The Tenth Honeymoon is the Best One of Them All! - May '14 TR - COMPLETED 4/19

[MEK]

You are just churning out the updates!

Love the CSR pool pics!

Love the POC pics! They turned out great with great lighting! Nice!

It's been 4 years since I've eaten at Ohana. Emily is a girl after my own heart - chowing down on those wings!

Great pics of the kids!

 

[Clarf]

Great dinner! It's looks delicious. We've only done O'hana for breakfast because my kids love Stitch and really wanted to meet Lilo. We'll do dinner one of these days! The potstickers and noodles alone look worth it to me.

Looks like a nice evening by the pool!

I do have a couple of pictures of the Haunted Mansion float in the Boo to You parade. They are not great quality. I have a great camera, but have not yet figured out how to use all the fancy settings. This year I hope they turn out better, but I thought you could at least get an idea.






These don't do the float justice, but it really does rock.

 

[nilla]

Loving your trip report! Very entertaining

Your tattoos are awesome:thumbsup

I love the Goldbergs! I love everything 80s.

No more chicken skewers at Ohana Oh well, keep the shrimp coming and I'll forgive you, Disney Powers That Be!

Thanks! We love the tattoos, too Couldn't be happier!

Goldbergs are hilarious! We're at Hollywood Studios next, so we're hoping to see a sign for it!

Going back a few pages, it never occurred to me that there wouldn't be a non-talking Mickey at Town Square Theater now. But I guess problems can occur and they need back ups. Also, the Mary Poppins has a strong resemblance to the actress who originated the role in the Broadway musical version!

That's what we thought! Well, we still have two more days in MK.

Well, it couldn't have been the actress who originated the role in the Broadway musical version, because the one we met was the actual Mary Poppins. I didn't see her float in on her umbrella, but I'm certain she did

Oh yes, it's a given that you trek past the castle and you get pictures of the castle. You just can't look away.

Hey, your TR your rules right?

Philharmagic is a must do for me, every time. Mainly because I'm obsessed with Donald, but it's a great movie too!

No beer for you?! The shame of it.

I was gonna say! You better eat that bread pudding.

Poly is one of my favorites.

Sounds like you guys had an awesome day. Great ending too. Gotta love ending it at the pool.

Yeah, the bread pudding was happening regardless. I was pretty full after that

I love Donald, too, but probably not as much as you! I can't hear "Be Our Guest" anymore without thinking, "rak rak rak, soup du jour". As you said, great movie!

You are just churning out the updates!

Love the CSR pool pics!

Love the POC pics! They turned out great with great lighting! Nice!

It's been 4 years since I've eaten at Ohana. Emily is a girl after my own heart - chowing down on those wings!

Great pics of the kids!

I'm on a roll, and I'm scared that if I pause, I'll stop. Casey Junior's coming down the track! More updates tonight!

Coronado is very photogenic!

We skipped Kona for the first time in a while this year and opted for 'Ohana, and were very pleased. So many good things!

Great dinner! It's looks delicious. We've only done O'hana for breakfast because my kids love Stitch and really wanted to meet Lilo. We'll do dinner one of these days! The potstickers and noodles alone look worth it to me.

Looks like a nice evening by the pool!

I do have a couple of pictures of the Haunted Mansion float in the Boo to You parade. They are not great quality. I have a great camera, but have not yet figured out how to use all the fancy settings. This year I hope they turn out better, but I thought you could at least get an idea.

These don't do the float justice, but it really does rock.

LOVE the photos! I really have to get down there for Halloween. I could get just the wings, potstickers, and noodles and be content. The rest is just gravy!

Thanks for reading, everyone! Now, Day 3!

 

[nilla]

 

[nilla]

I get up at 7:00 am. Hollywood Studios opens at 9:00 today, so hopefully, we can make rope drop.

Well, no such luck, because it looks like I'm the only one who wants to get up!



We SLOWLY do our morning routine - iron, El Centro, kids fight over who gets the desk chair while they eat, pack bag for the day - and eventually make it to the bus stop. We now have a photo you will see many more times in this Trip Report. Well, photos like it.



We reach Hollywood Studios by 10:00, which works out great, because we have Toy Story Mania FPs for 9:25 - 10:25. Right back we go, with a quick stop for a photo op. Kristin LOVES One Man's Dream. But then, of course, she loves anything Walt.



TSM time! I sadly don't recall the standby time, but it wasn't as absurd as I thought it would be. FP+, or a light crowd? Now, back to TSM.



Here's what she thinks about school.



Now, back to TSM.





I think this was new - an Etch-a-Sketch that had a screen on it, drawing as you watched. Pretty cool!



We all like this drawing, for some reason. At least most of us do.



This is one of those rides that a FastPass only gets you so far before you're waiting in a queue again (think Soarin'). It's not too bad, though, and in about 10-15 minutes, we're inside.





And now we're outside.



Dylan took "best in car" honors, with Kristin and I not far behind. This ride destroys my arm - my technique needs to be adjusted or something! Still, I love this ride, though it's sadly wrecked Buzz Lightyear at MK for me.

One bit of strategy I used this year was to not fire during the practice round. Why waste the energy? Didn't matter, though. Second place is the first loser!

This army man agrees. I think. Possibly.





The army men characters are great! They sometimes do a whole marching, etc. thing with kids. Buzz and Woody are across the path, inside, but we're sort of avoiding characters this year, for the most part. Well, most characters. The army man obviously doesn't count. We had one year where we met a ton of characters, mostly because Kristin had spent over $100 making autograph books for the kids. Had to justify the cost!

 

[nilla]

Quiet - hot set!



I don't know...is it? Or is it just a sign? I think it's just a sign. But who knows. Something's obviously hot, since Dylan goes for the mist.



Emily gets her picture taken in front of the fountain from "Splash", which is a movie I've never seen. Don't know if Kristin has, either. But it's a cute pic.



Ahhh, look out - falling bricks!



Onto the Streets of America next. We ALMOST understand the layout of this park. Almost. Looks like the word is out about this guy:



Little details! Speaking of little details, the buildings on this street are well done. Emily needs another picture.



And one for the boy.



And one of the steps leading up to the doorway.



And one of another unnecessary-but-cool detail.



And another of Em in the doorway.



And now Kristin and Emily in the same doorway.



Hey, look - Tatooine!

 

[nilla]

We have FPs for Star Tours that started at 10:35, but there's time for some speeder bike pics.





Inside we go, for our second FastPass of the day.



Sad about this guy losing his job. But the old ride was awful.



The new ride is great, though. But I guess a kid in line isn't so great, because his father is yelling at him. Like, really yelling at him. And I don't even hear the kid. What the-?

They're out of eyesight for me, but you can hear him loud and clear. The CMs ask him to quiet down. At that point, we get let inside, so I'm assuming he did.

Dylan and I joke about him being on the ride with us. "YOU ARE NOT A LICENSED PILOT, C-3PO!"

But he's not. I get seated on the far left front, right by C-3PO. Not the best seat in the house, but there really aren't any bad seats in the house.

This ride is AMAZING. 5 stars, two thumbs up and an upvote for the refurb/redo on this one. And you know what else? Kristin can actually see the 3-D here. It's the space opera glasses. It has to be.

We got the Pod race, Princess Leia, and Naboo. Naboo is my favorite one, with the splashdown ending. Last year, after the glass "broke" and the curtain closed, a small kid in our row asked, "how are they going to get the window fixed?" Amazing ride.

Outside, the crowds aren't too bad.



Vader and the Stormtroopers are at it again.



Dylan says that they're not using lightsabers any more for the Jedi training. If that's true, I can't imagine why

 

[nilla]

It's a little after 11:00, so it's time for lunch! The Backlot Express, which we have been unable to locate for the past two years, is literally right there, in front of us. We've seen it a thousand times. How did we miss it?



The place is empty...looks like it doesn't open until 11:30. I guess we'll be violating at least one of these rules:



As 11:30 nears, the charismatic manager gives a speech, and into the queues we go. We order our food. What did we get? Patience, people! Patience!

Dylan and I wait for the food while the girls pick a table. It has a very convincing sink full of water next to it.



Now, for the food. I got the chicken nuggets. I LOVE Disney quick service chicken nuggets!



Kristin got the BUFFALO chicken nuggets. Also delicious!



Dylan got a hot dog. Boring!



Emily got the kids' Power Pack, and for some reason, wanted the Lightning McQueen carrier for it.



Lightning McQueen? Emily? What? We eventually convince her to give it back, since there's no way any of the adults are carrying it all day.

For dessert, I get the chocolate mousse.



Kristin and the kids got the "worms in dirt" cupcakes.



Dylan was the first to try his. After eating the edible flower pot on top, he loudly stated, "the pot is amazing!" After a moment, he looked at me, smiled, and said, "That sounded really bad."

That proclamation would've been a great name for a trip report, but I'm certain the moderators would've smacked that down immediately

I typed the notes I'm working off now into the iPod and picked up a few photos on the way out.

 

[shan23877]

I never get tired of Philharmagic-- or castle pictures!

Your PoTC pics turned out great.

The CSR pool looks like a lot of fun. Emily must LOVE swimming if she skipped watching Frozen!

Ah the Poly. I'm interested to see what it looks like post construction, but it's definitely the resort I'd most like to stay at.

 

[nilla]

Great day already at the Studios! Tower of Terror Fastpasses are for 12:55, so we have some time. And of course, we still have the small problem of what to bribe Emily with to get her to ride it.



There it is. Perfect!


[POST=51592456](next update)[/POST]

 

[shan23877]

I always have an achy arm after TSMM, but I assume that's because I'm a wimp. I'll never come close to beating my DH anyway

Star Tours is a great ride! I know nothing about SW, but I really enjoy it

 

[mirage0306]

The pot is amazing

I can't figure out DHS, either. I know it also has a hub and spoke system (sort of?) but why is the hub and spoke system at MK so intuitive to me, while at DHS I feel like someone put a blindfold on me, spun me around in circles, and gave me a push? "See if you can find TSMM now, grasshopper!"

Great pics as always. And boy, do I miss the Poly.

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Okay the pot comment was awesome!! I would have died laughing.

I am also someone who does not understand Hollywood Studios, that park makes no sense to me, I think it is time for an update.

 

[jdd]

Ditto on the oddness of DHS. Even though it has some of our favorite rides - ToT, RnR and Star Tours - it's our least favorite park. I just don't feel the magic as much there, I guess

 

[TheMaxRebo]

little behind but wow, you got a lot done that day at MK/'Ohana/Pool!

Pretty sure it is required that you have to take pictures of the castle whenever you walk by it ... maybe the dad was yelling at his kids about on the line for Star Tours because he neglected to take a picture of the castle

I think one ride on TSMM isn't too bad on ones arm but if you ever do two trips close together your arm is pretty much useless for the next hour or so

Glad the pot was good at least ... would have been really awkward if he started shouting "Everyone! The Pot is bad! Don't take the Pot!!!!"

 

[nilla]

I always have an achy arm after TSMM, but I assume that's because I'm a wimp. I'll never come close to beating my DH anyway

Star Tours is a great ride! I know nothing about SW, but I really enjoy it

My strategy is to only go for the big money targets, but Dylan still beats me every time

Star Tours is the best 3-D I've ever seen. No adjustment time necessary when you put on the opera glasses.

The pot is amazing

I can't figure out DHS, either. I know it also has a hub and spoke system (sort of?) but why is the hub and spoke system at MK so intuitive to me, while at DHS I feel like someone put a blindfold on me, spun me around in circles, and gave me a push? "See if you can find TSMM now, grasshopper!"

Great pics as always. And boy, do I miss the Poly.

We also marveled at how far away from everything else Fantasmic! is.

I can sort of put the park together - Streets connect to Star Wars, which connects to Indy and Muppets, etc. Still, I know the other parks much better!

Okay the pot comment was awesome!! I would have died laughing.

I am also someone who does not understand Hollywood Studios, that park makes no sense to me, I think it is time for an update.

If that would've been the title of this Trip Report, it would have 75,000 views already. Or it would've been yanked immediately. One of the two

Ditto on the oddness of DHS. Even though it has some of our favorite rides - ToT, RnR and Star Tours - it's our least favorite park. I just don't feel the magic as much there, I guess

Right there with you. It seems a bit disjointed to me.

little behind but wow, you got a lot done that day at MK/'Ohana/Pool!

Pretty sure it is required that you have to take pictures of the castle whenever you walk by it ... maybe the dad was yelling at his kids about on the line for Star Tours because he neglected to take a picture of the castle

I think one ride on TSMM isn't too bad on ones arm but if you ever do two trips close together your arm is pretty much useless for the next hour or so

Glad the pot was good at least ... would have been really awkward if he started shouting "Everyone! The Pot is bad! Don't take the Pot!!!!"

There was repressed anger of some sort in that guy!

Haven't done TSMM back-to-back, but I could imagine it would be tough! I'd have to train for that.

Yeah, everything's better in Disney

 

[nilla]

So how do we get Emily to go on Tower of Terror? By getting her a Jammy Sammy!



Ok, that's a lie. I just like that name. Jammy Sammy. Heh.

Here's what really got her convinced:



Face paint. She got it last year in Epcot, and it was kind of cute. As I hose down with sunscreen, Dylan tells me that Emily wanted to get the "Princess Kitty" design, but Kristin vetoed it. Kristin is EXTREMELY allergic to cats, so I think that had something to do with it. Not sure what this one was called.





Finished product!



Once that's done, it's over to Tower of Terror. We still have a while before our FPs are ready, though, so we stop along the way. Dylan pulls the rope near Indy Jones.



He really wanted to see that show, but it already started. On we go.



I like the Gertie theme, but we're not getting ice cream right now. I get in a picture for once.



We finally saw this movie, a few months ago. For the first time.

 

[nilla]

Still having time, we decide to do some shopping. Don't recall the name of this shop, but I like the ceiling!



It's Planet Hollywood next, where I get a horribly glared photo of an actual Jawa.



And a horribly glared photo of an actual Gremlin.



No Zuni doll from "Trilogy of Terror", though. Probably a good thing. That guy scares me.

We're approaching the Tower, so a photo is in order...



...but not a ride. FPs still haven't come up. So it's over to this ride...



...but there is a 40-minute standby. Alright, next!

Still not time for ToT, so we hit Villains in Vogue. I love this store because it's basically all the crap I love - Haunted Mansion, Nightmare Before Christmas, Villains, Haunted Mansion, and Haunted Mansion. And Villains. Like this one:



No, not Kristin! Maleficent. You see, the ears are actually- oh, never mind. Random photo!



Back to the headgear!



And now, to the Tower!

 

[nilla]

We're at ToT now. Outside shots before we enter...















And a shot in the garden...



The rare couple shot...



And inside.





As I use up the last of my PhotoBucket bandwidth, I revert back to actual storytelling:

At Tower of Terror right now, FastPasses don't exactly make for a short queue wait. An announcement informs us that one of the elevators is down, so even the FP line is crawling. As we approach the entrance to the Hotel, a family climbs over the chain and begins taking pictures from the Forbidden Balcony (the Balcony can seen in a prior photo, above the flags). Someone stop these people - they're nuts!

We're inside now, and just about on the ride. Inside the library, I look for the "To Serve Man" book, but can't find it. Oh well. REALLY wish Talky Tina were here, or that crazy slot machine!

Into the boiler room, and I opt to go right at the fork, assuming the left is the elevator that's down. Well, it's not. Neither on this side are right now. And not a lot of people are over there. Man, miscalc! Wait - no worries. They CM over there asks if we're a party of four, and we are! Over we go, and onto the ride.

Even though we let her get her face painted, Emily is not fun on this ride because she is terrified of it. I don't get it. Her favorite ride is Rock 'n Roller Coaster. She also loves Expedition Everest and Space Mountain. What's the problem with this?

Whatever it is, it's hard to enjoy the ride with a mortified 8-year-old needing to be fully shielded by Mom and Dad. So we ride, and it's a great ride, but I don't fully enjoy it. Oh well, we'll just split up from now on, with Dylan and Kristin (this is one of her favorite rides) on ToT, and Emily and me on RnR.

Speaking of RnR, we can get another FastPass now, so let's see what we can do!

 

[nilla]

No RnR FastPasses. Darn. Not much good, actually. But there is Star Tours. Ok, can't complain. We do love Star Tours. It's not until 4:15, though. Still time to do some other things.

Let's go walk over to RnR again - 20 minute standby! I can do that. In fact, that's about the max for us, usually.

One great thing about this ride is that you can get even MORE Tower of Terror photos from the queue!





And one of the kids inside.



Oh, man - it looks like there are traffic problems downtown. Now we'll NEVER make it to the show in time! Hey, did you check out Steven Tyler's hat?



Looks like the light turned green!



One strange thing to me about this ride is that I LOVE Aerosmith while I'm in this queue and on the ride, but don't really listen to them elsewhere. Not on a plane, not in a train. Not with a fox, not in a box. But here? Love 'em.

In we go, and Dylan and Kristin end up in the front. Emily and I are right behind them. GREAT ride, and Emily is a blast on this one. Much different than on ToT!

Afterwards, there's time for a hat pic...



...and an outside pic...



Hey, Bethlehem Brew Works shirt #1! I've looked at dozens of photos from this day and just noticed it.

Must be getting tired. Or, at least I'll say I am, because it's been too many late nights this week doing this Trip Report already! Tune in next time, when we learn just what the heck our heroes decide to do next, and how on Earth they find their way there!


[POST=51610382](next update)[/POST]