"I'M STUCK IN DISNEY!!!!!!!!" A Delightfully Unliveable TR ~ NEW TR 9/27!!!!!!!!!!!

[__disneygirl]

OCTOBER 21, 2012
Day 1, Part 6 In Which There Is A Lack of Palooza Action

It was time to head to The Magic of Disney Animation, because I really wanted to experience the Character Palooza that usually happens between 4:50 and 5:20 P.M., so we headed in that direction.

On the way we passed the Splash fountain...

And of course, my beloved addiction:

SIGH. SO HARD TO WALK PAST THIS WITHOUT RIDING. But the wait was, quite obviously, still 75 minutes. I was surprised it wasn't longer, actually. So we moved on.

Mr. Spell! Ok, I've never seen Mr. Spell on and working before... in fact, it didn't even occur to me that it worked at all. But of course it does, this is Disney! Someone tweeted about it a few weeks ago:

Awesome!!!

I caught a glimpse of my home in the distance...

Soon, darling. Soon.

We arrived at Animation around 5:05, so I figured the Character Palooza would be at the height of its Paloozaness. However, once we got inside, it was just Sorcerer Mickey and Frozone. BOO.

For those who don't know, during the Character Palooza, a bunch of random characters come out, sometimes unusual ones. I asked a CM what was going on and they said that Mickey and Frozone were the only characters greeting at the moment. I asked another if there were any other characters anywhere in the building and he was kind of rude and said that there were a bunch of "surprise characters" earlier, but they were gone now.

I don't really know what the deal with the Character Palooza is or if it even happens anymore, so if anyone has any info, feel free to share it! I was pretty disappointed, but not in any real upsetting way. Nothing can really bother me on my first day in Disney.

We looked in the Animator's offices, and I loved that Jack Skellington was holding a toy of himself:

It's hard to get a good picture, but there is SO MUCH to look at in there. If you haven't spent a decent amount of time looking at everything, check it out next time!

I wasn't upset about the lack of Palooza action, because that just meant we could get to The Tower of Terror sooner!! So off we headed in the direction of Sunset Blvd, but once we reached the hat area, Lee-Anne asked what was "over there", and pointed at Min & Bill's Dockside Diner, so we just walked around that area for a bit.

I showed her 50's Prime Time, the Tune In Lounge, explained about Gertie, etc... but I just wanted to get to Sunset!! MY HOME WAS CALLING ME.

Once on Sunset Boulevard, we stopped in Villains in Vogue, one of my favorite Disney shops. The theming used to be a bit better, but it's still awesome.

These are our mean villain faces.

This was my first time seeing Disney Halloween merchandise in years, so I was pretty excited. I loved the Haunted Mansion stuff, especially. Here is Lee-Anne modeling one of the hats:

Even though I loved all the Halloween stuff, pretty much as soon as we took this picture, my butt was out the door. I could not wait for ToT any longer. It was within view and I just HAD to go on. Lee-Anne was like, "Hey, I haven't even seen half the stuff yet!" so I reluctantly went back in, but I was like a cat on a hot tin roof!

She ended up buying this awesome TNBC picture frame and said she wanted to put a picture of us at MNSSHP inside it once she got home. Great idea!

Then, we headed in the direction of my house.

AND HERE IT IS!

Sigh.... I love you so much.

BUT I HAD TO WAIT EVEN LONGER... because I realized we lost track of time. Beauty and the Beast was about to start, and I didn't know when else we'd have time to see it in the trip.

Hula Timon told me that Beauty and the Beast was his favorite 90's Disney movie not starring himself, so he was really excited.

I would have taken him for more of an Aladdin guy myself, but what I can I say, he's a big sap at heart.

There goes the baker with his tray like always, the same old bread and rolls to sell...

I actually think it would be even more fun to be one of the ensemble in this than it would to play Belle. They have so many different roles to play and such fun costumes! I would seriously be in Heaven if I got to do that. Maybe someday..

Oh look, it's Adam!

I just think it's funny that the Beast's real name is Adam. It's so normal, but I mean I guess he was just a normal prince before the beggar woman/beautiful enchantress cast her spell on him. IDK, it's still weird. His name should be like Rolfe or something. No, that's terrible. I don't know. But I can't refer to him as Adam. Ah well, it's not like Snow or Cinderella's princes even have official names, so at least we have something here.

As usual, I enjoyed the show very much, but I was practically jogging out of the theatre.

THE TOWER OF TERROR WAS STEPS AWAY!

Up next: I'm home.​

 

[Rumpletinker]

You sound crazy fun and I think I love you a little bit! This report is awesome so far! Signing on.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I love the little details around the Muppets too!! The key under the mat is one of my favorites! Don't forget to look up in the pre-show room as well, there's a TON of things hanging from the ceiling!

at you practically running away from Lee-Anne to get to the TOT!! The picture frame she got is cute!

Hahaha I forgot that the Beast's name is Adam!

 

[FancyNancy]

It is yet another place I always notice something that I haven't before. Here are just a few examples of the hilarity in there!

You mean not everyone has 3 trunks of satin evening gowns????? No? Gotta love Miss Piggy! Her karate chops are the stuff legends are made of. I swear she must have taught Chuck Norris everything she knows!

 

[khertz]

For those who don't know, during the Character Palooza, a bunch of random characters come out, sometimes unusual ones. I asked a CM what was going on and they said that Mickey and Frozone were the only characters greeting at the moment. I asked another if there were any other characters anywhere in the building and he was kind of rude and said that there were a bunch of "surprise characters" earlier, but they were gone now.

I don't really know what the deal with the Character Palooza is or if it even happens anymore, so if anyone has any info, feel free to share it! I was pretty disappointed, but not in any real upsetting way. Nothing can really bother me on my first day in Disney.

We experienced it just a few days later on the 26th, and I know I wasn't expecting them to come out until 4:50, but it was closer to 4:45 when they came out and they only stayed for 15-20 minutes. You had probably just missed it! It was our first time doing it, and we got to meet Pinocchio, Captain Hook & Smee, Minnie, Goofy & Max, the Evil Queen, and a Green Army Man. The only ones that were out and we didn't stop for were Chip & Dale. Since it's really an "unofficial" thing, there is probably more of a general time that they do it. We got to the building at 4:30 and just hung out waiting, which is probably the best way to do it to make sure you are there when it starts. A lot of people were walking up on it towards the end and getting upset because they couldn't get a picture with the characters. Sorry you missed out on it, but just another something to do when you go back!

Man, Muppets 3-D really never gets old, does it? I find something new to laugh at in that pre-show area every time too! There's just so much to look at in there! We looked for the key under the mat for the first time this trip too. Love that attention to detail!

I hope you were reunited with your long lost love ToT soon after BatB!!

 

[Spunky946]

Loving it so far. Can't wait to be there myself in 52 days.

 

[__disneygirl]

You sound crazy fun and I think I love you a little bit! This report is awesome so far! Signing on.

Why thank you! How sweet. Glad you're enjoying it!

I love the little details around the Muppets too!! The key under the mat is one of my favorites! Don't forget to look up in the pre-show room as well, there's a TON of things hanging from the ceiling!

at you practically running away from Lee-Anne to get to the TOT!! The picture frame she got is cute!

Hahaha I forgot that the Beast's name is Adam!

Me toooooooo! I usually always look up (one of my Disney mottos is always look up and always look down!!), but for whatever reason I don't remember doing it on that day. Ah well, next time.

hahaha that happened a lot b/c Lee-Anne LOVED shopping in so many of the stores and I have long since desensitized myself from buying most Disney merchandise, or else I'd go nuts and be totally broke.

It is yet another place I always notice something that I haven't before. Here are just a few examples of the hilarity in there!

You mean not everyone has 3 trunks of satin evening gowns????? No? Gotta love Miss Piggy! Her karate chops are the stuff legends are made of. I swear she must have taught Chuck Norris everything she knows!

I mean, I have 6 trunks of satin gowns so it was no big deal to me, but I guess most people don't.

We experienced it just a few days later on the 26th, and I know I wasn't expecting them to come out until 4:50, but it was closer to 4:45 when they came out and they only stayed for 15-20 minutes. You had probably just missed it! It was our first time doing it, and we got to meet Pinocchio, Captain Hook & Smee, Minnie, Goofy & Max, the Evil Queen, and a Green Army Man. The only ones that were out and we didn't stop for were Chip & Dale. Since it's really an "unofficial" thing, there is probably more of a general time that they do it. We got to the building at 4:30 and just hung out waiting, which is probably the best way to do it to make sure you are there when it starts. A lot of people were walking up on it towards the end and getting upset because they couldn't get a picture with the characters. Sorry you missed out on it, but just another something to do when you go back!

Man, Muppets 3-D really never gets old, does it? I find something new to laugh at in that pre-show area every time too! There's just so much to look at in there! We looked for the key under the mat for the first time this trip too. Love that attention to detail!

I hope you were reunited with your long lost love ToT soon after BatB!!

GAH!!!!!!!! I AM SO JEALOUS BC MAX IS LIKE THE #1 CHARACTER I WANNA MEET. Just for some reason I'm obsessed with meeting him. He used to be at MNSSHP and isn't anymore and I NEED TO MEET HIM! I love A Goofy Movie so much. Ah well, I will have to try again earlier next time. Thanks for the info!

It definitely will never get old! I appreciate all the details so much. Disney never leaves a space without something for you to look at.

I was! It will be a ToT filled update next time.

Loving it so far. Can't wait to be there myself in 52 days.

Thank you so much! Yay, your trip is so soon!!!!

 

[lovingeire]

We experienced it just a few days later on the 26th, and I know I wasn't expecting them to come out until 4:50, but it was closer to 4:45 when they came out and they only stayed for 15-20 minutes. You had probably just missed it! It was our first time doing it, and we got to meet Pinocchio, Captain Hook & Smee, Minnie, Goofy & Max, the Evil Queen, and a Green Army Man. The only ones that were out and we didn't stop for were Chip & Dale. Since it's really an "unofficial" thing, there is probably more of a general time that they do it. We got to the building at 4:30 and just hung out waiting, which is probably the best way to do it to make sure you are there when it starts. A lot of people were walking up on it towards the end and getting upset because they couldn't get a picture with the characters.

Thanks for sharing your experience/tips on characterpalooza! We'll be there next week and they sound like fun characters to meet!

 

[katt789]

Looks like a great day over in DHS!! I do really love the theme-ing of Sci Fi, it's totally awesome!! UGH, Osbourne lights! Just saw them for the first time this weekend, they're so great!! I had no idea Mulch played over in SOA, like, nothing's ever over there!!

Yay BatB!! UGH, my life would be complete to be in that ensemble, especially as one of the silly girls, but you have to be 5'6'' SO TALL!!! Hahaha. ToT is totally home for me too, such love!!

 

[leshunlenese]

You guys are so fun!
I want mickey as my 911 contact!

 

[Tracy161]

Another great couple updates!!! Nothing beats the first day at Disney!!!

I love, love, love Disney during Halloween!!! The pictures of the cookies all bedazzled in their Halloween finest just makes me happy!

Oh, and don't even get me started on Sci-Fi... how I wish I was there right now with a cheeseburger and milkshake!!!

 

[LifeIsDis]

Sadly, I am back from WDW. I have PDD, but your updates are brightening up my day. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN TO SCI FI BEFORE?! I know I say this about a lot of stuff, but I need to get my booty over to WDW.com and make an ADR!

Mulch, Sweat, n’ Shears <3

I LOVE the key under the mat. Disney details are my fave.

Oooooh, I love the TNBC frame Lee-Anne got.

THE TOWER OF TERROR, how I love thee.

 

[awdwnut]

YAY! Glad you guys are here!! Thanks for following along again. Happy to see you are going back in 10 months. I am counting down the days until it's fall in Disney again!

Mrs. Awdwnut starting bugging me the day we checked-in to book a bounce back offer. Before long, she started making threats about not returning home with me unless she had that new WDW reservation number in hand! I had to book-it to keep her from going "Turbo" on me!!

As much as I hate to admit it, we have never stepped foot inside the Writer’s Stop and we eat at Sci-Fi EVERY trip. Your pics have convinced me that I am a terrible person and that a cookie from there is a "Must Do" on our next trip. Now if we could only catch a Glamorous photo-shoot in progress when we are there....

awdwnut

 

[Zuzu03]

Great updates!!! We haven't been to SciFi in ages, we tend towards 50's Prime, but I think we may have to give it a try next time. I agree, the atmosphere is awesome!!! That whole area is simply amazing, but I agree with you about Sunset Boulevard - definately my fave too! DD - Emma - and I want to LIVE in TOT. Have you seen any of Lurklyloo's reports on here? Lucky girl and her husband had their anniversary dinner there after closing. Can you imagine?!? I would be in absolute heaven!

 

[__disneygirl]

Thanks for sharing your experience/tips on characterpalooza! We'll be there next week and they sound like fun characters to meet!

Ooh, I hope you get to experience the palooza! Please report back. Have a magical trip!

Looks like a great day over in DHS!! I do really love the theme-ing of Sci Fi, it's totally awesome!! UGH, Osbourne lights! Just saw them for the first time this weekend, they're so great!! I had no idea Mulch played over in SOA, like, nothing's ever over there!!

Yay BatB!! UGH, my life would be complete to be in that ensemble, especially as one of the silly girls, but you have to be 5'6'' SO TALL!!! Hahaha. ToT is totally home for me too, such love!!

It was a wonderful day... and it's not over yet!

YAY that you got to see the Osborne Lights! Were you as blown away as I was last year?

I've never seen them play over there either, I usually see them near the hat.

Oh, I didn't know you had to be 5'6" for that rule. That literally makes no sense. I understand the height restrictions for major characters, but to be in an ensemble? Blah, what is this, Radio City? Sheesh.

You guys are so fun!
I want mickey as my 911 contact!

Aww thank you!

Mickey would be the best emergency contact. You know he would have that ish handled.

Another great couple updates!!! Nothing beats the first day at Disney!!!

I love, love, love Disney during Halloween!!! The pictures of the cookies all bedazzled in their Halloween finest just makes me happy!

Oh, and don't even get me started on Sci-Fi... how I wish I was there right now with a cheeseburger and milkshake!!!

Thank you! So true.

AHH me too! I absolutely can not wait til next September when the Halloween season can begin. I HAVE to be there!!

Me too!!!

Sadly, I am back from WDW. I have PDD, but your updates are brightening up my day. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN TO SCI FI BEFORE?! I know I say this about a lot of stuff, but I need to get my booty over to WDW.com and make an ADR!

Mulch, Sweat, n’ Shears <3

I LOVE the key under the mat. Disney details are my fave.

Oooooh, I love the TNBC frame Lee-Anne got.

THE TOWER OF TERROR, how I love thee.

Aww. You're welcome. I hope you had a magical beyond magical trip!

You REALLY REALLY do. I can't imagine Disney without Sci Fi at this point. It's the bestesteststest.

Mrs. Awdwnut starting bugging me the day we checked-in to book a bounce back offer. Before long, she started making threats about not returning home with me unless she had that new WDW reservation number in hand! I had to book-it to keep her from going "Turbo" on me!!

As much as I hate to admit it, we have never stepped foot inside the Writer’s Stop and we eat at Sci-Fi EVERY trip. Your pics have convinced me that I am a terrible person and that a cookie from there is a "Must Do" on our next trip. Now if we could only catch a Glamorous photo-shoot in progress when we are there....

awdwnut

HAHA she's my kinda gal.

Don't feel bad... I hadn't been to Writer's Stop until 2011. Now it's definitely a must do. They should really just put photos of our glamorous photoshoots on the wall so people can enjoy them year round!

Great updates!!! We haven't been to SciFi in ages, we tend towards 50's Prime, but I think we may have to give it a try next time. I agree, the atmosphere is awesome!!! That whole area is simply amazing, but I agree with you about Sunset Boulevard - definately my fave too! DD - Emma - and I want to LIVE in TOT. Have you seen any of Lurklyloo's reports on here? Lucky girl and her husband had their anniversary dinner there after closing. Can you imagine?!? I would be in absolute heaven!

Thanks so much! Definitely check out Sci Fi, it's just so much fun! 50's is amazing too, but it would be nice to alternate

YES I know of that. I am determined to one day have a party or something at the ToT. Those pictures were AMAZING. Just even getting to be there after hours would be enough for me. I would probably cry!

 

[khertz]

GAH!!!!!!!! I AM SO JEALOUS BC MAX IS LIKE THE #1 CHARACTER I WANNA MEET. Just for some reason I'm obsessed with meeting him. He used to be at MNSSHP and isn't anymore and I NEED TO MEET HIM! I love A Goofy Movie so much. Ah well, I will have to try again earlier next time. Thanks for the info!

Thanks for sharing your experience/tips on characterpalooza! We'll be there next week and they sound like fun characters to meet!

No problem! It was a lot of fun, and something new for all of us! I really would have liked to see Bolt, but the characters they had out were pretty fun.

 

[__disneygirl]

OCTOBER 21, 2012
Day 1, Part 7 In Which There's No Place Like Home

Ahh... home at last.

This is another instance where I have written so much in the past about this attraction so let me direct you to former TR updates if you want to read more Tower of Terror related stuff from moi! I'm pretty in love with the updates on my first TR here. And there is also a lot of rambling about how absolutely perfect ToT is here on last year's TR!

Now... prepare for a million photos of The Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Because I always go during low crowd times, I haven't had to actually wait on line for this ride in years. As I mentioned before, crowds were a bit thick on this day, so we actually had to wait! This left lots of opportunity for me to obsessively photograph every inch of the queue. This is honestly only a fraction of what I took.

Here is a close-up of my shirt! It's an Adult L, making it huge on me, so I cut the neck and sleeves out, then cut along the sides and poked holes in so I could lace them up. I used thick royal purple ribbon to do that, and then added thin glittery purple ribbon to the bottom. After looking at it, I realized it needed some yellow ribbon too, so I added that to the bottom as well.

And here's the back. It's amazing. You can't deny it.

This little girl definitely shared my excitement. HEE!

For a place that is supposed to be frightening... I find it oddly calming. I feel comfortable and at home here.

There has to be space to add a room for me. Come on Disney, what's it gonna take? NAME YOUR PRICE.

These vines are epic. They remind me of the crazy ones in Jumanji during that one scene where a plant almost eats Robin Williams.

You can just see the peace and calmness on my face. Some people like massages for when they need to relax. I like walking through the Tower of Terror queue.

The wait ended up being like 20 excruciating minutes. I mean, I was in Heaven even being in the queue, but getting inside the hotel is a whole other level of joy, so I was foaming at the mouth while waiting. Oh man, I was jumping up and down the entire time. There are very few things I love in life more than this attraction.

As soon as we walked in, one of my favorite parts of the music loop came on. It was the song "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn, so naturally I sung the entire thing while skipping through the lobby.

Oh the joy!

Lee-Anne managed to capture me in between my jumping up and down waiting to go into the library. Pretty sure I look possessed in that photo but hey whatevs.

I snapped these pictures in the library before the lights went out...

I told Lee-Anne to move as far back into the Library as she could, while still being able to see the TV. If you remember, Lee-Anne didn't want to go on any thrill rides, so she wasn't going to be actually riding the elevator. I still wanted her to have as much of the experience as possible though.

For me, seeing that little pre-show is like seeing the castle for the first time each trip. It's like, I'm here. I'M REALLY BACK IN DISNEY.

After the show ended and we walked on through to the boiler room, I asked Lee-Anne if she was absolutely sure she didn't want to ride. She said yes. I was disappointed, just because I don't understand how any person in the world can resist the Tower of Terror, AKA most flawless thing ever... and I felt bad for her! HOW CAN YOU MISS THIS ATTRACTION!!?!?!?!? I know some people just don't like thrill rides... but ToT is so much more.

Am I a bad friend for not devising a plan in which me and a Cast Member tackle her and force her into the elevator? I just can't imagine my life without hearing a ghostly little girl voice sing "It's raining... it's pouring...."

Sigh. Maybe she'll do it someday.

Whatever though, at least she got to experience the rest of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. I told a CM that she wasn't riding and he had someone escort her to the Chicken Exit.

I, on the other hand, WAS BACK, BABY!!!!!!

DUH NA NA NA NA NA NA

Up next: Finishing up our night Hollywood having NO IDEA the craziness that awaited us.

P.S. Sorry this update isn't longer.. I meant to go on more but I have so much still to do and it's already 11:30pm! Gah. Hopefully I can update again tomorrow ​

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Those vines definitely are reminiscent of the ones in Jumanji!!

Your shirt looks really cool! I've tried to do fun things to large t-shirts before, and they just end up looking mangled and awful . I wish I had your crafting skills!!

 

[khertz]

Pretty awesome what you did with that shirt!! It looks great.

I LOVE the ToT queue. One of the very best in all of Disney World, for sure! And definitely one of the best attractions. Almost every other park in the country has a ride that shoots you up and drops you down, but only Disney could nail down such fantastic themeing to make it something totally unique!

 

[katt789]

Oh dear god I DIED at the osbourne lights this year, I was all "aw man this is really pretty, they're gorgeous" then they started actually dancing and I was all "WWWWUUUUTTT?!?!" Insane.

Yeah!! It's weird that they have the height restriction, but I guess there is a kick line, and they want it to look all the same? haha I have no clue. Now, onto this update:

I love all the pictures of ToT, I would love to spend so much time photographing the lobby & library, I find there's so much to look at! It's totally awesome!! ACK! Isn't the chicken exit of ToT the actual elevator that's down there?! HECK NO!! I will never get on that elevator, bahaha!!

Hope you enjoyed the ride!