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UncleGDogWord
03-22-2004, 02:40 PM
I was wondering how far backstage has anyone gotten?

I know that those of you who are CM's have gotten pretty far, but I am talking about those of us who actually went behind the curtain and seen the old man pushing the buttons.

When I was at the resort over the New Year, I got a backstage tour of the Aldin Show. It was pretty cool. My friend is incharge of the automation on the show. A few years earlier I saw Abe when they were Rehab and he was all rapped up. Poor Abe. :D

Quinten27
03-22-2004, 02:49 PM
I was wondering how far backstage has anyone gotten?
:D

Never even came close to seeing any backstage action. Maybe someday.............

stitchfan_cm
03-22-2004, 02:54 PM
We try not to let the guests backstage, it ruins the value of the magic. One of my friends asked me how was it to work at the DLR, and see everything for what it really was. I just relpied...

It's like Christmas. You know there is no Santa Clause, but you always seem to enjoy the holidays, and always hang a stocking for Santa.

stan4d_steph
03-22-2004, 03:53 PM
I've been in the "head room" where they store all of the character heads. That was pretty surreal.

Moonliner
03-22-2004, 04:24 PM
I've hopped off the back of the train just after main street and walked most of the way around the park. You don't really see too much extra but it was a diffrent view (it was also 20+ years ago...)


More recently I was on splash when it jammed up and I was escored out through some of the themed areas and THROUGH the pumping room to a back ally. Interesting but you can't really count it as sneaking...

Quinten27
03-22-2004, 04:35 PM
I've hopped off the back of the train just after main street and walked most of the way around the park. You don't really see too much extra but it was a diffrent view (it was also 20+ years ago...)
That sounds like that'd be a fun walk. Though, I doubt it would be possible with todays security.

Ah, to live in a more carefree time.......

Captain Josh
03-22-2004, 04:39 PM
Well, this is a long story.

My mom started working at the Park about 2 years ago. With that came the CM Pass, and I am the joint name on that pass. So, as it came to pass *ahem*, I'd go to Disneyland alot. One day, I had to ride home with my mom, who then worked at Plaza Inn. Come Midnight, she takes me through the back, and I'm walking past Space Mountain and all that, and I see this long line of windows, and character heads and feet. My mom ruined my life right there...so to speak. Then, we walked all the way back to the employee gate, and I've been on the CM shuttle back and forth. Things just aren't the same for me, anymore.

efoxx
03-22-2004, 05:06 PM
once when we were visiting our daughter got sick with the flu. the nurses felt so bad she because she was throwing up and stuff. so they did a couple of cool things. while we were waiting until my daughter felt up to moving they went shopping for us and pickup up the stuff we wanted to get but didn't have time. then they had a security guy drive us back to the Dland hotel via the back of dland. he gave us a great little tour of the backlot.

and once while visiting wdw I got a tour of TOT from the bellcaptain :cool:

Little tod
03-22-2004, 05:13 PM
I was led off the Matterhorn once, and we weren't really all that far into it, so we took one of the special secret exits. I did get to see inside the control room that is inside one of the caverns near where the CMs make sure your seat belts are on and all items are secured. (Permincer sentados, por favor.)

donatello3000
03-22-2004, 06:03 PM
I remember the first year I participated in Magic Music Days with my middle school. I was so excited to be able to go backstage to see all that goes on outside the inside. But once we got there, I was devastated. There was a wherehouse with character heads. Everything looked so plain. So after all the workshops and rehearsals, we got to go into the park for the day. The magic I usually felt when walking in the park disappeared. Toontown didn't seem like a happy imaginitive cartoon world. I had already seen the backside of the hollow mountains. It wasn't fun to make believe any more.
Every couple years after, when we performed at DL, I got less excited about it, because seeing backstage ruined the magic I felt before I ever got there.

tod
03-22-2004, 06:29 PM
North: The Stables

East: The tunnel by Harbor House; backstage passage behind Main Street shops (no fun watching costumed CMs taking a smoke break -- for them or for us)

West: Emergency exit of Splash Mountain; backstage passage behind Main Street shops (with the trash dumps behind the restaurants and the Jungle Cruise ship storage canal, not the best-smelling place in the park)

South: The old Disney University in the old Admin building

--t

rentayenta
03-23-2004, 04:59 AM
There's no Santa???? ;)


When I was 4 y/o, many many years ago, my babysitter worked in the silhouette shop on Main St. The only thing I remember was some sort of behind the scenes daycare area for kids. I also remember going to Disneyland almost everyday for 3 months. Good times, good times.

3894
03-23-2004, 06:42 AM
We try not to let the guests backstage, it ruins the value of the magic.

Undoubtedly, you're right but ... geez, I know I'd still pay big money for a backstage tour. I love learning how things work, how effects are created. The success of E-Ticket Magazine and David Koenig's books prove that I'm not alone.

Not Afraid
03-23-2004, 06:45 AM
If there's one thing I want to see, it's the Circle D. Someday, I WILL get a tour. :)

Moonliner
03-23-2004, 10:19 AM
If there's one thing I want to see, it's the Circle D. Someday, I WILL get a tour. :)
My choice would be a game of basketball at the Matterhorn.

Cancer Norm
03-23-2004, 10:29 AM
I've been the Disney office building, you know that ugly green thing you see from the freeway, and yellow from the other side. It's kind cool in the main lobby--tall ceilings. I have also toured the Disney nursey. Lots of nice plants and flowers but thats about it that I can remember right now.

safetybar
03-23-2004, 06:04 PM
How far have you gotten backstage? If this is anal sex that you are speaking of, then I am highly offended!

DisneyFan25863
03-23-2004, 06:54 PM
How far have you gotten backstage? If this is anal sex that you are speaking of, then I am highly offended!



Read the rest of the thread.

BJW
03-23-2004, 08:00 PM
I've been in the control area of Indy once. (room with black and white monitors and computers above the loading area) Also, a few back areas of Disneyland and DCA (on account of an emergency situation). DCA's back areas seem much cleaner than Disneyland's but there's not much to tell, just a bunch of non-descript buildings. I've been in the tunnel linking Frontierland and Fantasyland that was used during Light Magic to thin down the crowds. I was surprised they didn't try to theme it somehow before Light Magic since they used it as an overflow tunnel. Maybe they should have painted it with small world colors or something. Finally, a cast member I knew had to pick something up from Harborhouse so I did get to stand out in front of it while waiting for them, kinda neat to see where the CMs go everyday. (I believe they no longer use it now that DCA is open.)

tod
03-24-2004, 08:15 AM
I've been the Disney office building, you know that ugly green thing you see from the freeway, and yellow from the other side. It's kind cool in the main lobby--tall ceilings.

If you look at the red and black swirls in the lobby just right -- it's a picture of Goofy's face.

Unless they repainted it.

--t

gothemi
03-24-2004, 09:24 AM
This January we got stuck on POTC at the battle scene. They had to push us back to the small rockway before the battle scene. From there they helped us off the boat and into a narrow exit that led up to the employee cafeteria and locker area. Then walk was kinda long, but several people were there to escort us. Very nice area back there. We jokingly asked if we could stay in the cafe, but we were denied.

Pirate Girl
03-24-2004, 09:40 AM
More recently I was on splash when it jammed up and I was escored out through some of the themed areas and THROUGH the pumping room to a back ally. Interesting but you can't really count it as sneaking...

Ditto! That was cool...it made the 30 minutes of sitting in a jammed log worth it! :D

Did anyone ever notice how annoying that music gets after the first 5 minutes of the same loop section? :|

Pirate Girl
03-24-2004, 09:49 AM
We try not to let the guests backstage, it ruins the value of the magic.

No offence intended to stichfan, but I always crack up when I see something like that posted in here. I would assume for the most part that the majority of us reading this particular forum would be very interested in how things work backstage, and that it would not "ruin the value of the magic." Maybe I'm just nuts, but every little peek I get, just inhances the magic.

But then again, I'm the kind of person who hopes that rides will break down just so I can walk back out of them and see backstage. ;)

danyoung
03-24-2004, 09:52 AM
I used to go backstage with my cast member brother on his breaks. The first time I walked thru that pipe/tunnel thing back behind Fantasyland was totally cool. I'd seen this in articles, and here I was!

One early evening, when the Matterhorn was under rehab, I tried the door into the work area and found it unlocked. I went in, up the stairs, and checked out the Matterhorn control room. I then started up the main lift area, but before I was very far in I heard workmen up ahead, so I skulked out.

That's the worst at DL. Ask me about WDW sometime - great stories there!

smd4
03-24-2004, 11:54 AM
On a cool fall day several years ago, a dream of mine came true. A friend with connections had arranged for me to witness the "steam up" of the trains.

I met my friend outside the gate around 6:00 am that Sunday morning. We drove past the guard shack, and parked the car near the Roundhouse Facility. The Small World show building was off to our left. I got out of the car and couldn't believe my eyes. Here I was, back stage, at "Mecca" for Disneyland Railroad fans.

I slowly, almost reverently walked towards the front of the Roundhouse. The main doors were opened, and the golden interior lights wrapped the shiny locomotives parked just inside in a warm, inviting glow. I was in heaven!

My friend was busy "bribing" the skeleton staff there with a box of donuts he had brought for just such a purpose. There were only one or two "laborers" as well as a single shop crewman present. I was introduced to the lead, who, much to my utter surprise and amazement, told me to feel free to wander around everywhere! I could climb on the engines, wander the "Lilly Belle," or sit in the engineer's seat! Cautiously, I began, not wanting to seem overly enthusiastic.

My first stop was my favorite locomotive, the E.P. Ripley. I had ridden in her cab many times, but always from the tender seat cushion. I grabbed the polished brass hand rail on her cab, and stepped up.

I checked her steam gauge. She was still showing about 100 psi, down from her operating pressure of 125. But she was completely silent! Nothing like the hissing, huffing beast she is when hauling a train on the line. She simmered quietly while I inspected her cab fittings. The brass rimmed gauges. The white insulation-wrapped steam pipes. The polished copper air lines that wound their way from the floor to the blow-down valve. I sat on the engineer's right-hand seat, placed my hand on the throttle, and dreamed. Then my friend took my picture while I made like an engineer.

I stepped down, and wandered over to visit the next engine. The Fred Gurley is a personal favorite of many crew members for its sure-footedness and reliability. Again, I grabbed hold of the brass hand rails and stepped through the small-ish door of her cab. The Gurley's cab is completely enclosed, making it very cozy. I closed the door just to say that I did. I also played with the sliding glass side windows. The seating is a little sparse, consisting only of small padded seats that fold down from the cab sides. Another interesting thing is that the air compressor sits on the floor on the fireman's side. I took several pictures and climbed back down.

Next, I examined the C.K. Holliday, the virtual twin of the E.P. Ripley. I sat in her cab as well, and imagined myself firing a locomotive just like this on the Transcontinental Route 100 years ago. The smell of grease and steam were overwhelming.

No. 4, the Ernest S. Marsh, was being rehabbed that day, and her tender had been disconnected and re-positioned in front of the engine for easier access to the cab. The driver wheels had been removed, and the little steamer rested on a pair of tiny wheels that would normally be used in the "pony" truck (the small wheels in the front of the engines." Since she was being worked on, I couldn't get too close.

I wandered back into the depths of the roundhouse. The silent but ready passenger cars continued resting before being called to duty, hauling throngs of giddy guests. Various hoses and equipment hung on the roof support poles between the trainsets. Near the back, I came across several passenger car trucks that were being worked on. They appeared huge when taken out from under the cars! Also near the back, standing silent and alone, was the "Lilly Belle." Out for a rehab, she was mine! I climbed her maroon steps, and entered the car through her Chinese red arched door. With the interior smelling faintly musty, I wandered her length. I caressed her marble table tops, and sat in the crushed-red-velvet upholstered settee.

I couldn't sit for long, however. The day was progressing rapidly, and engines had to be steamed! I left the Lilly Belle, taking a few more pictures, and made my way back to the front, near the engines. There, the lead was prepping the Ripley to be fired. He opened the blower line so that condensed water would be blown out. He stepped back in the cab and slowly opened the blower valve. Water gushed forth from the blower near the front of the engine, but soon only steam showed. The lead then went and closed the line, diverting a jet of steam up through the smokestack to aid in drafting the fire. Then he climbed back into the cab and slowly opened the fuel flow valve. Next, he ignited a wad of cotton waste, opened the firebox door, and WHOOSH!!, the fire came to life. Stepping from the cab, the lead then filled the air compressor oil reservoirs with a thick, honey-like steam oil. once finished, he stepped back into the cab, and slowly turned on the valve to the compressor, allowing the pistons to be gently warmed before applying full steam. A minute or two later, and the valve was opened full, resulting in a very loud "THUMP THUMP THUMP" as the air pressure built. Now the engine sounded alive, like she should. Blower rushing, compressor pounding, fire roaring, it was time to wake up, and "stretch" a little.

A couple of the shop crewman climbed into the cab, and the engineer gave two whistle blasts, indicating his intention to move forward. He placed his hand on the polished throttle valve, pulled, and slowly, the locomotive inched forward, her soft chuffing sending a nearby flock of pigeons into flight. The engine had been disconnected from the train set the night before, and was running light. Thirty feet from the open roundhouse door, the engine stopped. As I walked near the left side of the engine, I viewed the locomotive from the viewfinder of my camera, angling for just the right picture. As I took another step, I was almost engulfed in white-hot steam! The crew in the cab had begun to "blow down" the engine, sending a roaring 50 foot jet of steam and water right into my path! I jumped back with a start, but was none the worse for wear.

Following he traditional three whistle blasts noting rearward movement, the engine backed slowly to her awaiting train, as a crew member on the ground guided her in to a smooth coupling. Hoses, electrical connections and safety chains were connected. Yet another crew member took a coffee can of sand out near front of the train, and laid down a layer of the traction-increasing grit on the rails directly in front of the engine. Two more whistle blasts, and off she went, train in tow, to the main line, ready to entertain passengers for the next 15 hours.

After this excitement, my friend found me, and took me upstairs for a brief look at the Monorail shop. My heart was still racing with the excitement of watching the steam up, and I guess my heart just wasn't in it. I wanted to be back down stairs, with the trains!

The C.K. Holliday was the next engine steamed, and then the Gurley. The procedures were the same, but I was still enthralled. As the Holliday, and then finally the Gurley, made their way to the main line, I was struck with the sudden realization that my time here was drawing to a close. I knew there would never be another day like this, unless I got a job here. My friend eventually pried me away. I shook the hand of the lead who had been so generous and trusting of me, and I thanked him profusely. We got in the car, and my friend drove us around for a brief tour of the complete back stage area. I even got to see the original roundhouse, with tracks still embedded in the black pavement.

The sun was now higher in the sky, and the day getting warmer. I got home around 10:00 am, exhausted from getting up at 4:30 that morning. I tried to take a nap, but of course, sleep was the farthest thing from my busy thoughts. I had just been to the Disneyland Roundhouse, a day unlike any other I would experience, either before or since. Sleep would just have to wait!