Originally Posted By MPierce >> So, we trudged up to the main entrance (now with anti-terrorism themed fences to go with evildoer poles because the future and global village are scary places) where someone had to actually buy his AP (shhh ...it wasn't me). << I feel like I'm entering the set of the Great Escape every time I approach Epcot now. >> AP in hand. We were off for the monorail station, once someone figured out where it was (how can a so-called Disney expert walk by it? ... I can't answer that one). << They may have drugged him by putting something in his Butterbeer when he was at Uni! >> Up to the station we went, where we greeted by monorail CMs ... who looked bored and were milling about, talking amongst themselves and didn't actually greet us at all. << They were probably grumpy from having to be up so early too. >> At this point I was thinking, 'I'm not in Anaheim' ... 'I'd really like to head over to one of the Lodges and go to sleep' ... 'I wish Pierce were here' ... and ... 'I really could use a magical WDW restroom'. << I would have loved to have been there. Maybe I could figure out a way to hook up a fan to my ECV. You were so close to the restroom between the monorail, and the Wilderness Lodge bus stop. You could have taken a leak then caught the bus for WL, gotten in a snooze in the lobby, and met Lee when the sun went down. >> Monorail comes. And yep ... you knew it was coming ... so does Complaint No. 1 ... 90 degrees out and the AC wasn't up to the task ... it was on, but it wasn't cold or even cool inside. << Why are you always so negative? Why don't you just go someplace else if you hate WDW so much? I thought you might miss those kind of comments so I felt oblidged to throw them in to make you feel more comfortable. >> Off to the TTC or as I like to call it 'that relic from the 70s when people needed a transport hub there' ...it was there we located our only line of the day (other than the throngs who wanted my autograph, naturally). It was there I was thinking a few things, including 'I'm not in Anaheim' ... 'I'd really like to head over to one of the Lodges and go to sleep' ... 'I wish Pierce were here' ... and ... 'I really could use a magical WDW restroom'. << How do you even manage to go out in public with those people constantly hounding you, and following you around. I'm not going to hang out with you in WDW restrooms like Tony Baxter did! >> The monorail, which I think was Black but why should color be an issue, decided to hold in front of the MK (something that no doubt really irked my friend TDLFAN, even though he wasn't with us and likely was in some exotic place like Detroit). While holding (and holding it in) I noticed many trees had been chopped down along the MK berm/WDW RR track and in many cases, you could see the stumps. Landscaping wasn't up to par, at least by my neighborhood standards, and Lee (ever the critic) was quick to point out the topiaries weren't there. << I was going to be ticked if you didn't name the color. He missed the monorail station at Epcot, but picked up on the topiaries. >> chalked that up to a severe lack of pixie dust on his part and just hoped that if I wished really hard for something (like the monorail moving, so I could get to a MAGICal restroom) it would happen. << At this point I would have announced to the car " OK, everybody needs to turn their heads because I'm about to whip this big baby out! >> I chalked that up to a severe lack of pixie dust on his part and just hoped that if I wished really hard for something (like the monorail moving, so I could get to a MAGICal restroom) it would happen. Next up: be careful what you wish for and a shoutout to Lee's pal Phil Homes ... as always thanks for reading and remember it is not too late to sign up for the World Famous Take a Spirit to Dinner Program (appetizer and gratuity both required). << Now I've got to go to the restroom before reading further.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Yeah. Spirit threatened to attack him with a handful of park maps (acquired for someone 'round here...) if he didn't agree to pay LP a visit.<<< Oh? Who?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Hold it this is starting to sound like an EE trip report.<<< I was there...in...spirit? >>>Were you in the Hummer, and had to stop for gas every 30 miles or so?<<< HEY. No bashing the Leemobile. It has assumed the role as the "Official Courier of the Doom and Gloom Society of South Florida". And it's backseat is very comfy and cold after a day at WWOHP.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself Actually, we made the trip in the other car, which is not entirely unlike a pod-racer. Which reminds me of Star Wars... Which reminds me of Star Tours... Which is still not open, so we didn't ride that. But we did learn much about energy. Stupid Judy.....
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Just as Lee was about to take on the Pumba role in Hakuna Matata we both noticed the railings on the ramp down from monorail station were rusty and needed paint/replacement. Now, who notices this stuff, right? << Evidently not Disney. >> Anyway, we also happily talked about our childhoods at Disney and how many times we had walked in front of monorails, walked into the water on PoC and Small World and fallen onto the tracks of BTMRR and lived to tell about it. Makes you wonder how we ever survived Disney ... no gates everywhere ... we also had to survive no pintrading, no character meals and meet-greet-and-gropes, and had to actually decide what we wanted to eat at mealtimes and not six months ahead of time ... I'll tell you folks something, it's just a miracle we lived through that stuff. << How did you survive your youth without meet 'n greets? Spur of the moment dining? You mean you had to decide what you wanted to eat when you got hungry? How antiquated! Next you'll be telling me you weren't subjected to a full body search before entering the Park back then. >> So, while someone went off to Guest Relations, I found the most MAGICal site ... I mean sight ... a restroom where I ... where I ... proceeded to immediately drop my sunglasses in the toilet. I thought somewhere, maybe even in the next stall, Leo was having quite the laugh. << I have a comment I would love to make, but I know for sure it would get an ADMIN. Lets just say you should have had something else out other than your sunglasses. >> Seeing the MK so soon after DL reminded me again of why it's not a good idea (and I hope my pal 'Marty' chimes in here on this when he returns from his holiday) to visit this park so soon after another MK-style park. The flaws just hit you that much harder. << Why do the Brits call it Holiday, and we call it Vacation? >> Unfortunately, it wasn't Mission 2 in Paris. It was WDW's rickety old 1975 special (trivia note: the Miami Dolphins didn't make the playoffs that year for the first time under Don Shula, Saturday Night Live debutted and top music included Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell, Love Will Keep Us Together by The Captain and Tennille and Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John -- all currently on Pierce's iPod for eight-tracks). << I almost met Gelnn once. Tanya really drug him down. I cherish my Captain, and Tennile Greatest hits tape. I always wear my yachting cap when listening to it. Unfortunately my Garrand turntable is broken so I can't listen to Elton's " Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player " LP. >> It wasn't that it was inaccurate. If you stood under the sign and waited 15 minutes and then walked the queue to load, it indeed would have been 20 minutes. We opted to just ride. << If you keep playing the games or texting EE it can be up to a 70 min. wait. >> After our exciting journey thru the cosmos and back to 1975 ('My Eyes Adored You' by Frankie Valli hit No. 5 that year, another Pierce fave) we exited into what has to be the only place at WDW that sells these cool little pieces of plastic shaped like Mickey. Vinylmation is the name. Hooking you like an addict on heroin is Disney's game. While my cohort searched for the perfect Hannah Montana shirt for himself, I noticed that they indeed sell a few Space Mountain items (so what if they're DL tees!) << The Four Seasons, both the group, and hotel chain, are great. It would be a travesty to go into any shop at WDW, and not be able to buy a Hanna Montana tee. Did Lee find the perfect one, and did he wear it around the rest of the day? >> By the time we exited, I was thinking a few things including 'I'm not in Anaheim' ... 'I'd really like to head over to one of the Lodges and go to sleep' ... 'I wish Pierce were here' ... and ... 'I really could use a magical WDW restroom'. << Did you guys sneak beer into the park, because you sure need to go to the restroom a lot. >> So ... naturally, we decided on riding some new attraction called the Peoplemover. I was very disappointed to see this as it takes the place of my beloved favorite the Tommorowland Transit Authority. I was going to start blubbering like a baby, but Lee promised we could go look at construction walls soon so I said I'd try and enjoy the ride. << You would have gotten better pictures if y'all had ridden Dumbo.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> >> The attraction looked quite fresh ... clean ... and much-like Space Mountain, also came with Starryophonic Sound. I was impressed. The narration also included some reference to a Mr. Johnson and all I could think was 'No one who isn't a fanboi or an Imagineer is going to get this'. << Isn't that what you should have been holding instead of your sunglasses when you dropped them?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Boy this must have been a last minute thing as you never gave a hint on Tues. BTW I'm looking those dates & will let you know.>> It was VERY last-minute. Didn't tell my O-Town pals because I knew I'd never be able to meet up. It was just very spur of the moment. <<I'm glad you got out & about for a little fun. I'm all ears for a full report.>> Read away ... there's more to come ...
Originally Posted By MPierce >> We gleefully exited the PeopleMover, so happy about our trip around what was once known as Tomorrowland. I tried to talk Lee into doing a Glee-inspired exit (like the Emmys opening), but he was busy trying to figure out if there was actually anything left in the park he wanted to see or do. << Did you try to get him to hold hands with you, and skip down MainStreet USA? >> Then, I reminded him about all those walls. And off we went ... down the candy path. OK, the thing is, if you want candy you have to wait for nightfall on various nights and pay an extra (what? is it $75 yet?) fee to pretend you are there for anything other than candy. But we still admired the flat Alice in Wonderland themed plywood cutouts and banners hung in the area (no doubt in homage to all the workers and guests killed in Anaheim by not having an ugly safety wall on its Alice attraction). << Construction walls are almost as good as new planters. >> This is when things got a bit ugly and Lee and I came to blows in the middle of Toontown while trying to ascertain where the Dueling Dumbos would be located. He said I was 10 feet off, I told him he was a UNI fanboi ... next thing I know some soccer mom from Ohio is pulling us apart near stroller parking for Barnstormer and offering us some candy if we made up. We soon realized it really didn't matter where they stuck Dumbo. Just so long as we didn't have to ride it. << But how in the heck are we suppose to know where it's going if y'all don't tell us? >> We then went into the Tentland gift shop as Lee was still hankering for something with Hannah Cyrus on it. << Maybe a CD to go with the tee? >> What was odd was I didn't see any Marvel merchandise yet in there. It seemed plastered over DLR and seemed all over WDW in May ... so maybe I missed it in my excitement over walls. Anyone who isn't excited by theme park construction walls is anti-American as far as I am concerned. << Pagans! >> At least they signify something is going on. And that's progress. << It's all a ruse. Nothing is going on behind the walls.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Incidentally, the Desert Inn Restaurant at Yeehaw Junction is the kind of old Florida spot that offers a nice alternative to the Turnpike service plazas (which are such 'interesting' places south of Orlando). The Desert Inn used to be a brothel and a hangout for cowboys, Seminoles, moonshiners, and the like. Sounds like Pierce's kind of place, right? But they also have an alligator burger on the menu, which I don't recall seeing anywhere else. >> Yes. It is a small bit of good old pre-Disney, pre-urban sprawl FLA. I've been there once years ago ... incidentally, when the GF opened, they did indeed serve gator (think it was fried as an appetizer) at the Grand Flo Cafe. <<Anyway, a nice place to wash the pixie dust out of your mouth.>> Why would a true fanboi ever want to wash the real magic away? <<(The ADMIN gods are licking their chops waiting for a smart remark about that last sentence.)>> I have no idea what you are talking about!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Incidentally, the Desert Inn Restaurant at Yeehaw Junction is the kind of old Florida spot that offers a nice alternative to the Turnpike service plazas (which are such 'interesting' places south of Orlando). The Desert Inn used to be a brothel and a hangout for cowboys, Seminoles, moonshiners, and the like. Sounds like Pierce's kind of place, right? But they also have an alligator burger on the menu, which I don't recall seeing anywhere else. Anyway, a nice place to wash the pixie dust out of your mouth << That sounds like it would be worth a drive south Of WDW for a visit. I love gator burgers, and brothels, and moonshine,and Seminoles if they don't scalp me, and aren't playing UT. Cowboys too, as long as they're not from Dallas. How do you get Pixie Dust in your mouth?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I KNEW you were going to say that. I absolutely KNEW that! (why can't I be so sure about lottery numbers?!) But I'd be willing to bet that capital 'L' will come sooner rather than later ... better to soothe him into 'retirement'.>> <<A lot of folks would spit out their pacifiers if Tony got it before any of his '70s peers. The next imagineer to get the Legend nod will need to be carefully chosen - I can think of a few folks that I'd select ahead of Tony.>> I'll just say there are many folks deserving of the honor and Tony is absolutely one of them. It also would be nice to see Disney bestowing the awards on folks who are still with us as so many have been awarded the honor long after they became spirits on another plane. <<I think that's why you don't seem as concerned by the general sucking/staleness of WDW parks. You are lucky enough to spend much more time in all the other (better run, fresher ... maybe even more magical) parks/resorts.>> <<I am concerned but it doesn't impact my world so there is little point getting upset about it. I don't have any inclination to visit for work or play - a sad indictment on the state of the resort.>> That statement may be the most profoundly depressing, statement you've ever graced us with. Considering how vital the resort has been both creatively and financially to the development and growth of TWDC, it's astounding that both Burbank and TDO seem to truly believe WDW exists solely to pave over with timeshares and hotels and lower the bar for what counts as Disney quality. I don't know how a place so vast that the possibilities seemed limitless for WDW has been made so small the larger they make it, the more they expand the boundaries. From the MK to what remains of EPCOT to DD to DAK Lodge, the whole place feels smaller and constrained due to constant development.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<This is pretty good, I'm definatly being entertained. >> Just pretty good?!?? I was looking for magically enthralled! Now, I wonder ... do I continue?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> So, Lee's true colors come out. Behind that cool, calculating veneer of AC Fanboyship, the person that loves EPCOT Center and Pixie Dies truly resides. << I can hardly believe Spirit managed to drag him into Epcot.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> <<A cell phone in the toilet would have been better.>> Better for who? (I've always feared that will happen, btw). Just glad they were my cheap outlet glasses and not my designer ones.>> Oy, also one of my biggest fears - but then again, if I did drop mine in the toilet, then I would HAVE to get a new phone. << I ran over mine.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 1) Never visit WDW in the summer; and 2) Never visit DLRP in the winter. I'm done at DLRP until April '13 now. << Good rules but isn't Paris fantastic in the early fall?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>>Solid word from numerous sources suggests the Snow White mine train coaster ride that was taken out for meet and greets is back in as is more retail.<<< <<And what will happen to SWSA, I wonder?>> It's already been neutered to the point that it's a sad little dirty old ride. <<Condemned to just be a MG hell?>> That is popular opinion these days. <<Really not too keen on the idea of LOOSING an attraction, especially a classic. >> It really was lost back in the 1990s when it was redone to make it possible for even sensitive 4-year-olds to ride without being scared. You want to ride the real thing, go to Paris. <<So, Lee's true colors come out. Behind that cool, calculating veneer of AC Fanboyship, the person that loves EPCOT Center and Pixie Dies truly resides.>> Yes. Lee loves it when another pixie dies. That makes the Dark Side grow ever stronger!
Originally Posted By leobloom <<(The ADMIN gods are licking their chops waiting for a smart remark about that last sentence.)>> >> I have no idea what you are talking about! << Of course not. You're such an innocent Spirit after all. So innocent you couldn't believe it when you learned the first WDW CM who wore the Mickey Mouse foamhead died recently.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I've been there once years ago ... incidentally, when the GF opened, they did indeed serve gator (think it was fried as an appetizer) at the Grand Flo Cafe. << I've seen fried gator tail as appetizers elsewhere (didn't know the Grand Floridian ever served it though). Maybe if Disney wants to save some more money they could harvest the gators and raccoons and squirrels lurking around WDW and turn them into burgers, too.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Now that I've read the whole thing... Hysterical. Very clever, Spirit. >> Thanks, but you haven't read the whole thing yet. I haven't even gotten to the next restroom ... or lunch yet. And you've got to be kidding me ... mid-post I just changed the channels to check a football score and DVC has what I assume is a 30-minute infomercial on the local CW station. Just wow! <<I'm just in shock you actually had a fanboi moment about old BGMs in a bathroom! >> I don't have any music downloaded. I don't have Disney ringtones. I don't have Disney CDs loaded in my cars. But I do enjoy the old music. <<Welcome to the Dark Side.>> I've always been there. Why do you think so many people can't stand the fact I am still breathing? <<Lee...? I knew he was always there. Heh. >> No comment ...
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Unfortunately, it wasn't Mission 2 in Paris. It was WDW's rickety old 1975 special (trivia note: the Miami Dolphins didn't make the playoffs that year for the first time under Don Shula, Saturday Night Live debutted and top music included Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell, Love Will Keep Us Together by The Captain and Tennille and Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John -- all currently on Pierce's iPod for eight-tracks). << >> I almost met Gelnn once. Tanya really drug him down. << Glen Campbell is quality 70's countrypolitan. 'Rhinestone Cowboy' is okay, but I prefer "Wichita Lineman" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix".
