Official 50th trip reports and tidbits

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by NirvanaMan

I don't really have anywhere to post pics too....any recommendations?

http://photo.epson.com is where I stuck mine. Free and really easy to use, you can caption and rearrange your photos. Only thing it doesn't do is hotlink.

Art's comment that Walt DID envision the DL of today and that is why it is here was brilliant and in a hilarious bit of irony, was shortly followed after by Eisner's comment that the park was more beautiful today than Walt could have dreamed. Again, those who get it...those who don't.

GREAT observation. That quote by Art was fantastic. I didn't listen to Eisner and missed just how sucky he can be.

[Claire]

I had the best time all weekend!!!

I am a flipping moronic reject for not seeing you guys at the Blue Bayou. Even when Todd is squatting down next to me.....talking.....I just thought, Cool! He stopped by to say hi! Then there's Greg and Jennie saying hi, and I get to meet Erica for the first time......and I find out you all were there behind me the whole time!!! I felt like an idiot all day. I'm glad I saw most of you later on to ride the Matterhorn!

I walked up to RStar and introduced myself as I was getting FP's for Space Mtn. the morning of the 17th, and then we stood in line with him later on (just about the time of the Carousel of Dreams ride) and we got a chance to chat. He's justabout the nicest guy around!

I was hungover Sunday morning (figures...the only night my stupid ass decided to drink was Sat. night).....and was able to jump in line right before the security check with disguy and Henry and some of dsnylndmom's friends (Dave and Jeff) at about 8:30. The line was insanely long after us.....I was worried about the crowds when I saw how the line snaked.

We got our hats and cupcakes and headed up to get a spot on the left side of the hub. We got a great group photo from the official DL photographers camped out behind us, I met Al Lutz, and we all sat around and chatted for about an hour or so.

The speeches were good....I got bored and sat down though for a while in the shade of people. My neck was sore from craning to see.

I think we rode Splash, HM, Pirates and Indy, then headed to the MC meet for about a millisecond before hitting Space Mountain. Then we rode a few more rides, took a break, attempted to see fireworks, rode the Matterhorn with the LoT folks, Isaac and Steve gave me one of the gorgeous ticket books (I LOVE that thing--it's like my favorite park souvenir from that day!!!) they made, and I was planning to go on Space with the LoT group, but Brad and Spencer were leaving and I took the opportunity to stop and chat with them before they left. God, I love them.

It was the first time I'd ever had the pleasure of hugging MickeyLumbo!! And I love this: He had no clue I was stinkerbell or LushessTaffy at Fabs. None. Where the heck did he think I came from??? Wait. Don't answer that. I love you, Scott!!! So happy to finally meet so many people. It was the best!

You all pulled off a wonderful weekend! I had a really really great time!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Claire, amidst it all I forgot to ask...what did you think about all the golden decorations?

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by NirvanaMan

Uber mad props to the MC of the weekend, funkmaster iSM. I've said it a thousand times and I'll say it again. No one knows how to throw a party like the gays...except for maybe the Spanish. Whoa...what if someone where Spanish AND gay. Damn, that would be cool.

Did I mention I'm part spanish ? Perhaps that's why our hotel party rocked.

[Claire]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Claire, amidst it all I forgot to ask...what did you think about all the golden decorations?

Okay, not to sound too hokey, but golly gee, it was all so swell!!

Mamabot and I had a few hours on Friday afternoon before we met Todd at our hotel to head out to Hollywood/Wicked/Sephora/to meet Brad, so she gave me the tour.....pointed out the 50th signage, explained the significance of the tiaras on the castle....it was all SO amazing!! I got some incredible close up pics of the tiaras on the castle, so I could study them at home. I'm such a dork.

On Monday night, I spent a few hours with Grumpy4/Kimber and she showed me even more of the changes.

I spent a lot of time at the Gallery on Tuesday, checking out all the artwork. Very cool display they have going right now for the 50th. Whoever Kim Irvine is, I love him/her!! I need to google that name. Also on that day, we got to ride the golden boat on the Jungle Cruise....I think Jennidisneyfer and I were the only two people on the boat to notice....we giggled and clapped like idiots the entire time.

I loved the parade.....the Pinocchio float stopped directly in front of us, and I thought it was a very cool little show with all the puppets boinging around.

But my very favoritest thing had to be Remember. Wow. I watched them on Saturday between the hub and Plaza Inn and sat there crying and clapping and oohing an aaahhhing like an idiot. And laughing during some parts, like permanacer sentados por favor (how flipping cool IS that!!?!?!). Incredible show. So much more than just fireworks. We saw them on the go on Sunday, and camped out on Monday. Beautiful show. Well done.

I thought everything was amazing. I can't wait for my husband and the kids to see it all in December!!

[€uroMeinke]

Okay time to share some low point tidbits.

I had one on the 17th. Somewhere around 4:30 in the afternoon as we were setting up camp in front of the castle, in the hot sun and steaming asphault. I took on the quest to find an "I was There" T-shirt. Easy, I thought -just a hope down to the Emporeum and then I'll be back to help hold down the fort. Alas, the Emporeum only had sizes Medium and Small, no problem - the CM said they should have them at DCA or WoD. So off I went - leaving the park - and returning to DCA.

I should have known better than to leave Disneyland on it's birthday. The CMs there told me that stuff was a Disneyland exclusive, none was in DCA. Great, so off I go to Star Trader - where the CM's restocking the women's shirts tell me they have run out of the men's, but that I might want to check out the Gag Factory. Off I go to Toontown, where I find a few remaining shirts - all size small.

Defeated, I returned to our site where I was ready to lie down and melt into the pavement. I failed to get the shirt, I had left the park, and missed the Space Mountain quest. Feh.

Thankfully, I was soon joined by friends, got some ice cream, some water, and enjoyed spectacular commaraderie - and fireworks too! But man, I was miserable for a moment there.

[Not Afraid]

There wern't many low points for me. There was one unfortunante blow up that seemed to upset people for a while on Sunday, a few people with the typical snot-action and another bout of incredible tired-induced frustration on my part on Monday. The Sunday thing blew over really fast - how could you NOT be happy in DL that day? Grumpy people be DAMNED! The Monday thing was followed by being trapped in DL and not able to get out in time. It was sort of a low ending for a great weekend, but how much of that was just exhaustion, I don't know. And, I still woke up smiling on Tuesday.

[wendybeth]

It was a little frustrating missing all the events, but I was just so grateful to be there at all that I was willing to accept what I could get. We're already plotting out next trip- seems the Girl wants to have her next b-day party at the American Girl Place that is being built right now, and since it's soooo close to DL.........

I'm thinking of titling my trip report "the Cutting in Line Tour"- we had so many incidents with people cutting and just being jerks that it got comical after a while. Oh, and the smell on IASW that we were wondering about when we sank the boat last fall? It was there again, and we were upwind of Tori at the time. Whatever it is, it really reeks.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

The Monday thing was followed by being trapped in DL and not able to get out in time. It was sort of a low ending for a great weekend, but how much of that was just exhaustion, I don't know. And, I still woke up smiling on Tuesday.

Yeah, being landlocked in Tomorrowland was my other low point, but it really did make me realize just how exhausted I really was. Sadly, it was time to go home - and download pictures

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Amazing moments quick shots:

• The Saturday morning attraction crawl, where our small group got things done with no problem and lots of fun.
  
• The great JC skipper we had that morning with his almost Rodney Dangerfield persona...plus a true Disney fan at heart
  
• The CM named Dawn at Innoventions (they have a/c in there, ok?) who nearly talked us into meeting Stitch, and fully appreciated the ticket books. I hope she shows up here
  
• In the hotel room Monday night after fireworks sharing Disneyland stories from the past
  
• Everyone coming and going in a river of friendly faces, small groups that kept morphing in front of you
  
• Making decisions far easier than we do on normal days, and rolling with changes
  
• Saying "Happy Birthday!" to each new face we saw, with real hugs all around
  
• Bumping to Alex, Lani, Andrew and Jennifer at Space on Saturday and getting a hug from Andrew