Extreme Commando "Shock and Awe" Campaign (Report completed)

[crossbonz]

Great report, love the pic of TT, making me wonder if my 5 yr can handle this ride now. We will be visiting May 5th -13th.

Keep it going

 

[thptrek]

Tink, I think you will find TGM valuable. I found it most useful in my park planning process. Also, TGM published a big spring break update the day before I left which had some great last minute info on what was going on at the parks. I made some changes based on the last minute info and it helped a bunch.

 

[AMaloy314]

trek,
After seeing your writings in the past, I expected nothing less than the best from you. But you have exceeded all my expectations!

Fantastic trip report!! Keep it coming.....

 

[thptrek]

Thanks AM, after working with you I take that as a major complement.

 

[thptrek]

**Prepare for incoming transmission**
***Continue TR***

Daily Debriefing March 13 (Day 4) – MGM Disney Studios MISSION

Today the team was going to leave the confines of the Monorail Loops and head out to Disney Studios. We have been in WDW for three days now and the only transportation we had used was the monorail. We gathered our gear and made our way to the Studios using the greenhouse gas belching bus. Is it me or is traveling by bus “un-disney like.” There should be monorails connecting all parts of WDW.

The team entered the Studios at about 915am. We immediately sent our FastPass runner to obtain FP for Rock & Roll Rollercoaster. Commander headed over to Guest Services and surprised FIL with a “Its my Birthday” badge as it was FIL’s birthday. Throughout the day he would get best wishes from all kinds of folks.

Only Commander and the Privates were going to ride RNR and Tower of Terror. We still used all 6 park passes to get FastPasses so that we could ride twice using the FPs. We got on the standby line for RNR and waited about 10 mins to get into G-Force Records recording studio. This was the first time that Private DD had ever been on the ride and she just soaked in the whole atmosphere of the ride. We got in the next to last row of our super stretch limo and pulled out of the loading area. With music blaring we spun out and sped off!! The ride was awesome and we had “Dude looks like a Lady” blaring in our limo. Private DD said that it was an amazing ride and was screaming the whole way. Too bad you could not get your ride pic added to your Photopass.

Our FP window was open and Private DS was sent over to get FP for TOT. We left Sunset Boulevard and headed over to Star Tours and Muppets. Along the way the High School Musical Show was just starting and we watched this fun show. The dancing and the music was really good. Private DD did request that the Commander not sing along or do any of the dance moves during the show though and the Commander kept himself under control.

The Muppets is a pretty old show but still gets all of the team to laugh. Before the show we looked for the key, and took in all the sight gags and jokes in the pre-show area. Muppets humor is just timeless. After leaving Muppets we assembled at Star Tours. Darth Vader and some Stormtroopers were guarding the entrance to Star Tours but the team made it around them. Commander is a big Star Wars fan and can remember seeing the original movie on opening day in 1977. However, in all honesty, Star Tours is dated now and is begging for an update. The Force was with Star Tours, but it is not now. “Help Star Tours, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re our only hope.”

The next operation was the Great Movie Ride. We had a really fun CM and it made the ride much more interesting. I love the movies but I think this attraction could be so much more. By this time, the team was ready for some rations and had an ADR for the Brown Derby.

The Brown Derby is a very cool place to have lunch. The atmosphere sucks you right into Hollywood back in the day. You can just imagine sitting there and waiting for some Hollywood star or starlet to come walking in making a grand entrance. The service was outstanding. There is a very good wine list for your enjoyment. The Original Cobb salad is excellent. Lieutenant Wife had the Tuna Cobb salad and requested that the tuna be cooked rare. She reported that it was sushi grade and was very very good. Private DS had BBQ Chicken with a salad. The dressing on the salad was Green Goddess. Now when was the last time you had Green Goddess dressing. What a great blast from the past. The Brown Derby is a bit expensive but the team can report that it was worth the money.

We received a distress call from Agent Kim Possible and headed out to meet up with her and Ron Stoppable. There was one operative and her young (about 8 y.o.) daughter in line in front of us. The daughter was telling her mom that if her mom was going to take any pictures she did not want to meet Kim Possible. Sure enough as they are about to walk up to Kim and Ron, mom looks like she is going for a camera. Daughter sees this and takes off. Maybe they were enemy agents for Drakken? We make contact with Kim and Kim transferred the secret data into Private DD’s logbook.

Commander and the Privates headed over to Sunset Blvd while the rest of the team explored the stores and did some shopping. We used our FPs for TOT. DD was a bit freaked by the whole Twilight Zone story but we all had fun.

Then it was back to RNR using our FPs. After riding it twice back-to-back it was hard to “Walk This Way” or any way.

During previous missions to WDW we had done Indy, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc. The timing for the next Lights, Motor, Action show would not work out with our evening plans so in keeping with the primary mission objectives “Have a great time without knocking ourselves out,” we headed back to base camp.

The nighttime activity was to go to the Atlanta Braves Spring Training game being played at the CrackerJack Stadium at WDW World of Sports. The entire mission team are big baseball fans so going to a Spring Training game while at WDW was awesome. It was even more special in that is was our hometown Astros that we would get to see. FIL has some MLB contacts and we procured seats right next to the Braves’ dugout, second row up from the on-deck circle. Here is the view from our seats.

The baseball stadium is a great stadium to see a game. It is small in that it seats about 6000 so all the seats are good. There is also a lawn area behind left field that you can sit in. The food at the stadium was excellent. We all had hot dogs and they were some of the best stadium hot dogs we have had. I wish Minute Maid Park in Houston served dogs that were half as good as the ones here.

During the game I told DD to go ask the bat boy if he could give her a game ball. The bat boy waved her off but one of the Brave’s coaches heard her and told her to hang on. Lance Berkman, the Astro’s best hitter and best player on the team, fouled one off into the Braves dugout. The Braves coach reaches around the dugout and gives the ball to DD! Wow, what a great thing to do. The whole area around us gave the coach a cheer!

It was really fantastic to see a Spring Training game and the WDW stadium is a really great stadium. The Astros won the game with a big rally in the top of the ninth and the team headed back to Base Camp to end the night.

**end daily transmission

 

[tksbaskets]

Very nice trip report commander. Sgt. TK will stand by for further transmissions...over and out.

 

[thptrek]

Thanks TK, I'll be working on the next installment (Return to MK)

 

[lamagique]

I thought this was so cute:

Along the way the High School Musical Show was just starting and we watched this fun show. The dancing and the music was really good. Private DD did request that the Commander not sing along or do any of the dance moves during the show though and the Commander kept himself under control.

And also, I agree with you for GMR.

 

[nicolemarie]

More great pics!

I'm still enjoying reading all about your trip. It sounds so much like our Spring Break trip last year. TGM is worth three times his subscription price, IMO.

Don't tell him I said that, though. It's about the closest thing to a bargain you'll get when Disney is involved!

NM

 

[jordancej]

Heres a big Howdy to you from Sugar Land, TX!!

I just LOVE your report!! Awesome!!! Can't wait to read more!

 

[thptrek]

Thanks Jordancej. Always great to hear from a fellow Texan.

 

[Kimberly815]

I just found your report today- great job!! Bring on some more!

 

[thptrek]

Thanks Kimberly, I am working on next installment.

 

[jennyh2829]

I am waiting on pins and needles!! I can't wait until your next installment.

BTW, Howdy from Longview TX!!

 

[thptrek]

Jenny, i used to run USAgas Pipeline that was based in Kilgore. We had gas gathering sytems all around Longview/Kilgore/Cass County area.

Thanks for you encouragement and I'll get on the next section.

 

[Cruz Family]

Trek, it has been well worth the wait! Infact, when I see you have a new instalment up. I wait untill lunch so I can sit back and really enjoy it.

PS - I forgot to tell you, I loved your idea of soarin going across the country. That would be just too cool!!!

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Great trip report! Oddly enough, I was at MGM on the 13th followed by the Astros-Braves game too. My seats were way up top near first base, though, and we barely got there in time for the game (FP return time for Tower of Terror was kind of late). Glad y'all had so much fun. And I couldn't agree more about the hot dogs!

 

[thptrek]

I hope you were an Astros fan and not a Braves fan. The 11 run ninth inning by the Astros was a lot of fun.

 

[pigletforever]

Reading your report makes me so ready for October to get here.

 

[thptrek]

***Begin briefing transmission**
**Signal confirmed*************

Daily Debriefing March 14 (Day 5) – Return to Magic Kingdom Mission

In what had become our SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) we got our breakfast items from the Food & Fun Center, coffee and muffins from Contemporary Grounds, and sat on our balcony preparing ourselves for the day’s mission. Today it would be back to Magic Kingdom to follow up on our successful mission of March 12th. Given that this was a follow up mission we would concentrate on hitting some of our favorites and make it more of an atmosphere relaxing day as compared to a commando day. The highlight of the day was going to be having lunch with Cinderella in her castle.

The team assembled in the CR lobby and walked over to the Magic Kingdom. Here is the entrance to the pathway.

Private DS was sent ahead as our FastPass runner and procured our FP for Space Mountain. The rest of the team strolled up Main Street. Private DD obtained various character autographs. The standby line for Space was minimal so the team rode Space Mountain and saved their FPs for later.

Commander then steered the team through FantasyLand to head to BTMRR and Splash Mountain. While passing It’s a Small World the team decided to take the world tour and hop on the boat. It’s a Small World seemed very bright and cheery and the music sounded a lot better as compared to previous trips. Disney did a great job in fixing up this classic ride.

In Frontierland we grabbed FP for Splash and rode BTMRR. BTMRR may not be the fastest coaster in the world but it is a great ride with a full storyline and great theming. This is one thing that really sets Disney apart from other “thrill/theme” parks. After BTMRR the standby for Splash was minimal so we waited on the standby line (saving our FP for later).

Commander did not want to get too wet this time on Splash Mountain and many times you barely get wet. However, Commander did feel a foreboding sense of doom but shook it off as ride chills.

If you can visualize the ride you will remember that after you leave the boarding area you flow in front of the Briar Patch where the big drop is. As logs come down the drop into the Briar Patch there are two sets of water cannons. The first set sprays out at the logs passing in front of the drop. The second main set are the large cannons that burp large volumes of water across the path of the descending logs and also hit the logs heading up into the main ride area to the left of the main drop.

As we came around the front of the Briar Patch the first cannons go off right across our bow, --we were safe. However, the team had noticed that if we did not go fast enough we would be dead even across from the main cannons when the next log comes down the big drop. It was as if time slowed down to the crawl!! The log came down the big drop and the cannons went off with the mother of all water volumes. It was as if Poseidon himself had decreed to empty the oceans into the cannons. As the impending waterfall of water arched up into the air, Commander and Private DD quickly calculated the trajectory of the water bomb and realized there would be no escaped. Commander saluted DD and told her “We are doomed and it was great serving with her.” We were hit full broadsides. We were so wet you would have thought that we came out of a shower. Now remember that this was the start of the ride so we rode the whole ride dripping wet and wondering if the log could actually sink (we had that much water sloshing around the bottom of the log). The team spent some time in the rest rooms drying off after that wild ride. It was a sunny warm day and that helped a lot too.

The team proceeded to ride Pirates and then make their way back to FantasyLand. The team arrived a bit early for their 1pm ADR with Cinderella so decided to ride Snow White’s scary adventure. I think it was the first time since 1986 that I had ridden that ride. It’s fun to do things like that. Just before lunch we sent Private DS to obtain FP for Mickey Philharmagic. This was in keeping with Standing Order #1: Always obtain FastPasses as soon as your next Fastpass window opens up.

By the Castle next to Cinderella’s water fountain was Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella. They were fantastic. When a child was slow to walk up for a picture they would firmly tell them to “Come, come we don’t have all day you know.” The CM had already closed the line so we were not able to get their autographs.

It was time for lunch and we entered the Castle. Being a group of 6 we were entitled to two pictures with Cinderella. Private DD posed first with Cinderella and then it was Commander, Private DD and Cinderella for our second pose. We were seated at a nice table next to the windows for lunch. Our table was covered in Magic Kingdom confetti as Commander had alerted Cinderella when making the ADR that we were celebrating birthdays. Our server was excellent (he was a baseball fan). We had the Majordomo pies and the salmon. Both are very good. For dessert the Commander surprised the Privates with Cinderella Slipper desserts.

Fairy Godmother, Jasmine, Snow White, and Belle all came around to the table during the lunch. Having lunch in the castle is an experience. Yes it is expensive, yes it is hard to get an ADR for but c’mon now, you are at DisneyWorld eating in Cinderella’s castle!! Nuff said.

Finishing lunch we headed over to Philharmagic and Private DD saw that Princess Aurora (her favorite) was coming out of the castle. She immediately got in line and was rewarded with Aurora’s autograph and a big hug.

The team headed over to Jungle Cruise but the standby line was huge so we grabbed some FastPasses for later. The park was packed and it was getting to be late afternoon so we decided to head back to base camp. It was just past 3pm so the parade route was packed and Commander knew that heading down Main Street was going to be a tough task. Using his DisBoard knowledge, Commander led the team through the garden path by the castle, around in front of Crystal Plaza and then cut through the shops down Main Street, finally emerging at the end of Main Street near the Firehouse. FIL saw the barber shop and Commander told him they really did cut hair there. Well FIL decided to pop in for a quick cut. While he was getting his hair cut, the rest of the team watched the parade from in front of the barber shop.

Standing in front of the barber shop is a great parade watching spot. It is at the very end of the parade route. The floats come around the flagpole and come right at you before turning and disappearing behind the fencing by the firehouse.

While leaving Magic Kingdom, the Commander and Private DS stopped in front of the castle for a quick recon picture.

On the walk back to Base Camp the team had a decision to make about today’s nighttime operations. The team could go to Hollwood & Vine for dinner and then catch the late Fantasmic showing or the team could have dinner at Kona Café and then come back to Magic Kingdom for Spectro/Wishes. The Commander sensed that the team’s energy levels were low and knew that going to Fantasmic was going to mean a late night (The show was 10pm) He suggested and the team agreed to do Kona Café. Staying at the CR with monorail access is just so convenient. Also, we are just huge Magic Kingdom fans!!!

This was the first time for eating at Kona Café. The décor and setting is beautiful. Kona gets lots of good reviews but the team found it lacking. The biggest issue was that the place was tremendously understaffed. Our waitress took our order, was busing tables, getting drinks, taking care of refills, etc. She had no help at all. Our orders generally came out cool as they were sitting around waiting for them to be brought to the table. The best items were the pot stickers and the prime rib. This may be one example of the Spring Break crowds overwhelming a place.

After dinner we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and caught Spectro from the area around the flagpole. We all just can’t get enough of Spectro and Wishes. The Commander then led the team through the stores again and headed out to Jungle Cruise. We used the FPs we had from earlier and boarded our boat. Jungle Cruise at night is 1000000 times better than during the day. Everything just looks better and it gives you more of a jungle feeling. If you are not a fan of Jungle Cruise, try it at night and you will change your mind!

The team then split up with some members heading back to Main Street to catch Wishes and then head back to Base Camp and others heading to Space Mountain. Commander and Privates headed through FantasyLand to get to Space Mountain. Just as we were passing by the area in front of Pooh’s ride, Wishes started. We just stayed in that area as the fireworks exploded over our heads. If you have seen Wishes before and want a new perspective, try this area! It was so cool and the area was empty.

After Wishes we used our FPs for Space Mountain and rode it twice. The standby wait at the time was about 45 mins. It was getting late so we decided to get some ice cream and then head back to Base Camp.

Strolling through the park at night with the castle glowing, the lights shimmering is just magic. When the privates were younger we could never stay in the parks at night so we missed this on past trips.

After a quick ride back to the CR we were snug in our bed rolls and dreaming of the next mission – The Animal Kingdom.

****end of transmission**
************************************