This Trip Is Being Refurbished for Your Future Enjoyment: UPDATED 11/15!

[Tinkerbellarella]

A Harvard dropout who now has his entire house on voice control.

And Barb is still truckin’ today. You go girl!

Also inspired? Bad pants. And polyester. ::shiver::

Gazing into my crystal ball I see a future of leg warmers…and sweatbands…and SPANDEX! EEK!

A nuclear “accident” coincides with the year of Tinkerbellarella’s birth. Interesting. Unsurprising.

And “beep”…”beep”…”beep” sweeps supermarkets nationwide.

And actually plays music videos.

(Insert moment of respectful silence here.)

Recently ousted by the second season finale of Jersey Shore.

BRB. I now need to go put on my MJ album.

Who knew that 25 years later we’d still have Oprah…and now HARPO…and Dr. Phil.

1986 and 1987 never happened.

Or, I was just an idiot and didn’t check to make sure I had a “complete set” of sign pictures before leaving the property.

Now you can get a laptop for $600! But if you want a usable Microsoft Office package, instead of Microsoft Works, it’ll still cost you $5,399.

R.I.P. MGM. Hello, DHS.

Um, I may be an idiot, that’s apparent, but where’d they PUT the Hubble Telescope in space???

Small beans compared to what today’s Pats tickets sell for on eBay.

’92 – more famous to me because it was the year of my last trip to the World with my grandparents.

Beanie Babies, you now look at your collection of 7,349 of them, some of which you waited for 17 hours in the icy cold for, and think, “WTH am I going to do with these?!?!”

“Run, Forrest, run!” Another movie I’ve never seen in it’s entirety. Yes, I’m serious and no, you cannot bring it over and make me watch it.

And rock divas everywhere now have a new color to have filtered out of their candy bowls by lowly interns.

Now, it’s amazing to see something that is fully animated by a human being.

This song STILL makes me cry every time it comes on the radio.

But there is no global warming.

Various perceived challenges? Come on Disney, we were all hiding under our tables because we were convinced the world was about to end because some programmer way back when used two digits for the year instead of four.​

And this concludes your tour through our recent history, excluding the past 11 years. Be sure to tip your tour guide on the way out.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Tinkerbellarella Life Update:

Houston, we are clear for a regular updating schedule!

And all rejoiced.

We are now ALL moved in to the new place. Keys to the old place have been happily surrendered. Internet is operational (and Tinkerbellarella rejoiced) and cable is reactivated (and BF rejoiced). The NFL will return to the Tinkerbellarella household this weekend. All is now right with the world.

And although there is still much unpacking and organizing to be done, the biggest parts of it are complete and life is FINALLY settling into a routine. A happy routine.

I'll now be able to update this puppy on a once a week schedule, at least, as well as get back to trip planning for the Feb./Mar. trip (ah, my poor, neglected Rum Runners PTR), AND get caught up on all of my DIS subscriptions.

I may be wearing a cute striped sweater (because it's 28 frickin' degrees this a.m.! ) but my inner DISer is decked out in all her lime.

Thank you so so much for sticking around. I promise that we'll really get this trip moving now.

I don't blame you for being a bit flustered. Glad that the "first" is out of the way.

Me too. It wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. Gives me hope for the future.

I worried about him, too, hon. Glad everything is ok.

I suppose I'll never stop worrying, I'll just find a way to cope.

LOL, true that! But... it's been a wonderful diet/exercise motivator - I refuse to buy all new shorts!

I just can't believe they've never fixed the problem?!

Know what's scary about that? Mine wasn't Frannie. That means there's more than one out there.

Ataaaaack of the Overinformative CM!
(sung to the tune of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes)

Yes! But you should know - I'll be tanked in no time. I can't sink a ping-pong ball in a cup any more than I can sink a quarter into a shot glass. It's like I never went to college at all.

I'll be right there with you. While I'm a decent beer pong partner, I'm tipsy after a couple of wine coolers.

I never even thought of that - I'd be a nervous wreck, too!

I was ok because, knowing the type of fire, I figured it would be what they'd call a "surround and drown", meaning no one would really be 'going in'.

But BF and I have decided on this technique - I will ask him how is day was. He will answer 'Good' or 'Bad' and, unless it's something that's emotionally bothering him, that will be the end of that. If it was a bad day because a room almost collapsed on him, do I really want to know that?? He thinks it could make me neurotic and I agree. The subject was actually raised in his class and it's what the Fire Chief does with his wife and what he suggests they all do.

 

[AshClan]

Hey Tink,

Congrats on being all moved in and al(most) settled!!

And thanks for the walk down memory lane! (Well, except for 1954, 1986 and 1987.....) I do know that 1987 happened because that was my first trip to the World with my husband, and my first ever more-than-a-day trip. Good times. Well, kinda. It was MAD hot. Horrible, actually. But we still had fun.

I am happy at the prospect of regular updates again! And yes, dinner and drinks would be cool. Just let me know when you have the time!

Have a magical day! STAY WARM! (brrrrrr...this morning was AWFUL!)

 

[If U Had Wings]

Welcome back!

The first time I read your signs posts was through my email alert - were no pictures show up. Happily it was much more entertaining once I got my rear end over here. I needed a good chuckle this morning.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

QUOTE=AshClan;38816150]Congrats on being all moved in and al(most) settled!!

Thanks. It's funny. The new place is so much more our style and I've taken to randomly walking around it and saying out loud to BF, "I'm so in love with this place."

And thanks for the walk down memory lane! (Well, except for 1954, 1986 and 1987.....)

Well, in an effort to make up for my less than perfect photgraphic documentation prowess I've searched the interwebs for some facts on those years:

1954: J.R.R. Tolkein's Fellowship of the Ring is published.
47 years later it hits the big screen and a Hobbit-sized movie revolution begins.

1986: A major nuclear accident occurs at Chernobyl.
Apparently 1986 was a little jealous of 1979.

1987: The NY Giants beat Denver 39-20 in the Superbowl.
And considering the Giants weren't QB'd by a Manning at the time (Eli would've only been 6), Tinkerbellarella is ok with this.​

Good times. Well, kinda. It was MAD hot. Horrible, actually.

I was there one year in April. It was also MAD hot. And they were taping the Easter parade for TV. So it was also MAD crowded. Which made it MAD ridiculous.

And yes, dinner and drinks would be cool. Just let me know when you have the time!

Hm. Are you in the city any time soon? PM me.

STAY WARM! (brrrrrr...this morning was AWFUL!)

Every year I tell myself I couldn't move to the South because I'd miss the seasons. Then, every year on the first morning I step outside and it's 28 I declare myself an idiot.

The first time I read your signs posts was through my email alert - were no pictures show up. Happily it was much more entertaining once I got my rear end over here. I needed a good chuckle this morning.

That must've been one odd e-mail. LOL Glad it was more enjoyable the second time around!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Smog, catchier than foke.

I kinda like foke. It pushes up the chance for unintentional profanity jokes.

And this concludes your tour through our recent history, excluding the past 11 years. Be sure to tip your tour guide on the way out.

Thanks for the pictures! Here's a tip: Look both ways before you cross the street.

 

[creativeamanda]

After you berate me for not telling you what happened with the vibrating phone.

Shame on you.

Who cares? They aren’t the Red Sox.

And in classic ‘Leave It To Beaver’-type style, Disney leaves out that those woman were making 50 cents on every dollar a man made. Also, with the invention of the laser came the invention of the sound effect, “Pew, pew, pew!”

I hate that sound!

And miniskirts are now shown in the halls of your local middle school. I’m never having children.

And I have TWO daughters.

And my eyes say thank you.

As do mine!

Trekkies everywhere are saying thank you. And William Shatner is wondering where his career went.

We have our heading!

And the “drunken 2 a.m. $400 withdrawal before hitting up MickeyD’s” is born.

Or Waffle House.

Just sayin'.

And bank accounts everywhere are suddenly devoid of funds. An unexplainable occurrence that continues today.

I just saw mine empty out.

And women never see their husbands/boyfriends/brothers/sons again.

You're telling me.

Coincides with celebrities no longer having any kind of private life.

And the year of creativeamanda's birth.

Ugh. Am I that old?

A Harvard dropout who now has his entire house on voice control.

Lucky duck, he is.

Gazing into my crystal ball I see a future of leg warmers…and sweatbands…and SPANDEX! EEK!

Let's get physical, physical!

A nuclear “accident” coincides with the year of Tinkerbellarella’s birth. Interesting. Unsurprising.

And my first year in school. Definitely unsurprising.

And “beep”…”beep”…”beep” sweeps supermarkets nationwide.

Ugh.

Now you can get a laptop for $600! But if you want a usable Microsoft Office package, instead of Microsoft Works, it’ll still cost you $5,399.

Or if you need one that does more than one program at a time or one that runs longer than a month. . .

Small beans compared to what today’s Pats tickets sell for on eBay.

And if I had the money, I'd pay that to see the Patriots.

“Run, Forrest, run!” Another movie I’ve never seen in it’s entirety. Yes, I’m serious and no, you cannot bring it over and make me watch it.

"I wuz runnin."

I absolutely love that movie.

Various perceived challenges? Come on Disney, we were all hiding under our tables because we were convinced the world was about to end because some programmer way back when used two digits for the year instead of four.

Pooh. I was dancing on the tables.

No I wasn't--I was 8 months pregnant.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Love the walk through history with your commentary. I've never read all those signs, lots of interesting factoids.

So glad to hear you are all moved in and life is returning to normal!

 

[TarzansKat]

I find this really funny considering this weekend we were just talking about how my mom and Disneyland were born in in the same year.

And seriously...a disaster the year we were born? Thank goodness we came along and set that all straight, eh? At least we know people were super healthy that year.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

I have an update for you.

Actually, I've had it since yesterday.

Only, yesterday Photobucket and I started an all-out war. I dealt it rather a lethal blow yesterday before going to bed. If by lethal blow you mean I yelled at it, shut down my laptop and cried.

I thought for sure I'd come out the victor. And to the victor go all the spoils. If by spoils you mean actually being able to SHARE your vacation pictures with your DISpeeps.

I was sorely disappointed. The battle rages on today.

I hope to emerge victorious shortly.

If by victorious you mean with share-able pictures and no mental scarring.

Stay tuned.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Since Photobucket is "supposedly" uploading my photos now, I'll take some time to do some replies before the next post...

I kinda like foke. It pushes up the chance for unintentional profanity jokes.

Unintentional? Oh, they would SO be intentionaly and you know it.

Here's a tip: Look both ways before you cross the street.

Well shoot, I was hoping for 'Don't eat yellow snow'.

I hate that sound!

Me too. Reminds me that I'm spending money.

And I have TWO daughters.

God bless you, my friend.

Or Waffle House.

Just sayin'.

We don't have Waffle House up here. And I love me some Waffle House. Just like I love me some Golden Corral. But on our road trip to visit BF's fam in TN this pass summer we must've passed about 143 of them. Each way. And every time we passed a sign for one, I'd sing out, "Waaaaaaafle Houuuuuuse". By #78, BF was like, "Um, would you like to stop and eat at one?"

We never did, though.

Let's get physical, physical!

Let me hear your body talk. Is that one of the lines to that song? Because that could be pretty disturbing.

And if I had the money, I'd pay that to see the Patriots.

Me too. Even with Brady's crazy Beiber hair.

"I wuz runnin."

You should hear BF say this. It's flippin' hysterical.

Love the walk through history with your commentary. I've never read all those signs, lots of interesting factoids.

It was a nice way to "waste" some afternoon time.

And seriously...a disaster the year we were born? Thank goodness we came along and set that all straight, eh? At least we know people were super healthy that year.

Right. Because you and I are perfectly normal.

Oh, and peanut gallery? You are on SILENT, right now.

Ok, so so far Photobucket is cooperating. Update imminent as long as the Universe is going to jinx me.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

When we last left our intrepid solo trip adventurer...

ME!

I had just finished lunch and my cell phone had started vibrating.

Was it my boo?

Was it Disney?

Was it a reminder for an ill-timed doctor's appointment?

It was 12:24 p.m.

Ooooooo. The suspense.

Ok, really. It was Disney! And my room was ready!

It was really neat to have my room info. texted to me. I imagine if I'd already been in the park it would've proven really convenient too. I topped off my refillable mug with a little more lemonade and stopped over at Bell Services for my carry-ons. Then off I headed to find 70's room # 6216.

When facing the 70's courtyard with your back to the Classic Hall, the room was on the back side of the first building (#6) on your right, on the second floor, facing towards a very quiet courtyard and the lake. Which meant it was also a refurbbed room!

Ahhh, here we are, room sweet room, for the next week, at least.

Room 6216. In case you missed that part.​

And look! I had a little friend waiting for me!

Isn’t she cute…whatever she is?”​

And that was the end of the towel animals. I didn’t see another one in my room or window for the rest of the week, though new ones were popping up in the windows of the rooms around mine. I think this has to do with the fact that I completely decorated my room window (pictures later), including the ledge at the bottom. Also interesting, it seems that the split of the cleaning duties for our section of the building happened right around my room. No one to the left of me had any new towel animals that I could see after the first day, while the people to the right of my room had a veritable zoo in their windows.

You know that first moment, as you slip your key into the lock and take that anticipatory breath?

Yeah, it was GUD.

I let myself in AND...it was a POP room in the 70's building. It hadn't magically turned itself into a Poly Concierge room in the Hawaii building. But I was ok with that. I dropped my stuff and morphed into your typical DISer, snapping the same pictures 99.9% of other TR writers staying at POP have snapped.

But that won't stop me from sharing them with you.

Beds. With 73lb. bedspreads. I’d roll it down to the bottom every night and cuddle up with the blankets and all 4 pillows. After the second night my Mousekeeper stopped putting the second two pillows back on the other bed.

Looking back towards the table area. Which would never look that neat again.

The spiffy new TV and entertainment/bureau unit. There was a TON of space on the top (which was where I left the Mousekeeping envelopes) and more than enough drawer space.

Vanity/closet area with the privacy curtain drawn shut. I also love the addition of the coat rack. I used it all week long.

Vanity/closet area with the privacy curtain open. Obviously.

Vanity. Ok, so, there was PUHLENTY of room…for me. Had it been BF and I, my toiletries wouldn’t have been able to spread out as much as they did. I can see how this would be limiting for a family of four.

In-room safe, which was more than large enough for my laptop and a few other things.

The twah-let. Which I think should come with handles to hold onto. That suction power is sceeery.

The shower, of which I have nothing to complain about, because Disney has AWESOME water pressure, great shower heads and killer shower curtains.​

I unpacked the few things that I had with me with some delightful background entertainment:

Oh Stacy, she of the ridiculous water park braids. Unfortunately I didn’t get that picture.​

There was a Bounceback offer on the table, however it was no different from any of the offers currently available to the public (free dining for select dates through 2011) so I didn’t bother writing down any of the details.

And one final comment on the room, namely the rug. I was not impressed. For a fairly recently renovated room, I couldn’t believe how stained and worn it already was. It was always well vacuumed but it already looked old, especially for a carpet whose design I’m sure was picked such that it wouldn’t look old with use.

It didn't take long for me to get settled and to freshen up and be ready to head out to a park!

It was a quick walk to the bus stop where I waited for less then 5 minutes for a Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS) (R.I.P. MGM) bus. I said a little prayer to the bus gods that this type of luck would continue.

While we motored on over to the Studios, I gave Kat a call to try to get myself "right". As excited as I was to be back in the World, I was still missing BF really bad. We were there before we knew it and I'm happy to report that the combo of some good girlfriend conversation and my first glimpse of a park...ok, of the bag check of a park...and I was slipping back into the Disney groove.

Well hello, Tower of Terror (TOT). I will be seeing you later…or will I?

Not quite the Castle, but enough for that first park buzz.​

After both the non-existant bag check and ticket lines I made a beeline for...Guest Services?

I had a base ticket that I needed to upgrade to an Annual Pass (AP) and Aisling (pronounced Ashlyn) was happy to help. She was from NH, so we had plenty to talk about - New England sports, New England weather, how I butchered her first name when I first walked in.

What? It looks like Aysling!

It took less than 10 minutes for the whole process coupled with some good conversation and I was on my way out, trying to decide on my first ride.

Someone please pronounce this name for me. I’m clueless, and I’m usually great with names. Cahunga? Cahwenga? Cowabunga?

Bo. He’s taken, just so you know.

I’ve just realize I’ve never walked on the other side of this truck.

Dream homes in Dream Land, huh? Perhaps BF and I should check out places here.

I lub this sign. Don’t know why. I’m not into the huge 80’s wall watch/clock per se but it fits here.

There’s a theater behind there…somewhere.​

As I strolled up Hollywood Blvd., I saw a Photopass photographer taking some fantastic pictures of some families in front of the Big Blue Hat. I thought she'd be a great person to capture my first park moments so I got "in line" on one side of her and waited.

And waited. While she called another family over.

And waited. While she signaled yet another family over.

Hm. I checked. Nope. No invisible cloak.

Finally, before she had a chance to walk all the way to the park entrance to grab the next available visible family, I stuck myself right under her nose with a big, loud, "HI!". I let her know that I didn't yet have a Photopass card and she set one up for me and then said, "Ok, now if you and your family just want to head over to the crack in the pavement."

"Oh, no, it's just me!" I gave her a big smile.

She did the confused puppy head tilt. "Just...you." She looked like she was trying to do advanced calculus in her head.

"Yup. Me."

"Ooookaaaaay."

She quickly grabbed shots of the rare, elusive solo Disney traveler. I was certain I'd find myself on the cover of National Geographic as a newly found species in the coming months.

Now, I'd love to share those pictures with you - she did a typical pose, a close-up of my face, a shocked one of me pointing at the Stitch, er, the ground - but I can't.

Not because I don't like them.

Or because I haven't looked at them yet.

But because every picture from my first day is GONE FROM MY PHOTOPASS.



Including all of my pictures from later in the night with Sorceror Mickey.

And yes, I know I can call PhotoPass and see if they can find the pictures...only I can't. Because the PhotoPass cards were packed and by the time I looked at the pictures and figured it all out, it had been more than 30 days since the pictures had been taken and they couldn't be retrieved.

ARGH.

Continued in the next post...

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

So, after taking what we'll assume were the best pictures never meant to be, I headed over to my first ride - the Great Movie Ride (GMR). Anticlimactic? Maybe.

The 89% of DISers Think This Is A Lame Movie Ride.

Filling some famous flippers.

I think I’d like a couple of these for outside my door.

It takes me a while to get dressed in the morning. Now, if I had to put THIS on every morning, I might be ready by noon, give or take an hour.

Ok, seriously? The mannequin freaks me out. I’d rather she not have a head because that expression is straight up creepy.

For LL.​

As much as this ride needs updating, I still love it. It brings me back to my first trip to MGM with my grandparents when this ride was still fresh.

Hoooooray forrrr….HOLLYWOOD!​

I got the cowboy. Who's surprised?

After my trip through the movies and some tears and laughs through the montage I walked towards the now closed Star Tours.

But first I passed a bust of a visionary.

And then arrived in an abandoned Ewok forest, where there was nary an Ewok in sight.​

There was a Jedi Training Academy in process, but all of the kids were looking heat-stunned and stupefied. I felt bad for the Jedi Trainer. His mad improv skillz were being sorely tested. I wandered into Tatooine Traders and immediately found my souvenir for Kat, though I decided to wait until a few days later in the week to actually make the purchase. No matter how empty the park is, that shop always feels oppressive to me, so I headed out rather quickly, thinking I'd go spend some time with the Muppets.

Kermie. ​

Until I saw the line.

Huh. It was definitely feeling busier than I'd anticipated.

Wakka, wakka!

Here today, Gonzo tomorrow.

AN-I-MAL! AN-I-MAL!

Miss Piggerty.​

I detoured from my Muppet path into Toy Story Pizza Planet, though I had no intention of eating. I'd just never been in there before. It was cute, but loud, and I realized that I could only come in here with BF if I was ready to sacrifice an hour. Or seven.

Buzz, universal arcade protector.

Oooooooo. The Claw. ​

I headed into one of my favorite stores in the World. Because it’s punny.

I’m no chicken.

Don’t look here.

Or here.

Or here or here.

That mask is a little freaky, no?

Hm. Looks like my spare room right now.

I’ve never seen the caption on this sign before and I LOVE it. I think I need to start a Foundation to Keep Tinkerbellarella Happy.​

Continued...again...in the next post...

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

While in the Muppet area I also happened upon the Cars area, where McQueen and Mater were available for photo ops. Are these guys here all the time, just revving their engines? I wasn't sure. They're adorable, but it seemed kind of...boring. A lot of the littler ones were obviously trying to interact with them, but they seemed confused when all they got back was more revving.

See the PP Photog? I mean she’s in half the shot, how could you miss her? She made it her personal mission to keep me from getting a good shot of McQueen.

This dude’s backside will be memorialized in the annals of Tinkerbellarella’s Disney picture history.​

I decided to continue my clockwise tour of the park and head down New York Street. Where I was promptly greeted with some set-up of the Osborne Spectacle of Lights.

Really? Already?

Well, I guess when you're setting up millions of lights...

But I will say that it kind of disturbed the ambiance of New York Street.

A big ball. And a wall. That’s all.

Lots of the sidewalk was roped off.

The lights were just starting to go up. No Chinese Laundry for you. Come back one year.

Or perhaps BF and I could live in one of THESE apartments.

Snow Emergency Route, which in MA means, we’ll plow this last. And tow you if you park here.

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!​

I poked my head into the Writer's Stop to take a look at...some...books...and the Carrot Cake Cookie. NOM! You will be mine...later. I slipped out the other door and made my way by the audition entrance to the American Idol Experience and past the ABC Commissary where I noticed music getting louder and louder with every step. As I emerged right by the Hat, I saw that the Block Party Bash parade was under way. I've never seen this parade and it looked like it was going to stay that way. The crowds were incredible! I tried to get a decent view without needing to be on my tiptoes the whole time but no dice. I finally admitted defeat and decided to head towards Pixar Place. What I did see of the parade was really cute and fun, though, and so it may go on the Must-Do for the next trip.

Okay, I know these pictures seem decent but I was zoomed all the way out and on my tiptoes.

Woody and Jessie.

To infinity, and beyond! Oh…could we stop by a 7/11 first?

Ok, I haven’t seen TS3 yet – is it Lotto or Lotso? And is he an evil character? Because he’s got mean eyebrows.

Mike wouldn’t cooperate. He either looked tripped out on Nyquil or would only give me his backside.

I didn’t see much more of this float. My calves were completely cramped.

No joke, all of Gwen Stefani’s Harijuku girls were in Disney the week I was there. And they weren’t in Halloween costume. This was the first, but it wouldn’t be the last. ​

I figured that since all of humanity was watching the parade, that at least getting around in Pixar Place would easy.

. .
O​

Oh how wrong was I?

Apparently all of POLITE humanity was watching the parade while all of the rude people were trolling around Toy Story Midway Mania (TSMM). I have never been bumped into, strolled over and pushed aside as much in a minute and a half until that day.

Is it just me or didn’t the Speak ‘n’ Spell used to display things on the screen?​

Of course all of the Fast Passes (FP's) for TSMM were gone and as I was shoved on down the pathway, I was able to glance at the Stand-By wait and it was 70 minutes.

Shove. Shove. Shove.

I love this queue but not THAT much.​

Thanks but no thanks.

Does anyone else feel like this doesn’t send the right ‘DON’T play with matches!’ vibe to kids?​

That was ok with me. I had an early morning planned for the Studios later in the week and would be happy to get my ride on then. I continued on in the direction of the tide of people until I was finally washed up on the shores of the Backlot Tour.

The Backlot Tour, which nowadays feels like the Back-a-lot-less Tour. If they ever get rid of the Flight of the Navigator pod, I’m outtie like a bellybutton.​

And whoooeeee it was HOT! I vaguely remembered the big fans in that shady queue and so I continued on in. It was such a nice respite from the sun, and the heat, and Satan's Pixar Place spawn. It was also really nice to be next to a family whose son had absolutely HORRIBLE aim with his spray fan and kept getting me. When his mom noticed and tried to admonish him, I smiled and said, "NO, it is OKAY with me!" She laughed and at that moment they let us in.

As much as the tour was the same as it's always been, I was excited to take some pictures.

Um, hello? Mr. Landlord? I think my neighbor’s sink is leaking.

What am I up to today? Oh, you know, just taking a cruise out on the…hey, can you hang on a sec? Pablo’s ordering lunch, I think. He’s screaming something about torpedo sandwiches.​

And then my camera promptly died as we walked into the props studio.



Not. My. Picture. Day.

I tried to take it as a sign to just sit back and enjoy the ride. And I did, though I was chewing on what...was...different....???

No. Live. Driver/Narrator!

And then, later on...the Catastrophe Canyon element was totally different. Rather than it being a tour group visit gone wrong, it was:

This is a rain effect.

This is an earthquake effect.

This is a flash flood effect.

And no more neat trivia about the water pumps as you drive past the back of the set-up.

And for the rest of the ride it was just...weird. The automated Narrator sounds like they were trying to make the automation sound human. Instead it sounds like it’s trying to assimilate you.

Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Take me directly to your leader.

I wasn't a fan of the "new and (not so) improved" BLT. As I walked through the villians exhibit at the end of the tour, I checked the time. It was about 4:15 and I had a 4:35 dinner ADR.

I suited up in some protective gear and dove back into the Pixar Place crowds. As I pulled myself together to get ready to complete my next full-body tackle forward, I glimpsed up and saw that the wait for TSMM was now 90 minutes. I finally made it back to the Hat and just in time - my stomach was growling!

Come and get it!!!

I checked in for my 4:35 p.m. ADR at the 50's Prime Time Cafe (50'sPTC) about 4:25 p.m. and it seemed like everyone that had been in Pixar Place earlier in the day were there getting rations for their evening onslaught of the park. And they still had their rude pants on. There were people sitting with frowns on. There were parents complaining about the wait and kids trying to calm them down. There were livid dads stomping out because they couldn't get a walk-up table. Seating was sparse, so I just tried to blend in to the kitsch and listen for my name.

When I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I heard my name and was brought over to the Exact. Same. Table. Missy and I had sat at in 08. My server's name was Kaydee and she was absolutely WONDERFUL. She sat with me and chitchatted about being on a trip solo and we ended up talking about BF and his new job. She brightened and said one of the other servers, Cliff, was also looking for a job as a firefighter and said she'd scare him up and send him on over.

She left me with the napkins and utensils to set my table, "You've been here before. Set the table, mind your manners, elbows off the table, and say please and thank you," and went to grab my pink lemonade.

Holy sweetness Batman! I wouldn't be ordering THAT again.

Now, here is where you might expect to find some food porn. Unfortunately I don't currently have food porn from this meal yet. My camera was dead but I did get some pictures with my phone. The cord for transferring from said phone to my 'puter has yet to make its appearance/be de-boxed. Sorry. As soon as I find it, the 50'sPTC food porn shall have its own post.

Kaydee was sweet and let me order the onion rings as my appetizer, even though it's normally an appetizer set up for two. This wouldn’t be the case for an appetizer I wanted later in the week. So, it seems, use of the DxDP credits is inconsistent.

There was a sweet family sitting not far from me, watching Home on the Range on their TV and shooting straw wrappers at each other. Not long after my arrival, another server was threatening to put the dad at a nearby table in the corner for not finishing his veggies. Kaydee also had a table next to mine. Every time she tried to take someone's order at that table, the littlest one, who was probably no more that 18 mos. old, would shriek and pound the table. Finally she turned to him and said, "Why are you so loud?" We all laughed.

The CMs were ON that night.

My onion rings showed up shortly after. Ohhhh. GUD onion rings. They were not even remotely greasy and, while I've never EVER been a horseradish fan, the dip they came with was pretty nommy too.

Inbetween the appetizer and entree, Cliff stopped by my table and we talked all things firefighter and discussed the differences between the MA and FL processes.

I'd ordered Dad's Butcher Tender Steak for my entree. The meat was so tender! I could cut it with my butter knife, which I did, until Kaydee dropped off my steak knife. It came with potatoes and carrots and green beans. The potatoes were no quattro formaggi Citricos taters but they were pretty good. I picked at the green and orange veggies and thankfully Kaydee said nothing about their continued presence on my plate when it came time for dessert.

I had the S'mores dessert, which I had last time, and had the same thought as I'd had two years ago - how do they make the graham crackers so soft??? As good as it was, I couldn't finish the whole thing and so soon found myself paying the check and leaving Kaydee a good tip for her great service.

And back out into the Studios, and the crowds, I went. And with it being a Fantasmic night, I wasn't sure what to expect...

UP NEXT: Well shoot, am I going to have to use my 'parting the Red Sea' skillz to be able to see Fantasmic???

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It hadn't magically turned itself into a Poly Concierge room in the Hawaii building.

So much for Disney "magic". Can't even transport a room.

The twah-let. Which I think should come with handles to hold onto. That suction power is sceeery.

And it would still be a better ride than It's a Small World!

I had a base ticket that I needed to upgrade to an Annual Pass (AP) and Aisling (pronounced Ashlyn) was happy to help.

If you say so. That reminds me of an old Physics teacher I had. He came into class on the first day and said, "My name is Chung-Ngoc Ng Leung. Call me Terry."

Someone please pronounce this name for me. I’m clueless, and I’m usually great with names. Cahunga? Cahwenga? Cowabunga?

I like Cowabunga. Let's go with that one.

Now, I'd love to share those pictures with you - she did a typical pose, a close-up of my face, a shocked one of me pointing at the Stitch, er, the ground - but I can't.

Not because I don't like them.

Or because I haven't looked at them yet.

But because every picture from my first day is GONE FROM MY PHOTOPASS.



Including all of my pictures from later in the night with Sorceror Mickey.

Tinkerbellarella MAD. Tinkerbellarella SMASH!

If you do go berserk at some point, please post pictures!

The 89% of DISers Think This Is A Lame Movie Ride.

Huh. It was definitely feeling busier than I'd anticipated.

You noticed that too, huh? I found myself happy we decided to skip a Fantasmic day there.

While in the Muppet area I also happened upon the Cars area, where McQueen and Mater were available for photo ops. Are these guys here all the time, just revving their engines? I wasn't sure. They're adorable, but it seemed kind of...boring. A lot of the littler ones were obviously trying to interact with them, but they seemed confused when all they got back was more revving.

I believe they are there all the time. And yeah, they're a little anticlimactic.

Apparently all of POLITE humanity was watching the parade while all of the rude people were trolling around Toy Story Midway Mania (TSMM). I have never been bumped into, strolled over and pushed aside as much in a minute and a half until that day.

Have a magical day!

And then my camera promptly died as we walked into the props studio.



Not. My. Picture. Day.

I tried to take it as a sign to just sit back and enjoy the ride. And I did, though I was chewing on what...was...different....???

No. Live. Driver/Narrator!

And then, later on...the Catastrophe Canyon element was totally different. Rather than it being a tour group visit gone wrong, it was:

This is a rain effect.

This is an earthquake effect.

This is a flash flood effect.

And no more neat trivia about the water pumps as you drive past the back of the set-up.

And for the rest of the ride it was just...weird. The automated Narrator sounds like they were trying to make the automation sound human. Instead it sounds like it’s trying to assimilate you.

That was strange, no doubt. Although we did get the speech about the water pumps when we did it. Maybe they were testing it out?

<grk>

What I wanted to say was: We are the Backlot Tour. You will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile.

And they still had their rude pants on. There were people sitting with frowns on. There were parents complaining about the wait and kids trying to calm them down. There were livid dads stomping out because they couldn't get a walk-up table.

There was a sweet family sitting not far from me, watching Home on the Range on their TV and shooting straw wrappers at each other. Not long after my arrival, another server was threatening to put the dad at a nearby table in the corner for not finishing his veggies. Kaydee also had a table next to mine. Every time she tried to take someone's order at that table, the littlest one, who was probably no more that 18 mos. old, would shriek and pound the table. Finally she turned to him and said, "Why are you so loud?" We all laughed.

The CMs were ON that night.

These guys are awesome. We had our first experience there and swore we'd definitely be going back.

Ohhhh. GUD onion rings. They were not even remotely greasy and, while I've never EVER been a horseradish fan, the dip they came with was pretty nommy too.

I'd ordered Dad's Butcher Tender Steak for my entree. The meat was so tender! I could cut it with my butter knife, which I did, until Kaydee dropped off my steak knife. It came with potatoes and carrots and green beans. The potatoes were no quattro formaggi Citricos taters but they were pretty good. I picked at the green and orange veggies and thankfully Kaydee said nothing about their continued presence on my plate when it came time for dessert.

I had the S'mores dessert, which I had last time, and had the same thought as I'd had two years ago - how do they make the graham crackers so soft??? As good as it was, I couldn't finish the whole thing and so soon found myself paying the check and leaving Kaydee a good tip for her great service.

 

[PrincessV]

Which meant it was also a refurbbed room!

Hooray!

I also love the addition of the coat rack. I used it all week long.

HUGE fan of the coat rack here! As in, I'll edit our options for a WDW stay based on which resort rooms have coat racks; they're often the only ones that make the list.

I’ve just realize I’ve never walked on the other side of this truck.

Me neither!

And on that subject, I'm loving the MGM pics! It's weird - I seem to see so little of that park, despite having been in it a whole buncha times.

The 89% of DISers Think This Is A Lame Movie Ride.

I got the cowboy. Who's surprised?

Me, I am! I NEVER get the cowboy!

No joke, all of Gwen Stefani’s Harijuku girls were in Disney the week I was there. And they weren’t in Halloween costume. This was the first, but it wouldn’t be the last.

YES, they were there Halloween weekend, too, and it clearly had nothing to do with the holiday!

And back out into the Studios, and the crowds, I went. And with it being a Fantasmic night, I wasn't sure what to expect...

 

[TarzansKat]

Right. Because you and I are perfectly normal.

Two words.

Nose fries.

Oh, and peanut gallery? You are on SILENT, right now.

If by peanut gallery you mean BF and MJS, I think our chances are slim to none.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

So much for Disney "magic". Can't even transport a room.

Pbtht. Which is the raspberry noise. Because I'm making raspberries at their lack of "room magic".

And it would still be a better ride than It's a Small World!

You're one of those people that wishes IASW came with Nerf cannons or was more like a game of Whack A Mole, aren't you?

Tinkerbellarella MAD. Tinkerbellarella SMASH!

If you do go berserk at some point, please post pictures!

Roger that.

I believe they are there all the time. And yeah, they're a little anticlimactic.

I've never even seen Cars and I was kind of like, "Wait, what? That's it?"

That was strange, no doubt. Although we did get the speech about the water pumps when we did it. Maybe they were testing it out?

<grk>

What I wanted to say was: We are the Backlot Tour. You will be assimilated. Resistance is Futile.

I wish they'd start fixing the things that are broken and leave the things that aren't alone.

These guys are awesome. We had our first experience there and swore we'd definitely be going back.

I'm 3 for 4 at this restaurant. And the one "off" time, the service wasn't bad, just not at all interactive.

Homey!

HUGE fan of the coat rack here! As in, I'll edit our options for a WDW stay based on which resort rooms have coat racks; they're often the only ones that make the list.

Kat and I made good use of ours at CBR last May. Missy and I didn't have one at the Poly, but we made good use of both closets and the pull-out sofa, so it wasn't missed.

Me, I am! I NEVER get the cowboy!

Seriously?! I think in all the times I've been on this ride, I've gotten the mobster 2 maybe 3 times.

Hey guys!

Sorry about the whacked out picture sizes that are probably causing you to scroll left and right to read these updates. Every single pic was resized in Photobucket.

I just checked them and they're the right size THERE.

Apparently this is the Bucket's way of letting me know IT gets the last laugh.

I'd also intentionally blurred out the Harijuku girl's face and apparently that didn't carry over either.

Sorry Harijuku girl.

I might try to fix it all AGAIN tonight.

Or I might just wave my white flag (NODIDO) and move on.

Love,

Tinkersmellarella

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

Two words.

Nose fries.

Ahem, that was only ONE of us, my friend. I just captured the "magic".

If by peanut gallery you mean BF and MJS, I think our chances are slim to none.

Soooooo happy they are not DISers!

 

[skier_pete]

Just so you know - I have no problem with picture sizes...and Harijuku girls face is all swirly too!