Abbey's Birthday Trip - Day 3

[Ms Poppins]

Pre-trippie here

Abbey's Birthday Trip - Day 1

Abbey's Birthday Trip - Day 2

Tuesday 8th May

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


I went to bed a bit confused How on earth did I not notice that we could see the castle from our room? So I had a good look in the morning. I think that it had been quite misty the day before and when I had glanced out, just noticed Space Mountain and didn't look any further round. So, I took some pictures of it in daylight.

We were all really tired from our busy day yesterday, and everything leading up to the trip. The late nights were catching up with us all, especially Lewis. Much as I wanted to do EMH, I didn't want to do it without him or Abbey, so I gave myself he morning off We had chatted and agreed that we would take it easy for the rest of the trip. We slept in until after 8 and were organised and down for breakfast for 9:30. Today we were ushered to the Convention Centre. The breakfast was exactly the same as in the Manhattan.

Lewis loves anything buffet, as it means he can get up and down as often as he likes

The hallway to the Convention Centre is nice and themed like the New York Subway

We headed outside and it was another nice day. A bit windy, but warmish and dry so fine with me

It was the Studios first and today we went straight to Toy Story Playland as we'd missed it yesterday.

Slinky was the first ride. Although very short it always makes Lewis laugh, so that's me happy too. He puts his hands up in the air, just like the rest of us do on BTM. He's such a thrillseeker

The other side of the tunnel at the bottom end is blocked off now, obviously in preparation for the new Ratatoullie ride

The parachutes had a massive queue as did RC Racer. We got FP for Abbey and DH to do TOT. Next up we went for the Studio Tram Tour. We wouldn't have bothered with this, but we'd done so much in the Studios yesterday, we thought we may as well.

No Dancing!!

DH and I laughed a bit on here. The family in front of us put up their hoods etc when they knew the water bit was coming up, but then stuck out what looked like a very expensive camera to take pictures. We also saw someone else do the same with an Ipad

 

[Ms Poppins]

This little lady was just sitting about - looks the same as the ones outside DLH

And this new addition was a wee surprise for Lewis:

When we came off here it was time for DH and Abbey to do TOT. I still don't ever want to do this one again......Whilst they did this Lewis and I did Carpets.

We came off and wandered over to TOT

Had a look around the shop inside TOT and then DD text to say they were outside. We must have walked straight past them. When we met up DH was surprised we had found them. The text had said ' we're beside the first shop on the right in the fake street'. ' How did you know where we'd be?' he said. He reckons Abbey and I have the same Disney brain

It started to rain a bit now and we went into the Blockbuster Café for some lunch. It was quite busy inside, but we still managed to get a seat in the pirates bit. We all shared some croques and enjoyed the sit down for a while. It was about 1pm now.

After this we went to see if we could do some drawing at Art of Animation. Lewis had some fun drawing Mickey heads and announced that he was now an animator!

I asked when the next drawing lesson would be and was told to come back at 4pm. It was about 1:30pm now. We took some photos of canvas' that Abbey liked. She is a good artist and wants to try and copy some of the images at home.

John took a close up of this too

We headed back to Toy Story Playland and decided to wait for the parachutes. Well, as we'd done most of what we wanted already we thought we may as well take our time and do the rides we had missed before. I don't normally like queues, but it really didn't feel very long. Lewis kept himself amused quite well.

Lewis was glued to the 'information' video inside the queueing area.

We got seats opposite:

The view from up here is amazing

Lewis was a bit worried at the start, but was laughing his head off by the end, thankfully

I like this picture, it looks like Abbey's foot is stuck to the walkie talkie below

 

[Ms Poppins]

Abbey wanted to do Crush, but the queues had always had a long wait time, 90 mins etc. It was showing 55 mins now, so I suggested we go and do it now. John took Lewis to watch the stunt show, which was due to start in about 15 minutes time.

John recognised this CM as being from TOT previously. He said he was always in fantastic character doing TOT

Lewis loves the stunt show. It's one of his highlights We have it on video from a few years ago and he loves watching it at home. John said he kept pre-empting each stunt and telling him to get ready for each change

Abbey and I enjoyed Crush. We got lucky and were called to the front a bit before we were due, as they were looking for 2 riders We all met up and wandered about a bit. I really like it in the Studios

Then it was nearly 4pm and we went off to do some drawing. Abbey and Lewis got seats and drew Mickey Mouse.

After this we wandered about looked in the shops again in search of Marvel stuff. None to be found I'm positive there were Spiderman things here last time.

Lewis and the hat

As we'd been unable to get to Annette's yet, we thought it best to have an early dinner and headed there. We walked straight in with no queue

Annette's has re-opened recently after a refurb, but to be honest I couldn't really notice any differences - maybe a touch cleaner

Lewis had the kids cheeseburger

John had the Rockabilly burger

Abbey and I had the Rock 'n' Roll burger.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I took this pic as I don't remember it from previous visits

It was about 6pm now, so headed back to the park. We had intended to go back to the hotel during the day for a rest, but the later starts meant we hadn't had to, but I did kind of miss our time out and not using the pool.

The kids outside 'Mickey's house'. Or, is it Duffy's now

Took this quiet opportunity to record the Duffy story:

And also our beloved Liberty Arcade - the best kept secret in the whole park...

...that leads to the next, the covered walkway - aka our shortcut to Frontierland

Time for Phantom Manor again.

Another break down for BTM - same spot every time

Still no 'ghost' on PM again...

Now as we were in Frontierland we went in search for the 'hankerchief'....Lewis ran into the shop opposite BTM and picked up the blue one. As I was waiting to pay they took some pics inside the shop:

 

[Ms Poppins]

When the CM scanned it on the till - the name of the item came up on the till - BANDANA - I pointed this out to Lewis and he gracefully accepted that it was in fact a bandana and I explained that had it been a hankerchief, he'd be blowing his nose in it! He looked appalled and it has since been known as his bandana

Here he is modelling the said item

It was 6:40pm now and I wanted to see the parade. So we hot footed it over the Fantasyland using the covered walkway behind Frontierland I had planned on getting a spot near Bella Note, as we had for Fantillusion last year, but it was already quite busy. John noticed some people standing up in the queue are for Small World so we got a spot there. The photos we have aren't the best, but actually the spot itself was really good. A lot of the characters were kind of level with us, height wise, so Lewis got a lot of waves from them:

 

[Ms Poppins]

The music is very catchy and we were all signing it by the time it was over I love the colours in this parade, but Mickey looks very precarious on his perch and I just hope there is something holding him up!!

Of course we had to do Small World as we were already in the queue!

I remembered that the Story Books and Casey would close at 8pm, so we headed that way. I could see from the queue at Casey's that it wasn't busy and the wait time said 5 mins. But, just as we got in, a little girl in front changed the time to show 45 mins so be careful not to trust wait times if they aren't electronic!

This was Lewis' first time on Casey, and ours for a very long time. It's always shut when we go....

He loved it - thrillseeker again

We came off this and did the Storyboats. I still enjoy this little ride

Then we went over to Casey's again - still a 45 min wait time - we walked right on

 

[Ms Poppins]

We headed to Adventureland for Priates, but it was closed Into Frontierland and got FP for BTM for between 9:30 and 10:00. I think it must have been after 8pm now. When we'd bought the bandana earlier and used the walkway, I'd noticed some tee-pee's and we headed over for a wee look. Abbey noticed that there were stairs and I realised this must be Fort Comstock. So we spent some time up here with a lovely view over Frontierland:

Then we noticed some toilets at the bottom - very quiet and clean

Time to say hello to the lady under the castle:

Then up through the glass shop and into the shop beside Snow White. I think I have these exact same photos from my tr last time, but I still love the detail in this shop

 

[Ms Poppins]

Back over to see if Pirates was open yet - not so some pics around the ship -

A stroll to Discoveryland to see wait times there. Autopia was showing 40 mins so Lewis was happy with a photo outside

We did Buzz with 15 min wait. Headed back to Frontierland for our fast pass time for BTM which Abbey and I did. Fantastic in the dark I've heard many people say this but never experienced it myself. The view around the park with everything lit up is just stunning. I love the parks at night

Whilst we were on this Lewis got another new cowboy hat. (you'll see some pics tomorrow ) I think he has every cowboy hat they do in the shop opposite BTM But, to his credit he does wear them around the park so we don't end up having to carry them. DH does have to wear it sometimes though

Back home through the Village and into the hotel shop. The CM didn't know what the shareholders card was and tried to refuse it - but I suggested she call someone to authorise, and good enough, someone was there quickly to complete the transaction. I wish they'd make this easier for the CM's. I don't mind hanging about a bit, but it must drive them mad having to get someone to authorise it all the time. Now, I forgot, when I bought Lewis' wig at the shop in Pirates the other day, they asked me for photo ID, which I have never been asked for previously or since. I didn't have any - my passport in the hotel safe - but I showed them the easypass and this was acceptable.

So we were in our room for 10:15 - phoned Mark, who was at home and then settled down to watch Dreams again from our window. Tonight Abbey opened the window and we heard the music too - we didn't hear it the night before, too much traffic - but tonight it was just lovely. A lovely end to a very stress free and relaxing day

 

[Ware Bears]

I'm so enjoying your trip

Glad to hear Lewis got his bandana and very stylish he looks too.

 

[Mum to Belle]

More FAB photos!!! Lewis looks really cute in his "bandana" - looking forward to seeing his cowboy hat tomorrow...

 

[jothp]

Another wonderful day Did you find the park was a bit less busy during the evenings?

 

[Ms Poppins]

I'm so enjoying your trip

Glad to hear Lewis got his bandana and very stylish he looks too.

Oh, that bandana is still under discussion....he's sure he heard Woody refer to it a hankerchief so I think I'll be watching all 3 Toy Story's with him soon for him to prove it

More FAB photos!!! Lewis looks really cute in his "bandana" - looking forward to seeing his cowboy hat tomorrow...

Just as well he's moved to the bigger bedroom - I could sell cowboy hats

Another wonderful day Did you find the park was a bit less busy during the evenings?

Yes, much quieter after the 7pm parade, especially Fantasyland. After watching the parade we always go backwards, away from it. Lots of rides walk on at that time.

 

[DLPDreams]

Really enjoying your TR - your photos are fabulous!

Laughed out loud at Lewis' latest comments that he needs to watch TS again to find out about the handkerchief!