The Life of a VIP - Adventures By Disney Backstage Magic About This Page:

[disneydani]

Wow....it does just keeping better and better! How awesome that ABD had some cool off-the-itinerary surprises for your group. Can't wait to read what is next around the corner.

danielle

[WishIwasinDisney]

I'm at work reading this and when I finished the last update I said out loud "Oh no, don't be done!" and everyone looked at me. Guess I was really into it! I love your trip report so much, can't wait for more.

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time at Imagineering! Love all the pictures!

[BeckiO5]

Thank you for the heads up on Walt's Barn and his train. I may have to plan a trip sometime With him and plan a special stop at Walt's Train and Barn and let my brother relive his childhood again(hopefully he won't be embarassed as he's now a teenager), but your trip is inspiring some special Brother- Sister tine in Cali. Thank you Sharon!

[Jillybean]

I'm pretty sure that you did a week's worth of touring and shopping just in one morning! What a fantastic experience you had!!!

Jill

[lazanya]

What a great morning!

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by mcc0313

What an amazing morning, I already thought the tour was worth it but it just keeps getting better and better. Everything sounded so interesting, I can't believe that they destroy the models but I guess I can understand it in a way, if it got into the wrong hands....but it is really sad to think about as the few models that are in One Man's Dream they are just so cool to see, but I do guess they do so many that there really aren't enough safe places to keep them all. Love that you all got to enjoy some shopping....adn what great deals you all were able to get.

Yes, when he told us they destroy them, 44 people gasped all at once! I'd be glad to give one of them a good home. It's funny but those are the things I wish I could collect and they're unavailable to the public. Of course, I don't have anywhere to put them, but I wish I had them anyway!

Originally Posted by DawnK

Oh man are you one lucky gal!! I kept creeping closer to my computer like I was trying to get in there with you. Don't stop now!!! What a haul at the gift shop you got!!! I am sooo jealous.

So that makes me not feel so guilty for writing such a detailed TR. I provide a "you were there" experience.

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Oh my, how could you not buy everything in that store!!! How cool is THAT??!!! I agree, that stop at Imagineering is worth the entire trip. Completely awesome!!! If your story thus far wasn't enough for me to want to take this trip - it's definitely happening now! (ok, maybe not right now, but in a few years. )

Like I said, Mickey's of Glendale is a great store! There was so much great merchandise. And it was hard to resist buying because the prices were really good. I got a nice windbreaker jacket for about $25 (I used the 40% off coupon for it). If I remember, I'll take pictures of some of the stuff I bought.

Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993

Shashi, I'm lovin' your trip report finishing motivation (especially because I can't wait for what's motivating you to get here. ) I'm so excited that you got to meet Lucky. Zack and I were lucky (and I totally didn't get that until I just typed the word) enough to meet him when he was at Animal Kingdom. Zack did get to go up to him and get a picture and interact with him just a bit. I still think it was the coolest thing I've ever seen in a Disney park so it's a bit of a shame that he's now behind closed doors at Imagineering. And can I just say that I've been cracking up all morning about Miss Nosy Pants getting her comeuppance at the In 'n' Out Burger Drive-Thru. that! Can't wait for more, and if I'm calculating correctly I won't have to wait long!

I knew someone I know had met him, but not having your memory, I couldn't remember exactly who. I was thinking it might be LeeNee. Was she with you? Anyway, I agree it's sad that Lucky retired so young. And believe me, we had a good laugh at Miss Nosy Pants.

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

OMG! This ABD just gets better & better!!

Kelly, it was amazing! I honestly don't think I can pick one single thing that was the best. The entire trip was just awesome.

Originally Posted by KMB733

What an amazing start to the day! That's so cool that you got to meet Lucky. I remember my friend and I looking everywhere for him at AK, but never got to see him. Sounds like you made some great purchases at the store!

Yeah, I remember Lucky being in the parks but I didn't take any trips then (that was back in my sane, two-trips-a-year period). I didn't know we'd get to meet him, so it was the best surprise and a magical moment for sure.

Originally Posted by HeatherD

OMG - I want/NEED those bags!!! But, knowing my luck, I'd sign up for an ABD and they won't take us to the store that day because of some unforeseen calamity or something...

I'm gonna go all Veruca Salt on you, PSha - I want more and I want it NOOOOOOW!

I hate to keep talking about a store that most people can't visit, but they really had fantastic merchandise. And now I know never to travel with you. Thanks for the warning.

Originally Posted by BeckiO5

I completely agree with the others, wonderful morning. The tour looks amazing. Lucky looks so cute. So glad you finally got to meet him. I too am sad that they destroy the models after they create the real thing. Understandible that they don't want it getting into the wrong hands and don't have enough room for it all. Congrats on all of your purchases. Sounds like you made out like a bandit in their shop. Looking foward to more please.

Side note, Sharon, I am so sorry to hear your trip wasn't when the Yankees were playing the Angels in Anaheim. That would have been so cool for you to see. I hope you are able to make it out tthere another time to see one though.

Yeah, I was bummed about the game, but getting to meet the podcast team made up for it. I'm thinking another trip out to DL next summer sounds good. I'm DYING to see World of Color - it looks amazing! So i'm hoping I can go to a game then.

Originally Posted by disneydani

Wow....it does just keeping better and better! How awesome that ABD had some cool off-the-itinerary surprises for your group. Can't wait to read what is next around the corner.

danielle

The best surprise is on Day 4 of the Adventure! And when I planned my first ABD, I hated the vague itinerary, but now I've decided that I love the little surprises more!

Originally Posted by WishIwasinDisney

I'm at work reading this and when I finished the last update I said out loud "Oh no, don't be done!" and everyone looked at me. Guess I was really into it! I love your trip report so much, can't wait for more.

Glad you're enjoying it! More is coming right up!

Originally Posted by BeckiO5

Thank you for the heads up on Walt's Barn and his train. I may have to plan a trip sometime With him and plan a special stop at Walt's Train and Barn and let my brother relive his childhood again(hopefully he won't be embarassed as he's now a teenager), but your trip is inspiring some special Brother- Sister tine in Cali. Thank you Sharon!

Aww, you're welcome! Glad I could help.

Originally Posted by Jillybean

I'm pretty sure that you did a week's worth of touring and shopping just in one morning! What a fantastic experience you had!!!

Jill

That's just the morning! This was our busiest day, and that was only our first stop.

[PrincessSharon]

Standard disclaimer: This is a detailed TR with many spoilers. If you don’t want to know all the details, stop reading. Also, there are some things listed on the itinerary and some things not listed on the itinerary. For things not listed, I will post an additional spoiler warning, in case you want to read about it but not spoil all the little surprises.

Day Six, Part Two
Walking among Legends

We drove over to the Walt Disney Studios where it was so cool to arrive at the gate (and be able to get in ).



We parked the bus and headed in. We saw some soundstages where Disney films are made, but we didn’t go in.



And of course, the famous water tower.



Of all the studios I visited on my trip, this was my favorite, because of the Disney touches everywhere, of course.





Our very first stop was to be the Archives. Unfortunately, because we’d been running so late, Dave Smith had gone home (we missed him only by a few minutes). So we had to have another archivist give us the tour. I was disappointed, but now I’ll have an “excuse” to take the tour again. The Archives are in the Frank G. Wells building. The good news (at least I hope you’ll think it’s good news) is that we were able to take pictures, so lots of pictures are coming up!









We didn’t go through the entire archives, but there was a big room with plenty of stuff for us to look at.





















Our guide (I forgot his name ) showed us a few treasures including


A Disneyland opening day pass (it was invitation only this day)


A day one parking pass (extremely rare! – most people would’ve thrown it away)


The first park ticket issued (it was Walt’s brother Roy’s). You think they would’ve let him in for free!

And one of the coolest things to me, Walt’s personal copy of the Steamboat Willie script.





Then we got to see one of Walt’s Oscars.



Walt Disney has won more Academy Awards than any single person by far (I think the total is 26). We were able to take a picture with it. While waiting for our turn, we were able to walk around and explore some more.

I took some close-up photos of those tickets.







We even got to see the little animated bird that Walt purchased and gave to his Imagineers to figure out how to make audio animatronics.





And to quote Lou Mongello, “the thing still works!” We got to see it sing a little later. I did some more wandering.




This cracked me up! I remember it from Pinocchio and was thinking it would be hilarious in real life!








Too bad I couldn’t add a Grammy to my lineup of award photos













And then it was my turn to pose with the Oscar.


“You like me! You really like me!”

Jaime posed, too.



Then, they turned the bird on so we could hear it sing. I don’t know what I was doing, but I wasn’t taking video or anything. Probably because I didn’t have a close enough look. Here’s a Photopass picture.



Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

Right outside that room was one of the huge multiplane cameras that Walt and his team invented. It was so large I couldn’t get the entire thing in the photo!





We walked over to the area with a lot of memorabilia in a case. It was hard to get photographs (and my camera must’ve been on a weird setting because I have a bunch of wonky-looking pics). I did get one halfway decent one.



There was also a display of hats used in Disney movies, which was really cool. I had the same picture issue here, but managed to get one or two decent ones.








One of Walt’s personal hats

And then movie costumes (same issue)



We left the Archives and as we passed the Animation building, Michael told us that John Lasseter himself had told Michael where his first office was when he first worked for Disney and told him to share it with folks on the tour. I am somewhat of a Lasseter fangirl, so I was geeking out about that bit of trivial.


John Lasseter’s first office was immediately to the right of the door

Walt wanted the Seven Dwarfs put there because, of course, the success of Snow White allowed them to move to a bigger, nicer studio. Thus the Dwarfs were the foundation of the new studio. Clever!





On the way to our next stop, we passed Pluto’s Corner. Why is it called that?




Notice there are only 3 pawprints in front of that fire hydrant



It’s the only “street sign on the lot, and it was only put there as a gag in a film (I forget now which one), but it’s been there ever since and is now a landmark. We had to head to lunch next. I mean we had to, because the Commissary was going to stop serving lunch at 2:30, and it was almost 2. We got our meal tickets and headed in.





I decided on a cheeseburger, but mainly because the side dish was sweet potato fries and I love me some sweet potato fries. I didn’t take a picture of it, but you all know what a burger and fries look like, right? By the time I got my food, they were all out of desserts. I could’ve gotten a pre-packaged ice cream, but with such a late lunch, I didn’t want to still be full from lunch when it was time for dinner. I did take some photos in the Commissary.




The current time at all the Disney parks worldwide

After lunch, we headed out to finish up the tour of the Studio.




I look so stupid in this picture that it makes me laugh – I didn’t know I was supposed to be mimicking Mickey. Dork!

We stopped at Pluto’s Corner again, also known as the intersection of Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive.



Then we passed the theatre. The Princess and the Frog premiered here.



Michael told us about the Animation building (the building on Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive). He told us some interesting facts about the building, including where Walt’s office used to be, then we walked through the Animation building. We didn’t stop at all, but we were allowed to get photos on our way through. We also found out where the tunnel was (Walt had an underground passageway built between the Animation and Ink & Paint buildings so animators could transfer the cells over without worrying about exposure to the elements).

As simple as this part was, it was one of my favorite parts of the tour (though honestly, I could say that about almost every single thing we did). I loved walking through and seeing all the artwork on the walls.














The tunnel’s right underneath this corridor
















I think Michael told us that Shaun Cassidy is in Walt’s former office now



Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

Our next stop was Legends Plaza. Legends Plaza was really fantastic. There are plaques of all the Disney legends, some with handprints. It also contains the Partners statue, the Roy & Minnie statue and a huge version of the Disney Legend award. You could also get a good view of the Dwarfs.



Here’s where I went a little picture crazy. I know, you’re probably saying to yourself I passed that point dozens of updates ago. But really, I took eleventy jillion pictures. I’m only sharing about half of the ones I took.















I was able to get a good look at the Partners statue, and Michael told us the history. According to the artist, Walt is saying to Mickey, “look what we created together.”



At the Magic Kingdom in WDW, the Partners statue faces the Roy & Minnie statue. There, Walt is saying to Mickey, “It’s time for you to join Roy and Minnie.”



With Roy and Minnie, it’s supposed to represent right after Walt’s passing. Minnie is consoling Roy, and there’s a spot on the bench where Mickey will come and join them. I thought it was touching and it makes me look at both with a new appreciation.



Now that I’ve distracted you, I can post more Legends.







I got some closeups of the Dwarfs, too. Even though it looks like they’re holding the building up, each one is freestanding and not attached (except at the feet of course).















Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

The problem with being a Disney geek of my level is that there were a lot of names I recognized. I tried to include the ones I thought were most well-known.







Ward Kimball was an unusual guy!



Here’s the giant version of the Legends statue that people receive when they become a Disney Legend.








There’s a hidden mouse on the Legends award, but not Mickey!

And this is the last batch of Legends pics.



















We posed for another group photo, too.



And from Legends Plaza, you get a pretty good look at the water tower.



The last stop we made at the Walt Disney Studios was in the Studio Store. This wasn’t such a fantastic shopping experience because most of the merchandise was stuff you can find elsewhere. I did manage to find something to buy. I thought it was interesting behind the counter, so I snapped this photo.



I like that the clocks make a Hidden Mickey (though the ears should be lower) and the three CMs on duty had their name tags up there on the wall.

Now it was time to go. On the way out, they pointed out Stage 2, where Mary Poppins was made in its entirety. It’s called the Mary Poppins stage now.





So we climbed aboard our coach and set off for Anaheim.



Another consequence of our lateness was that now we’d hit rush hour traffic on our drive to Disneyland. But hey, I’ll sit in traffic if Disneyland is on the other end of the journey. On the bus, they handed out snacks and water to anyone needing it.



They showed a short movie, but I took the time to watch Glee on my iPod touch instead.

Up Next: Upgrade! Woot!

[dsteiny23]

Okay...2 posts to catch up on. Okay...the Imagineering tour. I think I may have said this once or twice before but WOW!! What an amazing tour! I love the Mickey and mops that will be hanging off of the Dream, very cool! And hey...you saw them being built. Oh...Mickey's of Glendale...a shoppers heaven! How did you manage to keep it just $50 over your gift card. I'm always of the mindset when I have a gift card in hand that really no matter what I spend I can always tell Craig "yeah, but I saved (fill-in-the-blank)!" He doesn't always buy it.

Wow again for the Studios tour!! Love the Picture of Mickey drawing himself into the future. Way Cool! Okay, why is the guy touching the actual Steamboat Willie script with his oily hands!! Love the 3 paw prints And love me some sweet potatoe fries too!! I am absolutely loving this TR and seriously thinking of planning this one with the boys. I assume they do something similar for families too??

[mcc0313]

What an amazing afternoon, there is just so much that you would never get to do if you were not on the ABD. Legends Plaza....wow, just so many people that were part of bringing the magic, and I love the story about the partners statue and what it means there....and what it represents in WDW . What a wonderful story, sad but wonderful.

[Colexis Mom]

Wow, what a fantastic place to visit! So cool!

[BeckiO5]

Walt Disney Studios looks amazing. I had goosebumps readingbout the Partners Statues(and believe it or not still don't have a pic in fron of the one with Walt & Mickey or Roy & Minnie, but this will change in September) as to the meaning behind them. Can't waitto read about your time at DLR!

I am going to have to back through later after my little one goes to bed to re-
read a couple of your updates as the pictures didn't want to show up for me.
I am thoroughly enjoying your trip though. I know wemay have to wait a few years until my DS is old enough to take this tour, but it looks like so much fun.

Glad you got to meet the Podcast Teamand it was. A fair trade for missing your Beloved Yankees.