VWL Lovers & Groupies thread: It all started with a Moose

[stopher1]

My favorite park at WDW remains the Magic Kingdom. It is the most like Walt's park...Disneyland. I love many aspects of the other parks, don't get me wrong, but the MK is my favorite at WDW, but honestly it's my 2nd favorite of all. If you haven't noticed I am a bit biased towards the one that Walt actually walked in, ate in, and yes even slept in. There's just something about his concept that was somewhat replicated in Florida, and later Japan, France and Hong Kong. Epcot is an amalgam of some of his ideas, but what ended up being built is so vastly different from what he wanted, and of course neither the Studios nor Animal Kingdom were anything he thought up, so while they are nice, they just aren't it for me.

Having just left Disneyland from another visit, I will say that for those of you who have not had the privilege yet of making to the West Coast ... please, please, PLEASE do try to do so at some point. Like pilgrimages for various religions and cultures... going to Disneyland is the ultimate pilgrimage for Disney park fans. The original park is a lot more intimate, and lacks the grand scale of the MK... but you can truly FEEL Walt's touch at Disneyland. After 55 years, Disneyland is looking better than ever, wearing it's age quite well. The imagineers did a great job capturing the essence for Florida - but when you compare the two - one was designed by a man for his daughters, the other was designed by committee. There are definite differences. Not that that is a bad thing. The MK certainly fixed a number of issues that DL has (narrow walkways, CM's walking through lands that they don't "belong in" to get to their work location or backtage i.e. Pirates or Haunted Mansion maids or butlers walking through Main Street or Tomorrowland; etc, etc).

I will say that I love the endless staircase scene in the Haunted Mansion in Florida that does not, nor cannot, exist in California (no room to add it). I can't wait to ride it again next week. They don't do the Nightmare before Christmas overlay there like the do in CA - so it will be wonderful to see the Mansion in all of its normal splendor. That film is just so weird. They do a great job with the overlay, but I love my Mansion as it was designed, not full of and covered with strange characters from a film I don't really like. (Can you tell that it bothers me a bit? That overlay lasts from Labor Day until after New Year's, so my favorite attraction is altered for more than a third of the year. Ugh.)

 

[franandaj]

I'm going to have to agree with stopher. And if it has to be a WDW park, mine is going to be Epcot, but the original park is still always my favorite. It's amazing how they designed the place, even though the land restrictions were not there until it opened. Because it was the first ever park of it's kind Walt thought he purchased enough land to make it what he wanted. How they have incorporated almost as many attractions into such a small space as they have at WDW is amazing. Main Street is still my favorite "attraction" as well, no matter where we go in the park, we always visit the Disneyana shop and usually the Jewelry shop, plus numerous others. I was happy to see that they still have my Mickey Journey Pendant for sale, it's only $5,000 Perhaps if I win the lottery!

The most incredible thing is that Walt's apartment is right there on Main street. He actually stayed there during park construction and even when the park was open. It's hard for us younguns to conceive of the idea that Anaheim was "the sticks" back then, since most of us have known it having been built up.

But if we're talking WDW parks, I just love Epcot for the variety of countries, the restarants, the shops and the whole World Showcase. Since I have the original park within 25 minutes of my home, the MK is not as much of a draw when in FL there are a few rides that are different and better at MK, but since most are available close by at my beloved DL, I'd rather go to the other parks when in FL.

 

[stopher1]

But if we're talking WDW parks, I just love Epcot for the variety of countries, the restarants, the shops and the whole World Showcase. Since I have the original park within 25 minutes of my home, the MK is not as much of a draw when in FL there are a few rides that are different and better at MK, but since most are available close by at my beloved DL, I'd rather go to the other parks when in FL.

I know when I was living in CA and going to FL, like you, the MK was not necessarily as much of a draw, and I do love World Showcase. But now that I live somewhat in the middle, and don't get to either as often as I'd love, the MK is definitely a big draw.

Tonight I skipped out on my after meetings group dinner and the "forced fun" activity - I went to Disneyland. I got there about 2 hours before closing, had some dinner and then got an ice cream sundae. I sat on a patio at the end of Main Street, which like many of you is one of my favorite parts of both DL and the MK. Then I enjoyed the Enchanted Tki Room, and headed over to DCA to enjoy World of Color. (What a wonderful show that is). I just love being there on Main Street people watching.


My favorite land in DL though is New Orleans Square, and my favorite land in the MK is Liberty Square. Both are just so rich with theming - since it's really the rich details that I love.

Hands down my absolute favorite resort at WDW is the Lodge...followed by AKV. At DL it's VGC. Notice any trend there wildernessDad? I know you do. I had such a nice time after WOC sitting in the lobby at the Grand just listening to the pianist play. I could sit there for so long. It's heavenly really. And I can't wait to be sitting in the lobby of the Lodge in just a few days!!

 

[cheer4bison]

Thanks, Stopher, for the amazing photo of the Christmas tree VGC. So beautiful! Hope to see it for myself some day.

Congrats, DLI, on a wonderful surprise. You must be so excited to be heading to the Lodge at Christmas.

I'm disappointed that I will be missing BOTH groupie meets this December. I'll be missing them by just a hair! I fly in on December 10th for the Moms Panel Training Session and then fly back home on the 14th. Rumor has it that we are staying at the Yacht Club, but I have seen no concrete evidence to support that claim. Much about this trip is being kept a secret so that we can enjoy many surprises after we arrive. Although I usually have my Disney trips well planned out long before the vacation, I have to say it is pretty exciting to turn the planning over to someone else for a change. Can't wait to see what they have in store for us!

JimmyTammy, so how does that magical Christmas tree at the WL look this year? I bet she (and her smaller companion at VWL) are real beauties!

Eliza, wishing you a better, flour-free day today.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Speaking of favorites . . . .

As many have said, WDW offers lots and it is hard to pick a favorite. I have only been to Disneyland once, way back in 1967 (or was it 68?), but it still looms big in my memories. I loved the magic shop!

But as WDW goes, my favorite is Animal Kingdom, mostly due to the fact that when a million people show up (give or take a stroller or two) you really can't tell - you just don't see them (they're out there in the trees). When visiting Epcot, when a million people show up, there are many vistas in the park where you can see about half of them all at once! That's when I feel crowded. I do love Epcot though, so don't flame me.

Eliza61 - I just can't get that visual out of my head of the 75lb bag of flour tumbling down a flight of steps. We need details! Did it break open? Was the ensuing cloud grand? Did your staff clean it up? (good one there, huh!?!)

One more sleep - no more "Butt out of bed"s! Looking forward to all of the Groupie meets!

 

[sleepydog25]

Having just left Disneyland from another visit, I will say that for those of you who have not had the privilege yet of making to the West Coast ... please, please, PLEASE do try to do so at some point. Like pilgrimages for various religions and cultures... going to Disneyland is the ultimate pilgrimage for Disney park fans. The original park is a lot more intimate, and lacks the grand scale of the MK... but you can truly FEEL Walt's touch at Disneyland. After 55 years, Disneyland is looking better than ever, wearing it's age quite well. The imagineers did a great job capturing the essence for Florida - but when you compare the two - one was designed by a man for his daughters, the other was designed by committee.

I was stationed in SoCal for four years back in the 80s, thus made several trips to DL while there, and I will testify that there is a much more intimate feeling at the Land than at the World. In fact, my favorite ride of all time is Storybook Land at the original park--it is full of whim, fantasy, and imagination--nothing I've found anywhere can match it. That being said, I'll be in the World at the home Lodge in three wakeups and a day's drive. . .

 

[horselover]

Eliza - hope you're having a better day today! Starting to sound like a broken record, but my fav. park is MK too. For all the reasons everyone already mentioned. Love to ride the train around the park a few times, love the music in the different lands, love the smell of those delicious cinnamon rolls baking on Main St. It's just a great place to be.

Stopher - thanks for the pic of VGC's tree. Beautiful!

DLI - welcome back! What an awesome hubby you have! Have a great time.

Cheer4bison - looking forward to hearing all the details of your MOM's trip when you return.

Anxiously awaiting holiday pics of our beautiful Lodge!

 

[Muushka]

My favorite park at WDW remains the Magic Kingdom. It is the most like Walt's park...Disneyland. I love many aspects of the other parks, don't get me wrong, but the MK is my favorite at WDW, but honestly it's my 2nd favorite of all. If you haven't noticed I am a bit biased towards the one that Walt actually walked in, ate in, and yes even slept in. There's just something about his concept that was somewhat replicated in Florida, and later Japan, France and Hong Kong. Epcot is an amalgam of some of his ideas, but what ended up being built is so vastly different from what he wanted, and of course neither the Studios nor Animal Kingdom were anything he thought up, so while they are nice, they just aren't it for me.

Having just left Disneyland from another visit, I will say that for those of you who have not had the privilege yet of making to the West Coast ... please, please, PLEASE do try to do so at some point. Like pilgrimages for various religions and cultures... going to Disneyland is the ultimate pilgrimage for Disney park fans. The original park is a lot more intimate, and lacks the grand scale of the MK... but you can truly FEEL Walt's touch at Disneyland. After 55 years, Disneyland is looking better than ever, wearing it's age quite well. The imagineers did a great job capturing the essence for Florida - but when you compare the two - one was designed by a man for his daughters, the other was designed by committee. There are definite differences. Not that that is a bad thing. The MK certainly fixed a number of issues that DL has (narrow walkways, CM's walking through lands that they don't "belong in" to get to their work location or backtage i.e. Pirates or Haunted Mansion maids or butlers walking through Main Street or Tomorrowland; etc, etc).

I will say that I love the endless staircase scene in the Haunted Mansion in Florida that does not, nor cannot, exist in California (no room to add it). I can't wait to ride it again next week. They don't do the Nightmare before Christmas overlay there like the do in CA - so it will be wonderful to see the Mansion in all of its normal splendor. That film is just so weird. They do a great job with the overlay, but I love my Mansion as it was designed, not full of and covered with strange characters from a film I don't really like. (Can you tell that it bothers me a bit? That overlay lasts from Labor Day until after New Year's, so my favorite attraction is altered for more than a third of the year. Ugh.)

Thank you for all of that wonderful information! I lover reading that stuff and can't wait to hear from you in person!

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't been around for so long. Not only have I been pretty busy but I must admit that the thought of going back and reading all the posts was overwhelming and it kept me away for too long. Sure missed you all though and thought about you often. I hope everyone is doing okay.
I got something today that spurred me into getting back on here. My DH just surprised DD and I with a trip! We will be heading down to the World on the 8th. We will first stay at POR (Dixie Landings of course!). We will be there till the 11th then comes the best part! VWL from the 11th till the 14th!!!!!!!!!!!
So excited about seeing the Lodge at Christmas. I am also really excited about getting to see Jodi Bensen do the Processional!!!!!! Only thing that I am bummed about is that we will just miss the meets! Sure would have loved to have been there so I could meet all of you!!!
Again I did miss all of you and I am going to try to get back to getting on here at least once a week. I just need to stop worrying about reading all the previous posts!

Dixie Landings! I love that place!! That is a wonderful surprise. I am sorry we will be leaving when you arrive.

I'm going to have to agree with stopher. And if it has to be a WDW park, mine is going to be Epcot, but the original park is still always my favorite. It's amazing how they designed the place, even though the land restrictions were not there until it opened. Because it was the first ever park of it's kind Walt thought he purchased enough land to make it what he wanted. How they have incorporated almost as many attractions into such a small space as they have at WDW is amazing. Main Street is still my favorite "attraction" as well, no matter where we go in the park, we always visit the Disneyana shop and usually the Jewelry shop, plus numerous others. I was happy to see that they still have my Mickey Journey Pendant for sale, it's only $5,000 Perhaps if I win the lottery!

The most incredible thing is that Walt's apartment is right there on Main street. He actually stayed there during park construction and even when the park was open. It's hard for us younguns to conceive of the idea that Anaheim was "the sticks" back then, since most of us have known it having been built up.

But if we're talking WDW parks, I just love Epcot for the variety of countries, the restarants, the shops and the whole World Showcase. Since I have the original park within 25 minutes of my home, the MK is not as much of a draw when in FL there are a few rides that are different and better at MK, but since most are available close by at my beloved DL, I'd rather go to the other parks when in FL.

I am reading your Harry Potter trip report, it is wonderful!

Thanks, Stopher, for the amazing photo of the Christmas tree VGC. So beautiful! Hope to see it for myself some day.

Congrats, DLI, on a wonderful surprise. You must be so excited to be heading to the Lodge at Christmas.

I'm disappointed that I will be missing BOTH groupie meets this December. I'll be missing them by just a hair! I fly in on December 10th for the Moms Panel Training Session and then fly back home on the 14th. Rumor has it that we are staying at the Yacht Club, but I have seen no concrete evidence to support that claim. Much about this trip is being kept a secret so that we can enjoy many surprises after we arrive. Although I usually have my Disney trips well planned out long before the vacation, I have to say it is pretty exciting to turn the planning over to someone else for a change. Can't wait to see what they have in store for us!

JimmyTammy, so how does that magical Christmas tree at the WL look this year? I bet she (and her smaller companion at VWL) are real beauties!

Eliza, wishing you a better, flour-free day today.

I can't wait to hear all about that trip that they have planned for you!

I was stationed in SoCal for four years back in the 80s, thus made several trips to DL while there, and I will testify that there is a much more intimate feeling at the Land than at the World. In fact, my favorite ride of all time is Storybook Land at the original park--it is full of whim, fantasy, and imagination--nothing I've found anywhere can match it. That being said, I'll be in the World at the home Lodge in three wakeups and a day's drive. . .

I really need to get back to Disney in CA. I was only there once and all I remember was the cars going up the hill and shrinking. What was that ride? It's not like I was 6 at the time, but it was 26 years ago!
I hope you can join the meet Sleepy .


My favorite place at WDW? Hands down, Main Street. The feeling I get walking down that street is priceless. And it seems like the trip to Disney is not official until we take that stroll.

And like others, the areas that hold the memory of Walt are also very special. Like the Contemporary Resort. Normally I would not be drawn to that type of structure/theme. But the fact that Walt Disney visualized that building makes it special to me.

I dragged down the suitcases yesterday, printed out the packing list. I guess its official!!

 

[Granny]

Great points about Disneyland. I only went there once in the mid-90's, but it certainly was more intimate. I liked the Matterhorn and the lovely landscaping around "It's a Small World". I was frankly disappointed in how they handled IASW at WDW. But in the scheme of things, I think I prefer MK at WDW just for the additional attractions.

This morning was our scheduled flight to Orlando for a few days of WDW and Groupie Meets. Unfortunately, I have to cancel that trip. My older daughter has some health issues and we need to be with her. She goes to college 200 miles away and could use our support.

Sorry to all Groupies who I was going to get to meet with. I was very much looking forward to that. But as I was reminded, WDW isn't going anywhere.

So I called Member Services and talked to someone (I don't think it was a CM) who told me that all systems are down until after 1:00 p.m. today. I know that December 1 was one of the "upgrade days" they warned us about but didn't realize that they cannot do anything at all. I guess I'll try them back later on.

Be well, my friends.

 

[stopher1]

Thank you for all of that wonderful information! I lover reading that stuff and can't wait to hear from you in person!

I can't wait myself... I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas morning....excited!

I really need to get back to Disney in CA. I was only there once and all I remember was the cars going up the hill and shrinking. What was that ride? It's not like I was 6 at the time, but it was 26 years ago!

Adventures Thru Inner Space. It was just inside Tomorrowland and was the very first attraction to utilize the endless chain of pod-like vehicles. For that ride they were known as "Atommobiles"... but they became even more famous in 1969 and again in 1971 for their second use as "Doombuggies". They will be featured once again in the upcoming Little Mermaid attraction set to open at DCA in May 2011, followed by the MK version in 2012. ATIS operated from 1967 (when the first New Tomorrowland update was opened shortly after Walt's death) until 1986 when it closed to make way for Star Tours (which opened in 1987 with a 60 Hour party! THAT was fun. Now think about Star Tours which just closed earlier this year.... it ran for 23 years at DL and 21 years at MGM ( I really don't like the new name... ) and remember that it is just a few minute ride. During that 60 Hour grand opening party... the line got upwards of 4.5 or 5 HOURS long. It snaked all through Tomorrowland, up and down the land, then out into and around the hub, and down Main Street all the way to Town Square - for at least the first 24 hours of that party. My brother and I went during the first 24 hours and got on it once then did other stuff. We left after about 30 hours cuz he had to go to work, but I didn't.... so I then went and picked up some friends and went back! During the last 36 hours I got to ride it a few times as the line was down to about 2 hours. And YES, with the exception of leaving for a while to go home with my brother and get my car (not sure why I'd ridden with him) and then going to pick-up friends... I was there for the entire party. I did that in 1986 for the 60 Hour opening party for Captain EO as well, and in 1985 for the 30 Hour party starting on July 17th celebrating DL's 30th anniversary. Those were some fun, FUN times.

 

[stopher1]

This morning was our scheduled flight to Orlando for a few days of WDW and Groupie Meets. Unfortunately, I have to cancel that trip. My older daughter has some health issues and we need to be with her. She goes to college 200 miles away and could use our support.

Sorry to all Groupies who I was going to get to meet with. I was very much looking forward to that. But as I was reminded, WDW isn't going anywhere.

Oh Granny I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that your daughter will be okay. I'll be praying for her.

 

[horselover]

Great points about Disneyland. I only went there once in the mid-90's, but it certainly was more intimate. I liked the Matterhorn and the lovely landscaping around "It's a Small World". I was frankly disappointed in how they handled IASW at WDW. But in the scheme of things, I think I prefer MK at WDW just for the additional attractions.

This morning was our scheduled flight to Orlando for a few days of WDW and Groupie Meets. Unfortunately, I have to cancel that trip. My older daughter has some health issues and we need to be with her. She goes to college 200 miles away and could use our support.

Sorry to all Groupies who I was going to get to meet with. I was very much looking forward to that. But as I was reminded, WDW isn't going anywhere.

So I called Member Services and talked to someone (I don't think it was a CM) who told me that all systems are down until after 1:00 p.m. today. I know that December 1 was one of the "upgrade days" they warned us about but didn't realize that they cannot do anything at all. I guess I'll try them back later on.

Be well, my friends.

Oh Granny I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope your daughter is ok. Hugs & prayers going out to all of you.

 

[stopher1]

Great points about Disneyland. I only went there once in the mid-90's, but it certainly was more intimate. I liked the Matterhorn and the lovely landscaping around "It's a Small World". I was frankly disappointed in how they handled IASW at WDW.

Oh Granny, you are spot on there. I am very disappointed with IASW at the MK myself. Not only is it less impressive, it is shorter (of course, with the song playing endlessly, that can be a good thing). I was pleased 3 or 4 years back when they gave the queue area a look similar to DL's. Here's a couple of pics of the outside queue and facade (yes, most of the queues are outdoors at DL).

IASW at DL is actually the same one that first debuted at the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York. After the fair it was dismantled and shipped back to CA for addition to the park. The facade however was never seen in NY - it was created specifically for DL by Mary Blair. One of the really special aspects of DL though, and not so at WDW, is that all of the gold tipped spires on IASW, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, the Main Street Train Station and other locales... is real gold. Walt wanted it that way and so it was done, and has been maintained that way all along. While building WDW, without Walt's guiding presence, and with more cost conscious Roy at the helm, little plusses like that, things that were nice but added nothing to the bottom line were not as prevelant. Alternate choices that might still look good but didn't cost as much were used instead. So there's a reason that those spires just sparkle so!!

The "It's a Small World Holiday" overlay is one of the absolute best though... and very worthwhile IMO. They've been doing this now for 14 years, and it is still a wonderful delight. The exterior is gorgeous, as is the interior. The decorations are wonderful, and the song is updated to a mix of traditional SW and "Deck the Halls". Absolutely imaginative, yes repetative, and enjoyable.

 

[eliza61]

WOW!! stopher, what great pictures.

 

[sleepydog25]

Stopher, as I recall, IASW also sits at the end of a long avenue of sorts, and it beckons guests since it looks massive even from a distance. It's not sandwiched in between Dumbo and Haunted Mansion as at WDW. And as Granny mentioned, the Matterhorn is superb--an intimate, familiar friend of a roller coaster that one never grows tired of riding. What I miss seeing, of all things, are the gondolas overhead--to me they added such a flair and timelessness to being in the park as you were able to survey so much of the scenery, and unless I'm mistaken, I believe they went through the Matterhorn which was often being "climbed" by CMs in lederhosen while a distant voice yodeled. Great memories.

Muushka: We'll try to make it!

 

[Inkmahm]

Granny, so sorry to hear about your trip! Take care of your daughter, she's much more important.

As for my favorite, I think it would be DL or Disney Paris. Although my favorite ride in Paris wasn't in the MK like park, it was in their version of the studios. The Crush coaster is something they REALLY need to build somewhere at WDW. In Paris, they have taken many of the best features of both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom and put them in one spot. It also has the Walt restaurant that I think is fancier than club33 AND it is open to everyone to make ADRs there! Eating in a restaurant looking down on Mainstreet was amazing. IASW is much more like the Disneyland version in Paris, too.

Since I'm still unemployed, my DH and I have another January trip planned but this year I picked California and Disneyland instead of another trip to WDW. We're looking forward to WOC there as we saw it being built on our last trip there in August 2009.

 

[eliza61]

This morning was our scheduled flight to Orlando for a few days of WDW and Groupie Meets. Unfortunately, I have to cancel that trip. My older daughter has some health issues and we need to be with her. She goes to college 200 miles away and could use our support.

Sorry to all Groupies who I was going to get to meet with. I was very much looking forward to that. But as I was reminded, WDW isn't going anywhere.

So I called Member Services and talked to someone (I don't think it was a CM) who told me that all systems are down until after 1:00 p.m. today. I know that December 1 was one of the "upgrade days" they warned us about but didn't realize that they cannot do anything at all. I guess I'll try them back later on.

Be well, my friends.

You too Granny. Please give my love and well wishes to your daughter. Keep us in the loop. Let us know if we can help. Prayer request are our speciality.

 

[stopher1]

Stopher, as I recall, IASW also sits at the end of a long avenue of sorts, and it beckons guests since it looks massive even from a distance. It's not sandwiched in between Dumbo and Haunted Mansion as at WDW. And as Granny mentioned, the Matterhorn is superb--an intimate, familiar friend of a roller coaster that one never grows tired of riding. What I miss seeing, of all things, are the gondolas overhead--to me they added such a flair and timelessness to being in the park as you were able to survey so much of the scenery, and unless I'm mistaken, I believe they went through the Matterhorn which was often being "climbed" by CMs in lederhosen while a distant voice yodeled. Great memories.

Muushka: We'll try to make it!

Oh yes. It is actually up at the very north end of Fantasyland. It was an afterthought being that it wasn't added to the park until 11 years after it opened, whereas it was there on opening day at the MK. The parade route starts right there immediately to the east of the queue and the runs south past the main part of Fantasyland, next to the Matterhorn, and then connects with the hub and Main Street and then exits Town Square to the east.

To the west of the queue is where they built Videopolis back in 1985, but is now home to the Princess Fantasy Faire (similar but different to BBB though they did add a BBB to Fantasyland last year) and the Fantasyland train station. The train actually runs in front of the main IASW facade, but directly behind the clock structure (it's hard to tell in the photos, but they are 2 separate structures. Then directly west and north of the queue is the entrance into Mickey's Toontown - which is much larger and more expansive than Toontown Fair. And you have to go under the train track to get to it. Here are a couple of pics of Toontown as well while I'm at it. These are from last year as I didn't go in to TT this trip. It's kind of set up in two "districts" - the downtown area, and the neighborhood area. Mickey & Minnie's houses are right next to each other - and then across the street are Goofy's & Donald's Boat. At the end of the street is Chip & Dale's Treehouse and Gadget's Go Coaster (I like Goofy's Barnstormer better). In the downtown area you find Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin (it's a dark ride with a twist - literally. The vehicles are like giant teacups in that you can spin them at will during your ride)

I definitely miss the Skyway! It went right through the center of the Matterhorn, and was a wonderful experience.

 

[stopher1]

Since I'm still unemployed, my DH and I have another January trip planned but this year I picked California and Disneyland instead of another trip to WDW. We're looking forward to WOC there as we saw it being built on our last trip there in August 2009.

You will love it! I saw it for the first time in person this trip (4x so far... I say so far because I might still sneak back tomorrow night and see it instead of attending the closing night dinner).

Here are a few pics before I have to run off to the start of the day's meetings....

And a couple of quick video clips taken from my still camera which only takes short 10 second clips, and one from my phone that takes longer (that one is 27 seconds)


Just moments before the show began. I was again, right at the water's edge. Off to the right side a bit, but still have a great vantage point. I couldn't see the mist screens as well as I would have liked, but hey - I'll be back here in just 4 weeks so I can hopefully get a more centered view then.

In the background you see Mickey's Fun Wheel, which is used at various times in the show, and California Screamin' and Toy Story Midway Mania. All got in on the act during the Tron end-tag. That was pretty cool.

The fountains dance, and colors change - choregraphed to the music and clips playing too. I think my absolute favorite part was when they did the Genie's song "Friend Like Me". That was amazing. Not sure if I have any pics or not, but maybe. And the sequence where Woody meets Buzz, and then he proceeds to fly around the room was cool, but even better was when Buzz encountered Zurg and Zurg proceeded to shoot at Buzz. Lasers were flying everywhere, and the water cannons were shooting off.

Here are a few video clips - again, they're short, my camera only does 10 sec clips. I didn't have the video camera with me.

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm34/stopher1_photos/Disneyland%202010-SOLO/?action=view&current=PB290202.mp4

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm34/stopher1_photos/Disneyland%202010-SOLO/?action=view&current=PB290203.mp4

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm34/stopher1_photos/Disneyland%202010-SOLO/?action=view&current=PB290204.mp4

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm34/stopher1_photos/Disneyland%202010-SOLO/?action=view&current=PB290214.mp4


Here's a 27 second clip that I got on my phone Sunday night when I was literally at the water's edge, just a little ways off center. This is the last 27 seconds of the closing.

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm34/stopher1_photos/Disneyland%202010-SOLO/?action=view&current=VID_20101128_224209.mp4

Last night I DID skip the group dinner and "forced fun" activity and headed up to DCA. I took another video on my phone. I didn't have it out and ready when it actually started so I missed like the first two minutes since we were all mandated to put a password protection on our phones today, and I'm still getting used to it. I was in a different location tonight, and much, much farther away - off to the side but at the same time, had a great straight on view of the main mist screen. I couldn't zoom the video very well either, but I was able to capture more of the show's expanse that way. But because of it, a lot of the scenes appear darker than they are in reality. Again, a show like this is much better in person than on the internet, but I know that some of you might not be able to get out here for a while - years maybe. I wanted to share it, but Photobucket has a 10 minute limit, and the video is 27 minutes long.

Just to add a little extra information about the show... the lagoon is huge - not World Showcase huge, but huge. The fountains are all submerged during the day under the waterline, and then are raised up prior to showtime. There are three huge hydraulic "tables" that make up the fountain "floor". The combined table is about the size of a football field. So if you watch this video, just think about the size, especially when you see the animation on the mist screens. Also Mickey's Fun Wheel is about 80 feet high, and many of the fountains shoot up higher than the Fun Wheel.

If I find a way to get it uploaded, I'll post a link. Can't wait til we're back here in 4 weeks with the actual videocam to get a better recording.

 

[wildernessDad]

This morning was our scheduled flight to Orlando for a few days of WDW and Groupie Meets. Unfortunately, I have to cancel that trip. My older daughter has some health issues and we need to be with her. She goes to college 200 miles away and could use our support.

Sorry to all Groupies who I was going to get to meet with. I was very much looking forward to that. But as I was reminded, WDW isn't going anywhere.

So I called Member Services and talked to someone (I don't think it was a CM) who told me that all systems are down until after 1:00 p.m. today. I know that December 1 was one of the "upgrade days" they warned us about but didn't realize that they cannot do anything at all. I guess I'll try them back later on.

Be well, my friends.

Granny, sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope that she gets better soon.