MagicHusky Goes Treehousing & Towering! *Aladdin Musical filmed in HD!* (New 12/7)

[magichusky]

PART B: Tiki-Grilled-Cheese-to-Go

Last time we left off I was (surprise!) starving, so I was in the process of cutting through Frontierland to get to Critter Country for some sustenance. The Mark Twain was just pulling in as I passed by, so I snapped this photo, which for some reason I think is just adorable:

I pushed onward (at this point I was power walking in desperation) but had to stop to snap this lovely pic, which I think is quite regal. There I go again, obsessing over the Dream Suite. I actually saw people sitting up there on the balcony once watching Fantasmic. And I saw the inside on a Samantha Brown special! It was lovely...

Almost there...

YES! FOOOOOD!

I ordered by beloved $2 grilled cheese and went up to the counter to wait for it. I took this pic of my favorite Critter Country signage:

I adore it b/c the big guy jamming a sandwich into his mouth w/ his eyes closed is totally me when I'm starving. When the CM came out w/ my tray, perfectly empty except for a lone grilled cheese idling in the middle, she giggled as she set it down on the counter. I sheepishly gathered up my little tray and went over to the napkin station, where I transferred my grilled cheese to a wad of napkins and returned the tray. I was indignant when I caught multiple people staring at me. I think a $2 grilled cheese is a perfectly reasonable snack!

So I left that judgemental Hungry Bear and decided that I would walk to Small World. Seriously, I was just passing POTC as I was inhaling the last bite of my sandwich. It couldn't have taken me more than 2-3 minutes to travel from HB to POTC so I'm still mystified as to how I gobbled down an entire meal in such a small timeframe. May I refer you again to the big guy in the above image. Me. Very me.

I had reached the Tiki Room and could see the hub, but the Dole Whip hut suddenly looked so attractive. But the line was LONG. I was still jazzed about my $2 lunch so decided that another $3 on a Dole Whip would be very well spent. However, the line was just unacceptable. So, the naughty and selfish DLer that I am, I popped into the Tiki Room waiting area and got in THAT line, resulting in only 1 person in front of me vs. 20. Heehee.

When I took that first bite of Dole-Whippy goodness, surrounded by fake tropical foliage and 20 tiki men spitting fire and wise words, I got caught up in it all and followed everyone else right into the Tiki Room when the doors swung open and the drums drummed. I was pleased to be seated next to a delightful small child who sang along with joy, giving me, in turn, permission to sing as well. Somehow it's just so much easier to justify certain behavior when in the company of a child.

I was pleased when one of my pics actually turned out pretty well:

I'm definitely looking forward to visiting the Tiki Room in WDW, however I've heard that Iago took over the place a few years ago and in the Imagineers' haste for progress, compromised the integrity of the original show.

After my Tiki side-trip, I power walked outta there. Would there be enough time for SW before Aladdin started?

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[VBsHustla]

I also have quite a bit of my new Halloween TR written and all of the photos have been uploaded, so prob this weekend I'll start a new thread! I hope it goes better than this one has- seriously NO ONE is reading this. I'm not too offended b/c sometimes I ramble about the strangest stuff so people prob think I'm INSANE, however if no one reads my WDW TR I'll be super sad!

Haha yes no one ever read our TRs! Hated it! What you need to do is some promoting and networking. Go in the DL threads and answer people's questions and then be like, "you can read more in my TR if you want" haha. And as for networking, post in threads for Shades of Greens, December 2010, the Wishes cruise, etc. That seems to work pretty well.


Grilled cheese is $2 now?! What the heck?! I used to have to pay for an entire cheeseburger when I would get those (cannot BELIEVE that I consumed cheese a mere two years ago!) In any case, I am so pleased that they no longer charge like $8 for one slice of cheese. That was pretty ridiculous! I'm glad you'll be checking out the new Tiki room. I have heard those same horror stories and have never attended this version. I'd rather stick to visiting the same 5 attractions that I've seen 300 times in their original states!

 

[Eight]

Okay, it seems like every time I read your trip report, I discover something I knew nothing about. Like the Spirit Cave! Seriously, I had no clue that was there, but now I kind of want to try it.

I have mixed feelings about the Disneyland final scene in Soarin'. I love it because it's this great aerial view of Disneyland, but I detest the part where Tinkerbell flies out. You have all these amazing views of California, and the last shot is of an animated fairy coming at you? Really? I don't know, maybe it's just me.

So,what's superior about Shaft 1? Also totally jealous that you've gotten elevators to yourself before. That's pretty fantastic.

I love the picture you took in the Tiki Room.

And I'm looking forward to reading about your Halloween trip report. I really, really wanted to go to one of the Halloween parties this year since they were at Disneyland, but you know, the whole living in Seattle thing kind of gets in the way. Maybe next year.

 

[UncleOrville]

I've finally returned to the DIS and am caught up! That cave in CA Adventure sounds SO awesome! I must visit it sometime. And I am so impressed by all of the dedicated and interesting CMs in the Tower there. As Laura said, there is certainly no such equivalent in DW.

I adore that you got caught up in the spirit of the Tiki Room and were moved to follow the crowd into the show.

 

[magichusky]

In any case, I am so pleased that they no longer charge like $8 for one slice of cheese.

Hahaha seriously- they must have a bunch of vegetarians frequenting Hungry Bear lately for such a drastic change! Like 2 months ago I requested a grilled cheese there and went through the whole "Just make it a cheeseburger without the meat" kind of thing, but there's totally a button on their touch screens specifically for grilled cheese, and it's still not officially listed on the menu. And w/ my AP discount, it's $1.80! What a meal!

Okay, it seems like every time I read your trip report, I discover something I knew nothing about. Like the Spirit Cave! Seriously, I had no clue that was there, but now I kind of want to try it.

I didn't know about it either, until the day before I went on this trip! I think I was surfing the DL website and saw a pic of it somewhere and was confused. I always thought the Redwood Challenge Trail was exclusively for small kids, but adults can go in there too!

I have mixed feelings about the Disneyland final scene in Soarin'. I love it because it's this great aerial view of Disneyland, but I detest the part where Tinkerbell flies out. You have all these amazing views of California, and the last shot is of an animated fairy coming at you? Really? I don't know, maybe it's just me.

I totally agree w/ you about this. I've never really liked the final segment- it seems like it doesn't go w/ the rest of the scenes. And I hate how the majority of the time, the audience cheers when the traffic jam in downtown LA comes on. I don't want to be reminded of the fact that I have to drive home after DL closes!

So,what's superior about Shaft 1?

Hahaha, shaft 1 has a superior drop sequence. Shaft 1,2 have the same drop sequence: up to the mirror room, down to the hallway/star room, drop, then up to the top. Shaft 3 goes up to the mirror room, up to the hallway room, drop, then up to the top. Though Shaft 1, 2 have the same sequences, shaft 1 gives you a feeling at some point in which you don't know if you're falling or going up. Shaft 2 (or at least the one time I was on this particular shaft, since I've refused to be queued there since) sort of pauses at the bottom just enough that you don't get that crazy confused feeling. Apparently the CMs call the shafts a,b,c (Shaft A = Shaft 1). We had to explain this to a CM once- I was pleased that he believed us immediately.

And I'm looking forward to reading about your Halloween trip report. I really, really wanted to go to one of the Halloween parties this year since they were at Disneyland, but you know, the whole living in Seattle thing kind of gets in the way. Maybe next year.

Thanks for stopping by my Halloween TR!!! I love that I saw those DISers (the lurkyloos) on the train! You should totally fly down for Halloween next year. The DL Halloween party version is SO much better than the CA Adv version!

I've finally returned to the DIS and am caught up! That cave in CA Adventure sounds SO awesome! I must visit it sometime. And I am so impressed by all of the dedicated and interesting CMs in the Tower there. As Laura said, there is certainly no such equivalent in DW.

Hahaha- the cave really was the highlight of our evening. The CMs really never cease to amuse me- I don't know what it is about those crazy guys! I'll be so offended at WDW if I don't receive special attention on the tower- I've grown so accustomed to it!

 

[magichusky]

FUN UPDATES!!!

Hi everyone! Well- my WDW tix arrived today!!!!!! YES!!! I'm such a geek, b/c I stared at them for like 10 min. I was like: OMG I have tickets, and they say Disney World on them, therefore they must be WDW tix, hence I am going to WDW. I still can't believe it.

And also, I started my new Halloween TR! I've added it to my signature but you can also find it on the DL TR board. I can't wait 'til I get to the explain the meaning behind the title!!!

 

[Eight]

Hahaha, shaft 1 has a superior drop sequence. Shaft 1,2 have the same drop sequence: up to the mirror room, down to the hallway/star room, drop, then up to the top. Shaft 3 goes up to the mirror room, up to the hallway room, drop, then up to the top. Though Shaft 1, 2 have the same sequences, shaft 1 gives you a feeling at some point in which you don't know if you're falling or going up. Shaft 2 (or at least the one time I was on this particular shaft, since I've refused to be queued there since) sort of pauses at the bottom just enough that you don't get that crazy confused feeling. Apparently the CMs call the shafts a,b,c (Shaft A = Shaft 1). We had to explain this to a CM once- I was pleased that he believed us immediately.


Thanks for stopping by my Halloween TR!!! I love that I saw those DISers (the lurkyloos) on the train! You should totally fly down for Halloween next year. The DL Halloween party version is SO much better than the CA Adv version!

Haha, that's awesome that you know all this. Next time I'm at Disneyland, I'm going to have a Tower of Terror Marathon and ride all three shafts in a row to see if I can tell the difference. It'll be fun!

I totally should next year. I could have gone last year since I was living in LA at the time, but I was like, "California Adventure Halloween party? That would be so much better if it was in Disneyland." And then, of course, they moved it this year..

 

[magichusky]

Haha, that's awesome that you know all this. Next time I'm at Disneyland, I'm going to have a Tower of Terror Marathon and ride all three shafts in a row to see if I can tell the difference. It'll be fun!

Hahaha you really must have a TOT marathon! The bellhops just adore it when I request a certain shaft. They were convinced that my pal and I had some sort of schoolhouse crush on the bellhop manning shaft 1. I love how people think I'm in high school or college when in fact I am in neither. Haha!

 

[magichusky]

Part C: Pumpkins and Muffins are Good Together

When we last left off, I had consumed an entire grilled cheese in "gone in 60 seconds" style and had been bewitched by the Tiki Room after ordering a Dole Whip for dessert. My plan was to ride Small World before heading over to CA Adv for the Aladdin Musical, but I wasn't sure if I'd have enough time since I HAD to stop at the Blue Ribbon Bakery to clean them out of Matterhorn Macaroons. I was driving home after this and it's just bad form these days to show up at my house w/out macaroons for the macaroon-wild DM.

Recently I was more than pleased to discover that my cousin had, upon graduating from college, taken a job w/ DL as a CM. Apparently she is in charge of distributing strollers and driving the submarines. I didn't have much time so I hotfooted it over to the submarine area to spy. Nope, that's definitely NOT Megan:

Unfortunately it takes FOREVER for those darn submarines to load and get going so I only had the opportunity to spy on 3 drivers before I had to proceed. Next time!

As I was passing by the Matterhorn on my way to SW, I saw this strange sign. There's nothing more amusing than a sign fashioned out of a golden turkey. Maybe I just never walk through here often enough, but I don't recall this building being here before?

I finally arrived at SW but was horrified to see an unruly line as I rounded the corner! It was at least 25 min long. Definitely not enough time! I was quite disappointed b/c SW was the only other thing that was really on my agenda for today besides Aladdin, but surely I would be back soon. Suddenly I realized that I was seriously in danger of missing Aladdin, so I powerwalked back through Tomorrowland and crashed through a bunch of strollers on Main Street to do a bakery dash:

Unfortunately it's quite difficult to do a bakery dash at the Blue Ribbon b/c it seems to perpetually have a long line! I was bored so I took this pic of the back of a window display. I've been meaning to craft my very own fake cakes and sundaes for display in my own kitchen, but just haven't gotten around to it...

They only had 2 macaroons left in the display case so I was watching them like a hawk the whole time with worry. As I got closer, a CM put a huge tray of raw macaroons into the oven. I was delighted so I took a pic in my excitement:

I finally reached the register and purchased the last 2 macaroons and a special seasonal pumpkin muffin (the kind w/ the cream cheese filling). People have been raving about them here on the DIS so I was rather curious! The one thing about the BRB that annoys me is that the bags they put your snacks in are practically useless for transport. They always throw my 10 macaroons into a tiny white paper lunch bag and it always winds up getting crumpled into a big massive wad smelling of coconut and tissue paper at the bottom of my park bag. I guess most people go to BRB to purchase food and eat it, not carry it around w/ them for the rest of the day so they can return home and store it for the winter. Anyway, now I bring a hot pink collapsible Snoopy tote that has become the go-to bag for my BRB macaroon binges.

After arranging my macaroons and muffin carefully into my Snoopy tote like they were priceless china and reorganizing the bills in my wallet (Yes, I'm pretty sure I have some form OCD) I consulted my phone and was horrified to discover that I seriously had 5 min to exit DL, enter CA Adv, and storm into the Hyperion Theater before Aladdin started! Hahaha oops. I probably looked like an idiot busting out of BRB with my hot pink Snoopy tote swinging around exploding w/ coconut, but who really cares about such things while zooming through DL?

Up next: Aladdin in HD!!!! (Yes, I made it)

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[magichusky]

Part D: It's a Whole New World

Finally I'm back for the last installment of this breathtaking series! I've of course been DISing away but have recently migrated over to the WDW TR section in preparation for my upcoming stint in the World. But more on that later.

Last time we talked, I was hauling it over to the Hyperion Theater from Blue Ribbon Bakery (BRB). I had purchased a tote full of macaroons for my Mom but upon exiting the bakery discovered that I had 5 min to get to Aladdin! I was on the verge of just leaving at that point but I remembered that really the entire reason I stopped at DL that day was to see that darn Aladdin Musical. So I ran.

After getting through the CA Adv turnstiles, I power walked towards the usual route to get to the Hyperion but was excessively annoyed to spy a sign stating that the only way to get there was through Bug's Land. I despise going through Bug's Land b/c there's always a bottleneck that actually rivals the one that perpetually causes chaos in the Indiana Jones area. I was pleased to find a mother and her 10 yr old son absolutely HAULING it through the bottleneck, so I sought refuge behind them and let them shove everyone else out of the way for me. I thought they were for sure heading for the Hyperion but they were actually sprinting towards the tower.

I finally arrived at my destination and was of course ushered into the nosebleed section. I was probably the 10th to last person to enter the theater! I was a bit appalled when I realized how far away I was from the stage but there's no way I was going to spend precious Disney time waiting in line for a seat I might not even get so I could see a show I might not even like. So the nosebleed section it was.

I was admittedly pretty nervous about this whole production. I had heard great reviews but this was actually the very first time I would ever sit down for a show while visiting the parks. My Mom and I always meant to go see the Pocahontas show at DL back in 1996 but it closed! I was sitting for possibly 5 min and the lights went down- I whipped out my camera, turned the flash off, and readied myself.

Once the show started I found myself reasonably amused and decided that it was safe to stay for awhile. Of course the first thing I noticed was that Aladdin had a T-shirt tan; he had a tank top on and the top third of his arm was simply glowing white. Trust me of all people to become fixated on something so ridiculous. But can't they at least get the guy a spray tan? I mean he is supposed to be living in Agraba. The other thing I noticed was that there was absolutely no Abu in this production. I was appalled! Anyway, here's probably my very best photo of the bunch I took during the show:

Pretty good considering how very far away I was! I also filmed 2 HD movies:

The following is the part when Aladdin as Prince Ali storms into the castle for the first time w/ his parade of animals and magical servants. If you look closely you can see that Aladdin's riding this awesome elephant up to the stage!
Aladdin the Musical: Prince Ali! Fabulous he! Ali Ababwa (YouTube)

This part is the "A Whole New World" portion complete w/ magic carpet soaring over the audience. (Haha in my case it was actually flying below me) The actors riding the carpet were different actors than the ones on the stage and carpet Aladdin's voice wasn't as convincing as stage Aladdin's unfortunately.
Aladdin the Musical: A Whole New World (YouTube)

And some more photos:

All in all I surprisingly generally enjoyed this show! The genie cracked way too many "current" jokes in my opinion however, including so many references to Lindsay Lohan, Lady Gaga, and the Kardashians that the audience pretty much petered out in the laugh department by 20-30 minutes in. I would rather not hear about those idiots while immersed in wholesome Disney goodness, thank you very much!

I was confused upon exiting the theater when I somehow became the first person to get out of there and hit the pavement. I had to descend multiple long staircases to reach the ground level and still was the first to emerge from the queue and stumble towards the tower! Haha do I really walk that fast? I must look like quite the idiot zooming around DL in such a frenzy.

The wait time for the tower was an advertised 30 min, which is ridiculous b/c 90% of the time I seem to practically walk on that thing and straight into the library. I got in line though b/c I couldn't imagine leaving without towering! The tower annoys me however b/c they have no single rider line. I took this pic of this sign hanging between the elevators in the lobby:

A pretty stupid pic if you ask me but the reason I took it was b/c I don't think that particular sign has always been there? I seem to recall a less flashy sign w/ the same info? Sometimes at Disney I think I'm going crazy b/c I frequently notice things like in POTC for example that I swear have been changed or moved around. But I'm never sure! Do they really tinker w/ established rides that often?

I wound up getting on within 15 min since there was an elevator leaving just as I was entering the boiler room w/ 1 spot left just for me. Excellent! Afterwards I stopped by DTD and bought a Mickey DVD case in the World of Disney store so I could be sure to bring along my fabulous collection of Christmas movies w/ me to WDW! Of course the WOD store refused to validate my parking ticket so I wound up having to pay $7 for illegally parking in the DTD lot. (They give you 3 hrs for free and since I had just missed the earlier Aladdin show when I arrived, I had been parked for around 4.5 hrs) Still better than paying $15 to park in that ghastly Mickey & Friends structure!

So that's that! Hopefully you all enjoyed my mostly solo TR and mini-TR b/c I certainly did! If you don't find me too terribly boring, then hop on over to my WDW PTR for my upcoming excursion- we're departing 12/17 which is insanely soon! I'll also of course be writing a TR for this trip. More info in the next post!

THE END...but stay tuned for my WDW Christmas trip info!

 

[magichusky]

Part 10: WDW sneak peek!

Come along w/ us to the World for Christmas!!! Check out my new PTR:

25 yrs and just a little bit longer! Give me the WORLD for Xmas: SoG, Dec 17-23 PTR

Here's me the day our WDW tix arrived w/ my itinerary and a lovely pilgrim ship (this was taken a few days before Thanksgiving, we don't have a pilgrim ship perpetually displayed in our dining room!).

And take a look at our kitchen, circa-1979, before we remodeled our house!

Stop on by the PTR to see how it looks today!

Bye for now and thanks for reading!