I thought 7 was supposed to be a lucky number?? Sept TR **Life & PTR Update 5/11**

[PhoenixStrength]

Since it was so hot I figured it just made sense to head over to Splash Mountain. Unfortunately I was not the only one with that idea. The standby wait was posted at 40 minutes, and it was pretty accurate as I waited around 35 minutes. About 10 minutes into the wait it started to rain very lightly, but by the time I was off the ride it had stopped again.

As I warned earlier, here are more ride line pictures that are heavy on lights!
































I never realized how many different lights there were in that line!! But soon enough I was in my log and on my way, zip-a-dee-do-daing my way.






























And the ride photo. I had the long ride to think of what I wanted to do, and didn't decide until it started to go over. So, don't expect much!






Okay, maybe it's not that bad, but I thought of so many better ones after I got off the ride. That's how it always works though, isn't it!

To dry off I walked right next door and got into the line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It was being refurbished my previous trip (December '12) so I was excited to see how it looked. The posted wait was about 20 minutes, but it was closer to 10 minutes. I actually kind of wanted it to be longer so I could stop and see the new signs and things but I had to walk right past many of them. I did snap pictures as I went.


















CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST




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[PhoenixStrength]

More queue photos:









I tried to get some decent pictures inn the tunnel at the beginning. While they didn't turn out as planned, I kind of like them how they wound up even better!









And a few that turned out a bit clearer along the journey















By the time I got off of BTMR is was around 5:45pm and I was hungry. Since my favorite QS spot was nearby I walked over for a dinner at Pecos Bills.






I ordered the Taco Salad, which is so very yummy. As a good DISer I took a picture of my completed meal, after I visited the Fixins Bar.






It was delicious, as always. It was a bit busy in the dining areas, but I did manage to find a table and enjoy my dinner.

Once I finished up I kept up my counter-clockwise tour and headed into PoTC. The line took less than 5 minutes to get through, but I managed to snap pictures while walking.














I noticed as soon as my boat got going that while the mermaid song was playing, the "new" mermaids that were supposed to be swimming beside the boat were not running.

I never get great pictures on this attraction due to the lighting, but here are the best of what I did manage to get!















NEXT TIME: Fantasyland Fun!




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[mickeystoontown]

First off, I'm sooooo excited that we are finally finally going to cross paths while at Disney!


Moving on to the trip report...I love the fun fact that the bird houses aren't really bird houses. You got some really really good pictures on the mountains and Pirates of the Caribbean. Gosh, I am more than ready to get back to Disney and visit the fixin's bar at Pecos Bill's.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

First off, I'm sooooo excited that we are finally finally going to cross paths while at Disney!


Moving on to the trip report...I love the fun fact that the bird houses aren't really bird houses. You got some really really good pictures on the mountains and Pirates of the Caribbean. Gosh, I am more than ready to get back to Disney and visit the fixin's bar at Pecos Bill's.

Me too!

If you look at my pictures from the Splash queue there was a fake birdhouse in there as well. I started craving Pecos Bills when I posted that picture too!!!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Finally I made it to my destination. Something I know I have never done as an adult, and don't remember doing in my 2 trips as a kid. What is it????



The Country Bear Jamboree!

About time you make this right, then!

I'll admit, it is definitely cheesey, but I remember loving it as a kid and it is definitely a classic. I always enjoy sitting back and relaxing for one of these shows.

I tried to get some decent pictures inn the tunnel at the beginning. While they didn't turn out as planned, I kind of like them how they wound up even better!

It does look like a neat effect. You really should have just said you meant to do it...

 

[PhoenixStrength]

About time you make this right, then!

I'll admit, it is definitely cheesey, but I remember loving it as a kid and it is definitely a classic. I always enjoy sitting back and relaxing for one of these shows.


It does look like a neat effect. You really should have just said you meant to do it...

I probably did see CBJ as a kid since my parents liked us to try everything, but I didn't remember it at all, so it was like new no matter what.

Oh, well in that case it was completely on purpose that they looked that way!

 

[Pluto0809]

So glad you shared the Birdhouse thing because our guide didn't mention that one!

Yeah for finally seeing County Bear Jamboree. You even got a picture of my favorite guy Big Al.

I loved seeingall the pictures from the Splash Mountain and BTMR queues. I almost always FP those so I don't get to see the details. I keep wondering which of the birdhouses in the Splash line were speakers.

I tried Peco Bills for the first time in October and really enjoyed it. I had a burger though, not a salad.

That's weird that the Mermaid effect was turned off on Pirates. Did your KTTK guide tell you about the same faces in the auction room? The last lady in line for the auction, she's a little old lady, has the same face as a pirate on the bridge above the boats. He's got an eye patch on. It's pretty obvious once you know to look for it!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

So glad you shared the Birdhouse thing because our guide didn't mention that one!

Yeah for finally seeing County Bear Jamboree. You even got a picture of my favorite guy Big Al.

I loved seeing all the pictures from the Splash Mountain and BTMR queues. I almost always FP those so I don't get to see the details. I keep wondering which of the birdhouses in the Splash line were speakers.

I tried Peco Bills for the first time in October and really enjoyed it. I had a burger though, not a salad.

That's weird that the Mermaid effect was turned off on Pirates. Did your KTTK guide tell you about the same faces in the auction room? The last lady in line for the auction, she's a little old lady, has the same face as a pirate on the bridge above the boats. He's got an eye patch on. It's pretty obvious once you know to look for it!

Glad I was able to teach you something you didn't learn on your KTTK tour! My guide did mention that some characters are made from the same mold, but not which ones in particular, so thank you for sharing a new fact with me!

Pecos Bills is really yummy. The Fixins Bar makes it, since you can put what you want and however much (or however little) you want of it on your food.

Oh, and the one birdhouse in my Splash pics that I know is a speaker is this one:




I don't think the hanging one is, though it could be a wireless speaker. But I know that was is since I was standing next to it for a bit and could hear the music coming from it!

 

[saintstickets]

Great update! Glad to see you have your next trip planned. That is around the time we usually go but this year we will not go until the 1st week of June. The week before Memorial Day is usually low crowds. I'm kind of worried about crowds in June but at least we will be at WDW!!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Great update! Glad to see you have your next trip planned. That is around the time we usually go but this year we will not go until the 1st week of June. The week before Memorial Day is usually low crowds. I'm kind of worried about crowds in June but at least we will be at WDW!!

Well darn that we will miss each other! Glad you have a trip planned yourself. I wouldn't worry too much about the first week of June this year. I know the county I live in the schools won't get out until the 3rd week of June this year due to how much snow we have gotten and school being delayed and cancelled so many times. I know lots of school districts in the north have the same issue. So, less crowds for you!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Day 2, Sunday September 8th, Part 4

After I ogled Johnny Depp....umm, I mean rode Pirates of the Caribbean, I backtracked around the park to the area I had earlier skipped, Fantasyland! I only managed one picture as I walked back there.






I stopped at the first attraction I came up on, It's a Small World.





Now that I've gotten the song stuck in your head (and mine!), here are a couple of pictures that I snapped while waiting to board the happiest little cruise there is!









I didn't get to take many, as my wait was only 2-3 minutes until I was boarded and sailing off.






And I was off to glide around the dolls, singing away. Maybe not out loud, as I didn't want to scare my follow boat-riders, but it was certainly playing in my head the whole way as they sang!



























And one last picture as I walked out.






I checked the time when I walked out and it was just inside my FP time for Peter Pan, so I walked across to join the line there. Thankfully the FP line wasn't too bad, and I was boarding my flying ship in about 5 minutes.









I don't believe I have ever had a picture taken while on this attraction that looked even half-way decent. And this trip was no different!

After I flew over Never Never Land I made my way into New Fantasyland.






I walked past Gaston's fountain...









And stopped in the bathrooms nearby. No pictures in there, but I did take more after, walking over to Voyage of the Little Mermaid to take an undersea ride!












The posted wait was 20 minutes, but the actual time was probably only about 12 minutes. Still plenty of time to get some good pictures, and continue my light obsession!












CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST




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[PhoenixStrength]

More line photos for Voyage of the Little Mermaid







































Whew!! Did you have any idea there were so many different styles of lights in that queue? What's funny is that I have even more of other styles that I didn't post!!!!
After my picture-taking spree I boarded my clammobile and headed Under The Sea!















I was able to get more pictures that looked decent enough to post on this trip than I had in December of 2012.























I really do enjoy this attraction. The queue keeps you interested so it doesn't feel like much of a wait, the ride is very well made and the details are incredible.

As I exited the attraction I kept me eye out for something I had been told about and wanted to find. As you are walking out look at the rocks and you will see this one:






Can you see a special Mickey in that picture? Not any ordinary Hidden Mickey, but a Hidden Steamboat Mickey. If you don't see it, then look at this picture with an outline around for you!






Isn't that neat?

After VotLM I was ready to go elsewhere, but where should I go??


NEXT TIME: HITTING THE WALL



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[afwdwfan]

Now that I've gotten the song stuck in your head

Thanks.

I really do enjoy this attraction. The queue keeps you interested so it doesn't feel like much of a wait, the ride is very well made and the details are incredible.

The queue is just phenomenal with all the water features and everything. They did a great job with it, for sure.

Can you see a special Mickey in that picture? Not any ordinary Hidden Mickey, but a Hidden Steamboat Mickey. If you don't see it, then look at this picture with an outline around for you!

Interesting! Thanks for pointing that one out!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow Steph, great pictures! All of them! I had heard mention of the hidden Steamboat Mickey and had seen pictures but it was so hard to make out. Thanks for the outline, it really helped me see the Mickey.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Thanks.

The queue is just phenomenal with all the water features and everything. They did a great job with it, for sure.

Interesting! Thanks for pointing that one out!

You're welcome! I figured since I would have it stuck in my head I should share!

That queue is possibly my favorite one, with the interactive section, details and just gorgeous decorations.

Wow Steph, great pictures! All of them! I had heard mention of the hidden Steamboat Mickey and had seen pictures but it was so hard to make out. Thanks for the outline, it really helped me see the Mickey.

Thank you! It is hard to see usually, but someone posted a picture that I saw.

 

[Pluto0809]

Cool that you got to see the clock in Small World open both when you got on the ride and when you got off!

I wouldn't care if you sang along outloud. I do that sometimes at Disney because I really don't care what other people with me think!

Peter Pan is so hard to get good pictures on. I think I got one or two that turned out on my last trip even though I took like 20 of them.

I usually take the time to check out all the light fixtures but I've never noticed all the different ones on LM.

That Hidden Mickey is so cool! My Mom bought us the Hidden Mickey book during the February trip and we spent a lot of time looking for them. We didn't see that one though.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Cool that you got to see the clock in Small World open both when you got on the ride and when you got off!

I wouldn't care if you sang along outloud. I do that sometimes at Disney because I really don't care what other people with me think!

Peter Pan is so hard to get good pictures on. I think I got one or two that turned out on my last trip even though I took like 20 of them.

I usually take the time to check out all the light fixtures but I've never noticed all the different ones on LM.

That Hidden Mickey is so cool! My Mom bought us the Hidden Mickey book during the February trip and we spent a lot of time looking for them. We didn't see that one though.

I usually mouth along to the words and dance a bit in my seat!

There are probably around 20 different types of light fixtures in the Little Mermaid queue. They are all rather unique and most are quite pretty.

I really like that HM. It's a different way of them doing them, and it's not just a HM, it's a Steamboat Mickey!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Day 2, Sunday September 8th, Part 5

After my underwater adventure with Ariel I walked through Storybook Circus...






...but didn't stop this time. I instead went through to the path that leads to Tomorrowland, which I actually hadn't taken just to travel back and forth ever before. In 2008 I walked it during MNSSHP as a treat trail.












I was starting to feel very tired all of a sudden, so instead of stopping at any of the attractions I just kept going to the Hub, then toward Main Street. I did take a few quick pictures on the way. Even tired the camera keeps snapping!


















I walked through the Emporium since the sidewalks were filled with people waiting for MSEP, but didn't buy anything then.









I did stop over at the town square center island before I walked out, where there was a PP photographer taking some unique pictures. The first picture was my camera, the second is the PP's.









I then took what may be my favorite picture I have ever taken at MK:






Isn't it great? I love the angle I got and how perfectly the pumpkins frame the side of Cinderella's Castle.

It was around 8:15pm by then, and I walked out the first gates to see another PP photog in front of the train station garden. So, I stopped there too. Same as before, first is mine camera, second is from the PP+.










I made it to the CBR bus stop around 8:30pm, and the bus showed up just 6 minutes later. We loaded pretty quickly, and when we pulled away with only 9 people on the bus. Just 18 minutes later I got off the bus at the Old Port Royale stop.






I was craving something sugary, so I looked around and settled on the Vanilla Monkey Cupcake.






Since I was tired I decided to carry it back to my room and eat it there. This would be a mistake. But before I explain why, here are some pictures of my walk around to my room, and a bit of Illuminations that I could see along the way.


















I made it to my room in about 6 minutes and just as I unlocked the door I dropped the cupcake. Unfortunately the container popped open and my treat rolled away, so it couldn't be eaten. I just cleaned it up and threw it in my trash can. After uploading my pictures taken during the day and setting my wake up call I went to bed, before 10pm.


NEXT TIME: MISSING STITCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN!



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[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 3, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH

So, I should have known the trip was going to start going downhill from the moment I woke up that morning. Why? Because the night before I had set up my wake up call for 6:30am. I woke up on my own at 6:36am. While I was taking a shower I heard the phone ringing and they left a voicemail wake-up at 6:52am, 22 minutes late!

I got out the door at 7:45am, only a few minutes later than I wanted. I had a pre-park opening breakfast ADR so I wanted to catch the bus quickly and make it on time. As I was walking toward the bus stop I saw the bus I needed was there. I started to jog, but the bus still pulled away seconds before I got there. A CM (whose name I forgot to write down) appeared to do the bus log and I talked to him for a bit, along with a couple that was also waiting. He was very nice and funny, making lots of jokes about CBR and WDW in general.

Another bus came about 10 minutes after I got to the stop, so we boarded. There were only about 15 other people on the bus, then we were on our way. Where to? Back to MK!






I got a picture of one of the Disney buses with the new design on our way to MK, as well as the Iron Man 3 monorail.









I got in the line for those with breakfast ADRs and was able to go right in. Despite it being only 8:20am and the park opening not being until 9am, there were a good amount of people in for ADRs. I got a semi-empty shot of the castle...






And stopped at my first PP photographer for the day. For some reason though I cannot find the actual PP+ pics at this one, only the two from my camera.









I didn't go far before I stopped at another PP photographer. This time I do have both sets of pictures. First picture is my camera, the other 3 are PP+.















And one good shot of the castle and Partners statue before I headed left.






As I said, I was headed left, to eat breakfast here:






Donald's relatives were already there for the day.






There were a couple of families checking-in in front of me, so I took a couple pictures while they finished...









...then I had my buzzer so I wandered the porch area, taking more pictures while I waited to be called in.















My ressie was for 8:50am, but I was called in at 8:37am, only four minutes after I checked in. My server was Michael Jay and greeted me within 20 seconds of my being seated. He was very nice and attentive. Before I even got to go get my first plate of food Tigger stopped by. He loved when I told him that he is my favorite character, and gestured that he wanted a kissing picture. Michael Jay took these for me:









None of the other characters were nearby, so I went off to get some grub! I got 2 plates total, and ate almost everything. The only thing I didn't like was the sausage, it was undercooked.









While I was eating the second plate Eeyore stopped by. Thankfully Michael Jay was at the next table over, so he took our picture again.






CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST




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[PhoenixStrength]

As I finished the second plate of food Piglet came by. Michael Jay was no where to be seen, but a handler who was walking around got a picture of us for me.






I was done eating then, but Pooh was nowhere around. The handler must have seen me looking around, and asked me who I still needed to see. When I said just Pooh she went off to get him so I could get a picture before I left. She was so nice to do that!






After my last picture I took a quick restroom break, then headed out. Well, after taking some more pictures of course!















It was about 9:45am by then, so the park was open. I headed into Adventureland first, since I didn't get to do everything in there the previous day.






One of my favorite rides in that area, Jungle Cruise, was closed for refurbishment, but there were still JC CMs out in front of the ride, being their corny selves. The day before I had seen a CM dragging a toy snake behind him as I got in line for PoTC. Today the same CM, Adam, was out in front of the JC area with the same toy snake. This time it had pins all in it. He was telling everyone that the snake was stressed due to the refurb, so he was getting "acupuncture" to help. Adam was very funny and friendly, and insisted I take a picture of him with his snake.






My first attraction of the day was a new one for me, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. The posted wait was 5 minutes, but I walked right on.












I was soon up in the air, snapping pictures and avoiding the "spit"


















Yes, it is pretty much Dumbo, but with different views so I enjoyed it.

Since I was right next door and had skipped it the previous day I headed into The Enchanted Tiki Room next. There was a 12 minute wait when I walked in. People kept streaming in until the waiting area was about 2/3 of the way full.



























After the preshow ended we all filed into the show room. Jose, Pierre, Michael and Fritz, along with all of their friends, were soon serenading us.






CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



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