FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

Toy Story Midway Mania

Wally wanders to the Midway, where he knows exactly which targets yield the highest points. Follow his aim to achieve scores that will amaze your friends and annoy your enemies. But who is the man in the Mouse ears and Stitch shirt?

- by Walter Octavius March, April 25, 2011

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KUNGALOOSH!

Christians around the world celebrated Easter this past weekend. The holiday brought to mind something an adventurer friend had shared with me many years ago, namely, the 'Easter Eggs' hidden in Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Not hard boiled, colored eggs, but special hidden eggs.

I have your attention, don't I?

Would you like to accompany me back to Hollywood Studios for an adventure of a different kind? Yes, of course, I'll buy lunch. And one of those floppy hats. Deal? Onward!

Wally Explains Easter Eggs

Now these Easter Eggs, as they're called, aren't actual eggs; they're what video gamers call something hidden in a game that, when found, result in special abilities or (as in the case of Toy Story Midway Mania) extra points. Long ago, Atari came up with the name Easter Eggs because, just like in a real Easter Egg hunt, you have to search for them.

And search we shall, my friend!

But first let's enjoy the Toy Story Midway Mania queue. It reminds me of the playroom in the manor of my dear friend Harry, who quite long ago, as a very young man, left suddenly for the Sudan to deliver these odd little white feathers...

Yes, you're right, we ought to keep up with the line...

Stay alert: Mr. Potato Head may ask us a question or tell a joke. He's a funny chap for a spud.

Remember, it's every man for himself when we get on the ride; we are all shooting to be High Score of the day. Good luck, enjoy the ride, and shoot straight. I know where to find the Easter Eggs, and I will point them out to you as we approach them.

Wally Shoots Easter Eggs

The first Easter Eggs appear after this warm-up round, so be ready when we enter the Barnyard. As they pop up, start shooting at the Fox, then the two hens that come out next. That will get you some points. The other way to score well is to shoot at the two pigs above the hen house. Keep your eyes peeled for the cat and shoot it, too. This will help you score some big points.

I like the next section: Bo Peep's Balloon Pop. We need to work together here. When you see the balloons in the corner, shoot all but the last one. I will do the same. We must hit the last balloon at the same time. If we're able to do so, the next set of balloons will be worth 2000 points instead of 500 points. Then we shoot as many as possible.

Now, we get to be soldiers! Start off by shooting the 2000 point plates to release more of the 2000 pointers. If we do it correctly, a Tank will appear worth 5000 points. Do your best here, and shoot steady, lad.

The alien toss is next. Although in the past I've hit the right sequence of targets to ignite the rocket, I'm not sure of the exact order. We must figure that out. The big points here are inside the robot's mouth. Aim for it!

Finally, we arrive in Woody's Round-up Room, where the goal is to just shoot fast. After we dispense with the initial wave of targets, the big ones will start raining down upon us.

Keep firing!

Wow, that was great, wasn't it? I love that ride. Here come our scores. What is this, you beat me? 230,300 to 219,000. How about that. I'm sure it was a malfunction in the electronics, but good shooting, my good man! No, don't take a picture of it. The exit is this way...

Another Mysterious Message...

Wait one second - that Cast Member is calling to me. You go ahead, I'll catch up.

This is puzzling. The Cast Member said he had a message for me, but when I asked if he was sure it was for me, he replied that he was to give it to the man in the hat. I interjected: "Don't you mean the dashing man in the hat?" To which he responded: "Just the man in the hat." How strange!

Then he said something even stranger:

"You are very good at finding things. This will help you later."

When I asked what he meant, he said:

"I'm sorry, I have no idea. That was all that I was told to say."

Of course, I demanded to know who told him to say it, but all he could remember was that it had been a man wearing Mouse ears and a Stitch shirt. I pressed the Cast Member for a description, but he apologized again, told me had to return to work, and wished me a magical day. And with that, he was gone.

That makes two cryptic messages in as many weeks. What do they mean?

Ah, I see you're in a rush to board the Rock 'n Roller Coaster. Well, go ahead. I can't join you. I'm seeking a man garbed in Mouse ears and a Stitch shirt. What's that? What do you mean, aren't we all? Yes, explain later...

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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