Charleston Princess
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2008
- Messages
- 21,444
Tuesday morning Charles and I woke up super early and snuck down to the Mara for coffee. While I am no fan of the Nescafe that is served throughout Disney, my need for caffeine far outweighs any coffee snobbery I might have.
As we walked along the pool in the early morning light, we were astonished to see someone sleeping on one of the lounge chairs! We assumed it wasnt a case of an early morning riser as he was fully clothed, snoring, and there was a tell-tale beer bottle beside him.
Wonder if anyone was missing him???
On our way back from the Mara we passed him fully awake and walking. He did not look well-rested.
Back upstairs with coffee in hand, we got ready and woke the kids up. The game plan for today was Disney Hollywood Studios in the morning, back to Animal Kingdom Lodge in time for the children to do the ceramics activity at Simbas Cubhouse, and back to Disney Hollywood Studios for dinner at the Brown Derby. I was super excited about all of our plans.
On the way to the bus stop we stopped in Zawadis to pick up something quick for breakfast. The kids chose chocolate bars and chocolate milk. Really? For breakfast? In my head Responsible Mom warred with Laid-back Vacation Mom. Laid-back Vacation Mom won. Chelsea and Connor were ecstatic that I was allowing them to have a junk food breakfast -- hey, we were on vacation -- might as well have a little fun. To let you know how early we were at the bus stop, our receipt at Zawadis said 7:53!
By 8:25 we were at Disney Hollywood Studios with a lot of time ahead of us to wait.
Connor posed by the Star Wars Weekend sign. We wouldnt end up actually being there on a SWW day, but we saw all the photo backdrops and props set up around the park.
We were the second family in line at the turnstiles on the far right. Chelsea and Connor settled down to eat their oh-so-delicious breakfast and work on The Lost Journals of Walt Disney World. I was so glad that I had thrown that into my bag because it kept them busy the entire time we waited.
We knew we wanted to hightail it straight to Toy Story Mania, so we went ahead and said hi to Bo -- separated though we were by the turnstile. Chelsea leaned as far as she could over and shouted to Bo that she would come back later.
Hollywoodland is so pretty first thing in the morning.
About ten minutes to nine, we were let through the turnstiles and walked as fast as we could towards the rope at Hollywood and Sunset where we stood and waited some more. The sun was beating down on us, and it was quite apparent that it was going to be another hot, hot, hot day. I was so pleased with how far up in the crowd we were though.
I took the opportunity to explain to Chelsea and Connor that once the rope was dropped we were going to hold hands and scurry just as fast as we could to Toy Story Mania. We watched the opening show which is cute with lots of audience participation as the famous Italian film director explained to his extras what he expected of them, and then we were off with everyone else in the horde towards Toy Story Mania.
Lots of people were lining up for Fast Passes, but Chelsea urged us forward into the stand-by line. We hardly paused for breath as we went through the queue, grabbed our 3-D glasses, and loaded into our little vehicles. Chelsea and Connor rode together and there was no Toy Story Mania moment this year. Whew! I dont remember who won, but I am sure it wasnt me.
By the time we exited the stand-by line was already 40 minutes long and the Fast Pass line extended as far as the eye could see. I was won over by the idea of getting to the park super early and being at the front for rope drop.
Toy Story Mania checked off our list, we took a few moments to enjoy Pixar Place. When we were there last June, the only thing completed was the ride itself -- all the great theming, the snack place, and the gift shop were new to us.
Connor fell in love with the Bucket of Little Green Men for sale in the gift shop. He wanted to buy it right then and there, but somehow I convinced him to wait. I knew none of us would want to lug it around the rest of the morning.
We went and grabbed Fast Passes for Rock n Roller Coaster so Charles and Chelsea could ride it that evening, and then Connor chose where we headed next
UP NEXT: Its time to play the music, its time to light the lights
As we walked along the pool in the early morning light, we were astonished to see someone sleeping on one of the lounge chairs! We assumed it wasnt a case of an early morning riser as he was fully clothed, snoring, and there was a tell-tale beer bottle beside him.
Wonder if anyone was missing him??? On our way back from the Mara we passed him fully awake and walking. He did not look well-rested.
Back upstairs with coffee in hand, we got ready and woke the kids up. The game plan for today was Disney Hollywood Studios in the morning, back to Animal Kingdom Lodge in time for the children to do the ceramics activity at Simbas Cubhouse, and back to Disney Hollywood Studios for dinner at the Brown Derby. I was super excited about all of our plans.
On the way to the bus stop we stopped in Zawadis to pick up something quick for breakfast. The kids chose chocolate bars and chocolate milk. Really? For breakfast? In my head Responsible Mom warred with Laid-back Vacation Mom. Laid-back Vacation Mom won. Chelsea and Connor were ecstatic that I was allowing them to have a junk food breakfast -- hey, we were on vacation -- might as well have a little fun. To let you know how early we were at the bus stop, our receipt at Zawadis said 7:53!
By 8:25 we were at Disney Hollywood Studios with a lot of time ahead of us to wait.
Connor posed by the Star Wars Weekend sign. We wouldnt end up actually being there on a SWW day, but we saw all the photo backdrops and props set up around the park.
We were the second family in line at the turnstiles on the far right. Chelsea and Connor settled down to eat their oh-so-delicious breakfast and work on The Lost Journals of Walt Disney World. I was so glad that I had thrown that into my bag because it kept them busy the entire time we waited.
We knew we wanted to hightail it straight to Toy Story Mania, so we went ahead and said hi to Bo -- separated though we were by the turnstile. Chelsea leaned as far as she could over and shouted to Bo that she would come back later.
Hollywoodland is so pretty first thing in the morning.
About ten minutes to nine, we were let through the turnstiles and walked as fast as we could towards the rope at Hollywood and Sunset where we stood and waited some more. The sun was beating down on us, and it was quite apparent that it was going to be another hot, hot, hot day. I was so pleased with how far up in the crowd we were though.
I took the opportunity to explain to Chelsea and Connor that once the rope was dropped we were going to hold hands and scurry just as fast as we could to Toy Story Mania. We watched the opening show which is cute with lots of audience participation as the famous Italian film director explained to his extras what he expected of them, and then we were off with everyone else in the horde towards Toy Story Mania.
Lots of people were lining up for Fast Passes, but Chelsea urged us forward into the stand-by line. We hardly paused for breath as we went through the queue, grabbed our 3-D glasses, and loaded into our little vehicles. Chelsea and Connor rode together and there was no Toy Story Mania moment this year. Whew! I dont remember who won, but I am sure it wasnt me.
By the time we exited the stand-by line was already 40 minutes long and the Fast Pass line extended as far as the eye could see. I was won over by the idea of getting to the park super early and being at the front for rope drop.
Toy Story Mania checked off our list, we took a few moments to enjoy Pixar Place. When we were there last June, the only thing completed was the ride itself -- all the great theming, the snack place, and the gift shop were new to us.
Connor fell in love with the Bucket of Little Green Men for sale in the gift shop. He wanted to buy it right then and there, but somehow I convinced him to wait. I knew none of us would want to lug it around the rest of the morning.
We went and grabbed Fast Passes for Rock n Roller Coaster so Charles and Chelsea could ride it that evening, and then Connor chose where we headed next
UP NEXT: Its time to play the music, its time to light the lights
:rotfl2 Isn't that what you said yours were, just like these except in silver?? I am thinking they might be too shinny. Of course, that could explain some of the issues that arise with the guys. I mean walking around with their heads hanging down, having your shinny shoes reflecting the sun back into their eyes....yep, it could be YOUR SHOES that is causing some of the problems?? 
Who knows, maybe getting them some good sunglasses could help keep some of the Diva issues from hitting the surface?? 
Well, it was just a thought while I waited for your next update........
I bet it does get crowded at DHS on those Star Wars Weekends! Did Connor do OK, not getting to go during one of the Star Wars days?
about getting to the park so early that you didn't even have a wait for TSM! Isn't the themeing in that area great?
Glad to see your family really enjoyed it too 
Soo creepy about the guy at the pool ! 
