TCD's Kickin' Off Summer 2011 @ The Fort Trip Report

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Just what we need around here.

Another trip report!

But, this is a TCD trip report.

From the Fort.

And, finally, it is being posted in the same month in which the trip occurred.

I am almost caught up.

Almost.

This is the TCD Kickin' Off Summer 2011 Trip Report.

We camped at the Fort from Friday June 10 through Sunday June 12.

Just two nights.

It was supposed to be longer.

But things happened.

So we made the best of it.

June 10th was the last day for us to use our Florida Resident's Season Passes before they were blacked out for the Summer.

So we planned accordingly.

We left home at 6:15.

That's a.m.

Originally, it was my plan to check-in at the Fort, and if my site was ready ditch the trailer there and then head to a park for rope drop. Or, if my site wasn't ready, I would leave everything in the Fort parking lot and hop a bus.

But, that isn't what we did.

It was a poorly kept secret this year that Hollywood Studios was letting guests in at 8 am on Star Wars Weekend days, even though everything official says that the park would not open until 9. This was a great deal. And it was true. We had confirmed this on an earlier scouting mission. So, instead of heading to the Fort first, I headed to Hollywood Studios. With my big old Excursion, pulling the pop-up behind. We got there just a little before 8. I didn't have my parking pass since I hadn't checked in yet. I think I have heard in this situation that you can pay to park, and then get the money refunded after you check in. But, I didn't want to do that. I thought maybe I could talk my way into the parking lot without paying. After all, I had a reservation confirmation. But, the guy in the parking kiosk didn't look very friendly. Or smart. So I went with plan B. I still had the parking pass from our March visit in the car. I put that up on the dash. And drove slowly past the kiosk. The fellow took a quick look and gave me a wave. Technically I cheated. But, no harm, no foul, I was checking in to the Fort later, and I was entitled to park for free. Do not try this at home.

Have you ever seen the RV parking area at Hollywood Studios?

Neither have I.

I don't think they have one.

As I pulled in, I got waved way up to the front.

Near where the Taxi's park.

That's as close as you can get.

The castmember then told me to pull up to the end of the first row, and park across as many spaces as I needed to take.

That was sweet.

For me.

Not for other folks who might have wanted to park in the first row.

But that's where they told me to park.

We hit the gates at just a little after 8.

And they were open.

The girls headed to Toy Story, and I headed to Star Tours and got Fastpasses. The return time was around 9 am. Sweet.

I then met the girls at Toy Story, and we rode stand by.

The park was already getting crowded by then, and it was almost 9 by the time we got done.

I was eligible to get more Fastpasses in just a few minutes, so I sent the girls on to Tower or Terror, and hung out there at Toy Story until I could get my Fastpasses. Then I met up with the girls, and we did Rockin' Rollercoaster. We rode that twice, and then headed over to Star Tours to use our Fastpasses. By then, the wait was over an hour! But not for us.

We hung around HS long enough for me to get RNR Fastpasses, and then we headed to the Fort.

We pulled up at about noon.

This was much better than our last visit.

There was one person ahead of me checking in.

And then it was our turn.

We were assigned to Site 1512.

We had that exact site last year for this same weekend.

Awesome!

Great loop!

Great site!

As soon as I got backed in, I sent the girls on to get lunch. They were going to head over to the Contemporary or Polynesian, and maybe hit the MK, too while I got us set up.

And that's what we did.

As soon as I got set up, I broke out the camera and went to look for something new.

I headed to the cabin pool first.

I thought maybe it was about time for it to open.

It turns out I was right.

The construction fences were down.

And there was water in the pool.

But, they were still working on it.

See?:

Extra points if you notice the "s" on the end of Meadow.

Here's the new and improved pool with water in it!:

Apparently, the tile setter got a deal on lettered tiles, as they went a bit overboard with the depth markers:

I guess we need to know how deep it is at the drain. And at the wall?

As you can see, there is no more deep end.

Boo!

You can see that the equipment room was prepped for painting:

And the restroom/laundry building was, in fact, being painted at that very moment:

I think that's all we need to see of the cabin pool for now.

I headed over to the 2000 loop for a look see.

The lovely "creek" that babbles between the 2000 and 2100 loops ain't lookin' too hot of late:

What do you think, Frank, (I know you're reading) any fish in there?

If you pay attention, you will remember how I posted a rare photo from the 100 loop in my Spring Break trip report.

It was a photo of Judy's site.

With no Judy.

Well, believe it or not, it was empty again!:

In fact, a lot of 100 was empty on Friday afternoon.

They had been doing some work on it.

Just on a few sites, though.

Like this work on site 126:

They just widened the entrance to the site a bit.

One other item of interest I saw on my initial tour was this site on the 1300 loop with a bunch of extra picnic tables:

I never made it back there to see the party. If there was a party. And I think there was.

We did bounce over to the MK for a bit that afternoon. We picked up a couple of Fastpasses to use later that night. It was EMH at the MK that night, and it would be open until 3 am!

We then hopped a boat back to the Fort for our traditional first night meal- the Giddyap and Go from Trail's End.

Then it was back to Hollywood Studios.

We were going to use our Fastpasses.

And, we wanted to see Hyperspace Hoopla.

What is Hyperspace Hoopla, you ask?

Well, you will find out in my next post!

TCD

This post has been promoted to an article

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Good thinking with the parking pass. I agree it's not really cheating if you have confirmed reservation :banana: Right now I would give just about anything to have 2 nights at the Fort :heart:

And yes I did wonder what Hyperspace Hoopla was. I guess I will just have to wait for the answer :popcorn: I'm trying very hard to be patient

[Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58]

Hold on for the ride, folks!!

:suspense:

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Can't wait to read!

[freshlybarked 4]

DH, Rick, and I have decided 2 nights is better than nothing. We now try to fit it in when we can. An addiction is a terrible thing. Can't wait for the rest of the story.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

We never have had much interest in the Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios.

With apologies to the Star Wars geeks out there, I have to confess that I have seen maybe two of the movies. Maybe three. Definitely not more than that.

My DD's have seen zero.

But, these Star Wars weekends are popular.

And we have noticed that there are unparalleled people watching opportunities.

So we go.

Fellow Fiend Devores mentioned in his earlier trip report that we should not miss Hyperspace Hoopla.

I had no idea what this was.

But, on his recommendation, we decided to go and have a look.

From what I can tell, it is a big musical show involving Star Wars characters and dancing.

We absolutely loved it.

Even though we didn't know who some of the characters were.

We got to HS at about 7:15 to get a place for the 8 pm show.

We weren't too far from the stage.

The show begins with the introduction of the M.C.'s.

I don't know if these are actual Star Wars characters, or just roles created for this show, and I don't remember their names. They were both very good and entertaining, though:

After some brief dialog, the first act was introduced.

This was a musical group called Figarin' Dan and the Modal Notes. As you can see, they are aliens:

The big gag here is that these guys could only play one song on these space instruments:

One of the hosts then announced that the group had been practicing human music, and that they would take requests:

He asked the audience to shout out requests.

Of course, several people yelled "Free Bird!'

Is that just a Florida thing?

Do people do that where you live?

Around here, whenever a band takes requests, someone always yells Free Bird!

I don't know if that happens everywhere.

But it has always happened at every concert I have attended in Florida.

There is a pretty funny gag that happens here.

I will post a YouTube link at the end of the photos here, and you can watch it if you want.

There was quite a crowd gathered for Hyperspace Hoopla:

After this, the aliens did a little synchronized dance routine to some modern songs like Lady Gaga and Kei$ha. I had no idea what artists were being played, but my DD's did.

Next, there was a dance competition between the Bad Guys and the Good Guys.

The Bad Guys went first:

And then the Good Guys. As you can see, Chewbacca was dressed as Axel Rose, and he danced to Welcome to the Jungle:

I have got to hand it to whoever was in that costume. He was great. The guy had to be close to 7' tall, but he could bust a move.

Next, an Ewok came out dressed as Slash:

One of my DD's asked me why was there a hamster dressed as Slash?

I told you we are not Star Wars geeks.

Here's Chewie and the Ewok:

Then, the Bad Guys got another turn:

The audience was then asked to vote by applause:

There were some pyrotechnics as the winners were announced:

The Bad Guys won!:

But, then the song, We're Not Gonna' Take It came on, and the Good Guys danced some more:

Then C3P0 and R2D2 came out and did a little dancing themselves. The crowd really loved this:

And, that was it.

We loved it!

Very entertaining.

If you want to see for yourself, here's the video for the whole show:

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8Zjd8IfIfR0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You can also look on youtube for some highlight videos.

We finished up at HS with some rides, and then headed back to the Fort to rest up for our EMH visit to MK.

TCD

[wdwbound 0]

Another great report...a friend of mine posted his video of Hyperspace Hoopla when he went there over a week ago...he is friends with a few of the entertainers and what a hoot!!! glad you could share your pics with all...I am a Star Wars Geek and actually made the weekend one year and they do it up great. I am hoping that the new ride will be awesome...have you been on it yet?

Nancy

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

:popcorn:

[DaveInTN 3,247]

My girls are HUGE Star Wars fans. We raise'em smart here in TN. :)

[stefa70 205]

"Why is there a hamster dressed as slash?" :rofl2:

That looks like a good time, and I don't know a lot of Star Wars! ( but I do know what an ewok is! )

FREE BIRD!!!

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

Just what we need around here.

Another trip report!

But, this is a TCD trip report.

From the Fort.

And, finally, it is being posted in the same month in which the trip occurred.

TCD

TCD, I don't think anybody would be upset even if you post the TR a month later..We just love reading them...

[Flamingogal 0]

Well I was going to make dinner but I got a beer instead. Thanks TCD. :dance: Keep it comin'.

Jeanne

[SCTigerCock 171]

:suspense:

[Lil Lisa 53]

Free Bird!!!

Nope... not just a Florida thing...

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Free Willy!!

[blm2003 2]

TCD, I don't think anybody would be upset even if you post the TR a month later..We just love reading them...

:bellringer:

Yup, just what he said! Keep them coming!

[mgsmom 9]

I asked DH "Hey - you're at a concert and the band is taking requests. What do you expect to hear?" He says "Free Bird. Duh."

Not just Florida.

And I am so disappointed. I can't believe that your girls have seen NONE of the Star Wars movies! :popo: You should be ashamed...

I'm not a Star Wars geek, just a junkie! :dance:

That show looks like a LOT of fun!!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

OMG I'm finally getting in on page one of a TR - and it's a TCD TR to boot!

:banana:

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

Sounds like it's gonna be a fun weekend!

[devores 382]

I told you you would enjoy the show, even if you're not a "star wars geek".

[BouncingTiggers 98]

Those Star Wars pics are great. I've never seen one of those shows before.

[LONE-STAR 370]

FREE BIRD! Its not just Florida

[lklasing 16]

Dang - I missed getting in on the first page! But, I'm in! :popcorn:

[TheLug 10]

I'm here!!! I have seen all the Star Wars. I like them. But somethings are a little much for my taste.

[thecplusplusguy 7]

That show was awesome, made me feel like I was there. I only have a month and a half to go. Can't wait for the rest of the trip report.

Dan