The End of an Era - Where Dreams Come True at Pop & Kidani **NEW 5/28 FINALE

[janloz]

Great update. Here is DD on Cinderella's horse in Dec 08. We went on it during the MVMCP and we had to wait for the next ride so we asked the CM which horse was Cinderella's and when it was time to go on, she led DD right to it.

The wishing well has special meeting us to also, I arranged a birthday scavenger hunt with Gifts of a Lifetime and the starting and ending point was the wishing well. On MK day last time it was pouring when we went through the castle so we didn't see it and then forgot on MVMCP so it is a priority this time.

 

[Señor DonDuck]

OK, all caught up. Great pics!

Well, those costumes are hot, maybe Tigger was sweating out what was consumed last night? Either way, yikes.

Dole whip float = awesomeness.

 

[jenbear123]

Sounds like you had a great day so far!

It was a good start to the day

So Tigger had a hangover... I remember a few CM parties- this doesn't surprise me. But to smell it the day after??!! Zowie!

You'd think that having to work the next morning at 8am would deter you from heavily drinking the night before.... Kids these days

In hindsight the CP was an obvious answer for the picture. DUH!!

Don't beat yourself up. It's hard when all you're given is a picture with no establishing landmarks. Any guesses on the current picture?

I can't wait to ride SM with the refurb!! I hope my neck cooperates.

I hope your neck cooperates too. The ride is a little smoother, much quieter, with a few changes. The new loading area is nice too. Much more organized.

Cindy's horse has a GOLD bow, not pink.

Oops! My mistake. I thought it was either one of those colours. How the heck do you go about finding that horse out of all the horses on there?!

Just found your TR and loving it..... Great pictures! Love TR's full of pics.

Looking forward to more.

Hey! I remember you! You were the first one to post on my PTR! Glad to have you back Where'd you go for so long?

Monster update Jenbear! You covered a lot!

That's what happens when I'm given abundant amounts of spare time.

That's saying something, if Bubba could smell it through the costume.

I didn't really notice it. But imagine if a parent did? Or a manager? Yikes.

I hate it when you're ready to leave and the server is nowhere to be found.

Tell me about it! You'd think they'd be eager to take your money.

Wow, you got a lot of Space Mountain rides in. Good job!

It might be a new record! Soarin' still takes the cake for most rides in one day - 5.

Well yeah, after riding it umpteen times!

Really, I wasn't bored! Just focused on the ride. SM can never get boring! Especially when you're sitting in the front. I'm always worried my head is going to hit something.

Now we know what it would look like to tour with Jenbear, when she's on a mission.

Thought you'd enjoy that.

Oh Jenbear, Jenbear, Jenbear. It made an appearance in my trip report. Now I wonder if you would have been able to give Tribilin a run for his money in my quick little quiz after all.

Now I feel ashamed Why do I not remember this in your TR?

I'm with Bubba -- the float is the way to go.

That's what I'm ordering from now on.

I'm not familiar with these...I may have to look for them. Are they like a Mounds bar?

Sorta. Except they aren't completely encased in chocolate. They are in the shape of Mickey's head with chocolate around the outside with the top exposing the coconut. They come in packs of 2 or a large box like I got. I'm pretty sure I posted a picture of them before?

Is it from one of the resorts? Like Boardwalk or Beach Club?

Nope. Sorry Glen. Although good guess.

No...is it the one behind the saddle (that Bekka? is on) or the one on the tail?

I think Liesa cleared this up.

I hope they're not getting rid of Fairy Godmother. We've seen this very one many times - so sweet. They need some characters spread around the park to help with crowd levels in other places and to interject some random magic as you are just walking around.

I agree. I found an old home video of what meeting the characters used to be like. Can we say, pandemonium! We had to punch other kids out of the way to get a picture

I'm enjoying your 'sister and me' report and pictures.

Thanks. I'm glad you like it!

P.S. We've eaten at Crystal Palace three times and have been seated to the right every time, too. Probably pure coincidence.

I wonder what would get us seated on the other side....

Great update!

I love CP for breakfast! We went there on our trip and the puffed cinnamon french toast is so good!

It is a different way of making french toast, that's for sure. Very yummy though!

How do you like the Space Mountain refurbishment?

I like the new loading area. Much more organized and less likely to fall onto the track. The ride itself isn't much different. Maybe a little smoother but that's it. The games they've installed in the line queue look like fun but so far I haven't been in line long enough to play! Overall the ride seems a bit more up to date. I still think they could do more to make the ride smoother.

Sorry about the Aloha Island CMs! I love the dole whip floats but I get the orange dole whip instead of the pineapple

Aw well, we all have our bad days. I've been tempted to try the orange dole whip before. I really like pineapple though so I can't turn myself over to try the orange.

Can't wait to see where you end up next since I have no clue from that picture

You're not even going to take a guess??

Tigger does look off in that picture. I wonder how often CMs are drunk or hungover.

Allllllllllllllll the time

Yes, the float looks like the best choice, but both look delicious.

They're very freshing on a hot day

I love that picture of you and Bubba!

Bubba was being so silly! I wondered what the heck she did in the picture. As soon as I saw it after I got off the ride, I nearly died. I'm glad my camera picked it up so well or else I'd have bought the picture. That was definitely a keeper!

Nice update!

Really?? no Small World?

You can only go on that ride so many times in a year before you become mentally insane.

The gold one, on the tail. The one Mikki is on (with white overalls). It really is not so very big and gold.

You'd think it'd be more prominent to make it EASIER to find.

Hmmmm..... the old phonograph thingy??

Was it from GF somewhere?? I"m saying a resort, but really don't know which one. I'm at a disadvantage here having only been to the Poly and the Fort. THAT, my friend, will all change in just a few short months!!!

I'll give you a hint: It's not in a resort.

 

[jenbear123]

Great update. Here is DD on Cinderella's horse in Dec 08. We went on it during the MVMCP and we had to wait for the next ride so we asked the CM which horse was Cinderella's and when it was time to go on, she led DD right to it.

Sorry, just deleted photo to save space. Hey, now that's a good idea. Next time I'll ask! I wonder how the CM can keep track of where it is???

The wishing well has special meeting us to also, I arranged a birthday scavenger hunt with Gifts of a Lifetime and the starting and ending point was the wishing well. On MK day last time it was pouring when we went through the castle so we didn't see it and then forgot on MVMCP so it is a priority this time.

Great photos by the wishing well. I never knew it even existed until I read about it on one of the blogs at AllEars. I've been there how many times now and I still find new things.

OK, all caught up. Great pics!

Well, those costumes are hot, maybe Tigger was sweating out what was consumed last night? Either way, yikes.

Dole whip float = awesomeness.

Ew! Sweating it out? The dole whip definitely is awesome!

 

[jordanyosh]

You can only go on that ride so many times in a year before you become mentally insane.

This just made me laugh.

 

[jordanyosh]

Is it at DHS?

 

[jenbear123]

This just made me laugh.

Seriously! That ride is nice and all but... yeah....

Is it at DHS?

Nope! Keep guessing

 

[jenbear123]

We arrived back at Pop Century without delay. Our room was located in the 50s, Building 2

Up the stairs to the 3rd floor

Room #2337

It was a corner room but there were no extra windows.

We took a nap for about an hour or so. I woke up a bit earlier to take an extensive tour of Pop. The last time we stayed here was in Sept. '08. Our stay was completely rained out and the only time I had the opportunity to take pictures, it was raining. Our room, back then, was in the 90s, way out in boonie-ville. It's surprising just how big Pop Century really is. I never noticed until I started walking around.

Let's begin the tour by looking out our room window

Aw, yes. The dead looking trees, overcast sky, with unfinished buildings in the background. Seems like paradise, huh?

I was very surprised how visible the unfinished "Legendary Years" was. I guess Disney can't do too much to cover it up but usually they at least make an effort to make it more inconspicuous. Unfinished or abandoned buildings always interested me so when I read about the Legendary Years being unfinished, I knew I had to try and explore. I read somewhere on the DIS that someone actually crossed the boundaries and walked right by the buildings. This is what I hoped to do.....


From the 3rd floor of our building, I got a nice view of the buildings across the lake

But not good enough. I walked downstairs to the jogging path along Hourglass lake. I stumbled across a bee who seemed to be in his last moments

Saying goodbye to the little bumblebee, I continued on my quest to see the Legendary Years, towards "Generation Gap" bridge - aka bridge to nowhere.

This bridge was so untouched. There wasn't a person to be seen around me either. I started to feel a bit eerie.

Looking back from across the bridge, I got a great view of the backside of Pop. No, not THAT kind of backside. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Our building was the furthest one on the left.

After admiring the silence all around me, I turned my attention back to the task at hand. I knew that once I crossed this bridge, I'd be home free. I could walk across into the brush and over to the buildings. And if there was a fence, at least I'd get a nice close view. I was excited to almost being giddy when all of a sudden, I run into this

Seriously, Disney? This is your attempt to cover things up? A few trees and some bushes? Yet the buildings are extensively visible when you're on the other side of the lake Okay then. Not to be deterred, I tried weaving my camera in between tree trunks and branches to get even the slightest close-up view

Frustrated and disgruntled by this shameless attempt to conceal Disney's unfinished business, I decided I could get a better view back on the other side of the lake. I trudged over the bridge and continued to follow the path along until I had a decent view of the buildings. I had to use super zoom on my camera though...

Disney won this round. I wasn't getting any closer than I had gotten. This experience made me feel very reflective. As it does any time I go exploring like this. Will Disney ever finish the Legendary Years? There's clearly a demand for it. Or will they just let the buildings continue to decay and rot? It seems like such a waste seeing it all just sit there. I'd really like to hear what their plans are.

I made my way around to the 80s, then to Classic Hall, and finally through the 60s and 50s. I didn't make it over to the 90s because it was just too far away. I only had about 45 minutes to do all this before we had to leave for our dinner.

continued in next post....

 

[jenbear123]

A very empty Everything Pop

A few snack options

I had no idea they sold Mickey's Premium Ice cream Bar so readily at our resort! If I had known, I would've bought one every night of our stay!!! Good thing to know for next time...

The weather wasn't looking very promising by the time I ended my Pop tour. I remember it being very chilly too. I was dressed in pants and a sweater. When I returned to the room, Bubba was up and about, getting ready. I quickly got changed myself and we were on our way.

We parked at MK this time and took the ferry over.

This sight makes me feel all tingly

When we arrived but who did I see??! CHIP & DALE!!!!! I immediately jumped in line with Bubba trailing behind. She laughs at my obsession with Chip & Dale While we were waiting in line, this girl ahead of us had hair extensions.

See the girl on the right in the flower pattern tank top? Well, I guess she was molting as a piece of her hair had been left behind

Eventually it was my turn with the nutty duo

CHIP!

DALE!

I was in my glory!

Oh, and Bubba joined in too

Thank goodness we had arrived a bit earlier to squeeze in that meet and greet with C&D. It was time to check in for our dinner at......

Now do you know where that picture was taken???

 

[glennbo123]

Looking back from across the bridge, I got a great view of the backside of Pop.

Um, Pop, is that you? (I am so sorry, I just couldn't help myself! )

But looking at that picture again, maybe that's a quote from Chip.....look at him, he is totally staring at you!

So funny that you took a picture of somebody's hair extension!

 

[jenbear123]

Um, Pop, is that you? (I am so sorry, I just couldn't help myself! )

But looking at that picture again, maybe that's a quote from Chip.....look at him, he is totally staring at you!

So funny that you took a picture of somebody's hair extension!

Oh my gosh!!!! He totally IS staring at me!!!! Where is that quote from?

The hair extension was hilarious. It was all Bubba and I could do to hold in our laughter

 

[glennbo123]

That was a quote from you, from the first post in that installment. I just re-arranged it so the quote went with the picture.

 

[redlight]

I had no idea they sold Mickey's Premium Ice cream Bar so readily at our resort! If I had known, I would've bought one every night of our stay!!!

Yummy!

Chip's totally checking you out.

 

[onelilspark]

So what's your method of telling apart Chip & Dale?

I use the "Chip's nose is like a chocolate CHIP!"

 

[jordanyosh]

Tonys Town Square...oops too late...
about the hair just falling out. I'm glad you got a picture of it too.

With the economy as it is, I can't see them doing anything with Legendary soon.

It would be nice for them to do what they do with rehabs and put up a decorative screen to cover the buildings....

Poor Mr or Ms Bee is in the honeycomb in the sky now...

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Nice POP pics. It is a shame about Legendary years.

And I it does look like Chip is checking you out.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Great update!

I really enjoyed exploring POP at night when all of the icons were lit up and it still looks awesome during the day

I feel bad for that girl losing her hair

Yay for meeting Chip and Dale!

 

[wdwgirl03]

LOL at the bee picture.

I think it is weird how they never finished the Legendary Years.

 

[All7OfUs]

Tony's? I would NEVER have guessed that!

Hair extensions on the ground- like she's shedding!

I'd have LOVED to have gotten to stay in the 30's or 40's someday. But alas, it will likely never be.

 

[jenbear123]

That was a quote from you, from the first post in that installment. I just re-arranged it so the quote went with the picture.

You're a sly one.

Yummy!

Chip's totally checking you out.

I think I'll have to censor my pictures from now on

So what's your method of telling apart Chip & Dale?

I use the "Chip's nose is like a chocolate CHIP!"

I always remember Dale has the bigger nose and gap in his teeth.

Tonys Town Square...oops too late...
about the hair just falling out. I'm glad you got a picture of it too.

When I took the picture, all I was thinking was "This is some good TR material!"

With the economy as it is, I can't see them doing anything with Legendary soon.

That really stinks.

It would be nice for them to do what they do with rehabs and put up a decorative screen to cover the buildings....

To be fair, it would be one heck of a screen! It would be cool to have a "artist's rendering" of what the Legendary Years would look like.

Poor Mr or Ms Bee is in the honeycomb in the sky now...

Nice POP pics. It is a shame about Legendary years.

And I it does look like Chip is checking you out.

Okay, I seriously did not notice Chip checking me out. I'm going to kick Bubba's butt for not telling me!!!

Great update!

I really enjoyed exploring POP at night when all of the icons were lit up and it still looks awesome during the day

Nighttime would've been cool. Every night was too cold to be wandering around outside though. Perhaps in April I'll try to get some night shots.

I feel bad for that girl losing her hair

I feel bad for her not knowing it ended up on a DIS TR!

Yay for meeting Chip and Dale!

Meeting them is a MUST on every visit.

LOL at the bee picture.

I think it is weird how they never finished the Legendary Years.

Like Jordan said, it's probably due to the economy. Although I highly doubt Disney is hurting that much compared to others...

Tony's? I would NEVER have guessed that!

It's amazing what you'll find around Disney. You don't notice these things until someone (like me) takes a picture of it and puts it in a "What's this?" guessing game.

Hair extensions on the ground- like she's shedding!

I hope the poor girl didn't lose anymore on her travels

I'd have LOVED to have gotten to stay in the 30's or 40's someday. But alas, it will likely never be.

ME TOO! Even the 1900s would be neat. Never say never. They can't just leave that site abandoned forever! Let's start a petition to "Build the Legendary Years!"