Wedding Crasher: Lurkyloo’s 4 Parties in 3 Nights with 2 Cameras and 1 Fabulous Hat

[lurkyloo]

OK, lessee.... where were we? Ah yes – dragging out the story of my last few hours at Walt Disney World! So after we got to DHS and rode Rockin’ Roller Coaster, we decided to give the Great Movie Ride another try. I mean, I think Nathan & Jensey were just being nice, but I was hoping that this oh-so-cool-sounding ride, which had turned out to be oh-so-lame when DH and I rode it on our honeymoon, had somehow morphed into the ride I’d hoped it could be.

What we saw along the way:

And again, this time in DoggieVision:

Wow, those Kirstie Kelly Disney-brand wedding dresses are kinda over the top, aren’t they?

OK, doesn’t this ride look like it’s gonna be cool? It looks so COOL!

But then, you get Snoozy Suzy for a guide, and it’s all downhill from there.


Oh she *looks* alert, but she’s actually sleeping with her eyes open!

I think our guide may have learned the script phonetically, because she delivered it in a monotone that stressed all the wrong words and would make the “Please wait a moment” voicemail lady sound like Jerry Lewis!

Here’s the thing – this position needs to be staffed by entertainment CMs who have acting experience. If they have to pay them more than rank and file ride operators, so be it. Half of what they do is acting, and the other half could stand to be spiced up with a few zingers.

At the very least, this job should be a coveted ride-op position like Jungle Cruise skipper. Get the kids to compete with each other to come up with the funniest gags (I may be misremembering the creativity of MK Jungle Cruise skippers here… ). The way it is now is just embarrassingly hokey and a real bore!


Anyway… off we went…. As we creaked around the first corner, we passed Busby Berkeley’s chorus girls and then spotted Gene Kelly singin’ in the rain.

Another thing that bugs me about this ride is that I don’t think the star’s likenesses are very good.

I mean, this looks OK in black and white....

But in color it’s like a horror show – what’s with all the scary wrinkles?!

What Gene Kelly really looked like

Julie Andrews and my Fantasy Grandpa, Dick Van **** (the DIS won’t let me say the second half of his name!) fared a little better. At least they didn’t look like they were wearing Richard Nixon masks.

What DVD really looks like

(OK, I couldn’t resist throwing that one in there...)

I’d started to nod off when something finally piqued my interest:

Looky look look! It says “Patrick”!!!

Thus energized, I was extremely relieved to discover our ride vehicle was being hijacked by a gangster. Surely this guy would inject a little life into the proceedings. Or at least bump off our tour guide...

“Oh no. He is stealing my ride vehicle. Whatever shall I do.”

 

[lurkyloo]

No such luck. In fact, the gangster was only a marginally better actor than Snoozy Suzy, if by “marginally better” you mean “waved his arms more.”

After that we saw some other stuff, but I don’t have any pictures cuz Nathan was curled up next to Jensey, snoring softly and clutching his camera like a teddy bear.


But this guy sure woke him up!!!

She’s hiding so no one will see her in this crappy ride!

“Hea’s what I tink uh dis crummy ride!” (apparently the alien has a Brooklyn accent)

“Why I oughtta… if I had as many tongues as I do sets of teeth, I’d stick ‘em ALL out!!!”

When we got to the Egyptian tomb and our relief guide was unconvincingly turned into a fake skeleton, we all cheered! Little did we know that this meant we would get Snoozy Suzy back…

I like the Tarzan room – I wish you spent more time in it! Nathan got a shot there that was apparently a photographic coup, but I didn’t quite understand what he told Jensey about it because they were speaking “ProTographer.” I think it might have been that he was able to track Tarzan with the camera as he swung by, but it sounded more like “I Drobo-ed the starboard aerotooter to 20,000 jigglewatts!”


Sorry, Great Movie Ride, but throwing a guy in a loincloth at us now is a case of too little, too late…

…With an emphasis on the “too little”…

Then we got to see Sam Spade arrest a glowing alien babe trying to sneak past Intergalactic Immigration at the airport …

“All right, Levitra, I’m taking you downtown!”

Oh wait – my bad! It was the last scene of Casablanca.

We got to the Wizard of Oz scene while the car in front of us was still there, so we saw the end of the witch scene, had to wait for the munchkins to reset themselves, and then got to see the beginning of the witch scene. I could tell this was a terrible blunder by the way Snoozy Suzy blinked one eye…


“…Aaaand… GO!”

As we exited the ride, I began loudly asking former CM Jensey my questions about whether Great Movie Ride CMs had to have any talent or acting experience to get the tour guide job and how someone as terrible as Snoozy Suzy could slip through the cracks. She looked down and tried to walk a little ahead of me so no one would know we were together.


“As you leave, watch your step — and if you miss a step, watch your language!”

OK, so I know this update was only about one ride, but it is a reeeeally LONG ride… and it took forever to think up a way to make it vaguely interesting… and… and… HEY WHAT’S THAT OVER THERE?! IT LOOKS LIKE AN AMAZING ROOT PHOTO!!!

[Sounds of running, door slam, squealing tires…]

Up Next: Wandering around DHS and lunch at SciFi!

 

[WDWAtLast]

I guess the Great Movie ride is really the Great Nap ride! Too bad - my girls would love Mary Poppins and the Wizard of Oz - but I don't want to sleep through the rest of it!! So sad that the trip report is almost over - it has been a Great Trip Ride!!!

 

[29apr00]

GMR is only good for taking naps, enjoying the A/C and offering a cool place to sit and nurse babies!

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Thank you. The Great Movie Ride is off the to do list for our September trip.

 

[inkedupmomma]

OMG, I am mega jealous that you got to meet DVD and that Patrick has a ghostbusters shirt!! LOL

Also...people from Brooklyn don't tawwwwk like that ;> Just the wanna be Guido's!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Thank you. The Great Movie Ride is off the to do list for our September trip.

It does have a few good qualities - it's a nice place to sit and cool off.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Wasn't sugar one of the four food groups back then? I know my dad was raised on Dr. Pepper and Hostess Cherry Pies...

Thanks for the recipe. I'm gonna need a Blurb book for all of these!

Yes, the four food groups were (and still are in my house) sweet, salty, fried, and cheese.

You're very welcome. They're gooey and crunchy in a most delicious way. The chocolate chips melt and swirl around. Yum! Also, it's one of the few recipe cards I have written in my mother's handwriting, so it's especially meaningful to me. My mom was such a good cook.

Here I am getting misty eyed over something close to rice krispie treats. I guess you're never too old to wish you still had your parents.

 

[heaven2dc]

I couldn't stop laughing when I saw you in the background after they exchanged rings You are TOO funny, lurkyloo!! You should really be hired by Disney as a professional photographer

I hope you don't mind but I've saved about a kitrillion photos of yours to use as my computer background (there are no copyrights, are there?)

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I think that is the same gangster that I had in February. I agree that he was nothing to write home about.

 

[Handbag Lady]

This picture makes Sid Cahuenga’s *almost* look like an authentic Hollywood bungalow, except there are way too many people around and not enough of them are homeless.

Okay, thanks. NOW I'm in trouble for laughing at work. (I can't help it, there is no work to do right now!)

 

[Handbag Lady]

The Aerosmith discussion reminded me: Carrie, were you a fan or unfan of 'Rockin' Space Mountain' with The Red Hot Chili Peppers?

The first time Will and I went, they still had that, so I only experienced it once. We hope they bring it back someday - but without the trippy lights inside. Music + darkness & stars would be awesome. Or maybe just trippy stars... but the disco-ish lights were way too bright.

(Which is exactly why he listens to 'Higher Ground' on his earbuds every time we ride it ).

Okay, I'm not Lurky, but I LOVED Rockin' Space Mountain! They picked the best song for that, too.

Why don't they bring it back, I wonder? They still have the sign for it...

 

[Handbag Lady]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!


I made it to the end with no ending.

I hate when that happens.

 

[kschafer]

What DVD really looks like

SO JEALOUS!!! I adore DVD. I just watched Night at the Museum for the first time this weekend and had no idea he was in it.

Looky look look! It says “Patrick”!!!

My Patrick insisted we take this identical picture

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Most excellent updates. When this is all said and done, you need to come up with some sort of deal with Roots. They can go the parks and take photos, then you can make up narration to accompany. Like some sort of virtual TR. That'd be nifty.

 

[romymichelle21]

You know, I don't even remember it. Wait... it's coming back to me... no... it's gone... wasn't it only available on Grad Nite? Wait! I think I remember the music, but I don't remember the lights... This conversation is making me feel OLD!

I think Will has a great idea, though - maybe next time I ride Space Mountain at the MK I'll listen to Michael Giacchino's Disneyland Space Mountain soundtrack in MY earbuds.

Nooo! You must remember it! They had it going for a few months, at least. We went in April of 2007, and Will had already been on it (multiple times, most likely) before we met.

Here's a refresher - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhXRBBqDeyY

(Note that, obviously, it's completely dark... but you can still totally see the trippy lights and the TRACK).

Okay, I'm not Lurky, but I LOVED Rockin' Space Mountain! They picked the best song for that, too.

Why don't they bring it back, I wonder? They still have the sign for it...

I have heard that they still have the lights installed inside, but I haven't noticed if they have the sign up. Do they?

And Carrie... is the music different at WDW?? I like the original song too - and Screamin' (They did Red Hot Chili Peppers for Screamin', too, I just never went on that one).

 

[Handbag Lady]

I have heard that they still have the lights installed inside, but I haven't noticed if they have the sign up. Do they?

The last time I looked (about a few weeks ago) they still had the dual-purpose sign up. You could tell it said Rockin' on it if you look at twilight and can see the lightbulbs behind the Space Mountain sign.

I guess it would be easier if we were there and I pointed it out to you!

 

[lurkyloo]

I guess the Great Movie ride is really the Great Nap ride! Too bad - my girls would love Mary Poppins and the Wizard of Oz - but I don't want to sleep through the rest of it!! So sad that the trip report is almost over - it has been a Great Trip Ride!!!

You never know - they might like it! Although the alien woulda scared the pants off me as a kid....

GMR is only good for taking naps, enjoying the A/C and offering a cool place to sit and nurse babies!

Now there's a great idea!

Thank you. The Great Movie Ride is off the to do list for our September trip.

Oh shoot - I hope I haven't steered you wrong.... It just seems like such a wasted opportunity for a really great ride...

Also...people from Brooklyn don't tawwwwk like that ;> Just the wanna be Guido's!

Well you know that alien is actually from the San Fernando Valley - I'm sure he learned his "Brooklyn" accent from watching "Welcome Back Kotter"...

It does have a few good qualities - it's a nice place to sit and cool off.

Don't forget napping!

Yes, the four food groups were (and still are in my house) sweet, salty, fried, and cheese. You're very welcome. They're gooey and crunchy in a most delicious way. The chocolate chips melt and swirl around. Yum! Also, it's one of the few recipe cards I have written in my mother's handwriting, so it's especially meaningful to me. My mom was such a good cook.

Here I am getting misty eyed over something close to rice krispie treats. I guess you're never too old to wish you still had your parents.

That is so sweet. I think your mom's recipes must be a wonderful legacy!

I couldn't stop laughing when I saw you in the background after they exchanged rings You are TOO funny, lurkyloo!! You should really be hired by Disney as a professional photographer.

I hope you don't mind but I've saved about a kitrillion photos of yours to use as my computer background (there are no copyrights, are there?)

I don't mind and, while I suspect most of the photos you saved were taken by the Roots, I don't think they will mind either!

I think that is the same gangster that I had in February. I agree that he was nothing to write home about.

And yet he ranked high enough to write a trip report about!

Okay, thanks. NOW I'm in trouble for laughing at work. (I can't help it, there is no work to do right now!)

Sorry! But never fear, I don't think the next installment is very funny - it's the LAST one, after all...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

I made it to the end with no ending.

I hate when that happens.

Now you know what trippie-reading is like for the rest of us, Johnny-Come-Lately!

SO JEALOUS!!! I adore DVD. I just watched Night at the Museum for the first time this weekend and had no idea he was in it.

My Patrick insisted we take this identical picture

Cute! Also, re: Night at the Museum - I haven't watched our copy yet, but I'm hoping one of the special features is DVD's hip-hop dancing from the end credits!

Most excellent updates. When this is all said and done, you need to come up with some sort of deal with Roots. They can go the parks and take photos, then you can make up narration to accompany. Like some sort of virtual TR. That'd be nifty.

Yes! In fact, Jensey and I have actually talked about that. I s'pose we could make books on Blurb.com, but I would have to pare my copy waaaaaaay down to fit with the pictures....

Nooo! You must remember it! They had it going for a few months, at least. We went in April of 2007, and Will had already been on it (multiple times, most likely) before we met.


I have heard that they still have the lights installed inside, but I haven't noticed if they have the sign up. Do they?

And Carrie... is the music different at WDW?? I like the original song too - and Screamin' (They did Red Hot Chili Peppers for Screamin', too, I just never went on that one).

Oh I remember that they had it, I just don't think I ever rode it! As Handbag Lady confirmed, the "Rockin" is still visible on the sign, they just never turn it on. I dunno why not, if it's as simple as flipping a switch to change the show effects.

I liked the original Space Mountain music by Dick Dale, but I *love* the new Disneyland soundtrack by Michael Giacchino. They don't have it on the WDW version, but maybe they're planning to install it during the big rehab that's going on right now.

Oh, but I DID ride the Chilli Peppers' version of California Screamin' - that was fun!

I guess it would be easier if we were there and I pointed it out to you!

I smell a DIS meet....

 

[lurkyloo]

OK, I've changed my mind. The end of the trip report shall be preceded by a mini-installment because the DIS' 25-image limit per post is messing up the way it breaks!

 

[lurkyloo]

We still had some time to kill before our SciFi Dine-In ADR, so we wandered over to the Muppets gift shop in honor of Patrick.

Nowhere else in the world will you find such a large collection of inexplicable and off-model Muppet tchotchkes. Take, for example, these magnetic Kermit heads....

From the WTH? Department...

Or perhaps you’d like these Kermit-themed novelty glasses, for the novelty-indulger in your life...

Or maybe you need a keychain that won’t get lost in your pocket cuz it’s too big to fit in it....

Jensey and I decided it would be HIGH-larious if Nathan re-created Patrick’s photo gag from our anniversary trip.


I figured if one of those photos was funny, just think how funny TEN of them would be!!! Hope you haven’t eaten recently...


Wow, maybe Nate shouldn’t have kept eating his sammich after he found that hair in it...

I took these pictures so you could get a little behind-the-scenes perspective on the Artistes at work