Official 50th trip reports and tidbits

[€uroMeinke]

Bittersweet Tidbit – While it was great that throughout the weekend birthday celebrations, friends were everywhere, and there was always someone to do something with, there was so much to miss. Hearing different accounts of the day from all of you makes me feel a little bit of regret that I didn’t join you in some of your exploits, and yet I had plenty of my own.

The carousel meet was a wonderful coming together of people from multiple websites to make something happen. We did the wave, sang Happy Birthday, laughed, and had a good time. But as the ride ended, half the crew exited out one exit, and the rest left on the other side. Slowly the two groups dispersed and evaporated, like they were never together. Yet, as I view other pictures, I catch myself in the background, as part of other people’s memories, definitely bittersweet.

[Ponine]

It's odd, as I read all these posts I want to cry. You all seemed to have such a good time I am so sorry I missed it. Know that I was there in spirit with a great many of you.
I was in LibraryVixen's pocket, the amount of times I tried to call her that day.
I was hovering in spirit with NA, honey you look so beautiful in those carousel pictures!
I thought about MickeyLumbo that day, what it would be like to be working that day, remembering the '90 birthday.

Many more of you were on my mind.
Comic-con was, well, con... it wasnt you guys. It wasnt the people that have become my family when I need them. I'm jealous, and it is bittersweet.
But I am glad you had such a good time.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yes, impossible to be everywhere at once, and with everyone. Seeing the pictures of the Sunday morning portion of the attraction crawl, I do wish we had joined. I mean, to miss out on a good old fashioned Pirates sinking? And it meant we never got to say hi to TheaterTech since he was only there for an hour. But then I look at our pictures of a deserted Fantasyland, and remember the magical half hour in which we rode Pan, Casey, and Storybook consecutively, and know that I had an equally good time.

[innerSpaceman]

That's why I love having friends. Since I can't be everywhere at once, and though I may have a twinge of envy over the fun they had that I did not ... I revel in their happiness and in their having the fun that I could not possibly have absent Clone Me or Evil Me in their midst with a brain-download set for later in the evening.

The other thing great about having friends, and so blessed many of them, is that - with Disneyland less crowded on the birthday than the hype would have us fear - it seemed as if we practically had the Park to ourselves - - because everywhere I turned, there were some people I knew and loved. And anytime I needed to see someone, there they freaking were ... thanks to the usual 7/17 magic. And though some plans went off as planned, so many more did not ... and yet were adapted and revised spontaneously so that everything the entire weekend worked out well and wonderfully - - again all part of the customary 7/17 magic.


Disneyland did so little to make its 50th memorable and spectacular .... but friends did so much. Together, we MADE Disneyland's Birthday. So thanks to everyone we spent time with in the Park, everyone we rode a ride with, everyone we sunk a boat with, everyone who sailed under our pirate flag, everyone who attraction quested with us, everyone who took over the caroussel with us, everyone who took it in the caboose with us, everyone who drank-up with us at the bars, everyone who got high with us on the balconies, everyone who watched fireworks with us, everyone who rode Space with us, everyone who partied with us at the best bloody suite at the Resort, and everyone who had all the fun I didn't. Believe me ... with all the fun I had, there must have been very little left over that I didn't ... but I'm so glad my friends had those bits of fun that I couldn't manage to squeeze in.


Let's do it all again for the 75th.


You can wheel me around in a wheelchair.



or a stroller.

[wendybeth]

Fantastic post, iSm, and I love your new title! (It's totally true- this man should be Disney's official Social Imagineer- his planning, enthusiasm and energy were very much appreciated by us all). It really was great finally meeting you IRL!

[MouseWife]

I love your post, iSm.

Reading all of the posts, ah. I was one of those who was chased off by the 'hype'.

What I wish I'd been a part of, not the official celebration so much, but the joining of friends and aquaintences and having such fun. At Disneyland.

Thank you so much for the reviews and the pictures, everyone.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Let's do it all again for the 75th.

Who the hell can wait that long? You just know that the party for 60th will be awesome. Of course, we'll have to bring the kids...

[Not Afraid]

If I start thanking people, I will forget hald, but I'm going to make the first pass anyways.


Chris - because you're hot, swanky and have great taste in handbags. ILY.
Julie and Erik - for having the worst night ever and still liking me.
Jesse and Heather - for making the days so special for us. So great to spend time with you again.
ISM and ZAP - for going above and beyond thei already high expectations and making these days incredible and unforgetable!
Jen and Greg - for being excited the whole day long! Your enthusiasn was contagious.
Matt and Rose - nothing like riding a coaster with you and your screaming.
Erica and Steve - for flying above the fray like a pro and being just the great people you are. (One of my favorite pics from the day!)


DisneyDaniel - for taking so many incredible pictures of a most memorable day!
Sameer, Deaather and others who sat in the hot sun to keep the "Space Nazi" happy and make the fireworks viewing memorable for all.
The "Denton Affair" crowd for being wonderful, welcoming and just damn FUN!
Wendybeth and crew - great to see you again and meet the new victims. Sign them up!
Eric and Matthew - you guys are the best! I adore you both!
UberGeek - You're the eye of my hurricane.
Commodore Jim - wanna have a meeting?

And to all of the wonderful friends who I was blessed to see on this wonderful weekend: Heidi, Tom, Rena, Cindy, Teresa, Ken, RIchard, Hastin, Alex Stroup, Sheila, Sunnygirl, Anders, Gwyren, Crazy Legs, Andrew, Janice & Matthew, Nicki, Tina, Todd, Brad, Spencer, Joseph, Claire, Kimber, Marla, Susan, Kevy, Ros, Bruce, Scott, Danny, TicTocSteve, Henry, Aaron - and all of their family and friends.

And all of those who were there in spirit: Matterhorn Fan, Stan4dSteph, Flippyshark, HTHBellCaptain, MousyGirl, LashBear, Tracilicious, Mousewife, Szerbiac, et all.

Our lives are much enrighed by these friendships.

[NirvanaMan]

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

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. Bullfighting and fancy hors d'oeuvres...that would be hard core.

The ticket books were tight and Zapp is also quite the DJ when it comes to fireworks synching (not to be confused with sinking). I was glad I was able to capture the carrousel ride on crappy video and very few babies cried. Those that did were deep fried.

Like my man Seamonkey stated, no matter what you chose to do, you were bound to miss something else.

After hearing all the grand stories of birthdays past, it was a bit disappointing that this one I was actually at and able to experience was not up to the level of the ones in the past. Especially disappointing considering that this was the 50th and should have been the best by far. I liken it a bit to our disappointment with the 50th anniversary edition of the Corvette. A historic moment in automotive history, few nameplates have ever made it that long...especially one as storied as America's sports car. To all of us fans, it was a let down. A sticker and paint package.

None the less, the weekend was quite enjoyable. I think the happiest moment was simply getting through the gates and realizing that we would not be locked out. We hadn't any sleep the night before for some odd reason...so we were cranky and exhausted to begin with. After seeing the lines wrap around the entire Harbor side lot, it seemed as if it would be a strong possibility that we would not be allowed through those glorious gates. However, as soon as I was given my golden ears, all was right with the world. A ginormous smile attacked my face and we entered into a sea of gold. It was truly spectacular. The weird old dude with the cane blocking my path did not bother me today. Even with a few dramatic (and sad) episodes that attempted to ruin the day, I think most all were in the best of spirits hopes and dreams. 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 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.

It was good seeing so many people I hadn't seen in so long, the Toddster, Brad, Kevy/Susan, Matt/Rose, Joe etc etc... as well as meet new people such as Mousepod and chick, WendyB (who somehow seems to notice when I disappear for months on end), and the lizard. As uber stated above, the BB was a nice reprieve from the heat and crowds and was a thoroughly enjoyable meal and conversation even though our group was split in two.

All in all..quite fun.

[wendybeth]

I do have one observation, perhaps two, about Nirvanaman:

1). He is, despite his attempts at feigning crankiness, a very nice guy IRL.
2). He is a Geek, albeit one in denial. We're still trying to work out if he is a Total Geek- any consensus on that?

NA, I got your message and meant to call you back yesterday, but it was pretty hectic traveling, etc. Now that I'm home, I've hit the bricks running and have only a few moments to post, but I did get a few pics up here .

I'll write up a mini-report later, when I get back from all the running around I have to do today. Love you all, and thanks for the very great time!