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[jc040404]

I sat here for what seemed like an eternity. There must’ve been quite a wait for this art class. Blake looked so peaceful and never stirred, despite all the activity. I found myself giving directions every few minutes. My bench was located beside the restrooms. Guests kept coming back here when they were really trying to find TSM! I’d turn them around and point the right direction. I think the maps are easy enough, but DHS is a little confusing. It was crazy how many were doing this.

While I waited, I watched something odd going on in front of me. A young couple stopped by a garbage can and began to smoke. Just as they were beginning their cigarettes, a CM wearing a tie walked by. He clearly noticed them and talked into his little radio. He stood near them for a few moments and then walked off. I couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t ask them to move. Just seconds later, a lower-level looking CM approached the couple and pointed out of the area. (I’m guessing to a smoking area.) It was so interesting. Why didn’t the first CM take care of it? Odd stuff anyway.

Blake eventually woke up and the boys returned with their Jiminy Cricket creations. The pictures weren’t bad and they both had a great time. Andrew had tried to take control of the class, as he often does in group situations. He turned it into a game show and was awarding points to the other guests. That must’ve been an interesting experience for them all. John tends to let Andrew go on more than I would. He’s a proud daddy!

I held my tongue about the TOT surprise in my pocket for now and asked Blake if he was ready for his Toy Story ride. He was thrilled, of course! After a change, we were off in that direction.

I let Blake have our last FP and he proudly held it up to the CM. He must’ve felt like such a big kid. We walked up to the spot where FP meets the regular line and waited. Though he’s the opposite of Andrew and really shy like me, he does like to flirt with his eyes. He was playing this shy eye flirting game when the CM took our FP. Then we were directed to pass the line! I was beyond thrilled to skip waiting on those stairs with him.

With the jerky nature of TSM, I was nervous about letting Blake sit beside me back then. I held him on my lap and we team worked the ride. It went well, as it usually did. His final score was 119,00!

“What’s gonna work??”

Hmmm. That isn’t a Disney show, is it?

Blaker was on top of the world. Riding TSM is a “big kid” thing to him. When we stepped out of the ride, he held his hand out for my glasses.

“I can do it myself, mommy!”

He raced over to toss our glasses in a can. He’s such a sweet boy. Then he raced outside to tell Daddy how awesome he did. He was so proud of our teamwork score! I love how excited he gets over TSM. I wish they’d build another one so we could ride it a little more.

“The time has come..” I looked in Andrew’s eyes.

He immediately got upset. Everytime I start to use that line from Alice in Wonderland, it means something is over. No more playing outside. It’s bedtime. The Disney day is done..

“Let me finish before you get upset. This is one time you’ll be happy with that Walrus. Promise.”

Our TOT FP time was still quite some time off, but standby had only been at thirty minutes earlier. We could do that. I opened my mouth and told him what I’d been planning. I couldn’t believe how excited Andrew was in that moment. It was TOT time!

Back to Sunset Boulevard I went. This time, my family was along and the walk wouldn’t end in a FP machine. Unfortunately, the wait time was up to 60 minutes now. I left the boys to run into a restroom. The wait time dropped to 50. Seconds later, it jumped back up. Crazy lines..

A promise is a promise. I kissed my husband, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time, and grabbed Andrew’s hand. Here we go!

 

[jc040404]

Hello out there! I know somebody's reading this TR today.

Can you tell we didn't go to WDW this week?? John wanted a week off, just as my Disney obsession returned. We went to the beach instead. Yuck. I don't like sand. The boys had an awesome time anyway.

Anyway, hope you're enjoying our Disney day! I will most likely finish this one tonight. With so much emotion tied to that silly ride, I remember the rest of the day like it was yesterday!

 

[jane2073]

You are one dedicated mother!!

I thought I was brave going on Astro Orbiter with my daughter. The verdict on that one is that it is nothing like Dumbo!

In some ways I am glad I don't have a thrill seeking daughter-no ToT or SM for me! But that also means no Thunder or Space.

 

[jen22984]

I'm reading!!! I can't wait to read about the TOT ride! We kept asking Aryanna on our last 2 DL trips if she wanted to ride it now that she is 40 inches and she screams about being too scared. I dont blame her, I wouldnt ride it either. Once she decides she does want to ride it, she will be riding it with DH!!!!

I meant to tell you yesterday but I love the pictures of the boys at the beach. Oh how I wish we could have gome yesterday......its been raining here soooo much. I'd settle for just going outside at the moment without getting drenched!

 

[jc040404]

You are one dedicated mother!!

I thought I was brave going on Astro Orbiter with my daughter. The verdict on that one is that it is nothing like Dumbo!

In some ways I am glad I don't have a thrill seeking daughter-no ToT or SM for me! But that also means no Thunder or Space.

Deep down, I do realize everything is safe and I'll "be okay." I'll survive each of this crazy things at least once for both boys. Astro Orbiter is one that I hope Blake never shows interest in. That one was crazy scary! Definitely not like Dumbo!

Too bad about Thunder or Space though. I love BTMRR, but haven't been on Space just yet. How old is she?

I'm reading!!! I can't wait to read about the TOT ride! We kept asking Aryanna on our last 2 DL trips if she wanted to ride it now that she is 40 inches and she screams about being too scared. I dont blame her, I wouldnt ride it either. Once she decides she does want to ride it, she will be riding it with DH!!!!

I meant to tell you yesterday but I love the pictures of the boys at the beach. Oh how I wish we could have gome yesterday......its been raining here soooo much. I'd settle for just going outside at the moment without getting drenched!

Almost finished! Aryanna is my kind of girl. I didn't want to ride this one! Send him to FL to ride scary stuff with Andrew and I'll head to CA.

Hope it stops raining for you soon! I kinda wish it would rain here.

 

[jc040404]

Sixty minutes is a long time for us to stand in line. I kept thinking about it. 3,600 seconds is a very long time to think about what was waiting at the end of this line, too. I was not looking forward to this.

Sixty minutes was also a lot of park time to the couple in front of us. We spent the first ten listening to them debate over this ride. He kept checking his phone for other options. She brought up the Beauty & the Beast show six or seven times, stressing how they’d probably miss it if they did this. They really wanted to do TOT, too. What was more important?

I stood behind them, listening to every word and feeling conflicted. I had three FPs in my pocket. Why I got the third one here, I really don’t know. Andrew’s Disney book, I guess. I started thinking. This ride had me terrified. I was fairly certain that I wouldn’t want to ride it again. What about Andrew? If he did end up enjoying this one, I suppose I could suffer through another go at it. I thought some more. We can go to DHS and do this again the very next week if we really wanted to. He’d have dozens of chances before our Disney days end the next summer, too. Maybe this couple was on a one time trip? They seemed a little clueless about some stuff, so I didn’t think they were regulars.

Decision made.

I pulled the FPs out of my pocket and told them to go see The Beauty & The Beast show. They seemed completely shocked at my offer.

“Are you sure?? You really aren’t going to ride it again?? We can really have these??”

I think I answered those questions half a dozen times each before they left the line. I’ve never been thanked for something so much! They were thrilled, but I kinda felt bad for not doing it sooner. I hope the rest of their trip was magical.

Back to the wait..

Sixty minutes really is a long time. Andrew started up a conversation with the new group ahead of us. They weren’t Americans and he thought they just talked funny!

“Mommy, these people aren’t speaking English!”

One started laughing.

“Andrew, we’re speaking the REAL English!”

Can you guess where they were from? Haha.. It was a young group and they all seemed pretty entertained by him for a bit. Each made sure to let Andrew know how brave he was for tackling such a scary ride. It was a sweet conversation.

Then we all got bored. Just how long IS sixty minutes??

As we got closer and closer, a group behind with some younger children began a conversation with Andrew. One girl in particular, I’m guessing around 11 or 12, was particularly concerned about him. He was so little! It was sweet really. She seemed worried that this ride would just be too intense for him, after learning it was his first time. I started worrying that the other guests in line really would have him terrified before we made it there!

Still excited!

Andrew was fearless. Her warnings were nothing to him.

We were stopped just before the movie room to wait. In true Andrew form, he started talking to the CM standing here. About TSM. It seemed so wrong for the ride but the CM fell right into it. Andrew told him how awesome TSM is. The CM dropped his TOT act and they both went on about Buzz, Woody and Zurg for the wait. They were laughing and joking. It felt out of place with what I’d read about TOT, but it was fun. Before we moved on, Andrew told him that he really should try TSM!

“I really can’t right now!” he exclaimed, pointing down at his costume.

“Maybe later then?”

“Oh yeah.”

It was adorable. Almost as if he flipped a switch, the CM was instantly back to his role when we moved forward.

We walked into the room for the preshow. Andrew asked me if we would be watching something in here. I hadn’t done much research on the ride itself and wasn’t entirely sure at the time. The little girl from earlier must’ve been listening in on us still because she called across the room with what would happen next. She was so sweet. It was too cute how concerned she was over him.

We watched the show from the back of the crowd. I enjoyed it, but now Andrew was beginning to get scared. He asked me to pick him up. I made sure he was still okay with riding, guessing it couldn’t be too late to chicken out if he changed his mind.

“I can do this.”

We use that line a lot around here. I’m not sure who started it, but my baby was riding this one no matter what. I held him through the rest of the wait and we talked about getting some mousekeepers in the Hollywood Tower Hotel. It was a mess!

Nearly time to enter our scary elevator, a CM asked me to let him down to be measured. More than the required 40", we were directed to row 4. It was a good sign according to Andrew. He was four and over forty inches. The ride was going to be a piece of cake.

..more soon!

 

[CAStevens218]

It was so nice of you to give that couple your fastpasses! A guy gave us FPs for Expedition Everest in December and it made my day!

I can't wait to hear how you liked ToT! Its my absolute favorite!!!!

 

[always]

Nooo! Don't leave us hanging! I want to know how you guys liked TOT!

 

[jc040404]

It was so nice of you to give that couple your fastpasses! A guy gave us FPs for Expedition Everest in December and it made my day!

I can't wait to hear how you liked ToT! Its my absolute favorite!!!!

We give FPs out a lot if we won't be staying late enough to use them. Most people act like you're nuts though. It's too funny. I have some trouble since we get three. There aren't too many parties of three wandering around in the parks! We stick with couples a lot due to that. Glad someone passed along the pixie dust to you for EE!

ToT, is it? I keep typing TOT.. haha.. Oh well. At least we all know what I'm talking about, right? I can't believe this is your favorite! But since it is.. Why were talking about row four? There's only three rows in this ride, right? I *know* he went on about the four being a good sign.. I'm all confused since writing about that!

 

[Dugette]

Wow, I was so far behind! Lots of updates! Empty parks, DISmeets, braving new rides! I don't remember what all I wanted to say, but I've enjoyed catching up. And now I have to wait for the stunning conclusion to the ToT adventure! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Oh, just saw you posted about row 4. You're right that there's three rows, however, they have 1-6 designations for loading (each side of the aisle is a different number). So, 4 was a real thing!

 

[CAStevens218]

ToT/TOT....all means the same to me!

And yeah, it is basically like this:

6666 5555
4444 3333
2222 1111

Or something like that...so there definitely is a row 4!!

 

[jc040404]

Everything seemed to go fast from there. I was terrified, not knowing what to expect. When did the drops start? I couldn’t enjoy the beginning at all. I just kept waiting for it to happen! Andrew didn’t make a sound as we went through the first part of the ride. When we finally made it over for that initial drop, I actually screamed! I couldn’t believe it but I couldn’t control it either. I’ve never had that happen on a ride before! If I was screaming, how was Andrew feeling?? I knew he had to be terrified after hearing mommy losing her mind. I checked on him and he looked okay. He’d grab my hand after the second one.

This ride was everything I thought it would be. Absolutely terrifying for me! You actually come up off of your seat! I didn’t know what to hold onto at first and fought screaming again. Andrew held onto my hand, but kept completely quiet. I know I felt my stomach in my throat a couple of times. He used to have really bad motion sickness issues. I worried it wouldn't end well. Seeing outside was kinda neat, but knowing just how high you are really doesn’t help things either!

We held tight to each other until the ride finally stopped. As he let my hand free, Andrew looked up at me and finally spoke.

“I never want to ride this again.”

“I can totally support that.”

“I also need to pee very badly.”

I couldn't help wanting to laugh at that last comment. I guess he was just as scared as I was!

We joined John and Blake. They were cracking up over the picture! John wanted to buy it. We missed seeing it, but he said we both looked scared out of our minds and our hands were in the air! What a terrible husband, huh? I don’t see him riding this! We were NOT buying that. When he finally stopped picking on me about the picture, he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.

"You were a very brave mommy."

Geesh. I guess I'll keep him.

Blake is currently thrilled at the idea of riding ToT when he’s tall enough. Thankfully, it seems that he’s inherited the “shortness” genes from both our families so that won’t be soon.

Goodbye, scary elevator ride! I’m proud of myself for riding, but I’m fine with never seeing you again.

That much needed restroom break later, it was time to head out of the park. I can't imagine why, but I wasn't feeling well. I really think it took a couple of hours before my stomach would settle down!

You’d think that was as much excitement as my family needed for one day. But, you’d be wrong. Today was also the day we would steal from Disney. We didn’t mean to. We didn’t even realize Blake was still holding something. Ever wonder what happens if you leave the park without paying for something? You’re about to find out.

 

[jc040404]

Nooo! Don't leave us hanging! I want to know how you guys liked TOT!

It's here now! Blake wandered out of bed so I just posted what I had.. It worked if I didn't get back to it.

Wow, I was so far behind! Lots of updates! Empty parks, DISmeets, braving new rides! I don't remember what all I wanted to say, but I've enjoyed catching up. And now I have to wait for the stunning conclusion to the ToT adventure! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Oh, just saw you posted about row 4. You're right that there's three rows, however, they have 1-6 designations for loading (each side of the aisle is a different number). So, 4 was a real thing!

Glad you've enjoyed catching up! I think my Disney love has returned and I'm enoying typing again.. even though I still say my TR is boring.

Thanks for the row info. It makes a lot more sense now!

ToT/TOT....all means the same to me!

And yeah, it is basically like this:

6666 5555
4444 3333
2222 1111

Or something like that...so there definitely is a row 4!!

I remember now! Putting it like that brought it back. Glad I'm not crazy, because I was questioning myself for a moment. I knew he was happy about 4's!

 

[jc040404]

We made our way around the park and browsed through the shops. There was so much halloween merchandise out and John was on a mission. At the time, he’d become a crazy antenna topper person! It started at the Disney Store at the mall and slowly got worse. He wanted one to fit the holiday that day. The man was seriously going crazy during the wait for October. That would make it close enough to switch to a Halloween themed topper and we had to buy one today. We looked around and found a little Mickey ghost. He thought it was perfect and gave it to Blake to hold.

The boys tried on Halloween ears. We looked at stuff. Shopping got distracting and we eventually forgot why we were even in here. There was some Christmas stuff at the end of the shop. John and I started talking about Andrew’s stocking. He needed a new one. As we looked around, I decided we all needed new stockings. They were just too cute! Maybe we needed a new Christmas tree skirt, too. While we’re at it, how about this ornament? You probably know how this goes. In that moment, I was ready to redecorate the entire house in Mickey’s image.

While we walk through shops a lot, if it’s not really close to Christmas or birthdays, we don’t buy much. We usually don’t buy anything. It wasn’t new for us to spend half an hour in a store and walk out without ever needing to visit a register. My little family wandered out of the store and into the street. John pushed the stroller while Andrew and I raced through the turnstiles. We were out of the park, and we never paid for that ghost!

Pausing near the restrooms just outside, Blake held the little ghost Mickey up to me.

“We never paid for this!”

I looked around, expecting a group of Disney security to surround us at anytime. They didn’t. No one was watching us at all. Or were they? I was afraid to look around again. Maybe someone was watching. If I looked like I was looking to see if we were being watched, I’d look like a crook, right? But if I didn’t look, would I look like I do this all the time and knew what I was up to? Maybe we just weren’t far enough away to surround and arrest yet. I’m a little paranoid. We had to pay for that ghost!

We simply walked back over and went through the turnstiles again. John led us into the photo shop and sat it on the counter. All the CMs inside started laughing when they learned our story.

“You don’t want the Disney police after you!” one said.

It was weird. No one cared at all? We had just stolen an antenna topper from Mickey Mouse! Shouldn’t there have been some meanie faces, maybe a lecture about watching our child better? These people were laughing! We were thanked for our honesty by one, paid, and left the park again.

John handed me the topper to put in my bag before we started the walk to the car. I inspected it and saw one of the ears wasn’t in the best shape. It wasn’t a Blake caused defect though.

“I am soo not going back in there again!”

He took it over to the shop outside of the turnstiles and showed the CM. Thankfully, she ran over and replaced it with one in better shape. She’d noticed us already go back in the park and saved the additional trip through the turnstiles. Hmmm.. We were being watched! Maybe SHE was the one who was going to send us to Disney prison!

What an adventure over an antenna topper.. Do not steal! We must look like such awful criminals now. First speeding, now attempted ghost theft. We’re really decent, law-abiding people. Really!

Let’s go home..

Don't let that innocent face fool you..

The PAID FOR Mickey antenna topper. I have the receipt to prove it! Seriously. I'll search my Disney envelope if you don't believe me!

Coming sooooon.. MNSSHP & a new resort!!

 

[AprilRenee]

Oh my gosh!! Your ToT story can me laughing so hard!! (and I'm siting in an airport so it was slightly awkward.) I can totally sympathize. I tried that ride this past trip and I'm with Andrew, I never want to ride that again! I screamed the whole time. Even when we were going up. It all felt the same to me. I was terrified!! I'm actually surprised I didn't throw up in line, I worked myself up so much while waiting.
I'm glad I can say I did it but I will probably never ride it again. Our kids will just have to wait to ride til they're old enough to go alone cause my Andrew will never ride it. He couldn't even handle RnRC.

 

[jc040404]

Oh my gosh!! Your ToT story can me laughing so hard!! (and I'm siting in an airport so it was slightly awkward.) I can totally sympathize. I tried that ride this past trip and I'm with Andrew, I never want to ride that again! I screamed the whole time. Even when we were going up. It all felt the same to me. I was terrified!! I'm actually surprised I didn't throw up in line, I worked myself up so much while waiting.
I'm glad I can say I did it but I will probably never ride it again. Our kids will just have to wait to ride til they're old enough to go alone cause my Andrew will never ride it. He couldn't even handle RnRC.

I could not believe I screamed! I used to love roller coasters and thrill rides, too. This was crazy!

 

[jc040404]

Before I started writing my next update, MNSSHP 2010, I looked over the pics for the previous year's party. I was blown away with how much the boys have changed! Blake looks like a different boy to me in these. Thought I'd share some flashback pics while I was playing with them and not writing the update.. I know some of you weren't around for the first, now missing TR. Even if you were, I'm having fun with these tonight so suffer through.

Nemo Blake!

Peter Pan Andrew

They were awesome.I'll never forget how Hook spotted him waiting in line and rushed back to battle. Such a great memory!


And since I was playing on photobucket.. I made one of Blake's first haircut. Enjoy.

I might be creating a photobucket collage addiction for myself. I also seem to have a thing for this retro/old photo setting. Just told dh we need some decent photo editing software once this Disney year is up. Any suggestions? I'll update soon!

 

[haven_alise1997]

Coming out of Lurkdom today Wow how the boys have grown, I read the last TR and they are becoming lil men!

I totally know how you feel about TOT, and I am unfortunately forced to ride this again this upcoming Sept. since dh will not be with us. He is usually the scary ride partner for dd13. So how will you be with RRC?

Funny story about the ghost. Last year we stayed at ASMu and dd went in to get a snack while I held our seats outside at the movie and she came back with a brownie sundae.....so not a snack option....but they let her leave with it. When I went back to pay for it they were like oh, okay Thanks. Most people wouldn't have come back in and paid. But it worried me something terrible since I knew it wasn't a snack credit!

 

[CAStevens218]

Oh my goodness!! The boys look SO MUCH younger in those pictures! I love, love, LOVE that Nemo costume! Sooo adorable!

 

[jane2073]

My daughter is six.

I have been going through our Disney pictures too, looking at how much she has grown. It goes by way too fast.