Episode 32- the update in which I force DH to take the chicken exit
After we left Starring Roles, our destination was Tower of Terror, to use the fastpasses we got earlier that morning. I let DH ride first, but before he headed inside, we also got a baby swap from the CM (Its always good to use your children for all they are worth). I was standing around waiting, trying to decide what I would do to kill the time, when I heard a strange sound. It was like an alarm was going off…wait a minute! I pulled my phone out of my pocket, and low and behold, it was alerting me that Star Tours was open!
We needed to get over there- stat- but DH was inside the ride! I immediately called him, no answer (!), so I tried again! This time he picked up, and sounded not too pleased.
DH: “What is going on?”
Me: “Get out here, right now! Star Tours is open!”
DH: “I’m in the boiler room, I can’t get out now”
Me: “Yes, Yes, take the chicken exit- you need to get out here NOW”
DH: “I’m not taking the chicken exit”
At this point I was starting to get hysterical- did he not understand the gravity of the situation?
Me: “DO IT!! STAARRR TOUURRSSS”
Well, he finally made it out, and started to tell me “ Did you know that the chicken exit is also an elevator…..” but I only heard about the first three words of that sentence, because I was already half way down Sunset Boulevard.
I flew across the park, and by the time slowpoke DH caught up, the line had ballooned up to a 30 minute wait. I entrusted Everett to DH, and then I joined the line, basking in Disney nerd nirvana.
I took some pictures with my phone while I waited in line- all the while chanting “Don’t break down, don’t break down” in my head.
Once we were inside, the CM were shouting out dire warnings to anyone who dared take photos or video, so I put my phone away, and just enjoyed the new queue. I think they did a great job of honoring the old ride and maintaining its integrity, while updating it so it seemed really fresh and exciting.
The departures wall was still there, showing some new footage about the different possible adventures, and the Star Speeder , R2D2 and C3PO were also still present. They had changed up the lighting a little, to make it seem more dramatic, and of course the script was new, but it was very nicely done.
I really liked that there was a line, because it allowed me to take in some of the new details. If you look carefully, you can still find Rex in the queue, spouting some of the lines from the old attraction. I also liked the new luggage scanner droid, and thought that his spiels were very funny.
Before long I was loading into the vehicle, and the new ride began! It was definitely worth all the time and effort I put in! I thought it was amazing, I loved the new effects, the different story lines, and I thought that the movement was much more fluid and fit seamlessly with the action you saw on the screen. Everyone riding was so excited to be there, it was an amazing atmosphere! We all clapped before the ride started, and then also after it ended!
I darted out, after my ride, because I knew that DH would just love it too, and I wanted him to get his turn. DH was waiting in the gift shop, and we swapped over a now sleeping Everett, and DH went to get in line.
While I was outside pushing sleeping Everett around, I noticed that the fastpass machines were up and running for Star Tours! I had both me and DH’s ticket, so I also got us two fastpasses. There were no guarantees that the ride would stay open, but I thought it was good insurance, because the line kept getting longer, and I knew that I wanted to ride it at least one more time.
When DH got out he also proclaimed that it was an “awesome experience” so I think he ended up pretty happy, even if I did make him take the chicken exit out of ToT.
Speaking of which, we still had a fastpass and a baby swap for ToT, and since the standby line had gotten even longer for Star Tours, we decided to head back over to Sunset to ride ToT, and then try back at Star Tours later and use our fastpasses.
I graciously let DH ride ToT first, since I made him exit the ride last go round, and I waited with Everett. I pushed him in the stroller around the exit area, and the photo pick up, but before long I heard stirring from the depths of the stroller.
Everett was awake and he wanted OUT. Poor kid, we had pretty much done nothing for him today, so I could understand his impatience with being strapped in. I took him out and let him run around a little. The seating area by the picture pick up was pretty much empty, so I figured as long as he stayed out of the line of traffic from guests exiting the attraction, he’d be OK to roam a little.
When he got bored of exploring that little area, I decided to liven things up a little by giving Everett a little taste of the ToT excitement. I held him way up high, and then I whooshed him down to the floor. This was an immediate hit, and I had to do it over and over again, much to the chagrin of my tired arms.
I figured he was in training for the big time, and really, it won’t be too long until he’ll be riding with me and DH. If his personality holds steady, I don’t think we’ll have any problems getting him on the thrill rides, and I bet he’ll just want to ride them over and over again. My youngest brother was that way, he is five years younger than I am, but was always tall, and would always match me coaster for coaster. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t ride with me.
When DH came out, I let him take over the thrill ride simulation for DS, and I took my turn on ToT.
Afterwards we stopped for a photo by the exit, and then a few on the way back over to Star Tours. In one of the photos you can see the stage in the background that was all ready for the upcoming Star Wars weekends. Can you believe I’ve never been to one! I’ll for certain remedy that if we indeed move back to Florida next June.
When we got back over to Star Tours, the ride was still up and running (whew!) and we were able to use our fastpasses. I let DH go first this time, and Everett and I hung out in the gift shop. He really wanted to get out and run around, but it was really crowded, so I took him outside.
The parade was actually getting ready to go and we saw some of it go by, but truthfully, I’m not interested in daytime parades, and the one at the studios would probably be the one I am the least interested in ever catching.
DH was out pretty quick, so we then switched off, and I got to ride again. When I got off, I noticed that the standby line was back to 10 minutes, so I asked DH if he wanted to ride one more time. He declined, so I jumped back in line. In my three rides, I visited Hoth, Naboo, Tatooine, the Death Star and Coruscant. The only destination I didn’t experience was Kashyyk. I also had three different story lines. I know there are more than 40 different combinations, and I hope to someday try them all!
I was so glad that my persistence paid off, and I think that each ride was better than the last! I knew that I had to have a lot of luck on my side to get on a soft opening, and I do feel lucky that I had the chance to experience the attraction. One of the things that I hated when I moved away from Florida was that I am not able to just hop down there to experience each new thing that opens. I am terrible when it comes to waiting patiently, so I know it would be killing me right now if I hadn’t gotten on, and had the chance to experience the attraction. I kinda feel that way right now with the tiki room.
BUT…..
I have BIG news! You know how I didn’t have any trips planned and I wasn’t sure when I’d be back- well, not anymore! DH and I were talking, and in the light of everything that has happened recently we decided that we need some real happiness. We had a couples weekend (our first time away from DS) planned for the beginning of August, but after the tragedy, we had to cancel. My mom couldn’t get down to watch Everett, and frankly we not in any type of mood to go and celebrate.
We had already purchased airfare for the wedding, and the tickets were pricey, so even with the change fee we still have a large sum left over. Also, we were saving our DVC points, because the plan was next year to take a huge extended family vacation and rent a grand villa, but now we are thinking of doing something entirely different next year, something more to my brother’s tastes.
All of this combined to convince me and DH to take a long weekend to Disney for the F&W festival. It is our hands down, favorite thing at Disney, and since we basically have the airfare paid for, and we’ll use our DVC points, and we can get discounted military tickets, it’s a go! We haven’t decided on the final dates yet, but there is availability in a one bedroom, almost every Monday-tues-wed- night in Oct at SSR. Hopefully we’ll nail down the exact dates by the end of the week.
ALSO…..
My mom has decided that she wants to go down to see the Christmas lights at Disney this year. We are all in need of a break, especially my Mom, who has just been a rock through this whole disaster. Since we all know that Disney is even more fun when shared with the ones you love, she has decided to bring along her favorite (and only) daughter, and her favorite (and only) grandchild. We’ll likely head down at the beginning of December and probably just stay in a regular hotel for that trip (maybe Pop?), but I know we will have a blast. Everett is just going to be blow away by the Osbourne lights, and I’m sure he’ll love see the “Tat-sell” (Castle) all lit up!
So I’ve gone from no trips on the horizon to two- how’s that for a little Disney magic!
You were much more devoted than I was in trying to get in on a soft opening. I walked by, saw it wasn't open and then shrugged it off and said we would just have to be super early for SWW. I'm curious to find out if your diligence paid off.
Classic!
You made it onto Star Tours. It sounds great! I'm really hoping to try it out on our quick December get-away. And I'm hoping Reid will be tall enough to try it with us. Do you think (if he's tall enough) that it's still mild enough for a 3 year old? That's just so awesome that you got to ride it more than once also! 
That's such a great feeling to go from no trips to two! 
Y'all definitely deserve a get-away!
with 3 rides on star tours!!! 
