May 2011 Yo Ho Ho! Let Down Your Hair! (New 10/9 Lessons Learned #550)

[Marshay]

Are they only having this special Pixar weekend one weekend?? Or all of May?? I have seen the date for May 11th...but we are leaving on the 9th! Darn it!

I believe it's only May 13-15th. I haven't seen any other dates than those. However, as far as I know, Disney hasn't officially announced this yet...it's being reported from "those in the know" in unofficial channels (attractions magazine, stitchkingdom, Unofficial Guide/touringplans, etc).

 

[KigerKat]

I am so very excited for this!!! I was already planning to be in Epcot anyway these days but now I think we will stay even longer in the parks...maybe not even leave for our afternoon nap if we can find someplace quiet for a bit to sit down.

Anyway, from Attractions Magazine

Disney has big plans for their Pixar characters the weekend of May 13 to 15, 2011. That’s the last few days of the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and it’s dubbed Disney-Pixar Weekend.

Although Disney hasn’t officially released much information about the event, an Attractions fan (JL_Davis on Twitter), told us they’re planning on having multiple meet and greet areas with Pixar characters all around Epcot. This includes some characters never before seen at Walt Disney World. This is also the same weekend the Cars Tour 2011 will be stopping at Downtown Disney.

• Banners will be hung at the Epcot auto plaza designating it Disney-Pixar Weekend.

• The Green Army Men from Toy Story will be at the Epcot entrance handing out maps to all the character locations.

• Carl, Russell, and Dug will be appearing at the fountain stage, along with an Up inflatable house.

• Mike, Sulley, Boo, Smitty, Needleman and George from Monsters Inc. will be at the Universe of Energy.

• Mr. and Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles will appear at Innoventions West along with Frozone.

• Wall-E will be meeting guests at Mission Space.

• Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater and the Rust-eze girls from Cars 2 will be at Test Track.

• Living Coral stiltwalkers will be appearing at The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

• Flik, Atta, Gypsy and Slim from A Bug’s Life will be at Village Traders in World Showcase.

• Remy and Emile from Ratatouille will be appearing in the France Pavilion.

• Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Lotso and Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story 3 will be at the American Adventure.

• A theater will be set up at World Showplace with a “garden” of photo stills from the Pixar movies. Guests will be able to listen to informal discussions from Pixar and sneak peeks at Cars 2. There will also a Pixar gift shop set up with some exclusive merchandise.

• Watch for the Cars 2 logo on Spaceship Earth after Illuminations.

In addition to the weekend events at Epcot, the Cars Tour 2011 will be stopping at Downtown Disney. (Click Here to see if the tour is coming to a town near you.) At the tour stop, fans can meet Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Finn McMissile and Mac Truck. There is expected to be a inflatable obstacle course and a classic car show.

As always, everything is subject to change as the event draws near. But it looks like a great photo-op weekend.

WOW!! I am so super excited about this!! DH is a HUGE Pixar fan (well, me, too!), so I know he'll be up for spending the entire weekend at EP! On our last trip, we purposely ate lunch in France so we could see Remy (even though we don't really like French food).

I kind of don't want to tell him and let it be a surprise...but I'm not sure I can keep myself from telling him!

 

[Marshay]

WOW!! I am so super excited about this!! DH is a HUGE Pixar fan (well, me, too!), so I know he'll be up for spending the entire weekend at EP! On our last trip, we purposely ate lunch in France so we could see Remy (even though we don't really like French food).

I kind of don't want to tell him and let it be a surprise...but I'm not sure I can keep myself from telling him!

I know!! I was soooo super excited when I read this. Normally we try to take a break in the afternoon, but now I'm wondering if we can just find a quiet place to rest in the park and that way we won't lose time commuting back and forth...hmmm, I probably shouldn't ...but it's so tempting b/c I imagine the lines are going to be long, too.

 

[kaoden39]

I know!! I was soooo super excited when I read this. Normally we try to take a break in the afternoon, but now I'm wondering if we can just find a quiet place to rest in the park and that way we won't lose time commuting back and forth...hmmm, I probably shouldn't ...but it's so tempting b/c I imagine the lines are going to be long, too.

What about ending your day earlier instead?

 

[Marshay]

What about ending your day earlier instead?

Yep, that's exactly what I was thinking ... or maybe I'll send Jerry back with the kids if he is tired too and I'll just stick around. I can still get photos of the characters so we have them for the book ... even if I don't stand in line ... you know, get the characters in between guests!

I'll have to keep repeating the mantra -- "slow down" ... so maybe I'll only go 50mph instead of the normal 85mph!

 

[Marshay]

Just looked to see what rides will be closed while we are in WDW:

Primeval Whirl - Closed For Refurbishment [ Friday, April 01 - Wednesday, June 01 ] Rachel, Nana and I wanted to ride this one together...

The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management - Closed For Refurbishment [ Friday, April 01 - Monday, August 15 ] I'll be happy to see Iago go but my girls really enjoy singing the "Tiki Room" song, so this will be on the list for Jan 2012.

Liberty Square Riverboat - Closed For Refurbishment [ Monday, May 02 - Wednesday, May 25 ] We have yet to ride this with our daughters. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll be open on May 20th ...no biggie if not, but Rachel thinks it would be cool to do.

 

[kaoden39]

Yep, that's exactly what I was thinking ... or maybe I'll send Jerry back with the kids if he is tired too and I'll just stick around. I can still get photos of the characters so we have them for the book ... even if I don't stand in line ... you know, get the characters in between guests!

I'll have to keep repeating the mantra -- "slow down" ... so maybe I'll only go 50mph instead of the normal 85mph!

It was a pleasure to take it slow for me this last trip. It was a different type of Disneyland trip.

 

[pinkxray]

I just saw the posting about Pixar weekend on Lifelong Dreamer's report and had to rearrange so that we could spend as much time in EPCOT that weekend as possible. It looks like so much fun. I just printer out a few extra blanks for DD autograph book. I was going to take it to Kinkos to have the spiral binding put in last weekend, I am so glad I waited.

 

[Marshay]

I just saw the posting about Pixar weekend on Lifelong Dreamer's report and had to rearrange so that we could spend as much time in EPCOT that weekend as possible. It looks like so much fun. I just printer out a few extra blanks for DD autograph book. I was going to take it to Kinkos to have the spiral binding put in last weekend, I am so glad I waited.

Good for you!! Between the D23 conference, Flower and Garden and the Pixar weekend, WDw is going to be a lot more crowded than we thought it was going to be!

I'm glad you were able to rearrange your schedule! I'm thinking you'll be glad you did!

 

[Trentmom]

Just looked to see what rides will be closed while we are in WDW:

Primeval Whirl - Closed For Refurbishment [ Friday, April 01 - Wednesday, June 01 ] Rachel, Nana and I wanted to ride this one together...

The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management - Closed For Refurbishment [ Friday, April 01 - Monday, August 15 ] I'll be happy to see Iago go but my girls really enjoy singing the "Tiki Room" song, so this will be on the list for Jan 2012.

Liberty Square Riverboat - Closed For Refurbishment [ Monday, May 02 - Wednesday, May 25 ] We have yet to ride this with our daughters. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll be open on May 20th ...no biggie if not, but Rachel thinks it would be cool to do.

Wasn't Primeral Whirl the ride where the CM was recently killed? So sad

 

[Trentmom]

Forgot, WOO HOO for

30 days!!!!!

 

[Marshay]

Wasn't Primeral Whirl the ride where the CM was recently killed? So sad

Yeah, actually 2 CMs were killed on this ride. Both times if I recall was when they were working on fixing it.

Forgot, WOO HOO for

30 days!!!!!

Thanks!

I just ordered my Photopass today! I have a feeling we'll definitely use it this trip, with all the special Pixar characters!

 

[Queila]

I was actually hoping to ride the Liberty Square Riverboat. Oh well... I guess we will have to go back at another time to do it.

Q

 

[lbuzz52]

Add me to the list of those who was hoping to ride the liberty belle for the first time


I've been looking at our schedule in relation to te Pizarro weekend. The easiest thing to do would be skip fantasmic and go to epcot that evening instead. Have you seen anything else about hours? It would be late afternoon or evening before we got there that day.

[/B][QUOTE=Marshay;40716044]Just looked to see what rides will be closed while we are in WDW:

Primeval Whirl - Closed For Refurbishment [ Friday, April 01 - Wednesday, June 01 ] Rachel, Nana and I wanted to ride this one together...

The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management - Closed For Refurbishment [ Friday, April 01 - Monday, August 15 ] I'll be happy to see Iago go but my girls really enjoy singing the "Tiki Room" song, so this will be on the list for Jan 2012.

Liberty Square Riverboat - Closed For Refurbishment [ Monday, May 02 - Wednesday, May 25 ] We have yet to ride this with our daughters. Maybe we'll get lucky and it'll be open on May 20th ...no biggie if not, but Rachel thinks it would be cool to do.[/QUOTE]

 

[Marshay]

Add me to the list of those who was hoping to ride the liberty belle for the first time


I've been looking at our schedule in relation to te Pizarro weekend. The easiest thing to do would be skip fantasmic and go to epcot that evening instead. Have you seen anything else about hours? It would be late afternoon or evening before we got there that day.

I assume the Pixar stuff will be going on at least through 7pm ... but no I haven't seen anything specific re: hours.

Hope you can make at least some of it!

 

[Marshay]

I was actually hoping to ride the Liberty Square Riverboat. Oh well... I guess we will have to go back at another time to do it.

Q

Yep, all the more reason to go back!!

 

[kaoden39]

I am guessing that the Liberty Square Riverboat is the equivalent to the Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland. I love that ride, it is a nice way to relax.

 

[KigerKat]

I was actually hoping to ride the Liberty Square Riverboat. Oh well... I guess we will have to go back at another time to do it.

Us, too! That's one of those rides we have never been on, and I was really looking forward to riding it on this trip. And, of course it will open back up right after we leave.

 

[Marshay]

I am guessing that the Liberty Square Riverboat is the equivalent to the Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland. I love that ride, it is a nice way to relax.

Yes, it's the big riverboat that goes around Tom Sawyer Island. Very relaxing (except most people have to stand if I recall to look out) but very nice.

Us, too! That's one of those rides we have never been on, and I was really looking forward to riding it on this trip. And, of course it will open back up right after we leave.

Maybe they will get done early? If not, we just have to do another trip!

 

[Marshay]

OT...

Some of you know that I am a Daisy Girl Scout Troop Leader (1st time). One of our service projects this year is to (help) make 1,000+ paper cranes for Girl Scouts in Japan. When 9-11 happened, girls in Japan sent American Girl Scouts 1,000+ paper cranes as a sign of friendship, peace and support. So we are doing the same. Girls will receive a patch for their uniforms and a portion of the proceeds from the patch will also go to Japanese relief efforts.

Here is the link to some photos if you want to see our troop (blue Daisies) and an older troop making the paper cranes.

http://ashburn.patch.com/articles/girl-scouts-origami-cranes-to-show-support-to-japan#photo-5660947

Making the cranes is really both fun and relaxing. If you want to give it a try, just search You Tube videos and you'll need a square piece of thin paper.