Some very observant DISers noticed the lanyard DD7 is wearing is a YOAMD lanyard. I forgot to mention that we actually won it on our first trip last year. DD4 (who was DD3 at the time) and I got off of Living with the Land and they anounced that our group of boats had won lanyards. At the time I was not familiar w/ the whole "dream" giveaway thing so I was a bit confused. What struck me even then was how nobody really even said thank you. They just grabbed the lanyards and walked on. It wasn't until this year that we really realized what we had won. I will post this picture of DD7 once more because I remembered why she suddenly started wearing the lanyard this day. The day prior when we were at MK a nice custodian CM gave each of the girls a Tinkerbelle pin. He had a broom in hand in Tomorrowland and told the girls he was allowed to give "special moments" to very special children. Who doesn't love Tinkerbelle? You can see DD7s Tinkerbelle pin in this picture as well.
Well we left off w/ the girls and I visiting Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground quickly before dinner at Mama's Melrose. This restaurant was a pleasant surprise. The only reason we dined here was because of the Fantasmic package. We didn't want a buffet (Hollywood and Vine) so chose Mama's. This restaurant ended up as one of our non-character favorites. In fact, you may have noticed that I am not one of those die-hard food critics. At this restaurant we actually took pictures of our food. This was the only restaurant where we felt inclined to do so. Everything was presented so beautifully and tasted just as pretty as it looked. We actually just took pictures of our appetizers and desserts. That was another great thing. With the Fantasmic package you got appetizers. I of course got the salad and DH got the bread thing. Sorry guys I don't even remember what we ate for main course but I remember it was good. I think I might have got the Chicken Parmagana.
Doesn't it all just look good enough to eat?
After doing several character dinners this was a nice restaurant to just enjoy eachother's company, the atmosphere, and our food.
DH and I got these drinks with suveneir cups + light up Tinkerbelle and Captain Hook. Our girls are so easily pleased.
Mama Melrose definitely gets our vote for most pleasantly surprised.
With full tummys we left the restaurant a little before 6. We still had over two hours to enjoy ourselves before finding a seat.
We made our way straight to Toy Story Mania since our FP entrance time was up. Perfect timing.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect but now realize why it is so popular. It truely is an amazing attraction. Even DD4 thought it was fun to see the targets burst after she hit them. So glad we got to experience it.
Next we went to guest relations to discuss a matter related to our whereabouts the next day. The next day had always been open on my schedule for whatever we felt like doing. On our way to guest relations our superhero held up the hat.
From here DH went off to ride Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster.
This is another time I so regret not asking for the camera. Well, on this trip each of the girls developed new favorite characters. For DD4 one of her all time new characters was Buzz Lightyear. She REALLY wanted to meet him after riding TSM and we checked the line that at the time was about one hour. We told her we'd come back and she almost threw one of those embarrasing fits but luckily pulled herself together. So, the girls and I were off to stand in line to meet Buzz Lightyear and Woody while DH went on his thriller rides. While waiting in line there are a series of photo ops set up for parents to take pictures of their kids. Great idea! Too bad I had no camera.
I even took my cell phone out to try to take pictures with it but it had a low battery. Well thank God for photo pass photographers once again. We had a rather lenghty wait but to DD4 it was worth it. DD7 was also really patient and enjoyed meeting the characters.
After our meet it was about time to meet up w/ DH in front of the entrance for dining package people. As usual DH was late and made me very nervous. All was well and he showed up about 10 minutes after our set time. He loved both Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster. I think he even got to ride at least one of them twice. For those of you that do the dining package and have a rental here's some advice, take the stroller with you. We returned ours before going through the gate not realizing how long the walk was.
Since we had a little time the girls and I stood in line for frozen lemonade and popcorn to enjoy while watching the show. Shortly after returning to our seats the show started. We saw Fantasmic last year but from the standing-room-only section. Well, it is a whole different and amazing ball of wax from up front. WOW. The cutest thing was DD4's reaction. Throughout the whole thing she waved and yelled hello to all the characters she saw by name. She was soooo into the show. The music is so loud that she really was not bothering anyone around her. In the picture you can see me watching her and laughing. It is one of those memories you want to hold onto and never forget. Sooo precious.
Hmmm, I think Fantasmic might just be my favorite show. It truely was amazing. We all really enjoyed our time. We followed the masses out of HS and really didn't have to wait too awful long for a bus since they were coming in herds. A great end to another amazing day.
The next morning we have a photo shoot scheduled at Polynesian at 8:30 so it was straight to bed for us all.
Next up: Our open day and 2nd to last full day in the World.
I want to go back!
Kristen
. The photo of your DD waving is so cute. Looking forward to more
It was on this bus ride to MK that DD7 had a nice conversation w/ a girl about her age and just as outgoing. The whole way there they discussed everything they had done so far. The girl kept discribing everything as "wiked fun" or "wiked fast". We thought that was so cute that we adopted the term "wiked" for the rest of the vacation. I'm told that is a New England expression. We don't hear it much out west. 
