1. Our tour guide was Robert. He was excellent. However, the first 45 minutes were his bringing us up to speed on Walt Disney history while not once leaving Guest Relations. Time that could have been spent on other things not currently covered.
2. Saw backstage of guest relations. Showed us how CMs log in and receive assignments for the day. That's right. They don't do the same thing the whole day.
3. Showed us some of Innoventons "on stage"
4. Saw backstage between Imagination/Canada and The Land/Soarin
5. Rode Soarin in first row. Robert confirmed that Disney is working on a new "around the world film." Like StarTours it could have randomly generated scenes meaning guests will want to ride more than once. He confirmed there is room for two more theaters but at least one more will be built for the new film. It's the most popular ride in WDW.
Trivia: Imagineers on the film are the ones paddling. They're horrible. Michael Eisner tees off. Mickey on the golf ball and fireworks. Filming of LA traffic was spotty at best. Disney asked if they could film again. LA said "No." So they sped up the film for effect. Traffic still doesn't move. Admiral of USS FDR personally had the jets put out on the ship which they never do. Disney didn't ask. He volunteered. Effect of going backward during fireworks deliberately timed before seats are lowered. This happens at the end of the DCA ride. Imagineers figured it might as well be part of ride experience so timed with last FW.
6. Saw second floor of Imagination. Learned that when Kodak left they took Dreamfinder and Figment with them. WDW bought back Figment and uses Dreamfinder on a limited basis. Robert says Imagination 1.0 unlikely to come back.
7. Saw HP VIP lounge of Mission: Space. Learned that riders are kept in a re-acclimation room with for 20 minutes before leaving.
8. Rest of tour backstage. Stood under track at TT. Showed us how it purposely pivots when a car goes over it. Peeked in garage. Each vehicle has 22 tires. Originally each tire burned away after one week. Now they're almost 100% rubber and are replaced about every three months.
9. Walked into CM services where lockers, cafeteria, costuming, etc. are located.
10. Finished just backstage of China where we received a Figment tour pin. Returned "On Stage" to House of Good Fortune in China.
Bonus: Guest Relations invited us to special viewing of Illuminations in front of Italy Pavillion. Our names were on a list. It's right on the rail next to the lagoon. Excellent view.
2. Saw backstage of guest relations. Showed us how CMs log in and receive assignments for the day. That's right. They don't do the same thing the whole day.
3. Showed us some of Innoventons "on stage"
4. Saw backstage between Imagination/Canada and The Land/Soarin
5. Rode Soarin in first row. Robert confirmed that Disney is working on a new "around the world film." Like StarTours it could have randomly generated scenes meaning guests will want to ride more than once. He confirmed there is room for two more theaters but at least one more will be built for the new film. It's the most popular ride in WDW.
Trivia: Imagineers on the film are the ones paddling. They're horrible. Michael Eisner tees off. Mickey on the golf ball and fireworks. Filming of LA traffic was spotty at best. Disney asked if they could film again. LA said "No." So they sped up the film for effect. Traffic still doesn't move. Admiral of USS FDR personally had the jets put out on the ship which they never do. Disney didn't ask. He volunteered. Effect of going backward during fireworks deliberately timed before seats are lowered. This happens at the end of the DCA ride. Imagineers figured it might as well be part of ride experience so timed with last FW.
6. Saw second floor of Imagination. Learned that when Kodak left they took Dreamfinder and Figment with them. WDW bought back Figment and uses Dreamfinder on a limited basis. Robert says Imagination 1.0 unlikely to come back.
7. Saw HP VIP lounge of Mission: Space. Learned that riders are kept in a re-acclimation room with for 20 minutes before leaving.
8. Rest of tour backstage. Stood under track at TT. Showed us how it purposely pivots when a car goes over it. Peeked in garage. Each vehicle has 22 tires. Originally each tire burned away after one week. Now they're almost 100% rubber and are replaced about every three months.
9. Walked into CM services where lockers, cafeteria, costuming, etc. are located.
10. Finished just backstage of China where we received a Figment tour pin. Returned "On Stage" to House of Good Fortune in China.
Bonus: Guest Relations invited us to special viewing of Illuminations in front of Italy Pavillion. Our names were on a list. It's right on the rail next to the lagoon. Excellent view.
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