Part Three of The Backstage Magic Review

Welcome back! Today We're going to finish Thursday, and hopefully get up the pics of what I bought at Mickeys of Glendale.

So... After leaving Imagineering, we headed out for The Walt Disney Studios. Once we got there we were taken to their lunchroom where we were given a meal ticket and a time to be done by. The selection at the cafeteria is HUGE. If you can't find something to eat there, then there is something wrong with you, and I mean that in the nicest way. Really, I do. Anyway, after loading my tray with so much food I thought I was going to puke (The meal ticket payed for ALL of it. And no, I didn't puke.) I sat down with some of the group and ate.

After eating our table we went to the only Disney Store owned by The Walt Disney Company (World of Disney stores don't count.), which was located on the lot. I would have bought more stuff, but I was out of money from Mickeys of Glendale. Whoops.

Anyway, after everyone was done eating and shopping, we were toured around the Studios. The tour itself was very nice and very interesting from a Disney history standpoint. We finally ended our tour in Legends Plaza. Seeing the plaza and being able to take pictures with the Partners statue, the Friends statue, the Legacy statue, and the countless Legacy plaques, was absolutely incredible.

After getting to see where the magic is made both on the screen and in the parks (Nice tie-in, right?) we boarded our coach for the final ride to Anaheim and the Disneyland Resort. On the bus, they played High School Musical 2. Make of that what you will.

Once we arrived at The Grand Californian, we made our way into the lobby, and were met by a cast member from the hotel and the newest Disney Ambassador. They both welcomed us to The Grand Californian, gave us our rooms, and handed us the pins for the day. Our luggage was delivered to our rooms and we showered and changed for dinner.

After meeting in the lobby, we headed out to a wine tasting (or grape juice tasting for those under 21) and appitizers at the Wine Cellar at Hook's Pointe. After the very nice reception (Including a guitarist!) we were taken up to the main restaurant. The food and service was exceptionally good, as per Disney standards.

After the meal, we were escorted to Disneyland, through the gates, and to the side entrance of The Haunted Mansion. We were given our own stretching room, and by the time we were down in the loading area, it was deserted and it really felt like a haunted mansion. After the ride, we met up at the exit and were given our 3 VIP Fastpasses for the night and had the option of either using them or going with them to the showing of Fantasmic! I chose to go with some of the other teenagers on the trip. (We mooched some more FPs off of our parents, or my aunt.) Everyone else watched Fantasmic! I heard the seats were incredible and the show was, well, Fantasmic!

But I really don't mind. I was too busy riding Space Mountain with my friends to care.

Until tomorrow,
Max