"I have to be honest, Will. I'm having a really difficult time hearing anything you have to say today because your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing about living on the bayou."
I thought I'd start this update off with one of my favorite quotes from the Glee season finale. Oh, Sue. You slay me. And I will never be able to ride Splash Mountain again without thinking of Mr. Schuester's hair. So thanks, Glee!
Okay, picking up where I left off last time....
July 25th: Hooray for Hollywood!!!
On the 25th, we will be heading to MGM. Yeah, I still call it MGM. Sometimes I call it the Studios. But never Disney’s Hollywood Studios or whatever the actual name is. It will always be MGM in my heart. And therefore it will always be MGM in my trip report. Deal with it.
I bet you're asking yourself, just what is MarietheCat excited for at MGM?
Well, there are a lot of things. And since I'm a bit of an OCD list-making person, I've prepared a list.
1. The sky ALWAYS seems brighter over MGM.
Have you ever noticed this? I don't know why exactly, but the sky takes on a whole new shade of blue over MGM.
I mean, the sky is as blue as the wallpaper in Andy's bedroom! It's ridiculous.
And look at this picture! Just ignore all of the random people.
It's crazy. I have titled this pic "So Freakin' Blue" because, well, the sky IS so freakin' blue. And I promise I haven't doctored the picture in any way. I am far too computer illiterate to do something like that. Just getting the pictures uploaded to photobucket takes some work.
2. The early morning Toy Story Mania mania
Yep, you read that right. I ENJOY the mad dash to TSM at rope drop. I find it hilarious. There is something inherently funny about a massive group of people all hauling tail to a ride at a theme park. It’s just silly.
There are some times when a massive human stampede is necessary. Like if a building catches on fire and everyone needs to empty out. Or if you’re running with the bulls in Spain. But stampeding towards a theme park ride at 9:00 in the morning? ABSOLUTELY not necessary. And for that reason, I tend to laugh hysterically as we power walk to TSM.
Here are some pics from the stampede.
As you can see in this photo, the boy in front of me is gripping the strap on his backpack for dear life. And I can't say I blame him. It can get downright crazy.
In this picture, we've rounded the bend and are headed down the home stretch. As you can see, everyone's arms are in what I've dubbed "Mania motion". You've gotta get the full power walk on. I mean, not using your arms could cut precious seconds off of your time. Who wants to get to TSM at 9:02 when you could have gotten there at 9:01?
3. The American Idol Experience
I’ve already told you just how much I love Idol. It’s like an addiction. I just can’t break it, no matter how hard I try. So it makes sense that I would love this show. What can I say, I like singing. I like watching other people sing. I like singing silently under my breath while they’re singing. I like belting out Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway while we’re exiting the show because a girl sang it, and I thought I could totally have done better. (Which I totally couldn't have
)
But...it would be so cool to try out and get picked. If only my karaoke staple, Can’t Fight This Feeling, was on the list… I love that song. And I burst out singing it all the time. It’s the perfect song for belting out randomly. Just try to resist it.
And even as I wander, I’m keeping you in sight.
You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.
And I’m getting cloooooser than I ever thought I miiiiiiiiight.
And I can’t fight this feeling anymore.
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for.
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars forever.
‘Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
Even if I have to crawl upon your floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymoooooooore.
I mean, really, why is that not on the list? Why aren't there more classic rock songs? I'm a classic rock kinda girl, if you can't tell. Or at least give me some cheesy 80s ballads. I do a mean Total Eclipse of the Heart. How many times do I have to listen to somebody sing This Is Me from that horrific Camp Rock movie?
Okay, I'll stop ranting before I drive everybody insane. Plus, my point is pretty much moot because I wouldn't have the guts to audition, anyway.
4. The Architecture (Which I am now realizing I have very few pictures of)
I absolutely adore all of the buildings on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. They are all so interesting. I have a massive fascination with Old Hollywood, so I could spend hours just admiring all of the detail. If I ever get to design and build my dream house, I think it’s going to wind up striped like the building in this picture. Pretty rad, right?
Or maybe it will be covered in blue tile, like this building…
Either way, I will have the coolest house ever. And I need to remember to take more pictures of the architecture for "planning" purposes.
July 26th: A Day of Ups and Downs
On the 26th, we will be heading to the Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom and I
have a bit of a love/hate relationship. Okay, it’s actually probably closer to a hate (with the occasional burst of love) relationship. There is just something about that park and I that does not gel. AT ALL.
It all starts when you get off the bus and have to walk 80 BAJILLION MILES to the park entrance. Then once you’re in, you have to walk another 50 BAZILLION MILES to the Tree of Life. So much walking for so early in the morning.
And then, the Animal Kingdom always seems to be 500 degrees warmer than the rest of the World. I think all of the foliage must trap the heat or something. I mean, Florida summers are warm enough. I don’t need to be trapped in a giant heat bubble with no breeze. It’s just miserable.
But like I said, despite its shortcomings, there are still some aspects of the Animal Kingdom that I do enjoy.
1. Dinosaur
I’ve ridden this thing numerous times, but I have yet to actually see the big scary Carnotaurus. I keep my eyes closed every time. My sister and I just sit there clutching each other for dear life. And it couldn’t be more fun.
Here’s a picture I took of one of our ride photos. As you can see, my sister and I are huddled together in the front row. And everyone else in our car is just sitting there, not reacting to the GIANT MENACING DINOSAUR LEAPING ABOUT TO EAT US ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Festival of the Lion King
I LOVE this show. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. I love EVERYTHING about it. I love the music. I love the Tumble Monkeys in all their neon glory.
I love when they ask a little kid to make a giraffe noise, but none of the kids ever know what a giraffe sounds like. I love Timon.
I love the little medley of all of the songs they do during the Finale. It always makes me so happy! And then I wind up singing The Lion Sleeps Tonight for the rest of the day.
I also love this costume.
Seriously. I want this girl’s part. The Dance department offers an African dance class at my college. If I take that class, can I be in FotLK? Please? Pretty please with Mickey sprinkles on top? I have YEARS of dance experience. And I can rock lime green...
So after we leave the Animal Kingdom, I really want to take a Sea Raycer out on the Seven Seas Lagoon. My mom and sister rented one from the Wilderness Lodge a few years ago and had a blast. I was going to come with them, but I had a killer headache, so I used the time to take a nap. But I am determined to make up for that missed opportunity. And since we don’t usually spend too much time at the AK, I’ll have plenty of time that afternoon/evening to take a boat out.
I’m also planning on using this time to get in some serious hammock time. I LOVE hammocks. And lying in a hammock on the Polynesian beach is probably the most relaxing thing a person can do. Shoot, I probably shouldn't say that. I don't like having to fight for a hammock.
So um...the hammocks at the Polynesian are itchy, and not at all relaxing. You'll throw your back out if you lay in one too long. And you'll get eaten alive by sand fleas. DON'T DO IT.
The 26th also just happens to be the day we’re having dinner at ‘Ohana. And our ADR is for 8:50, so we’ll get to see the fireworks from the restaurant. I’m really excited! We’ve watched the fireworks from the Polynesian beach many times...
...But never from inside ‘Ohana. It should be a cool experience. I mean, what’s better than chomping down on DELICIOUS food while watching a Disney fireworks show? The answer is nothing. NOTHING is better than that.
That's all for this update. I'm off to catch up on everybody else's PTRs and TRs. But there are still 2 more Disney days for me to outline, so stay tuned!
Thanks for reading!
There were always gatorades and twizzlers and pringles. My sister and I had many landmarks on the way. We knew we were getting close when we passed the WOFL radio station. For some reason, that always made us laugh and say, "Waffle!" So I totally get it...and I'm kind of jealous. I think when I have kids, we'll do the drive again.....good times!
for the funk ending! We love both Toy Story movies and can't wait for #3!
We had on Toy Story last night too. We only caught the end but best line is when they're at the airport and the little girl says "Look, it's a big ugly man doll!" haha 
I'm glad I'm not the only one who just can't help but dance when the pre-Illuminations techno music comes on. It's just so dance-able.
Sue cracks me up. I used to not like her, but now she just makes me laugh. 
the new tee! It is adorable!
Delia's has some good stuff!
