After a late one on Bastille night, we all had a snooze next morning and I laughed at our 7.15am breakfast ticket
Couldn't face the mayhem of the hotel breakfast anyway so at 9.15am we all set off and headed straight for Salon Mickey. My son was intriuged by this as he couldn't remember this two years ago. He wanted to know if we needed a secret knock and was well impressed that his mum was in a special club
Have to say, it did cause some looks from queuing guests at the gate when we sauntered over and were let in
Salon Mickey is always calm and a good place to relax and after a quick coffee, juice and croissants we made our way over to the Studios. Felt this might be a little easier on the tired brains than the main park.
As we crossed Fantasia Gardens we came across this unexpected treat
I was very impressed by the finished TOT and Hollywood Boulevard. This area really opens up the Studios and I feel it's all starting to look more coherent now. Hubby went straight to get a fastpass for TOT while kids and I headed for the Flying Carpets. There was only a 15 min wait, so we went straight on the queue. As things seemed to be quiet enough, hubby texted to say he was going to try for RnR coaster while he waited for his fastpass window to open. By the time we had finished the ride, hubby was due on TOT, so we headed for Cars ride with a wait of 25 mins. I love the theming in the wait area of the ride, but the actual ride time was very short and it seemed that we were less than a minute
in the cars!
By the time we exited, hubby had returned from his TOT experience. I had sent him on to check out if my DS could ride it and to asses the shock factor. I knew as soon as I saw his face that it was a no-go. He is practically unscareable and rides all the coasters without a flinch, but TOT seemed to get the better of him and he was a few shades paler than when we last saw him He admitted he had the biggest scare of his life and so I thought better of sending my son on till he is a bit bigger.
Having checked out info board, we made our way up to the backlot for the impending HSM show. This was all DD was waiting for and she lapped it up. It was really cool at the end when she got up to dance along and I knew that this was her highlight. We all had to suffer choruses of all the songs for the rest of the day!
We had an explore around the shops before returning for the next Stitch Live show in English. I have to say that this was probably my highlight. It was really really entertaining and I really appreciated the fact that the kids were able to sit on teh carpet up front. It meant they all got a perfect view. Hubby was soon disgraced as I was laughing so loud he reckoned I should be down on the blue carpet too
DS absolutely adored it as he is a masive Stich fan and the only shame is that it is so short.
By now everyone was starving and I suggested Cafe De Cascadeurs as it has never been open any other time we visited. There was a short wait to be seated, but it was a good choice. The menu was slightly better than the ususal counter service and the price wasn't bad either. I felt the kids meals were more substantial (even if it was still burgers) and the choice of salads was great for me. We all enjoyed it and marked it down as a definite in future. Be warned though, there are no toilets, so you have to traipse back across the Studio. When my daughter and I discovered this, we had real trouble getting back inside to our seats as some grumpy people waiting to be seated started shouting that we were skipping the queue
After lunch, we timed the next Moteurs Action show. Have seen this every time, but DS thinks it is SOOOO COOOOL and so we had to go again.
The show seems a little shorter as I remember more audience members
involvement, but either way we were all glad of the sit down as last
nights late hours were taking their toll.
After the show, we were at a bit of a loose and as there was still over an hour and a half until the cars and stars parade. We decided to wander down around Toon Town and to our surprise found Buzz Lightyear and Remy doing organised meet and greets with no queues at all! Kids were thrilled and because it was so quiet, they got great time from Buzz who High 5'd them and messed about.
DS was delighted that Buzz was putting a stamp in the autograph books as he is Toy Story mad and the only one he was ever missing in his books was Buzz. Seeing as we were around the area, we use up the extra time with the Tram Tour.
Earlier in the day this was showing a 55 minute wait
But now it was quiet and we were on in 15 minutes. Again, this was not everyones favourite, but a good way to pass the time and DS seemed to have forgotten about Catastrophe Canyon, so it was funny to
watch
We took up a spot at the rope to the far right of the stage for the parade. I had read on here about being backstage for the character interaction, but decided on the whole that seeing the show was of more interest to the kids, especially as they would see Lilo and Stitch together for the first time. I was really impressed by this parade and it is a vast improvement on the old one. DD was thrilled to see Mulan for the first time ever and Elvis Stitch had my DS laughing his head off.
The show is really well done and was worth waiting for. At the end, Ariel made a bee line over to us and apologised to my DD for missing her at the castle stage the day before. She crouched down and signed her book and it was a purely magical moment for her.
Gaston was in flying form and joking with teh crowd, he started admonishing my son for not speaking French (in true Gaston style!). Having not really paid much attention to this character, my son was a little miffed and didn't know what way to take it. I later explained that that was just what
Gaston did as he was arrogant and big headed, so he calmed down a
bit
As soon as the parade was over, we headed back over to the park. I quite like the Studios, but I can only ever stay there for half a day without feeling I am being drawn back to the main park. It just doesn't have
the same feeling to it.
Back at the Park, we headed staright for Phantom Manor. I haven't had the chance to do this last two trips due to an unfortunate event when we first took DD on it aged 3 1/2 which involved being let out of fire door!! Again, I was shocked to see no queue and in 5 mins we were in. DD was delighted that she could excersise her demons 
lmao
and do this ride at last. It was longer and more entertaining than I remembered.
By now it was coming on for 7pm as we strolled through to Adventureland. I remembered that Jack Sparrow was due an apperance and true to hois word, he was outside the Blue Lagoon. There was the usual pushing and shoving, but I just stood back with the kids and left them to it. This did not go unnoticed and when it was their turn, Jack made a real fuss, chatting to them, asking names and challenging DS to a sword fight. This was in comparison to the simple hellos other kids were getting and the hasty photos as pushy parents shoved them in next to Jack. There is a reward to good manners and it doesn't go unnoticed by CMs and characters
After such a meeting, a ride on POTC was inevitable and amazingly 0 minutes was showing again! Next, into Fantasyland for some hassle free rides such as teacups and IASW for the zillionth time and we were all getting tired. Kids were complaining about their legs and so we began to make our way out. We stopped to watch Mickeys Magical Party again and kids were thrilled to catch some streamers.
The initial plan was to catch something to eat in the Village, but everyone was too knackered to face it. Hubby sent me on with the kids while he fetched take out from Mc Donalds instead. This turned out to be a marvellous plan as kids ate it after baths and Pj's and just dropped straight off to sleep. My plans to watch the fireworks from the window soon came undone as I lay down with the kids and dozed of aswell!![/LEFT][/CENTER]
Couldn't face the mayhem of the hotel breakfast anyway so at 9.15am we all set off and headed straight for Salon Mickey. My son was intriuged by this as he couldn't remember this two years ago. He wanted to know if we needed a secret knock and was well impressed that his mum was in a special clubHave to say, it did cause some looks from queuing guests at the gate when we sauntered over and were let in
Salon Mickey is always calm and a good place to relax and after a quick coffee, juice and croissants we made our way over to the Studios. Felt this might be a little easier on the tired brains than the main park.
As we crossed Fantasia Gardens we came across this unexpected treat
I was very impressed by the finished TOT and Hollywood Boulevard. This area really opens up the Studios and I feel it's all starting to look more coherent now. Hubby went straight to get a fastpass for TOT while kids and I headed for the Flying Carpets. There was only a 15 min wait, so we went straight on the queue. As things seemed to be quiet enough, hubby texted to say he was going to try for RnR coaster while he waited for his fastpass window to open. By the time we had finished the ride, hubby was due on TOT, so we headed for Cars ride with a wait of 25 mins. I love the theming in the wait area of the ride, but the actual ride time was very short and it seemed that we were less than a minute
in the cars!
By the time we exited, hubby had returned from his TOT experience. I had sent him on to check out if my DS could ride it and to asses the shock factor. I knew as soon as I saw his face that it was a no-go. He is practically unscareable and rides all the coasters without a flinch, but TOT seemed to get the better of him and he was a few shades paler than when we last saw him
He admitted he had the biggest scare of his life and so I thought better of sending my son on till he is a bit bigger.Having checked out info board, we made our way up to the backlot for the impending HSM show. This was all DD was waiting for and she lapped it up. It was really cool at the end when she got up to dance along and I knew that this was her highlight. We all had to suffer choruses of all the songs for the rest of the day!
We had an explore around the shops before returning for the next Stitch Live show in English. I have to say that this was probably my highlight. It was really really entertaining and I really appreciated the fact that the kids were able to sit on teh carpet up front. It meant they all got a perfect view. Hubby was soon disgraced as I was laughing so loud he reckoned I should be down on the blue carpet too
DS absolutely adored it as he is a masive Stich fan and the only shame is that it is so short.By now everyone was starving and I suggested Cafe De Cascadeurs as it has never been open any other time we visited. There was a short wait to be seated, but it was a good choice. The menu was slightly better than the ususal counter service and the price wasn't bad either. I felt the kids meals were more substantial (even if it was still burgers) and the choice of salads was great for me. We all enjoyed it and marked it down as a definite in future. Be warned though, there are no toilets, so you have to traipse back across the Studio. When my daughter and I discovered this, we had real trouble getting back inside to our seats as some grumpy people waiting to be seated started shouting that we were skipping the queue
After lunch, we timed the next Moteurs Action show. Have seen this every time, but DS thinks it is SOOOO COOOOL and so we had to go again.
The show seems a little shorter as I remember more audience members
involvement, but either way we were all glad of the sit down as last
nights late hours were taking their toll.
After the show, we were at a bit of a loose and as there was still over an hour and a half until the cars and stars parade. We decided to wander down around Toon Town and to our surprise found Buzz Lightyear and Remy doing organised meet and greets with no queues at all! Kids were thrilled and because it was so quiet, they got great time from Buzz who High 5'd them and messed about.
DS was delighted that Buzz was putting a stamp in the autograph books as he is Toy Story mad and the only one he was ever missing in his books was Buzz. Seeing as we were around the area, we use up the extra time with the Tram Tour.
Earlier in the day this was showing a 55 minute wait
But now it was quiet and we were on in 15 minutes. Again, this was not everyones favourite, but a good way to pass the time and DS seemed to have forgotten about Catastrophe Canyon, so it was funny towatch
We took up a spot at the rope to the far right of the stage for the parade. I had read on here about being backstage for the character interaction, but decided on the whole that seeing the show was of more interest to the kids, especially as they would see Lilo and Stitch together for the first time. I was really impressed by this parade and it is a vast improvement on the old one. DD was thrilled to see Mulan for the first time ever and Elvis Stitch had my DS laughing his head off.
The show is really well done and was worth waiting for. At the end, Ariel made a bee line over to us and apologised to my DD for missing her at the castle stage the day before. She crouched down and signed her book and it was a purely magical moment for her.
Gaston was in flying form and joking with teh crowd, he started admonishing my son for not speaking French (in true Gaston style!). Having not really paid much attention to this character, my son was a little miffed and didn't know what way to take it. I later explained that that was just what
Gaston did as he was arrogant and big headed, so he calmed down a
bit
As soon as the parade was over, we headed back over to the park. I quite like the Studios, but I can only ever stay there for half a day without feeling I am being drawn back to the main park. It just doesn't have
the same feeling to it.
Back at the Park, we headed staright for Phantom Manor. I haven't had the chance to do this last two trips due to an unfortunate event when we first took DD on it aged 3 1/2 which involved being let out of fire door!!
Again, I was shocked to see no queue and in 5 mins we were in. DD was delighted that she could excersise her demons lmao and do this ride at last. It was longer and more entertaining than I remembered.By now it was coming on for 7pm as we strolled through to Adventureland. I remembered that Jack Sparrow was due an apperance and true to hois word, he was outside the Blue Lagoon. There was the usual pushing and shoving, but I just stood back with the kids and left them to it. This did not go unnoticed and when it was their turn, Jack made a real fuss, chatting to them, asking names and challenging DS to a sword fight. This was in comparison to the simple hellos other kids were getting and the hasty photos as pushy parents shoved them in next to Jack. There is a reward to good manners and it doesn't go unnoticed by CMs and characters
After such a meeting, a ride on POTC was inevitable and amazingly 0 minutes was showing again! Next, into Fantasyland for some hassle free rides such as teacups and IASW for the zillionth time and we were all getting tired. Kids were complaining about their legs and so we began to make our way out. We stopped to watch Mickeys Magical Party again and kids were thrilled to catch some streamers.
The initial plan was to catch something to eat in the Village, but everyone was too knackered to face it. Hubby sent me on with the kids while he fetched take out from Mc Donalds instead. This turned out to be a marvellous plan as kids ate it after baths and Pj's and just dropped straight off to sleep. My plans to watch the fireworks from the window soon came undone as I lay down with the kids and dozed of aswell!![/LEFT][/CENTER]
Presently trying to figure out which ones to print off....this could go on till Christmas!
