No Work and All Play – Disney on the Company’s Dime! (8/1 There and Back Again)

[thecapells]

Solo excursion? No pun intended, of course, Han.

Me? A play on words? NEVER!!

 

[thecapells]

From a Galaxy Far, Far, Away to one close by but just as surreal, I rounded the corner to find a huge frog balloon staring back at me.

A closeup of the clock it was attached to showed a weird creature hanging on for dear life…

Alas, it’s Gonzo.
Which means this must be Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D!!

The plaza was bustling as usual and I got in line for my 2nd favorite attraction at the Studios.

The queues and pre-show are half the fun with the Muppets so I began reading, exploring, and investigating right away.
This shot of Sweetums is a bit of a spoiler from the actual show but it’s not something often photographed.

And this holographic poster gets you in the mood for the whole 3-D effect

Finally, my favorite sign in all of Walt Disney World!
For those of you who have ever been too short to ride on something, this one is for you!

Complete with the dent from some insanely tall person’s head.
The Muppets never forget a detail.
And then the pre-show in the Wocka Wocka Room.
For those of you who have followed my TR’s before, some of these may be familiar to you.
But I tried to get better pics of stuff this time around.

So, we start off with one of the great puns.

A Net Full of Jello!
Get it?
If not, say it faster…
Faster still…
Sounds like “Annette Funicello” doesn’t it?
Annette, of course, was one of the first Mousketeers on the Mickey Mouse Club.
Once again, all hail Jim Henson and his eye for details.
Speaking of Jim, how about a shot of the infamous Jim Henson muppet:

And then there’s the Swine Trek from “Piiiiiiiiigggggggggggs in Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccccccccccccceee”

From the opposite direction, there’s a spacescape to give the illusion that the Swine Trek is one a mission but it’s hard to photograph from that angle:

Lastly, we can’t forget the props.
One corner of the room consisted of Gonzo’s stuff:

Oh yeah, and then there’s these TV’s showing Muppets running from one to the other in “Muppet Show”-style antics.
Including a special appearance by none other than…
“Da da da da da da Hi There! Welcome to my park! How ya doing?”

“Wait a minute! You are not Mickey Mouse! You are a rat!”
“Rat, schmat! Besides, they're tourists. What do they know?”
And so it begins. The doors soon open and we are seated for our glorious encounter with those lovable Muppets.
As soon as you are seated, the experience begins as Waldorf and Statler are up to no good in the balcony.
The Swedish Chef is fumbling in the projection booth.
And the music begins from an orchestra of penguins in the pit.
Kermit appears on-screen and things are going normal (for the Muppets) until Beaker and Bunsen unleash a new 3-D creation.
Add to that Miss Piggy sending Bean Bunny packing and then our show turns into a hunt for a lost Muppet.
Sweetums makes an appearance as does Bean in the balcony.
And then it’s on to the “glorious three hour finale” - "A Salute to All Nations, But Mostly America".
“You got a minute and a half!”
And then all <bleep> breaks loose.
From the rockets red glare to bombs bursting in air to orchestral penguins shooting canons to Swedish Chef with a bazooka, it’s your typical Muppets.
When all is said in done, the theatre (a beautiful recreation of the original Muppet Theatre from the Muppet Show) stands in ruins.
And for the life of me, I still can’t figure out how they pull off Kermit sitting on that fire engine ladder during the closing.
But it’s time to move on so they can rebuild the theatre in time.
You see, the next group of people who are already making their way “as far to the end of the row as possible.”
After all, “stopping in the middle is distinctly unpatriotic!”
Bottom line – you gotta love the Muppets!

But now it’s time to head back over to the other side of the park.
It was about 7:15 or so and I had a little time to kill before the 8:30 showing of Fantasmic!
What’s left to do for a non thrill-seeker like me?
Any thoughts?

 

[pipersmom]

I'm guessing TSM! I loved what I read of the Muppets Review..I skipped the show details because I don't want to know the plot.. Piper and I actually have a lot of the old Muppet Show video cassettes (well, I do...but Piper makes a good excuse!). Looking forward to what comes next, as always!

 

[All7OfUs]

OKay, warning; A series of comment posts coming your way...

Muppets---- I was never a big fan of The Muppet gang, but will have to admit the theming there at MuppetVision is superb; some of the best on WDW property even. I love sight gags (ala Marc Davis) and this does not dissapoint!

Sci-Fi---- We also did Sci-Fi last trip, and laughed hysterically the whole time!! So.FUNNY! Who wouldn't crack up at a 50 foot woman!?
What exactly did he climb to get that really cool shot??

 

[All7OfUs]

Planet Blankastan to Endor! Come in Endor!

Requesting your immediate attention as comments are posted!

Glad your tour was enjoyable and that even some adventure was thrown in. Stop.

Yes, it can get hot at your destination, best to keep well hydrated. Stop.

Please make sure you see all you can while there- there's limited time to take in the sights! Stop.

Keep reporting as directed! Stop.

 

[All7OfUs]

Last one, I promise...

Yeah, I could've gone back and edited the first one (twice) bit hitting reply is so easy, AND it boosts your post count.

We've come full circle and are back to Muppets. You know, the first time I saw it I snoozed most of the way through. I jsut didn't even get it. Maybe if I had grown up with the puppet gang, I'd get it, but sadly I just don't. The only ones I'm really familiar with is Kermit and Piggy. So, most is just lost on me.

But I promise, next time, I'll be extra careful to listen for the jokes and try harder.

Hmmmm..... next up??? YOu've done almost everything, but chances are you ARE holding a FiP for TSM. If not that, then maybe GMR ( I can't remember if you've done this already- going back to check) Nope, already done that. Hmmm... a last showing of either B&B or VoLM??

 

[MEK]

I love that line, "A Salute to all nations, but mostly America". Crack me up everytime. I remember the first time I saw Muppets - I totally thought it was a hoot. Its hard not to like. In June I went with my 9 year old nephew and he cracked up during the whole thing (it was his first showing). That was great! Love your pictures. That queue is full of hidden (and not so hidden) treasures!

 

[dawnbu40]

Your enthusiasm for your favorite attractions really shines through in your last 2 posts! Very fun to read

 

[thecapells]

I'm guessing TSM! I loved what I read of the Muppets Review..I skipped the show details because I don't want to know the plot.. Piper and I actually have a lot of the old Muppet Show video cassettes (well, I do...but Piper makes a good excuse!). Looking forward to what comes next, as always!

You DEFINITELY need to break out the old Muppet Shows for Piper.
In fact, when my eldest was born, I went out and bought the Time-Life Best of the Muppets 10-DVD Set for just that purpose.
Muppets were a huge part of my childhood and I was intent on making sure my kids got the experience as well!
And, yes, they LOVE it now just like dear ol' dad!
In fact, one of the first songs they could each sing was Mahna Mahna!

Muppets---- I was never a big fan of The Muppet gang, but will have to admit the theming there at MuppetVision is superb; some of the best on WDW property even. I love sight gags (ala Marc Davis) and this does not dissapoint!

Sci-Fi---- We also did Sci-Fi last trip, and laughed hysterically the whole time!! So.FUNNY! Who wouldn't crack up at a 50 foot woman!?
What exactly did he climb to get that really cool shot??

Muppets is great! So much going on all around you.
And we would never have all the greatness of Philharmagic if Muppets didn't set the tone with "4D" techniques.
What other attraction has animatronics, a 3-D movie, and a live-action character?
I don't think there is one...

As for Sci-Fi, wasn't that waiter great?
I love those pictures!
He climbed on the other tables/chairs in order to take that.
I've never seen another CM go so far out of their way for a pic.
It was great!

Planet Blankastan to Endor! Come in Endor!

Requesting your immediate attention as comments are posted!

Glad your tour was enjoyable and that even some adventure was thrown in. Stop.

Yes, it can get hot at your destination, best to keep well hydrated. Stop.

Please make sure you see all you can while there- there's limited time to take in the sights! Stop.

Keep reporting as directed! Stop.

I couldn't help myself - it was too much fun to write!

Last one, I promise...

Yeah, I could've gone back and edited the first one (twice) bit hitting reply is so easy, AND it boosts your post count.

We've come full circle and are back to Muppets. You know, the first time I saw it I snoozed most of the way through. I jsut didn't even get it. Maybe if I had grown up with the puppet gang, I'd get it, but sadly I just don't. The only ones I'm really familiar with is Kermit and Piggy. So, most is just lost on me.

But I promise, next time, I'll be extra careful to listen for the jokes and try harder.

Hmmmm..... next up??? YOu've done almost everything, but chances are you ARE holding a FiP for TSM. If not that, then maybe GMR ( I can't remember if you've done this already- going back to check) Nope, already done that. Hmmm... a last showing of either B&B or VoLM??

Definitely pay attention to EVERYTHING next time around in Muppets.
And be sure to catch up on your Muppet Shows beforehand!
Alot of the inside jokes, tributes, and references are what makes it so much fun.
For ex, at one point Janice and I think Floyd ride a bike through the background.
This is an homage to the infamous bicycle scene from the movies.
Why is this cool?
Think about what it takes to get a puppet to actually ride a bicycle!
And keep in mind this is without computer graphics...
I still can't believe they did it so well...

I love that line, "A Salute to all nations, but mostly America". Crack me up everytime. I remember the first time I saw Muppets - I totally thought it was a hoot. Its hard not to like. In June I went with my 9 year old nephew and he cracked up during the whole thing (it was his first showing). That was great! Love your pictures. That queue is full of hidden (and not so hidden) treasures!

You have to love Sam the Eagle - his patriotism is like no other!
One of these days, he may even turn the Muppets into a classy, cultured, and educational program.
On second thought - probably not...

Your enthusiasm for your favorite attractions really shines through in your last 2 posts! Very fun to read

I couldn't resist - it was too much fun.
And I had to spice it up since I already talked about both in previous trip reports.
I have no idea what I'm gonna do next time when I write our Halloween report....

 

[praisehisname]

But now it’s time to head back over to the other side of the park.
It was about 7:15 or so and I had a little time to kill before the 8:30 showing of Fantasmic!
What’s left to do for a non thrill-seeker like me?
Any thoughts?

All caught up again. Did you head to TSM or maybe VotLM?

 

[thecapells]

All caught up again. Did you head to TSM or maybe VotLM?

Good guesses but it was actually something I've never done before...

 

[boxmaster]

Good guesses but it was actually something I've never done before...

Well, we know it's not Tower of Terror.

Party pooper, you.

 

[thecapells]

Well, we know it's not Tower of Terror.

Party pooper, you.

Nah, not even close.
If I wanted to drop 13 stories, I can find other ways to do it.

 

[thecapells]

Still with some time to kill before Fantasmic! I decided to swing by the Animation Courtyard once more.
First, I took a pic of the Playhouse Disney building for the kids.

Then I headed back the Animation Building.

After the Magic of Disney Animation earlier in the day, you are encouraged to attend the Animation Academy but I wanted to keep moving.
But now I thought I’d give it a shot.
For those who are not familiar, the Animation Academy is a basically a lesson on how to draw a certain character.
Everyone sits in a room on a stool with their own pencil and paper.
An animator sits up front with his/her work displayed on a big screen.
After polling the audience to make sure people aren’t repeating a character, the animator chooses today’s “lesson.”
I lucked out and the animator chose good ol’ Mickey in his Sorcerer’s outfit.
The animator is awesome and jokes a bit as he draws.
I did feel as though he started off slowly and tended to speed up as he went.
Nevertheless, this was a great experience since normally I can’t draw.
Even my simple geometric shapes tend to be lopsided.
However, after about a half hour of “instruction”, I was able to produce this:

And of course, the animator tells you to sign your work

This was great because it’s essentially a free souvenir.
However, it’s a bit hard to get home (hence the crinkling you may notice in the picture).
I still want to frame mine and put it up in the house.
And while I skipped this with the family in November, I expect to come back here in 2011 when everyone is a little older.
Let’s see what kind of artists we are!

Armed with my picture of Sorcerer Mickey, it was time to head over to the show with Sorcerer Mickey.
It was about 8:15 and the early Fantasmic! started at 8:30.
As you might have guessed, it was standing room only.
I headed in anyway and wandered down the aisle.
I caught sight of a space right in the middle and asked the family there if there was someone coming.
They said yes but they could make room for one more.
Yet another advantage of touring solo!
We talked for a bit and the son soon appeared with some food for the family.
It was a short wait and then my favorite nighttime spectacular started.
I decided not to take any pics (sorry ) since I wanted to enjoy this show - I had missed it last time with the kids.
What a way to end the day!
But my day was not nearly over yet!
Who remembers what’s next?

 

[pipersmom]

Piper and I are both really looking forward to the animation class! Your Mickey came out so well : I also can't wait to see Fantasmic. I have to admit, I have no idea what's next..but I am looking forward to finding out!

 

[All7OfUs]

You did very, very well on your Mickey!! I hope I can crank out something even half as good.

I think if they don't add more shows, I'll pass on F! I really don't want to wait an hour for a show.

 

[dawnbu40]

Glad you enjoyed the animation lesson! Nice Sorceror Mickey!
How great being able to grab a seat at Fantasmic just 15 minutes before the show!

 

[WrightFamily06]

Great Muppets pictures love all the details you included made me feel as if I was there in the theater

Your Sorcerer Mickey turned out awesome ! Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself at fantasmic and was able to really take it all in , it amazing all u can get done on a solo trip .

Not sure where you are going now , if it was me I would be going shopping !

 

[thecapells]

Piper and I are both really looking forward to the animation class! Your Mickey came out so well : I also can't wait to see Fantasmic. I have to admit, I have no idea what's next..but I am looking forward to finding out!

You can't be out of guesses yet! There's lots more to do!!

You did very, very well on your Mickey!! I hope I can crank out something even half as good.

I think if they don't add more shows, I'll pass on F! I really don't want to wait an hour for a show.

Thanks for the kind words - I definitely wished I didn't press down as hard so I could erase easier.
As for Fantasmic!, our trick with the family has always been the Fantasmic! Dinner Package.
You get reserved seating for Fantasmic! and you don't have to pay extra.
It's a bit off to the side but it's worth not having to get there so early and still being able to see the show!

Glad you enjoyed the animation lesson! Nice Sorceror Mickey!
How great being able to grab a seat at Fantasmic just 15 minutes before the show!

There definitely are perks to being solo!
And I was pretty happy with my Sorcerer Mickey - I'm dying to go back and try some more!

Great Muppets pictures love all the details you included made me feel as if I was there in the theater

Your Sorcerer Mickey turned out awesome ! Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself at fantasmic and was able to really take it all in , it amazing all u can get done on a solo trip .

Not sure where you are going now , if it was me I would be going shopping !

In hindsight, I can't believe I didn't take a pic inside the Animation Academy.
Silly me - but at least I have my Sorcerer Mickey Souvenir!
As for where I was going, remember I still had a Fastpass burning a hole in my pocket!

 

[3girls4me05]

You can't be out of guesses yet! There's lots more to do!!



Thanks for the kind words - I definitely wished I didn't press down as hard so I could erase easier.
As for Fantasmic!, our trick with the family has always been the Fantasmic! Dinner Package.
You get reserved seating for Fantasmic! and you don't have to pay extra.
It's a bit off to the side but it's worth not having to get there so early and still being able to see the show!



There definitely are perks to being solo!
And I was pretty happy with my Sorcered Mickey - I'm dying to go back and try some more!



In hindsight, I can't believe I didn't take a pic inside the Animation Academy.
Silly me - but at least I have my Sorcerer Mickey Souvenir!
As for where I was going, remember I still had a Fastpass burning a hole in my pocket!

Don't you have a fastpass for Soarin or am I mistaken?