Trip Number Ten ~ We're Going Again! Plus a side trip!

[ddluvsdisney]

Yum! Love Garden Grill! Sorry your son is being a typical teenager, but he has excellent taste in restaurants! Lol

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Garden Grill is a family fave!!
and yes my son does have good taste in restaurants. I should say expensive taste lol!!! He was so upset that Cali Grill wasn't open this trip. We promised him we would eat there in October.
His other new favorite from this trip is Ohana.
He could be difficult about being there, but the smile on his face when he took a pic w/ Chip & Dale is priceless!! You'd never guess he was a 16 yo. Lol. I really need to learn how to post pics!!

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[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hi Shelly I'm all caught up.

We got in this afternoon and I miss it already.

Your plans look great. I can't believe you haven't seen the American Adventure. I love that show and the ending always makes me cry. My kids think I'm nuts! Lol. If you get a chance go see it. Voices of Liberty sing about 15 min. Before- they are fantastic!!

I am so curious to hear how this whole magic band and FP+ works. It is all kinda scary to me. We are FP experts now and I'm afraid to try something new.
I was so surprised you got them shipped to you ahead of time- wow!

While we were there I did see rides that had FP+ lines that never had FP before it was so weird.

We wanted the boys to try Sum of all thrills this time too. We have also been meaning to try it for a few years now. The line was always a little to long for them to want to wait. I'm sure if they new what it was like maybe they would wait. We just need to time it right sometime.

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Welcome back! Glad you had a nice trip!!

You are right - we really should try to see the American Adventure this time.

So which rides had FP lines that didn't used to??

Yeah, it will all be very interesting. Hoping it all works out!

I wonder when a good time to do Sum of all Thrills would be?? I'm not willing to go straight there at rope drop and then have to wait in a long Soarin line later!! So, maybe we'll try it in the evening sometime. I know afternoons are always busy there, at least from our experience.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Who wants to talk about Disney's Hollywood Studios today??? I know I do!!

I just love everything about this park! The rides, the shows, the atmosphere, all of it!

Rides/Attractions we love at DHS:
Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (DS14 & I)
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (DS14 & I)
Toy Story Mania
Backlot Tour
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Star Tours
Muppet Vision 3D
Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
The Great Movie Ride


Rides/Attractions we like and sometimes do at DHS:
The Magic of Disney Animation
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Fantasmic


Rides/Attractions we have never done at DHS:
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
American Idol



We have seen the Osborne Lights on 3 trips and they are awesome!! But, we will be a little early for those this year.

I would like to see Fantasmic this trip. We haven't seen it since January 2009. But, with a shortened WDW trip because of the few days at the beach, we will only get to DHS one time, so I don't know if Fantasmic is in the cards for us this time or not.

Up Next: Are there any AK Plans??

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I still can't believe you haven't seen that B&tB show! What am I going to have to do to get you in there?? That is one of our very favorites in all of WDW, so it blows my mind that you've been so many times and haven't seen it yet. You gotta get those boys in there! It will help balance out all those testosterone overload attractions at HS!

We've never done American Idol either. Not even sure what that's all about???? We don't watch the show so I doubt it would interest us.

We don't do Fantasmic every time either. We've seen it twice. I like it, but it's a bit of a hassle to get there early, stand in line forever, and then deal with the masses after it's over, so once every few years is enough.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but we are actually considering taking our trip after all. Believe it or not, my DH is the one who doesn't want to let it go. I thought we were settled on canceling, but then he told me not to at the last minute. He said we should think about it some more. Anyway, we have talked and talked about it (again... ) and he really wants to go. I was actually ok with canceling it (well I had accepted it anyway), but he's the insistent one. Who knew five years ago when I dragged him on our first trip, that he would turn out to be an addict like me! Anyway, we have until Aug. 17th to make a final decision because after that, I can't get my deposit back on the cruise. So... the saga continues!

I can't believe your trip is practically here though! This summer has absolutely flown by!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I can't believe you haven't seen B&tb either!! It is so good. We dragged the boys there a couple years ago.

You need to get there this trip.

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[sjs314]

We have never seen F! And won't be his time either since we plan on skipping DHS to allow more time for MK and Epcot F&W.

I know DHS is your favorite park !

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I still can't believe you haven't seen that B&tB show! What am I going to have to do to get you in there?? That is one of our very favorites in all of WDW, so it blows my mind that you've been so many times and haven't seen it yet. You gotta get those boys in there! It will help balance out all those testosterone overload attractions at HS!

We've never done American Idol either. Not even sure what that's all about???? We don't watch the show so I doubt it would interest us.

We don't do Fantasmic every time either. We've seen it twice. I like it, but it's a bit of a hassle to get there early, stand in line forever, and then deal with the masses after it's over, so once every few years is enough.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but we are actually considering taking our trip after all. Believe it or not, my DH is the one who doesn't want to let it go. I thought we were settled on canceling, but then he told me not to at the last minute. He said we should think about it some more. Anyway, we have talked and talked about it (again... ) and he really wants to go. I was actually ok with canceling it (well I had accepted it anyway), but he's the insistent one. Who knew five years ago when I dragged him on our first trip, that he would turn out to be an addict like me! Anyway, we have until Aug. 17th to make a final decision because after that, I can't get my deposit back on the cruise. So... the saga continues!

I can't believe your trip is practically here though! This summer has absolutely flown by!!!

Um.... you could lend me your DD - then maybe I could see B&TB!! No interest in this house! Although I did make them watch the whole movie about a month ago to get them ready for an upcoming ADR... But more on that later.

I doubt we will see B&TB this time because everyone wants to see Lights, Motors, Action with the rumor of it possibly going away soon. DS11 and I might sneak back to DHS that night for Fantasmic. It's showing twice that night. It's just like you said, always a hassle to see it.

That is awesome that you might still be able to take your trip!! Have you thought about just doing one or the other - the cruise or WDW? Or is your DH set on both?? Sounds like here. I never thought in a million years when I dragged DH to WDW that he would end up loving it so much. I got a PIN code a few weeks ago for dates Jan-April next year and DH is all over that wanting us to go!! (In addition to our Aug 2014 trip!) Good grief. I've created a monster!

I can't believe you haven't seen B&tb either!! It is so good. We dragged the boys there a couple years ago.

You need to get there this trip.

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I'll try, but I doubt it! How did your boys like it??

We have never seen F! And won't be his time either since we plan on skipping DHS to allow more time for MK and Epcot F&W.

I know DHS is your favorite park !

WHAT?!! I can't believe you are skipping DHS!!

Just kidding! Everyone has to do what is most important to them and what they love the most! I know DHS isn't for everyone. I sure love it though!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

That is awesome that you might still be able to take your trip!! Have you thought about just doing one or the other - the cruise or WDW? Or is your DH set on both?? Sounds like here. I never thought in a million years when I dragged DH to WDW that he would end up loving it so much. I got a PIN code a few weeks ago for dates Jan-April next year and DH is all over that wanting us to go!! (In addition to our Aug 2014 trip!) Good grief. I've created a monster!

Yes we talked about doing just WDW or just the cruise. I was all for doing just WDW, but DD and DH were opposed to that b/c the cruise is their favorite part. However, I refuse to drive all the way to Florida just to do a 3 night cruise. Besides, there is NO way I could be that close to WDW and not go! So... it's kind of all or nothing with us.

That's great that you got a pin code! I haven't gotten one in years now. I don't know what I'm doing wrong??? I used to get them.

So when would you be willing to go from Jan-April? I've been thinking about that time period too (Jan-May) but I've heard it is almost always very crowded from mid February on. I'm afraid to venture away from my fall trips because I know what to expect then and it's always worked out well for me (as far as crowds go). I would love to get away from hurricane season though. Just not sure about the winter months. I know it would be crazy around New Year's and MLK, and then just nuts from President's day week on so IDK??? What do you think?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Yes we talked about doing just WDW or just the cruise. I was all for doing just WDW, but DD and DH were opposed to that b/c the cruise is their favorite part. However, I refuse to drive all the way to Florida just to do a 3 night cruise. Besides, there is NO way I could be that close to WDW and not go! So... it's kind of all or nothing with us.

That's great that you got a pin code! I haven't gotten one in years now. I don't know what I'm doing wrong??? I used to get them.

So when would you be willing to go from Jan-April? I've been thinking about that time period too (Jan-May) but I've heard it is almost always very crowded from mid February on. I'm afraid to venture away from my fall trips because I know what to expect then and it's always worked out well for me (as far as crowds go). I would love to get away from hurricane season though. Just not sure about the winter months. I know it would be crazy around New Year's and MLK, and then just nuts from President's day week on so IDK??? What do you think?

The PIN code I got is the Stay, Play and Dine.... It is rack rate at the resort, and everyone in the party gets park tix and the DDP at the child's price. It is tempting, especially since both the kids are considered adults.

I was going to book over our winter break. Which is Feb 14-17. I would add on a few days and the kids would only miss 2 days of school. Sounds like a good plan, right? Yeah, it ended up not to be. Flights home on Pres Day are ridiculous. The first part of the trip would be okay crowd wise and price wise, but the second half (actually over half) would be super high and I'm guessing super crowded. So, back to the drawing board... I'm not too interested in any of March or April - too busy. So then I started thinking about January. We are of course off MLK Jr Day, but there again you get into possible holiday crowds. We are also off the following Monday, Jan 27. So we are thinking about planning a quick trip around that. I still only want the boys to miss 2 days of school, so it will have to be a very short trip. It is supposed to be one of the slowest weeks of the year, so we could probably squeeze a lot in! We'll see....

 

[rusafee1183]

The PIN code I got is the Stay, Play and Dine.... It is rack rate at the resort, and everyone in the party gets park tix and the DDP at the child's price. It is tempting, especially since both the kids are considered adults.

I was going to book over our winter break. Which is Feb 14-17. I would add on a few days and the kids would only miss 2 days of school. Sounds like a good plan, right? Yeah, it ended up not to be. Flights home on Pres Day are ridiculous. The first part of the trip would be okay crowd wise and price wise, but the second half (actually over half) would be super high and I'm guessing super crowded. So, back to the drawing board... I'm not too interested in any of March or April - too busy. So then I started thinking about January. We are of course off MLK Jr Day, but there again you get into possible holiday crowds. We are also off the following Monday, Jan 27. So we are thinking about planning a quick trip around that. I still only want the boys to miss 2 days of school, so it will have to be a very short trip. It is supposed to be one of the slowest weeks of the year, so we could probably squeeze a lot in! We'll see....

Sounds like a good PIN!

We went over MLK week this past January and it was A-W-F-U-L. It was the busiest time I have ever been to WDW, and I will never do it again. I was stupid about it, and thought "Oh, it's January! It will be slow!"

The Brazilian tour groups were out in full force, and it was not a great time. We originally planned for this trip to be a quick Sun - Friday trip and we ended up adding on 2 extra days to make it a full week. We didn't even bother going into a park those last 2 days, because we just wanted to spend time relaxing at the resort and getting away from the crowds.

 

[sjs314]

Um.... you could lend me your DD - then maybe I could see B&TB!! No interest in this house! Although I did make them watch the whole movie about a month ago to get them ready for an upcoming ADR... But more on that later.

I doubt we will see B&TB this time because everyone wants to see Lights, Motors, Action with the rumor of it possibly going away soon. DS11 and I might sneak back to DHS that night for Fantasmic. It's showing twice that night. It's just like you said, always a hassle to see it.

That is awesome that you might still be able to take your trip!! Have you thought about just doing one or the other - the cruise or WDW? Or is your DH set on both?? Sounds like here. I never thought in a million years when I dragged DH to WDW that he would end up loving it so much. I got a PIN code a few weeks ago for dates Jan-April next year and DH is all over that wanting us to go!! (In addition to our Aug 2014 trip!) Good grief. I've created a monster!



I'll try, but I doubt it! How did your boys like it??



WHAT?!! I can't believe you are skipping DHS!!

Just kidding! Everyone has to do what is most important to them and what they love the most! I know DHS isn't for everyone. I sure love it though!

DHS rather MGM use to be higher on our list but it has just lost it's appeal to us not sure why maybe cause we don't go for the thrill rides ?

Yes we talked about doing just WDW or just the cruise. I was all for doing just WDW, but DD and DH were opposed to that b/c the cruise is their favorite part. However, I refuse to drive all the way to Florida just to do a 3 night cruise. Besides, there is NO way I could be that close to WDW and not go! So... it's kind of all or nothing with us.

That's great that you got a pin code! I haven't gotten one in years now. I don't know what I'm doing wrong??? I used to get them.

So when would you be willing to go from Jan-April? I've been thinking about that time period too (Jan-May) but I've heard it is almost always very crowded from mid February on. I'm afraid to venture away from my fall trips because I know what to expect then and it's always worked out well for me (as far as crowds go). I would love to get away from hurricane season though. Just not sure about the winter months. I know it would be crazy around New Year's and MLK, and then just nuts from President's day week on so IDK??? What do you think?

The PIN code I got is the Stay, Play and Dine.... It is rack rate at the resort, and everyone in the party gets park tix and the DDP at the child's price. It is tempting, especially since both the kids are considered adults.

I was going to book over our winter break. Which is Feb 14-17. I would add on a few days and the kids would only miss 2 days of school. Sounds like a good plan, right? Yeah, it ended up not to be. Flights home on Pres Day are ridiculous. The first part of the trip would be okay crowd wise and price wise, but the second half (actually over half) would be super high and I'm guessing super crowded. So, back to the drawing board... I'm not too interested in any of March or April - too busy. So then I started thinking about January. We are of course off MLK Jr Day, but there again you get into possible holiday crowds. We are also off the following Monday, Jan 27. So we are thinking about planning a quick trip around that. I still only want the boys to miss 2 days of school, so it will have to be a very short trip. It is supposed to be one of the slowest weeks of the year, so we could probably squeeze a lot in! We'll see....

Hmmmmmm Now I am feeling left out when I heard about the pins for 2014 I got excited but of course no pin for me. US loves me I've gotton 2 40% off pins for them but no Disney.

First week in March is nice Room prices are cheaper crowds totally doable but late March into April can be very busy. March all depends on when Easter hits in 2009 we went from 2/24-2/31 Easter was April 12 and the crowds from Spring were horrible.

End of January the BTG's are there We ran from the parks a couple of times

 

[JoBird]

Send those boys off to do something manly like grubbin or gruntin and get yourself to the BaTB show! You never know when it might go away and then you will have never seen it and you'll be sad.

I hope you get to see F! this trip. We're gonna try to make it two in a row! I think I've convinced M to stay behind and not go to DHS for the day with us; he can go for the night. It just makes it better for everyone.

As far as the January possible trip... you've created a monster!! Good thing your job just NEEDS you to go so often to keep up to date with all of the changes that occur there!!
Oh what a cross to bear.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

DHS really does have a fun atmosphere. I say every trip that I'm going to see Fantasmic, and I've still yet to do it! I hope that you are able to get a chance to see it again on this trip

 

[disny_luvr]

I haven't seen Fantasmic since my trip in 2004 . Since we've been traveling with the boys we never want to wait in line for the show and I'm just not certain they'll be too into it. Last trip we contemplated it for like 30 seconds and decided to pass. Maybe next trip. We've never seen B&tB either. Maybe it's because I have boys too and they really have no interest in seeing it. I think for our next trip I'll send the boys and DH over to Star Tours and I'll see B&tB and then everyone will be happy .

 

[ddluvsdisney]

The PIN code I got is the Stay, Play and Dine.... It is rack rate at the resort, and everyone in the party gets park tix and the DDP at the child's price. It is tempting, especially since both the kids are considered adults.

I was going to book over our winter break. Which is Feb 14-17. I would add on a few days and the kids would only miss 2 days of school. Sounds like a good plan, right? Yeah, it ended up not to be. Flights home on Pres Day are ridiculous. The first part of the trip would be okay crowd wise and price wise, but the second half (actually over half) would be super high and I'm guessing super crowded. So, back to the drawing board... I'm not too interested in any of March or April - too busy. So then I started thinking about January. We are of course off MLK Jr Day, but there again you get into possible holiday crowds. We are also off the following Monday, Jan 27. So we are thinking about planning a quick trip around that. I still only want the boys to miss 2 days of school, so it will have to be a very short trip. It is supposed to be one of the slowest weeks of the year, so we could probably squeeze a lot in! We'll see....

Shelly I am so glad I read this post this morning. We are going fOr Feb. vacation and I had no idea flights were open already. Were you trying to book SW? I went on and booked. The ones I wanted were gone. So my DSs are gonna have to miss 1 day of school I was able to get one way for $104 I thought that was awesome!!! But we had to fly home Mon. Night... Not to happy about that I can't complain at least I got flights. All the weekends were sold out.

So thanks again! I never would've thought to check.

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[Momof2Disneyboys]

Sounds like a good PIN!

We went over MLK week this past January and it was A-W-F-U-L. It was the busiest time I have ever been to WDW, and I will never do it again. I was stupid about it, and thought "Oh, it's January! It will be slow!"

The Brazilian tour groups were out in full force, and it was not a great time. We originally planned for this trip to be a quick Sun - Friday trip and we ended up adding on 2 extra days to make it a full week. We didn't even bother going into a park those last 2 days, because we just wanted to spend time relaxing at the resort and getting away from the crowds.

It is a pretty decent PIN. We don't really care for the DDP, but it will be good for a short trip.

We went once in January, arrived a day or 2 after MLK day. Wasn't impressed. Some days were slow and some were awful. I remember our DHS day being more crowded than I've ever seen that park before. I think going the following week is a better idea. Hopefully.

DHS rather MGM use to be higher on our list but it has just lost it's appeal to us not sure why maybe cause we don't go for the thrill rides ?


Yeah, it may appeal to us less the older we get. I find that I am having a harder time with thrill rides each trip. I think I will always like the atmoshpere there though.


Hmmmmmm Now I am feeling left out when I heard about the pins for 2014 I got excited but of course no pin for me. US loves me I've gotton 2 40% off pins for them but no Disney.


How are you getting those Universal PINs??? I would have gone there for a few days instead of the beach if I would have gotten 40% off!

First week in March is nice Room prices are cheaper crowds totally doable but late March into April can be very busy. March all depends on when Easter hits in 2009 we went from 2/24-2/31 Easter was April 12 and the crowds from Spring were horrible.

End of January the BTG's are there We ran from the parks a couple of times

We don't have any time off at the beginning of March. Just one day in the middle of the month.

Yes, I remember those BTG's in Janaury.

Send those boys off to do something manly like grubbin or gruntin and get yourself to the BaTB show! You never know when it might go away and then you will have never seen it and you'll be sad.

I hope you get to see F! this trip. We're gonna try to make it two in a row! I think I've convinced M to stay behind and not go to DHS for the day with us; he can go for the night. It just makes it better for everyone.

As far as the January possible trip... you've created a monster!! Good thing your job just NEEDS you to go so often to keep up to date with all of the changes that occur there!!
Oh what a cross to bear.

Sounds like a plan!!

I think I am really going to try and make Fantasmic happen this trip. DS11 has agreed to go with me. So maybe we will leave DH & DS14 back at the YC. And we will have easy access to get over to DHS since we are staying so close!

It IS a hard cross to bear!! Being a TA specializing in Disney and a DH who wants to go to Disney all the time!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

DHS really does have a fun atmosphere. I say every trip that I'm going to see Fantasmic, and I've still yet to do it! I hope that you are able to get a chance to see it again on this trip

It really does!

I hope to get to see Fantasmic this time! And hopefully you will get to see it soon too.

I haven't seen Fantasmic since my trip in 2004 . Since we've been traveling with the boys we never want to wait in line for the show and I'm just not certain they'll be too into it. Last trip we contemplated it for like 30 seconds and decided to pass. Maybe next trip. We've never seen B&tB either. Maybe it's because I have boys too and they really have no interest in seeing it. I think for our next trip I'll send the boys and DH over to Star Tours and I'll see B&tB and then everyone will be happy .

Yeah, that's just it. My kids don't want to wait in line and then go in and sit & wait. Just not worth it for them I guess.

That sounds like a good idea - send the boys off to Star Tours and you go see B&TB!! I might have to steal that idea.

Shelly I am so glad I read this post this morning. We are going fOr Feb. vacation and I had no idea flights were open already. Were you trying to book SW? I went on and booked. The ones I wanted were gone. So my DSs are gonna have to miss 1 day of school I was able to get one way for $104 I thought that was awesome!!! But we had to fly home Mon. Night... Not to happy about that I can't complain at least I got flights. All the weekends were sold out.

So thanks again! I never would've thought to check.

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Congrats on your flights and trip!!

Yep, I've been looking at SW. They are $157 each way. Any time in Jan or Feb. Ridiculous. IDK why they are so high and IDK if they will come down...

 

[mickeystoontown]

I hope that you get to see Fantasmic this trip. Did you say that there are two shows that evening? If so, plan on the second show because we've found it to be less crowded that the first one of the night. Did you look into booking the Fantasmic Package? Boy is it convenient! For a while, they even had Fantasmic Packages at Min and Bill's.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

So, guess what I did last night?!!

Totally unrelated to Disney, but another love of mine. Actually I think it would be super cool if this was part of the Eat to the Beat line up at the F&W Festival!! Two of my favorite things together. A girl can dream, right?!





I went to see Daughtry!!!

Okay, just wanted to share real quick. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming -- Disney!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I hope that you get to see Fantasmic this trip. Did you say that there are two shows that evening? If so, plan on the second show because we've found it to be less crowded that the first one of the night. Did you look into booking the Fantasmic Package? Boy is it convenient! For a while, they even had Fantasmic Packages at Min and Bill's.

Yep, I think it is showing at 8:30 and 10. That's what I was thinking - go to the later one. I just hate to be out too late because I have a hard time falling right to sleep and we have an early morning the next day I think.... I guess I need to take another look at my plans!

We did do the Fantasmic dinner package once - the last time we saw it actually! I kind of felt like we still had to get there early to get decent seats.