The I must be totaly carzy solo 2009 trip report, WDW Day 3

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Very cool that you rode in the same boat as Uncle Jessie and that you respected his privacy.

I know not on the same scale but if you watched the first season of Survivor you would be familiar with Rudy (the old tough retired Navy Seal). Well he lived in the same neighbourhood as us and we saw him around all the time and people were constantly hounding him and bothering him when he went out in public for pictures and autographs. I am sure they always appreciate it when they are left in piece as it happens so rarely.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Very cool that you rode in the same boat as Uncle Jessie and that you respected his privacy.

I know not on the same scale but if you watched the first season of Survivor you would be familiar with Rudy (the old tough retired Navy Seal). Well he lived in the same neighbourhood as us and we saw him around all the time and people were constantly hounding him and bothering him when he went out in public for pictures and autographs. I am sure they always appreciate it when they are left in piece as it happens so rarely.

I really only did it because he was with friends/ family that I relay didn't recognise.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

After Small World some of the group decided to head over to DCA for a little bit. Those of us who stayed end up meeting up with some other DPN members like Joel (Coconut Wireless on the DPN) who does the video for the Meandering Mouse podcast, Keegan (Teenage Disney Geek) and a few others. We then headed over to Toon Town to witness Keegan's first step into Toon town ( Listen to episode 57 of the adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek for the audio of this event). We first headed for roger Rabat's cartoon spin one of the greatest dark rides that Disney has ever built. During this ride we were also joined by "Earl" and the "Bleepn' wife" from the Trapped on vacation podcast. ("Earl" is a WDW cast member that host the podcast under the stage name of Earl just in case he may get in trouble). Well in the queue there was a back and forth discussion about Disneyland's Toon Town (which was done right) and WDW's Toon Town Country Fair (which is just sad compared to Disneyland's). After a great ride we headed back out into the park to tour the rest of Toon town.

Note the bad planing by the planning commission on the front of the building.

Sorry for the lack of photo's in my updates I didn't actually take a lot of them.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Next up was a tour of Mickey's House.

Notice how a certain dog has escaped thought the gate on the stairs.

The next stop was the Mad Hatter where the first of two sets of DF Ears were bought. OK this is the first thing that requires a lot of explaining so the rest of this chapter will be mostly about a hat. First off DF is a term from the Micecast podcast which at times is not always family friendly, any way on one of their shows they came up with the acronym of DF which stands for Disney Fundamentalist which is their term for the people who go nuts over any little change that is made in the parks and say oh Walt wouldn't have done that or everything should be kept the same as when Walt was still alive. During WestFest there is a game played with the DF ears, which you get as a penalty for knowing too much about Disney, either by shearing information that people already know or if someone who is not a Disney Cast Member behaves like one, for example using the two finger point. The next rule is that the person who has it can not give it to some else, only someone who does not have the DF Ears can give the Ears to another person (if more then one set of Ears are present one DF can give the set they are not wearing to someone else).

After the DF Ears got bought we (Me, Josh, "Earl" and the Bleep'n Wife) head over to ride Mr Toad. Well we were in the queue a discussion about the rule of the DF Ears got started, regarding if it included Disney owned properties such as ABC counted. "Earl" got annoyed with Josh for this and gave him the Ears. He had them for the next couple of hours.

Next up was a ride on Pinocchio daring journey, followed by Snow Whites' Scary Adventures. By now it was getting to be lunch time and we headed over to Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland. While we were there we met up with some of the DPN members from earlier. We also meet up with the manager of the restaurant who wanted to know what we were all celebrating and she instead on getting us "I'm Celebrating" buttons. Since Josh still had the DF Ears we told her that he was our leader and so he got stuck with a bag of 50 "I'm Celebrating" buttons. We ended up writing on them DPN WestFest which lead to some fun later on. Also we got her to reserve some tables for us for the next Day's lunch meet.



Ok Just so you guys know this isn't even the first official day of WestFest yet this is only the day before, if you think it's crazy now wait till the next day.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Wow that was a long post. If anyone is reading this please feel free to ask any questions you have about something that I mention and I will try to answer it to the best of my ability.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

So after lunch we headed over to pirates and it had a huge line. Well we were in it I told one of the Disneyland locals that was with us about how the chains that make up the sometimes used outdoor queue for WDW are made from large anchor chains and how I literally saw a Cast Member dragging them into place. Once we got inside we got loaded into our boat, now this is where I need to point out that not all of the people in this boat where the lightest people in the DPN. Also we are not sure if the Cast Member loading the boat realised when she told us what rows to get into. So we start making our way through the Blue Bayou section of the ride, then we come to the first drop our boat gets stuck at the top of it. The CM in the control tower for the ride tells us to try doing "The pirate shuffle", rocking the boat from side to side to get it unstuck. That didn't work. At this point we have now herd the skull and crossbones spiel about 5 times, then they announce that a CM by the name of Aubry will be along to help us get over the drop, she come over and manages to get us over the first drop. At splash down we had a wave worthy of splash mountain come over the boat. Now in Disneyland there are two drops, guess what we got stuck on the second one. This time we manged to get the boat moving again by rocking it forward. We then proceeded through the ride very slowly, we suspected that we might be dragging on the bottom. We get through the ride and then comes the lift hill at the end and we start to wonder if we will get stuck on that one too. We get up and have a good laugh as another wave is created in the flume as we come over the top. By this point we see a large group of people in the line that look like they may have been there for a while. After exiting the boat we all waved to Aubry up in the control room.

For the full audio of this download episode 5 of the Mouse Droppings podcast.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

After leaving pirates we headed out into New Orleans square and past by the train station as a train left. I commented jokingly that there should be a fry cart near by as the trains run on Bio Diesel made from used french fry oil. Before I had realised what I had just said "Earl" took the DF Ears from Josh and put them on my head. This was to be the first of 13 times it happened to me. Yup you read that right 13 times over 3 days. Next we headed into the Hunted Mansion. After the Hunted Mansion we headed over to the Jungle cruise where I took a picture of myself with the DF Ears on.

This skipper wasn't too memorable as far as Jungle Cruise skippers go. So here are some picture of the Jungle Cruise.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

After the Jungle cruise we took the train to Tomorrowland to try and go on Space Mountain. Well we were in the queue it went 101 and the cast members told us that they didn't know when it would reopen. After we left the queue a second set of DF Ears got purchased. It was now approaching the time for an unofical meet at the Celebration Bar B Que. It's in an area of Frontierland just behind Big Thunder Mountain. Once we got there we started meeting up with other members of the DPN. With in about 15 minutes of getting there I got relived of the DF Ears by Pat (you may have herd him call into the Dis unplugged voice mail line or send them an e-mail, he's the one that is working on the Disney Family Museum), he asked me how I got the Eras and then he mentioned something about how they were having problems with the Bio- fuel eating through the fuel tanks in the park and they were having top replace them. This met was a lot of fun as we got to see Chip and Dale attack one of the people in our party, he may have proved them I'. not exactly sure. Also during this we saw Jessie the Yodeling Cow Girl break one of the lanterns at the front of the stage, we also had the servers and the sinning cowboy really confused by us as when they asked what we were celebrating and we said things like friendship, meat, and the number 42. When they saw our buttons and asked what WestFest was we told them it was just to hard to explain.

After this meet was over it was time to head over to DCA for Queen Lo’s Island Palindrome Party at the Redwood Challenge Trail! and also for Micecast’s & Aussie John’s 2nd Annual Rabble Rouser Meet. But those will be the subject of my next update.

 

[Kymie]

Great report so far - Im glad I wasnt on Pirates lol!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Great report so far - Im glad I wasnt on Pirates lol!

Actually it was a lot of fun, especially since we were all Disney fans on it.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

After finishing up with the bills, everyone paid separately. We all headed over to DCA a group of about 30 of us. Once we got to DCA the first order of business was to get FastPasses for Shorin' over California. Next we made our way over to the Red Wood Creek Changeable Trail for what would probably be one of the craziest, wildest, and most fun meets at WestFest 2009, it was time for Queen Lo’s Island Palindrome Party at the Redwood Challenge Trail!

OK time for a little back story. On the DPN forums there is a section called Just for Fun and at the top is a thread titled The DPN Desert Island Party! The Fantasy Isle de Lorien! It is a virtual island with monkeys that cook, clean, and serve us drinks, also it is almost 555 pages long and still going. Also Palindromes are very important especially when we have a page that is one, we have a huge party where we bring out the Martin Tram (read it backwards ).


So let me set this up for you picture a group of adults with one or two teenagers ruining around a playground designed for children.

In the middle of this picture in the light blue shirt is Lorien who is refereed to as Auntie Lo, or Queen Lo. We had an amazing time running and jumping in the cargo nets that make up this playground. Several times people almost got lunched into the air from people bouncing in the nest. One of the funniest parts was when we found a radio for kids to play around with and Brian Sommer having a conversation with a kid over the radio that involved everything from star wars references to giving him instructions to watch for fires, holding his mother for ransom and also insurrections to wait for paramedics. For audio of this event download the Adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek podcast episode 55.

After this it was time to head over to the bear wagon on the wharf for Micecast’s & Aussie John’s 2nd Annual Rabble Rouser Meet. After some more meet and greets with even more DPN people a few drinks of bear for all those of age it was time to head over to Soarin' Over California. We ended up with 13 people who didn't have a FastPass but the cast member at the front of the line let them in with an attraction re ride slip as we had such a large group over 70 at this point. After that there was a change in DF Ears "Earl" got one set for acting like superman during the ride and I got the other for pointing out Micheal Eisner n the film and also a few other things.

Then i a group of us ran across the park to get on Toy Story Midway Mania, most of us got in the line before they closed it off for the night. While we were in line we could see off in the distance the fireworks in Disneyland. After the ride was over I sundered the DF Ears yet again this time to someone for getting the highest score on Toy Story Midway Mania.


What happens next tune in for my next part.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

After riding Toy Story Midway Mania a bunch of us headed back over t Disneyland. Well walking through both parks the DF Ears changed heads once again this time Brian Sommer got them for something I can't really remember. Then I got the for saying suppercalifralisticexpialidouicous backwards. The first thing up that night was a ride on the subs. Flowed by a ride on Buzz Lightyears Astro Blasters Keegan end up getting the DF Eras for reciting the Spanish safety spiel. After that we headed our separate ways for the night. We would be meting again the next morning for the first official Day of WestFest.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Ok at this point I have 26 days to finish off the last three days of WestFest I think I have some work ahead.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

As you can see from the title toady was the first official day of WestFest. My day began with a trip into the park via the monorail.

After getting off at the Tomorowland station I made my way to the Plaza Gardens near the hub in Disneyland. Once I got there I was reminded that I needed a FastPass for Indy for later in the day, so I was off to Adventureland to get one. After that the kickoff meet was held, strangely this was one of the least attended events of the day. After hanging around for a little while it was time to get a FastPass for Big Thunder Mountain. The it was time to head over to the Tea Cups for the Single Rider’s Teacups Spin-O-Ramma (the single rider is a podcast hosted by Chris who also does the Big D and the Big D in HD video podcasts). After that a group of 12 of us went on Alice in Wonderland, followed by an incredibly funny walk through of the dioramas in Sleeping Beauty Castle. (audio of this can be found in episode 58 of the Adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek) The walk through consisted of Brian Summer giving Keegan (The teenage Disney Geek) suggestions for different voices to read the various books telling the story of Sleeping Beauty. After that we headed over to Critter Country to grab FastPasses for Splash Mountain. Then it was time to head over to Indy for the first part of The Travelears “Traveling like Indy” Meet & Munch. Well we were waiting a couple of us decided to climb Tarzan's tree house. Well at the top of the tree house well I was taking some pictures of the view I jokingly said that Big Thunder was in the wrong place and should be beside Splash Mountain and the hunted mansion should be where Big Thunder is. (I was standing next to one of the Disneyland locals at the time)

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Next up was a group ride on Indy, I think we filed at least ten ride vehicles. After that it was time to head over to El Rancho Del Zocolo for lunch. Now I had mentioned earlier in the report about our conversation with the manager, she had gotten tables reserved for our group. After Lunch it was time to head over to Big Thunder Mountain for the Trapped on Vacation’s Goat, Goat, Goat, Meet. A little bit of back ground on this one on Big Thunder there are anamtronic goats stationed at various places on the ride mainly some of the wilder turns and it's a DPN tradition to yell goat as you pass by them. OK back to the report picture this about 70 or so people all entering the FastPass line for Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road chanting "Goat!, Goat!, Goat!,...". We took up about 4 full trains and then had one person in the front of a 5th train.

After that it was time for The Adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek’s “Wet & Wild Ride Splash Mountain Meet”. Before this meet got started we had a bit of a problem as there were some people that did not have FastPasses fr the ride so after a little bit of negotiations with the CM at the front of the line we got told that as long as we had a FastPass for Splash Mountain they would let us on.

Sorry about the shaky picture but I'm the one in the red shirt with the mickey Ears on (They were the DF ears, which I got for quoting something from the Unofficial guide to Disneyland).

 

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

Hey, just found the report after going back to read Jaime's. And, you know what, I recognized the name EastYorkDisneyFan all of a sudden.

This is NYCDreamer from the DPN, just so you know.

What a coincidence!

I'm waiting to hear more about the spectacular WF, and hoping to get out to California for WF 2010.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Thanks for reading this. Do you think it would be a bad idea if I put a link to this in my sig on the DPN?

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

So after our ride on Splash Mountain , a group of us headed over to Fantasyland to take a ride on Cassy Junior. After that it was time for the Done in the Dark’s “The Great Pooh Hunt!”. This meet was hosted by Paul Berrie from A window to the Magic fame. The name of the meet comes from the name of the Country Bear's website he ran before Window to the Magic. This meet consisted of a ride on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh while taking pictures of every Pooh in the attraction. I didn't come close but here are some of my pictures from that ride through.

I also got a picture of some of the buildings former residence.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

After that it was time for the DPN Castle Photopass meet for a group photo of everyone that was there at the time.

After that a number of people decided to go to In and Out burger. Those of us that stayed in Disneyland hung around in the hub for a little bit until it was time to head over to Toon Town for Tidbits’ Toon Town Spin, this meet was hosted by Terry Rich who is Paul Berrie's girlfriend and the host of the Disney Tidbits podcast. This was another ride through of Roger Rabbit's cartoon spin well we did a quick questioner on things to do with Roger Rabbit. This was once again a gathering of the DPN where DF Hats should have been present but weren't. Both had left the parks with the people who had them at the time.

After that ride through it was time for the DPN Dinner meet at the Plaza Inn, only some us actually ate there as some of the group had gone to in and out burger. After dinner it was soon time to gatherer for the fireworks show, Remember Dreams Come True. We were supposed to meet by the cigar store Indian outside the music store but we ended up heading towards the hub to watch it. The audio of this even can be heard on The Adventures of a Teenage Disney Geek episode 59.

Once that was over a group of us headed over to the Storybook land Canal boats as at the previous WestFest (2008) "Earl" from Trapped on Vacation had a really creepy guide on it and wanted to see if we could get one this time too. Unfortunately we got a boat with a bad audio system a so so Cast Member. Up Next was Imagineering My Way’s Midnight Cruise down the “Rivers of Adventure” at the Jungle Cruise. It was planed to be a ride on the last boat of the night, but it didn't actually end up that way. Before the ride on the Jungle Cruise Greg McNaughten the host of it had a few copies of Walt Disney World: The Full Report. I got one of them for at the time having the DF Hat a total of 9 times at that point.

After that it was time for the ride in the Jungle Cruise, I unfortunately didn't get the Skippers name but he was one of the best skippers I have heard and he was only a trainee. When we stopped by Trader Sam the head salesman of the Jungle cruise over there. I joked that I liked "Chief Name" (pronounced Nam a) better, and he asked about that and so we told him about how the skippers on the WDW version got to rename him and decided to call him Nam A or Name.

After that a group of about 10 of us deiced to take a last ride on Indy. During the ride we got stuck a couple of times and then at the end of it I tripped getting out of the ride vehicle and banged my arm on the control console for the ride. I was fine and I didn't break the ride. After that it was time to head back to our hotels for the night or home for the locals that weren't staying in one.

Up next the the final day of WestFest.

 

[NotSoEvilStepmother]

Thanks for reading this. Do you think it would be a bad idea if I put a link to this in my sig on the DPN?

I don't think so because 1) it's Disney and all the DF's will eat it up and B) cuz it's about WestFest. You never know, it might get more DPNers on the DIS.