My 50th birthday trip

have to I work in a health environment and it makes you appreciate every day and I want to celebrate big
I am sure we will have some breathing time somewhere

Thank you for that. I am going to try ringing a bit before then just to "try" I use touring plans for my park days as they are fairly accurate and gphave based my MNSSHP on the pattern of days from last year. It we have to jiggle we will

Excited though

We are new DVC Members so this will be our first visit to Kidani, very much looking forward to the giraffes. We did the longer 4 park tour last year and really enjoyed that. Yes it was expensive but we got a true insight into how things run. It didn't detract from the magic just added another layer!

No havent done MNSSHP this is only our 2nd trip, am looking forward to it and we are already thinking about costumes, DH tried on the mad hatters wig and hat last year and it suited him, we wish we had bought it and are hoping it will be there this October as I am thinking of going as Alice (the traditional non Tim Burton One) as I have long blonde (going clear -sorry white) and a fringe (bangs?) hair.

The longer tour takes you to the utilidor too, we only bumped into one of the dapper dans eating an ice cream! I love seeing the backstage bits even if they are staged and if they knew everything that the guide told them why do the tour! We know we will get repeat bits from the other tour but are happy with that.

Will do but will have to have a chat with DH to make sure I get things in the right order! 2 brains are better than one!

As promised Disneydoc

Backstage Magic Tour
This is deliberately brief and not too full of info as I don't want to spoil it for anyone wanting to do the tour, I hope there is enough info to get you curious!

We met at EPCOT and introduced ourselves and said who our favourite character was. We then bordered our tour bus for the day and were taken to the backstage area of EPCOT. We were given ear pieces and told to help ourselves to water and given instructions about what and when we could take photos. We split into 2 groups of 6 ( there were 2 guides) and our group went into the pit area of the American Adventure and were given description of the animatronics and how the scenes changed. We then went back out into the sunshine and were shown the forced perspective of the building and history behind it. We then all met up again and went back to the coach.

Onto DHS and a look at central costuming and the building you can see on the backlot tour. Fantastic to see the princess dresses up close, amazing work they do there. One thing we won't forget was the tannoy announcement of lion king in reception for fitting! We then went to TOT which was broken and got to see the cables and how it worked but didn't stay long.

Onto the bus and off to the topiary and saw how they made the frames and how they prepare for the planting throughout the year. Learnt about how Disney strategically use plants and bushes to hide areas. Went on a bit too long but did learn a lot.

Then onto the machine area where the floats for the AK parade are kept loved that so many interesting bits of info. Got to play with some of the early animatronics and one of the early Carousel of Progress dogs. Also saw the Little Mermaid figure which is now in Fantasy Land but didn't realise what it was at the time!

Lunch at Wilderness Lodge wow what an amazing place. Food was the meat skillet and peach cobbler. Great stories the guides told too about how they got to working for Disney.

MK - utilidors, lots of info about main street the windows, speakers and again forced perspective (look for the slope) and how the main street station is being used as a "curtain wall" then had our own spot for the parade. After the parade back onto the coach and we were taken back to EPCOT where we received our pins. Our guides were fun and encouraged questions. Would recommend this tour if you want to know more about the Parks.