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

[vamassey1]

We loved the UP characters! Did you yell squirel? Danielle did and Dug looked.

Your lunch looks great. I've never had lunch there so I'll have to give it a try. The cupcake looks fabulous.

Sorry for the rain.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Yay for an update! I love Hunter's shirt. Looks like the kids are all having a great time together too.

Glad you got to meet the Up characters. We got to meet Carl and Dug as well, they were great! I'm sad that they are no longer there.

I've always wanted to try Starring Rolls, even more now looking at your picture and that awesome Butterfinger Cupcake!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

The UP characters are adorable! I wish they had been there when we were there last spring...the Bolt characters were still there then.

Ok....that meal looks SO good! I am not usually a dessert girl, but that cupcake looks so tasty!

What? The men didn't want to deal with all the kids for lunch in a crowded park?? CHICKENS!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Awww!! LOVE the Up characters! We never made it to the Animation Building last year and by our trip this year they were already gone! Girl--we tried Starring Rolls this trip and it was sooooo good!! I got the chocolate peanut butter cupcake!!! YUMMY!!!

 

[mom2mek]

That cupcake looks downright sinful! I want one!

Oh, it was good. It was REAL good!!

We loved the UP characters! Did you yell squirel? Danielle did and Dug looked.

Your lunch looks great. I've never had lunch there so I'll have to give it a try. The cupcake looks fabulous.

Sorry for the rain.

LOL! Yeah, I think one of us yelled "squirrel" at some point! Definitely try Starring Rolls - it was a nice change of pace!!

Yay for an update! I love Hunter's shirt. Looks like the kids are all having a great time together too.

Glad you got to meet the Up characters. We got to meet Carl and Dug as well, they were great! I'm sad that they are no longer there.

I've always wanted to try Starring Rolls, even more now looking at your picture and that awesome Butterfinger Cupcake!

Thanks Michelle! I had heard the rumor about the UP guys going to AK although nothing for sure - I hope so because they are great!!

The UP characters are adorable! I wish they had been there when we were there last spring...the Bolt characters were still there then.

Ok....that meal looks SO good! I am not usually a dessert girl, but that cupcake looks so tasty!

What? The men didn't want to deal with all the kids for lunch in a crowded park?? CHICKENS!!!

Oh man Missy...you've got to try one of those cupcakes next time! Really good!

Yeah, there's no telling what would have happened with the boys and the kids if we had left them in charge!

Awww!! LOVE the Up characters! We never made it to the Animation Building last year and by our trip this year they were already gone! Girl--we tried Starring Rolls this trip and it was sooooo good!! I got the chocolate peanut butter cupcake!!! YUMMY!!!

Did you see the Toy Story 3 characters, Becky? I saw the set-up when I was in there with Mom in May, but no characters were in there right then.

Oh man - I think Monica might have gotten the peanut butter one! It was so hard to choose one!!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

I'm all caught up now on both updates that I missed too. Oh boy on Shawn riding TSM and deviating from the plan Sorry you were but glad it didn't ruin your day, not worth it right . My hubby finally seems to stick with the plan especially in hot crowded June, or maybe he doesn't want to deal with me being grumpy at Disney Yay for riding TOT. So how did you like it? I would have happily took Monica's job . You have some brave little girls Sara . Thomas loved TOT but Kaylee (like Megan) will never ride again.

Great update and pics of all the kids! Sounds like you had an awesome day! TSM is so fun, we never get tired of riding it. We love UP characters but skipped them last year and this year they were gone . Your pics are great though! That lunch from Starring Rolls look excellent! My kids didn't like the menu so hightailed it to Pizza planet at 12:15 when the Star Wars Parade ended. But next time we will do what you did, order from two places and meet up . We always do this at AK.

 

[mom2mek]

I'm all caught up now on both updates that I missed too. Oh boy on Shawn riding TSM and deviating from the plan Sorry you were but glad it didn't ruin your day, not worth it right . My hubby finally seems to stick with the plan especially in hot crowded June, or maybe he doesn't want to deal with me being grumpy at Disney Yay for riding TOT. So how did you like it? I would have happily took Monica's job . You have some brave little girls Sara . Thomas loved TOT but Kaylee (like Megan) will never ride again.

Great update and pics of all the kids! Sounds like you had an awesome day! TSM is so fun, we never get tired of riding it. We love UP characters but skipped them last year and this year they were gone . Your pics are great though! That lunch from Starring Rolls look excellent! My kids didn't like the menu so hightailed it to Pizza planet at 12:15 when the Star Wars Parade ended. But next time we will do what you did, order from two places and meet up . We always do this at AK.

Thanks Nichole! I was pretty upset at Shawn doing it (not so much because of "MY" plan, per se, but more so that we had other people who we were with and it was a bit embarrassing). Had to let it go so I could enjoy the rest of the day, though!

Um...TOT....well, I would probably ride it again, but I think I may be more nervous next time. The first time I really had no idea what to expect as far as what your body actually feels like but now I know, so getting back on it, might be a little harder. It wasn't horrible by any means; I laughed through most of it! But I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of favorites either!

Starring Rolls was good and it was a nice change of pace! My kids usually want to go to Pizza Planet, but I don't think they remembered about it because they didn't even ask for it! I didn't even think about letting them look at the menu for kids at SR - what's on it, I wonder? I just figured they would be fine with chicken nuggets from Rosie's. Those two spots were easy to split since they are close together, location wise.

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks Nichole! I was pretty upset at Shawn doing it (not so much because of "MY" plan, per se, but more so that we had other people who we were with and it was a bit embarrassing). Had to let it go so I could enjoy the rest of the day, though!

Um...TOT....well, I would probably ride it again, but I think I may be more nervous next time. The first time I really had no idea what to expect as far as what your body actually feels like but now I know, so getting back on it, might be a little harder. It wasn't horrible by any means; I laughed through most of it! But I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of favorites either!

Starring Rolls was good and it was a nice change of pace! My kids usually want to go to Pizza Planet, but I don't think they remembered about it because they didn't even ask for it! I didn't even think about letting them look at the menu for kids at SR - what's on it, I wonder? I just figured they would be fine with chicken nuggets from Rosie's. Those two spots were easy to split since they are close together, location wise.

Sara

TOT is not for me either. My stomach does not like falling like that . I wish my kids would forget Pizza Planet, yuck. I'm pretty sure Starring Rolls for kids was uncrustables PB&J. I also don't think they would want to share the grown up sandwiches either. Rosie's would work for them as well.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

It looks like you had a blast on Toy Story Mania! The kids picture is adorable.

Wasn't the UP characters adorable? I am going to miss them this time. We that movie at our house.

Oh my, I have got to try Starring Rolls (is that the name ) this time. That sandwich looked delicious and that cupcake is sinful!

Erika

 

[mom2mek]

It looks like you had a blast on Toy Story Mania! The kids picture is adorable.

Wasn't the UP characters adorable? I am going to miss them this time. We that movie at our house.

Oh my, I have got to try Starring Rolls (is that the name ) this time. That sandwich looked delicious and that cupcake is sinful!

Erika

We are big fans of UP as well, Erika! Michael is always saying things like (as he approaches something in his way) "He Jumps Over Mt. Everest!!!" Then he walks around it and says "He Goes Around Mt. Everest!!!" Cracks me up!! And of course the inevitable "squirrel" jokes whenever one of them isn't paying attention to something! I love that movie and I love it's music!!

Definitely try SR!! If nothing else, just for dessert/snack!

Sara

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

I haven't seen UP.

Good plan... divide and conquer!

 

[mom2mek]

I haven't seen UP.

Good plan... divide and conquer!

Nicole - you should check it out. Bring Kleenex.

Sara

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Nicole - you should check it out. Bring Kleenex.

Sara

That is why I haven't seen it!

 

[mom2mek]

That is why I haven't seen it!

Well, the first 15 minutes are pretty tough, than it's really cute and funny for like an hour, and then the last little bit you'll need the tissues again. So just watch it....even if you have to do it all alone!!

Sara

 

[BippityBoo]

We loved meeting the UP characters!!! They were so cute! I can not WAIT to eat at Starring Rolls! Your lunch looks amazing...that cupcake is soooo sinful

 

[SurfinTX]

You're so lucky to see the Up! characters. Doug is my favorite! By the time we went they were not there anymore.

We went to Pizza Planet and it was a mistake. Not that the pizza is that bad but it was a madhouse in the summer. The kids are pretty unanimous about it though.

 

[mom2mek]

We loved meeting the UP characters!!! They were so cute! I can not WAIT to eat at Starring Rolls! Your lunch looks amazing...that cupcake is soooo sinful

I loved the UP characters too! Something about Carl reminds me of my Granddaddy

Starring Rolls has so many yummy choices for desserts!

You're so lucky to see the Up! characters. Doug is my favorite! By the time we went they were not there anymore.

We went to Pizza Planet and it was a mistake. Not that the pizza is that bad but it was a madhouse in the summer. The kids are pretty unanimous about it though.

Yeah, Pizza Planet is usually a choice from my kids as well. For some reason they didn't mention it, probably because I didn't list it as a choice!

I didn't realize you had a report - I can't wait to read it!!

Sara

 

[laashley]

Glad you got to see the Up characters. I was so glad we waited (45 minutes). I think they were gone a week later.
Staring Rolls looked so yummy. I'll have to put that on my must list!

 

[mom2mek]

Glad you got to see the Up characters. I was so glad we waited (45 minutes). I think they were gone a week later.
Staring Rolls looked so yummy. I'll have to put that on my must list!

I was happy to have seen them too! I hope the rumor of them moving to AK is true! I think Adventureland in the MK might be a good fit too though!

Wish I had one of those butterfinger cupcakes right now!!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Day 3 - February 9, 2010
Disney Hollywood Studios
Chapter 4


As we were finishing up our lunches, the rain was starting to fall. It started coming down pretty heavily so we went ahead and got the kids in various ponchos and raincoats and attempted to cover our strollers with whatever we had. Yes, at this point, I was kicking myself for not listening to Shawn that morning about bringing the heavy-duty rain cover that we got free with our rental from Orlando Stroller Rentals, but oh well.

I attempted to cover the stroller as best I could with the "cheap-o" rain ponchos I had brought from home. We pushed the strollers as far under the awning at Rosie’s to keep them from getting too soaked and the kids proceeded to play “how many times and how fast can we go around and around this flower bed chasing eachother without falling off and hurting ourselves” game!

Monica and I looked at the schedule of the shows to determine where our next plan of attack should be. We both really wanted to see the Beauty and the Beast show this trip but wasn’t sure about how fun that would be in the cold rain (or if they even do the show when it’s raining) and hoping that eventually the rain would stop, we put that on the backburner to try and do later that day. Instead we thought that hitting an indoor show would be a better idea. We decided to check out the new American Idol attraction next and lucky for us there was one starting in ½ an hour.

Noting that it was now noon and we were eligible for our 3rd set of fastpasses for the day, I decided to go get some for the boys to ride RNRC later on that evening when we went to see Beauty and the Beast. While I was over there, I took a few kids over to the restroom. When we got back to the group, we packed up our stuff and headed down Sunset to go “find the next American Idol”.

We got to the theater and the preshow “holding” area was fairly empty so we made our way down towards the front. Apparently we were a tad bit too early because we waited there for what seemed like a long time just watching American Idol winner videos before the pre-show entertainment started. Oh well…it was raining, so we were fine to just hang out there and wait. With nowhere to sit and a 5 year old wanting me to hold her, it was starting to feel REALLY long though! Soon the pre-show folks came out and started videoing the audience and getting some of the people on camera saying fun things like “Joe, you’re MY American idol!!!” The kids were having fun and I was just avoiding getting on the camera!

About 10 minutes later, they let us in to the theater and we got great seats in the front row, just right of center stage.

They have really done a great job with this theater. The stage and surrounding areas really looked like they just snatched the real studio right up and put it inside Disney World.

The announcement came on that we weren't allowed to take any video or pictures so Shawn put his camera away and we sat back to enjoy the show. The "warm-up" guy came out on stage and was HILARIOUS! He was kind of a cross between Will Ferrell and Dane Cook with his dancing and extremely entertaining. After getting the crowd warmed up, he hopped off the stage and came over to where we were sitting. First he stood in front of Emily and asked her where she was from and how old she was. I don't know if she ever did answer him but whatever she did or didn't do, he made light of it, and had all of us laughing.

Then he asked her to get up from her seat and when she did, he promptly sat down in it and proceeded to ask Katie lots of questions while putting her up on the big screen in the studio. He explained the voting system to her (and the rest of the audience) all while being extremely funny. I only wish they sold a copy of the preshow stuff so I could have purchased a copy of my little girls being interviewed. He was so great and really was a highlight of the whole experience!

The show got started by introducing the judges and then two contestants came out. Apparently the third contestant had lost her voice on Tower of Terror and wouldn't be competing. I have heard that they will fill in spots with cast member performers if they don't have enough contestants, but apparently this must have just happened and they didn't have time to fill in that 3rd spot. The guy went first and was very good. The "Simon" judge even went out on a limb to say that he would win the finale show. The girl was also good but it was clear that the guy should win and he did.

Overall, we really enjoyed the show but the highlight was definitely the "warm-up guy" and his show along with his interaction with the girls! We had a fun time that's for sure!

As we exited the theater, we immediately saw that the rain had increased and was coming down really hard. We decided to head over to One Man's Dream to escape the rain.

I was so excited to walk through each room and explore all of the cool displays beginning with his actual school desk and going all the way through the timeline of the founding of the company and the construction of the theme parks. So fascinating! Katie was very fascinated with the small models of the parks and various rides and wanted to take pictures of everything she saw, so without further adieu here are some of Katie's favorites:

We all loved seeing the animatronic model:

We didn't wait for the film but what we did see we thoroughly enjoyed!

At this point it was about 1:40 and we had fastpasses for our second ride on TSM that were up in about 10 minutes, so we headed that direction next!

(Tin Toy is one of our favorite Pixar digital shorts)

This time Katie rode with Shawn and I rode with Emily:

The boys of course told us we "were going down"! LOL!

Boys and their smack talk!

I improved a little bit on my score the second time around, but Emily did really well with her 75,500! I was impressed!

After our great second ride, we decided to split up again. The boys were going to go and try to see the Indiana Jones Stunt show and we were headed to the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We had to wait a few minutes to get in, but in short order we were entering the theater and enjoying the cute show. Me and my girls had never seen this before, so I was excited to finally be getting to do it. I was also excited to get out of the ridiculously noisy and wet poncho! LOL!

I didn't take a single picture at the VOTLM, but we all really enjoyed it! The boys had decided against Indy and instead went into Star Tours to take a spin to Endor.

They had taken the fastpasses for RNRC and were headed there next for their second ride on RNRC.

Monica and I started to doubt our plans to stay at the park for 3 more hours when our Sci-Fi ADR was scheduled. We were wet, and what was worse was, we were wet AND cold. The thought of trying to hang out for 3 more hours was just not that appealing. We decided to try and call Disney Dining and see if they had any reservations at the monorail resort restaurants for that night for a party of 10 in hopes that a trip back to our hotels, showers, changing into dry clothes, and eating a nice meal together might be a better choice for our evening.

I got out my cell phone and we huddled inside the gift shop right next to the VOTLM and made the call.

Was there anything available? Would we regret not staying for our ADR at Sci-Fi? Uh-oh...meltdown alert....


Sara