Saturday 10/1 WDW 40th Anniversary

[connie1042]

I am with not even there and I am crying. Sure wish I could of been there. It sounded like a lot of fun, even though it was pure chaos. Someday, I will be there for a special event.

 

[dansyr2514]

Was there this morning...very cool! Was standing behind Corey and Kathy, but didn't want to bother them. But Corey, I have a whole bunch of unintentional pictures of the back of you. Met Kevin,saw John..all in all a good day!
.........until tonight. Headed back to MK to see fireworks. Due to unforseen transportation issues..arrived late...right as the Castle show started. I think they took letting castmembers know on a need to know basis a bit far. No pathway at all to enter. Castmember told you to stay to the right...there was no right...only a mass of people. Back through the stores..only to not be able to get past Casey's. At this point I knew there was no fireworks watching for me, I just wanted to get into adventureland and get out of the way. No dice. Saw people pushing each other, swearing and even a woman holding ice to her eye. We turned around and left....although another 15 minutes just to get back out. Very disappointed in the way Disney handled this. It was like combat. I did read reports from others that if you were already in the park, rides were a walk on. i completely understand we arrived late so we were not going to get a good spot..but I would have like to be able to at least move to get out of the way.

 

[kbelle8995]

Home now after what turned out to be a much longer, and much more enjoyable day than I ever thought.

We ran into so many friends and made some new ones that the time spent in line after line after line after line went fast and was actually fun.

We never got cupcakes (I thought Kevin was going to hurt someone when I jokingly told him I saw a lady carrying a cupcake out of the park) but we did get some cool items and made some great memories.

I can't remember when I was in the parks when it was that crowded but I have to say everyone was great - even those of us stuck in one register line for an hour (because the bar code scanner was broken and they had to enter each items SKU by hand) had fun.

I know that it wasn't the best planned out event - and a lot did feel thrown together - but it was loads of fun.

A special thanks to Erica and Steve for helping us get some hard-to-get pins. I was still in the "line of death" when you guys left and I never had a chance to thank you!!

Thank you John, Kevin, Corey and Kathy for your wonderful reports, pictures and video. It made up for not being able to be there.

Also John, I'm with Kevin. Never come between a person and a cupcake.

I'm sorry that Kevin didn't get one, I'd be upset too.

 

[Becx N Gav]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/g1373-40th-anniversary-celebration.html

Here are some of my pictures. Blog will be up shortly.

wonderful pictures Kathy

Sounds like it was crazy but fun, did you know much information in advance? For example the special guests, merchandise, artists that would be there signing?

Thanks everyone for sharing the experiences of the day

 

[OKW Lover]

Val & I did the Wishes Dessert Party last night with about 50 friends and it was absolutely a perfect cap to the day. I must say the castle isn't showing any of its 40 years.

 

[safetymom]

wonderful pictures Kathy

Sounds like it was crazy but fun, did you know much information in advance? For example the special guests, merchandise, artists that would be there signing?

Thanks everyone for sharing the experiences of the day

I found out some of the information late Friday and the special guests when they told us to go to Cosmic Rays. It didn't sound impressive on paper but I was pleasantly surprised with the ceremony.

 

[mikelan6]

Here are some of the highlights of my day at the Magic Kingdom for the 40th:

• Walting in line for an hour to buy an Olszewski Haunted Mansion & Marquee and have Bob sign it
• Seeing a huge line for the Jim Shore signing
• Meeting Shelly, Kevin, John and Tracey H while they recovered from their shopping ordeal
• Having a wonderful lunch at The Plaza Restaurant
• Catching up with Scott while he waited FIVE HOURS in line for the 40th Aniversary pin at the Diamond Horseshoe
• Being let down by a "special" 40th Anniversary version of Wishes
• Loving getting complimentary special park maps and buttons
• Bring stuck in a massive crowd for 30 minutes while trying to get from Main Street to Adventureland. Oh the humanity.
• Riding a Disney bus through Kissimmee to get back to Pop Century due to the marathon road closures.

All in all, I had a great time and will remember it forever.

 

[safetymom]

I would have loved to purchase the pins but no way would I stand in a line for 5 hours. I think it is great that some people will stand in long lines.

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

While we didn't wait 5 hours--I will say the waiting in line for the chance to spend money actually was a highlight of the weekend! We had a great time, a few good laughs and met up with lots of friends --new and old! Well not old, I just mean we knew them from before!!!

My favorite purchase was the Noah Giclee I had signed by him...and my I was there pin that some wonderful new friends helped out with!

We were lucky enough to meet many of the artists, including Olszewski, at the Room for One More Event. He was a delight and I love my paper clip castle box.

What a great weekend. Had to come home for a few days for work...but heading back on Thursday for Food and Wine weekend.

 

[mikelan6]

My favorite purchase was the Noah Giclee I had signed by him...and my I was there pin that some wonderful new friends helped out with!

How do you pronounce this word? Giclee????

 

[DisneyKevin]

How do you pronounce this word? Giclee????

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

LOL!!!!!

 

[Cherinva]

http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/g1373-40th-anniversary-celebration.html

Here are some of my pictures. Blog will be up shortly.

Great Pictures !!!!

 

[lugnut33]

Looking through those photos, I love the outfits of the castmembers holding the marquee banner in the parade. Red pants, white shirt with red sleeves, and a classic Mickey in the middle.

Thanks for the updates everybody.

 

[NitroStitch]

Was there this morning...very cool! Was standing behind Corey and Kathy, but didn't want to bother them. But Corey, I have a whole bunch of unintentional pictures of the back of you. Met Kevin,saw John..all in all a good day!
.........until tonight. Headed back to MK to see fireworks. Due to unforseen transportation issues..arrived late...right as the Castle show started. I think they took letting castmembers know on a need to know basis a bit far. No pathway at all to enter. Castmember told you to stay to the right...there was no right...only a mass of people. Back through the stores..only to not be able to get past Casey's. At this point I knew there was no fireworks watching for me, I just wanted to get into adventureland and get out of the way. No dice. Saw people pushing each other, swearing and even a woman holding ice to her eye. We turned around and left....although another 15 minutes just to get back out. Very disappointed in the way Disney handled this. It was like combat. I did read reports from others that if you were already in the park, rides were a walk on. i completely understand we arrived late so we were not going to get a good spot..but I would have like to be able to at least move to get out of the way.

We were planning to watch the castle show and fireworks but the mob was too terrifying. It took 45 minutes to get from the Liberty Square spoke of the hub to Casey's, and I'm covered in bruises from people hitting me, kicking me, shoving me and slamming me with strollers and other blunt objects. I've never been so scared in my life at Disney. Then it took an hour to find a way back to our resort - all the signs said was what was closed - not where we COULD go. We visited the All Star Sports bar after that...

We missed 100% of the anniversary stuff (had to clean up after the 5K at AK) and just got to enjoy riding some of our favorite MK rides and ate a spectacular lunch at the Crystal Palace.

 

[safetymom]

Giclee- I smile every time I hear that word. It's a fancy way of saying it is a inkjet print that anyone can do.

 

[shellyminnie]

How do you pronounce this word? Giclee????

I too had a great day Saturday in the Magic Kingdom! Yes it was insanely crowded. Yes I stood in a merchandise line for 2 1/2 hours that never moved. Yes, I fought the pushing, shoving, and shuffling crowd to get from Main Street to Adventureland after the fireworks. No, I didn't even ride one single ride. But, I don't care!! The weather was gorgeous for the first time in about five months, and I spent the day with some very good friends and have new memories that will last a lifetime!!

 

[mikelan6]

I too had a great day Saturday in the Magic Kingdom! Yes it was insanely crowded. Yes I stood in a merchandise line for 2 1/2 hours that never moved. Yes, I fought the pushing, shoving, and shuffling crowd to get from Main Street to Adventureland after the fireworks. No, I didn't even ride one single ride. But, I don't care!! The weather was gorgeous for the first time in about five months, and I spent the day with some very good friends and have new memories that will last a lifetime!!

I can confirm. Shelly was pushing and shoving me the whole time.

 

[shellyminnie]

I can confirm. Shelly was pushing and shoving me the whole time.

 

[DCTooTall]

Val & I did the Wishes Dessert Party last night with about 50 friends and it was absolutely a perfect cap to the day. I must say the castle isn't showing any of its 40 years.

Wow... I was at the dessert Party too. From looking at the crowds out in the hub and on the swam boat docks and thru mainstreet, I was quite happy I ended up decided to splurge on the Dessert Party.


I'm just now finally getting a caught up on my DIS from my Florida trip. I gotta admit, I had a blast as well.

* Ended up getting a spot inside the turnstiles for Rope Drop (and was amazed at the crowd waiting to get into the park....it was backed up past bag check).

* Enjoyed the 10am celebration. in front of the castle.

* Was completely shocked to find out when attempting to locate/purchase some of the special merchandise just after the 10am celebration that appearently... all the shirts and pins had already sold out.... and from what CM's in several places were saying, was gone within 30min of Rope Drop. Pretty much gave up hope of getting a pin, and contented myself with the button i was given coming into the park.

* Was even more amazed they ran outa freakin Cupcakes when I went by shortly after lunch to try and get one. (once again... told they were all gone not long after rope drop).

* Had a great time touring the parks in the AM with several members of the Singles Social Club from the Adults and Solo Travelers forum.

* Enjoyed getting to meet some fellow DIS'ers at 2pm meet in front of the Partners Statue.

* Loved the fireworks... and the dessert party. Ended up just chilling out after the fireworks for a bit before making our way back to the WEDWay peoplemover again to relax and avoid the crowds.



All in all.... a very long, but enjoyable day.