Pin Trading, Pineapple Bars, and Italian Wine, OH MY! Sept. 2010 TR UPDATE 8/20 pg 9

[IheartDDuck]

Mmmm, I love Rosa Regale. My favorite wine!

Okay, I just about died laughing at your comment about the Chip topiary and the collagen.

 

[Belle_princess]

Mmmm, I love Rosa Regale. My favorite wine!

Okay, I just about died laughing at your comment about the Chip topiary and the collagen.

We only just discovered Rosa Regale on this trip. Now, it is a staple at both of our houses! LOVE IT!!!

Umm. . .well, it is true. . Chip's lips are HUGE!! Kinda scary!!

 

[Belle_princess]

Since we finished the World Showcase with too much time to spare before our reservations, we decided to go back and ride Journey to Imagination since Nikki can't get enough of Figment. As we walked up to the front, there was a CM there who told us it was closed? WHat?? Oh, yeah. . .Future World closes earlier than the WS.

Ok, well, we pressed on to find something to do. . .we decided to ride Spaceship Earth. Yes, it was open- why when it is in Future World, I don't know!! It didn't matter. We rode it again.

SE is a great ride, and it is a great place to relax and enjoy some AC. I simply enjoyed the ride and shot pictures of our Future. Don't you love our spiffy new outfits??

We still had time to kill. . .where to next. Remember these:
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x449/Disney2010photos/September 22/DSC_0238.jpg
I decided I would go back to the Mexican Pavillion and buy them for DH. They had told me previously that they didn't send food back to the resort? I don't know why. The Poly did it when we bought the coconut Mickey heads the day before. Whatever. I made my purchase quickly. Then we decided to head back to Canada for dinner even though we were early.

Oh yes, people. The one reservation that I HAD to have! (Remember Nikki's brother who was the BIG Disney fan in their family who wanted to go head-to-head with me to see who knew the most about Disney?? Well, when Nikki told him where we were eating, he was blown away. He was surprised we managed to get reservations; he'd never been able to! Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen. . .that, again, makes ME the BIGGEST DISNEY FREAK!!!! )

We checked in and then sat down to wait. There were probably ten or so other people waiting to be seated. One of the CMs started doing Disney Trivia while we waited. We were allowed to just shout out the answers. I could answer nearly every question he asked! We kept scoring Mickey stickers. Finally, the CM said I wasn't allowed to answer any more questions. Heehee! Oh well. (Sorry, I can't remember the questions, but he deliberately selected some harder, more obscure questions when he saw how many answers I knew! I still was getting some of those!! - - Not to toot my own horn or anything!!)

At last, we were seated. We sat along the side wall.

We had a terrific waiter, but I can't remember his name. He was so nice and always willing to go speak to the chef on Nikki's behalf when she had questions about the food. Great guy!!!

We perused the menu, and I seriously considered doing the Chef's Favorites like we did at Les Chefs de France. It had the Cheddar Cheese soup on it that I'd heard nothing but good things about. However, the entree options weren't that great. After much deliberation, I decided to stick to the dinning plan, so I could choose what I wanted! They brought out the Yummy bread. . .sorry Nikki, no Glutten-Free Bread here!

I LOVE those bread sticks. . . just sayin'

I decided to get a Antioxidant Cocktail! Nikki decided to go for a salad instead of a drink.

Somehow, neither Nikki or I got a picture of her salad. . .I guess it was just a salad!

Nikki could only pick a few items from the menu that she could eat, so she decided to order the Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon. I'd had that the last time I was at LeCellier, but I wasn't sure if I wanted it again or to try something new. I asked the waiter and decided to try something new. I ordered the Coffee-rubbed Kansas City Strip Steak.

We enjoyed the atmosphere and I caught up in my little journal the events of the day. Then, our food came out:
Nikki's:

Mine:

There was no shortage of "yum"s and "WOW"s as we ate. They were delicious! Nikki loved her meal, and mine was to die for! I'm still trying to figure out how to recreate it at home! Another win for LeCellier in my book!

We were getting full, but we still had dessert. Of all the dessert options, Nikki could only have one thing. She talked to the waiter who repeatedly went back to talk to the chefs. Poor guy was doing the best he could for her. She finally decided to get the Le Cellier Mount Blanc Semifreddo. I remember there was some concern about Nikki's dessert, but I can't remember what it was exactly. I chose the Bumbleberry Cobbler!

They brought Nikki's dessert out:

It was decorated for her birthday!

Here's mine:

We started eating when suddenly Nikki starts coughing and chugging water. I asked if everything was ok. She insisted I try her dessert- the sauce, to be specific. Um.. after that display, do I want to??? She said it was ok. I tried it. Then, I, too, started chugging water. It was spicy! I mean, really spicy! She called our waiter over to ask what was it in. He was surprised she tasted it saying most people don't even know what is in there. He said it was Mango and Cayenne Pepper. We both were shocked? Cayenne Pepper in a dessert??

Nikki tried it again, this time with some of the custard in the middle. No display. . . She had me do the same. The custard managed to take the extreme bite out of the Cayenne Pepper. It was DELICIOUS! I was amazed!!! My dessert was also quite good! It was sweet with a different berry flavor than I've ever had. As good as it was, I don't think I finished it. I was so full. (I was so intrigued by Nikki's dessert. I hadn't known about putting savory with sweet to make a dessert. . .it awakened an even keener desire to learn and explore food and its ingredients- especially desserts! I was (and am) hooked!!!!)

When we paid our bill, we decided LeCellier, by far, was the best value on the dinning plan. Our entire meal would have cost us $106 dollars and about a $20 tip. We only had to pay the tip and about $17 out of pocket (for the drink and Nikki's salad!) Woot!

Fabulous meal!!! We were so happy. We slowly made our way out of EPCOT enjoying the quietness! I think we left around 11. There was almost no one around. We shot a few pictures on the way out:

We got back to ASMu. I don't have any notes on what we did. We probably did our usual- wind down as we regrouped for the next day. I was totally excited. . .the next morning was our KTTK tour! I couldn't wait. I knew getting up early would be difficult, so we went to bed quickly.

Here are the pins from Saturday. (I know I had these up already, but I messed up my pictures. These pins are from Saturday. . .not Friday!)

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Wow, I am amazed at that cayenne pepper/custard dessert -- I'm not a big fan of custard, but you almost have me convinced to try that thing!

Can't wait to hear about the KTTK tour!!

 

[Belle_princess]

Wow, I am amazed at that cayenne pepper/custard dessert -- I'm not a big fan of custard, but you almost have me convinced to try that thing!

Can't wait to hear about the KTTK tour!!

It was phenomenal! I can't even tell you how good it was! I'm desperate to recreate it! It was AMAZING! You must try it!!!

I've got to do some picture editing before I can do another update. Soon, I promise!

 

[NashvilleTrio]

I'm really enjoying reading your report. Sounds like you had a blast. TR's are a big commitment, so don't worry about taking your time with it. I've only done one TR and it may be my last! Ha!
-Melissa

 

[Belle_princess]

I'm really enjoying reading your report. Sounds like you had a blast. TR's are a big commitment, so don't worry about taking your time with it. I've only done one TR and it may be my last! Ha!
-Melissa

Melissa! I'm so glad you are here! I'm also glad you are enjoying my TR! Yes, TRs are a HUGE commitment. I never finished my TR from my 2008 trip, and it has always bothered me. Before this trip, I promised myself I would finish this TR! Now, look at me. . .I'm through Day 5 of a 9 day trip! I'm more than half way done! I'll finish!

I hope you will stick around for the remainder of the trip! We had a fantastic time. I hope Nikki and I can go again some time! She's great to travel with!!

 

[Belle_princess]

Hello! I only have a few minutes, but I thought I'd do a quick update!

Sunday, September 26:

We had to get up early and get going to the Magic Kingdom! I was practically jumping out of my skin. Today was our Keys to the Kingdom tour given by my college roommate! I couldn't wait!

Nikki didn't really understand my need to leave so early since the park didn't open until 9. However, she was a good sport! We got dressed and ready and both decided we needed coffee this morning to help get us going! We stopped by the food court on the way to the bus stop.

We hopped the bus to the Magic Kingdom. Honestly, I can't remember if the bus was full or not. We were leaving ASMu around 8:15, I think. The ride to the Magic Kingdom from the All-Stars is always so long for me. It seems like an eternity just because I love MK so very much and am always anxious to get there.

As we made our way from the bus stop at MK, we saw lots of people waiting in the area in front of the Train Station to get inside. We went through the bag check and told them we had KTTK reservations. They pointed us toward some CMs. We told them the same thing, and they pointed us to a roped off path that lead straight inside. We were stopped several times by CMs making sure we had reservations. We walked past tons of other guests and under the Train Station. You should have seen their faces! It was great! Nikki and I got a good laugh. They were all looking at us with a terribly look of disdain. . ."why do YOU get to go in early??????" It was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!- - -

Mwaaaahaaaaaaaaaa Silly Mortals!!!!!

We passed through the gateway, and I immediately started snapping pictures. Seriously, how often are you inside MK with so very few people!!! Nikki was shooting pictures as well.

We were a few minutes early, and there was a photopass photographer on Main Street. It was on! We had to have this picture. Nikki and I ran over, gave the man our card and my camera. He shot the pictures of us on a mostly-empty Main Street. AWESOME! However, when I got my photopass, those pictures WEREN'T ON IT!!!!!!!!! WHAT??? That's right. None of our nearly-empty-Main-Street pictures were on my photopass. Luckily, he had shot a couple with my camera!!!

See the coffee in hand????

Even though we were early, we decided to go the Town Hall and check in for our Tour. On the way, I snapped this great shot:

We stepped in to the Town Hall, and there was my college roommate, Nicole, being the typical smiling CM. (Not a stretch for her!!!!! )

We checked in and were offered coffee and bottled water for the tour. She told us to pick up our name badge and select what we would like for lunch from a condensed menu from the Columbia Harbor House. Then, we were asked to stay near close to Town Hall as we would be gathering up soon.

We went back outside and just enjoyed MK with no one around.

Stay tuned for the RUNNING OF THE TOURISTS!!!! But first, a reminder of what MK looked like before everyone arrived:

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Great update! Love the pics in Town Square! Excited to hear how the KTTK tour went!!!

 

[Belle_princess]

Hello! I'm so sorry I've been gone so long! Oy! What a busy life I lead. . .I hope some of you are still out there waiting with baited breath to see how our trip continued and how the Keys tour went! Well, here I am to alieve your anxiety!

When I left you, Nikki and I had checked in for the tour and were told to stick around Town Hall since we would be starting soon. We walked around a little just waiting. As most of you who have been to Disney before know, MK has a show every morning before they open the gates. Well, this morning was no exception. However, Nikki and I got to see the show from the back. . .we heard the music and saw the train pull up to the station

I was anxious- so excited to be in MK before everyone else. Excited forthe tour, and thrilled that I was seeing something few people see. Granted, I saw very little of the show because of my vantage point, but I didn't care. When the show was over, the gates opened and we saw:

"THE RUNNING OF THE TOURISTS!"
Oh yes. When those gates open, we saw the craziest site ever! I noticed a boy who took off with his head back, running like his life depended on it- just to be the first in MK!

As I stood there watching- albeit in disbelief- I noticed the characters coming down from the station nearby!

Shortly after the very interesting and entertaining spectical, we were rounded up for our tour. Here is my friend/college roommate, Nicole, introducing herself:

She gave us some instructions and we got equipted with listening devices, so we could hear Nicole over the din of the park. We had trouble with these devices and her microphone the whole time. Oh well.

We started our tour. I don't want to spoil the tour for anyone who might want to go. I will simply give quick explinations of the photos. Plus, seeing as it has been over 6 months since I took this tour, I would hate to get the stories wrong. I'll do the best I can!

Nicole giving us information about Main Street and all the windows above. She explained that MK is a show, and the windows on Main Street are like the credits of a show (that, of course, used to run at the beginning of the movies!)

These first windows above the Confectionary are Roy Disney's. His name is first because he is the Producer/Director (I think). He was the one who was responsible for putting the show (MK) on in the first place.

We continued on. I just shot this picture because I thought it looked cool. I love all the fall decorations they have at MK:

We took a seat in an alcove in the middle of Main Street while Nicole gave us so many neat nad interesting stories. Do you see the flag poles in the picture (and on nearly every building on MS?) They are lightning rods hidden as flag poles. That way, if there is a storm, both guests and CMs are safe! Who knew, right? I just thought they were there to help the ambience of MS!

Also, she went on to indicate the tarps that were over Casey's and the Emporium. She said they are silked screen to look just like the building because the show must go on regardless of what repairs must be made. They don't want to break the look of MS (or anywhere else) just because they have to do what they have to do to keep MS looking as good as it did in 1971.

(Since there are so many pictures to post, I will make short entries, so I don't have to count pictures! )

 

[Belle_princess]

A poor picture, but I was trying to shoot these windows from fairly close. The window on the right shows the names of the 'Companies' Walt used when purchasing land in Florida for the park. He didn't want anyone knowing he was buying up the land, so he used fake companies to buy the land with. The only name I can remember was a company or person by the name of "M.T. Lots" I also remember that the manager of this company or people was a "Mrs. M. Mouse." Interesting, huh?

Each window has a story as to why the things that are written on it are there, but I honestly don't remember these. Sorry

The window on the left is for Card Walker. Yes, he was a real person. As the story goes, since Walt and Roy were brothers and brothers do nothing better than fight, the two Disney brothers were often at odds with each other. They shared an office, but they wouldn't speak to each other. Card Walker was a mutual friend. He would play their go between. Walt would say "Go tell Roy. . ." and Card would walk across the room and tell Roy Walt's message even though Roy was in the same room as Walt. Funny! On Card's window it says something about being available 24-7 except when playing golf. Nicole informed us if Card was playing golf, he would not interrupt his game to help the Disney brothers- they had to wait!

Here, at the end of MS, facing Cinderella Castle, is Walt's window. He will forever have a view of the Castle he never saw completed.

Walt's view:

I just this was a nice picture:

During the tour, I really began to appreciate all the little things that the Imagineers put into every ride. Even the things in the line cue- there to give you a better feeling on and off the ride! Here is the end of the Jungle Cruise: (We snuck in the exit to ride the ride!!) Nicole did the talking instead of the boat driver.)

Apparently, Walt envisioned having real animals for the Jungle Cruise ride. However, it was decided that wasn't a very plausable idea. So we have the animatronic ones:

Yes, this section of the ride looks old- like it has been there forever. Some of that moss was planted recently to keep the look. Also, some of that moss is painted on for illusion sake!

Here is Nicole as the voice of the Jungle Cruise:

This is a picture of the native trader near the end of the ride. His loin cloth is actually a piece of fabric from the original boat awnings. Way cool.

We also passed some other natives on the trip. They are speaking at you as you pass in another language sounding very ominious. However, if you listen closely, you can hear one of them say "I Love Disco."

We finished the Jungle Cruise and continued on through Adventureland. We stopped outside the Tiki Room buidling.

Here is a view from the bottom. See all the hay on the roof. It appears incredibly real and looks very nice considering it has been there a while. . .well, briefly, Nicole gave up her role as guide to this young lady:

Nicole had her indicate the hay on the roof. Then, Nicole handed over her ridding crop to our "guide." It was a very emotional moment!

Nicole had our guide hit the hay with the ridding crop. When she did, it clanged! Yes, that's right, it CLANGED! Every strip of hay is actually metal. It is made to look like hay, but it is metal so it can withstand time and hurricanes! WHOA Who knew?? Cool stuff!

 

[davebon23]

Still here!! Great updates, thanks

 

[Belle_princess]

Still here!! Great updates, thanks

Thanks, davebon23! Glad to see you are still here. I hope to get another update done very soon!

Kristin

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

Hey Kristin... I just found and started reading your TR yesterday! We're neighbors!! We live in McKinney. I lived in Allen for a year and moved to McKinney 2 years ago. I have quite a few friends in Allen. It's A Small World After All!!

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!!

 

[Belle_princess]

Hey Kristin... I just found and started reading your TR yesterday! We're neighbors!! We live in McKinney. I lived in Allen for a year and moved to McKinney 2 years ago. I have quite a few friends in Allen. It's A Small World After All!!

Can't wait to read the rest of your TR!!

it is a Small World! I hope you enjoy the TR! Thanks for reading!!

 

[Belle_princess]

After our discovery of the metal hay on top of the Tikki Room, Nicole's ridding crop and hat were returned and we headed further into Adventureland.

We passed Pirates of the Caribbean and found Captain Jack Sparrow giving pirate lessons!

As much as we wanted to, we couldn't stop and watch. The tour was pressing on. We passed Pirates and took a seat in a little alcove between Adventureland and Frontierland. Nicole told us about Disney and his fantastic history and how he got into the business. Great and very informative. . .wish I'd written more down!

After our rest, we moved on to a little spot right on the edge of the Splash Mountain area. There, meeting guests, were Jesse and Woody! Nicole told us we were about to enter backstage and that we had to put cameras away. We snuck behind the characters and through a gate. Some other guests tried to follow us, but Nicole politely informed them that this was a paying tour and if she wanted more information to ask at the Town Hall at the front of the park! Smooth. . .nice going Nicole!

We walked down the street. Nicole asked us if we could still see the guests or still be seen by the guests. We could. We walked farther. . .could we still be seen or see the guests? No. We were backstage. . . .except. . .we crossed the tracks for the Railroad. We could still been seen by guests, so technically, we weren't backstage. The train past and we waved at the people aboard. Nicole pointed out a fence/gate that was made to look like it was made from wood that had been cut to a point on top. She told us that even some of the items that could be considered backstage were still made to look like part of the show- this fence was made to look like part of the show for the people who rode the train.

As we stood there, Jesse and Woody came with their handlers. They were still in character waving at us and throwing kisses. They past through the gate. we followed. . .

behind that gate, we were truly backstage. On stage, we were to say there was only one Mickey Mouse, one Jesse, one Woody, etc. However, once we pasted the gates, there were actually two Jesses and two Woodys. SHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! They characters switched places. The ones who had been out in the park walked off to take a break. The other two headed back to the park.

While we stood behind the gate, we noticed it was just a metal gate- the front looked like it belong in Frontierland, but the back wasn't anything more than a gate. Awesome.

While we were standing there. . .between some large buidlings, Nicole had us remember how far we were from the entrance to the Pirates ride. We were a pretty good ways. . . on our left was the building that housed the ride. NO WAY! Yes, the long building was the WHOLE Pirates ride! Nicole said it was painted a don't-look-at-me green in the hopes that no one would see it. AWESOME.

We continued down a ramp to where they housed the floats for the parades. We saw all the Dreams Come True (I think it was called) pirated lined up and ready for the afternoon show. In the buidling behind it were the floats for the Christmas parade all covered up waiting for their time! It was awesome!

While we were back there, we saw some men practicing. When I asked what they were practicing for, Nicole slyly said if we came back in a couple months, those guys might look a lot like Toy Soliders. They were practicing for the Christmas Parade.

We moved through some smaller structures. . .UGH! The smell. . .yep, it was trash from the park. No big deal. . .

We got behind another large building where water was moving around below us in a large tank. This was the ride housing for Splash Mountain. She told us every night, certain CMs had to go in the water and fish out lost items- hats, etc, that were lost on the ride. There was a large screen that the water was being sucked through. It strained the water, so any foreign items would be removed before the water returned to the ride. Crazy, huh. Never thought about that!

Nicole pointed out a door with steps. She said this was where people were let off the ride if the ride had broken down or there was a problem that caused the ride to be halted. Down the steps and out onto the concrete were painted footprints- shoes of a man and then animal tracks. We asked what they were. She said one time when the ride was evacuated, a small boy refused to go because he said he was afraid that Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit wouldn't be safe. They got the boy off the ride that time, but they painted the foot prints to show any other children that the characters had left already. Great job Disney!!

We left the backstage area and back into the park. We walked through Frontierland. As we entered the walkway that goes beside the water (geez, I can't remember the name of it- where the river boat runs). Nicole had us stop. She had us look at the people. She said you can tell the attendance of the park by the amount of people walking on this thoroughfare. it was a moderate day at the moment.

We made our way down to Liberty Square area. We stopped near a building to regroup. We stopped under this window:

It you look carefully, you can see a rifle standing in the window. Nicole said this was put up in tribute to the minutemen of the American Revolution. She said at the time of the Revolution, the soliders would put their rifle in the window to indicate if they were home or not. Oh, I LOVE Disney details.

Nicole informed us it was lunch time and we'd be heading to the Columbia Harbor house shortly for lunch. I was excited. I was certain I'd eaten here before when I was at disney in '92 with my family. I'll post more about lunch and the tour again soon!

 

[Belle_princess]

Oh, yes, I'm back! Woot! I realize I've been gone a LONG time. So sorry about that! Found some time today to do another update!!

Ok, back to WDW and the KTTK tour! It was lunch time. We were walking into Columbia Harbor House.

We all walked in and followed Nicole upstairs. Our lunch wasn't quite ready, so we all took a quick restroom break. While I waited, I looked over a railing at the chaos of guests below ordering their food. I had a sudden flashback to my trip in '92. I remembered a photo my mom took of looking over the same rail at my brother below. Naturally, I had to shoot this picture to match it to the one at home:

(yes, it matched, but the photo I remember was not the greatest, so I chose not to include it!)

Once our lunch was ready, another CM lead us to the roped off area. We had a special section reserved for just us! Very cool! Each table had four places and at each place was food and a name card. Nikki and I searched for our names and found our names and found them at a table together with Nicole. I was very excited to get to spend a little time with my old friend at lunch.

Lunch was nice. For whatever reason, I forgot to take pictures of our food. I'm pretty sure Nikki and I had salads similiar to the ones we had a Pinnochio's. We ate and talked to Nicole. She told us about being a CM and all the things she's gotten to do. I told her a little about my DH and what I've been up to. We had many years of catching up to do, but Nikki was never out of the conversation. It was a very nice lunch and visit.

Oh, I forgot to mention that our name cards were actually KTTK cards with a special pin inside. I can't seem to find my blurry picture of it. It is a golden key pin with the KTTK logo on it. AWESOME!

After lunch, we went back outside and Nicole picked up right where she left off. She started telling us about the Haunted Mansion.

We were going to ride it (and get to bypass the line), but, first, she gave us a little history. Now, the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland looks like a southern mansion to fit in with the New Orleans themed land it is part of. Here at Disney World, it is part of Liberty Square, so the facide had to fit into the period. This house represents the masions along the Hudson River (I think). When the model was made, it was sitting on the designer's desk. (I can't remember the name of the designer. . . ARGH!) Anyway, there is a story that says the designer loved to play chess. He was toying around with the idea of including chess pieces on the houses facade, and he placed the pieces on the model. He left his office and another person came to retrieve the model with the chess pieces on it. That is why the chess pieces are on the house. They include: the rooke, the bishop, the pawn, and the queen. The king is the master of the masion (I believe), and there is no Knight. Why? Because it is always Knight in the Haunted Mansion.

Nicole told us about the stretching room. At Disneyland, they imagineers actually had to get the guests below ground, so they get under the railroad tracks. That stretching room is actually an elevator. The stretching room at WDW is simply there for effect- the ceiling rises. . .nothing else moves.

Nicole also told us a little about the effects of the ride and how they are done (most of which, I'm afraid I don't remember enough to justify telling you!)

Then we followed Nicole to the exit of the ride. We went through a door into a small (and still well-themed) cooridor. We waited there. The cooridor was the servants' area. Mounted on the wall were bells that appeared to be attached to the rooms above for the tennants to call their servants. (This was actually the "chicken" exit for those who were too scared to ride). Soon, another CM arrived- one of the HM CMs. He took us to the doom buggies where we were loaded in. We rode the ride, and, as always, it was awesome. However, it was more interesting after Nicole had devulged some of the secrets. The only she didn't mention that I was curious about were the rotating busts.

At the end of the ride, we hopped off, and met Nicole outside. We talked a lot about the ride. Nicole asked if we had any questions. I asked about the busts. She said they are actually concave. Instead of the busts being 3-D figures, they are molds (if you will) that are 'looking' away from you. As you move, the molds and the lighting make it look like they are rotating and watching you! Gosh, those imagineers are so smart!!!

We preceeded through Liberty Square. We stopped in the shade and Nicole told us the history of the castle. She was one of the original CMs who got to open the Castle Suite, so it is something very dear to her. While we looked at the Castle, she indicated where the windows to the Suite are: See the gold spires outlined by three windows in the center of the picture? Those are the windows to the suite!

We moved towards Main Street, but ducked around behind Casey's. We had a restroom break. After we all returned, Nicole said we were about to do the backstage portion of the tour. We were instructed to put our cameras away. We were all very excited and eager to move on. No more photos, but I'll tell you what I can remember (9 months later!)

We went through a well-hidden area that lead to backstage. We were behind Main Street (on the Emporium side). Backstage was stark compared to onstage. Nothing magical back here, but certainly some very interesting things were here. ON the back on the buildings, we saw a board with lightbulbs on it. It seemed very out of place. Nicole explained that those were connected to each of the lights on MS. If one of those bulbs was out, it indicated where the lights were out on stage. That way, they could quickly get those bulbs changed without much interupption on stage! Cool.

We followed Nicole through some doors and down some stairs. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we were in the Utilidors! It was very odd. Everything was bare- you could see pipes all over and the walls were painted cement blocks. We walked around, all the while Nicole showing us a variety of things. There were signs everywhere to help you know where you were and where you needed to exit. At one point, we were in a section of the Utilidors that housed some of the Disney history include photos, memorbillia, etc. There was even a huge board of all the CM lanyard and Hidden Mickey pins. There were historical images along with images of the coming Fantasyland. It was so neat. I spent a lot of time looking at every little piece. It was amazing! I wish I could remember more of what was down there. It was there to help CMs remember the history and be excited about the future.

We stopped at one area, and Nicole started a video about costuming and how it all worked at WDW. Very interesting stuff. They do enough laundry in one day as a family of four would in a week! WOW!

Then, it was time to complete the tour. Nicole led us up and out of the Utilidors (on the other side of MS). She asked if we had any other questions. She said she might be able to answer them all, but she would do what she could. There were questions asked, but I don't remember them (nor do I have them written down). WE walked on as we talked. She showed us out (by Tony's Town Square). We had to go back to Town Hall to give back our KTTK tags and listening equipment. I got a picture with Nicole for old-times sake:

The tour was fantastic. I would highly reccomend it to anyone who loves the MK and loves to see how it all opperates and what little things are there that you don't even realize! Wonderful tour! (I will certainly try to update again. . . .soon!)

 

[davebon23]

Great Update! Thanks. Hope you can put up more soon, when you get a chance.

 

[DanMedix]

I absolutely love your report! The pics are seriously cool, too! You guys seem like a total trip to hang out with in WDW! Thanks!!

 

[Belle_princess]

Great Update! Thanks. Hope you can put up more soon, when you get a chance.

Thanks, Davebon! I will return to update soon. I really enjoyed doing the update yesterday and reliving my trip! Thanks for reading!

I absolutely love your report! The pics are seriously cool, too! You guys seem like a total trip to hang out with in WDW! Thanks!!

DanMedix! I'm so glad you have joined us! I appreciate your compliment about my photos. I love shooting pictures. . .especially of WDW! Um, yes, Nikki and I are a trip to hang out with at WDW! We are both nuts!!! Please stick around for another update!

Kristin