A Shining New Era is Tiptoeing Nearer for the TCD Gang

[Duane 152]

 

 

 

Luckily for them, the girl nerd told the boy nerds that they would be running to the left to head back to the Premier Theater.  Word was that they were handing out wristbands there for the Mark Hamill show later.  We were not going that way- we were just going to Toy Story Midway Mania, so I let the nerds fly when the announcement came.  And fly they did. 

 

Where did this "word" come from that they were handing out wristbands to see the Mark Hamil show?  You and the twins were not talking in a loud volume so that other could over hear were you? I would think that the honorable TCD would not plant false information out to the masses would he?  I mean, April 1 has come and gone this year....

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

 

 

 

Also, Jason, Star Wars Nerd bragging rights if you can tell me what they have written on there with that weird alphabet they use in space.  Those bragging rights go to the first nerd to post the translation.

 

 

The top says Snacks

 

The bottom appears to be DrinkseFood. I thinking they didnt want a separation for some reason. 

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

 

There's a couple of guests in Star Wars get-ups over there on the right.  I think the girl is Disney Bounding as C3P0:

 

 

 

Close but she is not the droid you are looking for. That would be Disneybounding as R2-D2

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

ok i do have some but its all in the attic due to lack of walls and I havent seen it in 8 years. 

 

and it is nowhere near that tacky. 

 

TCD uncovered the TRUTH!!!

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

TCD uncovered the TRUTH!!!

 

The sad truth is I barely remember what the heck is up there in the attic. Throw a couple of more things up there and the place will probably collapse. 

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

Caught up again as we are traveling home from Maryland. Don't worry DH is driving now.

I have to share a fried chicken story. Back when DS was little DH's dad lived just outside of Kansas City. One of the places he would always wanted us to go eat was the casino. He loved his buffets. We were there for Thanksgiving and after eating we were going to head over to the Plaza area to watch them turn on the Christmas lights. It's a big deal as that is the first time they turn them on for the season. Instead if dealing with the crowds down on the street level we just drove to the top level of a parking garage. DH parked the car and went to get DS's stroller out. We had this stroller in the casino with us. When he opened up the stroller, a bunch of chicken that was wrapped in napkins fell out. Guess my FIL was trying to sneak it out to eat later at the nursing home.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Looking forward to the people watching pics as always.

Not a fan of the female han Solo look.

[LONE-STAR 370]

With all the trips to Disney, trip reports, trips around Florida being with your family and hauling them to airports and schools not to mention the time you spend on Fort Fiends. I really don't know how you have time to work? But Bravo good job.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

ok i do have some but its all in the attic due to lack of walls and I havent seen it in 8 years. 

 

and it is nowhere near that tacky. 

 

Aha!

 

I knew it!

 

You need to dig it out and post some photos some day.

 

Then we can judge whether or not it's tacky.

 

When our kids were in college we didn't see them nearly as much as you do.  Especially our younger son who was in SC.  We only saw him on holidays, when we were on vacation nearby, and when they evacuated the campus because of an impending hurricane.

 

 

When I was in college, I didn't see my family much either. And, I didn't have a phone, so the only way to communicate was by letter or making a call on a pay phone (remember those).  I didn't have any money, so there weren't many phone calls.  Times have changed.

 

It plainly translates:  "Thanks Suckers!"

 

Congratulations!

 

You get Star Wars Geek Bragging Rights!

 

Way to go!

 

Where did this "word" come from that they were handing out wristbands to see the Mark Hamil show?  You and the twins were not talking in a loud volume so that other could over hear were you? I would think that the honorable TCD would not plant false information out to the masses would he?  I mean, April 1 has come and gone this year....

 

You know, that's a very good idea.  But, it didn't happen that way this time.  I'll have to keep that in my bag of tricks, though.

 

The top says Snacks

 

The bottom appears to be DrinkseFood. I thinking they didnt want a separation for some reason. 

 

Hey, wait.

 

You mean Duane was just pulling my leg?

 

His translation seemed so accurate.

 

But, I am revoking his bragging rights, and awarding them to you.  Thanks for translating that for me.  I always wonder what that stuff says.

 

Close but she is not the droid you are looking for. That would be Disneybounding as R2-D2

 

Dang it!

 

I knew that!

 

There goes my geek status.

 

I see what you did there with "she is not the droid you are looking for."  Very good!

 

 

TCD uncovered the TRUTH!!!

 

I always do.

 

I knew that Jason had to have a stash of Star Wars memorabilia.  His dog if named Jedi for heaven's sake.

 

The sad truth is I barely remember what the heck is up there in the attic. Throw a couple of more things up there and the place will probably collapse. 

 

Now, we wouldn't want that to happen.

 

So, go fetch your Star Wars art and post some photos of it.

 

Caught up again as we are traveling home from Maryland. Don't worry DH is driving now.

I have to share a fried chicken story. Back when DS was little DH's dad lived just outside of Kansas City. One of the places he would always wanted us to go eat was the casino. He loved his buffets. We were there for Thanksgiving and after eating we were going to head over to the Plaza area to watch them turn on the Christmas lights. It's a big deal as that is the first time they turn them on for the season. Instead if dealing with the crowds down on the street level we just drove to the top level of a parking garage. DH parked the car and went to get DS's stroller out. We had this stroller in the casino with us. When he opened up the stroller, a bunch of chicken that was wrapped in napkins fell out. Guess my FIL was trying to sneak it out to eat later at the nursing home.

 

Grandpa is my hero.

 

Hopefully, my daughters (and yet to be born grandchildren) will smuggle me in some GAG when I'm in the home.

 

Strike that.

 

I am not going to a home.

 

I already told the girls that when it's my time, I'm going to park the pop-up at the Fort and live out my last days there.

 

Looking forward to the people watching pics as always.

Not a fan of the female han Solo look.

 

People watching is coming up next.  SWW never disappoints.

 

I am OK with girl Han Solos.  I am not OK with dude Leia's.  Luckily, I didn't see any of those.

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

With all the trips to Disney, trip reports, trips around Florida being with your family and hauling them to airports and schools not to mention the time you spend on Fort Fiends. I really don't know how you have time to work? But Bravo good job.

 

You raise a good point.  This Shining New Era has me burning the candle at both ends. I think things will slow down here in a bit.

 

TCD

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

I have Star Trek art so no Star Wars to share. Here's the irony with Jedi's name. He had it already when we found him. It was meant to be.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I'm guessing a mullet.

 

Sorry, I somehow missed this comment.

 

What they say about you is true.

 

You are, indeed, psychotic.

 

How did you guess that?

 

I have Star Trek art so no Star Wars to share. Here's the irony with Jedi's name. He had it already when we found him. It was meant to be.

 

Oh Star Trek.  Not geeky at all.  Thanks for clarifying that.

 

That's cool that Jedi already came with that name.  It obviously was meant to be.

 

TCD

[Hotmamac aka Misty 11]

My dog is named Jedi too. And he didn't come with it. But I can blame my son for that one. I'm more Star Trek than Star Wars. 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

My dog is named Jedi too. And he didn't come with it. But I can blame my son for that one. I'm more Star Trek than Star Wars. 

 

Cool.  Jedi is a great name for a dog.

 

I am not sure whether being a Star Trek fan is less geeky than being a Star Wars fan, though.

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

OK, time to get this thing moving again.

 

We left off with us enjoying our breakfast sandwiches from our nice and shady parade viewing spot.  As mentioned, we were way early, but every spot on our side of the street was now full, so we weren't the only ones.

 

It might seem like a boring idea to sit and wait for way over an hour for a parade.  On an ordinary day, I wouldn't.  But today was no ordinary day.  This was Luke's last parade appearance, and we wanted to see him.  Plus, the people watching at Star Wars Weekends is unparalleled.

 

For example, check out this family who stopped right in front of us for a photo.  The dad has the most beautiful mullet I have ever seen:

 

 

 

 

We need to take a closer look at that thing:

 

 

I'm telling you, even Billy Ray himself didn't have a nicer mullet than that.

 

And, when was the last time you saw a mullet?

 

Are they coming back?

 

If you ever come to a SWW and want a good spot to watch the parade, I recommend the spot that the Ewok girl is sitting in right past the trashcan here.  Twin #2 and I were in that spot last time, and it was perfect.  I would have chosen that spot today, but the Ewok girl was there first.  What makes that spot a little better than the one we were in is that there's a tree there that provides additional shade as the sun continues to rise:

 

 

It is now 9:21 am, and while our side of the street is full, there is only one couple on the other side of the street.  You wouldn't think the sun is too hot this early in the morning, but it is, and they would soon find that out:

 

 

Remember the girl nerd with the cape from earlier?  Look who came strolling by us:

 

 

And that is not the last time we will be seeing her today.  I have another photo later that will confirm your suspicions if you think she may be a couple fries short of a Happy Meal.

 

There's another one of those Star Wars dresses.  Don't women get upset if they see another lady with the same dress on?:

 

 

Hey- we saw these two when we were in the Chipwok line:

 

 

Check out this guy with the giant stroller-I'll bet he's proud of himself:

 

 

Here's your basic annoying iPad photographer:

 

 

Look down the street- there's a girl in a Princess Leia costume who was working the crowd:

 

 

Remember that guy with the giant stroller who I said must be proud?  I wish I could have seen his face when this guy strolled by:

 

 

Here comes a cool group.  They have their own light sabers and everything:

 

 

 

Here's a sampling of some of the t-shirts that could be seen around today:

 

 

This guy's t-shirt says "Keep it Classy," and has Darth Vader in a tux:

 

 

Can't get more classy than that.

 

This photo is kind of a fail.  This dude had a sweet costume on, complete with boots.  But I got him going rather than coming. You still get the idea, though:

 

 

Here's another look at that mini Leia down the street:

 

 

This guy had a Go Pro camera on a long stick.  I don't know why:

 

 

And here's another guy with a camera on a stick.  Is this a new trend?:

 

 

Here's a kid with a Hogan's Beach t-shirt, which is a new tourist trap that the Hulk opened on the bridge that goes to Clearwater.  Don't go there.  I took the photo, because we had just seen the Hulk in the flesh at a restaurant in our town the night before:

 

 

In case you missed it, if you're ever in the area, do not go to Hogan's Beach.

 

There are some more girls in Star Wars dresses over there across the street:

 

 

Here's a guy trying (and falling) to look cool while carrying a Darth Vader popcorn bucket:

 

 

Here's another Star Wars fan packing her own light saber- you can also see that couple across the street looks pretty sweaty:

 

 

Man, I could go for a Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll right now.  Where did that come from I wonder?:

 

 

There were quite a few folks walking around SWW with Darth Vader helmets fitted with Mouse Ears, but at this particular moment, that would not be a wise thing to wear in the direct sun:

 

 

I thought you weren't allowed to bring anything into the parks that you could pull behind you, but this guy with the cooler apparently wasn't stopped.  I wonder what he has in there.  And, what does he do with his cooler if he goes on a ride?:

 

 

Now that Twin #2 is a CM, I look at CM's differently.  Take this kid with the long sleeves and long pants for example.  It was way past 90 today.  What's up with that?  Well, have you ever seen a Disney CM with a tattoo?  I'll bet this guy is covering up something:

 

 

Do you remember back earlier in this TR ,when Twin #2 and I came to SWW, and I got to hold the lady CM's accordion?  She never showed up today.  Instead, we got one of these janitors who paints things on the street with water.  The only problem was that the water was instantly evaporating because the street was so hot:

 

 

Fail.

 

Well, that was fun waiting for the parade, wasn't it?

 

The time passed really fast.

 

Then it was time for the parade.

 

We will pick it up from here in the next update.

 

TCD

[Hotmamac aka Misty 11]

Cool.  Jedi is a great name for a dog.

 

I am not sure whether being a Star Trek fan is less geeky than being a Star Wars fan, though.

 

TCD

I totally own the geekiness of Star Trek. I have been called things far worse than "geek". I kind of like geek. 

[Hotmamac aka Misty 11]

I love the first pic of Mullet Man - the photo pass photog is looking right at you with a smile that says "I know what you are taking a picture of!"

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

You don't show up Billy Ray mullet man......watch out. He might send Miley after you.

[shoreline99 137]

Hey, you're in my parade spot!

 

That's our favorite watching spot too, for the reasons you've mentioned. When the kids were little we could park the stroller there in the shade.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Whew!

Finally caught up.

Great pix of SWW. We were there Friday and got some great pix of Mark.

Was Mullet mans hair real? It looks to perfect on my iPhone.

Those girls of yours must keep you young. Rope drop at HS and them MK that afternoon/evening.

I hope my DD enjoys hanging out with me half as much as your girls enjoy spending time with you.

It's good to be TCD!

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I can't wait to hear about the best part of your day.

I won't give it away but I will tell our fellow fiends that it happens at the MK!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I totally own the geekiness of Star Trek. I have been called things far worse than "geek". I kind of like geek. 

 

I don't use geek as a term of derision.  Actually, these super fan types are right in their element at SWW.  And, it's not like they are fans of something obscure.  Star Wars is big business.  And from the looks of things, it's only going to get bigger.

 

I love the first pic of Mullet Man - the photo pass photog is looking right at you with a smile that says "I know what you are taking a picture of!"

 

I didn't catch that, but I think you're right.

 

That was a magnificent mullet.

 

Hey, you're in my parade spot!

 

That's our favorite watching spot too, for the reasons you've mentioned. When the kids were little we could park the stroller there in the shade.

 

What parade did you watch there when your kids were little?   They don't currently have any parades at DHS.  As I recall, when they did have parades, the route was much longer, and there were plenty more spaces to watch.  These SWW parades only go up the street to the BAH, where they stop at the stage.  That's not much room for a park full of people who want to see.

 

You don't show up Billy Ray mullet man......watch out. He might send Miley after you.

 

Oh man, nobody would want that!

 

Whew!

Finally caught up.

Great pix of SWW. We were there Friday and got some great pix of Mark.

Was Mullet mans hair real? It looks to perfect on my iPhone.

Those girls of yours must keep you young. Rope drop at HS and them MK that afternoon/evening.

I hope my DD enjoys hanging out with me half as much as your girls enjoy spending time with you.

It's good to be TCD!

 

Glad that you're caught up. Now you can get going on your report maybe.

 

I think the hair is the real deal.  Like I said, it was a magnificent specimen of a lost art.

 

I can't wait to hear about the best part of your day.

I won't give it away but I will tell our fellow fiends that it happens at the MK!

 

Let's see, what happened at the MK that night?

 

I'll have to think about that.

 

J/K.  But, I don't have a photo of that.  Can I borrow yours when we get to that part?

 

TCD

[shoreline99 137]

Block Party Bash. This was from 2009.

 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Block Party Bash. This was from 2009.

 

 

Cool.  Looks like you were in the same spot.  Maybe later in the day, though.  The shadows look like they're going the other way.

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Yes, I'm posting another update.  How else are we going to get to the end?

 

We left off with the Star Wars parade about to begin.  And here it comes.  We've already seen a bunch of photos from this parade from a prior visit, so I'll limit these to new things and differences.

 

As you can see, it now feels crowded here on Hollywood Blvd.  Also, note how that spot I wanted is still in the shade.  The sun had risen to the point where our shade had vanished.  But, the parade would go quickly, so it wasn't bad:

 

 

Here comes Jedi Mickey:

 

 

And a Chipwok:

 

 

I suddenly got another Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll craving:

 

 

Here comes the 501st again:

 

 

As stated earlier, it's a good thing there's no gravity in space:

 

 

The same creepy old guy who's always in the parade was in this one too:

 

 

Storm Troopers for days:

 

 

Large men in black costumes:

 

 

This guy with the biggest helmet bragging rights apparently never misses a parade either:

 

 

Who's this supposed to be? The Staypuff Marshmallow Man?  That can't be right:

 

 

The dirty Storm Troopers:

 

 

Some guy with a sheet wrapped around his head:

 

 

Sand People- no baby this time though:

 

 

I guess these are clone troopers?  I don't know:

 

 

Now here's something strange.  A normal, attractive female.  What's she doing here?:

 

 

It seems like this parade had more wookies than the previous one.  Lucky us:

 

 

Now come the Disney Star Wars characters.

 

A Disney Ewok:

 

 

The one and only Chewbacca:

 

 

That green guy again.  I think someone told us who he is, but I forgot already:

 

 

I don't know-Clone Troopers?:

 

 

I don't know who this girl is, but I find her kind of intriguing:

 

 

There's R2D2 and some alien woman- I think she's from one of the cartoons:

 

 

Hey look- the same front seat passenger as last time.  This guy has a solid gig here:

 

 

Don't miss the guy with green iPad in that last photo and in the next one too.

 

I don't know again:

 

 

Here's another celebrity-Taylor Gray:

 

 

Never heard of the guy.

 

Here are those characters from the new animated series that's going to be on Disney XD this fall:

 

 

I believe this character is called Sabine.  And I think she kind of likes me:

 

 

They apparently got themselves a new robot for the cartoon- this guy goes by the name Chopper- I don't think he was in the previous parade we saw:

 

 

The back side of Sabine:

 

 

Well, I was hoping to get all the parade photos in one post, but we didn't quite make it. 

 

So, we will see good old (and I do mean old) Mark Hamill in the next update, and then move on to something new.

 

TCD