Flores - December 2005

Day 6 - Tuesday December 6, 2005

Today: MGM studios

I awoke to the telephone wake up call, and all I could thank of is Dang you Stitch why couldn't I have 30 more minutes. I woke up grabbed my refillable mug, grabbed the safe deposit box key and went down to the front desk. I retrieved my stuff from yesterday and went and ate breakfast. After breakfast, I went back and dropped my mug off and decided to go to MGM studios.

Today was EMH (extra magic hour) at MGM studios. The weather was really dark and cloudy so I bought me a poncho at the gift shop. I was able to get into MGM without any problems and they had not dropped the ropes yet.

The only rides open were Rocking Roller Coater, Tower Of Terror. I walked over to Backlot Tour with my camera ready. It was about 8:20 and the first tour was 8:30 I think. The cast member was eyeballing my trading lanyard. I told him I just like to get a few, and the others are from gatherings and tours. I wanted to get some pictures of backlot for my camera. I really love Home Improvement so as I was walking in the prop warehouse, I had to get a picture of the riding lawn mower that Tim Allen used.

Since I had been on backlot tour before I kind of knew what to expect. I did pay more attention to the costume department and was extremely impressed when I saw the Sky High costumes. We continued just like before and I just snapped pictures every chance. As we drove by the new "Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show I made a mental note to try and go and see that." That is part of Disneyland's 50th birthday and on loan from Disneyland Paris.

I called Jeff and told him I was at MGM, and he told me he was eating breakfast. I walked over to the Great Movie Ride and I loved it. It was just like last time. I walked over and did the Drew Carey show, "Sounds Dangerous." This show follows detective Carey as we work a case. We were in complete darkness and we had to rely on our head phones to listen to the program. Once outside I started playing with the different machines. I tried to record my voice as Timon and Pumba were singing, but it did not sound good.

I walked back around and decided to go to the Magic of Disney Animation. Jojo and Goliath were there and I got me a picture with them. I found the animation academy and had a lot of reservations about it. The cast member told me it was a lot of fun. I chatted with him. He was wearing a white shirt with many different colors. Inside the animation academy I found a spot on the front row. I was still groaning at how icky my drawing looked. We drew Tigger. The top of my drawing looked really good, but I sort of slaughtered his throat. I kept whining for a eraser, but the cast member says that the professional animators do not use erasers. Jeff called me and I told him I was in animation station. We finished up by putting the stripes on Tigger and we all showed our pictures. She gave all of us compliments and told us the pictures were not as bad as we thought.

I walked out and pulled into the plaza between beauty and the beast and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. I called Jeff and he told me he would be there in a few minutes. I got to hang with Jeff for a little while. I was starting to get hungry, but I had not idea where to go. I decided I wanted to eat at the 50s Prime Time Café. I had watched television and the 50's Prime Time Café seems like a neat place. Everything was themed toward the 50's area. I did not have an ADR (Disney's Advanced Dining Reservation system).

Jeff and I started walking, although I had no idea where I was going, so I just trusted Jeff. We ended up at the Sci-Fi diner. I just laughed my head off and Jeff just shook his head. It was a quick walk and I said good bye to Jeff. I walked in and put on my happy face and told them I wanted to get a meal. They asked me if I had an ADR and I said no. They looked at the seating chart and said they could get me. They put me in the system and I went to the waiting area. My name was called and I was taken to a table. Aunt Brenda came and took my drink order. I ordered a cherry sprite in a special glass. I decided to eat Fried Chicken. What was so funny on one occasion, Aunt Brenda, was bringing me another drink and she says she forgot to cheerrize my drink. She kept coming around every once in a while and she knocked me because she felt I needed to eat more green beans. I finished and she brought out a dessert for another table, and my eyes got huge. I should not have gotten it, but I ordered a Dad's Brownie Surprise. I got it back and my mouth dropped. It has 3 brownies on the bottom, chocolate sauce, 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream, Carmel popcorn, cool whip, and nut. This thing was on an entire platter. I charged in and it took me about 15 minutes to finish. Aunt Brenda brought me the grocery bill and told me the prices were not like there were in the 50's. I handed her my resort card, and she went to process it. She came back I signed my ticket and left a very stuffed young man.

I did not realize this but I had made a real mess on my shirt, and I decided to go and buy me another one. I was a little ticked that it cost 29.00, where a shirt my cost me 19.00 at my resort. I walked over to the Indiana Stunt Show and grabbed a fast pass for it. I thought I was going to go and do the Muppets, but I changed my mind. Near the entrance to Star Tours I found a really neat rock and roll band. I listened to the music for about 20 minutes. My fastpass time was approaching so I got in line and was seated for the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. If I stayed awake I would remember more. But what they do in this show is to demonstrate how stunts work and how they move in set pieces. They called for extras on the set, but I did not get picked. I found out that an extra could stay in character for over 4 hours. I left and saw the poles going up for the 3:30 parade. I asked a character where would be a good spot and he told me that it made a right turn at the hat. I sat down and found me a front row spot for the parade. I got a front row view of the parade and I loved it quite a bit.

After the end of the parade I followed them toward the exit of MGM Studios. I went back to the resort for a couple of hours to rest and do some packing. I realized that I had more stuff than room. I went down to the front desk and grabbed a box and shipped a box to the house on UPS ground. I had previously shipped a package to my house so I was not worried at all.

Jeff had told me that I should do an evening show either Fantasmic or Illuminations. I was really teetering tottering around. I went downstairs to the food court and grabbed me a pizza and soda. I decided I wanted to go to Fantasmic and hopefully get to see the Osborn Christmas lights. I boarded a bus with no problems and I entered the park about 6:30. I walked to the right of the Sorcerer's Hat. I walked past the Tower Of Terror and I did not realize the walk it would be to the amphitheatre. Over half the seats were full already. I walked over to the center right and I got me a front row seat. I had never seen the show, but I do know a lot of it was done on the water.

The show started and Mickey was on the mountain. I loved this show as it was propelled on a screen of water. Disney characters came along in different boats. The show ended with an incredible bang as Mickey won the fight. There were a lot of fireworks. Trying to get out of the stadium was a nightmare. I think the stadium holds like 20,000 people and all of them were trying to get out at the same time.

I finally got out at about 7:30 and asked a cast member if it was too late to go and see the Osborne lights. He told me no and to go over to where the Muppets show is. I walked over past the Sorcerer's Hat and down pas the ABC Commissary. I saw the entrance as I was truly mesmerized. Disney bought 5 million lights from the Osborne family some time ago when they could not display them. All of the lights were on display and it was beautiful. I walked around the different displays for about 10 minutes. I was coming out of one of the Wings when I heard the announcement on the PA that said "That's a wrap".

I walked out of MGM, and just prayed that the busses were running quickly. I got in the queue line and waited about 15 minutes. I went back to the resort and decided I would call it an early day. I went to the room and watched some tv.

Highlight Fantasmic and the Osborne Christmas lights

Low point: not getting on a boat and going to epcot for fireworks afterwards

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