A Private Dance with Cinderella... Our Surprise Trip Jan 2011 (completed 7/18!)

[Rental01]

So Funny you said this....I've actually been watching Battlestar Galactica on Netflix recently!

Loving your TR!

We started to get into it via Netflix but after getting 1/2 of the way through the 3rd season the overt sexuality and theme song had taken their toll. Now when we even see the logo at Suncoast I get the "ding-da-ding-ding-ding-ding-da-ding-ding-dingdingding-da-ding-ding-ding-ding-da-ding" stuck in my head and I start looking for a ball-peen hammer to take me out of my mysery.

 

[BigTex71]

You mean like this?

Alternate shots

No. That Kuka robot arm's base is stationary. The type like in the Forbidden Journey actually runs on a track (like a rollercoaster, but not as fast) as well as does all the usual Kuka tricks.

Here is an example.

 

[Rental01]

I figured there had to be something else to make it work. Thanks!

 

[garryhman]

Great TR so far! I wonder are you a LOST fan? The lotto ticket in you dream had the numbers from the show. How can anyone ever forget 4,8,15,16,23,42!
Can't wait to read the rest, and hope that my TR can be half as entertaining.

 

[natebenma]

I'm back and caught up now that we have returned from our family trip to Mexico.

And I'm really appreciating your trip report, especially the very detailed descriptions of Islands of Adventure and the comparison to Disney. My family just booked our first trip to Universal/Sea World for July. It has been about 16 years since DH and I spent a day at US Florida, and I can't wait to see all of the great changes, especially Harry Potter World.

PS- I have a guess the new ticker contest currently happening in my TR, and you now have a major major heads up on that!

 

[BigTex71]

Hello. Just checking in to let you know I am still alive and well. I promise to work on posting another chapter as soon as I can, but work has been extremely busy since I got back - and my co-worker is going on vacation for Spring Break next week... so I don't know if it will get any less busy.

Who knows, I might be able to push out a few chapters soon - but they may not be at the same medium-quality that you have come to expect.

If I could just get in touch with Hermione for that Time Turner - then I could get this thing completed in no time [relatively speaking (pun intended.)]

 

[BigTex71]

February 1, 2011 – Day 5 (Hollywood Studios Day)

After I had picked my mom up at the airport and went back to the condo, it was then nearing midnight. Needless to say, the kids… well, if it was needless to say, I guess I don’t even need to say it then, huh? What? You can’t read my mind? Sheesh. OK – even though it IS needless to say, the kids were asleep when we arrived. They would have to wait until morning to see grandma. Since we had planned on being at rope drop at Hollywood Studios in the morning, we decided to just call it a night and get some rest.

Our human alarm clock (read: DD) was up by 6:45am – so we were also, shortly thereafter. I wanted to leave the condo by 8:00am to ensure a good position for rope drop and the mad dash to the Fast Passes at Toy Story Midway Mania. I would be the FP volunteer and would get the Fast Passes while the rest of the family would get a quick breakfast at Starring Rolls.

The original plans had us near the gates at Hollywood Studios at least 15 minutes prior to rope drop. Back in the reality world: we pulled into the parking lot at 9:00am sharp. Why did I say ‘sharp’? It’s not like we were early...or even on time. I thought it would give the false impression we were somewhat on a proper schedule – but, as you will see, rope drop at the parks will be an unattainable goal for me for the rest of this trip (minus the 8:05am ADR at Crystal Palace on an MK day.) Luckily, since this was the slow season and we picked the least crowded parks per day – rope drop would not be such a mandatory item.

We went in the gates and I went towards the Fast Pass machines at TSMM while the family went towards Starring Rolls. I was slightly upset with our timing, so I was expecting a major line for the FPs to be stretched out to the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (like it did during the summer when we were here.) I was pleasantly surprised to see the fast pass machines had only a two-deep wait. I snagged the passes and went to meet my family at Starring Rolls.

Here is a picture of me and mom sitting outside Starring Rolls:

After we finished getting our grub on, we went to see The Little Mermaid show followed by a visit to The Magic of Disney Animation building for character Meet N Greet for the girls. Here is DD with Sorcerer Mickey:

Also, there was someone working at a desk there behind the glass in one of those offices. This is the first time I have seen someone in there while we were there. Here is a pic:

While they were meetin’ and greetin’, DS and I did the animation class and learned to draw Dopey. DS and I both love those classes. If you haven’t done them before, you really should try them out. You don’t have to be a great artist to be able to draw the characters – they explain and show you with simple terms. Anyone Can Draw! Wait, isn’t that supposed to be Anyone Can Cook! ? Whatever.

When we finished up, it was now time to use our Fast Passes for Toy Story. This is one of my favorite attractions. Here is DM and DS getting ready to ride:

And DD and I between levels:

We then walked across the ‘street’ to the Buzz and Woody Meet n Greet building. I love the props they have in here for you to get great photo ops while waiting in the queue. Here are some of ours:

Next we walked through the Streets of America section and saw Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater. A family shot:

Next was Muppet Vision 3D. If you haven’t been to this attraction for a while, you should be pleased to know that they have changed out the projector with a new digital 3D projector. The film is much cleaner and you can see much more crispness and detail (and better color.) It is worth going to see again – it almost feels brand new.

Once we finished there, it was lunch time. DD fell asleep in her stroller and we thought we might check at the 50s Prime Time Café for a walk-up (we had an ADR for 50s PTC on our next scheduled day at DHS, but with DD asleep – we thought it would be better to try it than go into the Pizza Planet for lunch.) I asked if we could bring the stroller in so DD could sleep and they said it wouldn’t be a problem. I got the typical spiel from the girl who took my information, “It could be about 30 – 45 minute wait.” I said that was fine. As soon as I walked out to tell DW it might be a little while, the pager went off to let us know we were ready to be seated. I expected that. They were not busy, and I heard on a PodCast (maybe WDWToday) that they will usually tell you it will be a wait since you don’t have an ADR. If you end up saying that is ok, you usually get seated rather quickly (as long as it is not overly crowded.) I guess that ‘test’ determines if you really want to eat there or not.

Once we got to our table, DD woke up and did not want to fall back asleep. She loves that place! I do too. The food is really good and I love the sense of humor and the themeing. While waiting for our entrées, an older man at a table near us apparently got in trouble. Maybe he didn’t eat his vegetables – I don’t recall. But the server made him stand in the doorway with his nose against a circle on the door jamb. Here is a pic:

I also have some video of DS getting called out for smarting off to the waiter (all in fun, of course.) I am debating whether to post it on You Tube or not – he was quite embarrassed. The waiter made him do the “I’m a Little Teapot” routine. Funny stuff.

Anyway, we finished lunch and then strolled over to watch the new Pixar Pals Parade that was about to start. I had heard some bad reviews, but we watched it anyway. I will admit that it was not that bad. The kids loved it – especially DD:

After that we made our way over to the Great Movie Ride and then it was our first time to watch the Lights, Motor, Action StuntShow. I captured this pic when the red (good guy) car was jumping between the two white trucks:

Not a bad show. Anything with fast cars, gunfire, and explosions will always garner a decent rating with me, though. We then split up again. The girls went to the Beauty and the Beast Live show, while DS and I saw the American Idol Experience. After that, we met up with the girls and we all went to the daily finale of the American Idol Experience.

After that, the park was closed and it was time to leave. We went back to the condo and cooked a frozen pizza for dinner. Then it was time to download pictures to the laptop and start getting ready for bed. Tomorrow would be an early 8:05am ADR at Crystal Palace!

Here is a picture I really like that I snapped of DM and DD walking together while heading to the Lights, Motor Action show:

Next: Chafe and a haircut, 2 bits.

 

[natebenma]

Fun update! I love the pictures from the Toy Story meet & greet queue. Your kids obviously know what to do when a camera is pointed their way!

The animation class has been on my wish list but I keep getting overruled.

Glad that your mom has arrived and is added to the mix.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I love the picture of your mom and daughter from behind. I always try to get pictures in the parks like that.

It sounds like your HS day was a success.

 

[afwdwfan]

Great update. I'm sorry you couldn't get everybody up and moving quick enough to get there as early as you wanted.

I always enjoy the walk up lunch. We make ADR's, but I just hate having to schedule the day around a meal. We've done several walk up lunches over the years.

 

[MBMom711]

MORE MORE MORE!!! Please???

Looking forward to reading the rest.

 

[BigTex71]

Fun update! I love the pictures from the Toy Story meet & greet queue. Your kids obviously know what to do when a camera is pointed their way!

The animation class has been on my wish list but I keep getting overruled.

Glad that your mom has arrived and is added to the mix.

Yeah, they are getting used to a camera on them often. DS is not too fond of it most times, but DD will pose ANYTIME... day or night, no matter what she is doing. She wants to be a star on the Disney Channel. I don't think I could handle that - she is such a Diva already!

I love the picture of your mom and daughter from behind. I always try to get pictures in the parks like that.

It sounds like your HS day was a success.

Thanks. Yes, it was a great day. I am trying to learn more about photography and start to 'train my eye' for capturing good photos. I sometimes get lucky.

Great update. I'm sorry you couldn't get everybody up and moving quick enough to get there as early as you wanted.

I always enjoy the walk up lunch. We make ADR's, but I just hate having to schedule the day around a meal. We've done several walk up lunches over the years.

Luckily for us, the parks were not too crowded this time of year. If it was the summer time, I would have gone medieval on their butts and ensured we were at the ropes 30 minutes prior to rope drop. they were salvaged by low crowds.

The walk-up lunch without the ADR was a first for me. It worked! I think it was due to the slow season, but I may have to try it again for my upcoming last-minute birthday trip in a few weeks. I can't get a California Grill ADR.

 

[BigTex71]

MORE MORE MORE!!! Please???

Looking forward to reading the rest.

Thanks. I am trying to get through a few more chapters this weekend. I need to be done with this report by the time I leave for the next trip on April 2nd - (DIS Dad's Club ManLaw.)

 

[BigTex71]

I want to send a shout-out to DW - today is her birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE!

 

[afwdwfan]

The walk-up lunch without the ADR was a first for me. It worked! I think it was due to the slow season, but I may have to try it again for my upcoming last-minute birthday trip in a few weeks. I can't get a California Grill ADR.

In 2008 we went in July and got walk up lunches at Sci-Fi and Crystal Palace with the same kind of wait you had. I would say the key is to just check as they start serving, but it was probably the middle of the lunch rush when we went to CP and we might have waited 5 or 10 min. We waited longer later in the trip for an ADR we had at Hollywood and Vine. I guess sometimes it just takes being in the right place at the right time.

 

[DisDadDoc]

Finally subscribing! Great TR!

 

[BigTex71]

Finally subscribing! Great TR!

Thank you, Doc.

Glad to have you aboard!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Great Picture!
Who's in charge here?
The claaaaaaaaaw

Not a bad show. Anything with fast cars, gunfire, and explosions will always garner a decent rating with me, though.

[/QUOTE]
Another great shot!

 

[MBMom711]

More please

 

[BigTex71]

More please

Almost ready for next chapter, just need to upload photos to PhotoBucket first.