Disney: Delicious innards on a sandwich of Panic! A Sept. '11 TR [Completed; Feb. 28]

[ZehnJahren]

Hahaha, I see the benefit now. Other times I've not paid for a preferred and still ended up in the 50's or 70's which was fantastic, but unfortunately my luck ran out this trip!

We got one of those "holy crap this room is far away" rooms at Pop on this trip, and had I not had big plans to move us to the CR for half of the trip I'd have really been kicking myself for not going for preferred. Just the two nights we were there were crazy - it felt like it took forever to get ANYWHERE. I got off the bus on the second day I was at WDW and wondered whether it was farther to walk to the room or to walk back to HS. I know it's an exaggeration, but GEEZ!

That being said, I would stay at Pop again.

 

[teekathepony]

Quick update, then onto the TR!

I went to my mail box yesterday and had a key for the package compartment.

“Yay! A package!” 3 pieces of Mickey Mail were inside! I had a new 2011 Vacation Planning DVD (which I didn’t order, but whatever, they’re always fun to get in the mail!), an Adventures by Disney brochure (we’re going to Germany in two years and it turns out Disney has a vacation package there!), and my Photopass photo book!! I expected the CD first as it was shipped first, but I was so pleased to get the book. It’s beautiful! I am so pleased with it!
I got the brown leather look Mickey cover:

and used the Vintage theme throughout:

Now please bear with me today. I updated my iPhone which had all my TR notes in it and when it updated half my notes were gone. I have to rely on my pictures and my memory to tell me when I did everything. I think I can get it right. Here we go!

Chapter 7; The Terrible Terrifying Tower

4 of us set our alarms for 6:30 that morning –Johnny, his mother and step father and myself. We all bounced out of bed with an enthusiasm that was indicative of how early in our trip it was. We got ready and were out the door and at the bus stop at 7:30. A bus came with very little wait and we were on and seated and ready to go. We got there quickly and bounced back off the bus and to the entrance to find the early entry line. We found it, gave our names and were ushered inside the park!

We took a few pictures of the empty park:

...and then made our way to Hollywood & Vine for breakfast. If you read my PTR you may remember that we debated on this breakfast as it’s a character breakfast for kids. When we checked in I asked if there was any such thing as a corner table where we might be out of the way but as I suspected, the CM told me that the characters make their way to every table equally.
“You can just wave to them though and they’ll wave back” she said. I thanked her and said I would. We didn’t wait too long for a seat, maybe 10 minutes.

We got in and seated and ordered our drinks and hit the buffet! We all had a lot of food and enjoyed everything very much. The characters were coming around but we waved and smiled and they waved back and moved on.

Food!

We finished eating and settling the bill and were out the door right at 9:00. We were too far back in the rope drop line to see the show or whatever was going on but we could hear the music. We discussed our options as we waited. We planned to meet Melissa and Ron at 9:30 at the Pixar archway. It was too early to head over there now but we didn’t know if we would have enough time to do anything else. I reasoned that if we did anything besides TSM, we would have no wait and most likely have more than enough time.
As the rope dropped and the stampede made their way to TSM, we struggled to cross the street and head to Rock N Rollercoaster!

We stopped for some Photopass pictures on the way. The whole area was very quiet and the PP photogs were looking bored.

There was no wait at all for RnR. Johnny’s parents hadn’t done this ride on their last trip. We got on and had a fantastic ride and when we got off we were all so excited. RnR is my favourite Disney ride!

In-laws: Holding on for dear life. Johnny and I: rock hands and screams of joy!

I was ready to go again but it was time to head to Pixar Place to meet Melissa and Ron.

We met up with Melissa and Ron and got 6 fastpasses for TSM. Our return time was not too bad, considering (and once upon a time I had it written down but it’s gone with my old iPhone notes! I’m thinking it was something like 2:30-3:30?) Fastpasses in hand, we all went next door to One Man’s Dream.

We took our time in the museum area and watched the film. After that, we headed to the Tower of Terror.

I admit I was nervous, but I conquer roller coasters! I figured I’d be fine. As a claustrophobe and control freak I dislike elevators and take stairs every time so that was making me re-think things. Claustrophobe + control freak… not a good combo to ride ToT! I tried to take in every detail of the beautiful queue as we walked through.

The wait was short, 10 minutes or less and soon we were seated. I was a little shocked at the tiny seatbelt that would hold me in place. I expected RnR style over the shoulder harnesses! Melissa was quick to point out the handles on either side of my seat and I took advantage. The lead up, of course, was freaky to begin with but when we started dropping I started screaming. I did not like the random drops or the sensation you get with the quick drops and as I type my muscle memory is kicking in and I can feel every drop all over again. Let’s just say that I did not enjoy the Tower of Terror, and would walk through the queue line to see the beautiful inside but will most likely never ride again. However, I’m glad I crossed if off my list of Disney rides I’ve done.

I am in the back 4th from the left with my two arms down and hanging on for dear life. It's a shame this didn't turn out better, but I was shaking a lot when I took it!

Being so close to RnR (and wanting to prove I wasn’t a total wuss!) I suggested we do RnR again. Johnny’s parents declined and said they’d meet us at the exit. Melissa and Ron were excited to do another thrill ride. We had a longer wait this time. I believe the posted time said 30 minutes but it was actually closer to 45. Nevertheless, we rode and had a blast.

We then headed to Star Tours. I was excited to ride the newly refurbished ride and see all the new scenarios!

The posted wait time was 15 minutes so we jumped into line where we waited in the blistering heat with no shade, no AC and no fans for over AN HOUR. We all started getting very annoyed and cranky. I never would have waited an hour in the stand by line! I would have gotten a fastpass had I known. Finally we made it into the building. We still waited a while but at least it was cool. I kept looking around at all the fun droids and characters in the queue but I was thinking that they could remove a few of them and make the indoor line a little longer so people don’t have to stand in the heat as long.

The ride itself didn’t seem all that much different to me… sure the story was a little different but the ride vehicle looked the same, felt the same and I must admit I was fairly unimpressed. (But that might have been the hour in the sun)

I can’t remember exactly what time it was when we got off Star Tours, but I do know that we had 10 minutes to get to Lights, Motors, Action! for the next show. We ran and slipped in just as they were starting. We watched the show (I really don’t love it, so I mostly looked through my pictures and played with my phone). Johnny loves it, and he snapped a few pictures.

After the stunt show it was time for lunch. While everyone started consulting maps and weighing options, Johnny and I already knew where we were eating – Starring Rolls! Everyone agreed after we described the sandwiches and desserts so we headed there. We all had sandwiches but I can’t remember everyone’s desserts. Melissa had the Strawberry Parfait, and Johnny and I both had an éclair which was pretty good. Should have had a cupcake though!

Up next: Would we finally get to TSM? Did we make it all day at DHS?

 

[mousescrapper]

all caught up...you guys are having a great time

* love the freebie day at EP

* the pixs in front of SSE are great, I love the balloon shot and you alone w/ your arms wide

* love that you got 1st row on Soarin, i also noticed the dirty look of the film...it distracted me too

* the hippy dippy pool very fun!

* we ate at the ESPN club too back in '98 and remember those nachos were awesome too! I'd also take hockey over football

* pre park at DHS looks great, i love the pictures in front of the hat w/ not a soul behind you

* grrr on the wait for Star Tours that really stinks...

* sorry you did not love ToT...that IS my fav ride there! but at least you tried it

looking forward to more

J~

 

[ZehnJahren]

Wow, what a strange wait at Star Tours! I didn't realize so much of the queue was outside (didn't make it on this past trip); that's not very pro-Disney of them. But your photo book looks VERY nice; I've been going back and forth with the idea of making one for my mom for Christmas. It must be so exciting to have gotten it already!

It's so interesting how one man's Tower of Terror is another man's ultimate nemesis - for example, I love ToT but RnRC drives me nuts and I can't ride it often. Being strapped so tightly in that harness drives me insane! Then I start thinking "what if the ride has an e-stop and I'm stuck in this harness for an hour" and usually I just skip it. But the ToT is just so much fun to me (though menacing, of course!), and I love the up and down since it's such an unusual experience! It does have the kind of queue you can just stroll through and enjoy, however - I had to take the "chicken exit" on our last trip at the time of our last ride however and was pretty disappointed. Oh well, at least I got to talk through the cool queue again! Plus, what a creepy boiler room - I always think of Nightmare on Elm Street while I'm in there!

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

Love the update! I am so excited for tower of terror! Cant wait till the next update! Your ride photo's makes me SUPER excited!

 

[teekathepony]

all caught up...you guys are having a great time

* love the freebie day at EP

* the pixs in front of SSE are great, I love the balloon shot and you alone w/ your arms wide

* love that you got 1st row on Soarin, i also noticed the dirty look of the film...it distracted me too

* the hippy dippy pool very fun!

* we ate at the ESPN club too back in '98 and remember those nachos were awesome too! I'd also take hockey over football

* pre park at DHS looks great, i love the pictures in front of the hat w/ not a soul behind you

* grrr on the wait for Star Tours that really stinks...

* sorry you did not love ToT...that IS my fav ride there! but at least you tried it

looking forward to more

J~

I was so proud of myself for trying ToT and a little disappointed that I disliked it so much!

Wow, what a strange wait at Star Tours! I didn't realize so much of the queue was outside (didn't make it on this past trip); that's not very pro-Disney of them. But your photo book looks VERY nice; I've been going back and forth with the idea of making one for my mom for Christmas. It must be so exciting to have gotten it already!

It's so interesting how one man's Tower of Terror is another man's ultimate nemesis - for example, I love ToT but RnRC drives me nuts and I can't ride it often. Being strapped so tightly in that harness drives me insane! Then I start thinking "what if the ride has an e-stop and I'm stuck in this harness for an hour" and usually I just skip it. But the ToT is just so much fun to me (though menacing, of course!), and I love the up and down since it's such an unusual experience! It does have the kind of queue you can just stroll through and enjoy, however - I had to take the "chicken exit" on our last trip at the time of our last ride however and was pretty disappointed. Oh well, at least I got to talk through the cool queue again! Plus, what a creepy boiler room - I always think of Nightmare on Elm Street while I'm in there!

I was really surprised at how much of the ST queue was outside, uncovered, no fans, etc. It really made no sense to re-do a queue and not make it better (and maybe worse?)
Hahaha, I've had that thought about RnR too, what if I'm stuck upside down? Luckily, it's never happened and I love that ride too much to stop!

Love the update! I am so excited for tower of terror! Cant wait till the next update! Your ride photo's makes me SUPER excited!

Hahaha I hope you like ToT more than I did! (Most people do though )

 

[TanzUnited99]

Love the Photopass Photo book - very cute and a great way to treasure all the memories!

Oh no on losing your TR notes.

I'm glad you enjoyed H&V for breakfast. Wow you sure accomplished a lot at DHS - love that you rode RnRC twice and oh no on not enjoying Tower of Terror - I loved it, however good on you for trying it once.

We felt the same about Lights, Motors, Action and you should definitely have got a cupcake at Starrring Rolls!

 

[PrincessAmongPrinces]

Subscribed and all caught up! Great start so far Wendy!

I'm glad you guys got to squeeze in an extra Disney day! And good for your for facing the ToT! I love that ride, and I dearly missed it on this most recent trip. And above all -- Happy Anniversary! I wish you and Johnny many MANY more!!

 

[vikkii19]

Wow, that photobook looks really nice. I've never been on TOT or RNRC, but hope to on our upcoming trip. DH didn't want to last time, so this time I'll go by myself.

 

[teekathepony]

Love the Photopass Photo book - very cute and a great way to treasure all the memories!

Oh no on losing your TR notes.

I'm glad you enjoyed H&V for breakfast. Wow you sure accomplished a lot at DHS - love that you rode RnRC twice and oh no on not enjoying Tower of Terror - I loved it, however good on you for trying it once.

We felt the same about Lights, Motors, Action and you should definitely have got a cupcake at Starrring Rolls!

I'm in love with the photo book so much, haha. I may have lost my notes but my memory is usually pretty good for Disney things!

Subscribed and all caught up! Great start so far Wendy!

I'm glad you guys got to squeeze in an extra Disney day! And good for your for facing the ToT! I love that ride, and I dearly missed it on this most recent trip. And above all -- Happy Anniversary! I wish you and Johnny many MANY more!!

Welcome aboard! And thank you very much!

Wow, that photobook looks really nice. I've never been on TOT or RNRC, but hope to on our upcoming trip. DH didn't want to last time, so this time I'll go by myself.

I really think everyone should try everything once... although I won't be going back to ToT I'm still glad I tried it!

 

[BerrysGirl]

My Mom LOVES Tower of Terror but ever since they changed it to the "random" drops they do now, my Dad cannot handle it. So in March he learned a handy trick... there's a chicken elevator! He waits in line with my Mom, drops her off on the ride, then takes an elevator up (or down?) to the dump shop to meet my Mom after the ride. It works perfectly and my Dad always refers to it as his private ride!

 

[teekathepony]

Oops! I'm still alive, still here. I've had a busy couple of weeks and a couple of days sick last week put me behind. I promise there's another update right around the corner!

I finally got my Photopass CD too, so more pictures to come!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Oops! I'm still alive, still here. I've had a busy couple of weeks and a couple of days sick last week put me behind. I promise there's another update right around the corner!

I finally got my Photopass CD too, so more pictures to come!

I'm glad to hear you are still alive! Seriously, I hope you are feeling better hun and look forward to the update as well as the PP pics

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

Oops! I'm still alive, still here. I've had a busy couple of weeks and a couple of days sick last week put me behind. I promise there's another update right around the corner!

I finally got my Photopass CD too, so more pictures to come!

I've been wondering where you were! Yay for photopass CD!

 

[MEK]

I'm so glad your TR was bumped today because I am all caught up. Loved both your updates.

ESPN - so happy to know you enjoyed the food there so much. The food looks great and its definitely a place I would like to try on one of these trips.

ToT - You sound EXACTLY like me with your approach to ToT. I, too, am a little claustrophobic and a control freak who doesn't like unexpected drops. I grip hold of the handles for dear life, but I keep forcing myself to ride it and I usually am laughing by the end of the ride. Nice queue pictures.

I am looking forward to trying Star Wars, but your hour in the sun does not look fun.

for Starring Roles. Their pastries, ect look amazing.

Fun updates.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I'm bumping and waiting.

 

[teekathepony]

Oh my good gracious, I'm so sorry. I am here and alive! Can you believe life got in the way of my Dis'ing? Terrible. But I'm here and I'm posting this and then writing an update and then going to update myself on all of you!

 

[teekathepony]

Ok here we go! I apologize profusely for the delay. No one particular thing held me up, just life in general. (Although I blame my Christmas addiction recently.)

Just a quick few Disney related life updates first:

1. I got my package from guest relations including one regular park map from each park, an Epcot FWF guide, a MK 40th map and a 40th pin, all the things that got ruined in my luggage on the way home! I hugged the maps and cried like a baby when I got them. Thank you Disney, it means so much.

2. I finally got my Photopass CD! I'll put some pictures up from days I've already posted about and from here on out, I'll include them in my updates!

-----------------------------------------------
Chapter 8: The Rest of the Longest Disney Day

So please reach far back in your memories and recall the last post. We had just finished eating at Starring Rolls!

We checked the time and were happy to note we were within our TSM FP time! We ambled (with full bellies) toward Pixar. When we got we looked for the fastpass line and realized it snaked out the door! We jumped onto the end and soon it moved. We were twisting around the edges of the queue, admiring the amazing theming in there. Even with our fps we waited somewhere between 30-40 minutes in line. DHS was busy that day and TSM was packed.

We got to the final CM who asked us how many.

“Six!” shouted 5 of us. Despite our loud and unanimous shout, she must not have heard us or perhaps she wasn't paying attention, because she split us up. Johnny and I went first and didn’t realized what she’d done, and the other 4 had never ridden this ride so they weren’t sure enough about where they were going to question the CM. I can’t remember it perfectly but essentially we were all over the place, not only were we not next to each other in line thereby getting close cars, we wouldn’t even be going at the same time! I said to the CM working the gates that we 6 were supposed to be together but that the previous CM had split us up for whatever reason. She fixed us up but it meant letting two couples go ahead of Johnny and I and one in front of Melissa and Ron to make us even with my in-laws.

Frustrating.

Anyhow, we finally got on and had a blast. I did terrible; Johnny had the best in car!

After TSM we split up. Johnny’s parents didn’t want to stay at the park all day so they decided to go back to Pop and have a swim. I couldn’t stand the idea of missing so much just to swim in the pool (this was our only day at DHS and we had so much time to swim!) so I decided to stay even if I was the only one. Johnny is my Prince Charming so he stayed with me, and Melissa and Ron were on such a tight schedule they decided to stay as well. We split up and arranged to meet my in-laws at the restaurant for our dinner reservation.

And then there were four! We headed first to The Great Movie Ride. No cowboy scene for us. I had a girl sitting next to me who obviously had no nerve endings in her elbows and got very excited at every new scene, jumping around taking pictures of everything and swinging those elbows, hitting everything within a 2 foot radius. Since the CM had for some reason squeezed too many people in our row, I was unfortunately well within that 2 foot radius. We did have a good guide though and a fun ride for the most part, but I was a little glad to get off. Call me crazy, but I like my personal space.

Next we went to watch Indiana Jones.

Johnny and I had fun giggling at the "extra" while Melissa and Ron wondered why we were giggling. We were getting tired -- it had already been a long day! We went to The Voyage of the Little Mermaid, waited 20 minutes at the end of a line just to get in and find there were only two seats left. I let Melissa and Ron sit there while Johnny and I sat on a bench in the back where we couldn't see a thing. When they closed the doors and everyone was seated, I laid down on the bench and closed my eyes until the show was over. At least I got to hear the music!

Next we went to The Magic of Disney Animation.

We watched the show and wandered through the rest of the building. Am I crazy or is that place oddly confusing? Anyway, then we decided to get our picture with Mickey! I've never met sorcerer Mickey before so I was pretty excited.

When we finished there it was almost time to head to 50's PT for dinner. We debated sneaking a ride in before we went there but we were so tired no one wanted to run anywhere. We headed slowly to 50's, taking a few pictures along the way.

Next: Did we have a good time at 50's? And am I really reserving a whole post just for one dinner?

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

FINALLY an update!

Sorcerer Mickey is too precious!

oooh cant wait to hear about 50's! I CANNOT wait to go eat there!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay an update!!!

Oh no on the madness at TSMM - am glad it all got sorted in the end so you were able to ride together. We enjoyed Indiana Jones as well.

Lol at closing your eyes on VoTLM!

Love the pic with Sorcerer Mickey and then the one of you and Johnny at the end!

I already know the answer to if you had a good time at 50s PTC but am looking forward to the review