Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic, Days Five and Six

Day Five
Day five was a melancholy day. On the bright side, we would be visiting California Adventure, where two of my all time favorite Disney attractions (Soarin' and Turtle Talk) are located. On the downside, it was our last full day, complete with farewell dinner, and I didn't want to believe that my adventure was almost over. It reminded me of the days when we used to visit Disney World, back when we lived in Chicago. The first part of the trip was carefree and magical, but at the midway point things always went downhill a bit, accelerating as the days wore on. Suddenly there were only three days left, then two, then one...and then we were waiting forlornly for a towncar to pick us up and take us back to the airport. Now that we live in Celebration, going 'home” from Disney World means driving just a few miles down the road, knowing that we can return at any time.

Now we were once again on the “sad vacationer” side, counting down days that were moving much too rapidly. It was another early morning, as breakfast time was 7 a.m. at Goofy's Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. Indeed it was “goofy”; besides the namesake character, there were food items like hot dogs and chicken nuggets in addition to traditional breakfast items. I stuck to the usual sorts of things, and we also had some great character photo ops.

When we were all done eating, we marched to the side entrance to DCA, only to discover the gates still locked. Since a bench was sitting nearby, a few of the more rowdy group members discussed using it to bust through the gate Titanic-style, but fortunately that wasn't necessary. A cast member soon arrived and let us all into the park, where we headed for our first destination: Soarin'! Yay!

Ever since I first rode it back when DCA was brand new, Soarin' has always held a special place in my heart. The ride is true simplicity; it's basically an Imax with motion and smell effects. Not as high tech as something like Turtle Talk, yet its duplicate consistently draws `1-2 hour lines at Epcot. Unlike California, the Epcot version doesn't have a single rider line, so I have to arrive first thing in the morning to grab a quick ride or two or depend on fastpasses (which are gone before noon on the busiest days). Needless to say, I don't get to ride it nearly as much as I would like.

I think I enjoy it for a couple of reasons. Number one, the sound track is phenomenal. I bought an entire CD just to get a copy. Number two, the orange grove scent brings back fond memories of the desert orange grove in that old classic Horizons.

Now I was in for an extra special treat. Not only was I going to be able to ride Soarin' but also get to watch it from behind the screen! The Mickey group rode first, while the Minnies (myself included) went down to the area below the screen where we could look up and watch them. What a totally unique perspective! It was tempting to ask to watch again with the Mickey's, but I just couldn't give up a ride. As I expected, everyone else ran for Row 1 (i.e. the row that goes the highest), but I grabbed Row3 because I wanted a REALLY unique experience...riding a lower row with absolutely no feet dangling! I had the row all to myself, which allowed me to play my favorite game: noticing new details. I catch something new almost every time I ride, like rock climbers or hikers or whatnot.

My day was already complete, but really the fun had only just started. Next up we headed to the animation building where we all learned to draw Mickey and also had a private session of Turtle Talk With Crush. That was a big thrill for me, since I think that's probably the most innovative attraction technology-wise that Disney has done recently. They do the same thing with the Laugh Floor, which is also cute, but Crush has that beat fins-down. Even though both shows have improvisation, Monsters is more scripted whereas Crush has the leeway to come up with some real doozies. It's also really cool to watch little kids who really believe they are talking to a live turtle.

We didn't get to see Crush behind the scenes (darn!) but I still enjoyed it. Since the person doing the performing is talking live to the audience, with animation synched up quite well, I can just imagine what goes on on the other side of the tank.

We had entered before the park was open, but now the public had arrived so we were just about done for the afternoon. Our last park experience was a viewing of the Aladdin show in reserved seating. It was very good seating, and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. Even though we'd been to DCA before, we'd never seen it because that theater originally had an abysmal performance called “Steps in Time.” No matter what the name implies, it had nothing to do with Mary Poppins. Basically the story was about a Fairy Godmother in training who did hip/hop/modern/ear splitting versions of Disney classic songs, framed loosely around a story of two obnoxious brothers.

Aladdin is way, way, way better, especially Genie. The show is a Cliff Notes version of the movie, with a few minor changes in order to accommodate the time and theater constraints. While Genie was my favorite part, the magic carpet flights were a close second.

After the show, we had our five daily Fastpasses to use on any FP ride. We of course did Soarin' and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which we always enjoy at Disney Hollywood Studio. CA's version is different, but just as good. The main difference is in the special effects and the way the ride vehicle moves into the elevator shaft. I actually like one of the effects better than Florida, although overall the two versions are neck and neck for me.

Then we worked our way over to Paradise Pier for Mulholland Madness (a mad mouse roller coaster) and California's Screamin' (the big roller coaster). We did CS again through its singles line, but that is a real mess because you have to gather in one area, then move en masse into an elevator and go to the other side of the loading platform. Too much work, especially on a very, very hot day. One of the worst things about Paradise Pier is the lack of shade and inside queues. We headed back to Soarin' and Tower of Terror before returned to the hotel to get ready for the farewell dinner.

We had had a light lunch since we knew it would probably be a hearty dinner. We went to a Mexican counter service restaurant where we'd eaten the last time we were at DCA. We placed our orders, and I went to find us a seat in the shade (a task somewhat akin to pulling the sword out of the stone) while hubby waited for our food. And waited. And waited. I'd just about given up on him when he finally arrived with our chow, but I noticed he didn't have the class of wine he'd ordered. Since it's the Food and Wine Festival, he'd noticed a reisling on the menu. He had ordered it and then enjoyed a Keystone Cops show as the people behind the counter hunted up a bottle and attempted to get it open. They even called in reinforcements, but no one ever managed to do it so they finally had to refund his drink charge. So much for the food and wine pairings!

Back in our hotel room, we found an envelope with some more photo memories from earlier in the trip; it was hard to believe that it was nearly over now.

We sadly headed over to the sorcerer's hat near the Disneyland Hotel to meet our guides, Diana and Quinn, and head up to the private party room inside the hotel. There was a lovely dinner and dessert spread, and then we went around the room and everyone shared their favorite memory. It was such a neat way to relive little parts of the trip, from the moments that made us all laugh to the ones that made us teary-eyed. I think the best part was being among people who really UNDERSTOOD. When I used to tell people I was going to go to Disney World yet again, I'd get the eye roll and often the question, “Why don't you go somewhere else?” Now it's the same with the cruise line.

But among this group, everyone understood because they were all in the same situation. It was like being from another planet and not entirely realizing it until you suddenly return home among your own species.

Then we saw a slide show of some of the memorable moments from our trip. Seeing our activities in Hollywood made me marvel that it had only been a few days before. It seemed like so long ago that we were touching down in LA and wondering what we'd think of our very first Adventure By Disney. Now I knew the answer and was ready to book another one! I exchanged email addresses with several of our fellow travelers, so hopefully we will keep in touch. Over a decade ago, we met two other families at a dude ranch in Colorado, and we still get together for dinner so it would be nice to have other lasting “vacation buddies.”

There was also a Disney artist at the restaurant who drew a custom sketch for everyone of their favorite Disney character. Hubby graciously allowed me to “take” his, so I got pictures of Figment and Dreamfinder. Soon they will be framed and join my Don Williams drawings and my other Figment memorabilia in my foyer.

We had reserved viewing for the Disneyland fireworks, but hubby and I opted out since we wanted to get a head start on packing and sleep (my husband had to work at 7 a.m. FL time, which means 4 a.m. in CA). He is the packer in our family, and somehow he managed to fit everything into our allotted two bags, including all the new clothes he bought at Imagineering.

Day Six
Thankfully, the last morning was a “late” one, relatively speaking. We were meeting at our leisure between 7 and 9 a.m. in Storytellers, one of the hotel restaurants. Sleeping till 7 was like Heaven! I am not a morning person, so thank goodness for the FL/CA time difference that helped me get my lazy butt out of bed. Since most of the park experiences are before regular opening hours, the early schedule really can't be helped.

Some of the families had early flights, but most of the others were at the restaurant, along with our guides. We got some more character photos and had a hearty meal to fuel ourselves before heading out for an on-your-own day in the parks. Our tickets for the day were included as a part of the trip, although we didn't get any more of those handy-dandy VIP fastpasses (at least we were able to get regular ones).

We started out in the Magic Kingdom, doing Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Mountain. I just love the DL version of Space Mountain! The music is so cool, and the interior is darker than the FL version. How I'd love to see what it looks like with the lights on. Instead of lunch, we shared a mint chocolate chip sundae on Main Street since we planned to have dinner at Downtown Disney before leaving for the airport.

We had one last ride on one of the Main Street vehicles to get to the front of the park, then crossed over to DCA for some last go-rounds on Soarin' and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Hubby also wanted to do the Monster Inc. dark ride, but I just didn't think it would be worth missing Soarin' for so I stayed there and ran through the single riders line while he was gone. We did a couple of the Tower together, and I got a big dose of Soarin' before it was finally time to go if we wanted to make sure to eat dinner and make our pick-up time.

We ate at a Mexican restaurant in Downtown Disney with excellent food and fast service. I dearly wanted a margarita, but I didn't think it would mix well with the Xanax that I planned to consume for my flight. Hubby had sangria, but I opted for iced tea.

Back at the hotel, we found a spot to sit and I called up Diana to find out the procedure for our leaving. They had stored our luggage for us while we were at the parks, so hubby went to get it to allow us to unpack our computers and work while we were waiting. I was a bit nervous, since our flight was around 10:20 p.m. and our hotel departure was at 7:10. With all the horror stories of traffic around LAX, I wondered if we would make it. Fortunately, my worries were baseless.

ABD had arranged a private towncar, which showed up a little early. We piled in, gave Diana a goodbye hug, and whisked down the expressway to LAX. I was shocked to discover it was smooth going the whole way! Hubby had already checked us in online and moved us to Economy Plus, since it had been so nice on the way out. The baggage check line was practically non-existent, as was the security line. I made a boo-boo and had a full water bottle that I'd forgotten to empty (I usually refill them past the security checkpoint). It was duly confiscated and I was allowed to proceed through.

Our gate was practically in another state, but at least we'd made it with plenty of time. I stopped in one of the gift shops to pick up little souvenirs for some of our friends. Then I got back to my trip report to cheer myself up with good memories as I wanted to wing my way back to Orlando. Oh well, at least I could (hopefully) sleep for most of the flight and see my kitties and birds when we got home.

Day Six, Part Two, written back home:
As we awaited our flight, a HUGE group of rowdy teens on their way to or from somewhere plopped down on the floor in front of our gate. A chaperone was trying to keep them under control with about as much success as Custer had against the Indians. Hubby said he'd overheard that they were actually supposed to be at another gate; I was praying that was true, but it seemed odd that they'd take over ours, which was pretty far away.

I saw the agent at the counter and popped up to see if there might be an exit row available. We'd already upgraded to Economy Plus, of which the exits are part. Amazingly, there WAS one open, so we took the aisle and middle. It was the row right behind the one we already had, and there was another exit behind us which meant (hopefully) no seat kicking unless Stretch Armstrong was back there.

I dutifully drugged myself as boarding time approached; I could tell that once we were airborne, I should be able to drift off for a nice little rest. Our flight was leaving around 1:30 a.m. FL time and running ahead of schedule (due to a good tailwind perhaps?), so our ETA to Orlando was around 6.

Just before boarding time, the teens were herded off to their proper area. I pity the other poor souls flying with them who might have been hoping for sleep! Our fellow passengers all looked ready for some shuteye, so I knew I'd be in good company.

On board I did notice one potential “hazard”: a mom with lap baby in front of me. But either that kid was remarkably well behaved or I was in a coma for most of the flight because I never really heard it make much noise other than the usual occasional baby yelps.

We had an on-time departure, and hubby was asleep before the FAs even came around with snacks and drinks. I turned mine down, but she left a bag of pretzels on the seat next to hubby and he had found and consumed them by the time I woke up later after I had my own doze. I was thrilled because Channel 9 on the in-flight audio was active. It allows you to listen in on the communication between the planes and tower. I stayed away till we were switched off to New Mexico and then entered ZZZZZ land. I woke up again briefly to hear the tower and pilots discussing a turbulence patch coming up; sure enough, a minute later our pilot turned on the seat belt light and we had some good little bounces. I don't know how long that lasted because I zoned out again.

When I once again regained consciousness, I could feel the edge of anxiety starting so I popped another pill without having the foresight to check how much remaining flight time there was. Duh! We were already descending into Orlando. If I could have held out 20 more minutes, I would have been fine. As it was, I followed hubby through Orlando International in a whacked-out state and crashed in bed when we got home, not stirring again until 1 p.m.

I'm already looking through our wonderful photos and souvenirs and missing our adventure. It seemed to take forever to come, and now it's over in the blink of an eye. Oh well, hopefully it was merely an appetizer for a banquet of many more Adventures By Disney to come.

I will add another part of this report with my overall impressions later.