A Tale of [family madness in] Two Cities - Final Thoughts & PTR Link!

[brookelizabeth]

We left off heading back to DHS. As we walked toward the gate we overheard a mother scold her daughter for bringing a bag to the park. None of the rest of the family had bags. "Hide it under your shirt!" the Mother said. So the daughter did. And they walked right through, skipping bag check.

What an excellent example.

Moving on...

We went toward TSM to use the FPs,

Like my snazzy outfit? Jeans, red sweater dress and a jacket. We had a Signature Dinner that night and I wanted to wear my dress, but there was NO WAY I was walking around in that cool weather with bare legs! So, that's what I got! It's not that bad is it? I was warm! I even had tights on under my jeans! (and no, I didn't wear my Crocs to dinner - I had shoes in my bag )

This was a really cute window display, the Mickey Heads would kick one leg, kinda like the Rockettes. We saw a group of 4 girls in front of this window link hands and kick out a leg for a picture. I'm sure it made a great shot!

Poppa took over pushing for a few minutes while I snapped pictures.

There was a skit going on here, but we couldn't hear some of it due to where we were in the crowd, so we only lingered for a few moments.

Check out that Standby Wait Time, 170 minutes!


Remember how Joe only got 3 FPs this morning because 2 cards didn't work for an unknown reason? Well, I figured Joe and I could ride on a Baby Swap. I actually liked this idea because I don't really like Henry going on this ride anyway due to the cars whipping around so fast between scenes. He's banged his head more than once. We got to the line, and asked for a Swap pass, but they don't even give them on this ride! I found that to be really odd. What happens if a child REALLY doesn't want to ride? Because it's safe for them to, they have to? Or everyone has to wait in line twice? I didn't even realize there were certain rides the swap wasn't available on! So good to know!

All well! Joe and I sent the family since they had never ridden it before.

They all LOVED this! Raved about it, especially my MIL!! She talked about it for days afterward.

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[brookelizabeth]

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Joe and I walked toward Playhouse Disney, which was going to start in about 10 minutes.

I honestly have never noticed that VOTLM is right here...! I haven't ever looked for it though. I sorta graze past the Princesses I guess with two boys! I DO want to see it though!

When we were almost to the Playhouse Disney building I...and Henry!! noticed Handy Manny was out!!!

I quickly got in line, it was very short, only about 5 people, I figured it would go quickly.

I was WRONG. Whooooooa!

There was a mother in line with 3 kids. She wanted each one to meet him separately (for pictures), and then all together. She took some, the Photopass Photographer took some, she removed one child, more pictures, she removed another, more pictures. Pose this way, pose that way...you get the idea. They must have been BIG Handy Manny fans! So that ate up our time. We were next in line when Joe came rushing back and said they were about to close the doors on Playhouse Disney.

What should I do? Henry was ALL ABOUT meeting Handy Manny at that moment, he kept trying to rush ahead , and he wasn't aware of Playhouse Disney on the horizon...so we stayed in line.

It was a great meet! He gave Handy Manny a big 'ol hug, a high five and a bump.

After I scooped him up and noticed the doors to Playhouse Disney were in fact SHUT.

At that same moment, I overheard a family asking a CM about Playhouse Disney, she pointed at another CM who crooked his finger for them to follow him. We just followed right along...and so did at least 10 other people! We were led through a side door into the theater. The show had JUST started, it was in the opening song. Henry shrieked in excitement when he realized where we were.

We quickly grabbed a spot on the floor. Henry was so excited when Handy Manny appeared, he kept saying, "I gave him a high-five!" Then he would get up and do a little dance and then LEAP into my arms and lap in a giant hug.

Bubbles!

As the jet would zip by Henry would make zooooooming sounds

Getting to be such a big boy, he liked sitting on his own this time, not on my or Joe's laps.

He was very bummed when the leaves floated down and none came near where we were sitting. So after the show I let him go find one, he was SO SO SO HAPPY! $15 Mickey toy? Who needs it?! Free paper leaf from Playhouse Disney!

After Playhouse Disney the family was already in Indiana Jones and we were going to meet up with them there, but we got a message from them that we had finally found the crowds, the show was FULL. And they were standing.

Ugh! My poor FIL!

Here is some video from the show:

• Beginning of the show, first 7.5 minutes
• Working with the extras
• The "fight" scene between Mary Beth and the "guest volunteer"
• The Marketplace scene all the way through the truck explosion
• Plane scene to the end of the show

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[brookelizabeth]

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Joe and I weren't quite sure what we would do to fill the half hour. We wandered a bit...

Until I suggested a Butterfinger Cupcake from Starring Rolls.

That took like zero convincing.

I believe I first saw this on Katie's PTR and then saw it again and again. I think it was meant to be.

"Mommy! Choc-choc! Mommy! Mommy!"

Mickey....and me!

Does this look like an unnaturally large cupcake?

That's because it IS! Huuuuuuuuge!

Henry was a little excited...

We sat on a bench and enjoyed our treat. E-n-j-o-y-e-d. Yumm-o that is goooooood stuff!

The insides. Yum.

Our view.

This moment was sweet. And it wasn't just the chocolate. Sitting there with my family in DHS, munching on something delicious, Henry was feeling good, Joe was at the moment as well (he had his meds!), we just sat there, ate and people watched. It was lovely and full of that Disney magic that we all love.

After a short while we ventured back to Indiana Jones and met up with the family as they exited. They really enjoyed the show, and Grammy and Poppa did manage to get a seat about halfway through.

It was right after 6:00 pm and we decided to go see the Osborne Lights. I had been waiting for this for a looooooong time! The crowds increased in size more and more as we walked toward the Streets of America, but once we arrived, while it was busy, it was easy to navigate through. Most people were just standing in awe.

These pictures don't even do it justice. This is so stinkin' cool. MIL kept saying how amazing it was. Worth the whole trip. She could have stood there forever watching. Me too! It was beautiful, and incredible. Just amazing!!!

Ready for picture overload?

Our first glimpse as we rounded the corner

He was LOVIN' it!

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[brookelizabeth]

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This is how it felt crowd wise. A lot of people, but room to move.

We never saw the purple cat, but we did find a few hidden Mickeys!

All the above were just my pictures...

FILs turned out better, yay!

The middle one had a Mickey Head

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[brookelizabeth]

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And now for KK's!

The family thought the name of this store was hilarious - MIL wrote about it in her postcard to my other SIL, who lived in NYC for a short-while.

Snow machine! I don't think the snow ever really made it to the ground that night...I don't remember seeing any or feeling any, I could just hear the machines.

At one point I noticed a Photopass Photographer, so I hopped in line. It was only about 4 families deep, we had seen longer ones during the day in front of the hat!

It wasn't loud, no clue why Henry was holding his ears?!

And now for video!

• The area without the lights dancing
  
• The Angels
  
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• More Trans-Siberian Orchestra - I like this one! My FIL pans all around, it's 3 minutes long. I think it gives a good feeling of what it's like to be there!!
  
• Even more Trans-Siberian Orchestra
  
• Feliz Navidad
• More Feliz Navidad
• End of Feliz Navidad and some of the family
  

An hour flew right by, it was close to 7:00 pm and Joe and I had a 7:25 ADR at California Grill. We said our good-byes to the Osborne Lights, to the family and to Henry as they headed for the Great Movie Ride (they got the gangster scene, btw).

It was very hard for me to leave Henry that night. We were in the middle of the magical Osborne Lights, I didn't want to leave my baby...but...I knew it was good. Henry loves being with his Grammy and Poppa, and Joe and I needed a date night!!

On the way out

And pics from the family:

And of course, DFIL took video!

• They were in the front row! First 9.5 minutes of the ride
• Tarzan and Casablanca

Aw! I haven't looked through all my FILs pics, this is so sweet!

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[brookelizabeth]

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Looks like Poppa did a bit of AKV exploring that night

The pool area

There.are.people.in.that.pool! It was CHILLY! And that is coming from someone who thinks 20 degrees is a heat wave....!

Very cool.

 

[MHTeacher]

What a fantastic update, and what an enterprising girl you are, wearing two outfits at once and carrying extra shoes!

So glad you all had a quiet moment to sit and feel the Disney magic and love (and of course enjoy your butterfinger cupcake!)

It was a great meet! He gave Handy Manny a big 'ol hug, a high five and a bump.

This picture is precious!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow Brook - another monster update!! Judging by the FP return time shown on TSMM, we missed you guys by about 40 minutes

I love the pics of Henry with Handy Manny and the Playhouse Disney ones, so much joy on that cutie's face! I also love that your inlaws put him in a pink hat with bling!

That butterfinger cupcake looks so good! It's going on my snack list for May!

Weren't the Osborne Lights AMAZING?? I think your MIL is right, they are worth the trip all on their own!

 

[micandminforever]

Once again wonderful pictures, my favorites are the ones with Handy Manny and Playhouse Disney. The Henry in the hat pictures were special also.

The Butterfinger Cupcake looks delicious, I will have to try it in June.

 

[gellybean]

Great update Brook! Glad you got the butterfinger cupcake!! Osbourne Lights are gonna have to be a must do for us in the next few years!! Can't wait to hear about y'all's date night at Cali Grill ! It's on my must do list too !

Henry's getting sooooooooooooo big!!!! Oh my gosh!

 

[IluvXU]

Brook
An awesome update. The Osborne Lights are quite a thing to see. I cannot wait to go back someday! Henry is darling as ever...glad he got to see Playhouse Disney.

I am shocked no baby swap for TSM. I totally agree about it being a bit much for little guys. Luke was hard to handle on it this summer.. and lots would not like it.

Sorry about Handy Manny. That is something I am not sure I get. We do all the kids together, never separate for Characters, at meals or in line. I know others do though.

Excited for your date night... I totally understand it is hard to leave your baby though...


Oh my I almost forgot that cupcake. Too bad I am not a butterfinger fan... because that looks delicious!

 

[andrews1ma]

Hi I am not sure if I am a lurker or not- feels weird cause I have read ALL of your PTR's and TR's but not sure if I ever posted!

Your pics are amazing! The lights...oh those lights! I hope that we get to at least once during those lights! I have to say that the Handy Manny ones are my fave so far! I was cracking up at Henry's pics with the cars because he wasn't sure what to do- but with Handy Manny it just came naturally to him! Those are by far the stinkin cutest! Glad it all worked out though and you got to go into Playhouse Disney. Gosh I miss those days- my DS is 10 now- Playhouse Disney used to be Bear in the Big Blue House, Stanley, Pooh and something else- i cant remember.

Anyhow really enjoying this TR so far- your family is soooo sweet! I love when the Grandparents come along as my mom was part of all of our Disney trips! I cant wait to hear about California Grill- I have that one planned for our upcoming April trip and I timed it so that we can watch Wishes while we are there.

Oh and the butterfinger cupcake is also on my snack list for the upcoming trip! That looks to die for!

 

[thegreggersmom]

You aren't crazy....that's very sweet! You and your DH are the two people I thought of right away as the "budget/WDW" discussion was had. Then I remembered....we DO plan to go to Chicago/St. Louis this summer...so...I would still get to meet you guys! and our boys can play! Not quite the same as Castaway Cay, but....

QUOTE]

If you need/want any suggestions on fun stuff to do with Henry in St. Louis I'd be glad to share some tips. There's a lot of great stuff that's off the beaten path -- in addition to all the stuff ON the path. When and for how long will you be here?

 

[KathyRN137]

Woo-hoo... a humongous update!

Brook, those are some of the best pictures of the Osbourne Lights that I've yet to see on the TR board! And thanks so much for sharing the video clips... they really do make you feel like you're right there!

I'm laughing about that chocolate Butterfinger cupcake! I mentioned it in my PTR and then completely forgot about it when we visited the Studios! I will have to try it next time...

Weird about not having a child swap option on TSM... I never knew that, either.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about your date at the Cali Grill... I'm thinking of planning a date-night dinner there for our NYE anniversary!


Kathy

 

[A.Mickey]

Fantastic update! And no you do not look like a dork with the red dress over your pants...I think it looks rather stylish .

I am definitely going to have to try that cupcake! YUM!

Love the picture of Henry in the pink Minnie Hat!

What a great Disney magic filled day! Can't wait to hear about your anniversary dinner!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a wonderful long update, Brook!

First off, I love the picture of you hugging all up on Bo! I can't believe that TSM was a 170 minute wait!!! Standing in line for three hours??? Really??? There is nothing I can think of that I would stand in line that long to see!

The picture of you and Mickey in Starring Rolls is great! That cupcake looks delicious! I wasn't jazzed about the outside, but the picture of the inside had me drooling!

Henry is so adorable in his excitement over Handy Manny and Playhouse Disney!

I have decided there is no such thing as too many Osborne Light pics! So pretty!

Can't wait to hear about your date night!

 

[PopArtGal]

Great update!

Even though DHS is not my fave during the summer, I have to say the lights make it all change during the holidays.

 

[All7OfUs]

Loving this last update! Someday- someday, those lights have to be seen! I"m sure the pictures everyone posts here show nothing of the magnitude and sheer number of what's really there.

Henry is just the cutest little thing. He looks so happy with "his" Handy Manny" and at the Playhouse. I love seeing happy kids in Disney!

I also love to see the "older generation" having fun on the rides. So neat that your MIL enjoyed TSM and raved about it for days.

I"m not much of a super sweet dessert person, but I'll admit that cupcake sure looked good! That and a good cup of coffee looks like it would be the perfect combo.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I loved this update!!

I think your sweater dress with jeans is a fashion statement. And no, it didn't look bad at all, it just looked like you had a longer sweater on.

It sounds like your inlaws are just loving this trip, it's so nice to read about.

The Osborne lights look amazing as always. I will get to see those someday!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a great update! I loved it!!!

Gotta love the mother who tells the kid to hide her bag under her shirt.

You and Bo are adorable. I'm starting to worry that Bo's ego may be getting out of control with all the attention he's getting these days.

H looks positively giddy with Handy Manny (love the fist bump!) and at Playhouse Disney. Who knew a paper leaf was going to be that exciting!!

I just love how excited your in-laws are with everything. You can really tell they had a great time. How great that through DVC you and Joe got to share this with them. I'm sure it was the trip of a lifetime (and the first of many more!).

Osborne Lights are amazing, aren't they? I'm so glad you didn't have a sea of people to compete with when you were there.

Can't wait to hear about Cali Grill!!