It's August! It's HOT! It Rains! Wait, Where's Mikey?

[tazdev3225]

Day 3 continues on

When I left off we were headed to the Backlot Studio Tour. I used to love this ride. It had the houses and the CM was interactive. Now I find it a little boring. Pearl Harbor came out 11 years ago. Find something new. The kids had never been on it obviously so on it we went. We were first in line. That was a first for me. We actually got to see them pick the volunteers for the pre-show. Mikey enjoyed the wait, Jay was bored


As we were first I didn't have time to look around so I shot a quick pic or 2


We were loaded on the vehicle rather quickly and I got to watch a very bored CM sit up front




No pic of the CM. I did get a shot of the Mickey Ears water tower with a crane next to it. I couldn't tell what they were doing though. Maybe giving the ears a paint job?


Normally I sit on the side of the car where you are likely to get splashed. I didn't this time and was actually very glad. I found a Hidden Mickey in Catastrophe Canyon


Crystal really enjoyed the ride


We went into the Ameriican Film Institute display and the kids had a great time posing






Even Jim had some fun


Of course ater the ride you end up in the dump shop. The kids wanted everything they saw. Ella insisted that she needed this hat


I wandered around a bit and saw Mike and Sully were out. They love Monsters Inc so I got them out using the Monsters as bait.


Ella was a little unsure at first. The Monsters don't look quite as big in the movies. Of course by this time we needed a potty break and I was getting hungry, we had no breakfast. The Studio Catering Co. had just opened and was practically empty.
It didn't take much to convince the others to eat here. The kids all had chicken nuggets and fries.


Jim, Jay and Mike had the Buffalo Chicken sandwich


I had the Grilled Vegetable Panini but opted for cole slaw instead of fries.


Jen had the Chicken Caesar Wrap


Jim and I had cheesecake. It was good but a little dry. The others had the chocolate cake. I didn't try the buffalo chicken but they enjoyed it. I did have a bite of the caesar wrap and it was decent. I loved my sandwich.

We talked about what to do next. The kids wanted to go to the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground and I really wanted to go to the Animation Academy. We decided to split up for a bit. I was getting in line for the Academy and a woman and her son jumped in front of me. I was annoyed but tried to overlook it. When you are in an ECV you get used to these little things. I started joking I was Harry Potter wearing a cloak of invisibility. I got beyond annoyed when 4 more people climbed over the chain and joined her. Of course the No Habla! started. I was pushed to my limit when we almost didn't make it in. Jim had to sit on the floor and we both had to use trays. OK rant over. We drew Pluto and mine actually came out semi-decent. I cannot draw so I was happy with it. Jim tried to hide his. As soon as I remember I will get a picture of them and post them.

The kids had a great time at the playground












I'm glad we split up. The kids would not have liked what I did and it was to hot for me to sit in a playground.

To be continued.

[PrincessAlways]

Great pics & update!
My brother & I actually got picked as volunteers one trip! We had so much fun!!

I agree that they could update some of the "stuff" on display.

That grilled veggie panini looks good! I'll have to remember that one for October!
hmmm....the grilled caesar wrap looks good too!

[tazdev3225]

Originally Posted by PrincessAlways

Great pics & update!
My brother & I actually got picked as volunteers one trip! We had so much fun!!

I agree that they could update some of the "stuff" on display.

That grilled veggie panini looks good! I'll have to remember that one for October!
hmmm....the grilled caesar wrap looks good too!

That is very cool. No one in my group would volunteer.

The caesar wrap was good but I loved the panini. It depends on how much you like the vegies in it. I also went with the thought that it's vegies so it must be healthy. Fuzzy Disney logic.

[tazdev3225]

Day 3 continued

I uploaded the pics from Animation Academy.

This was Jim's Pluto


And mine


As I said I can't draw but I think it came out OK.

As Jim and I finished up with our drawings we got a call from Jennifer that they were in line for Buzz and Woody and I had the photopass. Jim and I headed over there but there was no way we could get in the building to meet them. We chatted with the CM that was working the exit area and he was very nice. He was actually from the Philly area and was coming up here to visit his dad soon. We chatted about airlines and the Phillies when I saw that the kids were ready to see Buzz. He let me go in the exit to take some pics and give the photopass lanyard over.

Jen took these with one of my other cameras


My little Jessie






We needed this for Mikey








From the pics it looks like the kids had a good time in line waiting.


I had noticed that Jake was in the Animation courtyard so we went back that way. Mikey heard Jake and took off running. Jay was given chase Mikey duty. Mikey is fast. The kids got in line for Jake. He was on a break but was back out quickly. Mikey was in awe,




Then Mikey was off to the next line - Handy Manny


I told Jen we needed to go inside for other characters. It was cool in there so everyone was happy. First line was for Mr Incredible and Frozone. Crystal was having fun playing with the circular thing that created different pictures. The CM in the background just annoyed me when I looked at the pics later. She looks like she was giving Crystal a dirty look


I know the kids have seen The Incredibles but Ella just ran right up to them like they were her favorite characters






Next up was Pooh, Jennifer's favorite since she was Ellas age


And finally Mickey. We even got Jay in the pic


The kids played with some of the interactive things


And we were done here. It was now around 3:00 and our FP's for Toy Story Mania were good at 3:40 so off we went in search of something to do for a half hour.

[Lesprivate]

Those are great character photos with the kids. Andrew had no problem with the characters in costume but was scared of the princess . He hugged and won't let go of Mickey when we had breakfast at the Tusker house. I guess because he watches Mickey and Jake everyday they are like his friends.

[tazdev3225]

Originally Posted by Lesprivate

Those are great character photos with the kids. Andrew had no problem with the characters in costume but was scared of the princess . He hugged and won't let go of Mickey when we had breakfast at the Tusker house. I guess because he watches Mickey and Jake everyday they are like his friends.

That's funny about the princesses. He probably has no idea who they are. We watch Jake and Mickey when I have the kids so they know them. Of course with 2 girls we know the princesses. Ella didn't want to leave Minnie when she saw her.

[jmskinner]

Wow, I think you got more character photos in this one day, then I have in my whole life.

Great photos though and love the hidden mickey you found on the Backlot Tour.

[tazdev3225]

Originally Posted by jmskinner

Wow, I think you got more character photos in this one day, then I have in my whole life.

Great photos though and love the hidden mickey you found on the Backlot Tour.

We did see a few characters that day and more to come.

Thanks. That Hidden Mickey was a real find. We look for them when we can.

++++++++++++++++

I know that some of you out there have been reading along in lurkdome. Come out of hiding and say hello! I don't bite and would love to know what you think.

[tazdev3225]

We continue on with DAY 3

When I left you hanging we had fiinished with the characters at Art of Animation. We still had about an hour or so til our Toy Story passes would be good. I took bad notes. Picture time stamps are much better.

Where to go? Why if course - The Great Movie Ride. We didn't have much of a wait




I did take pics on the ride but we have all been there. After the ride we headed towards Pixar Place. The kids had been fighting over the one mister so Jen bought a second one. Why before the ride I don't know but it wound up in the basket. Our FP's were finally good so off we went.

I got a little angry here. We were a group, not a huge group but a group. Jen had the FP's for all of us. I almost didn't get on. I was cut off by not 1, not 2 but 3 families. Seriously, is cutting me off going to make your ride go faster. Jen realized I didn't get through and came back to get me. The CM just looked at me like I was insane. OK I was muttering a few things under my breath about rude people but still!

I didn't take pics of the queue. I took them of the kids






When we got to the area where they switch the ECV parties they separated us. I know this can happen but it made no sense when they loaded us on the vehicle. Mike and Mikey sat together, Jim and I were behind them and Jay and Crystal sat together. That left the back of their vehicle open, room for Jen and Ella. I tried to get a pic of Jay


The kids had a ball on this ride. When we got off I noticed a lot of commotion out front of the FP area. I thought it was one of the tour groups at first. Then I noticed emergency personnel coming with a stretcher. From what I could see an elderly woman was having problems. I thought maybe heat related because it was HOT!!!


About this time Mike started complaing about his back. He desn't give in to it often but he has some serious back issues. I offered to let him have the ECV but he refused. This slowed our walking down considerably. Jen also dropped my one camera about this time. It seemed to be OK at first and I wasn't real concerned because it was off and the lens was retracted. Unfortunately it started having real issues. I was a little upset because I had only bought it in March so it was only about 5 months old.

OK my pics are totally out of order. Rather than trying to get them where they belong I offer you
The Great Movie Ride








Waiting outside TSM




Jim's and my score


Now that I seem to be in order again we were off to Indiana Jones. This was Mike's one request so off we went. On the way we stopped to get FP's for Star Tours.

We got there just as the show was getting ready to start so we were off to the side.








I picked the plant this time. For those of you who haven't done the show spoiler alert! There are a few people picked from the audience to be extras. One is actually one of the stunt men from the show. I picked him out this time.

I will leave you here as my internet is acting up again. I will be finishing the day a little later.

[PrincessAlways]

Love all your pictures!!!!!
Your group saw lots of characters!

[tazdev3225]

Let's hope I don't lose my internet for awhile. I have been having a lot of issues with the connection getting lost and then I lose the update.

When I left you hanging we were at Indiana Jones. When the show was over our FP's were actually good for Star Tours so off we went. While Ella was just about hitting the height in MK the day before we were not so lucky here. She was reaching the mark but the CM at the entrance was adament, she was not riding. She was not happy. Honestly I don't get the reqirement here anyway but I wasn't fighting about it. We were given child swap FP's. Jen refused to ride with us so she stayed with Mike and on we went.


Mikey loved the ride, It was AWESOME!!! He wanted to go on again. We had the swap FP's and the original ones since they never collected them. I tried to convince Jennifer to go on but she refused to do it. I think she was a little cranky because Mike was in pain and complaining and it had rained while we were o Star Tours. While we were discussing what to do next we lost track of Mikey. He found this and wanted his picture taken.


Mikey's a bit of a ham. We decided that since Phineas and Ferb were due out soon to get their pics taken there. Mikey calls them PhinyFer. He was speech delayed and still has problems sometimes.



There was no line for Lighning McQueen and Mater so that was next. There was no photopass photographer there so people were taking a long time. By time the kids got there photopass was out


Mike needed to sit so we went to Muppetvision 3D.






This made up for Star Tours with Ella. She couldn't stop giggling at the show.

I had wanted to do Fantasmic but that was getting doubtful. When we were planning the trip I told Jay about Rock N Roller Coaster. He had one request that day. I had Jennifer and Jay get FP's one more time for Tower of Terror. They then headed over to ride the coaster. Our window for TOT opened while Jen and Jay were gone so I headed over to the exit to wait for them and remind her to add the ride pic to the photopass. Then we were off to


Mike and Jim stayed with Ella. She tried to throw another tantrum and Jen was going to stay off the ride. I put my foot down. Ella is just like her Aunt Beth. My daughter was to short for rides at 5 and I gave in to her. She was a brat because we gave in to her. I was not going to let Jen make the same mistake. I know it's hard when your baby is crying because they can't do something but I also knew she would get over it.

I took a pic while we waited


Then a gentleman offered to take a pic of all of us. A rare pic of me since I usually take them all


We went throught he pre-show and Mikey got scared


He wouldn't leave Jennifer. We got on the elevator and I took my usual pics




When we got off Mikey had a huge grin on his face. I asked him if he liked it and "It was awesome!" He looked at me with a straight face and said, "MeMo, we made it back. I was afraid that we wouldn't come back." We went to get the pic to commemorate his first TOT ride and they couldn't find it. I lost it. I knew it wasn't the CM's fault but her attitude was just "go ride it again. Just make sure you ask for the elevator with the camera that works." Seriously if the camera is down tell people. I would have waited longer for the ride.

We went back to Jim and Mike and decided to call it a day. No EMH again and no Fantasmic.

When we got back to the room Mousekeeping had one of the stuffed animals in bed playing the PSP.


We had dinner at the food court. Jim had a cheesesteak sandwich. Now you have to understand we are from Philly. We know our cheesesteaks. He was surprised it actually came close to what we have


I got the London Broil with corn and mashed potatoes. It was actually very good. The meat wasn't dry at all and teh potatoes tasted real not instant


The kids had grilled cheese and pudding


We just had the normal chocolate cake and grabbed bottled drinks to take with us the next day.

And with that our second park day and third day of the trip ended.

My goals for the day were: Great Movie Ride - yes
Indiana Jones (more everyone else)- yes
Star Tours - yes
Muppet Vision - yes
Light, Motor, Action - NO!
Backlot Tour - Yes
Toy Story Manis - yes
One Man's Dream - NO!
Animation Academy - yes
Beauty and The Beast Show - NO!
RNR coaster - Yes
Tower of Terror - Yes
Fantasmic - NO!!!
Characters - yes we saw most of them

I was sorriest to miss Beauty and the Beast for Ella and Fantasmic. The kids would have loved it. We did accomplish just about everything we wanted to do so it was a good day.

[tazdev3225]

Originally Posted by PrincessAlways

Love all your pictures!!!!!
Your group saw lots of characters!

Thanks. I love to take pictures of everything. This was actualy a longer trip and I didn't take as many. I usually average 3,000 and only took about 1800. I concentrated on the kids.

I thought we had a horrible day until I summed up our goals. We actually did much more than I thought and they did see most of the characters.

[Lesprivate]

They really need to change the way they load TSM because there is always a long wait even on the Fastpass line.

Frank, Anna and I didn't get to see Fantasmic this trip we were tired and headed back to the hotel that night early. You guys got alot done at DHS that day.

[tazdev3225]

Originally Posted by Lesprivate

They really need to change the way they load TSM because there is always a long wait even on the Fastpass line.

Frank, Anna and I didn't get to see Fantasmic this trip we were tired and headed back to the hotel that night early. You guys got alot done at DHS that day.

You're right about TSM. I think that's why the wait times are always so long.

I am hoping to see Fantasmic in October. It will depend on my traveling partner. I kept thinking all day we did nothing but we really did do a lot. Those little guys were troopers.

[tazdev3225]

Day 4 - our 3rd day in the parks

Today was an early start. We had an 8:30 ADR at Ohanas. As was the norm I was up at 6 and showered. I got Jim started and then headed out for coffee. When I got back to the room we started trying to get everybody else going. It was not going as planned. Crystal got in the shower and decided today was the day to wash out her hair. It took forever. That hair stayed in place through rain and heat for 2 days. That's a lot of gel and hairspray.

We finally got going. When we got to the bus stop I was really worried that we wouldn't get a bus right away or worse I wouldn't get on. Thankfully we had a short wait and the bus was almost empty. I steer the ECV very well but I am not comfortable doing it with people on board. I don't want to read about myself here later. It was already 8AM so I was worried about making it to the Polynesian on time.

We got to MK by 8:20 or so and a monorail came almost immediately. This was the first time on it for the little ones and Mikey was really excited. Not that you can tell by his expression but it was AWESOME! His favorite saying.


We were all so happy looking this morning


We were at the Polynesian by 8:45 so not too bad. I had Jim get off first and check us in while we got off the monorail. When it was time for the group pic Mike did not want to be in it so he went downstairs to smoke and solve another crisis at work.


They called him several times a day to deal with things at work. He is a warehouse supervisor and grossly underpaid based on what I saw this week. I tried to get a pic of Jay and once again he refused


We were seated around 9 AM. Stitch was up first


Mickey Mouse was at our table almost immediately after Stitch.


As I finished taking the pic they started the parade. Mickey grabbed Ella's hand to have her help him lead the parade. I was so excited for her. She wasn't happy about it






As the parade ended they brought out our food. Everone was really hungry so this was the best I could do for a pic


Up next was Pluto




That left Lilo. We waited and waited. They had another parade. She was in it so we knew she was here. Ella was searching for her


The server brought out cupcakes for Jay and Crystal's birthdays and was really nice and had one for Mikey and Ella also so they weren't left out. The kids played with the umbrellas while waiting






Finally Lilo showed up






I couldn't get one pic with all 3 kids after all of that. Mikey decided to pose by one of the statues


Thoughts on Ohana: I ate here for the first time last year and loved it. I was not impressed this year. I know it's busy but the hot waffles came by once. I didn't even see the guy again. I am the only one who drinks coffee and I like my coffee in the morning. I got one cup. Again had a hard time finding the waitress for a refill. Two dishes of food for 8 people does not go far. We had to wait for a refill of that also. The only thing we got with no problem was 2 extra pitchers of the juice. We managed to ask for that when the server brought out the cupcakes

The food is good. The juice is fantastic!!! The service was horrible and we waited over and hour close to an hour and a half for all of the characters. I know that Ohana is busy. A party of our size has the tip included so I really think the server did not go out of her way to help us because she was guaranteed her tip. I waitressed my way through college. My youngest DD has been a waitress while she goes to school. I know what the job entails. I tend to be generous with my tips when I get good service, I will go over what is included. The service I got that day she would have been lucky to get 10%. I could have complained but the kids wanted to get going. I have an ADR there again in October and would change it but I know my travel partner likes this place. They just better bring me a pot of coffee so I don't have to wait an hour for it!

We browsed the Polynesian and I took a few pics


Got a rainbow


It was now close to 11 AM. We had planned to go to EPCOT after Ohana and then have an off afternoon and chill by the pool. I also had plans to have a mini meet with a friend around 12 or so. Jim and I decided that we were ging back to the resort. Jen and Mike took their kids and Jay to EPCOT. This gave us each a break from each other. I learned from my trip last year that this is a good thing. When we got off of the monorail I managed to get a shot of the Avengers monorail


I texted my friend and let her know we were headed back to ASMo. So I leave you here. Up next a mini DIS meet by the pool.