Firsts, Fourths, and Farewells (4/28 Back to the Future!)

[thecapells]

Looking forward to seeing all your pictures when I get home tonight. I never tire of looking at ToT queue pictures and there appears there are quite a few.

Yeah, we were busy this holiday weekend putting up several segments to make up for the long hiatus.
Hope you like all the pics!

 

[MEK]

Awesome pics from both of you. Those ToT pictures are some of the best I've seen. You really captured such amazing detail. I tend to grt nervous on ToT so I never leave my camera out that long. I think I need to!

 

[boxmaster]

Loved the dual update

As for Jared's update-as someone to chicken to ride I love to see pics of TOT. The theming is so cool. I have gone through the queue though I just take the smooth elevator ride back down

Well, then, you should enjoy seeing a bit more than "just" photos. Too bad this will be the only way some people will "experience" ToT.

 

[boxmaster]

Given that likely at least 4 of the other 5 (there's hope for one yet, I think) will NEVER set foot
inside the Tower of Terror elevator, I had to do something. My first time through the ride tonight,
I strictly enjoyed it. I took my time on line, stepping out of the way to let people behind me pass
as I took oodles of pictures. However, the second time through, which had a slightly slower line
(maybe 15 minutes to get through the whole queue) and only a few extra pictures I wanted to
take, I made sure to take video from the moment the elevator doors shut.

For those of you who are similarly “weak-stomached” and can't tolerate the feeling of your stomach
rising and falling opposite of the way your body is moving (shame!), here is the best I could do at
bringing you into the car with us all. And, yes, the rider's voice you hear loudest, once we start
dropping, is mine, but they're squeals of joy and laughter throughout.

Around 1:55 into the video, there's a nice little peak outdoors, just to get us nice and calm overlooking
the great view of DHS, right before we're taunted by a 1-foot drop, before being rushed high-speed
into the bowels of the hotel, sent rising up to the top floors, and once again plummeting to our
doom down below.

Care to join the terror?


So, while I was traveling solo on these two trips through the Tower of Terror, I wasn't traveling alone.
Here are the other intrepid souls who were similarly lost in the deadly plunge to the basement.
You actually might have caught a glimpse of the picture having been taken during the video if you were
looking really closely.

So, having joined some ghosts and made my way through some television lore, what could possibly be next?

 

[thecapells]

Awesome pics from both of you. Those ToT pictures are some of the best I've seen. You really captured such amazing detail. I tend to grt nervous on ToT so I never leave my camera out that long. I think I need to!

We trained J well.

 

[boxmaster]

Awesome pics from both of you. Those ToT pictures
are some of the best I've seen. You really captured such amazing detail. I
tend to grt nervous on ToT so I never leave my camera out that long.
I think I need to!

Thanks a lot. With a decent camera and taking just that tad bit of extra time,
rather than rushing through as is all too frequently the case, that's what makes
the difference. Glad you enjoyed.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

What a wonderful update! Not only did you highlight my favorite ride at Disney World, you included the most FANTASTIC pictures of ToT that I've ever seen! I hope you had a wonderful time, J!

(I look forward to seeing which Capell you managed to get onto the ride...)

 

[boxmaster]

What a wonderful update! Not only did you highlight my favorite ride at Disney World, you included the most FANTASTIC pictures of ToT that I've ever seen! I hope you had a wonderful time, J!

(I look forward to seeing which Capell you managed to get onto the ride...)

Thanks for that. As for who I *managed* to get onto the ride... none of them... YET. However, as you'll eventually see, I did wind up getting one of them onto another thrill ride later on in the trip. That's who I figure will eventually go on ToT.

 

[boxmaster]

Satiated about having done the one thing in DHS that I wanted to make sure I got back on, I walked
about to see what else was available to do that I hadn't yet done this time around. Walking back
towards Hollywood and Vine (a great intersection in real life, filled with TONS of foot traffic), my
attention was caught by this gorgeous car. Now THIS is style. (Even though my favorite are Caddies
from the 50s, convertible, with fins, red exterior with white leather interior – even though I really hate
the “new smell” of leather interiors that never goes away fully.)

So, casting about for what to do, I ended up at the Great Movie Ride.

Inside the entrance are a few props/costumes that are certainly eye-catching.
This outfit is from (I think) Elizabeth:

And I believe this is one of the carousel horses from Mary Poppins:

I timed it well enough, apparently, to catch the last few seconds of the pre-ride queue's film. So,
essentially, I just walked in. And, boy, was I ever so disappointed. This is NOT something I will ever go
on again. It was such a cheesy, outdated, predictable, and boring “ride” - ugh! And I actually knew the
vast majority of the references. It's certainly not something for young kids unless, at best, they come
from a movie buff family where they will have seen lots of older/classic movies, since they won't otherwise be
able to get any of the references.

After I left there, I swung by TSM to see how crazy the line was. Wishful thinking! The line was at
least 30 minutes long (probably closer to an hour), and I didn't have a FastPass (those having been
“sold out” for the day many hours before). Not willing to wait for that long, but not wanting to call it a
day just yet, I went to the attraction detailing Walt Disney's life. But I wasn't really paying a whole lot
of attention, nor taking many pictures. (I was clearly only procrastinating leaving the park.) The one
thing that truly caught my attention was this animatronic Abe Lincoln.

And his controls, of course:

By the time the movie about Dinsey was finished (which was good, but my head really wasn't all there
to absorb much), I was tired and wanted to get going, and make sure I wasn't caught up in whatever the
late exit rush might be like. So, I caught the next bus back to Pop Century.

 

[thecapells]

By the time the movie about Dinsey was finished (which was good, but my head really wasn't all there
to absorb much)

Hey J - Any details on the movie?
DS and I skipped it since we wanted to get back to you guys...

 

[boxmaster]

Hey J - Any details on the movie?
DS and I skipped it since we wanted to get back to you guys...

Sadly, no - not definitively; I was a bit unfocused. I only have a vague memory about how he built up the company (despite having lost the rights to his first big character - Oswald), how generous his brother Roy was to him growing up, etc. Thing is, I'm not sure whether what I'm thinking of is from that movie or from somewhere else. I'd suggest swinging in there if possible during our time in DHS in January, but X likely would be bored by the movie - he's still too young for a documentary, even about ol' Walt himself.

 

[boxmaster]

My very long day completed, I arrived back at Pop Century. I liked the
lighting of the buildings around where our rooms were so decided to
take a few pics.

Here's the cell phone at the end of the nearby 90s

And the 80s' Rubiks Cube, making a resurgence in pop culture

And the 8-track that was at the end of the building the 6 of us were
staying in – the 70s

It was definitely time to call it a night, so I didn't poke around the rest of the
resort. After all, there was plenty more time for that later in the week. (In
theory, anyway.) And I had to get the chip with all of my pictures for the day
to Mike for him to download to his computer, as he was the repository for all
the pictures from the three cameras. There's lots more in store, and I want
to be as rested as possible to kick off Day Three.

And with the way that Day Three kicked off for me before we even got out the door, I was happy to be well-rested and functioning.

 

[BridgetR3]

You can't leave us hanging like that!!!!

Now post Day 3 already!!!

 

[MEK]

I have to agree with you that the animatronic Abe Lincoln is awesome!!!! It's really cool to see its insides.


I also agree that the GMR is tired. Years ago I loved it, but I haven't ridden it for quite awhile. I would love a redo in of that ride, but I'm glad they upgraded Star Tours first!

 

[boxmaster]

You can't leave us hanging like that!!!!

Now post Day 3 already!!!

Thanks for that. I like a good cliffhanger.

 

[boxmaster]

As happened most of our trip, it was pretty chilly outside in the morning
when we were getting ready to go. (Don't listen to what Mike might say on
that score – he's a heat generator.) As much as DS and DD wanted to get
into the parks, they didn't exactly want to wake up at the time that we
needed to to get a jump on the day, let alone get ready all that quickly. They
can fully dress themselves, no problem – it's just the battle of motivation
versus inertia. In the morning, inertia tends to win. (Hey, it does for most
adults, too – that's why the snooze button was invented. )

As for X, he needed a bit of help still. So, my being pretty quick to get ready
and wanting to expedite our departure (no reason to be a bump on a log
while Mike and Stacey were also busy readying things for the day), as I did
the prior day and have done so on many occasions leaving the Capell
residence with the crew, I helped out putting on X's socks and shoes, always
a last-minute procedure. (It's a little more cumbersome than for most kids
his age because of the orthotics that need to be put on his feet prior to
putting on the shoes.) It's not a tough chore, unless X decides to flex his toes
back and forth, messing up the socks and giggling at my obvious frustration ;
he wasn't doing that this morning at all.

Even though Mike always wonders why I don't face X to do this, I've always
found it easiest and most comfortable to have X sit on my lap when I put on
his socks and shoes; it's much easier for me to visualize what needs to be
done. So, as many times past, I got his socks on and even his orthotics (you
can occasionally see them in a picture), and was starting to put on his shoes.
Out of nowhere, X turns his face up towards mine, and in his soft, raspy
voice, he proclaims quite clearly, “Unca, I like you.” Bestill
my heart, as much as X has expressed that sentiment previously and run
over to me when I visit , this morning in this setting I melted.
It was just so sweet; what a good way to start the morning. It's these sorts
of moments that make any craziness or frustration (as there's bound to be
with three young children on a 9-day vacation) totally worth it.

It was soon thereafter that everyone was all ready to head on out to the bus
stop for us to begin a wild day. Any guesses to our destination?

 

[thecapells]

It was just so sweet; what a good way to start the morning. It's these sorts
of moments that make any craziness or frustration (as there's bound to be
with three young children on a 9-day vacation) totally worth it.

Our kids definitely love their Unca - no question about it!
And I must admit, having a 3rd parent around made the trip so much nicer - especially for splitting up since each child to cuddle with a parent.

 

[thecapells]

As J indicated, Mom and I were busy in the adjoining room getting ready for the day – snacks, changes of clothes, etc.
In the melee, I did manage to snap a picture of a friend that was there to greet us the night before when we got home from the parks:

But then it was off to the bus stop.
And in case you haven’t figured out where we are headed, let Mom give you a clue:

J and I were also decked out in our animal wear.
I’m still not sure why J was pouting but he apparently thought it was funny since he started laughing afterwards.
Here’s the before and after…

After a short bus ride, we arrived at about 7:30.
Here’s our lovely model doing her best Vanna White impression…

I love these ticket booths.
They are themed so perfectly.

And, of course, the new “Let the Memories Begin” banners were proudly waving in Animal Kingdom too!

The park opened at 8 for Extra Magic Hours but they let us in around 7:45.
Past the gates, through the Oasis, over the bridge, and there it was.
The mighty Tree of Life.
What a wonderful way to start a morning.

But we weren’t stopping.
Shortly after arriving here, the rope dropped and we pressed on over another bridge and arrived at the outskirts of Harambe.
Welcome to the small village deep in the heart of Africa…

You see, we had booked a two-week safari excursion which leaves out of this quaint little town.
We were very excited but we were afraid that X would not be able to stand in the long line so we opted to take his stroller in with us.
(Remember, we had a guest assistance card for just these occasions).

We headed down the queue and stopped in the office to check-in for our excursion.
But no one was around.
Must be a slow day…

We rounded a corner where most people dropped off their strollers but the CM’s told us to keep going.
A “pre-flight video” of sorts began and we learned about the problem of poaching here in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

Then we were shuffled over to the handicapped entrance.
Boy, was this the wrong move.
At this point we had to wait for the proper vehicle to arrive.
Even though we were carrying X on, there were others with wheelchairs that were waiting.
So this delayed our departure about 10-15 minutes.
Next time, we’ll just carry X.

Another interesting tidbit we learned.
Kilimanjaro Safaris does not actually begin loading passengers until 8:15 on EMH mornings.
So while we were ready to go at 8, the line did not start to move until 8:15.
And then we waited another 15 minutes for our vehicle.
Needless to say, I was a bit annoyed at our late start.
But finally, we hopped on our jeep and off in the preserve we went!

Mom and J began taking detailed shots of our jeep as we waited for clearance.

 

[thecapells]

The warden then contacted our driver and we were off!

Some deer were off to the side around the first bend.

And then we approached the rhinos.
Now, for some reason, Unca made it a point to try to capture a more interesting side of all of the animals.
So, without further adieu, Rhino Butt!

The hippo ponds were next complete with lots of birds and mostly submerged hippos.

And then a rickety bridge which shook and shook.
The kids were giggling with delight.
Although the crocs down below were licking their lips…

Here’s a nice shot of the “upside down” tree – I believe it’s called a baobob.
See? Animal Kingdom is educational!

Next up was a group of giraffes having their breakfast.
And now that you know the game, guess which of the next shots was J’s.
The giraffe even gave him a dirty look afterwards…

J was on a roll so he continued with wildebeast and antelope butts

I, on the other hand, was getting artsy trying to frame some animals alongside the newly constructed viewing locations.
These were just completed and house lucky “Wild Africa Trek” patrons who get to relax with snacks here while they watch the animals.
Think about the view from their angle!
When the kids are older, we are DEFINITELY trying that tour out!

 

[thecapells]

Next up were the elephants!
And we even saw the little baby elephant that was born right before our last visit.

And J took his picture of course…

Look Ma!
Now you see me… Now you don’t!

Around the bend were the flamingos.
They were all out in force today!

I love the antlers on these guys!

We were having a blast by now and getting pretty lucky.
We even got to see the cheetahs out and about.
Boy can those guys run!

And we caught a glimpse of the head lion himself on Pride Rock.

And then J started snapping again.
Hey kids, it’s Pumbaa Butt…

And more antelope butt

Next we caught up to those “Wild Africa Trek” guests – it looks like a lot of fun!

But our luck would run out as our safari had to be cut short.
The warden needed our help tracking down some poachers.
So off we went following their trail and flushing them out into a trap the warden set up.
We rescued Little Red!

But then we had to circle back around and dock at the special handicapped entrance so that took a bit longer as well.
But we did get to check out a cool tunnel for a bit.

As usual, a fun trip and one we always enjoy.
But now we were late.
We had 9AM ADR’s for breakfast in a safari of a different sort.
Come join us!