I'm a Maniac. Maniac. - **COMPLETE!! 5/23** About This Page:

[disneydani]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

See, here's the thing. I have 16 days, but it's only a 2-day trip, which means it won't take me long to write it. Which means I keep finding other things to do rather than write the TR. But don't worry, I'm about to resize and upload my photos, so it shouldn't be much longer before I get going again.

Didn't I tell you patience was so not my virtue! Looking forward to hearing about it all.

danielle

[longislandmomof4]

I was reading Beth's TR and I saw your Sig -- I thought it was a pre-Tr for the CRT trip, but, no! How awesome you went back!!! Just awesome. Can't wait to hear and see all about it! We just stayed at the BC and I didn't even see the Sour Apple option.... Welcome home! At least the NY weather has been nice...

[chezp]

Glad to hear you're getting to work on it!

[PrincessSharon]

Day One – Friday, May 9
I Know When I’m Not Wanted

I had to get through most of a day at work. My Dad agreed to drive me to the airport, so after a quick dinner, we were on our way. DF started asking questions, like where I’m staying and I answered of course, which led to a conversation about what I planned and stuff. Well, he started getting pretty quiet after that. I think it hit him that he hadn’t been to Disney in nearly a year. I’m not sure, but I think he was thinking about ditching DM and coming with me! Poor Dad’s gotta wait all the way to December to get his fix. And I only had one little carryon bag, so it’s not like he coulda stowed away with me.

I wasn’t checking a bag, so I headed straight for security, where there were 2 people ahead of me in line. I got through quickly, obviously. I grabbed a bottle of water and a snack, then had a seat at my gate.

The boarding process went smoothly, and I ended up having a whole row to myself since the plane was only about half full. The flight down was pleasant and I passed the time watching 27 Dresses (which was really cute!).

Once we landed, I headed to check in with DME, and then walked right onto a bus. I was the last person on the bus, and we pulled out about 5 minutes after I got on. Unfortunately, my luck didn’t hold because the Beach Club was the last stop. We stopped at Carribean Beach and Pop, then the BC. Personally, I think the deluxe stops should be first, but when it’s free, I can’t really complain can I?

Check-in at the BC was interesting. When I arrived and told the CM my name, he said “Oh, we have something for you!” I didn’t know what it could be, but I remembered the last time I’d stayed at the BC I got roses, so I was hoping for that. After I’d gotten checked in, the CM told me he had to go in the back and get my envelope. So I knew whatever it was, it wasn’t a rose.

When he came out he told me it was locked in the Manager’s safe, so I could come back and get it tomorrow. Then he let me know that it was only the paperwork for my return trip on DME. Great! "Welcome to the Beach Club. Now here’s when we’re picking you up to take you home!" I know when I’m not wanted! I had no intention of picking it up the next morning (because I knew they’d deliver the dang thing to me in the morning anyway).

I found my 4th floor room, which luckily was only down one corridor so it was easy to find.



I had a view of a lovely rooftop and the bus stops, but if I squinted, I could see the little bit of water back there. I also didn’t have a full balcony but rather that little platform thingy. It didn’t matter, because I didn’t plan on spending too much time in the room anyway!

I set a wakeup call because I needed to meet Terri and Lesley for an ADR at 7:30 the next morning. Then it was lights out.

Up Next: A Trip to the Twilight Zone!

[Colexis Mom]

Yeah, you made it!! How rude of them to welcome you to the hotel and then try to give you your papers for leaving!! The nerve!!

Hurry back with more

[Luvsun]

What is wrong with those people? Giving you your good-bye papers....when you just got there! Geeeeeesh!
A great start Sharon! Your room looks lovely - I just the Beach Club!

[Wendyismyname]

Shame on them for trying to evict you so early!!
What a great looking room Sharon!! I've always wanted to stay in the Beach Club some day.

More please!!

[B.M.]

Great start! The room looks wonderful. Can't wait to hear about your breakfast!

[BlueCinderellaEyes]

ur room was very cute! Sorry about the evection notice as soon as you arrived though!

[jhoshowski]

Ohh. . .I can't WAIT to stay at the Beach Club. Only 101 days.
Oh, yeah. . .I can't wait for the rest of your TR, too.

[PrincessSharon]

Day Two – Saturday, May 10
A Trip to the Twilight Zone!

I’d set a wakeup call for 6:30, but I was up about 6:00. I didn’t need to unpack, so I was ready for the day after a quick shower. When I got to the door, I discovered the envelope of doom.



I bet you wouldn’t have guessed, but getting the DME stuff before you’ve done anything is kind of a bummer. But on the bright side, I had what amounted to my entire trip ahead of me. So on that note, I headed out for my early morning stroll around the Boardwalk.

I love walking around the resorts early in the morning because they’re so quiet and you can get great photos without people in them. I my way around to the BW. The only people I passed were joggers. I’m not saying they’re crazy, but… ummm… yeah, I guess I kinda do think they are crazy!


They offer yoga on the beach















I grabbed a seat and looked around for a minute. I remembered bfth raving about the Blue Spoodle, so I decided to get up and check to see if they’re served at the pizza window. Just as I got up, I heard someone call “P-Sha!” No denying that’s me! We exchanged big hugs - aside from the CLT, I’ve probably spent more time with these two ladies at WDW (and DL) than anyone else (besides my own family of course!). In fact, Lesley pointed out that she’d met up with Terri and me on her last three trips including this one. My reply: “So when’s our next trip?”

We checked in and were seated within about 5 minutes. I thought about an FB, but decided to go with grapefruit juice instead. That’ll teach me, because it wasn’t grapefruit juice, it was pink grapefruit juice, which might as well be Kool-Aid because it’s so sweet. It’s OK, I just prefer the real thing.

Lesley and Terri filled me in on all the fun they’d been having so far. The discussion turned to DVC and they both figured I’d be a perfect candidate for it and wanted to know why I haven’t joined. Well, it’s for a pretty stupid reason, but I know that as a member, once I’d used up my year’s allotment of points, I’d feel guilty about taking another trip that year. It’s crazy, I know. Of course, I could get enough points so I wouldn’t have to worry, but I’m not sure I’d be able to afford that many!

I decided on the pancakes (with crispy bacon). What I didn’t know that the pancakes are made by Willie the Giant!


Yeah, no way I can finish those!

The bacon was prepared perfectly (and Terri and Lesley, both crispy bacon-ers, agreed). Once we’d paid (Lesley paid for my meal - again, Lesley), we returned to the BW so that L&T could load up their car with luggage and drive over to DHS, so they could leave directly from there. Unfortunately, two ladies + 15 nights on a cruise + a convertible = a tight squeeze! There wasn’t room for the 3 of us to ride with all the luggage, so we left Terri to squeeze all the bags in while Lesley and I walked over to DHS.

This was my first time walking to DHS and it was a lovely walk. By the time we made it, Terri was waiting for us. There was a pretty big crowd waiting to get in. We chose a line, and of course once it opened up, it was the slowest-moving one. Terri said that always happens to her so I told Lesley that definitely meant we were doomed because it always happens to me, too.

The holdup at our turnstile was because there was actually something wrong with the machine. Lesley and Terri had to go get new tickets, and the CM sent my AP through on the next turnstile over. It took a long time to get in, but we were in, and the park still hadn’t officially opened.

Continued…

[j4crew]

Nice room!!! Sorry they tried to BOOT you when you got there...shame on them!!!

WOW!! look at those pancakes!!!

Can't wait to hear more!

[PrincessSharon]

This part is about the new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction. If you want to avoid spoilers, skip down to the next post. Everyone else ready to hear the details read on!

Once the rope dropped, the majority of the crowd headed for RNRC/TOT, but a sizeable bunch headed for TSMM. When we arrived, this was the scene.







I had forgotten to bring a photo ID with me (and I knew I needed one). We talked to a nice CM (whose name I don’t remember) and I showed her my AP & resort ID. She agreed to let me in.

As I said before, the building and queue are very well themed. We all were oohing and aahing (and lots of people taking photos ) Everywhere you looked there were more gamepieces, boards and toys.


Aren’t the FP machines cute?



We were trying to figure out what might be going in here. My guess is a gift shop. But being the Toy Story fan that I am, that makes me happy.



When you walk inside the building, it looks like you’re entering a giant version of Andy’s Room, with lots of toys and games everywhere.




S is for Sharon. They were expecting me!

















The interactive Mr. Potato Head was really cool. He’d talk to people and tell jokes.





Once we picked up our 3-D glasses, we were led to a special loading area for wheelchair parties (the actual ride vehicles are not wheelchair accessible). This was very well done. They had the ride vehicles in a special area separate from the regular ride track, so the wheelchair party could take as long as they needed to get in and get settled. Once they were, the car was rotated into the regular track. Ingenious! They put the three of us over there to fill up the rest of the car.



The scenes are in 3-D, so I didn’t take any photos of that. Once you get in, you put on your 3-D glasses and off you go. You ride for a bit and come to a scene where you practice shooting at Buzz, Jessie, Woody or Rex (you pull a string to shoot, so no sore thumbs like on Buzz). Then I guess the ride knows how good you are and adjusts the targets accordingly.

Then you ride for a bit more and get to each of the games. You stop and then the scene starts. There are about six different games like “throwing” darts at balloons, ring toss (my favorite), shooting bullseyes, etc. It’s a lot of fun! The harder it is to hit whatever target you’re shooting for, the more points you get. The highest point value I noticed was 3000, but there could’ve been higher ones and I didn’t notice. The screen tells you the score for each game you play, as well as your total each time. I loved it so much! And my score wasn’t too shabby either (though Lesley and Terri both scored around 70K).


I was player 2, on the right

Because the ride had opened so recently, we stopped a few times. While you’re stopped in front of the scene, it starts over and you can shoot at stuff for practice, but all the targets are 0 points, so no racking up like on Buzz.

We all loved the ride and I’m sure it will be a big hit. I’m thrilled that there will be a single rider line though it was very slow-moving. I’m hoping that will improve. The FP line wasn’t open, so the waits were very long all day.

Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

It was almost time for Terri and Lesley to hit the road. Terri needed to do some last-minute shopping and Lesley needed to make a return, so I took their APs and headed down to pick up 3 FPs for TOT.



I met back up with them near the tip board where a Photopass CM was taking their picture. They spotted me and waved me over, so we got a few pictures of the three of us. Those were the only Photopass pics I got, so I didn’t get a CD. Maybe Terri or Lesley will post it. We did a few poses, so I’m sure at least one of them is good.

Lesley and Terri headed out and I decided to take the boat back to the BC to get my photo ID to try to ride TSMM again later. I only had to wait about 10 minutes for a boat to arrive. I really enjoy the ride, it’s so peaceful. I sat outside this time and enjoyed the sunshine.



When I returned to DHS, I picked up another TOT FP and then took three trips in a row into the Twilight Zone. I wanted to ride RNRC before the single rider line built up too much. When I got there I was happy to see it was short. There were a bunch of kids in front of me who were in a band together. Their t-shirts made me think of Andy (Brit Invader) and Melissa (mestitch).



I overheard some of the kids say that people kept coming up to them and asking about their shirts. The one girl was like “People keep asking me where we got our shirts. I tell them it’s for our band. Duh!” You also have to read that with 14-year-old-girl attitude to really appreciate it. She didn’t get her own t-shirt. The young whipper snapper!

My limo ride was as fun as ever. I decided that next time I wanted to ride up front, so on the way back to TOT I picked up a RNRC FP. I used the TOT FP that I’d picked up earlier and got the front row. The woman I was sitting next to was a riot. She was an older woman, but she loved the ride as much as I do. She told me she’d taken 28 trips to WDW before finally moving to Florida from Texas. It was fun riding with her!

All was going well until we almost got into the elevator shaft. (When the elevator actually travels through the building.) We stopped. And sat there. After a while, the lights came up. You know me, I took a picture!



A CM came along and started inspecting stuff. He told us because of an electrical problem (the doors hadn’t cleared and it wouldn’t let us proceed) we needed to be evacuated. He offered to take our photos. Well, I already had my camera out, so I was first!


I’m still bummed that I didn’t know everyone behind me had their hands up. I would’ve put mine up too

You can see that older woman next to me. She’s trying to figure out how to use the camera on her cellphone. Anyone else you see reaching into their pockets is probably pulling out a camera. I took another photo while the work lights were on.



Once the photos were taken, he brought out a little stepladder and we evacuated. It was unbelievably cool to get to walk around in that room. The floors are actually mirrored, which is how they get the cool “floating” effect.

I took a few more photos while waiting for everyone else to join us.


I love how you can see my ghostly reflection in this one

I asked the bellhop to take my photo. You can see his reflection in the shot.


It came out a little blurry, but I think that adds to the ghostliness of it

I thought that experience was so cool I didn’t care if I didn’t get to ride. They loaded us into a regular elevator (we were on the 6th floor, if anyone’s interested) and we returned to the boiler room. We walked over to the other shaft and loaded onto another elevator and got our regular ride. This was like a behind-the-scenes tour for me and was probably the coolest part of my trip. I never would’ve expected getting stuck on a ride would be so much fun!

I figured now was a good time to try for another spin on TSMM, so I headed that way. I spotted this cute guy on the way.



Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

The line for TSMM was too long for me to wait - I wanted to catch Block Party Bash. So I headed over to the area near the Superstar Theater or whatever it’s called. The Block Party Bash isn’t like a regular parade. The floats come to a certain point and stop, then a little party happens. Then they travel to the next point and stop and do their thing again. The first stop had the lead float being in the courtyard in front of the hat. If you were sitting on the steps under the hat, I’d say that’s a pretty poor viewing spot, FYI. A good spot would be in front of the shops on Hollywood Blvd.

The parade doesn’t get to the second stop until about 20 minutes after it stops the first time. When it finally started up again, they came around and the first float (with the Toy Soldiers) would’ve been stopped somewhere around Star Tours (I guess). I was standing near where the Monsters Inc. float stopped.
















2319!!!! (love that!)



After a few minutes of Monsters Inc., I walked down the route to get a look at the other floats.











I’d seen Block Party Bash out in California, but it’s still fun. It’s a different experience from a regular parade, but it’s very upbeat and gets people moving. Well, it would’ve had it not been 95° - I actually felt sorry for all the performers because it was so hot. But the heat didn’t slow them down and they had lots of energy!

Once the BPB moved on, I headed back over and showed my AP and ID, then headed to the Single Riders Entrance. The CM there warned me that it may not be much faster than the standby, but since I was by myself anyway, and at least I’d be able to wait the whole time inside (part of the standby queue was outside ), I took a chance.







It ended up taking about 40 minutes to get through (the standby had been posted as 70). I should warn people with mobility issues that you do have to go up a flight of stairs for the standby and FP queues. When I’d ridden earlier with T&L, we used the accessible entrance, bypassing the stairs. Here’s the view from the top of the stairs.



I had a higher score than I’d gotten in the morning (somewhere around 70,000) but didn’t take a photo of my score. I got the same prize (rabbit).

My RNRC FP was ripe, so I went ahead and used it. I got the front row, but the ride was a bit bumpy and gave me a slight headache. Then I headed over and noticed the standby for TOT was only 20 minutes, so I had another ride! On the way out, I went ahead and bought the little bell for my desk. As I expected, everyone is fascinated by it and had to try it out. I hope they’ve all gotten it out of their systems.

I could see a boat arriving just as I exited the park, and it was ready to board as soon as I arrived at the dock. Back at the BC, I spent some time enjoying Stormalong Bay. I wanted dinner so I got a double cheeseburger and fries. OK, so we all know that Disney has this healthy-eating initiative, right? So why can’t I get a single cheeseburger at Hurricane Hanna’s, Disney? It was double or nothing! (I kill myself )

While I was waiting for my food, I had a peek at the bar menu, thinking a nice frozen beverage would go great with my double cheeseburger. To my surprise, they had the Sour Apple Freeze on the menu!



The wind was blowing sand everywhere, so I decided to take my food back to the room and enjoy it there. I ended up taking one of the patties off and making my own single cheeseburger. Take that, Disney! (Of course I paid for a double, so the joke’s still on me )

Up Next: Who Knew It Was So Hard to Find Popcorn at the Magic Kingdom?