The 5 trips of My "Disney Free Year" - A Mermaid, A Buzz, A Boat and A Steak - 7/8

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

These guys are so cute! Are they from something, or just randomly technicolor?

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Hey, Joanna, glad you found a screw-top!

(I actually noticed a lot more of them on my trip last week, so maybe Disney resorts are realizing screw-tops work better for corkscrew-less travelers?)

I can't believe the parks were so busy in September! What the heck was going on???

See, I pick up the really important things from your TR

You would think that they'd be aware of that or at least sell a decent corkscrew.

It was really nuts, really I didn't wait in lines that bad on Christmas week. I wonder if people are like "oh it is slow in September, so we should go!" But whatever, it is making me seriously reconsider going over labor-day weekend.

Leapin' Lizards! What the heck is that? I would have run screaming.


Aerosmith in the morning...what a way to start your day

That dude was definitely larger than the normal Disney lizard. The neck thing make me jump a little - definitely woke me up!

Aerosmith is a great way to start your day!

Ah, screw top wine. The top shelf of classy wines.

Well, you know me. I'm am top-shelf Klass-e all the way!

These guys are so cute! Are they from something, or just randomly technicolor?

I thought they were cute too. I believe they're randomly colorful.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

After RnRc I went to ride ToT. It said 20 minutes, but I got in the long line and it was outside, and I was smack in between some really rude people, and I was hot and hadn’t eaten yet, so I totally wimped out. As I was leaving the line, a very nice gentleman handed me a FP! Score!

So I hopped back in line, and soon was free-falling my anger away. Weeeeeeeeeee!

I did notice, that apparently I have a reflex to grab the hand of the person next to me (Sorry stranger that didn’t speak English!) Needless to say, though I do love ToT, it was my only ride on it this trip. No more stranger grabbing for me!

 

[portobello_rd]

i didnt have the guts to do tower of terror this trip. maybe next time! i just hate that drop feeling in the pit of my stomach. give me loops and speed any day!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

i didnt have the guts to do tower of terror this trip. maybe next time! i just hate that drop feeling in the pit of my stomach. give me loops and speed any day!

I'm with you. Generally I don't like straight drops. TOT is all up and down and up and down and crazy that it gives me the same roller coaster feeling instead of a straight drop. But I like not doing everything on a trip. Means you must go back!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

I just kind of wandered around a little bit and found myself at the Animation Academy.

I spent some time just wandering around

I loved the Cars 2 concept art. Very fun!

I love this building, I wish it was more than just a character stop and an annoying movie.

You know like an Actual Annimator? In the Annimation building. Blows your mind doesn’t it?

Since I was there, I had to go to an animation class

The wait wasn’t too bad.

I had my favorite animator, Ryan.

Yep, you know you go to Disney Waaaaaay too much if you have a favorite animation class instructor!

I like him because he’s super sarcastic and tries to make sure that you don’t keep drawing the same character over and over. Unfortunately, the stooooooooooo pid class wouldn’t let us do an interesting less-“used” character like Scrooge McDuck.. and we had to draw Buzz.

I know I’ve complained about drawing Buzz before… he’s computer animated and humanoid. You just can’t get him to look right.

Especially if you are me and have no drawing talent to speak of.

But honestly, even Ryan’s isn’t a dead-ringer for Buzz

In the Animation gift shop, I found these awesome glasses and I’m kicking myself for not getting them. I just couldn’t figure out how I’d get them home since I was alone and only had my backpack.

These pictures don’t do them justice, they were really awesome.

After the Animation academy, I kept wandering. Really no destination in mind.

Yo. What up Gertie?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Ryan's Buzz sort of has a Flynn Rider thing going on with the eyebrows. He's doing a spaceman version of the smolder!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I agree wholeheartedly about the Animation Building. I miss the days when people were actually working in there and you saw real stuff going on while you were touring.

Your Buzz is perfectly fine.

 

[Caretames1]

I'll do TOT, but I need motion sickness meds and someone to go with!
We did the dawing class, but the instructor told us what we were going to draw! We did Stitch, my was weird, DH was decent and Kadence's looked like an angry troll!

You could have shipped the glasses home.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hey, that's the animator we had this weekend! He was awesome and yes, we also had to go through the whole choosing which character to draw which took FOREVER! But he was a really good instructor. I didn't catch his name though. Funny it's Ryan, because we've also had a guy named Brian who was pretty good too.

I saw those glasses and wanted to get one-they were cute.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Ryan's Buzz sort of has a Flynn Rider thing going on with the eyebrows. He's doing a spaceman version of the smolder!

That made me laugh out loud. He totally does!

I agree wholeheartedly about the Animation Building. I miss the days when people were actually working in there and you saw real stuff going on while you were touring.

Your Buzz is perfectly fine.

Ahhh, the good old days. I remember that going there and seeing Pocahontas being drawn. I could spend hours there.

I'll do TOT, but I need motion sickness meds and someone to go with!
We did the dawing class, but the instructor told us what we were going to draw! We did Stitch, my was weird, DH was decent and Kadence's looked like an angry troll!

You could have shipped the glasses home.

Yes, bring someone with you. Stranger grabbing is not the way to go!

Hahahaha I'm just picturing Stitch as an angry troll, that's too funny!

Yes I could have / should have shipped the glasses. I blame the he heat, it was making my head all fuzzy and reasoning was really hard

Hey, that's the animator we had this weekend! He was awesome and yes, we also had to go through the whole choosing which character to draw which took FOREVER! But he was a really good instructor. I didn't catch his name though. Funny it's Ryan, because we've also had a guy named Brian who was pretty good too.

I saw those glasses and wanted to get one-they were cute.

Welcome back! It does take forever, but I like not having to drw the same characters over and over and over. For some reason, with our timing, we get Ryan a lot. I really like him, Ill have to keep my eye out for Brian, I don't think we've had him.

I'm still kicking myself for not getting them, but they were expensive.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

In my aimless meandering, I found myself in front of the Indy entrance 10 minutes before show time. It had been a while since I’d seen the show, so why not?

Oh yeah, now I remember…

(don’t worry I wasn’t cast)

I don’t know these shows just aren’t my thing. That and they haven’t changed this show since the 90s and once it started it was like watching a rerun of a show I remembered I didn’t really like all that much in the first place.

After Indy, Panic called and we chatted a while. While I was chatting, Kermit was giving me the stank-eye

Okay, okay Kermie, I’ll go on your attraction.

And I’ll actually go in this time!

In case you’re wondering, I’m still here.

The theming in this area is just awesome. I love the muppets.

I just wish the actual show was better. Come on Disney give it a facelift with the new movie. Please!

But this time it was 2:00, and I realized that I hadn’t eaten at all today, I wasn’t starving, but I needed something in my tummy, so I headed to the streets of New York. A portion of the park that is generally unexplored by me.

I caught a show of Blood, Sweat and Sheers

Sneaky Sound equipment – I see you!

Then I took the subway to the to my destination.

Okay, actually, I went to the Writers Stop
Okay coffee…excellent cookie. So yummy!

Like seriously, it was such an excellent cookie, I'm having dreams about it. Mmmmm


I sat and read my nook for a like 45 minutes and just chilled. It was nice and relaxing. I would never do this with Chris. It was a nice little break while still being in the park.

 

[Caretames1]

Mmmmm cookie......


I too, wish they'd update the muppets. I spent a lot of time just reading all the signs there. It was well done.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Oh my goodness, that cookie looks delicious! Is that a frozen coffee? I've never been to the Writer's Stop but I have read about it on a few trip reports lately. I'm thinking that's definitely a place I want to visit on my next trip.

 

[portobello_rd]

that writers stop was really a nice little corner to stop in. DH got iced coffee as well and they gave us shortbread cookies for our anniversary.
i dont really like stunt shows myself, so i told DH it was either indy or the other one. one per visit . we went to the other one, but he says we have to hit indy next time.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Mmmmm cookie......


I too, wish they'd update the muppets. I spent a lot of time just reading all the signs there. It was well done.

That cookie was so good, I want one now!

I agree, the theming in the pre-show area is so fun. I'd like to just stay in the pre-show area and look around and skip the show

Oh my goodness, that cookie looks delicious! Is that a frozen coffee? I've never been to the Writer's Stop but I have read about it on a few trip reports lately. I'm thinking that's definitely a place I want to visit on my next trip.

This was my first time stopping at the Writers Stop too, I normally don't venture that way into DHS, but that cookie was so so so good - definitely worth a stop It was some kind of coffee-flavored slushie thing - I tried to get an iced coffee, but their espresso machine was broken. But it was hot and the slushie thing totally hit the spot.

that writers stop was really a nice little corner to stop in. DH got iced coffee as well and they gave us shortbread cookies for our anniversary.
i dont really like stunt shows myself, so i told DH it was either indy or the other one. one per visit . we went to the other one, but he says we have to hit indy next time.

I really liked the Writers Stop, it will be added to "regular" rotation for sure! How awesome that they gave you a cookie! Free cookies are the best kind

Yeah, I'm not a fan either, we usually skip them. They're definitely a once every few trips attraction. I wish they'd switch them up even just a little, they're so predictable.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Next I headed over to Star Wars

Do you think the Ewoks would let me live with them?

While I was grabbing a fast pass, Chris called, so we chatted.

The line was crazy-thrilling!

Oh, never mind, it’s really just nerdy-thrilling

Ohh I took a totally illegal covert really exciting picture… of the back of a different guys head!

I’m such a rebel!

After safely delivering the rebel spy to the Rebel Forces, I hopped back on StarTours again because there was almost no line.

I know it is ambiance, but I wish the line wasn’t so dark. It makes it so hard to photograph all the cool details.

Because I was a single rider, I got stuck in the farthest left seat of the last row on almost every flight. Not the best seat in the house.

This flight we had an awesome and hilarious cast member who totally dead-panned “Enjoy your flight, this flight is brought to you by Wookie Cookies. Wookie Cookies – they’re Chewey” Hehehehe..

Two flights in a row is about all I could take the ride still jostles you around quite a bit, so I headed out to plot my next move.

But as I looked up, I noticed mother nature might have other plans for me..

 

[wdwgirl03]

Oh my, that cookie does look really good! I am going to have to try to get to the Writer's Stop one of these days with everyone talking about it!

 

[Princess_K]

That cookie does look delicious! Yum!

DF is a big Star Wars person, so we are both looking forward to trying the new version!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Gotta appreciate that CM humor!

I love a good memorable Disney snack. Cookies have a tendency to fall into that category pretty easily, I'll admit!