A Smile in my Heart–Magical Week of Friends,Fun & Freezing-10/28-COMPLETE!

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Tsk Tsk Shawn... deviating from the plan like that! Glad you were able to let it go (mostly) Sara! I am sure that Monica and Dave were not upset by it at all. (Dave was probably kicking himself for not thinking of it too! )

Still haven't been on TSM! We've only been once since it opened and we got to DHS kind of late due to a very late night before at MK. I think it was around 10 am and all the fast passes were gone for the entire day.

 

[mom2mek]

Oh my! Can't believe Shawn did that without letting you know! Funny now I guess, but then, not so much!

Love all the pictures of the girls and you & Monica outside of RnRC. You should have posted the rockin' out one! I could do it.....

How did the boys ride? Michael and Hunter together and Dave by himself?

I'm impressed all the kids did ToT! (you too!) Sam rode it once a couple of years ago and HATED it! She hasn't wanted to give it another try until recently, she told me she might try it again. She'll ride any rollercoaster, but that drop just freaked her out I guess. Poor Megan!

Looking forward to more.

Um, NO Michelle!! You cannot post it! Yes, the boys rode together and Dave was behind them. Yep, everyone except Monica rode ToT! She was designated purse watcher for that ride!

Tower of Terror is my favorite ride! I love to loose my stomach, of course I wish the ride would keep it once I got off. Your girls are very brave to ride it. Danielle rode it for the first time when she was 4. The ride itself was okay but the pre-show still scares her a little. I'm glad you rode it with them for your first time too. I think that ride was just what you needed to get over the earlier drama. I'm still feeling for you cause I've been there too. I won't get to that update for a while since I'm still on our arrival day.

Can I guess what you're doing next? Would it be a visit with Dug?

It's funny because it amazes me that ToT only requires the rider to be 40"! The girls were tall enough on our October 2008 trip, but I didn't tell them they were because I figured it was just too scary for them still. They all loved it this go-around though. Kudos to you for it being your favorite - once was fine for me. I'd do it again, but I actually think it might be worse now knowing what it is like!

Tsk Tsk Shawn... deviating from the plan like that! Glad you were able to let it go (mostly) Sara! I am sure that Monica and Dave were not upset by it at all. (Dave was probably kicking himself for not thinking of it too! )

Still haven't been on TSM! We've only been once since it opened and we got to DHS kind of late due to a very late night before at MK. I think it was around 10 am and all the fast passes were gone for the entire day.

Well, I held it against him as long as I could Nicole! There really was no point in staying angry....kind of wish I could be like that normally!

So sorry you haven't made it on TSM yet. It's truly great, but does require rope drop still! Although as you can see from that picture I posted, FPs were still available at 10:00 that day, but were gone a short while later I'm sure.

When will you be going back??

Sara

 

[laashley]

Isn't it funny how disney can bring out the little kid in us, or should I saw Shawn I would have been mad and amused all at the same time. It turned out alright though. Yay for RnRC, we have missed it the past two years, not exactly sure why. Ooohhh, ToT, love it. Such a well themed ride (but it is disney, so you would expect that)

 

[mom2mek]

Isn't it funny how disney can bring out the little kid in us, or should I saw Shawn I would have been mad and amused all at the same time. It turned out alright though. Yay for RnRC, we have missed it the past two years, not exactly sure why. Ooohhh, ToT, love it. Such a well themed ride (but it is disney, so you would expect that)

Thank you for putting it that way, Ashley! I will try to remember that! He certainly did act kind of like a 6 year old and looked pretty pleased with himself. A kid who got away with a cookie from the cookie jar when I wasn't looking!

Sara

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Sara:

I can't keep from laughing at what Shawn did. I knew it when you said he went rogue! Tom would do the same thing. It drives me crazy!

I know what is UP next!!! Too cute!

I hope you got to see One Man's Dream. We finally did it last year and it is wonderful!

Erika

 

[mom2mek]

Sara:

I can't keep from laughing at what Shawn did. I knew it when you said he went rogue! Tom would do the same thing. It drives me crazy!

I know what is UP next!!! Too cute!

I hope you got to see One Man's Dream. We finally did it last year and it is wonderful!

Erika

Thanks Erika! Yeah, I was a little "crazy" about it! But what's the point, right? You know that phrase... "For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness"

Sara

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

So sorry you haven't made it on TSM yet. It's truly great, but does require rope drop still! Although as you can see from that picture I posted, FPs were still available at 10:00 that day, but were gone a short while later I'm sure.

We were there during Pop Warner AND the Holiday parade taping weekend...

When will you be going back??

Sara

I have no idea. We don't have any plans in the works right now but I want to get back before my boys turn 10 and cost more! That is next April.

 

[ladybugmom]

YIKES!! I would have been mad too if Brent had pulled something like that! But it sounded like you have a really good plan going (when it's followed--LOL!!)! I'll have to remember that for next time. This last trip our entire family fought the crowd at rope drop for TSM. It was insane! Once we got close to the ride the FP line was soooo long that we decided just to go ahead and ride! Crazy!! WOW! I'm impressed that you rode TOT! I won't get on it and neither will anyone else in my family!!

 

[mom2mek]

We were there during Pop Warner AND the Holiday parade taping weekend...



I have no idea. We don't have any plans in the works right now but I want to get back before my boys turn 10 and cost more! That is next April.

I'm with you on that - Michael turns 10 in March! How the heck did that happen?? I'm not sure if we would do the dining plan again, but I know once he turns 10 we wouldn't want to - $42 for food for him? Um...no thanks! I really wish they would at least do a "junior" level pricing for the dining plan! I understand the tickets - I mean, by 10 they pretty much can do everything if they wanted to - but food??? We will probably not do buffets or family style or buy the dining plan for a while just for that same reason.

YIKES!! I would have been mad too if Brent had pulled something like that! But it sounded like you have a really good plan going (when it's followed--LOL!!)! I'll have to remember that for next time. This last trip our entire family fought the crowd at rope drop for TSM. It was insane! Once we got close to the ride the FP line was soooo long that we decided just to go ahead and ride! Crazy!! WOW! I'm impressed that you rode TOT! I won't get on it and neither will anyone else in my family!!

Oh man Becky! I can imagine that was probably not fun in that crowd! We did this same method in 2008 except I was the FP volunteer, Shawn, Michael, stepdad, and MIL went to ride RNRC, and my Mom leisurely made her way up Hollywood with the girls and met me at the Great Movie Ride. Then at 9:45 we got another set of FPs for TSM and then rode with the first set. Worked out great! I'm surprised your little dare-devil Ally didn't want to ride ToT!! Was Ally tall enough for Everest this past time? I know she rode Space!!

Sara

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

I'm with you on that - Michael turns 10 in March! How the heck did that happen?? I'm not sure if we would do the dining plan again, but I know once he turns 10 we wouldn't want to - $42 for food for him? Um...no thanks! I really wish they would at least do a "junior" level pricing for the dining plan! I understand the tickets - I mean, by 10 they pretty much can do everything if they wanted to - but food??? We will probably not do buffets or family style or buy the dining plan for a while just for that same reason.


Sara

Totally agree. I could be crazy but I swear there used to be just that ~ a junior level of the DDP.

Alas, we've never done the plan for this very reason. Maybe once my boys are older teens and can put away food like there is no tomorrow we can give it a whirl!

So... meet us at Disney next Feb? We can call it the Once More Before Adulthood Trip!

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh man Becky! I can imagine that was probably not fun in that crowd! We did this same method in 2008 except I was the FP volunteer, Shawn, Michael, stepdad, and MIL went to ride RNRC, and my Mom leisurely made her way up Hollywood with the girls and met me at the Great Movie Ride. Then at 9:45 we got another set of FPs for TSM and then rode with the first set. Worked out great! I'm surprised your little dare-devil Ally didn't want to ride ToT!! Was Ally tall enough for Everest this past time? I know she rode Space!!

Sara

Yeah--it was CRAZY!! I think my parents thought we had lost our minds!! I'll remember your plan for next time!! Yes, Ally was tall enough for EE!! Brent, me, Ally, and my brother rode and LOVED it!!

 

[mom2mek]

Totally agree. I could be crazy but I swear there used to be just that ~ a junior level of the DDP.

Alas, we've never done the plan for this very reason. Maybe once my boys are older teens and can put away food like there is no tomorrow we can give it a whirl!

So... meet us at Disney next Feb? We can call it the Once More Before Adulthood Trip!

Hmm...don't tempt me girl!! I'm patiently waiting for the kids' school schedule to be posted for next year...I've got an AP that would be nice to use!

Yeah--it was CRAZY!! I think my parents thought we had lost our minds!! I'll remember your plan for next time!! Yes, Ally was tall enough for EE!! Brent, me, Ally, and my brother rode and LOVED it!!

LOL Becky! It's so hard when you have other people there that you want to have a good time. Even when it's your own parents, you don't want them to be like "geez....what was she thinking?" LOL!

Yay - Ally rode Everest?? I didn't let Katie know she was tall enough for that one yet! If Ally did Everest, she would probably be fine on ToT. So next time I will get Katie on Everest and you and Ally ride ToT, K?


Sara

 

[my2disneyboys]

ok Sara.... all caught up now! I am loving your trip report!!! The kids are so adorable! I can't believe Shawn rode TSM alone! Sounds like something my hubby would do too! (On Mother's Day he said he would put Owen down for his nap....about 30 minutes later I was wondering where he was so I went up to check and Owen was playing with some toys while my hubby had fallen asleep in Owen's bed! Gotta love them though huh!!??

I love all the pics!! Your hubby takes some amazing shots!

 

[mom2mek]

ok Sara.... all caught up now! I am loving your trip report!!! The kids are so adorable! I can't believe Shawn rode TSM alone! Sounds like something my hubby would do too! (On Mother's Day he said he would put Owen down for his nap....about 30 minutes later I was wondering where he was so I went up to check and Owen was playing with some toys while my hubby had fallen asleep in Owen's bed! Gotta love them though huh!!??

I love all the pics!! Your hubby takes some amazing shots!

Thanks for the compliments on the kids and the pictures! Yes, husbands are sometimes doing things that make you go hmmmmm



Sara

 

[ladybugmom]

LOL Becky! It's so hard when you have other people there that you want to have a good time. Even when it's your own parents, you don't want them to be like "geez....what was she thinking?" LOL!

Yay - Ally rode Everest?? I didn't let Katie know she was tall enough for that one yet! If Ally did Everest, she would probably be fine on ToT. So next time I will get Katie on Everest and you and Ally ride ToT, K?


Sara

Exactly!! I hope they think it was worth it--they seemed to have a lot of fun on TSM!! LOL!!

Yes!! Ally LOVED EE!! Oh--I'm sure she would do fine on ToT--it's her parents that don't want to step foot on that ride!!!

 

[mom2mek]

Exactly!! I hope they think it was worth it--they seemed to have a lot of fun on TSM!! LOL!!

Yes!! Ally LOVED EE!! Oh--I'm sure she would do fine on ToT--it's her parents that don't want to step foot on that ride!!!

I'm sure they thought it was worth it - TSM is fabulous no matter what age! That's what is so fun about Disney, right? Rides that all generations can do together and have fun!!

LOL about Tower of Terror! I never in a million years thought I would step foot on that thing! Something about Disney rides makes me less scared! I still won't do RNRC though - that thing goes upside down and I stopped doing upside down things a while ago.

Sara

 

[stinkerbell007]

Keep up the good work Sara. I just caught up after several days, and am going to check in at your other trip report to catch up with that one too. Love the pics! And the story about the rogue hubby. Hm. no coment on that one.

Looking forward to hearing about the rest....

 

[mom2mek]

Keep up the good work Sara. I just caught up after several days, and am going to check in at your other trip report to catch up with that one too. Love the pics! And the story about the rogue hubby. Hm. no coment on that one.

Looking forward to hearing about the rest....

Thanks for hanging in there with me! I was hoping to get more posted before the weekend, but obviously that didn't happen. Hopefully in another day or so!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Day 3 - February 9, 2010
Disney Hollywood Studios
Chapter 3


When I last left off, we were waiting in the FP line to board Toy Story Mania.

We were all ready to take on the animated virtual 3D world and shoot off our blueberry pies, plastic eggs, shoot darts at balloons, and toss rings around aliens ("I have been chosen").

This ride is just plain cool, and it never gets old! I rode with Katie and although I scored more points than her, as you can see from this not-so-great picture, her accuracy wasn't that far off from mine.

We all had a blast and couldn't wait for our second ride later that day. As we exited the ride building, we snapped a few more pics of the area and the kids.

We saw a line for what we were guessing were Buzz and Woody inside the building across from the ride, so we got in it. Then we quickly got out of it when we saw how long it was once we were inside and the kids weren't that keen on waiting around. We waved at them through the window though and Buzz gave us a wave back!

Instead we opted to leisurely make our way towards the Disney Animation Studio to see if we could find Russell, Dug, and Mr. Frederickson!!

We bypassed the line to do the Animation movie and scooted to the right that will put you right inside where the character meets are located. The line for the UP characters wasn't too bad, but they weren't currently out greeting folks. We got in line anyway in hopes that they would be coming back soon.

Katie took a few pictures again with my camera. Surprisingly, none of herself this time.

After about 15 minutes or so, the line started moving. A few minutes later, we were meeting the brave Russell and Carl, and the funny Dug!! (As well as "Kevin")! I seriously LOVE the costuming that Disney did with these characters! Carl Frederickson in particular is great with his walker, complete with tennis balls, and his sweet wedding ring!

(I love how it looks like Dug is giving his little paw a lick!)

(Shawn's picture)

(The photopass one - notice Katie's "smile"! LOL!)

(Slightly better)


After our visit with the UP group, we hung out in the Animation area for a while letting the kids do a little bit of playing with the computer screens. The girls each had to do their own coloring page, but it was fairly crowded so they all needed to use the same computer and had to wait for eachother to finish. It took a little bit for each one of them to do the same exact sheet, different colors. Oh boy....

After a little bit longer, Monica and I brainstormed on our lunch options. It was a few minutes past 11 at this point and we definitely wanted to get lunch before the crowds so as not to repeat that mistake we made on AK day (arriving at Pizzafari around 12:30)! We both wanted to try Starring Rolls but the kids weren't too interested, so we divided up! (For some reason, the guys didn't take us up on our offer of the two Moms going to have lunch alone while they handled the children. Imagine that!)

The boys made their way down to Rosie's by the RNRC and we were going to meet them down there once we had our lunches.

What a nice change of pace for lunch - a wonderful turkey foccacia sandwich, BBQ chips, diet coke, and.....the infamous BUTTERFINGER CUPCAKE!!!! What a steal this meal was on the dining plan!

Oh. My. Word.

This thing was huge and it was so delicious! Very, very rich, so I only ate about 1/2 of it, but I enjoyed every little bite!! This thing has a mountain of toppings...the frosting is delicious and if I'm remembering correctly, it was vanilla frosting, with the Butterfinger crumbles all over it. When you cut open the cupcake (or bite it) it is filled with chocolate frosting.

As we started eating our lunch, we noticed the birds were not shy. I think one of them actually came and stole a french fry right off the kid's table. Yuck.

As we sat and talked (and Monica and I attempted to eat our ginormous cupcakes), it started to really rain.


Sara

 

[taymacsmom]

That cupcake looks downright sinful! I want one!