Dancing with the Beast (but still loving Baymax) TR 5/31-6/7/15 COMPLETE!!!(UPDATED 7/20)

[ArwenMarie]

Wow what a fabulous two days! I loved the Princess Tea, my DD and I did it right at the end of my DD's princess phase, so it was a very special day and I was very glad we did it (even though it was $$$!)

 

[sjb95u]

Day 5 (Thursday, June 4th), Part 1

It’s HollywoodMGMStudiosTBA.... or something!


We went to the park all about movies, that one!




With two 5-year-olds I realized that overall this may be their least favorite, or perhaps the hardest because of the timing of the shows. We did not get all the shows seen as anticipated and it just got too hot to hang around in the mid to late afternoon.


BUT, wait for it….IT’S BAYMAX AND HIRO DAY!!!


My DD really loves princesses and had been enjoying them tremendously but for some reason all I heard about was wanting to meet Baymax and Hiro! I truly hate that there is no FP+ for this M&G.


So, it’s Thursday, June 4th. Me, DH, DD and my parents met the bus around 9am. My brother, SIL and niece were running a little late and said they’d meet us there later.


We got in quickly, admiring the Anna and Elsa topiaries near the front gate. For some reason this park sort of disorients me, I can’t quite get comfortable with where I am and where everything else is!


We did get some direction to TSMM since our first FP+ was there. This was fun, we all enjoyed this ride and were very happy to have the FP+ for it! I couldn’t get DD interested in taking any photos, though!



I also looked for the Toy Story characters when came out (around 10:15am) but never saw them. Later in the day we saw a green Army man when passing back through Pixar place but DD didn’t want to stop for a photo. During the whole week we never did see Woody, Buzz or Jessie.


After TSMM we headed over to the Big Hero 6 M&G, got in line around 10:20am and initially thought we were doing pretty good. They hide the majority of the line behind the M&G wall. Once we entered the line a CM handed us a PhotoPass card that had the code and also what passed for Baymax and Hiro’s autographs since they don’t sign.



My DH stood in this line about 20 minutes. My niece showed up and joined us and my DH said he didn’t want to stand there anymore so he went with my Dad and brother to find something else to ride. We stood in this line and stood in this line… for two (2!) Baymax and Hiro breaks. After 1:25 minutes we finally got to meet them, for my DD it was soooooooooo worth it! This was by far the longest line we stood in all week.



What she'd been waiting for!!!!!


*NOTE: Some of the wait was due to a visitor that took up about 15 minutes of Baymax and Hiro’s time by showing them a homemade Big Hero 6 scrapbook she’d made along with drawings and sketches she’s done. 15 minutes, I’m not exaggerating. No CM ever suggested she move it along as people had been waiting forever. This was incredibly rude of the guest and inconsiderate of the CMs for not moving this line. Please don’t be that guest. You can show your drawings/book in 2-3 minutes, have a quick chat and take a photo.


So, 90 minutes to meet the marshmallow and we missed our FP+ for the Frozen Sing-Along.

And now it’s time for lunch. The guys had ridden ToT and Star Tours and met back up with us for our ADR lunch at Hollywood and Vine.

After the late, late night and frustration of sitting quietly and waiting in line for an hour and a half, this is the point where my DD got a little cranky. She was tired, hot and overstimulated so she spent the first few minutes at H&V just having a mini meltdown. I took her to the bathroom and finally calmed her down only to return to our table to find we’d missed Doc McStuffins! No worries, we asked and she came right back and cheered DD up! DD explained she’d had a Doc McStuffins birthday party this year and Doc reacted beautifully, but you can see that tear-stained face!



There are several opportunities to sing and dance with the Disney JR characters and the girls took full advantage!



The food-it was not bad but not necessarily something to write home about. I enjoyed the chipotle BBQ baked chicken and the lobster mac ‘n cheese. There were lots of chocolate-dipped things at the chocolate fountain.

Jake was there---



DD showing Sofia that her shirt is inspired by her!



And lastly, Handy Manny---

 

[sjb95u]

We got our "entry" picture on the way out since DD was fed, cooled off and much happier!


After lunch the guys took off to ride single rider at Rock 'n Roller Coaster and we took the girls for our last scheduled FP+, Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

No one warned DH about that take-off at RnR!



Now back to our regularly scheduled programming before DH kills me for adding that pic to the report! VoLM: The girls liked it but I think they were getting tired of shows and really wanted more rides. After VoLM we booked it over to try and catch the next Frozen Sing-Along on-- standby ---since we missed our FP+. We got in but were in standing-room off to the left. The girls couldn’t see but we were trying to hold them. A very sweet middle-aged couple got up and let the girls take their seats, such an act of kindness! You can see from this picture that they really were SINGING ALONG!







Very nearby was the Singin’ In The Rain umbrella and it was in good working order so since that is one of my all-time favorite movies I had to get a photo and make the umbrella rain!



Now the entire group went over to Muppets 3D, this was a very entertaining show!

Lastly I really wanted DD to see the Cinderella carriage since she absolutely loved that movie. We had to stand in line about 15 minutes but we had some shade.



At this point it was about 3:30pm and we were hot and tired. We couldn’t fit in Beauty and the Beast or Disney JR Live! on stage. If we hadn’t had to wait so long for Baymax & Hiro we could have at least done one of those but DD was very satisfied so I was, too!


On the way back to the front of the park we saw Darth Vader and some other Star Wars characters doing some sort of show outdoors. (I’m not into Star Wars so that’s about all I recognized).


We had to wait on a bus back to the CR for about 20 minutes, the sun was really brutal at this point.


But we had a dinner ADR for ‘Ohana so we can’t give up on the day just yet!
(More to come, the best meal at WDW!)...

 

[skojo]

First up at Epcot, Living with the Land. Now this is one of the few rides I really remember from my first trip at 11 years old (why?). The girls enjoyed it. There is a significant amount of time before our FP+ to start so we head over to Mexico for the boat ride with the Three Caballeros. It was a nice break from the heat and while we were inside there was a rain shower that started. We saw Mexican Donald but didn’t want to stand in line to actually “meet” him. Next we used our first FP+ for Spaceship Earth. For some reason I really love that ride. Adding the photos is a cute surprise since I last rode it. Second FP+ was for Soarin’, this FP line was very long---probably 20-25 minutes. My Mother gets motion sickness and was unsure about the ride but she went ahead with it and this was one of everybody’s favorites for the week. My DD still talks about flying over California!

I was uncertain about Soarin'. I thought it might be too scary for my DD & DS but I think I'll add it to our schedule now. I never even thought about Living the Land. Might add this one too.

 

[skojo]

Did you ever need to use your stroller in the parks? I can't decide if I should rent one before from a local place before arriving or rent one if/when needed in the park.

 

[sjb95u]

I was uncertain about Soarin'. I thought it might be too scary for my DD & DS but I think I'll add it to our schedule now. I never even thought about Living the Land. Might add this one too.

Soarin' was such an easy ride, I can see everyone enjoying it! Both 5-year-old little girls and a non-riding motion-sickness grandma really enjoyed it! Have fun!

 

[sjb95u]

Did you ever need to use your stroller in the parks? I can't decide if I should rent one before from a local place before arriving or rent one if/when needed in the park.

We rented from Apple strollers before we arrived, the strollers (and ECV for my pregnant SIL) were waiting at bell services in the lobby at CR when we arrived. Note the first post where the girls are in their strollers!

I wouldn't have done it without strollers, both girls were able to go-go-go without getting tired and we would have never made it without them! I also purchased stroller fans on Amazon ahead of time and they really helped. PLUS, the stroller gives you a place to store bags, cameras, etc, without having to carry them around. The only negative would be having to find stroller parking before you go to an attraction. GET. THE. STROLLER.

 

[goodmorningirl]

Joining in and really loving your report. The girls are absolutely adorable and I love all of their poses! lol

 

[sjb95u]

Day 5 Part 2:


I had read many wonderful things about ‘Ohana and was really excited to eat there. However, to be honest, I almost cancelled this ADR because we hadn’t been successful yet in having afternoon breaks and evenings in the parks and I was beginning to worry that we should spend the evening in MK. When I polled the family, they did NOT agree and really wanted to monorail on over to the Polynesian for this meal and I’m so glad that was the consensus.


So a few hours of downtime in the resort (no napping, of course!) then we hopped the monorail for an easy transport for dinner at ‘Ohana. I’m not sure why we didn’t go downstairs in the lobby and take pictures, but we didn’t. We had about a 15 minute wait after checking in for our ADR and we spent it in the gift shop...where I again didn’t buy anything but I should have! I kept thinking I’d have plenty of time later.


My Dad was working on a coin collection for the girls but his quarter got stuck in the machine and he had to go downstairs and let someone know. They gave us a $5 credit on dinner, but no pressed penny!


I swear when they brought us to our table it was the BEST TABLE IN THE HOUSE! We had a large round table in the back left corner. We were surrounded by windows with a view over the marina/pool and a gorgeous view of Cinderella Castle (the pictures don’t do it justice because for some reason I didn’t bring the DSLR and only had my cell phone)! Watching the sunset from this table with this view was well worth the price tag and the dinner here.






But the food was so fantastic! For the entire week everyone agreed that this was our best meal, hands down. But bring your appetite! It would have been very easy to fill up on the bread (I don’t care for coconut but I still liked it), dumplings, wings, salad and noodles---and I almost did! All of the meats were good and the shrimp were a decent size. Our server did a fine job if not extremely attentive. She did mention the evening before a gentleman had eaten 102 of the shrimp. Who is this man? Are you out there on DISboards? If so, wow, that’s crazy town!!!!!!


My DD ate a ton of the noodles and also had mac ‘n cheese with some chicken. She was just fine.



I had zero room for the bread pudding but stuffed it in anyway~


There is a host who has the children come to get a lei and learn some hula moves, this was a fun bonus. We also celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. My DH should have gone up as we were celebrating our 12th anniversary in June but we were simply too stuffed to move!




I tried to get some photos showing the view with the castle but I believe it was truly difficult to appreciate…





GO EAT AT ‘OHANA. That is all. Good night.

 

[skojo]

Joining in and really loving your report. The girls are absolutely adorable and I love all of their poses! lol

Totally agree, the poses are too cute and not to mention all the cute outfits.

 

[sjb95u]

Oh no, oh no! I've typed up the report for day 6 and it's a monster! This was a very long, busy day with so much to report on! Be patient as I'll have to break it up into quite a few posts...

Darn I wish I knew how to make "chapter links".


Friday, June 5th

Day 6


As we moved into day 6, it seems that everyone was getting tired. I know, right? I can hardly believe it!


That being said, just my little family of 3 was able to get up and out the door, make the short walk from CR to MK for the opening show and rope drop.




Did I mention get a stroller? GET. A. STROLLER.

The crowd really wasn’t too terrible and we were quickly inside after the cute opening show. My DD was so excited that Mickey was talking from the train station...

Our first stop? Talking Mickey at Town Square theater! Posted wait time at rope drop- 15 mnutes---we waited about 15 minutes. DD became suddenly a little shy when Mickey greeted her but he sang the “Hot Dog” song and she quickly warmed to him. She got high fives, hugs and a song from Mickey then the cute pictures of all of us. I was so pleased Mickey didn’t have laryngitis that day!





The 3 of us made our way down Main Street, pausing to get a few photopass shots with the castle.



At this point the rest of my family had made it to MK and were ready to starting riding and cashing in on those FPs!

We all had a FP+ for 7DMT first and the line was impressively long by the time we got to the back of the park (around 9:15am) with a posted wait of 65 minutes. My pregnant SIL and mother were not riding. So we decided to have 2 adults take the 2 girls on 7DMT with their FP+ and then afterwards have the 2nd two riding adults take the 2 girls using SIL and grandma’s bands. That way the girls got to ride twice and we used all of our FP+! These 5-year-olds absolutely LOVED 7DMT and would have ridden it all day if it were possible.

How much fun is my niece having here!?!
Big smile on 7DMT!!!!


We tried for the teacups next but it was closed for some type of maintenance so we went on over to Dumbo. It was really nice weather this early in the morning and we enjoyed a spin on this Disney classic.





Back by the teacups...some people riding but it again said it was being closed…

The Daddies took the 2 girls on the Tomorrowland Speedway and it was really starting to warm up. The girls thought it was fun to “drive” their own car.

 

[sjb95u]

Walking along with PapaRich (grandpa)


Our next FP+ was for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. All of us rode this but nobody got a very good score- although the girls both thought they did “awesome!”. It was cute, not quite as exciting at TSMM at HS but we like it for what it was.




While in Tomorrowland we made time to do the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. It was a hoot, I got put on camera for “having kissed a monster” and quickly had my wits to kiss my husband next to me. It happened so quickly there’s no picture proof but it was fun. The funniest jokes my daughter was convinced were submitted by me and I didn’t argue with her!


Now it was about time to get a bite for lunch and we didn’t want to wait until high noon so we could avoid the crowds. Making our way across the part we caught some of the Move it! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party/Parade and it was cute. As recommended here on the DIS and by my TA we chose Columbia Harbor House and also as recommended we grabbed a large table upstairs. The food was very good, my husband loved his iced tea/lemonade slush and is still talking about it, and it was easy to snag a table around 11:45am.


Now it was time to see how really brave the little girls were, I had shown my DD youtube videos of Haunted Mansion but I wasn’t really sure she’d do it. Standby was only 25 minutes so 7 of us jumped in line and my mother headed over to the Hall of Presidents nearby. Both little girls loved HM, giggling all the way though and when we came out they both immediately asked to ride it again. Now, we didn’t at that point but we promised to do it again before we left.

In the stocks at Liberty Square

We had promised an even bigger ride so time to go stand in line for Big Thunder. Our 3rd FP+ was for Anna & Elsa at 5:45pm so we couldn’t get any additional FP+ til evening. Standby for BTMR at 1pm was 65 minutes and it absolutely took that long but again the 6 of us riders had a great time and SIL/my mother found a shady place to wait.


Now at this point is when I had intended to walk back to CR for a short rest before our early dinner ADR at BOG for 4:35pm. No one wanted to join me. No one. Everyone was starting to get tired from the walking and heat but I was told by multiple people if they went back to the resort and sat down for any amount of time they wouldn’t come back later so they’d just stay. Humph. There goes my plan.


We were back in Liberty Square and grandma really wanted silhouettes made of the girls so they sat patiently for a few minutes to get those made.



And to get a picture with the Castle


Then we made time to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, standby was 25 minutes. We didn’t have any trouble with the ride breaking down and had a good time on this ride. It was shutting down a few days later for refurb.


Now my conundrum, we had our FP+ for Anna & Elsa right after our early BOG dinner and my daughter had picked out a special Elsa shirt from Etsy and had asked me to get an Anna one and they were back at CR. If we were staying through the day I didn’t have those shirts and I’d sure gone to a lot of trouble to get them so we WERE wearing them. So I did what a crazy Mommy has to do and left by myself, hoofed it back to CR, grabbed the shirts, freshened up and hoofed it back to MK. I clocked my walk (no stroller, walking briskly) at 9 minutes from the front gate of MK to the lobby of CR. Have I mentioned how much I love the smell of the lobby at CR? But I digress...


While I was gone the girls finally got to ride the teacups as they were back up and running. Afterwards they asked for another turn on the Barnstormer and Grandma didn’t have to ride this time. I met back up with them after they finished Barnstormer.


It was almost time for our 4:35pm ADR at BOG so we went on over to the Beast’s Castle to eagerly await a good meal. We had to wait about 15 minutes after check-in with several other large groups going in ahead but whatever, no big deal. It was starting to cloud up and look ominous and we were just anxious to get inside.


We were seated in the main ballroom for this meal as well, this was the first time the guys had been in BOG as they didn’t join us for the pre-opening breakfast earlier in the week. Our server was very friendly and helpful. The girls got the glowing castle goblets with their drinks and they make a good souvenir. I went ahead and got the French onion soup as an appetizer although we were on the dining plan and I’m so glad I did. Wow. Get it if you like this soup. I believe most of the adults got the steak as it had been recommended, we all enjoyed it and we’re a little hard to please on steaks. My mother got the pork and it was very tender and flavorful.



Now for dessert, so many choices but I HAD to get the grey stuff...and you know what everyone says about it!

Current "grey stuff"

 

[sjb95u]

While we were eating the Beast made 2 passes in and out of the ballroom on his way to the library to meet guests. My niece started crying the first time she saw him so we shielded her eyes the second time he came through. My DD had been ramped up to meet him but when she saw her cousin’s reaction she almost lost her nerve. She got to the door of the library and suddenly didn’t want to go in. I threatened to go without her and she relented and let me carry her over to say hi to the Beast. Here is where I ran into one cranky CM, and this was an older middle-aged woman. She asked if we were done with our meal and on the way out. I told her that the 2 of us were the only ones wanting to meet the Beast and my niece was terrified so we wanted to meet him and then join our group back in the ballroom. She initially said no (really?) but as there was no one waiting behind us she finally just said “FINE! Whatever.” She was none too happy about it. What gives? I cannot fathom how it affected anyone for us to snap pictures then rejoin our party at the table.


Now for the actual M&G with Beast? We took a picture with me holding DD and standing by Beast but then she started talking to him and let me put her down.



She had mentioned previously that she wanted to dance with him and I reminded her of her wish. She asked Beast to dance and he immediately bowed low and offered his hand. He danced and spun her around and it was so blasted magical that I began to tear up! I hate the rest of our party was at the table and missed it but she and I had this wonderful experience and at least there are pictures.





While we were eating we had heard some thunder outside but you’re fairly well insulated inside BOG so we didn’t realize until we neared the door that there had been a deluge while we were eating dinner. It was still sprinkling a little so I took DD to the bathroom so we could change our shirts for the A&E M&G coming up. The grandparents had gotten tired so they headed back to ride the monorail and retire for the night. We only had FP+ for the girls for A&E and the boys had FP+ for Space Mountain but as they’d already ridden it a couple of times that week they decided to skip it and just wait for us at Princess Fairytale Hall.



At this point my DH was really starting to not feel well and he thought it was the heat and all the walking but as he continued with headache, nausea and dizziness for the next 7 days (even after we got home) we figured it must have been a virus.


So we entered the FP+ entrance for A&E and immediately my stomach started churning and I thought “Oh no, I cannot possibly have to leave and run to the bathroom and miss this M&G with my little girl! Oh please just hang on!” I really thought I was going to have to leave every second I was in that building but I made it through the M&G. We got to these princesses much more quickly than we had gotten to Cinderella & Rapunzel in their FP+ line, go figure. About 3-5 minutes tops.


Elsa was very cool and aloof, I’m sure that’s her natural personality and I’m glad I had read that she was this way or I might have been offended. She very quickly signed our “royal documents” (autograph books) and took photos but offered no other interaction with our little girls who were both trying to engage her. They didn’t notice so we just went on with our lives. But next up, bubbly and interactive Anna---what a contrast from the meet with Elsa! She told me we’d both been shopping at Wandering Oaken (as I had the matching shirt) and just had a blast with the girls. From entering the FP+ line to leaving the building it was about 10 minutes. Fantastic.

 

[sjb95u]

As we made our way out it was around 6pm. There was still light rain and the occasional rumble of thunder. My original plan had included us spending the evening in MK (but also included that mid-day break no one wanted to take). My brother decided he didn’t want to stay out in that weather and took my SIL and niece back to CR for the evening. DH was also really starting to feel bad so he joined them, leaving just me and DD for a little while.


Just me and DD----- it was so much fun only worrying about what the 2 of us wanted to do, so liberating! So now what? We had used all 3 FP+ so we could find the kiosk and get more. Well, we were right there and DD was begging to ride the “doll ride” again so with a standby of 25 minutes our 4th FP+ was for It’s a Small World. She was so excited and really soaked it in.



Now the weather was starting to be really lovely (upper 70s) so let’s stop and take pictures with the castle! No one to wait on us and grumble, so refreshing!









Back to the kiosk- we chose M&G with TinkerBell as our 5th FP+. It was over an hour away so we went by the Tiana/Naveen M&G at the next scheduled outing and the line was already closed. She really wanted to meet them (having loved Tiana on the Disney Wonder in late 2013) so I promised her we’d come back and headed over to the Jungle Cruise. Standby was 35 minutes with a light drizzle, we were in the covered line so no problem. Jungle Cruise was a fun quiet ride and we had a great CM leading the way!


It was about 20 minutes before Tiana & Naveen’s next set so we ran back to get in line and were about the 10th family back. The line moved fairly quickly and once again Tiana dazzled us with her friendly nature. Naveen was quick to joke around as well. (*Note, there was a woman and son--about 12 yrs old-- in front of us that had a stack, STACK, of autograph books that took quite a while for Naveen and Tiana to sign. Why? Is it really *your* autograph if you weren't there?). Off soapbox.






About this point a huge rainbow developed over Cinderella Castle and you could hear practically everyone in MK gasp and run to look at it. I wish I had a picture of it! (But here's a pretty one with the sunset from where we waited near the gazebo)

 

[sjb95u]

People were beginning to line up for the electrical parade and we had a little bit of difficulty getting through to the front of the park but we finally made it in time for our FP+ with TinkerBell. But before we made it all the way up to the front we stopped for a few nighttime pics with the castle.







Town Square Theater: Such a cute M&G and Tink was so sweet with DD! She was convinced we had “shrunk” down to Pixie Hollow size!



Really checking Tink out...



Great smile, Tink!


When we exited this M&G the electrical parade was in full swing and we had no trouble slipping out of the park and walking back to CR, we got back around 9:15pm. A quick bath and then to bed…(and listening to the loud music from the water pageant)...

End of day 6. Whew.

 

[emilyalexis]

Your little girl is so cute! She looks like she has a ton of personality....her pictures are so funny! Looking forward to reading the rest

 

[sara1215]

Before your daughter went to bibbity bobbity boo, she had an adorable blue Cinderella sundress on. I'd love to find something similar for my daughter, if you wouldn't mind telling me where you got it.

 

[skojo]

I love love love the pictures of your daughter dancing with the Beast. I'm going to try and get my daughter to ask the Beast to dance...if she's not too scared that is.

 

[EllieBride]

Possibly the cutest trip report ever! Thanks for sharing. I love all the pictures. And what lucky little girls to have such a generous grandma to treat them to BBB, CRT, and the Tea Party. WOW! I'm hoping to bring my mom along with us on next year's trip. I know she won't be up for walking around the parks with us, but I'm thinking she might be able to do the Tea Party if we stay at the GF. It's so pricey, though... Did you think it was worth it?

 

[sjb95u]

Your little girl is so cute! She looks like she has a ton of personality....her pictures are so funny! Looking forward to reading the rest

Thanks, she certainly is very energetic! I should really include some of the "not great" faces on here for you to really get a laugh! Thanks for following along.