Edzter86
03-07-2003, 09:03 PM
Note—I apologize for this report being so late. Back-to-school has really stressed me out this week, and my time on Intercot has been extremely limited. Enjoy nonetheless. smile.gif
Edzter86’s Disney Dream Vacation -- Trip Report – Day 4
Cast of Characters
Ed -–Dad-Advisor on Financial Matters
Chris --Mom is into the activities beyond the mouse-has the “been there, done that attitude”
Eddy –- Edzter86--(16) (Me!)--Disney Vacation Commander
David –- Brother--(13)—Likes the technical aspect of Disney
Monday February 24th, 2003
Disney’s Behind the Magic of Our Steam Train Tour
Wow it was early this morning. We had a 5:45 wake-up call. Again, like days past, I was up and out of bed within 10 seconds. When at Disney, I have a motive to get up early. :D I shower, and when I’m done, everyone else is up. They know they need to get ready, because we have our Steam Train Tour reservations at 7:30 this morning.
We leave the room and head for breakfast. I had the croissant sandwich again. Yum. Not bad for a cafeteria food-court. ;) We were at the bus stop at 6:55 to be sure we caught the first bus to Magic Kingdom. The bus arrived at 7:15 and went straight to the Magic Kingdom. It was also labeled Magic Kingdom, not Special, or Character Breakfast Bus. The driver said there would be several more buses till 8, when regular bus service would start.
We arrived at Magic Kingdom and checked-in right at 7:30 and met Jim McCloon, our tour guide for today. We had some time to spare; the tour didn’t begin till 7:45, though they say to arrive at 7:30. We posed for a picture in front of the Train Station with the 100 Years of Magic, and Magic Kingdom signs, as well as the train we would ride in the background. You can see that picture by checking out my Webshots account.
We were all presented with ID cards that had our names, and the Train Tour Logo on them. We proceeded up to the train station, but first popping in to see Main Street completely deserted except for service vehicles. Jim pointed out some very specific details about Main Street no one could possible realize on their own. There are electric lights in Town Square, as this quiet town is on the verge of progress, but still has gas lamps up Main Street.
The Lilly Belle locomotive engine was waiting for us. Another railroad cast member, Barbra, pulled me aside, and told me I was going to call “All Aboard!” To do this, I had to flip a buzzer switch 3 times simultaneously as shouting “All Aboard” and raising my arm up high and bringing it down in a swift motion. All 3 procedures are done for safety. David and I get to ride in the very back of the train with Barbra. She points out little cast member hints to us. For example, the access road in Adventureland as well as Frontierland is used for the parades and also the hidden Mickey cloud in Splash Mountain.
We pulled into the Toontown Station and David was selected to help throw the switch to switch us to the back line to bring us backstage. There’s some pictures of David throwing the switch at Webshots as well.
Oh, while I remember. You are allowed to bring cameras and video cameras with you. After September 11, cameras were not allowed at all, but the rules have been modified since then. You are only allowed to take pictures though while “on stage.” Once we traveled backstage, we could not take pictures, and the camera/film would be destroyed if we did.
So, we backed up, and Barbra showed us the crossing, and all the cast members hurry to get to work on-time. She said some get pretty annoyed on “Train Tour Days,” as the train takes several minutes to pass over the crossing. We back up into the roundhouse. We can’t get off inside the roundhouse because of safety hazards. The train then pulls forward out of the roundhouse (which is actually not round at all. It’s a rectangular building, and also houses the monorails.) We are able to disembark. The Lilly Belle then leaves us, as it needs to stop in Toontown and pick up Mickey and the gang to prepare for the new opening show at the entrance of the park. We learned that the Liberty Belle engine and cars are considered the “Show Train.” That is the only train used for the new opening show because the guard rails on the left hand side of the cars were removed so the characters could get off. If crowds pick up, and the train needs to be used by guests, they must reattach these safety bars. We also learn that at the time, the Roger Broggie engine is in for repairs.
We separated into groups of 5, and each group got a chance to get “up close and personal” with the engine itself. We got to sit in the engineer and fire man’s seats. Jim pointed out all the controls—Very, very cool! I’d love to drive one of these things! :D
We then boarded the Walter E. Disney train and proceeded back onstage to Toontown again. We were allowed to take pictures again. The crew filled the water from the actual working water tower at the station. Jim and the crew also demonstrated several safety checks to us: running a red signal, water pressure, and other similar precautions. We were able to disembark and take pictures really close to the locomotive.
We then re-boarded and finished the circle and arrived in Main Street, the first train of the day. :D We then went downstairs and finished the tour with a history of Walt and his love for trains. Jim left us with the quote,
"It was all started by a mouse, who was born on a train." (See the new addition to my signature. ;)
My Thoughts on the Tour: Amazing. Outstanding. Well-worth every penny. For only $30 something dollars, this tour is definitely worth it. Also, its one of the only tours families can do together. Most other Behind the Scenes Tours have an age requirement of 16+. The Train Tour’s in only 10. Jim was fully knowledgeable and a great cast member. I actually told him I’m interested in some sort of job with Disney, and he said to write him, and he’d send me a referral card! :eek: graemlins/notworthy.gif I thanked him, and finished writing that letter yesterday.
[ March 07, 2003, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: Edzter86 ]
Edzter86’s Disney Dream Vacation -- Trip Report – Day 4
Cast of Characters
Ed -–Dad-Advisor on Financial Matters
Chris --Mom is into the activities beyond the mouse-has the “been there, done that attitude”
Eddy –- Edzter86--(16) (Me!)--Disney Vacation Commander
David –- Brother--(13)—Likes the technical aspect of Disney
Monday February 24th, 2003
Disney’s Behind the Magic of Our Steam Train Tour
Wow it was early this morning. We had a 5:45 wake-up call. Again, like days past, I was up and out of bed within 10 seconds. When at Disney, I have a motive to get up early. :D I shower, and when I’m done, everyone else is up. They know they need to get ready, because we have our Steam Train Tour reservations at 7:30 this morning.
We leave the room and head for breakfast. I had the croissant sandwich again. Yum. Not bad for a cafeteria food-court. ;) We were at the bus stop at 6:55 to be sure we caught the first bus to Magic Kingdom. The bus arrived at 7:15 and went straight to the Magic Kingdom. It was also labeled Magic Kingdom, not Special, or Character Breakfast Bus. The driver said there would be several more buses till 8, when regular bus service would start.
We arrived at Magic Kingdom and checked-in right at 7:30 and met Jim McCloon, our tour guide for today. We had some time to spare; the tour didn’t begin till 7:45, though they say to arrive at 7:30. We posed for a picture in front of the Train Station with the 100 Years of Magic, and Magic Kingdom signs, as well as the train we would ride in the background. You can see that picture by checking out my Webshots account.
We were all presented with ID cards that had our names, and the Train Tour Logo on them. We proceeded up to the train station, but first popping in to see Main Street completely deserted except for service vehicles. Jim pointed out some very specific details about Main Street no one could possible realize on their own. There are electric lights in Town Square, as this quiet town is on the verge of progress, but still has gas lamps up Main Street.
The Lilly Belle locomotive engine was waiting for us. Another railroad cast member, Barbra, pulled me aside, and told me I was going to call “All Aboard!” To do this, I had to flip a buzzer switch 3 times simultaneously as shouting “All Aboard” and raising my arm up high and bringing it down in a swift motion. All 3 procedures are done for safety. David and I get to ride in the very back of the train with Barbra. She points out little cast member hints to us. For example, the access road in Adventureland as well as Frontierland is used for the parades and also the hidden Mickey cloud in Splash Mountain.
We pulled into the Toontown Station and David was selected to help throw the switch to switch us to the back line to bring us backstage. There’s some pictures of David throwing the switch at Webshots as well.
Oh, while I remember. You are allowed to bring cameras and video cameras with you. After September 11, cameras were not allowed at all, but the rules have been modified since then. You are only allowed to take pictures though while “on stage.” Once we traveled backstage, we could not take pictures, and the camera/film would be destroyed if we did.
So, we backed up, and Barbra showed us the crossing, and all the cast members hurry to get to work on-time. She said some get pretty annoyed on “Train Tour Days,” as the train takes several minutes to pass over the crossing. We back up into the roundhouse. We can’t get off inside the roundhouse because of safety hazards. The train then pulls forward out of the roundhouse (which is actually not round at all. It’s a rectangular building, and also houses the monorails.) We are able to disembark. The Lilly Belle then leaves us, as it needs to stop in Toontown and pick up Mickey and the gang to prepare for the new opening show at the entrance of the park. We learned that the Liberty Belle engine and cars are considered the “Show Train.” That is the only train used for the new opening show because the guard rails on the left hand side of the cars were removed so the characters could get off. If crowds pick up, and the train needs to be used by guests, they must reattach these safety bars. We also learn that at the time, the Roger Broggie engine is in for repairs.
We separated into groups of 5, and each group got a chance to get “up close and personal” with the engine itself. We got to sit in the engineer and fire man’s seats. Jim pointed out all the controls—Very, very cool! I’d love to drive one of these things! :D
We then boarded the Walter E. Disney train and proceeded back onstage to Toontown again. We were allowed to take pictures again. The crew filled the water from the actual working water tower at the station. Jim and the crew also demonstrated several safety checks to us: running a red signal, water pressure, and other similar precautions. We were able to disembark and take pictures really close to the locomotive.
We then re-boarded and finished the circle and arrived in Main Street, the first train of the day. :D We then went downstairs and finished the tour with a history of Walt and his love for trains. Jim left us with the quote,
"It was all started by a mouse, who was born on a train." (See the new addition to my signature. ;)
My Thoughts on the Tour: Amazing. Outstanding. Well-worth every penny. For only $30 something dollars, this tour is definitely worth it. Also, its one of the only tours families can do together. Most other Behind the Scenes Tours have an age requirement of 16+. The Train Tour’s in only 10. Jim was fully knowledgeable and a great cast member. I actually told him I’m interested in some sort of job with Disney, and he said to write him, and he’d send me a referral card! :eek: graemlins/notworthy.gif I thanked him, and finished writing that letter yesterday.
[ March 07, 2003, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: Edzter86 ]