The Greatest Hits: A Trip Like This Needs a Soundtrack!-A July 2012 TR Upd. 5/5!

[Aussiesalad]

No judgement here, I would totally fangirl all over the Hannah Montanna barn.
It's ok...we're all adults here

Muppets 3D is my favourite!!! I love those old men!
I wish they really lived in every theatre to provide commentary for...well everything.

That cupcake looks incredibly delicious!!

 

[KBrown88]

I have read your last few trip reports. I really enjoy reading them!

 

[emma212010]

OMG! So when I was probably 12ish my mom, aunt, and grandmother ALL stared in the preshow! It was the funniest experience I've had at Disney! It was so overwhelming and confusing, but it was so much fun. I really wish they filmed and sold the movies to the actors! I would love that souvenir!

Oh my WOW! That CUPCAKE. I want that NOW! It looks so good!

 

[monica23535]

Hi Joni,

Sounds like you had a great time at Hollywood Studios, you know what? I have never seen the Muppets show either!! I was determined on my last trip in October to see it but with all the dashing across the park to utilise our TSM fast passes I forgot all about it!

 

[therussells08]

I LOVE everything Muppets.

Ummm that 4th of July Cupcake. HOLY CRAP. I am so glad I'm staying through the summer. You NEED to remind me to go to Pizza Planet and get one of those when it gets closer. That seriously looks INCREDIBLE. Preston and I just read your cupcake review and we just died. I NEED THAT CUPCAKE.

OMG TOY STORY CLAW MACHINE OMG.

Me too! They're so amazing!

I will remind you! It is SO delicious! I hope they bring it back every year. I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the review!

I KNOW! I love that they have that there, although I kind of wish it was just filled with the little green alien men.

Happy Dance, Happy Dance... So excited to see a post from you!

So your pictures of Back Lot Tour just had me laughing because I was remembering our trip to Disney in 2008 with our Best Friends and our adventure to BLT...

Brady my middle son was part of the show... So I hope you don't mind but I found these pictures and thought I would post them for you to see...

This is Brady!!!

Getting his instructions

This is him acting... Talking on the phone... I don't remember what he had to say... Somewhere I have a video of this..

THE SURPRISE!!!!

All done and barely wet...

It was so funny... Our best friends went with us on this trip and Dave (My BF's hubby) was the Captain of the ship...

Dave

The battle...

Our actor's taking their bows!!! Of course my Brady is a HAM!!!

Sorry to over take your trip report... But I just thought that you might love to see our pictures...

Oh my lands that Cupcake things looks amazing!!!!!

And your old men refridgerator magnet was FABULOUS!!!!! I just love them. Muppet's 3D is my husbands favorite show, because he thinks he is one of those old men... Hahah...

Great update... Thanks!!!!

TexasBelle
Carolyn

Aww that's so awesome that Brady was part of the show! Thank you so much for sharing your pictures with me! I love them! Don't apologize- feel free to post your pictures anytime! I love seeing them!

That cupcake was SO good!

Hahaha I have these two coworkers whom I always refer to as Waldorf and Statler, because they bicker constantly! I love them!

Thank you!

I always love seeing Walt's plane on the back lot tour too.

I especially like the story of the last time it landed at WDW. The small airfield they have was out of commission so they landed it on World Drive at like 3 in the morning and then towed it to the studios. That would have been something to see happening.

BTW i used my own pic of the plane for fun.

Thank you for sharing your picture!

That's awesome! I didn't know that! Haha I would love to have seen that!

OMG YES. "Pinning!" And you have to say it in an annoyingly sassy way, like Courtney on the Bachelor. Oh my gosh, that's gonna be HUGE one day. I can feel it.

Ahhh, the Backlot Tour. The one time I went on it, it was broken. We were just driving around aimlessly. I was so confused at first because everything the recording was talking about was nowhere in sight, and we never saw Catastrophe Canyon. It was super weird.

Listen, it's okay. You've seen Muppet Vision now, you love Muppet Vision now, and all is right with the world. Plus, I get it. It took me until my fourth trip to ride Peter Pan's Flight!

Your Kermit keychain!!! Ahhh, that is the cutest thing! I need one.

I understand how you felt. If John wasn't upset at missing Sci-Fi, and you still got to go later on, it seems totally justified. Plus, DISNEY PIZZA.

Okay, THAT is how the Contempo cupcakes are. They are PERFECT! No wonder this cupcake was so stinking awesome. It had to be made at Contempo. HAD TO BE.

YES! That's exactly who I was thinking of when I suggested that! PINNING. It's going to be big.

Hahaha aww I'm sorry your Backlot Tour experience wasn't the best. I can see where it would not be very entertaining if you're just riding around on a tram looking at the back of a bunch of buildings!

I'm so glad you guys haven't kicked me off the island over Muppet Vision 3D. I was so ashamed of myself!

Thanks! I love it! He brings me joy.

Yeah, I just wasn't loving the idea of a repeat ADR. There's just too many fabulous places to eat in Disney to repeat!

I NEED to try a Contempo cupcake! You have made me want one so badly!

 

[therussells08]

We skipped Back Lot Tour on our last trip so it was nice to see your pics! It looks like they've added some stuff so that is now a must do for our 2013 trip.

I completely understand the must do's that get put off! I do this every trip and it's mostly because I'm having to cater to a bunch of personalities but on our last trip we were able to accoplish SO MANY firsts! That is my favorite thing about WDW there is always something you haven't done yet. Isn't Muppet Vision 3D hilarious???? I love Sam the Eagle!

Your cupcake looked fabulous! Though I'm bummed because it looks like a seasonal cupcake. Boo for seasonal food!!!! They need to have one place you can go to get pumpkin, peppermint, and apple flavored items all year long.

We hadn't been on in it in a while either, and we really enjoyed it!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that! Yes! I love that show so much! Sam the Eagle is amazing!

Yeah, it is seasonal, but hopefully they will bring it back! I agree, they should have special cupcakes all the time!

Yeah, I definitely think we all have that one Disney ride or show that we have failed to do. Mine was Soarin'. I finally rode it this past October but it took quite a few trips before I made it on there. Glad you were finally able to see the Muppets. I love that show!!

Pizza Planet....yum! I know a lot of people don't like it but I really do. And that cupcake looks awesome! I had a "special" fall one there and it definitely did not live up to my expectations.

I'm glad you finally got to ride Soarin'! I was so happy to get to see Muppet Vision 3D! Sometimes they're worth the wait!

I love it so much! I think I prefer Pizzafari a little bit more, but Pizza Planet is so awesome, especially when it's not super crowded! I'm sorry your fall cupcake wasn't very good!

No judgement here, I would totally fangirl all over the Hannah Montanna barn.
It's ok...we're all adults here

Muppets 3D is my favourite!!! I love those old men!
I wish they really lived in every theatre to provide commentary for...well everything.

That cupcake looks incredibly delicious!!

Haha thank you! I'm glad I'm not alone!

Yeah, it's awesome! Waldorf and Statler ar the best!

I have read your last few trip reports. I really enjoy reading them!

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy them!

OMG! So when I was probably 12ish my mom, aunt, and grandmother ALL stared in the preshow! It was the funniest experience I've had at Disney! It was so overwhelming and confusing, but it was so much fun. I really wish they filmed and sold the movies to the actors! I would love that souvenir!

Oh my WOW! That CUPCAKE. I want that NOW! It looks so good!

That is SO awesome! I wish John would be in it. That would be hilarious!

Girl, it was amazing!

Hi Joni,

Sounds like you had a great time at Hollywood Studios, you know what? I have never seen the Muppets show either!! I was determined on my last trip in October to see it but with all the dashing across the park to utilise our TSM fast passes I forgot all about it!

Ahh! I'm so glad I'm not the only one who had never seen it! Yeah, TSM madness kind of makes us forget about everything else! I hope you get to see it on your next trip, because it's awesome!

 

[therussells08]

"Rebel Blockade Runner" (Star Wars Theme)- John Williams​

July 9, 2012

Instrumental​

When I left off John and I had just finished our delicious Pizza Planet dinner! I hope everyone enjoyed my super in depth P.I.E.C.E of Cake cupcake evaluation. Don’t worry, there’s plenty more to come!

After we ate, we decided to go ride Star Tours! I forgot to mention this earlier, but John had nabbed some Fast Passes for it just a little bit ago that we could already use! I feel like the FPs for Star Tours are always available to use like twenty minutes later, which is awesome!

John loves Star Wars! Haha, ignore the stain on his shoulder. I’m sure that’s pizza sauce, although how it got all the way up there is beyond me!

We had a great ride, even though neither of us was the Rebel Spy. Someday this will happen! Sorry, but I have no recollection of what our ride was like. I always have John tell me what happened (because I have absolutely no clue) and I usually write it down later, but it slipped my mind this time! I remember Darth Vader, and one of those Chewbacca guys. That’s about it.

After Star Wars we decided to meander back over to Hollywood Boulevard to do some shopping while we waited to use our Tower of Terror Fast Passes!

I traded for a baby Pluto pin, only to realize when I got home that I already have him! Oops!

This was also my first encounter with the Disney pillow pets. OH MY GOSH. I wanted one so badly.

I didn’t buy one then, but I did end up getting one later in the trip. You’ll have to stay tuned to see which one I picked!

They’re all SO CUTE.

I couldn’t resist trying on some more fun Mickey ears! This set had Cinderella’s glass slipper on top!

After much deliberation I finally made a purchase! I bought my mom a fanny pack to surprise her when she arrived later that week!

It may sound nerdy, but my mom loves fanny packs. LOVES them. I mean, I can understand. They’re really convenient, and she looks super cute wearing them. So it’s a win win.

After a little bit of shopping it was finally time to use our Tower of Terror FPs!

This was one of those moments where I was so grateful to have a FastPass. The standby line was insanely long!

This is some of my favorite Disney theming!

LIGHT FIXTURE.

You know I love ‘em.

I love all of the details in this queue!

John was ready to ride! Tower of Terror is one of his favorites!

We were seated in the front row of our elevator, and this teenage girl and her (I’m assuming) little brother sat next to us. The girl was super excited to ride, and she kept reaching over and squeezing the bejeezus out of my knee. This sounds a little weird, but she was so excited she didn’t even realize she was doing it. Her excitement was contagious, and John and I were cracking up! Here’s our ride photo!

When we finished up with Tower of Terror I wanted to look at pins, so we headed to the pin shop in the Sorcerer’s Hat. John needed to use the bathroom, so we agreed to meet up in a few minutes.

I traded for a Goofy stamp pin from Disneyland that is really cool, but my picture was blurry!

John and I met back up in Animation Courtyard, and decided to go in the Art of Animation store to do some more trading!

I traded for one of the big Pluto pins that I had been seeing in all of this parks. This set was part of a promotion in the shops, so EVERYONE had these pins!

John decided to trade a Vinylmation. The first two he picked were not very impressive, so the CM let him pick once more.

When he pulled out the next one he said, “Something smells fishy!”

It was a blowfish. See what he did there? I thought it was cute!

I noticed the CM who was trading Vinylmations with John had a pin I wanted, so I made another trade too!

John decided on the blowfish Vinylmation after all!

Now as you all know, I’m not physically capable of walking into an Art of Animation store without staring at the Thomas Kinkade paintings for an eternity, and this time was no exception!

They’re all so pretty! I still can’t believe he’s dead. At least his beautiful paintings will live on!

Up next: More adventures in Animation Courtyard! Stay tuned!

 

[therussells08]

"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes"- Cinderella​

July 9, 2012

A dream is a wish your heart makes
when you're fast asleep​

Usually when John and I are in Animation Courtyard we pretty much just look around in the Art of Animation store and go to Animation Academy to draw a character. This time, however, I really wanted to do some more exploring and see what else there was to do. I had read on my friend Jen’s TR that there was all kind of fun and interactive stuff to do in the Magic of Disney Animation, so we went exploring!

First we found this thing called The Sound Stage, where you could put your voice into a Disney movie scene!

John and I decided to put our voices into the scene from Beauty and the Beast where Belle is bandaging Beast’s arm after he saves her from the wolves. You have a chance to hear the actual scene, and then practice your “lines”, and then you record your voices! I wish I had made a video of what we created, because it was HI-LARIOUS. You know John and I both have pretty southern accents, so Beauty and Beast sounded like they had just stepped out of a the Beverly Hillbillies.

I don’t have a video, but I did write down our lines. Here they are:

Beast (John): THAT HURTS!
Belle (Me): If you’d hold still, it wouldn’t hurt as much!
Beast (John): Well if you hadn’t run away, this wouldn’t have happened!
Belle (Me): If you hadn’t frightened me, I wouldn’t have run away!

I’m sorry you can't see our performance, but just know, it was Oscar worthy. And by Oscar I mean Oscar the Grouch, as in, it should be thrown in a trashcan. Ah well.

After we finished with The Sound Stage we headed over to another interactive game, You’re a Character!

This one’s pretty simple. You take a short quiz, and find out which Disney character you’re most like!

Here’s the results of my quiz before my character reveal. I am dependable and loyal, am not afraid of mice, and I live by the motto: if the shoe fits, wear it! Any guesses who I am?

(HAHA look at my off centered self. FRUMP.) Anyway, *drum roll* I am most like…

Cinderella! I always knew I was a princess!

John was next! His results said he was a real animal, with killer instincts, who doesn’t get along with people.

Haha awww. Tall people problems. Anyway, his results were….

Shere Kahn! He was excited about that, because that’s one of his favorite Disney characters! If you haven’t had a chance to check out the interactive activities in the Magic of Disney Animation in Animation Courtyard, I highly recommend them! They are really fun!

After we finished I was itching to go in One Man’s Dream. I just love being immersed in Walt culture. He’s so amazing!

I love this picture. He just looks so pensive and brilliant.

And this one! That smile says it all. He really did love his work, and it shows so much in all of the passion he had!

This original Bambi movie poster is the best. I want one to hang in my house so badly!

I had to stop and take a picture with my main man, even though I was INCREDIBLY shiny. Please forgive me and my lack of blotting pre-photo.

I never get tired of all of the amazing models in here!

THE FLORIDA PROJECT.

All of the new Fantasyland stuff was so exciting. I can’t believe it’s open! I am counting down the days until I get to see it! Hurry up, March!

I am so excited for my sister to ride this (AND ME)! The Little Mermaid is her favorite Disney movie.

We finished off our tour with the video about Walt’s life, narrated by the perfect Julie Andrews.

I love that entire exhibit so much. I feel like it should be a requirement to see it if you come to WDW. He is such an inspiration, and we wouldn’t have any of this stuff that we all worship so much if it weren’t for him. He has left such a legacy, and even to this day he makes our dreams come true. I love you, Walt! You’re my hero!

Anyway, here’s a weird story. When we were leaving One Man’s Dream, there was this little kid who was probably about five walking along with his parents. He was kind of being a pain, and he ran over and kicked all of this mulch that was under a tree onto the sidewalk. It was super rude, and his parents did nothing about it. There was a CM standing nearby, however, who saw him do it and goes, “Really? REALLY?! Who is going to clean that up?” The boy’s parents seemed to think the CM was joking so they kind of laughed awkwardly, but he was clearly really upset by it. As a matter of fact, as we were walking away I saw him making the kid put the mulch back! It was pretty funny, but also kind of awkward for everyone around, so I hightailed it out of there!

Up next: We finish the night with a drawing class! Stay tuned to guess who we drew!

 

[Epaima]

I just read through the entire report so far! You guys really had a great time!

I love going in One Man's Dream so much! All the models and everything. Wonderful pictures!

 

[marDgreen88]

YES! That's exactly who I was thinking of when I suggested that! PINNING. It's going to be big.

I NEED to try a Contempo cupcake! You have made me want one so badly!

...And that is why we are twins. WINNING! (It also must include an annoyingly sassy hand gesture. I can't remember if Courtney did anything like that, but I feel like we need to.)

YES YOU DO OMG. If I could have that as my WEDDING CAKE I seriously would. They are THAT GOOD. I think I know a perfect time for you to try one!

I want a Disney pillow pet so badly! I can't even deal with how cute they are. Also, I recently learned that there is a LADY pillow pet (as in, Lady and the Tramp) and there's a really good chance she'll be coming to live with me here soon.

Omg. Homegirl was squeezing your leg? What in God's name? That is just beyond weird. She honestly didn't know she was doing it? I'm baffled.

It's so weird to think that Thomas Kinkade is dead. His paintings are unbelievably beautiful. I mean, that Little Mermaid one... I just love it.

Those games look so cute! I want to do that! Did you have a choice of scenes that you could act out?

Walt Disney. There will never be anyone like him. I just don't even know what to say about him! So much love for that man.

Can't wait for more!!!!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

YEAH, all caught up! And I'm pretty sure my musical knowledge within and outside of Disney just grew because of that speed-reading. And it adds a nice ambiance to the reading. Nice low music + TR = Pure Magic! Can't wait to read more!

 

[danimaroo]

Sorry I've been MIA from your TR for so long! Ugh, I definitely did NOT intend for that to happen, but I'm caught up now! I'm apologizing now because this comment is going to be absurdly long. Don't feel like you have to respond to everything, since I know you have tons of other comments to get through!

I'm a wee-bit obsessed with the MSEP sooo don't even worry about it... I actually cried when Mickey pointed to me and gave a thumbs up about my Anniversary pin last trip. No biggie, I'm just 5 years old.

I never saw MMY! Wompwomp. But I would've probably died seeing the Lanterns from Tangled. That was my iPhone cover FOREVER until it finally chipped and I replaced it with an Up iPhone cover. I love that scene so much.

That's highly unfortunate about the bloody man. I would have run away, too.

Okay, I know I'm going to be back in less than a month, but for some reason your AK morning is making me want to be in Disney World SO BAD right now. Though I guess considering it's Christmas week, maybe not so much, but still. I have just such distinct memories of getting to AK super early and riding EE and ahhh, I'm just wanting to be there right now!

EE is my absolute favorite, so I'm with you on Asia's decorations!

HAHAHA I love your photo of you post-ride. My hair never ever behaves in Disney World due to the humidity, and evidently in Disneyland it's the same story (we experienced ridiculous humidity there). I usually just give up mid-way through out trip and wear a hat, haha.

I would have punched that guy in the face if I'd heard him screaming like that... Well not really but I would've been close to it! UGH. Some people just seriously amaze me and are beyond ignorant. It's just annoying when they ruin a ride for other people, you know? This just seems over the top ridiculous though.

RANDOM but, little story. I basically lose it the second I hear any part of the Up soundtrack. The music just absolutely destroys me. I heard it in Disneyland at one point and held it together, so at least I've made progress from sobbing uncontrollably to tearing up a little up when I hear it.

ANYWAY, it suddenly dawned on me, I wonder who composed the music... and I had a strong feeling it was the same guy who did the music for the TV show LOST... and the movie Star Trek. AND I WAS SO RIGHT. He is the absolute MASTER as making music that will have you bawling your eyes out. UGH, that man. Anyway, that's my story, haha.

SO jealous of meeting Dug and Russell! This is one of the things I'm most looking forward to on our next trip!

Friendship boats are at the top of my love list. They are such a wonderful and relaxing way to go to DHS!

Bummer about the Carrot Cake Cookie! I totally love it, but can also very much understand why someone wouldn't, too! At least you tried it though so you can take it off your "must-do" list!

OMG The Shining. Have you ever read the book? The movie scares me, but the first time I read the book I had nightmares! It's very different from the movie but so so scary.

I love trading Vinylmation and pins! I did Vinyl trading for the first time on our trip in DL and can't wait to do it again in January in WDW!

YAY! I'm so happy I'm caught up again! Craziness of life and all, and I'm caught up! WOOOHOO!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Just stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas!

 

[stimmons]

Oh my! I laughed so much at your ToT picture! John is sitting there like nothing is happening. Completely relaxed! I could never have looked like that on ToT!!!

Also, I had a very strange encounter after seeing One Man's Dream on our recent trip. But I haven't gotten to that part in my TR yet so I don't want to spoil it!!!

On a side note, it was my first time watching the film and I completely bawled like a baby. Not even like, a dainty tear, but full on sobbed. I am such a sap! (and my DH likes to rag me on it)

Can't wait to read more. I throughly enjoy your TRs.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Caught back up and enjoyed reading about your adventures as always. Looking forward to more.

 

[amandaw]

What a fun day at DHS! I really like your pins you got. One of these days I'm going to just take the leap and get into pin trading.

The story about the girl on ToT is too funny! And I could really relate to the story about the 5 year old boy. On our last trip, my son (who's 4) kicked some rocks near One Man's Dream onto the walkway before I could stop him. 2 CMs were nearby and quickly looked at him. But before they could say anything, this Momma had her son picking them up and getting a scolding.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

To hoping 2013 is a wonderful year and brings many more magical moments (and Disney trips)!

 

[RachelNinja]

Spent bits of yesterday and today catching up on your TR! So hilarious. I even had to read some parts out loud to Howard! Since I was reading from a LONG time ago, I didn't take notes so I don't have anything specific to comment on so sorry about that! Looking forward to more more more!!!

 

[monica23535]

Hope you had a great Christmas Joni and have heard from John frequently


Great day at DHS, I love One Mans Dream too!

 

[Cllong75]

So I'm a major TR lurker, I read many to ease my "I'm not at Disney depression" and I've read all of yours in the last 2 weeks, I know I need to get a life but some people go to bed and read a book, I go to bed and read the DIS and usually regret how late I stay up .
Anyway, I love your reports, I love that you seem to write what you think and have such a great sense of humor. My kind of people. So anyway, just wanted to stop by and say Hi and tell you I love your reports and can't wait to read more