We exited Sci-Fi Dine-Inn and Steven said that I should go ahead and cancel our other reservation for Sci-Fi. Like I wasnt going to anyway! I decided to cancel it when I got back to the resort as I didnt want to be questioned as to why I wouldnt be returning.
We were already quite close to Echo Lake and didnt want to do anything extreme after we ate so Drew Careys Sounds Dangerous sounded like the right sort of thing to go and see.
We got in straight away and I had really been looking forward to this. I like Drew Carey, I dont think he is as talented as Ryan Styles or Denis Leary but he has his moments. So I was excited. I had told Steven very little about this and my mom was totally oblivious.
So we entered the attraction and took our seat. The show started almost instantly and the story line was complete garbage, sorry, but it was. I know these things are never the best but this was way out there, even for me.
The sound effects were really good, surround sound, and when we were plunged into total darkness it was great. I couldnt even see my hand in front of my face it was that dark. Other than this, it was very disappointing. I expected them to take full advantage of being in complete darkness and use sound effects to their best ability, but they didnt. They could have done so much more with this show and for 12 minutes, nothing really happened. I could have quite happily missed this show.
My mom didnt say anything about it when we exited and Steven thought it was just okay.
We quickly moved on as I didnt want to leave it too long before we saw something decent.
I thought it would be a good idea to see Muppet Vision 3D.
The queue for Muppets was quite long but I knew the theatre would hold a lot of people, so we joined. Unfortunately the queue was outside and in the sun, and we could feel ourselves melting. Luckily we didnt have to stand for more than 10 minutes and we were soon ushered inside to an air conditioned room, BLISS!
Steven and I had seen this show in LA and I remembered it being really good, I knew mom would love it and even though I was beginning to feel tired again, I wanted mom to see it.
We saw the pre-show and this one seemed very long, I totally blanked it and started swinging back and forth on my heels, desperate to be allowed in to the theatre.
Eventually we went in and I quickly scanned the theatre for the best seats. Steven started to go into a row and I pulled him back, I wanted to let at least 10 people go before us so we could hopefully get the center.
We slipped in after the 11th person and settled down right in the center of the row. Feeling pretty pleased with myself, I put on my glasses ready to enjoy the show.
I noticed that we had another newly married couple next to us and I congratulated them, she too was wearing the ears and button. It was nice to be able to say congratulations to someone; I know that I always appreciated people saying it to me.
The show started and I put my glasses on, I always preferred the Muppet Babies, dont know if anyone else remembers them, but they always were so much cuter than the adult muppets. Anyway it was enjoyable, but when the theatre went dark, I swear I almost fell asleep. I dont know what happened but I felt exhausted all of a sudden. Watching shows was obviously not a smart move when youre so tired so I decided that I would look for something more exciting as soon as this ended.
I remembered a lot from LA, and as far as I could tell it was the same show from beginning to end, I even remembered some of the jokes, yup; I have that good a memory.
My mom enjoyed it and that was the main thing. I was eager to get out and into the daylight, I really needed a drink so we found some bubblers and I quenched my thirst.
As we walked along the Streets of America I was pleasantly surprised by the buildings. We managed to get a few photos along the way:
I love this pic:
Notice my mom looking fed up in the background:
We had a look to see when the next showing of Lights, Motor, Action was and noticed it wasnt showing until 2.45pm. So we moved on to the Backlot Tour and luckily only had a 5 minute wait.
This was quite disappointing. I guess I had been spoiled by, dare I say it, Universal, on their own backlot tour in California. I know, MGM doesnt profess to be Universal, nor does it have the same repertoire as Universal, but I guess I expected more. It couldnt have been that interesting really as I cannot remember all of the things I saw while on the tour.
It started out with Harbor Attack where volunteers took their places and simulated a
Harbor Attack! This bit was very entertaining, even if it was because we saw unsuspecting audience members get soaked.
We then walked through a prop warehouse, but I just saw this as a means to get to the next area, to be honest I dont think I stopped once.
We boarded the tram and then passed through a wardrobe department, but this was over quickly so didnt get the chance to get a good look.
We managed to get some photo ops:
We then passed vehicles that had been used in Disney movies, but our guide wasnt the best at explaining all the things we saw. However I did manage to get a good pic of the ship from Flight of the Navigator this was one of my favourite movies as a child:
Also the steam roller from Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Catastrophe Canyon was the best part. The tram comes to a complete stop and the ground began to shake, a fuel tankard explodes which sends off tremendous heat and then a flash flood happens. It all happens really quickly, but it is definitely the best part of the ride. I was also on the left hand side of the tram, so I got the best view imo:
I did get slightly wet, but it was welcomed, the sun had been beating down on us for the last 40 minutes or so, yup, this is one long ride!
After this we walked past the hat, took some obligatory pictures:
Maybe not obligatory, but cool all the same:
and then walked down Sunset Boulevard. I didnt know what my intentions were as the rides this way were all way out of my familys league.
We bypassed some stores and again, didnt bother to go inside, shopping was a thing I actually didnt like to do when I was in Disney. I always make a last minute dash for souvenirs right at the end of the vacation. I dont like to waste any time in stores if I can help it!
The view of Tower of Terror was amazing, I had no idea it was so big. Of course I got some pics:
By this point I was really hot and quite frankly bored. I dont know if the tiredness was getting to me or what but I suddenly announced I was going on Tower of Terror. I had NEVER intended to go on this ride EVER. Its not my sort of thing really. I really like coasters but dropping down from a great height didnt really appeal.
I noticed the queue was only 10 minutes for Single riders, and although I had married only yesterday, today I was single again! Steven and my mom agreed to wait for me off to the side in the shade. I hurried on before I had the chance to change my mind.
I walked round the winding entryway and noticed all the furniture with cobwebs and dust. There were props but as there was no queue whatsoever I didnt have time to stop and look. I was immediately directed into the library to watch a black and white set. Rod Serling appears and his voice rings out through the room. I love Twilight Zone so this was the only reason this ride became part of my Disney experience, well that and boredom.
I was questioned by the CM where my new husband was, after telling him he was outside waiting for me; he made some joke about losing him so quickly.
We all got ushered into our elevator. I didnt even have a five minute wait, so much for getting time to find courage.
I noticed I was not the only girl here alone. There were 2 others in my elevator, one British girl and one American. We all got talking and none of us had been on it before so there were no horror stories to leak.
We were seated in the front row and I took my ears (bridal ears) off as I wasnt sure how severe the drop was. We all fastened our seatbelt and the elevator doors closed in front of us.
We moved up and my heart began to pound. I started to wonder how someone would know if they had a heart condition, I mean, what if I did? I looked around and didnt notice any emergency panic buttons and this slightly freaked me. I mean, what if I started getting chest pains or blacked out, how would I, or someone else get the elevator to stop? I breathed deeply. Have you guys realised yet that I think way too much?
So the doors open and there is a cool illusion, this momentarily makes me forget my concerns and I am immersed in the ride.
The doors close and we move upwards, the doors open again and we move forward this time, cool, I didnt know that this was part of the ride. I start thinking that Steven may have enjoyed this. We stop, drop and scream!!!
We stop again and I manage to breathe, Im alive, woo hoo! We then shoot back up, now I will say here that this was by far the worst part. Sure the drop was scary and fun in a strange sort of way, but nothing prepared me for going up. I literally screamed until my throat was hoarse. Imagine those Horror b flicks and the screams in that, well they could have learned a thing or two from me Ill tell you.
Luckily this part didnt last for eternity like Im sure it would, and during this time I was aware of the doors opening and closing intermittently, I remember briefly seeing the outside but this quickly vanished and we were plunged into darkness again as we accelerated down to the ground. We went up 3 times and fell 4 times. When the doors opened we all escaped.
I viewed the picture of us snapped at the precise moment that terror enveloped us, and I now wish I had purchased it as it was pretty funny. We all chatted on the way out and we girls started giggling about how terrified we all were. Although looking back on it, it was fun, but I am unsure if I would feel a need to do it again.
I returned to my camp and told them in great detail about what I had just endured. You know me, I dont skimp so they heard everything, I even managed to whisper the scream, yes, it is possible to do this!
So we continued back up Sunset Boulevard and headed towards Lights, Motor, Action:
Steven wanted to make sure we would get a good seat, so that meant going much earlier than the show time. We arrived 30 minutes before it would start, so I demanded that we get a drink.
We stopped off at a drink stand and we all got frozen cokes with our snack credits.
Content, we moved on. We managed to get some good seats right in the center, but I wasnt too pleased to notice that some of the fans werent working.
I knew that sitting for an hour was not going to be easy. The only thing that was keeping me awake was the constant moving about. I sat and continued to drink my coke, I felt so tired.
The 30 minutes dragged on and I started to get on my own nerves by constantly sighing. I decided that coming to MGM the day after the wedding was not one of my brighter ideas. I really should have stayed in and slept, it was clear I was not a happy camper.
Still, I stayed as I could see that Steven and my mom were looking forward to it, so I spent the last 10 minutes or so with my eyes hidden under my sunglasses. I managed to cat nap while cuddling in to Steven.
The show eventually started and while it was really good, I just wasnt in the mood. I had a splitting headache and I found it difficult to focus on the cars. Steven managed to get a good picture though of the car mid flight, he is mighty proud of this one:
I wish I could go into more detail, but it was just a stunt show with cars, jet skis and motorbikes, well done but not ideal on a hot day when you are extremely tired. We all learned some Hollywood secrets and the stunts were very good, but the noise was almost unbearable for my poor head. I could see that Steven wasnt that happy either and he confessed that he too had a headache and was pretty tired.
My mom on the other hand loved this and had no idea that the audience member was not driving the car with her remote control. For those that have seen the show you will know what I am talking about!
I was eager for the show to end so we could get out of there. I really didnt feel in the mood to go to The P & P Party but I thought if I was to go back and have a nap I would feel much better.
The show ended and I didnt engage in any conversation as I was too tired to not be sarcastic. So we joined the crowd and we headed for the exit.
I was cheering up at the thought of going back to POFQ, but we decided to quickly have a look at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure:
This was worth a look but its definitely geared towards small kids only. Some of the things were pretty cool though, but it was filled with little kids that just wouldnt get off of things, to let a real kid (ME) on.
We left the playground and headed towards the exit of MGM. I was disappointed that we couldnt stay to see some shows but I knew that I was getting grumpy so I thought it best to leave. Plus The P & P Party started at 7pm so I had to have a nap or I would never stay awake for it.
I knew Kona was a bust, which is why I agreed to see Lights, Motor, Action. We originally had a reservation at 5pm but I knew we couldnt make Kona, plus we werent even hungry, so it didnt particularly bother me that we werent going. Steven and I had reserved Kona again later on in our trip so I knew we could try it then.
As we exited we got bombarded with Congratulations and I mustered a smile, I was so exhausted though, I just needed my bed.
I was really looking forward to the P & P Party after reading so many good things about it. Im sure after a sleep I would feel fine. I couldnt wait to see us in our costumes!
We sat in line for the bus and my mom came up to me and said
Do you mind if I dont go the Pirate Party tonight?
What?
My mom had bought a costume and I had purchased her ticket, she had been really looking forward to it so I was stunned to hear her say this.
Im really tired she said.
I almost felt like I was on the verge of tears. I was exhausted and hot, I had a splitting headache and now my mom didnt even want to go to the Party! I knew how much she would love it and I felt like she had slapped me.
Before coming to Disney my mom and I had talked excitedly about this party, we bought our costumes and relished at the thought of getting some pictures together all dressed up as Pirates. We both really looked forward to the parade and the firework show, not to mention going from place to place collecting our loot!
I explained to her that she had said she was looking forward to it and its not like she could go again another night.
Well she said, I guess
She looked at me and sighed, but in my heart I knew she would end up not going
Coming up
Do we go to the Pirate and Princess Party?
. Unfortunately, my computer at work doesn't have sound - so I'll have to wait till I get home to watch it.
Stan did such a fantastic job. I wish we didn't have early plans the morning of your wedding, I would have loved to have seen you.
It brought, not only tears to my eyes, but to my hubby's as well! I wanted him to see how gorgeous you were and how the video was done and it brought back the memories of the promises we made to each other when we were married 24 years ago! 
Thanks for that renewed "spark" and for touching our lives by sharing your wonderful day with us! 
I am looking forward to more on your trip! 
ARGH!! 
