MNSSHP, Chipmunks, and MyMagic+, Oh My!!! Oct. '13 2 UPDATES 12/25!!! COMPLETED

[emilyindisney]

Hi Abigail! I'm Emily!

I'm subbed in and catching up so here we go!

First off, you have my upmost respect for being so well versed in the HM speech. That ride is one of my favorites. Somewhat embarrassingly, Grim Grinning Ghosts is like one of the top played songs on my Spotify. In fact, I think I'm going to listen to it right now...

On with your trip!

'Going to Disney' days are literally the hardest to get through! I've never driven but I feel like that might make it a little better because at least you can leave whenever you want/are able and don't have to wait around on a flight time.

I'm so excited to read about your pin trading experience!!! I've never pin traded myself and am envious of those who do! The plan is to start next year so I'm interested to hear how your first time goes.

I love all your ASMovies pictures! We're going to be staying there next October so it's like having a little preview! The room is adorable! I love the Minnie towel too

As for update #2-

Entering the first park of the trip is always one of the best feelings! It finally makes it all feel real!

All your food looks really good. Glad everyone got their bacon sorted out

Gosh, I hope they don't change Nemo either! I think the concept is so cool and I personally love that there's never a wait.

I love watching the manatees too!

LOVE the cranberry blog! I would love to see that in person! Granted, I live in New England so I could probably make a sort drive and see one here. However, something about seeing it in Disney makes it a magical cranberry blog, right?

I still haven't been on the new Test Track so I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Can't wait for more!

 

[abidale]

Hi Abigail! I'm Emily!

Welcome aboard! Nice to meet you!

I'm subbed in and catching up so here we go!

First off, you have my upmost respect for being so well versed in the HM speech. That ride is one of my favorites. Somewhat embarrassingly, Grim Grinning Ghosts is like one of the top played songs on my Spotify. In fact, I think I'm going to listen to it right now...

I love my Spotify Disney playlists! Yep, it's on mine as well...

On with your trip!

'Going to Disney' days are literally the hardest to get through! I've never driven but I feel like that might make it a little better because at least you can leave whenever you want/are able and don't have to wait around on a flight time.

I'm so excited to read about your pin trading experience!!! I've never pin traded myself and am envious of those who do! The plan is to start next year so I'm interested to hear how your first time goes.

My pin trading experience was definitely an interesting one, trust me!

I love all your ASMovies pictures! We're going to be staying there next October so it's like having a little preview! The room is adorable! I love the Minnie towel too

You'll love ASM! It was the cutest resort and so Disney and magical.

As for update #2-

Entering the first park of the trip is always one of the best feelings! It finally makes it all feel real!

It's amazing!

All your food looks really good. Glad everyone got their bacon sorted out



Gosh, I hope they don't change Nemo either! I think the concept is so cool and I personally love that there's never a wait.

I love watching the manatees too!

LOVE the cranberry blog! I would love to see that in person! Granted, I live in New England so I could probably make a sort drive and see one here. However, something about seeing it in Disney makes it a magical cranberry blog, right?

There is something special about Disney cranberry bogs, haha! It was really neat to see, and surprising!

I still haven't been on the new Test Track so I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Can't wait for more!

I'll be posting about TT super soon! Thanks for subbing!

 

[emilyindisney]

I'll be posting about TT super soon! Thanks for subbing!

You're welcome! Definitely more interested to hear about your pin trading experience now, haha!

 

[abidale]

Thursday, October 17th-Part Three in Which We Get Free Water!

Once again, at the entrance to Test Track, our Magic Bands worked beautifully and off we went!

The queue for the new Test Track is about half as interesting as the old one, but then again, it is new so there is some interest in that.

Don’t expect anything extra neat, though, if you go through the FastPass queue! That being said, if the queue isn’t worth it to you, then the shorter wait is a huge benefit.

We stood on dots 7 and 8, and then we went into the room and designed our cars!

Here is me and Jessica’s…

And here is our parents’!

I have to admit, I really do miss the pre-show. It was so classic, and I was just starting to be able to quote it! It was definitely on the same level as Dinosaur’s.

Disney knows how to do their pre-shows.

Our car did okay during the ride! Our overall score was 202. We won one
category, Power, our parents won two others, and then we both got beat by the default car!

Enjoy this SUPER HIGH QUALITY picture of the scoreboard.

My overall opinion on the new Test Track: This was my second time riding it, as I rode it once over the summer. I had very mixed feelings then. I still do! I love designing my own car, and I think that it’s a great addition, especially since Disney is becoming more and more personal and interactive with its guests. However, the storyline just doesn’t seem to tie in as well as it used to. None of the tests are very relevant, and when the ride is testing your car’s efficiency, you just go through those little rooms, and they’re lined with green lights. Nothing even happens. I’m not sure what efficiency is, but I’m pretty sure those rooms wouldn’t be used to test it in real life. When I’m riding the new version, I can’t help but flash back to what would have been going on in the old one. E.g., the heat, cold, and corrosion chambers. The old ride had so much more suspense, involvement, excitement, and even humor! And the tests actually made sense. So, that is my two cents. In the wise words of my dad, “It’s like they tried to go too far with it but then didn’t go far enough.”

After Test Track 2.0, for some reason, my mom and sister felt the urge to wander World Showcase.

My dad and I weren’t feeling it due to the Food and Wine crowds and also having just finished a long car ride, but we were content to follow.

It was ridiculously crowded! I was fully aware that Epcot was the place you didn’t want to be on weekends during F&W, but I had no idea that on a Thursday night the lines for the food stands would be winding around and around, some up to half an hour or more! It was all we could do to just keep walking through the crowds.

We didn’t even get to ride Maelstrom! I was too scared to look, but if I had to guess, the ride was probably at least 45+ minutes.

We stopped in Italy and had a mini photo shoot on the bridge area with the fountain and the gondolas!

Epcot, you are oh so beautiful at night.

GONDOLAS! Please oh please turn these into some sort of attraction.

We got to Morocco and just needed a breather from the heat of the crowd, so we wandered around the pavilion!

We were upset to see that the cute little room with the painting of Morocco/Agrabah was now Aladdin and Jasmine’s greeting area.

Well, that probably sounds weird. It’s actually an adorable greeting area, but we have this strange tradition of always taking pictures in that little room!

The doors were blocked with a “Do Not Enter” sign.

Luckily, we asked a Cast Member if it was alright for us to go in and take pictures, and he said sure and opened the door for us! Disney magic at its finest.

On our way out of Morocco, we stopped at the Tangierine Café and asked for a cup of free ice water. Yes, we are those people.

After they handed us our waters, they asked my sister if she worked for Disney. She said no, that we were just here for the weekend. We weren’t overly sure whether if it was because they thought she looked like a character’s friend or if it was because we knew about the free ice water trick or what!

Tip: As stated in the above sentence, ice water is free! Don’t waste your money buying water bottles, and don’t waste backpack space carrying them, either. Any counter service place that sells refreshments in cups will have ice water, no charge. We’ve never encountered bitterness from Cast Members about it, either, because they are all so nice and perfect and yeah.

By the time we made it to Canada, we checked the time, and it was 8 on the dot. Perfect timing, because we had FP+ reservations for none other than Soarin’ starting right at that time!

On our way, I snapped this picture of the Imagination pavillion.

HELLO, LAND

The Garden Grill was all decked out for fall!!!

Now departing!

We saw noticeable crowds in Soarin’ as well. We breezed through the FP+ entrance once again with no issues, but the FP line was all the way back to the tan walls, before you go to be assigned a concourse, etc. We probably waited 30-45 minutes, and the stand-by line was listed as 60.

It was worth it, though, because it’s SOARIN’. And it was a Thursday and I should have been home doing homework, etc. But NO, I WAS AT DISNEY. So a 45 minute wait was not the end of the world.

We requested to be on the top row so as not to have a view of feet, and it was well worth the extra few minutes! I recommend always waiting longer for the top row. It really just completes the experience.

HIDDEN MICKEY ALERT: Watch the golf ball when it’s hit. There’s a Mickey silhouette on it, and you’ll see it if you don’t flinch as a reflex!

I managed to convince my dad to come to Character Spot with me and actually meet the characters! Usually, he prefers to stand back, watch, and take pictures, but tonight he met them with me and we both had a ton of fun!!!

HI, MICKEY!!! (Stacey reference?)

We met Mickey, Goofy, and Minnie. I was wearing my sequined Minnie Mouse ears, so Minnie and I were pretty excited about that.

Meeting the first characters of the trip really set things in stone for me. I was in Walt Disney World.

I was so full of energy that I couldn’t help but skip all the way out of Character Spot. It was just such a magical moment.

My dad and I met back up with my mom and sister outside of Guest Relations. They went to Mouse Gear to look at the Dooney and Bourke bags, and then headed to Guest Relations to ask if there were any Garden Grill ressies left for Saturday. We knew well that there wouldn’t be but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask! It was worth a try.

We headed out of the park, settled in, and had our traditional in-room night time snacks. My mom always bakes homemade chocolate chip cookies from scratch and packs our favorite sodas to bring! I can’t eat cookies with Sprite Zero outside of Disney anymore or it takes me right back and I can practically hear Stacey’s Must Do Disney in the background.

Speaking of Stacey…WE FOUND HER!!!!!!!! I looked the channel up on my phone, because a night at Disney without Stacey is just plain unacceptable. Obviously.

SCRATCHY SCRATCHY SCRATCHY!!!

Quotes of the Day:

“You just feel really powerful.” –My dad’s opinion of using Magic Bands in place of Legacy FP’s

“I NEED MORE SALMON!”—my sister and I, quoting the step-mom from A Cinderella Story

“He’s been peeled—it’s great because his head is so great to cut.”—my mom about my dad’s recent haircut

“I don’t need you yodeling!”—my dad when I couldn’t sleep so I started yodeling (or, trying to, anyways…)


Stay tuned for a sleepless night, a wake up call surprise, and chipmunks round one!​

 

[maps823]

great tip about the water we always get the water and in addition to that here is another tip: bring those little packets of powdered drink mix like crystal lite to put in the water!!!

 

[Cinderella8]

*Lights dim* Thanks for coming out! Hope you enjoy the show!

Thanks and welcome!

The New Test Track looks awesome!

 

[darrenf67]

Subbing in! We leave for WDW in 1 month today - coming from Australia - so exciting- love your TR so far

 

[JessM]

I haven't ridden the new TT yet but I'm glad to hear it has a great pre-show. I LOVE Dinosaur's its my favorite, its just perfect!

FP+ looks great! I booked almost the same times for my family's first Epcot day where we are arriving late.

 

[emilyindisney]

Thanks for the tip on the ice water- very good to know!

Your review of TT is interesting. I haven't done the new version myself, so can't really chime in but what you're saying sounds similar to what a lot of people are saying. Disney talked up these huge changes and they sound like they're a little lack luster. Your review makes me the miss the old TT a little I suppose I'll actually have to try the new one before I say for sure!

Glad you found Stacey! Snacking and watching Disney TV literally sounds like the best way to end the night! Can't wait for more!

 

[abidale]

great tip about the water we always get the water and in addition to that here is another tip: bring those little packets of powdered drink mix like crystal lite to put in the water!!!

Oh that's a great idea, thanks! I do love Crystal Lite

The New Test Track looks awesome!

It is, I just miss the old one!

Subbing in! We leave for WDW in 1 month today - coming from Australia - so exciting- love your TR so far

Thanks! Have a very magical trip, that's super exciting!

I haven't ridden the new TT yet but I'm glad to hear it has a great pre-show. I LOVE Dinosaur's its my favorite, its just perfect!

FP+ looks great! I booked almost the same times for my family's first Epcot day where we are arriving late.

Actually it doesn't have a pre-show unfortunately! And FP+ was seriously amazing! I read so many bad reviews on here but we had very few minor problems with it and it was so convenient!

Thanks for the tip on the ice water- very good to know!

No problem! It's been super helpful for us.

Your review of TT is interesting. I haven't done the new version myself, so can't really chime in but what you're saying sounds similar to what a lot of people are saying. Disney talked up these huge changes and they sound like they're a little lack luster. Your review makes me the miss the old TT a little I suppose I'll actually have to try the new one before I say for sure!

Don't quote me though! You might love it. I will say that the theming does actually fit into Future World better considering it's more focused on technology, so that's a positive benefit! And, the old TT is always on YouTube

Glad you found Stacey! Snacking and watching Disney TV literally sounds like the best way to end the night! Can't wait for more!

Stacey is always the best way to end a night, most definitely!

 

[Cinderella8]

Oh that's a great idea, thanks! I do love Crystal Lite



It is, I just miss the old one!



Thanks! Have a very magical trip, that's super exciting!



Actually it doesn't have a pre-show unfortunately! And FP+ was seriously amazing! I read so many bad reviews on here but we had very few minor problems with it and it was so convenient!



Stacey is always the best way to end a night, most definitely!

I usually get attached to old stuff, so I'm sure I'll miss it!

 

[abidale]

I usually get attached to old stuff, so I'm sure I'll miss it!

Yeah! You'll like the new one, though! I just have a lot of good memories of the old one! I watched a video on YouTube that compared the two (like a collage of two videos, one of the old and one of the new) which was neat to see, since they are so different!

 

[abidale]

Friday, October 18th-Part One in Which We Get Chipnapped

We woke up bright and early at 5:30!

I wish I was kidding.

My mom and sister take the term “early riser” to the extreme. They wanted to have enough time to eat their breakfast and wake up, so they set an alarm and a wake up call.

Before I rolled over and went back to sleep for another hour and a half, I did grab the wake up call. I had my fingers crossed that Mickey and Stitch were back! “NO SLEEPING!”

It wasn’t.

IT WAS A LIMITED TIME MAGIC AD.

Do you understand my disappointment in this? First Mickey and Stitch, now Mike Wazowski, then this? AN ADVERTISEMENT?

Rant over. Phew.

Anyway, I got a very minimal amount of sleep that night due to my dad insisting on bringing a Sleep Mate, which is a white noise machine, in case the resort got too loud. Can you tell it was our first value resort?

The things are supposed to help you sleep better, but it kept me awake all night! When I was still half asleep and half conscious in the morning I called it a “Noise Maker.” I guess that explains how I felt about it.

My dad and I woke up at 6:45, showered, and got ready to go! I had to drink a Sprite Zero with my granola bar because we forgot the apple juice at home. I wasn’t complaining.

While Mom and Dad finished getting ready, Jessica and I headed out to explore the resort! Prepare for ASM spam.

PONGO (who my sister insists has the same facial expression as her husky, Nala!)

Pretty Perdita

LUCKY WATCHING TV! I love Disney details.

The bones say Kanine Krunchies. Disney is just too perfect.

Cruella speeding along just a floor above us!

We only had time to explore the 101 Dalmatians area because soon it was time to go to HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS! This is one of my four favorite parks.
DHS had Extra Magic Hours going on at 8, so we walked right on in at 8:30!

Oh, the beauty of morning EMH.

Jessica and I went to get Legacy FP’s for Star Tours the old fashioned way!

We actually had to walk all the way over there, stick our ticket in, and keep up with the passes. Whew.

Enjoy them while they last!

I think Mom and Dad just hung out around Sunset Boulevard while they waited. We met back up and saw that Rock N' Roller Coaster only had a 20 minute stand-by. Before jumping in line, I said hello to my Tower real quick. Don't worry, Tower, I'll ride you before the morning's over, I promise!

IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE PALM TREES AGAIN.

We went in the Artist Entrance because obviously we're VIPs.

We had a prime viewing spot for the pre-show.

Then it was time to ride, and luckily, we were put in the very back! I rode with Dad. We love the thrill rides at Disney, and my mom and sister put on a brave face, lock arms, and enjoy it.

Let me just say, the back is, in my opinion, the best place to be. It’s a lot rougher, but you feel so much more free because you’re basically just being pulled along by the front end of the car! Going on the loops is so much more of an upside down sensation when you’re in the very back.

We got off, and I played air guitar all the way down the walkway you go through to get outside because Aerosmith.

It was time for our FP+, which was for Rock N’ Roller Coaster! Round two, anyone?? This time we were in the middle so it wasn’t quite as thrilling, but I’m not complaining because on any other given week I would have been at school! I thought about this while I was riding and I just started laughing out of pure joy because I honestly love my Disney life.

This time, I rode with my sister, who insisted we lock arms. I didn’t want to. Luckily, the shoulder restraint doesn’t really allow it! I have no idea how my mom and sister manage to do that at all.

Then it was time to use our LEGACY FP’S! They were also from 9-10. Oh, FP-, you will be missed. We walked over to Star Tours and breezed on in! We were placed in the very front row for the first time, which made the experience so much more realistic! I loved it. I recommend asking for the front row if you’re willing to wait for it.

This was by far the best ride sequence we have ever had. It was incredible. First, we were under attack by Darth Vader, then we ended up in some woods (forgive me for not knowing much about Star Wars, I do know the general info) and Chewbacca was hanging on to the front of our vehicle thing, and when he slid off, his arms made little streaks! Then Yoda came and talked to us about the rebel spy, and we ended up underwater getting attacked by a sea monster thingamajig. When it resurfaced, I couldn’t believe how real it felt. Not that I’ve ever been in a submarine, but if I had, that’s exactly what it felt like.

I honestly thought I took at least a couple Star Tours pictures, but apparently not..? Sorry for the lack of pictures!

After our Adventures Continued on Star Tours, we saw Chip and Dale all decked out in their Hollywood fashions! We hopped in line because Voyage of the Little Mermaid didn’t have a showing coming soon and we only had a little time to kill before our Tower of Terror FP+ rolled around at 10.

We waited about 10 minutes, and then it was our turn! This was the first of many chipmunk encounters, and also probably one of the longest character interactions I’ve experienced.

When we walked up, Dale took me by the arm and walked off with me! The Cast Member had to yell at Dale, and then Chip got all jealous and took my sister. Then Dale took my sister from Chip, and Chip and Dale started fighting with each other! It was hilarious and was probably a near five minute interaction.

The other people in line were probably not too happy; it was starting to back up!

We headed down Sunset Boulevard once more to visit my home away from home, Tower of Terror.

I TOLD YOU I'D BE BACK!

I used to be so terrified of this ride, but now it is my absolute favorite and I believe I go through Tower withdrawals on occasion.

I love the queue. Someday I want to wait stand by just so I have more time to look at all the details!

Here is a picture of the most detailed queue ever, and some random stranger making a funny face. You're welcome.

Out of order! That can't be good, now can it?

The ride sequence was especially great today—we dropped the entire length of the building three times!

After we got off I got this insane adrenaline rush. I always do after riding this ride. I don't even remember what I was saying--I was just talking non-stop about how great the ride was and jumping up and down and who knows what.

That's what's so great about Disney! You can act totally crazy and weird and no one will even notice because that's what Disney is FOR!!

Until next time, Tower!

Stay tuned for an unusual turn of events, Pin Trader's Remorse, and even an even MORE unusual turn of events!
​

 

[jessahontas]

Haha the giant Pongo DID look just like Nala!! You should update daily because post disney depression.

 

[abidale]

Haha the giant Pongo DID look just like Nala!! You should update daily because post disney depression.

I wish I could!

 

[emilyindisney]

Loving the ASM spam! I know some people don't like how cartoony and in-your-face-Disney the values are but I think its a lot of fun. After all, where else are you going to see a giant dog smiling back at you? I think the icons are a lot of fun!

Ugh, Tower! How could anyone not love it?! The theme and decor is just insanely perfect. I could probably spent a whole day just hanging out on the terrace and in the lobby if they'd let me!

Awww, Chip and Dale adorableness! I love meeting them because they seriously are the funniest. They got into a big fight with each other when we met them in Garden Grill in January. Whenever they argue, I can always picture the little chimpunk squeaks between them, haha!

You know I'm craving some pin trading stories so I'll be waiting patiently for your next update!

 

[abidale]

Loving the ASM spam! I know some people don't like how cartoony and in-your-face-Disney the values are but I think its a lot of fun. After all, where else are you going to see a giant dog smiling back at you? I think the icons are a lot of fun!

So do I! I got so excited seeing Pongo and Perdy so huge, they were adorable and I thought it was super magical!!!

Ugh, Tower! How could anyone not love it?! The theme and decor is just insanely perfect. I could probably spent a whole day just hanging out on the terrace and in the lobby if they'd let me!

THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OPTION. Like, a tour of the Tower lobby and all the details.

Awww, Chip and Dale adorableness! I love meeting them because they seriously are the funniest. They got into a big fight with each other when we met them in Garden Grill in January. Whenever they argue, I can always picture the little chimpunk squeaks between them, haha!

So do I, I can just hear it, haha!

You know I'm craving some pin trading stories so I'll be waiting patiently for your next update!

YES! It's actually pretty entertaining so I'll just leave it at that...

 

[JessM]

Yay for a fun HS morning! I love HS first thing, so many thrills! I used to be scared of TOT too, actually I still might be, but I love the themeing so I go anyways

I love the interaction with Chip and Dale, too funny! I love meeting characters together, it makes the interaction that much better!

 

[emilyindisney]

YES! It's actually pretty entertaining so I'll just leave it at that...

I feel like if I'm ever a Disney bride I will absolutely buy the package where you get to do your wedding pictures in ToT! They always look so glamorous!

 

[KelleyK75]

Love your report so far. Can't wait to hear what happens with the rest of your trip. We went to MNSSHP a few years ago and loved it. I hope to make it back soon.