Hollywood Studios 2.0
We were sad that Meema still wasn't feeling well enough to join us, but we decided to push on and conquer the park with or without her. Because, well, we paid a decent amount for the trip and solidarity does not apply here! Lunch was done and we were ready to go! We passed these fun posters while on our way to Lights, Motor, Action:
We really like the car show, but we never know if Michael can handle it that particular day or not. Today he was game, so we were excited to experience it again. Michael has a functional autism (pervasive developmental disorder) and severe anxiety coupled with a few other smaller issues. He tends to get overwhelmed very easily. It makes our days interesting and he always keeps us on our toes, but Disney is one of the best places on earth to vacation with these types of issues, and he has learned a lot of coping mechanisms. (I asked him if I could share this and he said "sure")
The clouds were gorgeous. It almost made up for the intense heat!
We really enjoyed the show! It was fun to see Michael and Elsa experience this as young adults. They wanted to know how it all was accomplished, and were able to see the jokes being set up. It made me realize how much they are growing up. Seems like they could tone down those fire explosions on hotter than heck days, like today. Holy Talookie it was fierce! It always feels like you lose a couple layers of skin on your face when they set off those explosions! The heat all around was starting to take its toll on us and after the show we were sort of wandering around trying to figure out what we wanted to do next.
And then it happened.
We happened upon a character spot we had never seen before. Sully is hands down Elsa's favorite character. We have never seen him out and about at Disney, and she has always hoped to get a picture with him. Apparently Mike and Sully have their own little meet and greet right here in Hollywood Studios! Elsa was ecstatic!!! Mike was out but getting ready to take a break, so Elsa chose not to get in line just yet, and we did a sneaky "from behind the railing" photo. Turned out rather well! How short is that cast member?!!
Mike left and as the line dispersed, she was able to be first in line, waiting for something she has been wanting to cross off of her Disney Bucket list forever. She didn't have to wait long. Before she knew it her beloved Sully was there and waiting for her!
Could this picture be any sweeter?
After Elsa finished her joy fest, we moved on to ride the Backlot Tour. It's fun and all, but we all wished they would fill the empty studios with something, even if it was fake reenactments of filming shows. I bet it was pretty exciting during the days of The Mickey Mouse Club in the mid 90's when they filmed there, but now, not so much. We had been putting off our trip over to the Muppets 3D movie as it was one of Meema's favorites, but the day was more than half done and we weren't sure when or if she might join us. We decided to go watch it, and then if she made it we would watch it again, 'cause we are nice like that. Hahahaha!
Right before we went into the building, we finally got a text from Meema! She was feeling better and was on her way to join us! We waited patiently for her to meet us . I now present the second set of texts that just made Michael, Elsa and I shake our heads at the attempts of the grandparents texting. Apparently we were staying at "Pop Culture" but at this time we were at "Muooets 3D" but Meema went to the wrong spot, and was at "Tot Story Mania"
This is not one of my favorites, but we were so happy that Meema was with finally with us! We watched the movie, and then filled her in on our day while we walked over to Toy Story Mania! We told her about all our fun, while she told us of how she slept. We were thankful that resting had helped her so much!
We just love Toy Story Mania! When we finished our competition we agreed on The Great Movie Ride. Something has happened with all the good cast members who used to entertain us on this ride, We haven't had much success in our last 4 or 5 visits. I know, I know...1st world problems. We were looking for things we have never experienced before and decided to give the Disney Animation building a try. Why, oh why, was this the first time we have set foot in here? It was massive with lots of character interaction and a drawing class. Elsa, Meema, and I decided to get in line for the drawing class while Peepa "rested his eyes" and Michael fiddled with some sort of video-like game.
We LOVED the animation class!
I think if you are even slightly creative this is something not to miss! The little boys at home had recently been introduced to The Incredibles Movie so we knew we had to get in line to see these two so we could send a picture back home to the ones we missed so much! (Speaking of which, I had started to get over my funk by this point. I still missed them terribly, but it wasn't still affecting my time at Disney. Talking to them every day was helpful, and Maegan kept us all up to date with the boys with texts and pictures. They were happy, healthy, and having a blast! Maegan was doing such a wonderful time of taking care of them and keeping them busy. I am not even sure they had a chance to miss us. Easton was aware, this time, that we were at a VERY fun place due to the pictures we were sending for them, but Maegan assured me he wasn't too disappointed and encouraged me to keep sending them his way!)
And I got to take a picture with my most favorite of favorites:
Apparently Peepa had fallen asleep waiting for us to finish flitting around the building and was woken up by Minnie Mouse kissing him while she walked by. He was twitterpated.
We all loved the Animation Building! The day was slipping away and we were more than ready to eat. We settled on Pizza Planet and ate yet another round of pizzas:
With our bellies full we wandered around for a bit. We usually go, go, go, so it was nice to leisurely take in the sights. There are so many little things to experience at Hollywood Studios. Part of me would like to take a trip to WDW all by myself. Ride what I want, take in the sights, travel at a solo pace, be free of the sibling squabbles etc, but I really think I would be lonely! I really wonder if I would enjoy it. I think I would miss the biggers here even more than missing the littles, just because we have experienced so much together here.
A very faint rainbow:
We took one more turn on Toy Story Mania and watched One Man's Dream and decided to call it a day:
Elsa rushed off to swim with Peepa in the Hippy Dippy Pool, and Michael and I were greeted by this in our room:
LOST and FOUND had delivered his flip flop! You know, the one he was sure was stolen.
It was packaged up so nicely with all the details of when and where it was turned it. I can't even imagine what their lost and found looks like. I once heard that they hold a huge "liquidation" sale that the cast members can attend when things aren't claimed. Some have been able to get major expensive cameras for pennies on the dollar! I've always wanted to be a part of that, but for now I would have to be content that he had two complete sets of footwear and we were ready to tackle the rest of our trip. I did some laundry, chatted with Meema, and we all gathered to watch the Prime Time Olympic Coverage. Another great day for the weary travelers!
NEXT UP:
Scattering Turned Out To Be Loads of Fun
We all got that flu that was rushing around the Eastern states. Kept us down for a while, but we had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas! Feel like life is starting to return to normal. 
Glad to hear you are all feeling better....what a bummer to be sick. 
Imagine, just a few years ago, hardly anyone had a cell phone! 
And with so many little ones we seem to pass sickness back and forth like crazy. Thankfully we are all feeling great right now!
