The ABCs of a Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure- Y is for: Yuletide Yo-ho’s and Other Yammerings (8/18)

[Steppesister]

Oooh, I LOVE that one!!! I can't wait to go looking for it in December! Thanks for pointing it out.

You're welcome! Not too many Classic Mickeys, so this one is fun!

I love the trips when my Dad comes with us because he's my Tower of Terror partner! He loved the Twilight Zone, so he always points out the props and talks about his favorite episodes. It's so fun for me because I've never watched, so it gives me new appreciation for an attraction I already love so much!

That's awesome!!! A true aficionado!

Another favorite!! I love peeking in there and then seeing others who just think I'm a nut going over to have a look for themselves.

LOL!!! That's what makes it fun for adults too.

 

[Steppesister]

You made great choices during RD and accomplished many attractions!
I really feel DHS is a 1/2 day park! I love the Ronto Roaster and the breakfast one is decent as well.
I’m excited to see extra evening hours for DHS while Andi and I are there. I think we will make great use of that time!

I did, it worked out really well.

I think whether it's a half day park or not for me depends on when it is in my trip. Early on, I can spend a bit more time there.

I'm curious to hear how all of that goes!

 

[pkondz]

I didn't either until recently. Another cool factoid: Julie Andrews turned down the lead role of Truly because she thought it was too much like Mary Poppins and didn't want to pigeon hole her persona. Huh!

Huh! Cool tidbit.

 

[buzzrelly]

DHS is not my favorite park, but Christmastime seems to lend a definite upgrade to my wanting to be there. I adore the retro vibe of all things Christmas past; the tinsel and vintage figures bring back so many memories of visiting great aunts and uncles and grandparents over the holidays as a child.

Same! And for the same reason. This was all the stuff of my 70's childhood Christmas spent at Grandma's house

I love rope drop at DHS...you can get so much done!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

although not Disney, I just finished Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- it, at least to me, is super Disney-esque.

Love Chitty Bang Bang! It was on tv here every single Christmas of my childhood ( along with Sound of Music and A Christmas Carol).
We went to the stage show in London once and it was fabulous.
My son-in-law (from Denmark) freaked out the first time the ice-cream van visited their street ( he moved here when he met my daughter) as he said all he could think of was the creepy child catcher from the movie . It took some persuasion but we managed to convince him that no-one would kidnap all 6 foot 4 inches of him and he could risk getting an ice-cream cone

The backstage tour ride. Was fun seeing the props and sets and the catastrophe canyon part was fun.

This was one of my favourite rides. Great way to get off your feet for a bit too.

I also liked the one where they'd take audience members and put them in TV shows/movies.

I don’t remember this one.

And of course, GMR.

Absolutely miss this one.

 

[pkondz]

This was one of my favourite rides. Great way to get off your feet for a bit too.

Particularly recall seeing Julia Roberts’ dress from Pretty Woman

I don’t remember this one.

My ex and I had to stand in a doorway and wave, and then jump back. Later they showed the film and in our scene, we were on Golden Girls and Bea Arthur slams the door in our faces. Fun.

 

[Steppesister]

Same! And for the same reason. This was all the stuff of my 70's childhood Christmas spent at Grandma's house

I love rope drop at DHS...you can get so much done!

Tinsel!!! Cupie dolls! All the sparkly things!!

You really can. But that walk all the way back to Galaxy's Edge is soooooo long!

 

[Steppesister]

Love Chitty Bang Bang! It was on tv here every single Christmas of my childhood ( along with Sound of Music and A Christmas Carol).
We went to the stage show in London once and it was fabulous.

OH, wow, a stage show of this? How nifty is that?!

My son-in-law (from Denmark) freaked out the first time the ice-cream van visited their street ( he moved here when he met my daughter) as he said all he could think of was the creepy child catcher from the movie . It took some persuasion but we managed to convince him that no-one would kidnap all 6 foot 4 inches of him and he could risk getting an ice-cream cone

I can see that. My kids were freaked out too!

My ex and I had to stand in a doorway and wave, and then jump back. Later they showed the film and in our scene, we were on Golden Girls and Bea Arthur slams the door in our faces. Fun.

Fun!!!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

OH, wow, a stage show of this? How nifty is that?!

It was amazing! The car “flew” over the stage towards the audience which brought lots of gaps of excitement from young and old alike. I’d go again in a heartbeat if I had the chance.

I can see that. My kids were freaked out too

We all thought it was hilarious as we grew up with the ice cream van. He’s so used to it now he’s lining up like the rest of us to get a 99

 

[vamassey1]

I'm finally caught up on your trip report updates. I'm sorry I had to skip the chatter. You're a very popular trip report writer.

I have really enjoyed all the beautiful photos you have shared. You really do get the best details. You have also really made me want to go back at Christmas time this year. We had started making an annual trip there once Danielle moved there but shipped last year and went in January. DH wants to wait and go in February but I'm slowly pushing for December.

I really enjoyed the details you shared on Backlot Express. It's not our go to CS but since Danielle was working there we had it in our rotation. I have always enjoyed looking at all the interesting props in there. When Danielle left to move to Epcot she shared some of the neat ways CMs are honored when they leave Backlot Express.

I don't remember where this board is but the actual data is old employees. She is listed as Ellie M on the board.



She was given this along with a plaque too.





I love that it was all in theme.

I'm ready for more.

 

[Steppesister]

Y is for: Yuletide Yo-ho’s and Other Yammerings​

2-minute bus waits are generally not my kind of luck, but today, the Christmas blessings rained down on this intrepid traveler and I was on my way from DHS to the Most Magical Kingdom in no time.

(I wonder if the Treehouse Refurb will be done in October...(see book title)? And... am I the only one who adores the Main Street window displays?)


​

I tapped my happy little self in at 12:35 and was enjoying the Haunted Mansion’s Queue music by 12:45 with a 40-minute wait posted. I really amused myself with the details in the theming, most especially the headstones which are wonderful tributes to the incredibly creative Imagineers that designed this iconic attraction.

​

I paused my queue-immersion to grab a Tiana’s Bayou boarding group right at 1:00. I also experienced something I’ve never heard before; the Liberty Belle and the train had a hilarious whistle war that lasted at least a full minute. Back and forth they blew with different sequences. Outstanding memory, until a wave of melancholy washed over me as I realized that will never happen again.

​

The attic scene always had me curious about how many wedding photos there are. Enjoy the ones I was able to get (very blurry) photos of:

(And there ya have it, the HM Bride is a complete ho.)

​

It'd been years… maybe 10? since I’d been in the HOP and decided I had nothing but time to kill this day. Everything I would do would be a bonus as I’d done everything I’d really wanted to earlier in the week. The show is still outstanding and patriotic, and people were respectful during the show, something I definitely appreciated.

​

A bit of Yuletide Yo-ho’ing was in order so I took it upon myself to yuck-it-up with this rowdy lot and their buddies. You’d think it’d be rather dead in there… oh, wait…

​

Love the happenings inside the Castillo del Morro. (The real one that this is based on is in Cuba. )

​

And low and behold, in my post-processing these photos, I found yet another stupidly-cool hidden gem- ANOTHER “signature” of Marc Davis. It’s really so very fun to find little Easter Eggs like this; and there always seems to be at least one or two every single trip.

(If you didn't see it, look above on the brickwork, see that lettering?)

​

By the time I got off of the PoTC, it was time for my Bayou Adventure. No, this ride is not even CLOSE to Splash. They just absolutely missed the mark in story-telling and execution, IMHO. The drop is still fun, I’m sure the song will at some point grow on me, but sorry, just not a fan. As I said before, when doing my original write-up for this ride, the best part of the attraction is the queue theming. Lots of fun knick-knacks to look at as you enter Tiana’s salt mine.

(Of COURSE there's a Hidden Mickey there!)
​

Continued in next post...

 

[Steppesister]

Let’s take a ride through Grannie’s Psilocybin Garden, shall we? (Her potions coming to a psycho-therapist near you!)

​

Aaaand, poof you’re now at Tiana’s castle after she’s cooked a really good meal. You too, ladies, can meet your Prince Charming after cooking soup if you take enough Magical Shrooms!!!

(heh, you might even see armadillos that can stand on their hindlegs... ) ​

It’s now 3:50 and you would have found Steppe on the Liberty Belle for her last spin around the Rivers of America ever. It’s ok, you’re allowed to cry a little too. Good-bye little Indian village, good-bye burning settler’s cabin, good-bye animals, and thieves’ hideout. Good-bye crusty old friend with your faithful dog and little shack on the river. May you all RIP in a dusty props warehouse somewhere; May you someday find your way back to another version of the Backlot Tour.

(On the way there, I dropped off my dirty laundry...)

​

Heh, I also got my H for my Christmas Alphabetical Scavenger Hunt. Here’s some Holly:

​

I tried to charge my phone in the Rapunzel’s Potty Area with no luck, but Pinocchio’s was dead a doornail and has another hidden outlet which I made hasty use of. Within 20 or so minutes I had enough charge to keep rollin’. I usually have my portable brick with me, but maybe that was out too? No idea. It felt good to sit anyway, so did. The ladies in there cleaning were very sweet and brought me some water and told me to stay as long as I needed. Their food sucks, but they have a winning crew!

One other show I’d not taken the time to see by then was Philharmagic so popped in there. Trying to “catch” a gem or “pop” bubbles in there never gets old, even when you’re well into middle age. Hey Friends, be young at heart. Be silly; do the things!!

​

By then, dusk was upon me and, while I don’t normally enjoy Tomorrowland quite as much as, well, everywhere else at MK, I’ll admit, it’s pretty at night when the lights come on.

​

Besides, COP is never a bad way to spend 21 minutes. I even hear they have new seats, which I’m excited to try out in October!

I love the scene of the 40’s with the copper Jello molds. My grandmother had several hanging in her kitchen too and it never fails to elicit wonderful memories of sitting in her breakfast nook with scrambled eggs for breakfast and cottage cheese and pears for lunch.

​

I never noticed this nice nod to Food Rocks- 1994-2004. Nicely done, MK!

​

Now, whether I had an actual ADR for Skippers or snagged one earlier that day, or even in the moment, I was headed there next. My timing was impeccable as the castle-lighting and projection show was just starting. I stopped on the TL side of the hub and enjoyed the vibrant colors and hype before checking into the Canteen.

​

In keeping with its 1938 theming, a wonderful portrait of Dr. Albert Fall’s daughter, Alberta, is hanging in the waiting area done in, of course, Picasso-style.

​

Everything about this place is spot-on and one of the most heavily themed places in all of Disney. If you’re ever in there, take some time to browse around- the staff actually encourage it. You’ll find tons of old Disney memorabilia including some of Walt and Lillian’s private collections, props from movie sets, and art. The bookshelves alone are worth perusing. The titles are hilarious.

(Boat Evacuation Procedures... )


​

A few references to the old S.E.A. as well:

​

Dinner was actually very good. I ended up with the:

​

Mess Hall Duck Fried Rice: Five Spice-glazed Leg, Duck Fried Rice, Cucumber Salad, and Fresno Peppers- $31

And by golly if I didn’t sit there and pig out on that whole bad boy. I mean, I can’t take leftovers home really, right?

As I came out of the Canteen, I was able to catch an Adventureland-view of the fireworks (don’t ask me what the show is called) and figured that it was a more-than-perfect time to hop on one last river cruise with a super short line- no wait at all, in fact. I’ll take a walk-on any time, thanks!

​

I saw that everything was all in festive readiness for Christmas and even the monkeys were making some silly holiday shenanigans in the temple that Dr. Falls discovered.

​

It appears that I ended my last full park day with a park-closing spin on the TTA and a nice little snow squall as I made my way up Main Street towards home for one last Disney sleep.

​

My bus luck held, and I waltzed right onto an ASMu bus and was back in the room within 60 seconds of getting off. My upgrade was suh-weeeeeeeeeeet this time!! I can only hope my “Preferred” room at Coronado in October is just as nice!!!

Next time, one last chapter- my final half day at EPCOT before flying home.

 

[disneyAndi14]

What a great last evening in MK. You hit up all my favorites!
Thanks for pointing out some hidden Mickeys and other Easter eggs on the attractions
I love the armadillo on the Bayou! He is a favorite of mine! I have seen a real one on Disney property years back. My first one since we don’t have Armadillos in the north!
A ride on TTA, a little snoap, and a quick bus ride is a perfect a
Way to end your MK evening!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I never noticed this nice nod to Food Rocks- 1994-2004

That show was really cute. Epcot had a lot of fun things in the past that are gone now.

The bookshelves alone are worth perusing. The titles are hilarious.

I bet that they had a lot of fun thinking up funny book titles.

My bus luck held, and I waltzed right onto an ASMu bus and was back in the room within 60 seconds of getting off. My upgrade was suh-weeeeeeeeeeet this time!!

That is amazing good luck.

 

[pkondz]

Y is for: Yuletide Yo-ho’s and Other Yammerings

Huh. Last time I said "Yo, ho!" I got slapped.

Ah well. YMMV

2-minute bus waits are generally not my kind of luck, but today, the Christmas blessings rained down

And... am I the only one who adores the Main Street window displays?)

You are not.

the headstones which are wonderful tributes to the incredibly creative Imagineers that designed this iconic attraction.

Without Marc Davis we wouldn't have anything like the HM we all know and love.

Where would we be without Xavier Atencio's song lyrics?

Forgot to quote Mme Leota's toombstone... (not a typo)

Nice shot.

I also experienced something I’ve never heard before; the Liberty Belle and the train had a hilarious whistle war that lasted at least a full minute.

Now that's fun.

Outstanding memory, until a wave of melancholy washed over me as I realized that will never happen again.

Ah yes...

Fun shot.

The attic scene always had me curious about how many wedding photos there are.

Five

(And there ya have it, the HM Bride is a complete ho.)

The show is still outstanding and patriotic, and people were respectful during the show, something I definitely appreciated.

That's good to hear. Did Trump speak? I don't remember if the current President says something or not.

You’d think it’d be rather dead in there… oh, wait…

Love the happenings inside the Castillo del Morro. (The real one that this is based on is in Cuba. )

Did not know that.

The (in)famous hairy leg!

(If you didn't see it, look above on the brickwork, see that lettering?)

Never noticed! How cool is that??

it was time for my Bayou Adventure. No, this ride is not even CLOSE to Splash. They just absolutely missed the mark in story-telling and execution, IMHO.

Well, shoot. I'd hoped it would be... well, probably not better, but at least on par.

Oh well.

Very cool. But the young lady in the photo is hilarious.

(Of COURSE there's a Hidden Mickey there!)

Of course! (I saw it!)

Let’s take a ride through Grannie’s Psilocybin Garden, shall we?

Did not expect that on the ride.

You too, ladies, can meet your Prince Charming after cooking soup if you take enough Magical Shrooms!!!

(heh, you might even see armadillos that can stand on their hindlegs... )

Of course they can. You just have to hold their little hands.

It’s now 3:50 and you would have found Steppe on the Liberty Belle for her last spin around the Rivers of America ever. It’s ok, you’re allowed to cry a little too.

Don't think I'll get on it again, unless they delay it's removal for a few years.

(On the way there, I dropped off my dirty laundry...)

How convenient!

Pinocchio’s was dead a doornail and has another hidden outlet which I made hasty use of.

Good intel.

The ladies in there cleaning were very sweet and brought me some water and told me to stay as long as I needed.

Now that's Disney!

Trying to “catch” a gem or “pop” bubbles in there never gets old,

I don’t normally enjoy Tomorrowland quite as much as, well, everywhere else at MK

Correct.

My fave trees!

I love the scene of the 40’s with the copper Jello molds. My grandmother had several hanging in her kitchen too and it never fails to elicit wonderful memories of sitting in her breakfast nook with scrambled eggs for breakfast and cottage cheese and pears for lunch.

Awwww...

I never noticed this nice nod to Food Rocks- 1994-2004. Nicely done, MK!

Hadn't noticed either. Nice.

Nice shot.

You’ll find tons of old Disney memorabilia including some of Walt and Lillian’s private collections,

Really! Did not know that last bit.

(Boat Evacuation Procedures... )

I lol'd at Primates of the Carribean.

A few references to the old S.E.A. as well:

Nice.

Mess Hall Duck Fried Rice: Five Spice-glazed Leg, Duck Fried Rice, Cucumber Salad, and Fresno Peppers- $31

Oooh... That must be new. Looks delicious.

My bus luck held, and I waltzed right onto an ASMu bus and was back in the room within 60 seconds of getting off.

Best ending to a long day.

 

[Steppesister]

What a great last evening in MK. You hit up all my favorites!

Some attractions are just worth doing multiple times.

Thanks for pointing out some hidden Mickeys and other Easter eggs on the attractions

I seem to find a new one or two every time I go.

I love the armadillo on the Bayou! He is a favorite of mine! I have seen a real one on Disney property years back. My first one since we don’t have Armadillos in the north!

My very first ever armadillo sighting was at Disney too. I was walking to the showers at Ft. Wilderness in the dark and it nearly scared the doo-doo out of me! Funny though after I figured out what it was! LOL! We don't have them this far North here in KY either but do not too far away in Arkansas.

A ride on TTA, a little snoap, and a quick bus ride is a perfect a
Way to end your MK evening!

Truly it is. Perfect bliss!

 

[Steppesister]

That show was really cute. Epcot had a lot of fun things in the past that are gone now.

I never got there before 2000 but loved the things I saw from then are that are gone now. Like the original TT!

I bet that they had a lot of fun thinking up funny book titles.

I can only imagine those Imagineering brainstorming sessions!

That is amazing good luck.

It truly was!! Walking to the room with destroyed feet wasn't too bad.

 

[Steppesister]

Huh. Last time I said "Yo, ho!" I got slapped.

Ah well. YMMV

You are not.

I especially love the ones that are animated!

Without Marc Davis we wouldn't have anything like the HM we all know and love.

Correct. I once went to an exhibition at Disneyland that was all things HM art with TONS of information, concept art, clay renders, sketches, etc.... that the original Imagineers did in designing it. It underwent several iterations including it being a walk-through attraction at first. Some wanted it to be truly scary, Marc wanted the whimsical version. He won. The original Host was the Raven too. That's why it's still in there in at least 2 places.

Where would we be without Xavier Atencio's song lyrics?

Just a partial list; some I did not know!

• "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)":
  This song, featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, is one of Atencio's most recognizable works. He wrote the lyrics, while the music was composed by George Bruns.
  
  
• "Grim Grinning Ghosts"":
  Atencio co-wrote the lyrics for this song, the theme of the Haunted Mansion, with Buddy Baker, who also composed the music.
  
  
• "Bear Band Serenade"":
  This song is part of the Country Bear Jamboree show. Atencio penned the lyrics for this playful tune.
  
  
• "It's Fun to Be Free"":
  This song is from the World of Motion attraction at Epcot.
  
  
• "Here's to the Future"":
  Atencio also wrote the lyrics for this song featured in the Space Mountain attraction.
  
  
• "If You Had Wings"":
  Atencio wrote the lyrics for this song which was part of the now-retired Magic Kingdom attraction of the same name.

Forgot to quote Mme Leota's toombstone... (not a typo)

I didn't realize Toombs was her last name! Huh! (Did know it was Leota)

Fun shot.

I always loved the Chanelier-cavorting couple!

That's good to hear. Did Trump speak? I don't remember if the current President says something or not.

Not that I recall, no.

The (in)famous hairy leg!

Cracks me up every single time.

Never noticed! How cool is that??

Right?! Stuff like that is every where!

Well, shoot. I'd hoped it would be... well, probably not better, but at least on par.

Oh well.

Nope. Though that's only one party-pooper's opinion.

Very cool. But the young lady in the photo is hilarious.

I noticed her too. She 1,000% reminds me of my youngest- tossing a sass wherever she can.

Did not expect that on the ride.

I wonder if they thought it was subtle enough.

Of course they can. You just have to hold their little hands.

And pray you don't get rabies.

Don't think I'll get on it again, unless they delay it's removal for a few years.

I am pretty sure it's already gone. Closed permanently June 6th.

Now that's Disney!

Now and then you can still find a pocket of Old School Disney Customer Service.

My fave trees!

Really! Did not know that last bit.

I remember a CM telling me several trips ago that one of the family's china tea sets is in there.

I lol'd at Primates of the Carribean.

Me too!

Oooh... That must be new. Looks delicious.

No idea. I don't go very often and hadn't looked at the menu in some time.

 

[pkondz]

I especially love the ones that are animated!

Reminds me of the storefronts I used to see at Christmas downtown. Those are sorta gone now. But they live on (in season) at our Children's Museum (or they did, last I was there, ohhh... about 20 years ago.)

It underwent several iterations including it being a walk-through attraction at first. Some wanted it to be truly scary, Marc wanted the whimsical version. He won. The original Host was the Raven too. That's why it's still in there in at least 2 places.

Knew that. The Raven is in four rooms and is a nod to Poe's poem.
But... you missed another one... and even took a picture of it!

Need a hint?

Just a partial list; some I did not know!

Knew the first three.

I didn't realize Toombs was her last name! Huh! (Did know it was Leota)

I always loved the Chanelier-cavorting couple!

Me too!

Cracks me up every single time.

I noticed her too. She 1,000% reminds me of my youngest- tossing a sass wherever she can.

Awww.

And pray you don't get rabies.

Um... maybe don't hold its little hands.

I am pretty sure it's already gone. Closed permanently June 6th.

I remember a CM telling me several trips ago that one of the family's china tea sets is in there.

Huh!