brenda1966
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2004
- Messages
- 1,998
The private party at MGM for conference attendees:
The park closed to the public at 7 p.m. Buses from the hotel dropped us off on the back side, near the extreme stunt show arena at 7:30 p.m. We walked in down the Streets of America and it was all roped off with a red carpet and screaming fans. We were all very surprised by the hoopla and had no idea who these cheering people were and why they were asking for our autographs. LOL. (I later confirmed that they are Disney cast members.)
My co-worker and I headed straight back toward ToT and RnR. We passed various tables of food and beer and wine, but we wanted to ride first! Sections of the park were closed off to us and most of the shops were closed. It was kind of eerie that the park was so empty. (There are an estimated 4000 attendees at the conference so probably many less than that at the park.)
We rode ToT and RnR with hardly any wait. We then stopped to eat a bite. All of the food was free so I got my traditional pizza at Catalina Eddies and then later got some popcorn. We road Star Tours and then decided to part ways so he could see the Indiana Jones show and I could see the Mermaid show. While waiting for my nearly private showing of Mermaid (there were around 12 of us at the show) I talked to a CM for a bit about the private party. She said they do around 1 or 2 a month and that being a screaming fan at the red carpet is one of her favorite roles. She said our party was big because we had so many attractions that most parties just buy a few showings and ToT and RnR and dont open so many attractions. (Honestly, it seemed very silly to me that our party had a Beauty and the Beast showing as well as several Mermaid showings because kids werent even allowed! In addition to the rides I mentioned above, the following were also open: Narnia, Great Movie Ride, Sounds Dangerous, Muppet Vision 3D, Magic of Disney Animation, and Walt Disney One Mans Dream. So, as you can see, nearly the entire park was open for us.)
After the mermaid showing it was nearing time for Fantasmic so I headed back and did one more quick ToT ride. The Fantasmic theater was empty! I counted and there are 10 seating sections. For our showing there were people scattered in 4 of them, and I mean scattered. We could have easily fit into 2 sections and probably even crammed into one section. For the first time ever I got the sit in the middle of the stadium and see the show head on. It was fabulous! There also wasnt anyone sitting in front of me for several rows so I had an unobstructed view. I could have cried I was so happy. After the show was over at 10:30 a few stores on Hollywood Boulevard were open for shopping and we were bussed back to our hotel. It was a fabulous night.
The park closed to the public at 7 p.m. Buses from the hotel dropped us off on the back side, near the extreme stunt show arena at 7:30 p.m. We walked in down the Streets of America and it was all roped off with a red carpet and screaming fans. We were all very surprised by the hoopla and had no idea who these cheering people were and why they were asking for our autographs. LOL. (I later confirmed that they are Disney cast members.)
My co-worker and I headed straight back toward ToT and RnR. We passed various tables of food and beer and wine, but we wanted to ride first! Sections of the park were closed off to us and most of the shops were closed. It was kind of eerie that the park was so empty. (There are an estimated 4000 attendees at the conference so probably many less than that at the park.)
We rode ToT and RnR with hardly any wait. We then stopped to eat a bite. All of the food was free so I got my traditional pizza at Catalina Eddies and then later got some popcorn. We road Star Tours and then decided to part ways so he could see the Indiana Jones show and I could see the Mermaid show. While waiting for my nearly private showing of Mermaid (there were around 12 of us at the show) I talked to a CM for a bit about the private party. She said they do around 1 or 2 a month and that being a screaming fan at the red carpet is one of her favorite roles. She said our party was big because we had so many attractions that most parties just buy a few showings and ToT and RnR and dont open so many attractions. (Honestly, it seemed very silly to me that our party had a Beauty and the Beast showing as well as several Mermaid showings because kids werent even allowed! In addition to the rides I mentioned above, the following were also open: Narnia, Great Movie Ride, Sounds Dangerous, Muppet Vision 3D, Magic of Disney Animation, and Walt Disney One Mans Dream. So, as you can see, nearly the entire park was open for us.)
After the mermaid showing it was nearing time for Fantasmic so I headed back and did one more quick ToT ride. The Fantasmic theater was empty! I counted and there are 10 seating sections. For our showing there were people scattered in 4 of them, and I mean scattered. We could have easily fit into 2 sections and probably even crammed into one section. For the first time ever I got the sit in the middle of the stadium and see the show head on. It was fabulous! There also wasnt anyone sitting in front of me for several rows so I had an unobstructed view. I could have cried I was so happy. After the show was over at 10:30 a few stores on Hollywood Boulevard were open for shopping and we were bussed back to our hotel. It was a fabulous night.
