A Surprise Spring Break Trip filled with Fun and Sun!

[stace208]

Loved the Easter surprise! How fun to surprise your kids

A co-worker is staying at Wilderness Lodge on the Villas side leaving May 2nd and I'm so excited for him and his family. They rented points from a DVC member that I hooked up here on the Disboards but are staying in a studio (he, his wife and 2 girls ages 11 & 4). I hope it won't be crowded in a studio. I loved your pics of the 1-bedroom.

MK was so empty at 7 am - you planned that perfectly!

Hi! Thanks for joining in! It was a fun surprise! I'm sure they'll remember that for a lifetime. I warned them not to expect it again though!

Your co-worker will love VWL. It's so rustic and comfortable!

The empty MK surprised me. I expected everyone to be there since it was spring break. We sure took advantage of it though!

Great pictures of the safari! No matter how many times I go, or how many TRs I read in between trips, I never get tired of seeing pictures of the animals.

Your FOTLK pictures make me excited too. I saw it in October with my sister, but it is another thing that my husband and kids haven't seen yet. I know they will love it!

Poor Ellie-She must have been exhausted. And your son seems so sweet! Good for him-he obviously knows how to make the best of a situation. I love that he could appreciate the things he got to do without being too disappointed in the things he could not. Kudos for you on raising him well!

Thanks Maggie! I know just what you mean about the safari. Every time you go or see pictures there is something else to see.

Your family will love FOTLK! We all enjoyed it-sleepy and all!
Ellie was exhausted but such a trooper. Never whined or complained once about being tired or wanting to go back to the hotel!
Thanks for the compliment about Ben. He is a pretty good kid if I do say so myself! I was worried about how he'd deal with missing things on this short trip but he did amazingly well. I think knowing that we'd be back for much longer in June really helped him to just enjoy being there.

Poor Ellie, it's tough to be so tired and then to keep going...
What a trooper!
So sweet of Ben to be such an understanding brother.

Your pictures of the safari were terrific!

Thanks Anita!
Ellie was a super-trooper! I know she was ready to fall out but she kept plugging along! Ben was quite understanding. He has his moments with her rolleyes but for the most part is a good big brother.
The safari was so fun! I think it often gets left out of the favorite "ride" lists we make but it is definitely one of my favorite things to do at WDW!

 

[stace208]

Great update Stacy. That was very sweet how understanding Ben was, you're doing a good job with him, Mom!

Fantastic pictures of the safari & of FOTLK! I don't think I've ever seen a hippo on the safari that wasn't submerged either, cool you got to see one peeking out of the water

Thanks Michelle! Coming from a mom with two wonderful boys that compliment means a lot! He did much better understanding about time constraints and having to miss rides than I thought he would.

John made fun of me on the safari because I just kept turning the camera and clicking the button! Some of those pictures were pure luck!

I agree with everyone else, awesome safari pictures! That hippo one is pretty cool. Glad it was such a short wait too.

FOTLK is an amazing show. So much energy and I love love LOVE the music.

Thanks Sarah! The hippo was one I've never gotten before. Now I want one of a lion doing something other than hiding on a rock...

The music is fantastic, isn't it? Glad we stuck it out and saw that show!

 

[Disneychix]

Just read through all your updates! Looks like you had a wonderful time. I can't believe that hardly anyone showed up for EMH at 7am at MK! LUCKY!!

CP is my favorite buffet breakfast! I'm so jealous!!

 

[manntra]

Great hippo picture!! Sorry your safari was cut short
Wow!! 11pm....I have never seen that posted either!
Looks like you are all having a wonderful time and the weather looked great too.
What a wonderful brother your son is....forgoing EE so the rest of the family could be together many, many more trips

Tracy

 

[MickeyisBeast]

I've never seen FOTLK, we were going to try to see them on our last trip, but we didn't get there early enough, and all the seats were filled up! Your pics are great though, I've got to see FOTLK next trip!

 

[MeMom]

Ellie fell asleep on the bus again. John was going to carry her in but she woke up when the bus lights came on so she walked to the room. We all got PJ's on and climbed into bed. The kids were asleep before 9. I watched the station that plays the weather and other Disney stuff and then turned it off. I'm pretty sure John and I were both asleep by 9:15!
Another big, fun filled day in the next installment! First stop: DHS!

Drumming is always a fun little side event at Animal Kingdom.
Cute picture.

Disney tired is a real tired, isn't it???
Plopping into bed always feels so good!

 

[stace208]

Just read through all your updates! Looks like you had a wonderful time. I can't believe that hardly anyone showed up for EMH at 7am at MK! LUCKY!!

CP is my favorite buffet breakfast! I'm so jealous!!

Hi there! Thanks so much for joining in.
We were so surprised that no one was there at 7! I thought it would be the normal morning Dumbo dash but nope! I was thrilled!!
CP is definitely one of our faves for breakfast now. We liked it better than CM.

Great hippo picture!! Sorry your safari was cut short
Wow!! 11pm....I have never seen that posted either!
Looks like you are all having a wonderful time and the weather looked great too.
What a wonderful brother your son is....forgoing EE so the rest of the family could be together many, many more trips

Tracy

We really couldn't have asked for better weather for sure. I'd love for it to be like that in summer.
The hippos were cool. The most I've ever seen them out of the water. I couldn't believe AK was open until 11 either.
I was proud of Ben for handling things so well this trip. He's really growing up.

I've never seen FOTLK, we were going to try to see them on our last trip, but we didn't get there early enough, and all the seats were filled up! Your pics are great though, I've got to see FOTLK next trip!

Oh yes, you really must see it! I know how it can be though to put it off. We've done that for several trips and just never got to it. That's why I made it a priority on this trip. Nemo and the parade are my must do's for June. And EE of course to make up for missing it this time!

 

[stace208]

Drumming is always a fun little side event at Animal Kingdom.
Cute picture.

Disney tired is a real tired, isn't it???
Plopping into bed always feels so good!

Disney tired is the BEST tired there is. Nothing but sweet dreams!

 

[stace208]

Tuesday, April 6th
We woke today refreshed and ready for the day. We were heading to Hollywood Studios this morning. The park opened at 9 so we were on the bus a little after 8. Got to the park and through the turnstiles easily. John went to the right and the kids and I went over to the rope by 50's Prime Time Cafe. He was getting FP's for TSMM and we were going to ride Star Tours (John doesn't ride this...claims it makes him).
These sweet friends were not happy that people were going to invade their park.

The CM was trying to gently move them out of the path because the rope was about to drop.

While we were waiting, I was a good DISer and helped out a family nearby. They had never been apparently and I overheard some of their conversation. They ended up walking with us over to Star Tours-except the dad, who on my advice, went and got FP's for TSMM!
There were bunches of people walking with us and 98% of them were getting in line for Jedi Training Academy. Ben has done this twice, both times the old way when they picked you from the audience. I had already told him that we weren't doing it this trip and he was ok with it. I don't know if he'll want to do it this summer or not. It's so dang hot standing out there!!
Anywho, since most of the people stopped there, we walked right on to Star Tours. We were the first group on the ride!

Once we exited, John met up with us and we headed to Starring Rolls for a quick bite. That place is a mess, really. It's not laid out properly and doesn't have enough seating. We enjoyed our cinnamon buns and muffins and then headed to get FP's for ToT since our TSMM window had just opened. When we got the FP's the wait for ToT was 13 minutes. Remember this. Then we headed to RNRC. John doesn't like this, says it jerks his head too much. I'd never ridden and promised Ben that I'd ride at some point. We knew we couldn't get FP's but stand-by said 20 minutes so we hopped in line. John and Ellie found a spot to wait. We didn't wait 20 minutes-about 10 I'd say, maybe 15 but that's pushing it. I ended up loving this! I'll ride with him again!

As we headed back out, we looked at stand-by for ToT.

In 20 minutes, it went from 13 to 120?? I really didn't believe it but we didn't get in line to find out!
We headed over to Pixar Place to ride Toy Story! We all love this ride.

My kids have been watching the Pixar Shorts film and love Tin Toy.

As we were playing, Ellie kept asking if she was beating me. She was, at first, and then I passed her. So, towards the end I stopped aiming and just shot. I know she's old enough to deal with me beating her but she was so tickled about beating me at Buzz that I thought she'd get a kick out of it. At home, on the Wii, she whips my butt all the time on TSMM!

John and Ben, of course, had scores MUCH higher than either of us.

After exiting the ride, we decided to go see some friends!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ooh, cool pictures of Star Tours. That is one ride I have never done, partly because I hate motion simulators.

Glad you ended up enjoying RNRC. The first time I did that I was so scared but now it's a must-do every trip.

HOLY COW, the wait for Tower of Terror went from 13 min. to 2 hours?! What time was that at, still pretty early in the morning, right? I have a hard time believing that but we probably wouldn't have bothered getting in line if it said 120 min. either!

 

[Happydog]

Great photos of DHS rides! I love those from TSM, the Christmas lights and the tinkertoys are so cute! Looks like you had a busy time but a fun time!

 

[MHTeacher]

Glad you rode and enjoyed RNRC! It's one of our favorites! I don't have to bribe anyone to ride this one.

I'm with John---have to skip Star Tours---It's something about the screen/movie showing me one thing, and my body feeling another thing---Just messes with my mind, which in turn messes with my stomach!

120 minutes for ToT? As much as I love it, I think I would have to skip that !

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Here's another complaint about Starring Rolls, now don't get me wrong, I love the food, but just next to the seating is a smoking area! What is Disney thinking???

I love your pictures of the baby ducks, so cute!

Also I think RNR is fun too!

 

[MeMom]

we walked right on to Star Tours. We were the first group on the ride!

we headed to Starring Rolls for a quick bite. That place is a mess, really. It's not laid out properly and doesn't have enough seating.

I really like the Star Tours ride, even though I know nothing about Star Wars stuff. During a Star Wars weekend one time, as we were waiting to get in, I saw all these armed guys dressed in white roaming around. I knew they were Star Wars people, but I thought they were there to take guard us, so I felt very well-protected from any alien forces that might choose to invade us. I later found out they were the bad guys.

I completely agree with you about Starring Rolls - it's a crowded, awkward set-up they have, but the treats are very good.

RnR is the one ride I really can't do. Something about the way it sits or jerks or whatever really hurts my neck.

 

[stace208]

Ooh, cool pictures of Star Tours. That is one ride I have never done, partly because I hate motion simulators.

Glad you ended up enjoying RNRC. The first time I did that I was so scared but now it's a must-do every trip.

HOLY COW, the wait for Tower of Terror went from 13 min. to 2 hours?! What time was that at, still pretty early in the morning, right? I have a hard time believing that but we probably wouldn't have bothered getting in line if it said 120 min. either!

That's just how John is, no motion simulators. That ride doesn't really move that much though. I guess I just don't understand because it doesn't bother me.

That ToT wait was probably a few minutes before 10 because our FP window for TSM opened at 9:40 and John got the FP's as soon as the window opened. Crazy!!

Great photos of DHS rides! I love those from TSM, the Christmas lights and the tinkertoys are so cute! Looks like you had a busy time but a fun time!

It was tons of fun but didn't feel "busy". Sometimes at MK I feel like we rush from ride to ride but that morning at DHS we had just kinda walked along. It was great!

Glad you rode and enjoyed RNRC! It's one of our favorites! I don't have to bribe anyone to ride this one.

I'm with John---have to skip Star Tours---It's something about the screen/movie showing me one thing, and my body feeling another thing---Just messes with my mind, which in turn messes with my stomach!

120 minutes for ToT? As much as I love it, I think I would have to skip that !

Yes, we definitely skipped that wait for ToT. With the FP's John and Ben still got two rides!

I guess I am lucky that Star Tours doesn't bother me. It's too bad that so many miss it because it is a cute ride. I'm excited for the remake too!

RNRC was fantastic!

 

[stace208]

Here's another complaint about Starring Rolls, now don't get me wrong, I love the food, but just next to the seating is a smoking area! What is Disney thinking???

I love your pictures of the baby ducks, so cute!

Also I think RNR is fun too!

Those babies were just so dang cute! The momma and daddy were really not interested in giving up their spot for us to come through. The poor CM was trying to be so gentle but they were being very stubborn ducks!

We love the food at Starring Rolls too but I didn't realize the smoking section was there. What are they thinking? There must not have been anyone smoking when we were eating because that would've bothered me like crazy!

RNRC was a blast!

I really like the Star Tours ride, even though I know nothing about Star Wars stuff. During a Star Wars weekend one time, as we were waiting to get in, I saw all these armed guys dressed in white roaming around. I knew they were Star Wars people, but I thought they were there to take guard us, so I felt very well-protected from any alien forces that might choose to invade us. I later found out they were the bad guys.

I completely agree with you about Starring Rolls - it's a crowded, awkward set-up they have, but the treats are very good.

RnR is the one ride I really can't do. Something about the way it sits or jerks or whatever really hurts my neck.

That's too funny about Star Tours. If Ben were with you he would be able to tell you all about everything. He tells me and some I retain and some I don't. I like the ride and am excited for the remake.
My dream for Disney is a fall trip. Ben's is a Star Wars weekend trip.

The food is great at Starring Rolls but I won't go there in the morning again. This was our 2nd time and it was a headache both times. Maybe in an off time when it isn't crowded.

That's just what John says about RNRC. Jerking his neck. I can definitely see that. I had to keep my head pushed back for it not to get banged around.

 

[stace208]

Once we exited TSMM, we contemplated riding again.
Not too bad but too long for us.

We decided to go see some friends in a new place that I had heard about and seen here in other trip reports. There was a line but we figured it was going to be just as long in the summer and possibly even longer with all the new movie hype.
So, who are we going to see??? That's right, our Toy Story friends.
This new area is REALLY cute!

Once we got through all the cute props, we finally made it to Buzz and Woody. I'm guessing we waited about 20 minutes before getting to them. They were so much fun! Wonderful character interaction. Woody took Ben's hat and put it on sideways right as we were about to take pictures. Buzz stopped, walked over and fixed it. I yelled "thanks Buzz" and they really played it up about Woody putting it on sideways. After the picture, Woody came over with his hand out for me to smack it for doing that. It was classic. The kids were tickled pink. I just love characters that know how to have fun!! Also, Ellie had hand drawn some of the characters in her book on the pages for them to sign. Both Buzz and Woody walked around showing the CM's their pictures. She was smitten with the attention they gave it.

After leaving here we just walked along. I spotted something I had always read about but never seen and we headed there.

We were getting hungry so we checked out the restaurant right there-Studio Catering, I think but the menu didn't appeal to my picky girl so we decided to head to Backlot Express. Earlier we had been given a coupon for several restaurants-Buy One Get One Free. Just had to eat before 12. It was a little after 11 so we were good to go. We walked slowly and I took some pictures.

Right before we went in to eat.

Con't in next post...

 

[stace208]

After a quick lunch of burgers and hot dogs, we headed our seperate ways. John and Ben went to use their two sets of ToT fastpasses and Ellie and I headed to one of our favorite activities.

I didn't try going in through the store because I had read that that entrance was closed. So we went through and got in the que area for the show. While we were standing there, the CM said that if you wanted to just see the characters or do the drawing class we could go in the other door. So we hopped over and headed in. I was hoping to see Sorcerer Mickey but the line was really, really long so we headed for the class. This was different than last summer. There was a group of people in the waiting area and then ropes set up. We were considered "stand-by" and would only get in if seats permitted. I'm guessing the other people were the ones from the previous show with Mushu?? Last summer we saw the show but didn't get priority for the drawing class. Anywho, we waited a few minutes and then we were able to get in. We had to sit on the front row and use a lap board but we didn't mind. The CM was really great and I'm amazed at how easy they make drawing the characters to be. We will definitely we going back several times this summer and Ben has promised to come at least once (as the trade for me riding RNRC!)
Here's who we drew!

Chip!
Ellie's

Mine

After the class, we played around with some of the games in there. The boys came and met up with us. Both kids did

Ben's result

Ellie's

We browsed in the store. I could spend some serious money in here!

Lots of Jim Shore...ahhhh....

After drooling in the store, we headed for our last ride at DHS-The Great Movie Ride. Ellie and I love this ride. John and Ben enjoy it ok, I think, but not as much as us. We got the cowboy side, again. Sigh...
One last picture before heading to WL.

Up next, some R&R and then a rootin, tootin, evening that ends with a bang!

 

[Happydog]

Hey! That was a great post! Love the photos at the Buzz and Woody photo pass shoot -- my guys totally loved clowning around in there! I couldnt get them to take a picture (well not both anyway!) BUT it was great fun in line!

I like the Animator's place too!

 

[MHTeacher]

Great update! I'm definitely going to have to check out the Toy Story photo op thing this May---it looks really cute!