Abbey's Birthday Trip - Day 2

[Ms Poppins]

Pre-trippie here

Abbey's Birthday Trip - Day 1

Abbey's Birthday Trip - Day 2

Monday 7th May

The Cast
Me, Julie - 37
DH, John - 41
DD, Abbey - 15
DS, Lewis - 7

Alarm went off at 7:30 and I peeked out the curtains to see sun!! What a relief. I know it hadn't been very nice in the weeks before and had been worrying about the whole holiday being a washout, so was very happy to see sun

I took a photo of our view

Lewis, Abbey and I headed off to the park and were there for just after 8:15.

The new decoration in the park

I double checked my watch to make sure it was the correct time as the park was really quite busy. It was a holiday weekend so I'd expected it, but it didn't really feel like EMH.

I love seeing Main St almost empty and it wasn't today.

The 'garden shed'

Beautiful view of the castle from central plaza without the stage

The obligatory shot

First we did Peter Pan. Then Dumbos, which there was already a queue for.

Then Teacups

And the Carousel

We wandered past the castle and over to Discoveryland

Tried for Buzz, but it was already queuing out the main queue area and it was only just 9am!

Time now to visit Salon Mickey and pick up our VIP Fastpass!! A bit of a grump from me is that you have to walk all the way over to the exit of the park on the right, then fight through the crowds of people queuing to get into the park, to get into Salon Mickey. I did ask someone at the side of Salon Mickey but she directed us to the other end. A photo on the way

Anyway, into Salon Mickey and we had a seat and enjoyed some juice and cookies.

When we were ready to leave the CM handed back our park passes/card and wrote a ticket out for the VIP fastpass. She wrote that it was for 3 people, but when I explained there were 4 of us, she happily wrote a new one. Here's what it looks like:

And while we're at it - I liked the pictures on the park passes this year:

Then we left Salon Mickey and although we got out the front door - the whole area was roped off and we were again directed back the other way. We had to enter the park again to get out!! It was soooooo busy. Queues and queues of people waiting to get in!

We walked back through Disney Village to the hotel and met DH in the lobby. I've never seen HNY so busy in the mornings. We had breakfast in the Manhattan which surprisingly was not very busy at all. Had a pleasant breakfast.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Popped back up to the room to get organised for the day ahead and took some more photos of our view. A close up of Space Mountain

And the main car park starting to fill up

Lewis then met Mickey in the lobby on the way out

The sun was out fully now and it was warming up nicely

Normally we would do a full day in the main park first, but as we had VIP FP decided to go between both parks and started with the Studios.

The new World of Disney Store at the Village

John and Abbey went off and did TOT using the VIP FP and Lewis and I wandered around the park

Then we went on Cars. We'd missed this in July due to the crowds so I'd promised it would be one of the first things we'd do this time. There was a bit of a queue, but I thought we may as well go on, otherwise he'd miss out again. I took some photos along the way:

The funny CM that is usually on Carpets was there and Lewis loved him. He kept making funny noises when he was checking that the belts were fastened etc. As we were in the queue DD and DH had come off TOT and they took a photo of us:

Carpets was showing a 35 minute wait, but as we had a VIP FP we all decided to do it

I love this

We were tired now and Abbey had remembered times of the shows so went to watch Cinemagique. I love this show and never tire from seeing it. Although, there are a few changes now, in particular near the end sequence. I can't put my finger on what it is but I didn't have a tear in my eye this time. Not sure why. Straight after it was time for Animagique and I spent most of this watching Lewis' face. He loves it and sings along to the songs


Abbey wanted to do Aerosmith and with VIP FP I had no excuse not to. I hadn't really enjoyed this last time, but today it was fantastic! So glad I didn't chicken out. Whilst were were on this Lewis had photos taken with the wee guy outside from Narnia. He does the same pose every single time

We left the Studios now in search of some lunch. I took some pics of the area outside the Studios, near the station, park and village to try and highlight just how close everything is together.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Off now to EOS. DH and I had the Traditional, Lewis had the kids meal and Abbey a cookie (she doesn't do sandwiches). It was absolutely delicious Wish this was actually in the park.

Our view from EoS

A wee look round Rainforest Café shop to see if there was anything for Mark. Wandered back through the village and popped our heads into Planet Hollywood, again to see if there was anything we could pick up for Mark. Nothing suitable in either. But the kids thought he'd like to see this picture:

Time to head back to the main park and we admired the 20th anniversary additions. Sorry, this tr is getting very picture heavy...

I love Town Square and could listen to the music all day long

Next we went to Frontierland, one of our favourite lands We listened to this duo for a while outside The Steak House

We went onto Phantom Manor, and were disappointed that there were no 'ghostly heads' above the doom buggy in the mirror sequence Then it was off to Big Thunder Mountain using our VIP FP's. Lewis isn't keen on this but having been to Alton Towers last year and liking the Runaway Mine Train, we convinced him to try again. (I'm more than aware that the Alton Towers version isn't a patch on BTM, but tried to hoodwink him a wee bit )

Anyway, the plan didn't work. He hated the loud noise and was not a happy boy when we got off 'Not doing that again' was what he said.

Next we went in search of Mickey in his new, temporary home.. The queue goes the opposite way from the way Woody's Roundup was so you can't see how long it is until you're in. It was a bit long and we didn't want to waste too much time today, given that we had the VIP FP's, so we just took a photo of a pic that the kids liked

I kind of regret it now as we didn't make it back, but I would rather see him in is 'proper' home. Gives me another reason to go back

 

[Ms Poppins]

Off to Adventureland now to search out Captain Hook's ship. This was being refurbished last time we were here, and it was lovely to see it looking as fresh and stunning as it used to:

Had a peek at Pirates queue, but was showing 45 mins so didn't wait. Next into Fantasyland and were going to do Peter Pan using our VIP FP's, but the queue for FP was huge We checked wait times for Casey and the Storyboats but again was 45 mins wait so went into Discoveryland and explored Nautilus, which I don't think we've done for years and years:

Onto Buzz using our VIP FP's, did I mention we had FP's John got a massive score, level 8 I think Then we headed back towards Adventureland and the queue for Peter Pan was quieter now, so we had a go, the first time ever not during EMH

It was nearly time for our meal at Blue Lagoon, so we sneaked a wee shot on Pirates first.

The setting in here is lovely. We didn't get a table right by the ride, but we still had a nice seat. Lewis had salmon from the kids menu

Abbey had he Caribbean Chicken Columbo

DH had the grilled steak

And I had the rack of lamb

It was a lovely meal which we all enjoyed, with the exception of Abbey who wasn't keen on hers. (she is a bit fussy though ) I'll put a proper review on the restaurant thread.

 

[DLPDreams]

What fab photos - don't apologise about the amount - we love pictures on here!

I love Abbey & Lewis' faces on each photo - they just look like they are having such a good time and enjoying every minute!

The food looks great at BL - we are going to eat here this upcoming trip. Looking forward to it as never eaten here before!

Still can't see how you saw the castle from your room though??

 

[Ms Poppins]

When we came out of here we went straight into the shop at Pirates to get Lewis the Jack hat/wig that he'd seen yesterday.

He was a bit miffed that there were no Marvel things about in the park at all, so he was keen to get something

John and Abbey then did BTM again using the VIP FP Then we headed to Main St, using the covered walkway. We got some cookies from the Cable Car and had a listen in the Main St photography to the party line

Also had a listen to the dentist

We left the park and popped into the station shop to get juice and searched yet more shops in Disney Village for Marvel. Managed to convince Lewis that there was nothing anywhere and he mentioned he fancied a 'hankerchief' he'd seen in Frontierland. After much discussion, I realised this was actually a bandana. He was having none of it and insisted he was right and that it was a hankerchief he wanted. I agreed with him and said we'd look the next day.

Abbey got some Ben and Jerry's ice cream from the cart at the end of the Village and we went back to the hotel. I took some pic near the shop and inside the HNY:

Love the 20th overlay on this

I forgot to say that earlier, we had gone into the Storybook shop in Town Square for a wee look. I spotted the 20th Anniversary book that I wanted. It's big, about an annual size and very heavy. We picked a few other items and went to pay and asked for them to be transferred back to the hotel for us. Well, the poor CM must have been new as she didn't have a clue what we wanted. Eventually she nearly worked it out and DH showed the Easypass and signed. Then she got muddled up when it came to sending it back to our hotel and called someone for help. Well, they had to cancel the first transaction and start all over again. Talk about on the job training That poor CM kept biting her lip the whole time and looked just like a lost soul....Anyway, they eventually got it right, until I asked where the easypass was.......she had put it inside the till under all their paperwork Anyway, we picked it up from the hotel shop and when I checked we were only charged once

I gave Lewis a quick shower and got him changed for bed and tucked in. Then I had a quick shower. When I came out, Abbey was excited and said that if you look out the window you could see the castle . I don't know how I had missed that earlier, maybe the mist but, hey this meant we could watch Dreams again So I sat down with my drink, all the lights out and Abbey and I watched Dreams. It was amazing

 

[torsie24]

Loving your TR so far.

And especially all the photos. Although I don't look at your Dreams ones (just scrolled by really fast with my hand over my eyes) as I'm keeping it a surprise.

In 2 weeks I'll re-read and look at them! Lol.

 

[Ware Bears]

So I sat down with my drink, all the lights out and Abbey and I watched Dreams. It was amazing

Ah what bliss

What a fabulous day. I've just had notification that my book is en route so hopefully it'll be in my sticky little fingers by tonight - although as it's my birthday present I shouldn't really be peeking.

Hope tomorrow that Lewis finds his bandana ..... sorry, I meant hankerchief.

 

[Ms Poppins]

What fab photos - don't apologise about the amount - we love pictures on here!

I love Abbey & Lewis' faces on each photo - they just look like they are having such a good time and enjoying every minute!

The food looks great at BL - we are going to eat here this upcoming trip. Looking forward to it as never eaten here before!

Still can't see how you saw the castle from your room though??

I just didn't move the curtain fully When I stood and looked left the castle is just beside space mountain - see day 3 for some daylight shots

Loving your TR so far.

And especially all the photos. Although I don't look at your Dreams ones (just scrolled by really fast with my hand over my eyes) as I'm keeping it a surprise.

In 2 weeks I'll re-read and look at them! Lol.

Well done keeping your eyes shut!

Ah what bliss

What a fabulous day. I've just had notification that my book is en route so hopefully it'll be in my sticky little fingers by tonight - although as it's my birthday present I shouldn't really be peeking.

Hope tomorrow that Lewis finds his bandana ..... sorry, I meant hankerchief.

I haven't even had time to take mine out the wrapper yet! I was too tired whilst we were away. I plan on reading it tonight when everyone is out/in bed so I don't get disturbed.

The hankerchief story will continue on day 3

 

[loladelorean]

I love the gold 20th anniversary overlay, especially on the lampposts and around main st - so much nicer than previous years' themes.
Thanks for sharing how the VIP FP works - looks like you got good use out of it! Such a jam packed day, in spite of the crowds.
Your photos are fab don't apologise for having too many, there's no such thing Abbey and Lewis have got that Disney smile in all the photos

 

[Mum to Belle]

Just as well you had your VIP Fastpasses by the sounds of things!!

I'm also happy to see lots of photo especially the ones of the Gift Shop! I was just talking about the figurine of the lady in the red dress from POTC ride - and there it is in your photo!!

 

[jothp]

Another great day, what luck being able to see dreams from your window. I'm loving all the pictures, the park looks wonderful after all the refurbs last year.

 

[HFJohnson]

And especially all the photos. Although I don't look at your Dreams ones (just scrolled by really fast with my hand over my eyes) as I'm keeping it a surprise. .

Haha, I did exactly the same!

Great trip report

 

[Ms Poppins]

I love the gold 20th anniversary overlay, especially on the lampposts and around main st - so much nicer than previous years' themes.
Thanks for sharing how the VIP FP works - looks like you got good use out of it! Such a jam packed day, in spite of the crowds.
Your photos are fab don't apologise for having too many, there's no such thing Abbey and Lewis have got that Disney smile in all the photos

Everything about the park is just perfect. The VIP FP was a great bonus as it was such a busy day, but we still got loads done. I didn't realise I'd taken so many photos!

Just as well you had your VIP Fastpasses by the sounds of things!!

I'm also happy to see lots of photo especially the ones of the Gift Shop! I was just talking about the figurine of the lady in the red dress from POTC ride - and there it is in your photo!!

That lady always stands out in Pirates for us too!

Another great day, what luck being able to see dreams from your window. I'm loving all the pictures, the park looks wonderful after all the refurbs last year.

It sure does

Haha, I did exactly the same!

Great trip report

Well done not looking - I wanted to see everything before we went, and it still blew me away seeing it 'live'.

 

[bonhoga]

Great trip report, I'm really enjoying it......do you think that couple of musicians are The Thrifts from The Cheyenne?

Kaye

 

[Ms Poppins]

....do you think that couple of musicians are The Thrifts from The Cheyenne?
Kaye

Sorry, I don't know - but they had quite a crowd round them

 

[grad06]

Love the photos. Thanks for putting so many on your report.

Looking forward to day 3.

 

[bonhoga]

Sorry, I don't know - but they had quite a crowd round them

ooooh I really hope its them, I so want to see them in July
K