4 Parks + 5 Staples in the Baby's Head = 9 Magical Days!! (9/17 The Last Hurrah!)

[3girls4me05]

Glad you're back! Yeah, DS (at 7) probably won't want to go back to Playhouse Disney next time - he's basically outgrown it.
We did do the show with Bear last time in 2006 and I actually thought this one was better.
Then again, I prefer Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins to Stanley and Book of Pooh.
I think Bear in the Big Blue House is the only thing we miss.

I agree. My youngest is a Little Einstein's fanatic so this was a HUGE hit for her but I must admit I miss my friend Bear. He is one cool dude. Cha Cha Cha!
Love how X can fall asleep just about anywhere.
Oh and aren't you from MA? There is still a drive in in Wellfleet (down the Cape). We go every summer when we are at the Cape. My girls call them "the pajama movies". Still as much fun as when we were kids.

 

[thecapells]

I agree. My youngest is a Little Einstein's fanatic so this was a HUGE hit for her but I must admit I miss my friend Bear. He is one cool dude. Cha Cha Cha!
Love how X can fall asleep just about anywhere.
Oh and aren't you from MA? There is still a drive in in Wellfleet (down the Cape). We go every summer when we are at the Cape. My girls call them "the pajama movies". Still as much fun as when we were kids.

Nah, I'm originally from NY - hence the comment about a good diner!
And now we live in Northern Virginia.

As for X falling asleep anywhere - it definitely came in handy.
We were hoping that would be the case as we didn't want to return to the hotel in the middle of the day for naps.
We tried that on our last trip and it took a big chunk out of the day getting all the way back to the front gate, waiting for buses, etc.
Not to mention that the kids woke up grumpy since the naps were short.
This time it was much easier and when someone got tired, they fell asleep in the stroller.

 

[thecapells]

Can’t you just hear the music?
I must admit, I’m a Star Wars fanatic (moreso than Disney).
And this is *MY* ride.

I’ve dreamed of flying down the trench since I was 4 ½ staring up at the big screen with my mouth hanging open in awe.
Wow, did that movie change my childhood.

So, with a full stomach, we headed towards the huge AT-AT towering over a simple Ewok Village .

I miss the Snowspeeder and Skiff props that used to be here.
I hear they’ve since been moved to the Backlot tour and from there only Walt knows for sure…

We headed through the Droid Room and had to stop to see Admiral Ackbar at the controls while C-3P0 and R2-D2 frantically worked to prepare our speeder.

And then we walked up the ramp to see R5-D4 being repaired and soon it was time to head to our speeder.
The pre-show, as always, was great and I love seeing Chewbacca and Ackbar sitting in the shuttle trying to make themselves comfortable.

The doors opened and it was our turn.
This was a momentous occasion as back in 2006, we saw this attraction during a “test flight” where the simulator was not on.
This is something you can ask to do if there aren’t too many people waiting and you have young ones in tow.
But this time, we were about the get the entire experience!
Our rookie pilots strapped themselves in (with some help from Jedi Dad) and we were ready to fly! May the Force Be With Us!

Well, the speeder pilot (Rex) was new and took us for a bumpy ride.
We even missed our tour to Endor as we were detoured through an asteroid field and into a space battle.
After tailing some X-Wings through a mess of Star Destroyers, we followed them through a narrow trench and launched some torpedos into a small crevice.
It was just like shooting wamp rats back home in our T-16’s.
And the small moon (that's no small moon) exploded!

Rex was able to get the speeder clear and land us back at the Rebel Base without further incident.
DD was a bit shook up but DS was excited when we landed.
He even made a replica of the ride out of LEGO once we got back home.
I have always loved this ride – who hasn’t dreamed of flying through the trench to destroy the Death Star along with Luke?
Rumor has it that this ride may get a face lift with the stuff from the new movies so that might be cool.
But, honestly, it can stay this way forever and I’d be happy.

We headed off our amazing adventure and right into Tatooine Traders – a fine mix of scum and villainy from around the galaxy (and some cool toys too!).
Now if we don’t pretty much walk straight through here, we may never leave as they have some cool stuff for us geeks.
So we headed out and took our Star Wars pictures in the desert sand:

This has become tradition as well since 2006 when DS, in his Star Wars shirt and watch, showed us how to drive the speederbikes...

Next time, we’ll need a pic of all 3!!
And then the Ultimate Dork Photo Opportunity!
Who would NOT want to ride on an authentic speederbike!!
Luckily Mom was waiting for us outside with the still-sleeping X and took some great shots of us on the speederbike across from the attraction.

First DS got his shot to zoom through Endor:

Then DD wanted to play with the Ewoks

And then we needed the group shot.
What better way to pass the torch of geekdom and educate your children on the greatest movie ever than to share a speederbike ride with them!

It was finally time to depart the moon of Endor for good.
And off in the distance we could seen the balloon rising from the swamps of Florida where Yoda’s “cousin” Kermit was born.
It’s time to play the music!
It’s time to light the lights!
Better grab your seat and stay tuned…

 

[Happy Elf]

Great update! I am married to a Star Wars geek! He was quite sad to give up his "Star Wars Room" (for all his SW toys)when our DD was born. But is thrilled, because she is finally tall enough to ride Star Tours with him on our upcoming trip!

 

[TheCapellsMom]

What my DH failed to mention is that X can fall asleep in any location- as long as the stroller is in constant motion or MOM is in constant motion! At SciFi diner, I rocked him to sleep while eating a burger & trying not to miss my mouth! I know he's finally deep asleep when he starts drooling on me!

So, just to fill you in briefly, while DH, DS, and DD went to Star Tours , I spent a few minutes getting over my jealousy then carried the sleeping X in one hand and pushed the double stroller with the other, till I found a shady spot to sit. I parked the stroler in the shade, locked the wheels, and gingerly lowered the sleeping baby down...only to have him scream at me! So- I pushed him around for about 10 minutes in circles, and when he was finally down for the count, I found another shady spot to rest.

My plan was to read my book while the baby napped but after half a paragraph, it was obvious that I needed a nap too! I'm paranoid so I put my feet up on the stroller so I would feel it if somebody tried to roll away with my kid- and dozed for about 20 minutes or so.

Then I headed over to the speederbikes and got on line because there was a 10 minute wait just to get photos. The rest of the family arrived just as I got up to the front of the line- perfect timing!

 

[JLovesDisney]

Long time lurker here- Just wanted to say I'm loving your TR! I'm glad you had a great time at Sci-Fi! I've been there twice, one time was great, one time was not so great. Thinking about going there next trip- still not sure about it!

 

[thecapells]

Long time lurker here- Just wanted to say I'm loving your TR! I'm glad you had a great time at Sci-Fi! I've been there twice, one time was great, one time was not so great. Thinking about going there next trip- still not sure about it!

Glad to have you aboard!
Especially since it looks like we lost everyone else.
I guess my Star Wars dorkiness scared everyone away.
Too bad 'cause it just gets worse with our next stop...

 

[thecapells]

And now let’s get things started.
It's time to get things started!
On the most Sensational, Inspirational, Celebrational, Muppetational
This is what we call Muppet*Vision 3-D!

We headed over to the Muppet Fountain while Mom went to find a shady spot to sit with the sleeping X.
She ended up reading her book in the ABC Commissary while X had a much-needed nap.
DS, DD and I were off to the show!
Here’s some shots from 2006 since I didn’t repeat them this time around:

Once at the plaza, the kids had fun exploring the detail of the “Piggy Fountain” as they called it.

As usual, there was no line so we headed inside…

I love the holographic “3-D” Poster on the way in…

And then there’s my favorite sign in all Walt Disney World.
For those who have ever been turned down for a ride because they were too small, Muppetvision is your revenge!

And the additional detail of the spot where someone bashed their head is priceless!

Once inside, we got to watch most of the Muppetvision pre-show.
And for those who haven’t sat for it, definitely make a point to do so.
This is probably the best pre-show in all of the parks.
It has terrific details with the props scattered across the room including the Swine Trek from Pigs in Space:

and even a picture of the Jim Henson Muppet himself:

And that’s not including the great site gags like the seemingly random large colorful squares hanging from the ceiling in a cargo net.
[

But don’t those squares look like giant Jell-O cubes?
Now why are there Jello-O cubes in a cargo net?
Hmmmm, what’s the significance of “a net full of Jell-O”?
How about “Annette Funicello”?
Gotta love Muppet humor.


And then there’s the amazing video that spans a row of TV’s.
Stop and think for a moment how hard it is to stage puppets with that kind of timing and you’ll get a whole new appreciation for the video.

And then all of the Muppet props from Gonzo’s crate of weird things to a case of Lou Zealand’s Swedish fish.
Definitely read everything in this place.
Nothing was put here by accident or without purpose.

Finally, the doors open and the real fun begins.

From the animatronic Penguin Orchestra to all of the bad puns and 3-D sight gags, this show is a blast. Literally.
Miss Piggy sings “Dream a Little Dream”, and most of the muppets cameo at one point or another.
Doctor Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker (yeah! Beaker) develop a new 3-D creature who runs wild.
He even decides to run away with Bean the bunny.
Which leads to a great search of the theatre including Waldorf and Statler in the balcony and a real-life Sweet-Ums who comes into the theatre!

Finally, Bean is found and talked into coming back as long as he can help with the finale.
Ah, the finale.
Sam The Eagle has prepared a 3 hour Patriotic celebration. Kermit gives him a minute and a half.
Soldiers, musicians, archers, dancers, and anything else you can imagine start running into each other.
Fireworks are flying in all directions.
Then the Swedish Chef in the back of theatre starts shooting at the 3D creation.
The penguin orchestra gets mad and breaks out a canon to shoot back.
The Swedish Chef is not to be outdone and ends up blowing the theatre to smithereens!
The finale shot of Kermit on the 3-D ladder of a firetruck is a great shot.
Think about this one for a minute – where are they controlling him from??
And check out all the 80's clothes on the guests wandering by.

At last, we are invited to leave the theatre which is now in shambles.
But, this is the Muppets – did you expect anything less?

On the way out, you drop off your 3-D glasses and I tried to hide our next stop from DS and DD since I wanted it to be a surprise.
It was time to get our motors running and get out on the highway…
Make sure you join us before we’re “Real Gone!”

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Just read the whole report. Sounds like you guys had an amazing trip, can't wait to hear about the rest of it.

 

[Poohsbear]

Especially since it looks like we lost everyone else.
I guess my Star Wars dorkiness scared everyone away.

Haven't lost everyone! Nothin's scared me away yet.. cept maybe the time I have to wait to go myself

 

[jmskinner]

You haven't lost me either. I never get the emails of the updates, just when someone else posts so I didn't realize you had updated. Your wife needs one of my shirts, which by the way my DH ordered for me. It says, "I Love My Geek". I wore it last year to SWW. My DS has to ride ST every time we go, usually twice. I loved how you described it and Muppetvision 3D. I have never noticed the height requirement sign. Keep the updates coming.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Love it! Muppets 3-D is one of my favs. We saw it first on our honeymoon in 1991.

Really great pics, even the old ones.
My 3 yo (who does NOT remember her only trip to WDW 2 years ago)
saw your pics and said "That looks like Dizzzzzewald." We're so proud!

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

When are you guys going?
(I'll have to make sure I'm done by then - I didn't realize a TR would take this long).

Oh I'm sure you will be. Our trip isn't until August of 2010

 

[thecapells]

Glad to see everyone's still here!
I guess that means I better get to the next segment...

 

[thecapells]

You haven't lost me either. I never get the emails of the updates, just when someone else posts so I didn't realize you had updated. Your wife needs one of my shirts, which by the way my DH ordered for me. It says, "I Love My Geek". I wore it last year to SWW. My DS has to ride ST every time we go, usually twice. I loved how you described it and Muppetvision 3D. I have never noticed the height requirement sign. Keep the updates coming.

I'll have to get one of the shirts for her!!

Love it! Muppets 3-D is one of my favs. We saw it first on our honeymoon in 1991.

Really great pics, even the old ones.
My 3 yo (who does NOT remember her only trip to WDW 2 years ago)
saw your pics and said "That looks like Dizzzzzewald." We're so proud!

That's awesome! I think DS is about ready to help start planning our next trip - it's like passing on the torch...

 

[thecapells]

As you exit Muppetvision you are more or less pointed towards Luigi’s Garage.
This is the new area for Meet & Greets with Lightning McQueen and Tow-Mater.
I was looking forward to this as the kids loved the movie Cars and these were their favorite characters.
DS is a Lightning McQueen fan and DD loves Mater.
X also loves cars so I was a bit sad he was sleeping.
I called Mom from her solitude and she came over with DS’ wardrobe change.
After all, if you’re gonna meet #95, you have to dress the part!

And DS had to meet Mater as well…

Then DD had her turn and ran over to her favorite…

Finally, we had to get a picture of both kids (and again I wished X was awake):

And don’t forget dear old Dad!

The setup here was really very cool.
It was obviously themed to Luigi’s Tire Shop from the movie.
And both Lightning and Mater’s engines were running.
Occasionally they would roar a bit louder and their eyes would move a bit.
They didn’t talk but it definitely was a neat photo op.

Next, we rushed back to Star Tours for DS’ next surprise.
His surprises were coming at light speed now (pun intended) and he was loving it.
He liked how the trip was no longer about princesses.
However, I was a bit sad as about now I realized we would be skipping a bunch.
Luckily, the kids didn’t realize we missed anything!

I had originally planned for 1 ½ days at the Studios but we ended up spending a full day at Animal Kingdom instead.
So, checking the schedule, that now meant we’d be missing Meet & Greets with Kim Possible as well as Monsters Inc.
We met Mike and Sully back in ’06 so that wasn’t a big loss but Kim Possible and Ron would’ve been fun.
We also were going to have to skip the Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian exhibit.
The kids saw the previous one and didn’t quite get it since they haven’t read the books yet.
I liked it because I loved the books as a kid so this was a bit of a disappointment.
Lastly, we’d be missing Buzz and Woody in their new area over by Toy Story Mania.
Again, we saw them in ’06 when they were at Al’s Toy Barn so this wasn’t a total loss.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I was able to catch Buzz & Woody, Mike & Sully, and Prince Caspian when I came back in May for my conference.
But that’s a different trip report

Now we headed back into the stars for some training - Jedi Training that is!
Grab your lightsabers, don your Jedi robes, and May the Force Be With You!

 

[dawnbu40]

Great photopass pics! Too bad X had to miss out on the fun!

 

[WillowBelle]

Another reader still here . Sometimes it just takes a bit before I come out of the shadows and comment.

My DDs love both Muppet Vision and Star Tours. My youngest DD got a bit shaken up in 2006 when we went, she was five then. I've talked her in to giving the ride another try when we go in a few weeks. She's 8 now. I explained to her that she wasn't strong enough to keep her center of balance while being shot into outter space that she would do better this time. Keep your fingers crossed, if I'm wrong she is never going to forgive me .

 

[jagmom]

I can't wait for your next update!

 

[TiggerCL]

I've read your entire TR today - it's fantstic! Thanks so much for sharing and I love those Incredible outfits!