A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/7) Prayer Request for Catie (p.129)

[KathyRN137]

That picture is just !!

Sounds like you guys had a good time at PTC! I have to admit, it is one place that I have absolutely zero desire to visit, mostly because we have that type of food at least once a week (thanks to my wonderful MIL ), and my BIL is the type that fusses about table manners constantly (in a serious way ), so we wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy the fun. I really enjoyed reading your update/review, though.

Oh no! I suppose you wouldn't find it very amusing...
Fortunately there are lots of great restaurants at WDW!

Ominous music, huh????? Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Dum-Dum- DUM!!

...We love 50's, I am so sorry Billy wasn't feeling well. I love the look on your face when he is sitting on your lap, pure love. It was so cute when he wanted to stay.

We use the first aid stations several times during our trips due to Bill's disability. We are very thankful for them, the staff in all 4 parks are so courteous and friendly.

I hope Billy got to see Fantasmic .

Tracy, like your report title says... Don't stop believin'!

Yeah, I know what you mean! I was 12 when my oldest nephew was born and he's graduating from high school this year! It's like you blink and all of a sudden they're all grown up! Billy has such an infectious smile I can't help but smile when I am looking through your pictures! You have a lovely family!

Thanks so much!

Wow! Your trip is coming up fast!


Kathy

 

[mom2mek]

Kathy - great update! I hope Billy doesn't get too sick - I am hearing the ominous music in the back of my head but I hope it is shortlived!

That bathroom story is funny! I do remember being surprised when I learned that the Sci-Fi bathroom was shared too (and yes, I think it is with the Commissary). Guess I'm easily amused as well!

We have never tried 50's because we are always wanting Sci-Fi! But I think I'm gonna have to give it a whirl next time!

Sara

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy - great update! I hope Billy doesn't get too sick - I am hearing the ominous music in the back of my head but I hope it is shortlived!

That bathroom story is funny! I do remember being surprised when I learned that the Sci-Fi bathroom was shared too (and yes, I think it is with the Commissary). Guess I'm easily amused as well!

We have never tried 50's because we are always wanting Sci-Fi! But I think I'm gonna have to give it a whirl next time!

Sara

I think you should! As long as the kids are prepared for all the shenannigans, then I think they would have a ball!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Chapter 29: Thanks, Uncle Walt!

Monday Evening
November 2, 2009
Hollywood Studios



When I left off we had just finished our unexpected visit to the first aid station so that Billy could get a dose of orange medicine for his low-grade fever. Hoping that this was not the start of something serious (remember, we were in the midst of the big H1N1 scare at the time), we decided to take it easy for the rest of the evening and catch a few shows so we could make it to Fantasmic at 8pm. We cruised over to Animation Courtyard so Billy could “sea” someone special. As you may have gathered from my not-too-subtle clue, we were on our way to see Ariel in Voyage of the Little Mermaid.


Earlier that year we had seen the Broadway show and Billy had just loved it! He seemed to have developed a little crush on Ariel. Every day on the bus he listened to the soundtrack on his ipod and many times I found him watching clips of VOLM on youtube!

I loved how his voice would change and become very soft and melodic when he would say her name…
“A-ri-el!” She was definitely his favorite princess on this trip!

It was about a quarter after six and since we had just turned the clocks back yesterday, dusk was already beginning to fall as we passed the Hollywood Brown Derby. Of course, we stopped briefly to admire Sorcerer Mickey and the enchanted brooms from Fantasia:

Unfortunately, we had just missed the show and the next performance was not for another 20 minutes or so. Instead of just standing there in the queue, we decided to go next door to visit One Man’s Dream while we waited.

We missed this little gem of an attraction on our first couple of visits to WDW… always running off to do something the kids would enjoy. But a few years back we took the time to check it out and I’m glad we did. It’s really very interesting, especially if you like history and museums and the like. (Or are just crazy about all things Disney in general!) Now that the kids are older, we can enjoy walking around looking at all the old photos and artifacts from Walt Disney’s incredible career. What’s nice about it is that you can spend as much or as little time as you like here, so it’s a great way to kill some time.


I believe this was my niece Catie’s first time seeing this attraction, so she ended up taking a lot of pictures! I did, too. I’ll let them do the talking now…especially since I’m not quite sure in what order we took them:

There’s a brief movie at the end, but time was running short so we skipped it in favor of getting over to VOLM. With all there is to see here, I really think I could spend an hour in here if I could! I’ve heard a rumor that One Man’s Dream may be transplanted from DHS to Downtown Disney, but I hope they don’t do that. It really fits so well with the Studios’ theme. Off we went to see Ariel…


I suppose that most Mermaid fans had seen this earlier in the day, because the queue was not as crowded as I’ve seen it on previous trips. We decided to hug a wall anyway since Billy feels more comfortable there than in the middle of the crowd. A CM came out with a mic to give the intro and go over the “rules” of the theater. Our young friend hailed from Japan and was having a bit of trouble with his English. He spied a young girl wearing a birthday button and tried to get her to come up to the podium to help him ceremoniously open the doors… but her family couldn’t understand a word he said! Another CM had to jump in to help with communications and the birthday girl was able to get her special moment.


We were able to choose a middle row, which is nice because if you sit too close to the front you can’t see some of the special effects. (Not to mention that Ursula the Sea Witch is HUGE and can be quite scary close-up!) No photos allowed, but take it from me, we had a wonderful show. Ariel’s voice was uncannily similar to the original from the movie and Billy was enthralled...the motrin was definitely working. I believe I may have caught the girls singing along, too!


We exited the theater and, of course, once we were back outside in the courtyard we could plainly see the big, big sign for Playhouse Disney, Live on Stage. Billy has always loved this show because of the music and singing and so I was surprised that it seemed to hold no interest for him that day. Much to Tricia and Catie’s relief, when I asked him if he wanted to see it, he said no! I felt a little twinge of sadness, though. We had seen that show every trip since he was five… perhaps he was finally aging out of it.


With a bit of wistfulness I turned to the rest of the family and announced that we could fit one more thing in before it was time to start heading over to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater for Fantasmic. Now, what would they choose?



Kathy

 

[MHTeacher]

… perhaps he was finally aging out of it.

...........Or, perhaps, after Ariel, nothing else could measure up!

 

[KathyRN137]

...........Or, perhaps, after Ariel, nothing else could measure up!

Well, Ed thinks that Billy's becoming more interested in Ariel's "measurements" than her voice! *sigh*


Kathy

 

[MHTeacher]

Well, Ed thinks that Billy's becoming more interested in Ariel's "measurements" than her voice! *sigh*


Kathy

Sometimes I think the same thing about my husband!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love all the pictures from One Man's Dream. We missed it on our first couple of visits to DHS as well, but now it's on my 'must do' list. I haven't heard the rumor about it moving to DTD, I certainly hope that isn't true!

 

[KathyRN137]

Love all the pictures from One Man's Dream. We missed it on our first couple of visits to DHS as well, but now it's on my 'must do' list. I haven't heard the rumor about it moving to DTD, I certainly hope that isn't true!

Me neither... although it would be nice to have something fun for adults besides eating and shopping.


Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

I loved how his voice would change and become very soft and melodic when he would say her name…
“A-ri-el!” She was definitely his favorite princess on this trip!

Yep, pretty sure that is a sign of a crush! Too adorable!

 

[maroo]

Great update!

I hope he feels better! But I have a feeling we are in for a rough ride.

As for his crush on Ariel...

 

[KathyRN137]

Yep, pretty sure that is a sign of a crush! Too adorable!

My little boy is growing up!

Great update!

I hope he feels better! But I have a feeling we are in for a rough ride.

As for his crush on Ariel...

I know... it was so cute.

I don't want to give anything away, but we certainly were in for some trouble...


Kathy

 

[jcc0621]

[ Instead of just standing there in the queue, we decided to go next door to visit One Man’s Dream while we waited.

I have yet to see this one

perhaps he was finally aging out of it.

Now, what would they choose?

Muppet Vision!

Well, Ed thinks that Billy's becoming more interested in Ariel's "measurements" than her voice! *sigh*
Kathy

Jim is particularly fond of Ariel's sea shells also

 

[MRYPPNS]

I don't want to give anything away, but we certainly were in for some trouble...
Kathy

I hope you had a trusty gallon size zip lock bag at the ready just in case.....not that I would know anything about that sort of thing

 

[praisehisname]

Loved the pics from One Man's Dream! Hmmm, do you squeeze in a ride on RNRRC before Fantasmic?

 

[mousescrapper]

Hmmm. I'm not sure. Would that be the ABC Commisary??

I think you are right...just whipped out a handy DHS map and they do share the same building...good call!


I'm actually beginning to lean more toward Old Key West...

space or location? I really want to to the treehouses one day...but think if my parents or other family want to travel w/ us that trip...we'll need more space and more bathrooms...I'm now thinking 2BR AKV...is actually less points (well speculating off the 2011 point charts for a trip in 2013...)


Kathy

we just loved the OMD attraction w/ Walt last yr...I hope we can make the time to do it again this yr or next

Can't wait to see what the kids picked next....

 

[mommytothreeboys]

An update about two things we've never done! I still want to make it into the One Man's Dream attraction at some point. I know we would all enjoy it.

As far as the Little Mermaid goes.....I'm afraid my older boys are less interested in the story and more interested in the costuming....or lack thereof, if you know what I mean! We'd probably enjoy the show, but they really show no interest and I don't push it. I'm sure they'd make a comment or two!

Awww..it really is sad when they grow up and don't want to watch the "little kid" shows anymore.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

If I can recall correctly, didn't Billy once have a thing for the blonde princesses?

Guess he's upgraded to redheads

I vote you're either going to do ToT or MuppetVision!

 

[KathyRN137]

Jim is particularly fond of Ariel's sea shells also

I don't venture any guesses about the particulars, but he does seem to notice pretty girls a lot more than he used to!

As far as the Little Mermaid goes.....I'm afraid my older boys are less interested in the story and more interested in the costuming....or lack thereof, if you know what I mean! We'd probably enjoy the show, but they really show no interest and I don't push it. I'm sure they'd make a comment or two!

The Under the Sea number is very cool because of the live puppetry... if you think you can handle the adolescent comments I think you would enjoy the show! It's only about 15 minutes long...

If I can recall correctly, didn't Billy once have a thing for the blonde princesses?

Guess he's upgraded to redheads

You're right, Meg! On our first trip he was enamored with Aurora...

I have an absolutely darling Billy-and-a-princess story to tell... but it happened toward the end of the trip, so I'm afraid you will have to wait!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

I hope you had a trusty gallon size zip lock bag at the ready just in case.....not that I would know anything about that sort of thing

Thankfully, there were no zip lock bags needed. (Although I always bring them along.) Ed loves to tease me about my zip lock bags...


Kathy