The ABC's of a BSN Celebration! Trip Wrap up; Final Thoughts (7/11)

[Captain_Oblivious]

I wanted to keep costs down as best I could.

So say we all. It's the first goal of any trip.

We checked in and, to our delight and surprise, the friendly CM told us that we’d been upgraded to a Family Suite! Beast! Best part? It was exactly the building/location/section etc… I had hoped for. Cars, Building 3.

Hey, nice! Glad that worked out for you.

(I was highly amused by this for 2 reasons. Ask me what they are!)

Hidden Mickey, and Mount Hood reference.

The most magical moments though? I ADORE a good thunderstorm and, in fact, is it’s one of the more minor reasons I am moving to Kentucky.

I love watching thunderstorms! From the safety of my house, anyway. So awesome.

Until about 4 in the morning.

Beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Steppesister]

Now that's a nifty surprise!

I have NO idea why I keep being so blessed. Although the next "upgrade" just... wasn't.

 

[Steppesister]

So say we all. It's the first goal of any trip.

Yes, and no. I will be the first to admit I choose to go all out on some things in a trip, like a meal at a Signature (or 3), maybe an MNSSHP or MVMCP, or a couple of Tiki cups, or a splurge on a deluxe resort for a few nights, but never ALL of that in one trip. It's a pick and choose thing.

Hidden Mickey, and Mount Hood reference.

I don't think many would even know where that is- a very PNW thing.

I love watching thunderstorms! From the safety of my house, anyway. So awesome.

For SURE!! The most beautiful one I ever watched was over the Grand Canyon one evening. Stunning!

Beggars can't be choosers.

No, but one could choose to be a beggar.

 

[Steppesister]

U is for: Under the Sea​

I don’t visit the Living Seas every trip to EPCOT, but when I do, I am never disappointed. I don’t always say hi to Ariel either, but when I do, it’s because the other lines are too long. I mean just to board a clamshell takes longer than to finish the attraction. Nevertheless, Mik and I did both this trip and I was, as always, amused.

We all have our fetishes I suppose. Apparently a certain singularly-minded teenager found more than a few Under the Sea, including her girl crush who was tossed off a dreamboat. Sporting a great set of... clamshells, and prone to letting herself get duped by a scam artist, she traded her family, longevity, and magical powers for a dude. I guess he was worth it, but sadly a great lot of her died and she changed who she uniquely was for him. Whether it was worth it, you can decide for yourself. True love a good trade off? You be the judge. I dunno. I just know I like the clamshell look a lot and would have had a hard time giving that up. Then again, maybe Ariel is happily skipping around the castle having flung her bra off altogether and has a great collection of shoes now.

Nevertheless, it’s always fun to take a dive into the portrayal of her story by way of Clam-mobile. One of these days I’m going to wear a clam bra when I ride it and hope Ursula has a malfunction and gives me a great voice while sending me to the depths to find a tall, dark, and swimmingly gorgeous merman ready to help with keeping the sand castle clean and cooking fantastic dishes made from delicacies of the sea. Just think of it! No laundry, no dishes (we’d just eat off of abalone shells and toss them when we’re done), and no floors to mop. No bathrooms to clean either. Heh, I find myself wondering if merpeople even use bathrooms. Do they just "go" behind a rocky outcrop? Alright, I realIy I am trying to focus. It’s been a very long week… and I am obstinately avoiding what I need to do today.

Under the bubbles and through the waves to Ursula’s Lair we glide, the Clam knows the way to carry the prey through the wide and drifting tide… (Please tell me you sang it in your head. And please tell me you accompanied it with accordian!)

​

There is one fetish that Ariel has that I just can’t relate to. She’s a purse girl, and I just can’t. 1) They are expensive- you ladies that collect the Doonies and Loungeflys (you know who you are) I love you each to pieces, but I am just not one to spend a ton on something like a purse, 2) I’m going to lose it anyway. I’ll leave it hanging on the back of chair in a restaurant (every. single. time.), on the back of a bathroom stall, or at home when I go grocery shopping. Seriously, I can’t even count how many times I’ve gotten to the checkout and then remember my purse is sitting on the kitchen table. I’d rather starve than go all the way home and back out to get the basket I had to abandon at Customer Service. And, 3) Why, when I have my phone with a wallet pocket with ID and debit card? Everything else I might need is in a little basket in my car if I’m out and about. Covid made the whole makeup thing manageable; I just don’t wear it anymore so no need to haul it around. I mean, why? Maybe as masks ease up and I actually go out somewhere again aside from work I’ll find the motivation to give a crap again. The “emergency supply” list goes way down after 50 or so , and I have a collection of about 4,000 pens in my car already because even after 6 years of leaving work I still can’t seem to remember the most basic thing of not taking the pen home. I know you’re wondering why I haven’t taken them out of my car. I wonder the same thing. So, really no need for a purse these days.

​

Here’s Ariel talking to a little snail fairy which reminds me very much of the Wonderland singing flowers from Alice. I think that’s my favorite scene of all from the original animated classic. That one bossy Iris! She speaks my sarcastic language.

​

Anyway, along comes Ursula, and Ariel “picks up the phone”. Before she knows it, she has a new car warranty and no voice. But she still has a great set of… clamshells. Ah to be 16 again. I was 16 in the 80’s. Looks like Ariel knew how to sport the big hair look too. Wonder what formulation of Aqua Net she used? Ariel, I have bad news, one day you'll be 50+ and it's going to hurt getting out of bed and you're clamshells will ride a little (or a lot) lower. But you're a cute little perky thing now, so enjoy it!!

​

Did you know there is a Little Red Wagon Under the Sea? Here’s photographical proof that, should you choose to relocate, you won’t have to go without your hand-dipped. Unlike Main Street, USA which should be illegal to exist corndog-less.

​

Here's the exact moment a girl got her sexy, messy morning look on with her hair all wrapped up in a towel and told her S.O. that she just spent $5,000 on a Room-Only Ressie for a trip she's been planning.

​

Yeah, there's never a time that's gonna go well.

Wanna see Ursula impersonating a nurse? She walks into a patient’s room with a smile on her face ready to give 100% in making him or her happy using all of her skills and knowledge to keep them safe, comfortable, and cared for.

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Sadly, the meal isn’t Victoria and Albert’s quality, it takes 10 instead of 3 minutes to get her pain meds, the doctor hasn’t been in, PT didn’t work in 1 session, and the neighbor’s TV is too loud. Oh, and they didn’t bother to tell the nurse that the family snuck in some meth last night and now they can’t figure out why they’re whacked.

​

Well now it’s lunchbreak and the nurse is in the breakroom. She can’t wait to go home and have a glass of wine, a hot bath with a smelly good bathbomb, and about 19 hours of sleep. Trust me, ALL of her co-workers can relate, and they are all in the breakroom together in the fetal position rocking on the couch.

​

Because all 16-year-olds are able to make sweeping, permanent life changes, we trust that Ariel is happy with the loss of everything she knew and her newfound status as princess. When I was 16, I was worried about which curling iron was best. I’m glad she most likely has a staff to clean her bedroom because I personally know of exactly zero 16-year-olds who can keep their clothes off the floor and dirty dishes cleared out. I know of very few who can get beyond ramen and frozen burritos. (I’m sure there’s the improbable exception now and then, and if that’s your kid, you’re LUCKY!) Hopefully, she has someone over 21 who can buy the wine and champagne for her official functions.

​

Now it’s time to head to another area of the Big, Blue World for a peek into the creatures of the deep. So, Gents, grab your best Trident; Ladies don your clamshells and let’s say hi to our friends!

Hello Mr. Eel. My you and the Mrs. are looking dapper today! How are the kids?

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Dori, it’s okay, you can stop swimming now, we found Nemo. However, if you’re looking for the end of a ride queue, just keep swimming…

​

Here’s an angelfish that’s about to enter a time portal. Probably looking for a time when there’s Annual Passes, ADR availability, and Fastpasses.

​

On the other side of the portal, the Angelfish found Cookie Monster’s Fishy Mini-Me.

(completely unedited)​

Now, time to stop horsing around and let you comment. For those of you still commenting, thank you!!! I have just a few more chapters and am anxious to get the next TR started. I’m about to begin a new and exciting chapter in my real life that’s full of scary unknowns. Hopefully, that won’t stand in the way of keeping up here, but ya just never know. Meanwhile, for those of you who remain engaged, interested, and saying hello… THANK YOU- You are Angels!! Hope you have a fantastic weekend- and maybe I’ll post another chapter tomorrow as a way of completely avoiding the packing I should be doing. For all the dads out there, Happy Father's Day! Despite what the world is telling you, you are IMPORTANT and needed. Keep on doing the hard work on being dads!

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[Hubie]

Enjoyed your mermaid story and pictures. I hate to wish my life away, but late November can't get here to soon when we'll be at SSR.

 

[Steppesister]

Enjoyed your mermaid story and pictures. I hate to wish my life away, but late November can't get here to soon when we'll be at SSR.

Wishing and hoping is the only way so many of us are making it through right now. I try so hard to make the most of every and take it as it comes, but hoping and wishing is definitely a huge thing right now too. I am hoping for a couple of trips in the next months, but the circumstances will really have to line up and a lot of things happen between now and then. Here's to the future!!

 

[suse66]

I don’t visit the Living Seas every trip to EPCOT, but when I do, I am never disappointed. I don’t always say hi to Ariel either, but when I do, it’s because the other lines are too long. I mean just to board a clamshell takes longer than to finish the attraction. Nevertheless, Mik and I did both this trip and I was, as always, amused.

Living Seas is a must do every trip!

Apparently a certain singularly-minded teenager found more than a few Under the Sea, including her girl crush who was tossed off a dreamboat. Sporting a great set of... clamshells, and prone to letting herself get duped by a scam artist, she traded her family, longevity, and magical powers for a dude. I guess he was worth it, but sadly a great lot of her died and she changed who she uniquely was for him. Whether it was worth it, you can decide for yourself. True love a good trade off?

Changing who you are is NEVER worth it. Either people get you or they don't. That's all.

here is one fetish that Ariel has that I just can’t relate to. She’s a purse girl, and I just can’t. 1) They are expensive- you ladies that collect the Doonies and Loungeflys (you know who you are) I love you each to pieces, but I am just not one to spend a ton on something like a purse, 2) I’m going to lose it anyway. I’ll leave it hanging on the back of chair in a restaurant (every. single. time.), on the back of a bathroom stall, or at home when I go grocery shopping. Seriously, I can’t even count how many times I’ve gotten to the checkout and then remember my purse is sitting on the kitchen table. I’d rather starve than go all the way home and back out to get the basket I had to abandon at Customer Service. And, 3) Why, when I have my phone with a wallet pocket with ID and debit card? Everything else I might need is in a little basket in my car if I’m out and about. Covid made the whole makeup thing manageable; I just don’t wear it anymore so no need to haul it around. I mean, why? Maybe as masks ease up and I actually go out somewhere again aside from work I’ll find the motivation to give a crap again.

i will admit I am totally a purse girl, they are so fun to collect! Makeup not so much....a swipe of mascara, moisturizer and lip balm and I am good to go!

Ah to be 16 again. I was 16 in the 80’s. Looks like Ariel knew how to sport the big hair look too. Wonder what formulation of Aqua Net she used? Ariel, I have bad news, one day you'll be 50+ and it's going to hurt getting out of bed and you're clamshells will ride a little (or a lot) lower. But you're a cute little perky thing now, so enjoy it!!

As another that was 16 in the 80's, I will say the clamshells are holding up but other parts do weird things at regular intervals, lol!

When I was 16, I was worried about which curling iron was best. I’m glad she most likely has a staff to clean her bedroom because I personally know of exactly zero 16-year-olds who can keep their clothes off the floor and dirty dishes cleared out. I know of very few who can get beyond ramen and frozen burritos. (I’m sure there’s the improbable exception now and then, and if that’s your kid, you’re LUCKY!) Hopefully, she has someone over 21 who can buy the wine and champagne for her official functions.

My 16 year old self was fixated to whether her purple pentimentos or turquoise Levis were the cutest....

I’m about to begin a new and exciting chapter in my real life that’s full of scary unknowns. Hopefully, that won’t stand in the way of keeping up here, but ya just never know. Meanwhile, for those of you who remain engaged, interested, and saying hello… THANK YOU- You are Angels!! Hope you have a fantastic weekend- and maybe I’ll post another chapter tomorrow as a way of completely avoiding the packing I should be doing. For all the dads out there, Happy Father's Day! Despite what the world is telling you, you are IMPORTANT and needed. Keep on doing the hard work on being dads!

You are going to be AMAZING! Jumping off the deep end is always scary but I know you are going to swim!

 

[buzzrelly]

I’m kinda in love with the butterfly wings to play with. It’s a really nice souvenir that’s there for a quick taking. Did I mention the word “free”? I like free.

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So cute!

Here it is, Folks, the piece that screamed “Take me Home!!” I obeyed and now this beauty is waiting to be moved across the country and framed appropriately. Huzzah!

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Perfect for you!

We checked in and, to our delight and surprise, the friendly CM told us that we’d been upgraded to a Family Suite!

Awesome! That seems to happen for you a lot!

I must say, if one must do laundry on vacation, and let’s face it, there are times it can’t be helped <Sanaa bread service on shirt fronts happen>, the laundry at the Cozy Cone pool is a very quiet, convenient place to do the most expensive load of laundry on the planet. Protip: Take a little bit of laundry detergent powder in a doubled baggie.

I almost always do laundry on vacation and I have several baggies of powdered Tide in my Owner's Locker

I don’t always say hi to Ariel either, but when I do,

…it's to tell her to take those newfound legs of hers and RUN when she sees @pkondz approaching!

They are expensive- you ladies that collect the Doonies and Loungeflys (you know who you are)

 

[Wood Nymph]

We always ride the Ariel ride in MK because the line is usually short compared to other rides and the music is good. I do have problems with the story, as it appears you do, too.

Because all 16-year-olds are able to make sweeping, permanent life changes, we trust that Ariel is happy with the loss of everything she knew and her newfound status as princess.

I watched the original Disney animated movie and it struck me how much of a mistake Ariel was making by falling in love at age 16 with someone she really didn't know at all. But it makes a lovely musical.

 

[CruellaNY]

"Ahem" no comment on ladies who purse................
I will say that I am envious of those who can walk around purseless. Occasionally if say I'm running in to Kohl's quick or the grocery store to get 1 item I'll stick $ in my pocket and just take in my keys and then I feel lost and naked the whole time. Plus 9x out of 10 if I leave my purse in the acr I leave my car keys in my purse in the car and lock the doors and then neither Steve nor I are happy lol.

On the other side of the portal, the Angelfish found Cookie Monster’s Fishy Mini-Me

totally!!

 

[Steppesister]

Living Seas is a must do every trip!

Some trips I'm in such a hurry to get to WS (usually cuz they open at 11 and I'm HUNGRY!) that I skip it saying, "Next trip". But I do love it when I go there. :

Changing who you are is NEVER worth it. Either people get you or they don't. That's all.

I am SO glad what I was trying to get at wasn't lost on you and others. Gotta be true to yourself first!

i will admit I am totally a purse girl, they are so fun to collect! Makeup not so much....a swipe of mascara, moisturizer and lip balm and I am good to go!

You do more than me these days. Just not worth the effort as no one can see it with the mask and my glasses.

As another that was 16 in the 80's, I will say the clamshells are holding up but other parts do weird things at regular intervals, lol!

OH geez, the struggle is so real!!

My 16 year old self was fixated to whether her purple pentimentos or turquoise Levis were the cutest....

See?!!! And nowadays, 16 year olds have a hard time discerning whether eating Tide Pods is a good idea or not.

You are going to be AMAZING! Jumping off the deep end is always scary but I know you are going to swim!

It is scary for sure. My biggest concern by far is finding acceptable work positions that allow me to be flexible but well paid. That might be challenging.

 

[Steppesister]

Perfect for you!

I'm waiting to get it framed until after I move. Not sure what style/color I want yet.

Awesome! That seems to happen for you a lot!

It does and I'm not even sure why! But the last upgrade sucked soooooo bad.

I almost always do laundry on vacation and I have several baggies of powdered Tide in my Owner's Locker

I never used to, but have found a new wonderful freedom in packing LESS, but the trade off is having to a load or 2 now. It's not a horrible thing though. I can take a book over to the pool and have a drink relaxing while it runs. I will say though that I had to wait for an empty machine last time.

…it's to tell her to take those newfound legs of hers and RUN when she sees @pkondz approaching!

He does have quite an attraction for this young lady in clamshells.

 

[Steppesister]

We always ride the Ariel ride in MK because the line is usually short compared to other rides and the music is good. I do have problems with the story, as it appears you do, too.

YES!!! She, IMHO, made the terrible mistake of not really thinking on her dad's sound advice and changed who she fundamentally was for someone. Even if it was true love, doesn't true love demand that someone be loved for who they are? Sometimes who are does change just by being with that person as their qualities can motivate us to change, but that's a process not the way she does it. This is getting very philosophical isn't it!! LOL!!!

I watched the original Disney animated movie and it struck me how much of a mistake Ariel was making by falling in love at age 16 with someone she really didn't know at all. But it makes a lovely musical.

She made mistake like almost all 16 years do. And 30 year olds. And 50 year olds. Hers was life-changing as some of my choices have been. Some are bigger than others. I wish she'd listened to her dad- and what she did must have broken his heart terribly. AS for the music? I'm one of those people who sings the entire ride. LOL!

 

[Steppesister]

"Ahem" no comment on ladies who purse................
I will say that I am envious of those who can walk around purseless. Occasionally if say I'm running in to Kohl's quick or the grocery store to get 1 item I'll stick $ in my pocket and just take in my keys and then I feel lost and naked the whole time. Plus 9x out of 10 if I leave my purse in the acr I leave my car keys in my purse in the car and lock the doors and then neither Steve nor I are happy lol.

OH my, did you feel singled out?!! Cuz you KNOW I was lookin' at you, Kiddo! There are others too. LOL! I used to carry one but I feel so free without it now and it's such a lovely feeling. I'd clean it out every 6 months or so when I did carry one, and always ask myself, "Why am I lugging all of this $hit around?!"

totally!!

SEE?! That picture totally cracks me up!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I’m all caught up. We really liked the Farts as well.
The ABC of Disney is perfect for you!
Ahh the Cars section is my favorite. If I stayed at AoA I would want that section.
I will never look at Ariel and Ursula the same again, LMAO
I do love a good purse. Lately I am obsessed with Kate Spade purses.

This is my newest one. I love it.
Ariane does have so many Disney related bags, I loved the loungefly one she had when we met up in Epcot. It was like old school Sleeping Beauty, so cute!

I have Kiss the girl in my head now. I love that song!

 

[pkondz]

I don’t visit the Living Seas every trip to EPCOT

I was going to say "I do!"... then realized, I haven't. And I'm not quite sure why as I love it in there.
Sometimes I think I forget that it's an aquarium and not a ride.
The ride, I can definitely skip once in a while. It's cute, but not a must do every trip.

I mean just to board a clamshell takes longer than to finish the attraction.

That's true of both MK and Epcot attractions. I think they rather over-estimated the popularity of those attractions.

I guess he was worth it, but sadly a great lot of her died and she changed who she uniquely was for him.

Interesting observation.

hope Ursula has a malfunction and gives me a great voice while sending me to the depths to find a tall, dark, and swimmingly gorgeous merman ready to help with keeping the sand castle clean and cooking fantastic dishes made from delicacies of the sea.

Good luck with your quest for Mr. Right-fish!

Just think of it! No laundry, no dishes (we’d just eat off of abalone shells and toss them when we’re done), and no floors to mop. No bathrooms to clean either.

Now that makes having to eat nothing but fish for the rest of your life almost worth it.
(I like fish... I just don't want it every day.)

(Please tell me you sang it in your head. And please tell me you accompanied it with accordian!)

Yes to the former, no to the latter.
Never knew those were the words, though.

She’s a purse girl, and I just can’t.

Me neither.

Maybe as masks ease up and I actually go out somewhere again aside from work I’ll find the motivation to give a crap again.

I do wonder if people will abandon their former feelings on makeup/shaving. There's definitely a certain level of freedom to not worrying what you look like underneath that mask.

I have a collection of about 4,000 pens in my car already because even after 6 years of leaving work I still can’t seem to remember the most basic thing of not taking the pen home.

Before she knows it, she has a new car warranty and no voice.

Main Street, USA which should be illegal to exist corndog-less.

I was going to hop on this bandwagon, but... I actually like those differences between the two coasts. Otherwise there'd be no reason to visit both.

Here's the exact moment a girl got her sexy, messy morning look on with her hair all wrapped up in a towel and told her S.O. that she just spent $5,000 on a Room-Only Ressie for a trip she's been planning.

​

Yep. That's the look alright.

Oh, and they didn’t bother to tell the nurse that the family snuck in some meth last night and now they can’t figure out why they’re whacked.

Trust me, ALL of her co-workers can relate, and they are all in the breakroom together in the fetal position rocking on the couch.

You nurses have been working far too much, with far too little help, for far too long.

I’m glad she most likely has a staff to clean her bedroom because I personally know of exactly zero 16-year-olds who can keep their clothes off the floor and dirty dishes cleared out.

Correct.

On the other side of the portal, the Angelfish found Cookie Monster’s Fishy Mini-Me.

That's.... what is that???

 

[Steppesister]

The ABC of Disney is perfect for you!

Just waiting to get moved to decide how to frame it. I think it will match my RV bathroom colors pretty well. But that's a way's off.

Ahh the Cars section is my favorite. If I stayed at AoA I would want that section.

I think it's the most authentic and for me at least makes me feel like I'm in the story.

I will never look at Ariel and Ursula the same again, LMAO

LOL! I think you know what Ursula the Nurse is feeling.

I do love a good purse. Lately I am obsessed with Kate Spade purses.

It is very cute, but I just can't think of that much stuff to fill it up to justify carrying it around.

Ariane does have so many Disney related bags, I loved the loungefly one she had when we met up in Epcot. It was like old school Sleeping Beauty, so cute!

It was definitely super cute, but I can only see myself using it for the parks.

I have Kiss the girl in my head now. I love that song!

That whole soundtrack is one of the better ones for sure. I think along with UP, Monsters Inc, and Ratatouille, it's one of my favorites.

 

[Steppesister]

I was going to say "I do!"... then realized, I haven't. And I'm not quite sure why as I love it in there.
Sometimes I think I forget that it's an aquarium and not a ride.
The ride, I can definitely skip once in a while. It's cute, but not a must do every trip.

I think I do too. The aquariums are always so interesting and I forget how much I like to take my time in there.

That's true of both MK and Epcot attractions. I think they rather over-estimated the popularity of those attractions.

Yes, I have NO idea why the queue areas are so long but I will say, if the lines WERE long, it'd be nice to spend the time in A/C'd shade.

Good luck with your quest for Mr. Right-fish!

Somewhere... beyond the sea....

Now that makes having to eat nothing but fish for the rest of your life almost worth it.
(I like fish... I just don't want it every day.)

I love fish too, and no, not everyday. I guess on off days, a seagreens salad would work.

I do wonder if people will abandon their former feelings on makeup/shaving. There's definitely a certain level of freedom to not worrying what you look like underneath that mask.

I do too. So many of my co-workers have just abandoned it altogether. I wore it for one day and when I took my mask off an hour after I got to work I almost threw up. There was NO way I was going to wear a mask caked in goo which I'm SURE harbors FAR more bacteria than our own noses could filter. Yuck!

I was going to hop on this bandwagon, but... I actually like those differences between the two coasts. Otherwise there'd be no reason to visit both.

Well they do both have corndog places- Caseys and Red Wagon. But since Caseys is still closed, I went with Red Wagon. (Technically, Red Wagon is closed as well, but I see that one opening up first as it's outdoors.) I was just saying that when I think of Main Street, corndogs are definitely part of it.

You nurses have been working far too much, with far too little help, for far too long.

Management loves it that way.

That's.... what is that???

It was some sort of mollusk happily swimming along. SO funny how it looked after I got it home on the computer!

 

[Steppesister]

V is for: Vogue Hollywood Views
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Sorry for the barrage of posting lately. I’ve had a whole weekend off (RARE these days) and I’m anxious to wrap this TR up so I can get the Flower and Garden one started.

Step into a world of glam with me as we take a look at some highlights of our Vogue Hollywood Views.
We first had to stop at Guest Services to get MEK added to our Boarding Group- they were really nice about it and it only took about 10 minutes. I've never noticed the decor at this place.

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Enter an era of glitz and neon, where big names create stories on the silver screen and tabloid fodder. First question is: Veer Left or Veer Right? Today, let’s vie for a "right" start to the day... because Mik and I didn’t and partially regretted it. We waited until later in the day for that side of the park – if you want to get those rides done with minimal waits, go early. ToT seems to SOP with one elevator these days. Know that area back where Fantasmic used to be? (Wonder if they’ll ever bring that back.) The line for the glamour of a once posh and chic, upscale hotel stretched all the way back to there and it moved sloooooowly. If it weren’t that it’s one of my favorite rides in all the parks, I’d NOT have subjected myself to that. Granted by the time we got around to hitting up the “right” side of the park on our 2nd visit, the weather had warmed up nicely and it wasn’t so bad, but long lines just aren’t something I’m often willing to do. However, I hadn’t ridden this one in a while and had a hankering to enter the Twilight Zone. As with the rest of this trip, it had its ups and downs.

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After our stay amid the glitz and glitter of a bustling, young movie town at the height of its golden age, Mik wanted something more modern but just as thrilling, so she headed to Rockin’ Roller Coaster to hobnob with the Celebs who play louder guitars and drive like you hope there’s a cop up ahead. Meanwhile I sat off in that shady little area to the left just before you enter the RnRC area with a fresh latte in hand from the ToT Joffrey’s as you exit the $hitshop off the ride. Joffrey’s is growing on me and I definitely prefer the no line vibe to them. It was a nice little sit-down break for me as she spent the 20 minutes it took her to go through the ride.

How many of you have taken the time to browse back behind Fairfax Faire, Anaheim Produce, and Hollywood Scoops? Did you know there is some super cool theming back in there? Do you know that during WW2 our moms and dad and grandparents grew “Victory Gardens” to boost morale and help with the war effort by saving metal needed for aircraft? Well, there’s one back there. I adore this tribute to the sacrifices our older generations made to ensure our freedoms and for causes they believed in!!! (photos in next TR as I didn’t take any THIS trip but wanted to show Marcia the area in April.)

We waved a friendly hello to some friends as we made our way back to the other areas of the park. Such cute Cavalcades and I REALLY hope this concept sticks around. I didn’t care for the long parades with hordes of people blocking every pathway to wherever you needed to go for up to 30 minutes.

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Hello Beautiful Brown Derby!! See you in April!

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With the right side of the park done, we slowly made our way to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. It’s not the GMR. Wish they’d just given that a facelift and, while the new ride is cute and the technology fun, I miss the scenes of the classics played by true movie greats. I can’t remember if I already shared the MMRR pix, so here’s a few just in case I didn’t.

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Regardless of the ride, the whole Mann’s Theater/ Animation Courtyard area is, and more importantly was, amazing. Remember the busts and tributes to movie stars and other Hollywood celebs? Remember the Streets of America where we used to take silly selfies? The Karate poses in front on the Chinese Restaurant? The umbrella shots and snowman selfies? Miss those! This was the DHS I remember and loved so much.

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[Steppesister]

(Continued...)

But Toy Story Land is a fun addition with its whimsy and bright colors. And while it’s not representative of classic Hollywood like Sunset and Hollywood Blvd’s, it does paint the picture of new movie making- albeit not even done IN Hollywood. But it was easy to theme around, and the Imagineers did a great job in working with the source material.

So, with a hearty, Howdy Partner, enjoy a quick tour of Andy’s backyard. Let’ go!!

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We took in the Frozen Sing-a-long as well, and sadly, the Historian that I liked best is no longer there. Or at least wasn’t the last 2 trips. Made me sad- she was WAY funnier. Mik thought it was ho-hum, but we both enjoyed the waltz though with Walt’s attraction- One Man’s Dream. There is so much awesome stuff in there and some seems to be new, or new to me, each time I visit.

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Most of our time was spent back in Galaxy’s Edge playing on the App, but on our way out we swung through the Echo Lake loop. The Tune-in is still closed, as is the Indiana Jones show. Other than Prime Time, the whole area is deadsville. Sad.

And now, wherever you may be headed, whether its to the fridge for another cold iced tea to cope with the heat, or another Covid snack cuz eating out of boredom is the new norm, or to the far reaches of newly re-opened places, enjoy! Hoping your Father’s Day was a good one if that’s you! And with that…

Pick your battles carefully, Friends.

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