The Last Crusade
(and the event conclusion)
Dessert was served. The buffet
included a selection of fruit, muffins, and macaroons all on skewers,
along with heated chocolate sauce and cheesecake. Everything was
delicious. The one thing we would have done differently would
have been to wrap the cheesecake in paper so that attendees could have
easily picked it up. Along with dessert, we were able to obtain
our Chocolate Treasure.
The wrapped chocolate treasure
The wrapped chocolate treasure
As we enjoyed our dessert, Hallas called everyone to gather around (fortunately, we were already sitting opposite Tropical Imports). He called Tony Baxter to the microphone. Tony introduced some special guests: a cast member from opening day, and a woman who he had challenged to ride it 50 times (she's since ridden it more than 10,000 times). Tony then talked about the development of the ride — how when, in 1981, when he and a few other Imagineers saw a sneak preview of Raiders of the Lost Ark, they knew that it would be a great basis for an attraction and how they were able to work with George Lucas in developing Captain EO, Star Tours, and finally Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. He talked about how the ride vehicle itself acts like a character, and how, when it approaches the giant snake, it reacts in terror just like a person would. That story then transitioned into the development of the giant snake and how George Lucas wanted a whole bunch of normal sized snakes as well. However, because of the lighting, you can't really see all of the regular snakes. Tony then told us all that tonight we'd be able to see all of those snakes, because we would be able to ride with the work lights on. At that point, Sean jumped in line.
Hallas introduces Tony Baxter (on the right)
The queue moved quickly. Riding
through with the lights on was fun. The lights revealed a few
fans, pipes, black walls, and as Tony mentioned, a LOT of snakes.
When we completed our ride, Sallah even gave us the correct greeting
(we visited the Portal of the Future). After the ride, I saw
about 40 or 50 people gathered at the entrance. I guess they had
cut off the line too soon. Fortunately, they were told that they
would get their chance to ride. I was happy having gotten my
ride, so I didn't feel the need to ride once more. — Sean.
With the ride completed, it was time to leave. It was odd walking down Main Street without the music loop playing and the castle lights turned off. What made it even more strange was that the loop for the windows above the alley containing the cone shop was still running.
When we exited the park, we were handed our commemorative gift — a perpetual desk calendar with an elephant on top and the event logo on the back.
The front of the calendar.
(The month, date, and day scrolls are made of cloth, not paper!)
The back, with the event logo.
Close-up of the logo on the gift.
Since we had parked our car in the parking structure, we joined a few folks waiting for some sort of transport. The trams were no longer operating, but they were running vans and mini-buses (normally used for cast members). Soon we were back at the car, and then home.
All in all, it was a great event. Yes, there were some logistical problems. Yes, it could have been better. Yes, it would have been nice to have a full panel to talk about the ride. Still, we had a fun time and will keep participating in these events.
Back to the archaeological expedition.
Back to the event index.
Up to the Disneyland 2005 page.
Copyright
and Disclaimer
Unless otherwise noted, the contents of this page, including all photos, are the property of the owners of the domain i5nomads.com and may not be used without their expressed written consent. The images included in the photos may include items and/or characters that are copyrighted by and/or trademarks of The Walt Disney Company and/or Lucasfilm, Ltd.. Indiana Jones is a trademark of Lucasfilm, Ltd. Disneyland is a registered trademark of the Walt Disney Company.
Unless otherwise noted, the contents of this page, including all photos, are the property of the owners of the domain i5nomads.com and may not be used without their expressed written consent. The images included in the photos may include items and/or characters that are copyrighted by and/or trademarks of The Walt Disney Company and/or Lucasfilm, Ltd.. Indiana Jones is a trademark of Lucasfilm, Ltd. Disneyland is a registered trademark of the Walt Disney Company.