The how we ate and drank our way around the World Trip Report - UPDATED 05/06!

[traveldis]

One of the things I enjoyed most about the Tour was the stories of the attention to detail. Which is what makes Disney Disney. The fact they think about so many of the details, like how best to place garbage cans, different color sidewalks, the music between lands and the different color sidewalk/streets is truly reflected by how popular the parks are.

I always worry that attention will somehow start to disappear.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy listening to the stories and appreciate the effort and work behind the scenes. Thank you Disney!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Joining in!!! I'm really enjoying your recap of the Keys to the Kingdom tour! I've never been on one of the tours, they sound so interesting!

All of your foreshadowing is making me nervous! I hope your mom was okay!

Thank you so much and welcome!

Pardon my ignorance but do you know how to respond to more than one person in one post?

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Joining in!

Thank you so much! Good to see you here!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

One of the things I enjoyed most about the Tour was the stories of the attention to detail. Which is what makes Disney Disney. The fact they think about so many of the details, like how best to place garbage cans, different color sidewalks, the music between lands and the different color sidewalk/streets is truly reflected by how popular the parks are.

I always worry that attention will somehow start to disappear.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy listening to the stories and appreciate the effort and work behind the scenes. Thank you Disney!

I couldn't agree more! I, too, worry about it disappearing too.

All we can do is hope they continue doing what they're doing!

 

[WDWAddict Staci]

I am really enjoying your Tour details. I have never been, makes me want to go. However, I feel like I am reading a soap opera regarding your mom. You keep leaving a cliffhanger. :lol She hasn't given us any details so I am anxiously awaiting to hear what happened.

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

I am really enjoying your Tour details. I have never been, makes me want to go. However, I feel like I am reading a soap opera regarding your mom. You keep leaving a cliffhanger. :lol She hasn't given us any details so I am anxiously awaiting to hear what happened.

You really should think about doing it although with the amount of times you've been to Disney, I'm not sure there's a whole lot you don't know about it? I'm guessing your mom would really enjoy it too.

I'll share my mom's whole ordeal tomorrow!

Thanks for sticking with me!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Okay, I may have been slightly exaggerating about the “near death” part – but there was an accident and it could have been bad (and I got you to come back and read more, didn’t I?). Oh, and the billions may have been a slight exaggeration too – I was referring to suing Disney due to the mishap and winning billions but don’t worry – we didn’t do that, nor would we.

Here goes…

While backstage, we were moving from one area to the next and my mom turned her scooter a little too sharp and while she had her wheel turned, she was heading right into a small dip with a small manhole cover (that she couldn’t see) and for whatever reason, she gunned it. Both my sister and I saw it all happen in - slow motion - and we saw her going sideways and bam… she tipped over and fell off the scooter.

Fortunately, we were able to get to one side of the scooter so it didn’t go with her and land on her because they’re really heavy. Anyway, she landed on her side and THANK GOD she didn’t break anything, which was our worst fear. My first thought was, “crap - our vacation is over – she’s broken something” and then my immediate second thought was “I really, really, hope she’s okay and didn’t break anything.” I’m sorry for that first thought but I couldn’t stop it and our vacations really mean a lot to us and the kids weren’t even there yet! Love you mom!

We rush to her as she’s starting to get into a sitting position and what I really haven’t even mentioned yet is that my mom is a complete control freak. And when I say control freak, I mean CONTROL FREAK. We made sure she had no broken bones and once we realized that, she started trying to control how we were going to get her back up and on her scooter and before she could even try to tell us how, two guys and me (I think) got her right up on and back on.

We kinda scared poor James (the guide). That was a first for him and you could almost see his little brain trying to figure out where in the manual it explained how to deal with a passenger overboard.

So… crisis averted although my mom was VERY sore the next few days. She could actually hardly walk without being in severe pain – and she can’t walk that great to begin with! Besides the fact that she was completely mortified that it happened to begin with – in front of a not-so-friendly-group of people, all was okay in the end.

Phew. Lunchtime!

We went to the Harbour House to have our pre-ordered (cold, sorry to say) lunch. My mom and I had the fried shrimp and fries (which would have actually been pretty good had they not been stone cold) and my sister had a salad.

We also had sitting there for us a gold pin, shaped as a key which said “Key to the Kingdom”. For whatever reason, I could not get a good picture of it but here’s the best of what I could get. Sorry for the bad image but I think you get the idea.

We gathered the group up after lunch and here is James telling us (in a very animated way) little secrets about the Haunted Mansion, which is where we went next. (I secretly think he was just as shaken up as we were over the near-death mishap.)

He explained to us how the “stretching room” works and also how they do the ghost dancing scene. It had a lot to do with computers and mirrors but I honestly can’t remember the complete explanation and part of me didn’t really want to know because whether I know or not – it’s still awesome to see.

After the Haunted Mansion, James brought us over to the Liberty Tree – right outside of the Liberty Tree Tavern and told us a cute story about the tree. Allegedly, Walt himself found the tree that you see in Liberty Square. He found it on the land that now occupies Animal Kingdom. He knew he wanted that tree moved to where it now stands. So… the powers that be dug it up. And it was a big tree! The tree was 40 feet tall and 60 feet wide and weighed over 38 tons. At the time this was one of the largest trees ever attempted to be transplanted. It was too large to just place a chain around the trunk and lift it, since that would damage the delicate bark and potentially kill the tree. In order to move the tree and protect it, they drilled two holes through the trunk and inserted metal rods so that a crane could then lift the tree and transport it. After the tree was put into place the metal rods were removed and the original wood plugs were returned to the tree.

When they were moving the tree over the little bridge that leads you into Liberty Square, they realized the tree was too big to fit through that space so they signaled the driver to stop and back up. Apparently, the driver mis-read the sign to stop and read it as “go really fast”. So he did. And the tree fell and split in two. They managed to somehow not only adhere it back together but get it planted and over 40 years later, it still stands!

Now, I couldn’t really find proof anywhere to back this story up but James told us and I love James so I’m choosing to believe it.

Did you know that the Liberty Bell in Liberty Square was actually made from the cast of the “real” Liberty Bell? Apparently, the cast broke right after they made the Disney Liberty Bell so the Disney bell was the last bell ever made from the original cast.

I think one of the main reasons we wanted to do this tour was so we could see the underground utilidors because you hear so much about them but can’t ever seen them. I had heard at one point that Walt’s tomb was actually located there. It’s not. I asked.

We were now on our way to see these secret utilidors and as fascinating as I thought it would be, I was slightly disappointed and I’m disappointed in myself for even admitting it but I was. We just didn’t get to see a whole lot and it basically just looked like a large office located in a basement with really, really, really long hallways. I completely appreciate the painstaking thought that went into Walt doing this and absolutely love why he did it – but I just wanted to see more and I’m not exactly sure what.

Maybe I wanted to see costumes. Maybe I wanted to see characters out of costume – or getting into them – our taking them off – I don’t know. We basically saw a few hallways and honestly? That was about it. James did tell us some more stories about Walt and one in particular that made my sister cry.

I’m guessing most of you have already heard this story but I’ll tell you anyway. Walt originally wanted to name Mickey Mortimor, however, his wife didn’t think Mortimor sounded happy enough so she suggested Mickey and thank godness, Walt liked it better too. How did Walt meet his wife you ask? She actually worked for he and his brother, Roy. She was their “ink and paint” girl.

Here’s the very touching story. On opening day, Roy (Walt’s brother) was just starting his opening speech. A CM was by his side. Roy stopped his speech. Bent down and whispered something to the CM. The CM left. Several minutes later, Mickey Mouse came to stand by his side. Roy said that if Walt could not be at his side, he wanted the next best thing. Here’s a picture of it.

James told the story much better and she may have teared up because this tour was 5 ½ hours long and we were on our feet the majority of it and seriously – it was starting to get painful.

Oh, one last little tidbit. James showed us the platform where Tink lands when she flies from the castle during Wishes! He told us that someone on the castle end actually pushes her out (and there are very strict height and weight requirements for Tink) and depending on how fast or slow the CM pushes her, she either crashes into the mattress and two employees who are waiting for her on the other end or if it’s too slow, she actually has to heave herself by hand to the platform. Kinda funny. I’d like to see both.

I think that’s finally it. If you’re thinking about doing the tour yourself, please don’t think I’ve told you everything because honestly, my head hurt from all the information James threw at us. It was 5 ½ hours of James nonstop talking about Disney and the history, etc. It was awesome. He was awesome.

The end.

It’s not the end though. Sorry. It was really only like 2:00. We left the tour and promptly made a b-line over to get this!

I, however, decided to just get straight pineapple juice and this is probably a little more information than you want to know, however, if you didn’t know this, be forewarned that when you consume straight pineapple juice quickly and in a fairly large quantity… it acts as almost a laxative.

Seriously.

And it didn’t take long to “take effect”. (It also lasted for a few hours.) When I went to bed, I felt like I had pretty much consumed no calories that day and that was okay by me!

Good place to end. Believe it or not, there’s still more.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad your mom was okay after her fall!!! How scary for that to happen!

I never knew that story about the tree in Liberty Square - I'm glad it's still alive after being split in 2!

To quote multiple posts in one reply, the multiquote button is in the middle of the 3 buttons at the bottom right of each post (has a little " and a + sign in it). Click that button on as many posts as you want to quote in one post (the button will turn red when you have selected it), and then hit quote either in the last post you select, or at the bottom of the page.

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

I'm glad your mom was okay after her fall!!! How scary for that to happen!

I never knew that story about the tree in Liberty Square - I'm glad it's still alive after being split in 2!

To quote multiple posts in one reply, the multiquote button is in the middle of the 3 buttons at the bottom right of each post (has a little " and a + sign in it). Click that button on as many posts as you want to quote in one post (the button will turn red when you have selected it), and then hit quote either in the last post you select, or at the bottom of the page.

THANK YOU!!

 

[katt789]

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That is how I feel about the tour...and not in a bad way, I cannot WAIT to do the tour, I would love to do all of the backstage tours, I just want to know everything!! So thanks for the tidbits you did give us! I nearly teared up at the Roy needing Mickey thing (ok, maybe i didn't nearly, I actually did...)

As you can tell, I loved the updates, that's not so great about your mom though!! I hope things got better with her!!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

asdnfhjndfglhfugn;rgr

That is how I feel about the tour...and not in a bad way, I cannot WAIT to do the tour, I would love to do all of the backstage tours, I just want to know everything!! So thanks for the tidbits you did give us! I nearly teared up at the Roy needing Mickey thing (ok, maybe i didn't nearly, I actually did...)

As you can tell, I loved the updates, that's not so great about your mom though!! I hope things got better with her!!

If you do the KTTK tour, you should try to ask for James. I just cannot say enough about how awesome he was!

Thanks for your comments! I really appreciate them!

 

[WDWAddict Staci]

From someone who also has a mother that rides around on a scooter, I can see how that happened. My mom has gone off sides of curbs when the walkways are so crowded and no one will make room. Thank goodness, she never fully tipped over. I am so glad your mom wasn't seriously hurt.

Tell your sister the story about Roy and Mickey made me teary eyed too. I guess it is the Disney dork in me.

Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[traveldis]

Yea, how can you hear that Roy and Mickey story without a tear! It was funny as we were standing there listening to James all of a sudden my eyes started to water and I just wanted to weep. Could not figure out if it was because I was exhausted or just loved the story.

I can still tear up thinking of the story... so was definately the story! How sweet that story is. No one could ever question Roy's dedication to the Disney dream!

Poor Mom is still suffering consequences from the fall. Poor Mom

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

From someone who also has a mother that rides around on a scooter, I can see how that happened. My mom has gone off sides of curbs when the walkways are so crowded and no one will make room. Thank goodness, she never fully tipped over. I am so glad your mom wasn't seriously hurt.

Tell your sister the story about Roy and Mickey made me teary eyed too. I guess it is the Disney dork in me.

Can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks so much, Staci! Well, officially, my mom did tip all the way over, however, her scooter didn't tip on her. She actually still has some stuff going on with her.

My sister will love to hear that that story touched you too!

Yea, how can you hear that Roy and Mickey story without a tear! It was funny as we were standing there listening to James all of a sudden my eyes started to water and I just wanted to weep. Could not figure out if it was because I was exhausted or just loved the story.

I can still tear up thinking of the story... so was definately the story! How sweet that story is. No one could ever question Roy's dedication to the Disney dream!

Poor Mom is still suffering consequences from the fall. Poor Mom

Yeah, we need to get mom figured out.

 

[darty]

Your poor mom. I know she was still hurting when I talked to her a while ago. At least it happened backstage so you couldn't have your second thought be to take a picture of her on the ground.

Thanks for the heads (or other parts) up on the pineapple juice. I have never had a Dole Whip, so that is something I would do. Now I won't have to go through that. Thanks so much!

@traveldis, if your sister's name is FairyGodmothers Sis, shouldn't you be FairyGodmother? Just sayin'!

Can't wait to hear about the wonderful experience at Boma I know is coming up.

You are doing a great trip report!

 

[__disneygirl]

Great updates!! I'm glad your mom ended up being okay. That must've been really scary.

The "I love disco" thing is SO funny! I am definitely going to listen closely for that next time!

That is so disappointing that your food at CHH was cold. Surely they could have kept it warm for you! Sheesh, Disney.

I'm not surprised the utilidors disappointed you b/c I keep hearing that over and over. Sometimes I think I'm better off not seeing them. Still really want to do the tour though.

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Your poor mom. I know she was still hurting when I talked to her a while ago. At least it happened backstage so you couldn't have your second thought be to take a picture of her on the ground.

Thanks for the heads (or other parts) up on the pineapple juice. I have never had a Dole Whip, so that is something I would do. Now I won't have to go through that. Thanks so much!

@traveldis, if your sister's name is FairyGodmothers Sis, shouldn't you be FairyGodmother? Just sayin'!

Can't wait to hear about the wonderful experience at Boma I know is coming up.

You are doing a great trip report!

Haha... yeah, that pineapple juice really took me by surprise! Can't say I minded the "free" day, however.

Good point about my sister!

Wonderful experience at Boma? Who are you kidding?!?!? We had to deal with my mom's crazy friends! We keep telling her to stop introducing us to her crazy dis friends! Kidding, of course. We really enjoyed it and can't wait to hopefully do it again one day.

Great updates!! I'm glad your mom ended up being okay. That must've been really scary.

The "I love disco" thing is SO funny! I am definitely going to listen closely for that next time!

That is so disappointing that your food at CHH was cold. Surely they could have kept it warm for you! Sheesh, Disney.

I'm not surprised the utilidors disappointed you b/c I keep hearing that over and over. Sometimes I think I'm better off not seeing them. Still really want to do the tour though.

Yeah, I would still highly recommend the tour and maybe if you know going into it that the utilidors are not all they're cracked up to be, you'll love it! We were just under the impression we were going to see the inner workings of Disney. Oh well - it was still awesome!

As it turned out, the chanting guys were not chanting when we were on our "cruise" so we didn't actually get to hear it but it definitely wants to make me return to it to see if I can hear it too. I love hearing little tidbits like that!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Moving on from the pineapple juice…

We met up with my mom’s friends and enjoyed the parade with them.

Hi Jackie!

And these are her beautiful twin grandbabies.

If you want to get a lot of attention from the parade cm’s, just stand really close to twins and pretend they are yours.

Well, I really didn’t intend to do that, it just so happened that I was standing directly in back of the stroller and I could tell by the way people looked at me, they thought they were mine. I just rolled with it because frankly, the attention was nice!

I like this picture. Who doesn’t love Pinocchio?

Awwww…

My sister’s future occupation… (hence, my name).

Growing up, we had this album and I love, love, love that they brought the original back! It was very nostalgic to hear the songs that I hadn’t heard in 35+ years!

Oh… they’re really making progress on the expansion of Fantasy Land. It looks pretty impressive. Here’s a peak of a castle…

Here was a “free” pretzel for me.

I had read about these. They’re sweet cream cheese stuffed pretzels and they sounded fabulous but I wasn’t crazy about the sweet mixed with the pretzel. It was good – just not what I was expecting. I still managed to eat it all though.

Wow. I think I’m finally done with this day. I hope the tour didn’t bore you. I’m going to go rest for a while. I’m exhausted re-living it all over again!

Next up, Downtown Disney!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Great parade pics! Your pretzel looks good, sorry to hear it was a disappointment!

 

[FairyGodmothers Sis]

Great parade pics! Your pretzel looks good, sorry to hear it was a disappointment!

​

Yeah. Just not what we expected but everything always tastes better in Disney!