Hijinks & Shenanigans but not much Mayhem@The Dark Side+Disney:Link to DL/Hawaii TR

[natebenma]

All good! We have been to US/IoA a time or six.... It's the resort I am always interested in, maybe find an area or activity we would otherwise miss. You know, kinda how I didn't know about the walk from BCV to Epcot

I never knew they had regular tables at Sci Fi. I agree I would only get a burger there. The cucumber salad would keep me going back. It was nice a refreshing in the middle of the week. Although I never ordered it myself. I ended up eating most of my DDs she was trying to eat more of her burger. To bad the candy bar thing didnt taste better. It looks good.
After seeing your TOT pic I am rethinking that wearing white shirts help to stand out in photo. I tend to stay away from white shirts due to rain.

I liked the cucumber salad, too.

We always ask for the regular tables and it is never a problem because most people like the novelty of the cars.

That's funny about the white shirt. I once had a white bikini.

Too bad you missed the tram for the Backstage Tour. Mark and I did this for the first time in a very long time in August. Andy went in December to coach a baseball team, and for the second time in two baseball trips, he was picked to me in the show in Pearl Harbor.

I would have booked it too...especially since TOT is my favorite.

Wow...you really were the only ones on the Street.

I never thought to try to get a picture when the doors opened...I like that idea.

There may yet be another chance to hit the Backlot Tour. For better or worse.

I can't believe how empty that NYC backdrop is!

I always try to take a picture. I have had mixed results:


Class Trip (2012)






2010




2009

I'm caught up again! Bummer your Sci-Fi dining experience was just okay. We ate there for the first time back in May and LOVED it! We were on the DDP, so we got a sundae, that candy bar thing, and the cheesecake. I honestly don't remember anything about the candy bar I guess it was okay. I'm with you on the DDP! I'm looking forward to having freedom without it on our next trip. I hope this trip convinced Mark! My DH was a skeptic too but is finally on board.

I had Mark convinced before the trip. And then when we got back, I believe I did an analysis of what we paid for food and it was way cheaper than the dining plan.

Yup - I would have bailed on the back lot tour for ToT. I like that picture of the service elevator. It turned out great! And not really a picture fail on the inside shot. I am never brave enough to take my camera out at all!

You also got some good shots in the queue. Looks like things moved along really fast.

No way were we missing out on ToT, but we did cross the park A LOT that afternoon.

See above for the ToT window pictures.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Then it probably doesn't surprise you that I moved my trip report chapter so I could reply to this post before the update!

Not surprised at all!!!!!!!!!

I've only had dining plan once as part of a UK free dining promo and we had so many unused qs credits-I would never pay for it but certainly loved it when we got it for free

Love ToT but can only sometimes persuade others to join me

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

So funny to me with all that space on the Streets of America that it's always so barren of people (Osborne Lights excluded). For such a small park to begin with, to have all that really unused space is just... wrong.

Actually, I like that ToT photo with the doors still closed. Quite the interesting perspective.

But Wow, that's a pretty laid back group on the ToT!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I can't remember the last time we did the Backlot. One of DS12's favorite rides at HS is GMR. Funny huh?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[natebenma]

Dang!!! Once again, I forgot to include a cartoon for my update. Here is the one I found and have now edited in to my post

Not surprised at all!!!!!!!!!

I've only had dining plan once as part of a UK free dining promo and we had so many unused qs credits-I would never pay for it but certainly loved it when we got it for free

Love ToT but can only sometimes persuade others to join me

I think we are done with the dining plan for the most part. Plus, we like getting room only reservations and ordering discount tickets from Undercover Tourist. I don't know if that is available for you or not, but every penny saved...

Bummer when you are willing to try anything, but have trouble getting others to go along with you. Nate is fearless, but Ben is just starting to get over that hurdle. He still is not wild about Tower of Terror, but he did RockNRollerCoaster for the first time (spoiler alert) on this trip.

Hopefully he will be willing to try everything at Disneyland- another ToT and California Screamin' may be the ones he has the most trouble with. Or the Wheel of Doom.

So funny to me with all that space on the Streets of America that it's always so barren of people (Osborne Lights excluded). For such a small park to begin with, to have all that really unused space is just... wrong.

Actually, I like that ToT photo with the doors still closed. Quite the interesting perspective.

But Wow, that's a pretty laid back group on the ToT!

True- it is a really under-utilized space. I'm guessing that the rumored Cars Land (is it more than a rumor?) will change that big time.

Thanks for the comment about the picture. Now the things I haven't noticed before are those two figures flanking the door/windows.

My ToT ride photo is not nearly as cool as some of yours! It's much more fun when there are people in terror!

I can't remember the last time we did the Backlot. One of DS12's favorite rides at HS is GMR. Funny huh?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

You may not get many more chances on the Back Lot Tour- if the rumors are true about a Cars Land expansion. The best part is the dump shop, anyway, with all of the movie paraphernalia.

We like GMR, too- although my update from this years trip is going to be "Not so Great Movie Ride"

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

We can do like do and book everything separately and use undercovertourist for tickets but there's a 14 day ultimate ticket for the uk that does all parks, waterparks, Disney quest (save me ) and you can visit as many parks as you want in a day. I normally buy this as I have used virgin airmiles to get discount on tickets and grocery points to get the airmiles (sounds more complicated than it actually is)
Room discounts generally work best for us (family of 5 though now back to 4) but 1 year we got a brilliant deal on WDWTC UK and it gave us a good price for BC CLUB LEVEL and free dining but like I said we had so many QS left and they had just stopped exchanging them for snacks and in all consciousness I couldn't do as others (including server in qs location) had said and buy the whole meal just for the crisps/bun-(sorry meant chips/muffin) so they went unused! Didn't bother me too much because I had gotten a really good deal but I'd never pay for it because then it would really annoy me

I'm gearing up my eldest son that this year for my birthday I want at least 1 thrill ride of my choice in each park we visit lol. He's 16 will be 17 in September -we share a birthday so I told him that he has to do this as my present in advance which he should be delighted with as it will 1) save him from dreaded shopping and 2) save him cash lol

 

[teekathepony]

Bonus days are always so cool, you get to do the little extras that sometimes get neglected
It's been a while since we did the backlot tour. Too bad you guys missed it! I do enjoy the room with all the artifacts. I think I like that part better than the ride!
Oooh I am so not a fan of ToT. It just plain scares me, no other way to say it!

Next Up: Catastrophe!

Uh-oh! Don't like the sound of that!

 

[natebenma]

We can do like do and book everything separately and use undercovertourist for tickets but there's a 14 day ultimate ticket for the uk that does all parks, waterparks, Disney quest (save me ) and you can visit as many parks as you want in a day. I normally buy this as I have used virgin airmiles to get discount on tickets and grocery points to get the airmiles (sounds more complicated than it actually is)
Room discounts generally work best for us (family of 5 though now back to 4) but 1 year we got a brilliant deal on WDWTC UK and it gave us a good price for BC CLUB LEVEL and free dining but like I said we had so many QS left and they had just stopped exchanging them for snacks and in all consciousness I couldn't do as others (including server in qs location) had said and buy the whole meal just for the crisps/bun-(sorry meant chips/muffin) so they went unused! Didn't bother me too much because I had gotten a really good deal but I'd never pay for it because then it would really annoy me

I'm gearing up my eldest son that this year for my birthday I want at least 1 thrill ride of my choice in each park we visit lol. He's 16 will be 17 in September -we share a birthday so I told him that he has to do this as my present in advance which he should be delighted with as it will 1) save him from dreaded shopping and 2) save him cash lol

I love this deal!!!

Bonus days are always so cool, you get to do the little extras that sometimes get neglected
It's been a while since we did the backlot tour. Too bad you guys missed it! I do enjoy the room with all the artifacts. I think I like that part better than the ride!
Oooh I am so not a fan of ToT. It just plain scares me, no other way to say it!

Uh-oh! Don't like the sound of that!

Have you been on ToT at all? You must at least walk through the queue- the theming is incredible!

The timing would have been good if we got in to the first tour. But all hope is not lost.

Don't be too concerned- see the previous sentence in my response

 

[tiggerfan77]

Hey Dee! I know I have been MIA in the DIS for a while. Just was dealing with some Post-Disney blues. So I am now officially caught up on your TR! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was relaxing and pretty tame.
First of all, I wanted to say how awesome it is that Ben did that power point on Everest! I love seeing kids finding out what they want to be passionate about. EJ has really been into dinosaurs and wildlife conservation since he was 4. Which is why Animal Kingdom has always been his favorite park. I remember last year he expressed interest in traveling around the world rescuing animals Got to love our kids and their passion for adventure!

Now back to your TR. Looks like you all had a pretty productive day at AK especially being an half day. Sorry that Ben was not doing so well toward the end there. Been there! Lol!
It haven't eaten at SCI-FI since 98 (yikes!) Sorry to hear your meal was just ok. The burgers looked delicious anyway.

Loved the flashback photos of ToT which is my new favorite ride now Can't wait to hear more!

 

[natebenma]

Hey Dee! I know I have been MIA in the DIS for a while. Just was dealing with some Post-Disney blues. So I am now officially caught up on your TR! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was relaxing and pretty tame.
First of all, I wanted to say how awesome it is that Ben did that power point on Everest! I love seeing kids finding out what they want to be passionate about. EJ has really been into dinosaurs and wildlife conservation since he was 4. Which is why Animal Kingdom has always been his favorite park. I remember last year he expressed interest in traveling around the world rescuing animals Got to love our kids and their passion for adventure!

Now back to your TR. Looks like you all had a pretty productive day at AK especially being an half day. Sorry that Ben was not doing so well toward the end there. Been there! Lol!
It haven't eaten at SCI-FI since 98 (yikes!) Sorry to hear your meal was just ok. The burgers looked delicious anyway.

Loved the flashback photos of ToT which is my new favorite ride now Can't wait to hear more!

Good to see you back!

I'm glad you had a nice, quiet Christmas. Ours was too.

Ben really does throw himself into the things that interest him. Speaking of his interest in Everest- on Feb 14, the school is bringing in someone who has climbed to the summit to talk to Ben's grade at school!

We did have a nice morning at Animal Kingdom, and fortunately, Ben's discomfort was over by the time we reached Hollywood Studios.

The meal at Sci Fi was ok. But that was pretty much what I expected going in, so at least I wasn't disappointed!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was behind two updates and, wouldn't you know it, one of 'em included one of my backsacks. We once sat at one of the tables at Sci-Fi and, now that I think about it, I did enjoy it more. We could actually face one another and talk to each other. It's too bad the dessert wasn't a hit. It sure did look good though.

Well phooey! You stand in line for Backlot Tour and then have to bail so you can make your Fastpass. At least it was for the awesome Tower of Terror!

 

[natebenma]

I was behind two updates and, wouldn't you know it, one of 'em included one of my backsacks. We once sat at one of the tables at Sci-Fi and, now that I think about it, I did enjoy it more. We could actually face one another and talk to each other. It's too bad the dessert wasn't a hit. It sure did look good though.

Well phooey! You stand in line for Backlot Tour and then have to bail so you can make your Fastpass. At least it was for the awesome Tower of Terror!

That will teach you not to skip my chapters!



I think it is funny that a lot of people have to wait for the cars, but we prefer the tables so we are seated relatively quickly. That is how we originally found out about the tables the first time we ate there. The restaurant lost our reservation and told us we would have to wait, but they could seat us at a table immediately.

Well, we didn't wait in line long, but the biggest problem was that we had gone so far out of our way. But on the bright side, we did get FP for Star Tours on our way to Tower of Terror.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I love this deal!!!




Me too and it appears the teenager is in agreement too

Have you been on ToT at all? You must at least walk through the queue- the theming is incredible!

The timing would have been good if we got in to the first tour. But all hope is not lost.

Don't be too concerned- see the previous sentence in my response

Definitely be going on ToT now that I have company

 

[natebenma]

Definitely be going on ToT now that I have company

 

[natebenma]

A couple of Star Wars-Sibling themed comics:







After we checked out of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, it was time to check out a galaxy far, far away. We had Fast Passes for Star Tours.











These are not the droids we are looking for!






This was the first time Mark and Ben had been on Star Tours since the refurb. Nate and I had gone on once during the class trip. But I still don’t remember which version we got either time.

We left Star Tours without having a Fast Pass to anything, so we decided to try one more time to see if we could take the Back Lot Tour.

As we approached, the skies looked like this:





Next up: Catastrophe! (Finally)

.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

OH looks dark and thundery in your pic! Me thinks you will be getting wet one way or another very soon!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OK, I had to take a break just from reading that first comic. "R not D2".



OK... I'm good.

And to tie in with the second comic "Yadda Yadda"... "They're Gold Jerry... GOLD!"

Uh oh... I hope the catastrophe is canyon.

 

[MEK]

Yup - looks like ran.

Glad the boys got to enjoy Star Tours for the first time! I love that ride and those Star War cartoons are very funny!

 

[JanetMom]

Love the am not D2.

 

[emmysmommy]

It looked like the ToT hotel definitely needed some guests...that line was non-existent. I try to take photos when the doors open but I fail more times than not so I just try to strike a cutesy pose instead. Loved the 2009 photo!

From how the skies look you may have catastrophe canyon outside the Back Lot Tour.

Your comics are always a fantastic addition to your TRs. The R2 - Not D2 Perfect! Love the droids line. I hear that often from my DH when he's telling me to go mind my own business in a funny way.