problem. NONE!) So yeah, I don't like ladybugs.



I don't think the Great Movie Ride should be changed. I don't have a big personal attachment to it or anything, but it's a classic. And I know how I'd feel if one of my favorite rides were to change. Plus, my dad says "UNGAWA" a lot and if they removed the Tarzan part of the ride it just wouldn't be the same!

I had no idea that Hidden Mickey and Donald existed! That is too cool!

AHH! Sleeping on the top bunk makes me nervous for that very reason! Well, bugs in general... not just ladybugs. Mostly spiders. GAH.

Hahaha, what is it with dads and the GMR? I love it.

Isn't it? It's definitely one of my favorites. Oh, those imagineers.