One of the Stormtroopers over the entrance to DHS
If you hope to get the autographs of that weekend's stars, word is you need to get there EARLY. I was told people lined up at 10pm the night before! They set up Fastpass machines outside the gate, and a separate line for each star. You would get in the line for the star you want to see first, get a Fastpass, and then you could get in another line and try and get another Fastpass. If they run out, they give some "standby" Fastpasses, which don't guarantee you an autograph but if that person finishes before the session is over, they will start signing for standby people. We didn't concern ourselves with the autographs so we just went to the park entrance.
For the park opening at DHS on Star Wars Weekends, a special treat while you are waiting in line is the Stormtroopers. Two of them will be stationed on the roof over the turnstiles, and they will speak and point to the crowd, making sure no one gets past them. Try to position yourself towards the back of the area in front of the turnstyles, in the center of the rectangular opening in the roof so you can see both clearly. It is a very funny show.One of the Stormtroopers over the entrance to DHS
After entering the turnstiles, the rope drop was much further up than usual, right in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. This may have been to draw the larger crowd in. We were right up front, but there wasn't a rope drop show as usual - again, possibly because of Star Wars Weekends. From there was the usual large crowd making their way to Toy Story Mania. We decided we would only ride it once, so we skipped the Fastpass chaos and went straight to the standby line and nearly walked right on. I don't seem to be able to improve my scores beyond the 150k-200k range though. And the arm gets tired fast.
After that, we got in line for a Darth Vader photo op near the Backlot Tour. The line was fairly long, and Darth Vader took a few 5 minute breaks. It took about 35-40 minutes before we got up to him. DD remembered her autograph book this time, so got his autograph and we both got pictures with him.
Along the way near the Singing In The Rain umbrella there was also a Stormtrooper standup where someone can stand behind it and look like a Stormtrooper who took his helmet off.
Next up was an area right by Casa Della Tires (where Mater and Lightning McQueen hang out). On one side was an enclosed plexiglass area with a Clone Trooper motif, in front of which was Ahsoka. On the other side was a photo op that alternated with Anakin and some Jedi Masters (Mace Windu, Kit Fisto and Shaak Ti). We got in line for Ahsoka, but a handler announced that she would be leaving and Captain Rex would take her place. They swapped before we got up to the front, but I asked the handler and he said that Ahsoka would be back shortly. So we got pictures with Rex, and turned around and got right back in line, and got pictures with Ahsoka as well a short time later.Ahsoka Tano from Clone Wars
Also in the area were some wandering Jawas and a Tusken Raider that people were taking pictures with.
Since we were right there, we rode Star Tours again. The standby time was listed at 20 minutes, but the CMs were saying it was only 10, and that was about how long it was. I also noticed that the hands on the Fastpass Return clock (which is not digital!) were broken off...rode in the exact same simulator as well, in the same seats!
Next up was the Celebrity Motorcade, which had all of the stars of that weekend riding along, with the characters, and members of the 501st Legion helping fill out the ranks. We looked for a spot right by the ABC Hall Of Fame, and had a decent spot considering the time standing behind the wall, with some people sitting on the wall and would not be in our way. Or course that would change when a father stuck his son standing on the wall right in front of me, making it impossible to get any head-on pictures so all I got was side and back shots.Featured guest David Prowse
The motorcade started a bit early because of the threat of impending rain. Afterwards we were ready for something to eat, but I noticed it strangely get dark suddenly from an already overcast sky, so I suggested that we move closer to the shed area by the Backlot Express - which was jam packed. We then got under the shed as it started to sprinkle, but not all of the shed was covered, so we managed to squeeze our way to a better position - and was thankful because it then started to downpour, and where we were standing was being hit by a gush of water that was rolling off the roof.
We never got in to the Backlot Express, instead we grabbed a bag of chips and a soda. We went back for the Star Of The Saga show, which would be starting in about an hour, so we got in the line across the road again and waited. While we waited, the two characters who were doing the Padawan Mind Challenge (and I assume the Hoopla) today came through the line, and handed out some slips of paper for people to fill out questions. We didn't get the chance to get one, but they indicated some of the questions would be asked on stage. We finally got in and got a bit better seats this time. A few minutes before the show though, 4 Stormtroopers enter and start getting upset because they were supposed to be handling crowd control and people were already being let in. This led in to a whole show in itself, including references to the infamous scene in Star Wars when the stormtrooper hit his head on the door, a dancing stormtrooper, and several sulking stormtroopers. It was hilarious.Jedi Master Shaak Ti
The show itself was basically an interview/talkshow format, with Jay Laga'aia first introducing and talking with Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), and then David Prowse (Darth Vader), including clips of them from Star Wars and even other shows. There were hints that Bulloch was a singer, but apparently would sing in Sunday's show, not this one. They only asked one of the questions gathered from the people in line, which I believe was aimed at both guests, "How hard was it to act while being completely hidden in the costume?" In Jeremy's case, he found that his character was better if he didn't make exaggerated movements to indicate the character was speaking. David Prowse, on the other hand, said that hand gestures were important, especially in certain scenes because he couldn't hear what the other character (like Luke in The Empire Strikes Back) was saying, and the other actor couldn't hear him, so the gestures were key to the communication between them.
At the end, Jay picked up an accoustic guitar, and had them sing along to the Mickey Mouse Club farewell song, with David singing the "See you real soon" line (very well I might add) and Jeremy singing the "Why? Because We Like You!" line (even better).Jedi Master Kit Fisto
After the show, we decided we would start working our way out. First, we found where Jedi Mickey and Leia Minnie had their photo ops, with Leia Minnie currently in place. But while in line of course she left, replaced with Jedi Mickey. We both got pictures, with DD getting a shot holding a lightsaber.
From there we shot over to Tower Of Terror, which had a 30 minute wait. Inside in the library room there was a guest who was obviously a little too into it - he was showing off his ringtone - the Twilight Zone theme song, and when the room went dark at the end of the preshow he screamed loudly. I made sure to put some distance in between us and him.
From there we left the park to head to Epcot. Normally we'd probably just walk or take the Friendship boat, but we had brought the car to get to the park quickly, and didn't want to have to come all the way back for the car, so we drove over to Epcot and parked there, getting there around 4pm. We had reservations at Restaurant Marrakesh at 7pm, and DD wanted to do more Kim Possible missions, so we went directly to the main location on the World Showcase bridge and got assigned to the International Gateway station for 4:45pm. Since we had time to kill, we went over to Mission: Space where the orange side was a 25 minute wait, but the green side was 5 minutes, so we rode the green side.
After we came out, we made our way towards the International Gateway, stopping at the Rose & Crown for drinks - Sprite for DD, and a Black & Tan for me. We then got our Kimmunicator at the station, and started with the UK mission. At one point we needed to go in the Sportsman's Shoppe, which reminded me that I wanted to look again for a short sleeved Liverpool jersey, which they didn't have last time. This time they did - at $70! But it was my gift to myself. And I learned that DD's soccer team (for which I was assistant coach) won their game 8-2 earlier that day, and I wanted to wear an authentic jersey to the games.
We completed the mission, and decided to do another. Whereas I was pretty sure that previously you could choose another mission from a list, we were only given one choice - Mexico. That was fine, so we went over there and explored. We noticed that the Kidcot station was now in the lobby, with a small jewelry store in its place. I didn't notice, but I've heard that on the opposite side one of the areas where the jewelry store had been has been walled off - perhaps the tequila bar that was supposed to be open a year ago will finally get built?
We still had time for one more mission, and we were again only given one option - Japan - which was fine with me, as I like the Japan pavilion and it was right next to Morocco. We went through that mission and it was about 6:30pm. Interestingly, we weren't given an option for another mission. They may limit it at three.
I think the Kim Possible missions is a good thing in general. One drawback is the number of people that are going around and you hear the Kimmunicators all over the place. But it gives the older kids something to do in the World Showcase, which has long been a problem (Epcot was not considered "kid-friendly" for many years), and it gets people into the shops and exhibits that they may have never even noticed before. They got an extra $70 from me!
I can forsee the adult version - the Kim Possible Drinking Adventure.
We checked in early for dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh. We didn't wait long, but there seemed to be some confusion. It sounded like they called our name, but another couple (who definitely had been there before us) stood up, so I figured I misheard it. We waited a bit longer, and they came out and called for another party of two, who weren't there. They looked puzzled, asked my name, looked puzzled again, but then led us in. I think it WAS my name they called originally - but no problem for us.
We had a table for two towards the inside, where DD could have a good view of the floor if the dancer came out while we were there. We looked at the menus - DD wanted some kefta, and the AllEars menu had a kefta hamburger on the kids menu - but this only listed a plain hamburger. I asked our waiter, Rachid, if it was in fact kefta, and he said it was a regular hamburger. DD opted for the ubiquitous chicken tenders instead, and I didn't think anything at the time but Rachid mentioned that they were chicken nuggets, which meant that they weren't the white meat tenders we used to get at various places. I ordered the Lamb Meshoui (at his recommendation - I was undecided between that and the Shish Kebab) and we ordered some Beef Brewat rolls for an appetizer. I also ordered a Marrakesh Express to drink, while DD had Diet Coke. DD liked the brewats (she had some at Food and Wine, although I believe they were chicken).
When the entrees arrived, we saw the chicken nuggets - and we both had the same reaction. They were not appetizing to look at at all. She tried them, but they really didn't taste good. But she had a taste of my lamb and loved it. When Rachid returned, I explained that we didn't realize the chicken nuggets were that poor a quality ("tenders" to me generally mean a better piece of meat), and if they had any way of making a kids portion of lamb. He wasn't sure but understood, and said he'd talk to the chef. After a bit he returned - with nearly a full serving of the lamb, simply taken off the bone already, with french fries (DD wasn't daring enough to try couscous). As she ate it, her comment was "meat from heaven!" It was very delicious and we both cleaned the plates. While we ate, the musicians and the belly dancer did come out for a brief time (perhaps one song?), and the dancer picked a few kids to go out to the floor and dance with her for a few minutes.
We had considered a dessert (there were a couple that looked interesting), but DD decided she really wanted a Kaki Gori (Japanese shaved ice) instead, so I gave my gratitude to Rachid and the chef, and we stopped at Japan for the melon Kaki Gori, on our way to Norway to take a ride on Maelstrom.
DD and I didn't get to ride Maelstrom in April as it was closed due to maintenance issues, although DW and DD#2 did on their "two girls day" while we were at Universal Studios, so we wanted to try and ride it again. It was listed as only a 20 minute wait. But apparently that included about 15 minutes of automated announcements of the ride having shut down and for people to stay in their boats. We were in line not moving for at least 20 minutes, and people were leaving. We waited another 5 minutes, and now it was getting close to 8:20pm and we wanted to definitely see Illuminations, so we decided to skip out. We climbed over the railings to get out. The interesting part was the woman, back near the entrance, making snide remarks about the people leaving, saying she was just told by the CM that it was just down for a few minutes because someone needed help getting off a boat. Uh...it doesn't take 25 minutes to help someone on or off one of those boats...and regardless that is no reason to be making snide comments. You should thank everyone who is leaving as you get to ride so much sooner.
DD suggested instead going over to Mexico and riding the Gran Fiesta ride, but I reminded her that counting the actual ride time it would be close to if not after 9pm and we might not be able to get a good viewing location, and just for once I'd like to see something without having to look around people. So we managed to grab a GREAT spot, right in front of Norway, next to one of the VIP viewing areas. We were against the rope separating the VIP area, so there was no one to our right (even at show time the VIP area wasn't crowded, and most of them were sitting down). We just had to wait a while, watching the boat crews checking everything out. One boat skipper saw my DD waving, so did a little gun-and-turn to produce a wake wave that lapped up on the shore, which surprised a few people but didn't actually come anywhere close.
We haven't seen Illuminations since 2006 (we are usually too tired), so the globe had been updated and it does seem to me like they've increased the resolution of the LEDs on it to make the images clearer, which was a plus. As usually the show and the music were spectacular.
Then there was the march with everyone else around the World Showcase out to the parking lot...we didn't seem to have to wait long to actually get out of the parking lot though...and definitely glad we weren't taking a bus or the monorail...
DD and I did run over to the main hall to refill our mugs before turning for the night. We leave tomorrow...
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