Parks and Pop Century *And* A Park and Pop Century Christmas! *Plus* Downtown Disney

[okaybye]

I'm in! Keep 'em coming This is soooooo fun to read.

H

 

[meeko_33785]

I'm in! Keep 'em coming This is soooooo fun to read.

H

Hi. Glad to know you're in and enjoying the report. I'll try to get more up soon for ya.

 

[Jenvenza]

I am ready for more!!

 

[RachelNinja]

The other thing I've found that helps is taking a lot of pictures from different angles and such, experimenting on what looks best. You can always delete the bad ones and you're left with a nice shot.

Hmm, that may be the first thing I should try when taking pictures. When I'm with my family, I barely have enough time to get one or two pictures so I'll keep that in mind next time!

Nice that that hidden Remy was spotted!

 

[meeko_33785]

I am ready for more!!

More is on the way, I'm just not sure when. Can't wait to start on MK, but I just need to find the time.

Hmm, that may be the first thing I should try when taking pictures. When I'm with my family, I barely have enough time to get one or two pictures so I'll keep that in mind next time!

Nice that that hidden Remy was spotted!

Yeah, that trick isn't ideal when you're doing Disney comando-style, but if you can find the time, it really does work.

 

[meeko_33785]

Good morning! We get our morning wake-up call expected to hear Mickey and Stitch on the other end, but all we get is some Disneymania/ Disney Channel/ tween pop version of “That’s How You Know” from Enchanted. A little disappointing, but who cares. We’re going to Magic Kingdom, my favorite park! We all get up, get ready and head down to the food court to get some breakfast before heading to the bus stop. There really aren’t any big gate-buster attractions we want to get there early for, but we wanted to be there at opening to see the Magic Kingdom Welcome opening show since it’s been a long time since we’ve seen it. We seem to either we go on EMH days when they don’t perform it or we don’t get there early enough. Plus, there’s a few characters that I’d heard were hanging out in Town Square in the mornings recently that I wanted to see first thing- Jiminy Cricket, whom I’ve never met and always seem to miss in the parks. And Bert from Mary Poppins whom I’d only seen once before and didn’t get to meet (managed to get a photo from the side but no autograph or interaction or anything).


We make it to MK a little less than an hour before opening, so we enter the gates and wait in front of the train station.

The train station is quiet before opening time. The train will be here soon though!

Just a little reminder that the “Year of A Million Dreams” is still going on. Spoiler: We didn’t win anything from the Dream Team this trip.

The Magic Kingdom sign and Walt Disney’s Window. “Walter E. Disney: Keeping Dreams On Track”.

Soon, the Mayor arrives and begins the ceremonies. I wasn’t really pleased with how my pictures of the show came out, but here they are for what they’re worth.

“Good Morning! Good Morning!”

“Good Morning! Good Morning To You!”

The characters arrive. I spotted Bert and Mary Poppins on the train. Looks like they’ll be out today!

Chip, Dale and their new friend Stitch.

Most of the characters that I’d heard appeared in Town Square recently were onboard except one- Jiminy! Looked like he wouldn’t be out this morning. Oh well, maybe next year. Mickey, the rest of the characters and the family of the day open the park and we head into Town Square.


Once we got there, the only characters that seemed to stick around were Chip, Dale and Pluto. Where’d everybody else go? I checked with a CM when Mary and Bert would be coming out, but she said they wouldn’t be out until 9:20.I figure I’ll wait. Buzz heads to the pin shop on Main Street to find a WALL-E pin that he was looking for and then heads to the Expo Hall to watch some Steamboat Willie, and Mom and Dad did some exploring around Main Street as well. Dad really seemed to enjoy the old cameras on display at the Expo Hall.


While I wait for Mary and Bert, I try to get some pictures of some of the window displays at the Emporium.

Ariel and friends from “Under the Sea”.

Cinderella and Prince Charming dance at the ball (not sure what’s up with his hair though).

Snow White and Dopey celebrate.

Tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast.

Aladdin and Jasmine fly over Agrabah.

I look once more, Just Around the Riverbend.

And, of course, one of my favorite- Meeko!


Not long after getting my pictures, I’m about to take a break on a bench near City Hall when who should I see on the other side of Town Square but…

 

[Mickeefan]

Oh, snap, I hate cliffhangers! Come on . . . . . who did you see?

 

[DisKate]

Subbing

 

[meeko_33785]

Oh, snap, I hate cliffhangers! Come on . . . . . who did you see?

Sorry about that. I couldn't help but do a cliff hanger here. I can give you a hint to tie you over if you like- it's a character.

Subbing

Thanks for subbing. Glad to know you're onboard.

 

[schmoopypoo]

Great report, especially the pictures. DFi always has to get that famous "monorail by spaceship earth" shot too. I swear last trip he stood there for like 40 minutes just waiting for the perfect shot LOL Anyways can't wait to hear who you see and for the rest of your report

 

[meeko_33785]

Great report, especially the pictures. DFi always has to get that famous "monorail by spaceship earth" shot too. I swear last trip he stood there for like 40 minutes just waiting for the perfect shot LOL Anyways can't wait to hear who you see and for the rest of your report

Hi and thanks. Sounds like your DFi has tons of dedication to wait so long for that shot! I thought I waited a long time for it but it wasn't anywhere near that long (although it kind of felt like it because as much as I wanted to get that shot, I also wanted to get so Soarin quickly). I'll try to get the next part up sometime either today or tomorrow.

 

[meeko_33785]

Not long after getting my pictures of the Emporium windows, I’m about to take a break on a bench near City Hall when who should I see on the other side of Town Square but…

Jiminy Cricket! After not seeing him in the Welcome show at opening I was sure he wouldn’t be out for greets today, but he was! I head over to where he was in front of the Expo Hall and wait to see him. I’d been trying to find Jiminy on my last few trips with no success, so I was excited to finally get his picture and autograph.

Jiminy’s such a classic character it’s always been a little surprising that he didn’t use to come out very often. It’s nice to know that he’s coming out more and more. After saying “good-bye” to Jiminy I head back to wait for Mary Poppins and Bert. Pinocchio and Geppetto were nearby and didn’t have a long line (neither did Jiminy), but for some reason I passed on seeing them. After the trip I’m still kind of kicking myself for not meeting them since I don’t really have a picture of them together. Again, maybe next time.

The Dapper Dans drove by on the trolley. They weren’t singing though just waving, which I thought was a little odd, but whatever. Soon Mary Poppins and Bert came out from the Expo Hall and took a “Jolly Holiday” stroll around Town Square back to the Confectionary. It was just like out of the movie- wonderful.

Bert walked up to one of the doors and started knocking calling for Uncle Albert to see if he was in. It appeared that he wasn’t so Mary and Bert started greeting guests instead of visiting him. I love little touches like that. It really adds to the whole character experience.

Mary and Bert were awesome. Bert even shock my hand twice to give me a double dose of luck. They were like as if they’d walked right out of the movie and so much fun. It’s nice to see Bert out since I’d never really seem him out a lot.


After meeting Mary and Bert, I attempted to find the rest of the family. Mom really wanted to ride the trolley down to the Castle while we’re here, so once we all found each other, we headed to where the trolleys stop in Town Square and waited. While we were waiting, it looked like they were having a bit of trouble with the horse of something. The trolley would go down the street a little, stop, go a little bit and stop again. We figured the horse must be a little temperamental today until we realized they were doing the trolley show.

“We’re walking right down the middle of Main Street USA…”

“Clang Clang Clang went the trolley…”

“Zing Zing Zing went my hearstrings….”

The show eventually ended and the trolley arrived at Town Square ready for passengers. Mom really enjoys the Main Street Vehicles. They really are charming, but for some reason I never really think of riding them. It is fun doing all the big E-Tickets and gate-busters, but sometimes it’s fun to start the day with some of the more “minor” attractions in MK- taking in the atmosphere on Main Street, seeing the street shows, meeting the characters, and riding the Vehicles. Really, it’s just as much fun as Space Mountain.

How great is that view?

When we arrived at the Castle, Dream Along with Mickey was starting so we were able to see a bit of the show from the trolley which was fun. A nice end to our time on Main Street for the morning. See ya Main Street; we’ll be back for lunch.


Next chapter: The “new” Haunted Mansion

 

[ktmdooley]

Oh my gosh...what day were you at Epcot??? It looks like you got back about the same time as us.

We were in Epcot on a rainy day and saw Chip and Dale at the gateway. It was a Thursday.

 

[burly]

Oh yeah, i'm in.....

 

[RachelNinja]

It looks like it would be fun to meet Mary Poppins and Bert! I finally watched the movie again last year after having not seen it since my childhood. I totally forgot they were even at MK! I'll have to keep an eye out the next time I'm there.

Looking forward to your HM installment

 

[meeko_33785]

Oh my gosh...what day were you at Epcot??? It looks like you got back about the same time as us.

We were in Epcot on a rainy day and saw Chip and Dale at the gateway. It was a Thursday.

Hi. If it was a Thursday, then we weren't there on the same day, but probably the same week. It was a bit on the damp side (especially on Thursday).

Oh yeah, i'm in.....

Hi. Glad to have you aboard.

It looks like it would be fun to meet Mary Poppins and Bert! I finally watched the movie again last year after having not seen it since my childhood. I totally forgot they were even at MK! I'll have to keep an eye out the next time I'm there.

Looking forward to your HM installment

Definatly keep an eye out for them. They were so much fun. Mary Poppins is definatly one of my favorite Disney movies so it was great to see them both out on a Jolly Holiday.

 

[~Mommy&MeLuvDisney~]

Hey I am going to stay at POP. Everyone is saying that the bus transportation is really good. Did you think so?

 

[meeko_33785]

Hey I am going to stay at POP. Everyone is saying that the bus transportation is really good. Did you think so?

You know, the bus transportation wasn't bad at all. Sometime we did have to wait a while (no more than 15 or 20 minutes at most), but often two buses would come at once so everyone would be able to get on. You might have to stand, but at least you're not waiting at the bus stop longer. Never had any problems with the transportation either. Out of all the resorts I've stayed at over the years, I thought the bus transportation here was actually beter than at most of the Moderate resorts and maybe some of the deluxe that have to share buses with multiple resorts. Hope that helps.

 

[meeko_33785]

Off to Liberty Square! Last time any of us were here, Haunted Mansion was closed on its long refurbishment so the main priority attraction-wise for this trip at MK was to see the “re-imagineered” Mansion.

I’d heard beforehand that they made a change in policy that the CMs at Haunted Mansion were now required to smile at guests and sure enough, the first thing I noticed was the butlers and maids at the entrance and queue were indeed smiling as if they were at any other attraction in the park. It seemed a little odd, but not too distracting. There was absolutely no line at all which really added to the experience. It felt like you were just walking into this spooky mansion rather than queuing up for a ride. We walked right through the grounds and right into the Stretching Room which looked great. Once we got to the actual ride portion, the CMs weren’t smiling anymore which seemed to fit the atmosphere more. All in all, there didn’t seem to be a lot of noticeable changes, but those that were noticeable were great. The new stairway scene was great, Madame Leota’s floating crystal ball was breathtaking and the new Bride and attic scene was impressive (though a bit too dark for that moment in the ride I think). All in all, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed this ride so much, so a definite thumbs up here.

Another shot of the Mansion as we exit. Tried to get a picture of the Mr. Toad statue in the Pet Cemetery but was unsuccessful. You’ve got to have a really sunny day and a powerful zoon to get a picture of that! After the Mansion, we head off to Fantasyland.

I love all the details in Fantasyland, like this turret near Small World. Thematically, I think it has to be the most underestimated land of all, but if you really look, it’s very charming.

Mom and Dad hadn’t seen Philharmagic in a couple of years so we made that the next stop. Again, no line to speak of here either, but we have to wait a few minutes before being let into the theater. The show was great, one of my favorite attractions at MK and possibly my favorite 3D movie (can never decide if I like it better than Muppets).

Poor Donald. He’s the star of the attraction and Mickey gets to billing. No wonder he’s angry!


As the rest of the family looks around the Philharmagic shop for a while, I head out to the Courtyard to get some pictures of my favorite Disney mice (sorry Mickey and Minnie).

It’s getting close to our lunch reservation, so we start to head towards the Plaza Gardens to look around before we eat. Along the way, we spot more mice at Cinderella’s Wishing Well.

I don’t think Mom and Dad had ever noticed all the mice (and cat) sculpted into the well, so we checked it out for a while. While the rest of the family was checking out the Well some more, I headed to Fairytale Garden.

Fairytale Garden in where Belle usually does her story time, but that’s not why I wanted to check it out. I’d heard that Cinderella’s Stepfamily were making appearances there recently and wanted to see if I could get a “family portrait” of them. I’d gotten photos of them individually when Buzz and I were here for the Pirate and Princess Party last year, but I thought it would be nice to get a group shot too. Sure enough, they were out so I got in line to see them.

A photo of the stage and seating area while in line. Kind of a cute little area.

The Tremaines- Anastasia, Lady Tremaine, and Drizella. These three were awesome with all the guests- very funny and entertaining. There were a few kids in line that wanted nothing to do with them, but they tried their best to be nice- giving them stickers, trying to have their parents in the pictures with them. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. The trio were thrilled to have their portrait taken and posed as only the Tremaines could.

Anastasia declared that she wanted a picture of just her. Lady Tremaine started to scold her for asking, but I obliged. Ever since Cinderella III came out she’s become one of my favorite characters of late. It was nice to see her grow as a character in the film, but obviously she still has plenty of feistiness too.

After meeting the Tremaines, we all left Fantasyland and headed towards the Plaza Restaurant.


Next chapter: Our first meal at the Plaza

 

[~Mommy&MeLuvDisney~]

OMG!!! You take wonderful pictures!!!

Keep it coming!!!!

Oh and thanks for the bus tip!!!