Disney cross-post
A Disney cross-posting project with
kev_bot and
joezer. I'd explain it, but
kev_bot has taken the lead on that, thorough man that he is. In fact, my contribution is already WAY behind schedule!
joezer's questions:
1. Disney park song/music that gets on your nerves the most.
Hands down, it's gotta be the music in the queue for Test Track.
2. Has there been a moment that moved you emotionally while visiting the parks?
Wishes has had that effect on me a couple of times now.
3. What helps you to put the real world behind you when you are at the parks?
This is probably the biggest reason we always stay on property. That way, we never have to leave the fantasy behind.
4. Which Tomorrowland do you prefer? The sleek, clean lines of the 1970s version in light blue and silver-gray or the current version in Jules Verne-ian bronzes, metallic tones and odd shapes/spires and such that came in the early-1990s?
I'm a fan of the current Tomorrowland. I have total respect for where the land has been, but it was rather bland before the 90s revamp.
5. Little traditions you have when on/going to the WDW property?
We always print tip envelopes for housekeeping (mousekeeping) with characters on them. Another is going on the WEDway (TTA) always as our first attraction of each trip. There's also dinner at Rose & Crown during Illuminations, and finally our Edy's sundaes in MK while waiting for the park to clear out after closing.
6. We all know and have seen Disney's theming and little details here and there. What design, or piece of decor, or splash of "whatever" - that special little touch - intrigues and tickles you the most?
I love the whole concept of hidden Mickeys... they always keep me paying attention. My favorite are the brass plates on the wall outside one of the shops in Morocco (the shop that backs up to the lagoon). Some other scenes I like are the tableaus by the lagoon at Mexico and France in World Showcase, the manicured-to-"death" lawn at Haunted Mansion, and the tributes to Mr. Toad in both the Haunted Mansion pet cemetery and in the Winnie the Pooh ride.
7. Now...a trip down Memory Lane. Which "extinct" attraction/thing/place do you miss?
Oh, Horizons, how I loved thee!
(this one may trip you up a bit, Kev)
8. If available, post your favorite pictures from the parks.
I'll need to work on this one, as I'm currently transferring my photos from one comp to another.
lowersecond's questions:
1. Which park gives you the biggest 'wow' moment when you enter it?
Magic Kingdom. For all my Epcot love, seeing the castle when I enter the park still does it for me after all these years. Yup, choked up.
2. Which is your favorite mode of Disney transportation for enjoyment rather than efficiency (boat, monorail, etc)
When I was little, we stayed at the Contemporary (there were only two choices at the time), and therefore the monorail has a lot of sentimental value to me. That said, it always smells funny and is cramped. The ferry across Seven Seas Lagoon wins the prize. I love the view in both directions, and it really doesn't take as long as it looks.
3. Where in the World is your favorite bench (for people-watching or just catching your breath)?
There's a bench across from Germany that often finds me, for some reason. Another is on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood Studios. The Studios benches are the most uncomfortable things ever, but they provide the best people watching, IMO.
4. What attraction has your favorite queue line?
When J and I discovered the egg-in-the-pelvis in the Test Track queue line, that quickly became a favorite. But for a queue that can send shivers down my spine before I even get on the ride, Tower of Terror wins the prize. I occasionally chicken out of this ride (yes, still), and it's the build-up from the line that does it. The music, the dust--it's all there.
5. What is your favorite post-queue/pre-ride preshow video?
I love ya Felicia Rashad, but I've become a fan of the banter before Test Track.
6. What is your favorite 'scene' in the parks that isn't in an attraction? For instance, a particular wall, angle, view-that one spot you would happily keep as your PC wallapaper and never get tired of.
There is a spot near France that you can only see from across the bridge--a bicycle and artist's easel sitting down on the river bank. The attention to detail fascinates me, ya know? But another spot that always comes to mind is the view of Liberty Square from the Crystal Palace in MK. The back of the building where the Christmas shop is, with the water running in front--and the obligatory family of ducks swimming by.
7. What is your favorite country in World Showcase for feeling totally immersed?
As good a job as Mexico does, the answer is strangely the United Kingdom. I think the buildings are all angled just such that it's easy to imagine you're there. I think another thing that helps is that English is the first language there anyway. A bunch of Moroccans speaking English would seem out of place in the actual Marrakesh. But English people speaking English--well it just sorta works.
8. What is your favorite smell, anywhere in the parks?
As I love Mexican food so much, it would be the smell inside the Mexico pavillion. It's a weird mix of Mexican food and chlorine from the water ride, but it's become really ingrained in my psyche after all these years.
kev_bot's questions:
1. Your favorite meal at World Showcase.
Le Cellier in Canada, hands down. The cheddar cheese soup with the pretzel bread... I'm already salivating. Oh, and the waiters are pretty damned cute, too. Lots of meals come close to this (lots of waiters, too!), but none is quite the wonder that is Canada.
2. Your best/worst character greeting.
The best was back in 2000 when my sister and I were waiting to go through the International Gateway entrance to Epcot before opening. There were about 5 characters just milling about, apparently waiting for the crowds that hadn't come yet. We had them all to ourselves!
I don't have a worst, per se, but there are characters that make me scratch my head. Their movies aren't classics and the parks don't push them any other way, so why on earth are they so big as character appearances? (Ballou immediately comes to mind.)
3. Your favorite night show.
It was always Illuminations, but Wishes actually gets me choked up. Hmm. Nah, I'm sticking with Illuminations.
4. Your favorite thrill ride.
Rockin Rollercoaster by Aerosmith. I like rollercoasters (J is an enthusiast, so it's kind of a given), but I hate big drops. I think that's why I love this coaster so much--the blast off at the beginning means no drops!
5. Your favorite park icon.
The castle chokes me up (again), but for asthetic reasons, I'm gonna go with the Tree of LIfe at Animal Kingdom.
6. Your favorite 3-D show.Philharmajic. 'Nuff said.
7. Your favorite non-thrill ride.
I have to pick just one? Seriously? Can I pick one in each park? Could be the Haunted Mansion, could be Pirates, could be Soarin'. Could even be the WEDway (right, the TTA...) I have to pick just one? Seriously?
8. Your favorite snack.
I simply refuse to pick one, so I'm giving you two. At MK, a sundae from Edy's, enjoyed while watching the park emptying out at closing. When I'm done with the sundae, the park is empty, and I can get where I'm going hassle-free. Ice cream AND ease of movement--what could be better? Also, the sweet pretzels with almonds in Norway. Yup, those two.
kev_bot and
joezer. I'd explain it, but
kev_bot has taken the lead on that, thorough man that he is. In fact, my contribution is already WAY behind schedule!
joezer's questions:
1. Disney park song/music that gets on your nerves the most.
Hands down, it's gotta be the music in the queue for Test Track.
2. Has there been a moment that moved you emotionally while visiting the parks?
Wishes has had that effect on me a couple of times now.
3. What helps you to put the real world behind you when you are at the parks?
This is probably the biggest reason we always stay on property. That way, we never have to leave the fantasy behind.
4. Which Tomorrowland do you prefer? The sleek, clean lines of the 1970s version in light blue and silver-gray or the current version in Jules Verne-ian bronzes, metallic tones and odd shapes/spires and such that came in the early-1990s?
I'm a fan of the current Tomorrowland. I have total respect for where the land has been, but it was rather bland before the 90s revamp.
5. Little traditions you have when on/going to the WDW property?
We always print tip envelopes for housekeeping (mousekeeping) with characters on them. Another is going on the WEDway (TTA) always as our first attraction of each trip. There's also dinner at Rose & Crown during Illuminations, and finally our Edy's sundaes in MK while waiting for the park to clear out after closing.
6. We all know and have seen Disney's theming and little details here and there. What design, or piece of decor, or splash of "whatever" - that special little touch - intrigues and tickles you the most?
I love the whole concept of hidden Mickeys... they always keep me paying attention. My favorite are the brass plates on the wall outside one of the shops in Morocco (the shop that backs up to the lagoon). Some other scenes I like are the tableaus by the lagoon at Mexico and France in World Showcase, the manicured-to-"death" lawn at Haunted Mansion, and the tributes to Mr. Toad in both the Haunted Mansion pet cemetery and in the Winnie the Pooh ride.
7. Now...a trip down Memory Lane. Which "extinct" attraction/thing/place do you miss?
Oh, Horizons, how I loved thee!
(this one may trip you up a bit, Kev)
8. If available, post your favorite pictures from the parks.
I'll need to work on this one, as I'm currently transferring my photos from one comp to another.
lowersecond's questions:
1. Which park gives you the biggest 'wow' moment when you enter it?
Magic Kingdom. For all my Epcot love, seeing the castle when I enter the park still does it for me after all these years. Yup, choked up.
2. Which is your favorite mode of Disney transportation for enjoyment rather than efficiency (boat, monorail, etc)
When I was little, we stayed at the Contemporary (there were only two choices at the time), and therefore the monorail has a lot of sentimental value to me. That said, it always smells funny and is cramped. The ferry across Seven Seas Lagoon wins the prize. I love the view in both directions, and it really doesn't take as long as it looks.
3. Where in the World is your favorite bench (for people-watching or just catching your breath)?
There's a bench across from Germany that often finds me, for some reason. Another is on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood Studios. The Studios benches are the most uncomfortable things ever, but they provide the best people watching, IMO.
4. What attraction has your favorite queue line?
When J and I discovered the egg-in-the-pelvis in the Test Track queue line, that quickly became a favorite. But for a queue that can send shivers down my spine before I even get on the ride, Tower of Terror wins the prize. I occasionally chicken out of this ride (yes, still), and it's the build-up from the line that does it. The music, the dust--it's all there.
5. What is your favorite post-queue/pre-ride preshow video?
I love ya Felicia Rashad, but I've become a fan of the banter before Test Track.
6. What is your favorite 'scene' in the parks that isn't in an attraction? For instance, a particular wall, angle, view-that one spot you would happily keep as your PC wallapaper and never get tired of.
There is a spot near France that you can only see from across the bridge--a bicycle and artist's easel sitting down on the river bank. The attention to detail fascinates me, ya know? But another spot that always comes to mind is the view of Liberty Square from the Crystal Palace in MK. The back of the building where the Christmas shop is, with the water running in front--and the obligatory family of ducks swimming by.
7. What is your favorite country in World Showcase for feeling totally immersed?
As good a job as Mexico does, the answer is strangely the United Kingdom. I think the buildings are all angled just such that it's easy to imagine you're there. I think another thing that helps is that English is the first language there anyway. A bunch of Moroccans speaking English would seem out of place in the actual Marrakesh. But English people speaking English--well it just sorta works.
8. What is your favorite smell, anywhere in the parks?
As I love Mexican food so much, it would be the smell inside the Mexico pavillion. It's a weird mix of Mexican food and chlorine from the water ride, but it's become really ingrained in my psyche after all these years.
kev_bot's questions:
1. Your favorite meal at World Showcase.
Le Cellier in Canada, hands down. The cheddar cheese soup with the pretzel bread... I'm already salivating. Oh, and the waiters are pretty damned cute, too. Lots of meals come close to this (lots of waiters, too!), but none is quite the wonder that is Canada.
2. Your best/worst character greeting.
The best was back in 2000 when my sister and I were waiting to go through the International Gateway entrance to Epcot before opening. There were about 5 characters just milling about, apparently waiting for the crowds that hadn't come yet. We had them all to ourselves!
I don't have a worst, per se, but there are characters that make me scratch my head. Their movies aren't classics and the parks don't push them any other way, so why on earth are they so big as character appearances? (Ballou immediately comes to mind.)
3. Your favorite night show.
It was always Illuminations, but Wishes actually gets me choked up. Hmm. Nah, I'm sticking with Illuminations.
4. Your favorite thrill ride.
Rockin Rollercoaster by Aerosmith. I like rollercoasters (J is an enthusiast, so it's kind of a given), but I hate big drops. I think that's why I love this coaster so much--the blast off at the beginning means no drops!
5. Your favorite park icon.
The castle chokes me up (again), but for asthetic reasons, I'm gonna go with the Tree of LIfe at Animal Kingdom.
6. Your favorite 3-D show.Philharmajic. 'Nuff said.
7. Your favorite non-thrill ride.
I have to pick just one? Seriously? Can I pick one in each park? Could be the Haunted Mansion, could be Pirates, could be Soarin'. Could even be the WEDway (right, the TTA...) I have to pick just one? Seriously?
8. Your favorite snack.
I simply refuse to pick one, so I'm giving you two. At MK, a sundae from Edy's, enjoyed while watching the park emptying out at closing. When I'm done with the sundae, the park is empty, and I can get where I'm going hassle-free. Ice cream AND ease of movement--what could be better? Also, the sweet pretzels with almonds in Norway. Yup, those two.