The Fabulous Disney Babe - Nov 30, 2001

The Fabulous Disney Babe
Page 3 of 3

A name? I was going to leave that up to Alice, but here I was, on the spot. A name. Kentucky, like my bearfriend in the Country Bears Movie. Nope, didn't look Country. Maybe something to remember this night and occasion. Hmm. Hugs. Disneyland. Hugs and Disneyland. Disneyland and Hugs. Cute, light hair, hugs, Disneyland. Hmm. I air-fluffed and brushed Cynthia, and took her to the dressing table. "I'll let Alice pick out her clothes next weekend," I said, but dressed her in her Downtown Disney Build-A-Bear T-Shirt (Quick!! Run!! Collectible!!) and blue bows over her ears, and then typed up her information in the computer, which generated her "Birth Certificate" (To Alice, Made with Love by Mom).

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Michelle and her #1 Pal

As I was heading out the door, I saw Sue Kruse, who informed me that there would be a midnight showing of Harry Potter near my home in Long Beach. Thanks, see you there! I stopped to show off Alice's bear in her little house, and Cynthia Harriss, the President of Disneyland, was heading down the stairs. I handed her the bear's Birth Certificate. She chuckled, and informed me: "Michelle, you're insane." then asked where Alice was. "School night!" I apologized, then joined Doobie and Rebekah outside. Randy Baumberger, who had made a bear for his brand-new son, joined us, and took a few of us inside the Grand Californian Hotel to show us the magnificent tree, which looks like Frank Lloyd Wright went nuts in the Disney Christmas Warehouse. Talk about having a good month: new son, four diamonds for the Grand Californian, and four stars for Napa Rose, which I'm beginning to haunt. I'd really like to try dining at the bar overlooking the stage kitchen; it looks fascinating.

"I have to get to work," I told the others, after a cheerful argument about "comparing oranges and rhinoceri" (I love that saying-the conversation was actually about how Entertainment is making guests happy for less money than it takes for WDI to...well, you'll see later), and headed back to the computers in Hollywood and Dine. Disney's California Adventure was closed, and I walked through the Holiday-lit park all alone. The journalist in me kicked in, and I called Doobekah: "You have to come take pictures!" Alas, they were on their way home all ready. I answered mail: "Is there going to be no procession with Candlelight this year?" I leaned over and asked a gentleman sitting nearby. He was in the Candlelight meetings, and assured me that there would be a Procession this year. Thank you. I listened to my interview and worked on my column, knowing that the media center would close at eleven, and got the story sent in time to say goodnight to the media folks who were closing up for the evening, getting ready to open up at (ouch) four a.m. the next day for European newsfeeds, and started off toward the front gates, knowing that if I left by 11:30, I'd make it to the theatre in Long Beach in time for the midnight show. At 11:05 I reached the locked gates.

Hello?

Is anyone here? Helllloooooooo? Hmm. I'm sure there's someone in Guest Relations, even though the doors are locked and the lights are out...nope. Okay, I'll call the main switchboard with my cel phone. Oh, a recording! There's got to be a phone book at the pay phones, so I can call the hotel or something and have them tell security that...no phone books. Well. star 88 will get me...no, that's Walt Disney World. Hmm. Here's a door, Cast Members Only...locked. Lost and Found is locked, with a stack of "founds" sitting on the doorstep. The shops are locked and empty, the bakery is open, HELLO? No one's there...

I'm locked in DCA and I can't get out. There's no one backstage. The media center is now deserted. It's 11:30. Ah! A security guard! Help! I'm missing Alan Rickman! Back behind Hollywood Boulevard, I was led to the guard shack, and made my way out to the tram boarding area, where I was greeted by a couple of frowning cast members. "You know you're supposed to park at KCML, not in the Timon Lot. The Timon Lot is for Guests ONLY."

KCML? Duh. Katella Cast Member Lot. They thought I was a Cast Member.

"I'm not a Cast Member," I volunteered, like the genius I am.

"Uh-huh. Anyway, don't park in Timon anymore. Park in KCML, Okay?"

"No, really." I pointed to my press sticker. "I'm media, here for the press event. They told us to park in the Timon lot."

"Well, that's stupid! They should have told you to park in the structure."

I drove so fast I think I messed up the space-time continuum, but when I got to the AMC theatre in Long Beach, they had just shut down the box office. I had to wait until 7:20 the following evening to finally see Snape...I mean, Harry Potter. But it was worth it. How many people can say they were trapped in DCA and couldn't get out?

Addendum:
I took Alice to get Cynthia an outfit, and told her that she could pick out anything her heart desired for her to wear. She dressed her in a wedding gown with flowered veil and fuzzy slippers to complete the elegant ensemble. She also bought Cynthia a miniature teddy bear to hug while Alice is at school.

-- Fab

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-- Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith can be reached using the Talkback form below or by emailing her at [email protected].

The Fabulous Disney Babe's column is posted every Friday and when ever else she has something to say. For more on Michelle's background, see her first column. She also offers The Fabulous Tour: Disneyland Secrets and Stories. Click here for more information.

The opinions expressed by our Michelle Smith, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted November 30, 2001
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