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I was fortunate enough to have attended both of these INCREDIBLE events back in 1986 and '87. It was one of the absolutely coolest things I'd ever experienced. I use the singular "it" primarily because the memories of both events kind of blend together for me. Both were all-weekend affairs, both involved a whole-LOTTA sleep deprivation, and both were celebrated with the same pack of high school buddies.
Good god, how I wish I could play it all back. The memories I have are just amazing, but I wish I could recall it by the second. All of Tomorrowland was decked out in blinding lights and slashing lasers the likes of which I usually only see at a Rush concert. The Matterhorn seemed to glow and hum with laser brilliance. The music from various sci-fi epics being piped into the park seemed to bring a new breed of magic to the place that hasn't been replicated since. It was somehow like a Super-Disneyland.
The bonding and the comeraderie with my friends was probably the most spectacular thing about it. The planning of the trip the previous Friday, the staging area in which we assembled (the glowing Hotel waterfalls back when you could still walk around down there at night
), the shared hot chocolates, the loss of voice from screaming in sheer delight so often. It was all so much incredible fun that nobody in the group minded the unearthly 4+ hour wait in line for the attractions being celebrated (although I must admit I was a touch more excited with the ST opening than I was EO).
Some of the things that stand out for me most:
- Our group was actually permitted to sleep on the DL Railroad, in the back car, as the train circled endlessly. The CM's were extra cool to us (although because it may have been that we had some grade-A cuties in our group - Deanne, Kath, Kim....miss ya)!
- Some of us had actual weekend jobs at that time we couldn't get out of, but we had day shifts so it all worked out. Leaving work at the video store that Saturday afternoon only to be picked up by my friends and taken straight back to Disneyland for a second all-night party in a row was just the best feeling.
- So many of us had assembled for this that we ended up having two massive groups trying to meet up. This was before cell phones, mind you, so it was easier said than done. When we all managed to accidentally run into each other at Snow White's Wishing Well, we came together in hugs as if we'd not seen each other in years.
The weekends were probably my most memorable ever spent at the park. It took a little bit of time to handle the fact that I'd never see Inner Space again, but hey......Star Tours was surreal an experience in itself the first time around.
So who else was there? Who else was a part of this historical party? Ohhhh, I was not worthy! :bow:
If you were there too, tell us what you can remember!
Good god, how I wish I could play it all back. The memories I have are just amazing, but I wish I could recall it by the second. All of Tomorrowland was decked out in blinding lights and slashing lasers the likes of which I usually only see at a Rush concert. The Matterhorn seemed to glow and hum with laser brilliance. The music from various sci-fi epics being piped into the park seemed to bring a new breed of magic to the place that hasn't been replicated since. It was somehow like a Super-Disneyland.
The bonding and the comeraderie with my friends was probably the most spectacular thing about it. The planning of the trip the previous Friday, the staging area in which we assembled (the glowing Hotel waterfalls back when you could still walk around down there at night
), the shared hot chocolates, the loss of voice from screaming in sheer delight so often. It was all so much incredible fun that nobody in the group minded the unearthly 4+ hour wait in line for the attractions being celebrated (although I must admit I was a touch more excited with the ST opening than I was EO). Some of the things that stand out for me most:
- Our group was actually permitted to sleep on the DL Railroad, in the back car, as the train circled endlessly. The CM's were extra cool to us (although because it may have been that we had some grade-A cuties in our group - Deanne, Kath, Kim....miss ya)!
- Some of us had actual weekend jobs at that time we couldn't get out of, but we had day shifts so it all worked out. Leaving work at the video store that Saturday afternoon only to be picked up by my friends and taken straight back to Disneyland for a second all-night party in a row was just the best feeling.
- So many of us had assembled for this that we ended up having two massive groups trying to meet up. This was before cell phones, mind you, so it was easier said than done. When we all managed to accidentally run into each other at Snow White's Wishing Well, we came together in hugs as if we'd not seen each other in years.
The weekends were probably my most memorable ever spent at the park. It took a little bit of time to handle the fact that I'd never see Inner Space again, but hey......Star Tours was surreal an experience in itself the first time around.
So who else was there? Who else was a part of this historical party? Ohhhh, I was not worthy! :bow:
If you were there too, tell us what you can remember!
Until then I know we can all agree on one thing, Tomorrowland desperately needs better attractions like the ones they had with EO and Star Tours!
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