Drama Queens in Disney - A Theatrical Journey with SOOZE and Friends! Update 5/6

[Reberella]

they are really cute! all you guys look like you truly enjoy being together and performing. im joining in!

 

[Sooze]

Oh my goodness! I adore the new updates! That suuucks that Jessica got food poisoning!! I hope it cleared up rather soon! It looks like you guys had such a great morning, I have to say, having that sense of theatrical-ness makes for such great pictures!!

Aw, yay! So glad you enjoyed them!!
I felt just awful for Jessica. Missing out and feeling like crud on top of it?! VERY unmagical, indeed!
I was so excited for this trip for many reasons, but the pictures were one of them! We had JUST as much fun taking them as they seem!

they are really cute! all you guys look like you truly enjoy being together and performing. im joining in!

Welcome! I'm glad you could join us! And, you are right, we TRULY enjoying being with, and performing with, each other!

 

[Sooze]

See this?

This is the face of a man who is sitting on the monorail for the very first time! This is not a man using his skills of drama to create his smile. This is pure Disney magic working on an adult! LOVE IT!

The boys (who are monorail pros, of course) took our empty side of the monorail car as an opportunity to monorail surf!

And this is Tom saying, “If any civilians get into our car, you boys have to sit down!!” (This is one of our rules of the monorail. When civilians enter, we must act civil. If we have the car to ourselves, all bets are off!)

We had a late reservation at Chef Mickey’s and the breakfast crowd had already cleared out. We were escorted right to our table. While we were all happy to be there, there was definitely a void without Jessica. It was so sad that she couldn’t be there with us to witness these fun character interactions. Here they come… the typical Chef Mickey’s photographical fare!

Side note: I had never sat at a table on this side of the restaurant. We had awesome views of the monorail coming through, and a gorgeous view of Bay Lake on the other side of our table. Loved it!

This next one is my current Facebook Cover Photo. I love Mickey!!

Gah! Look how tall Tyson is! His hopes of being a character at Disney are dwindling!!

Addy looks like she is up to no good in this picture!

Nobody seems to know where to look!

It was a fun breakfast. We ate until we couldn’t fit any more. We added autographs to our books. We took cute pictures. But without Jessica, it just couldn’t be the perfect Disney moment. We missed her a lot!

By the end of breakfast, she had called and said that she was up and trying to get going. We decided to give her some more time by having the kids come back to AKL to swim! Of course, this was not planned earlier in the day, so Bryan offered to go back to their resort, grab their swim suits, then catch a bus to AK, then another bus to AKL. Whew! We parted ways excited to meet up in a bit back at our home!

The kids and I returned home and spent some time on our balcony. We really did see a lot of animals in our little corner of the savanna!

It felt good to unwind and rest for a bit. Before we knew it, Bryan and the little ones had arrived, and we were headed to the pool. Bryan quickly found himself a lounge chair at the water’s edge, an adult beverage, and a bit of time to actually relax! Me? I had to brave the much-too-chilly air and water to make sure my babies stayed safe! Here are the girlies:

And here are the boys, who swam away as quickly as possible!

See how empty the pool was?! Yeah…. It was pretty chilly! The sun was shining, but there was a definite if-you-weren’t-in-Disney-there’s-no-way-you’d-be-swimming chill to the air!

We hung out for about an hour, then went back to change our clothes and head back to the MK. Jessica was feeling much better, and we were ready to finally be all together in the Happiest Place on Earth! YAY!

We hopped on the bus, where the girls immediately got into princess-mode!

And the boy immediately got into make-fun-of-our-sisters mode!

The girls were in such a magical mood, that they didn’t care. We were all in such great spirits knowing that Jessica was feeling better and that we still had the whole afternoon and evening to spend together.

Let the next round of magic begin!

 

[ZFamily5]

Another great update!

It's too bad Jessica wasn't feeling well enough to join you in the morning, but I'm glad to hear she was able to join you later in the day.

Chef Mickey's... It's a must do for us after Thing3 realized she could eat gummy bears and doughnuts for breakfast!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my dream resorts!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[katt789]

I love how disney is so absolutely magical for everyone of every age, it makes it so fantastically awesome!!

Chef Mickey's looks like it was an awesome time! It's one that I have yet to do! I'm not really one for leaving the parks for a meal, and I like to get there right away in the morning, but now that I know what I like to do & such, we'll probably check it out eventually.

I definitely looked at the pictures of the girls all princessed out and was all "aww...adorbs!" and then saw the pictures of the boys and laughed out loud fantastic!

 

[micandminforever]

I think it is great that Tyson and Shaelyn, both have a friend to pal around with at Disney.

Great picture of you and Mickey.

 

[Sooze]

Another great update!

It's too bad Jessica wasn't feeling well enough to join you in the morning, but I'm glad to hear she was able to join you later in the day.

Chef Mickey's... It's a must do for us after Thing3 realized she could eat gummy bears and doughnuts for breakfast!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my dream resorts!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks!
We were so sad about Jessica and just felt helpless for her. I sure was glad it seemed to be 'something she ate' and not something more serious!

Gummy bears and doughnuts!

Hope you experience AKL someday... just make sure you have a car with you! It's too far away from everything!

I love how disney is so absolutely magical for everyone of every age, it makes it so fantastically awesome!!

Completely agree!!

Chef Mickey's looks like it was an awesome time! It's one that I have yet to do! I'm not really one for leaving the parks for a meal, and I like to get there right away in the morning, but now that I know what I like to do & such, we'll probably check it out eventually.

It's a great one for kids. The monorail whizzing by makes for an exciting atmosphere. Not to mention it's a quick ride or walk from Magic Kingdom. It was a wonderful way to top off EMH!

I definitely looked at the pictures of the girls all princessed out and was all "aww...adorbs!" and then saw the pictures of the boys and laughed out loud fantastic!

I STILL laugh when I look at those pictures. And that is how those two boys act ALL THE TIME!!

I think it is great that Tyson and Shaelyn, both have a friend to pal around with at Disney.

Great picture of you and Mickey.

Oh my gosh... was it EVER great?! It made me think that Tyson, for sure, should probably start bringing friends with him on every trip. He is just so happy to have someone else there with him that is just as young, goofy, and energetic as he is! Not that we aren't silly as parents, but it's just different with another kid, ya know?!

 

[glennbo123]

And this is Tom saying, “If any civilians get into our car, you boys have to sit down!!” (This is one of our rules of the monorail. When civilians enter, we must act civil. If we have the car to ourselves, all bets are off!)

I love the idea of calling anyone outside of your travel-group "civilians".

This next one is my current Facebook Cover Photo. I love Mickey!!

Aw!

Gah! Look how tall Tyson is! His hopes of being a character at Disney are dwindling!!

Yeah, I think the possibility of him in a Minnie costume have gone out the window, but he still has a shot at Jafar or Captain Hook.

Nobody seems to know where to look!

I cracked up at your comment on this one.

The girls were in such a magical mood, that they didn’t care. We were all in such great spirits knowing that Jessica was feeling better and that we still had the whole afternoon and evening to spend together.

Let the next round of magic begin!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Love, Love, Love all the updates!!! Gosh, I was farther behind than I thought I was! Your pictures are fantastic. Sorry about your friend being sick all day. That is most defnitely a BUMMER! Too bad T-Rex didn't take the DP while you were there. They are doing so this year! That was my only peeve about T-Rex.

You are making me so anxious for our trip in May/June!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

 

[PrincessV]

This is the face of a man who is sitting on the monorail for the very first time! This is not a man using his skills of drama to create his smile. This is pure Disney magic working on an adult!

It was a fun breakfast.

Y'know, every trip I think, "We should really try breakfast somewhere..." and every trip I neglect to do so. Leo won't do character meals, but you've got me thinking... our summer trip will be slow and mellow anyway...

It felt good to unwind and rest for a bit.

Seriously, my favorite part of a WDW vacation!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Love the views from AKL!!!! Can't wait to see that view in 17 days!!!

I don't think it is ever too cold for children to swim at DW!

If Tyson keeps growing, he could always be Goofy!!

Love our pictures from Chef Mickey's. This will be our first trip in years without going to Chef Mickey's.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Sooze]

I love the idea of calling anyone outside of your travel-group "civilians".

And I love the idea of spreading this term with the DisWorld! Feel free to steal it! :

Yeah, I think the possibility of him in a Minnie costume have gone out the window, but he still has a shot at Jafar or Captain Hook.

Yes.. yes! What about Goofy?!

Love, Love, Love all the updates!!! Gosh, I was farther behind than I thought I was! Your pictures are fantastic. Sorry about your friend being sick all day. That is most defnitely a BUMMER! Too bad T-Rex didn't take the DP while you were there. They are doing so this year! That was my only peeve about T-Rex.

You are making me so anxious for our trip in May/June!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Hey, I always say, when I get behind on people's trip reports, then there is MORE for me to read! So no worries!


May is right around the corner!!

Y'know, every trip I think, "We should really try breakfast somewhere..." and every trip I neglect to do so. Leo won't do character meals, but you've got me thinking... our summer trip will be slow and mellow anyway...

I would definitely do breakfast at Chef Mickey's, not lunch. We just have a better experience there in the morning... not sure why What's up with Leo not liking character meals? Just shy with them? Or do they bother his eating enjoyment?!

Seriously, my favorite part of a WDW vacation!

Right? One of my favorite reasons to be a DVC member... I can actually enjoy hanging out at the resort without being stressed about 'losing park time'

Love the views from AKL!!!! Can't wait to see that view in 17 days!!!

How was it?!?

I don't think it is ever too cold for children to swim at DW!

Part of that Disney magic!

If Tyson keeps growing, he could always be Goofy!!

Yes! Or as Glennbo suggested, Captain Hook or Jafar!!

Love our pictures from Chef Mickey's. This will be our first trip in years without going to Chef Mickey's.

Sometimes it's good to step away... then it's all that more special when you return!

Can't wait to read more.

Can't wait to update more!

 

[Sooze]

We all were reunited once again at the entrance to Magic Kingdom and the world was right again. It was time to make some magic! As soon as we walked down Main Street, we noticed the crowd forming in front of the castle. It was time for a show! So what do drama queens do? We watch… and not only do we watch, but we cheer, clap, holler, and make those performers feel the love!! Enjoy the pictures!

If my camera was up just an inch or two, this WOULD’VE been a stellar picture, no?

 

[glennbo123]

If my camera was up just an inch or two, this WOULD’VE been a stellar picture, no?

If only you were tall. sigh.

I'm looking at this picture trying to figure out how much of Malificent's face is a mask, or prosthetics, or whatever you call it in the biz. It's really a really good makeup job!

 

[Sooze]

After getting our musical theater fix, we headed over to the Haunted Mansion for a screamtastic ride. First, though, we got our fill of the interactive queue:

Bryan is so glad to have Jessica back!

The ride was a hit with everyone, especially the amazing hitch-hiking ghosts at the end. I just LOVE that technology!
We decided to find another classic ride that we could all enjoy together. Yes, I said ALL of us could ENJOY. And when you are with your best buds, even THIS can be enjoyable:

There was no line, thankfully, so we sailed around the world in no time.

Still smiling even after getting the song stuck in their heads.

Them too…. Well, if you can get past their bad acting!

And these two… well, apparently, they did not get my message about all of us being able to enjoy this classic with our best buds!

Next up was a gorgeous walk back to the castle, where we wanted to get some group shots now that Jessica was back!

Our first shot… the traditional head shot smiles…

And, the picture of all pictures. The very BEST picture of the WHOLE entire trip. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you…. THE DRAMA QUEENS!!!

Somewhere in this evening, we ate dinner … I’m not even sure where. We rode some rides… I’m not even sure what. But soon it was time for the MK to kick out the people who didn’t pay for the Halloween party, and that meant half of us had to go. Tom, Jessica, Kelsen, and Addy had done the MNSSHP a few years earlier and didn’t feel the need to spend money on it again. Bryan, Tyson, Shae and I had never been. So we forked over the money, and were able to stay and enjoy the park longer.

And by enjoy, I mean ‘be tortured by’. Mmm hmm… I will not be spending money on that party again… unless I can go the first week it opens. Stay tuned for my not-so-special Halloween party!

(Oh, and the Aladdin shoe story… now THAT’S worth coming back for)

 

[Sooze]

If only you were tall. sigh.

Yeah, I know, right?

I'm looking at this picture trying to figure out how much of Malificent's face is a mask, or prosthetics, or whatever you call it in the biz. It's really a really good makeup job!

Whenever I see this stage show, I always take a MILLION pictures, and I've never seen Malificent's makeup look THIS good! I agree... VERY VERY good makeup job! I think the nose and chin are prosthetics and the makeup blends it all together. I think....

 

[micandminforever]

You did a great job on the show pictures. I love all the Disney shows.

The last time dh and I were at the MK they were working on the new Queue at HM, so we were not able to enjoy it. Your pictures were so fun I can't wait to go throught it with my nieces and nephews.

 

[Sooze]

We bid farewell to our friends and headed back into the park for the big party. Treat bags in hand and dreams of an evening filled with special parades, fireworks, candy, character meet n greets, and shorter lines filled my head. And then those dreams were smashed to smithereens. I am telling you… NEVER during this evening did I feel like I was at a ‘special event’. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I assumed if people had to pay $60 to get into this, that there would be a considerable drop in attendance once the party began. No sir. Not even close. It was packed… packed to the seams the WHOLE night. We NEVER got candy, because the LINES for the candy were 20 minutes long. LINES FOR CANDY!! Those ‘special’ character meet n greets?! Yeah… only if you wanted to wait for an hour. I was so willing to do that for Snow White and all 7 Dwarves, but ya know what? We never got to them… because the crowds were SO unbearable, that I just couldn’t make my way around to Frontierland (or wherever they were) to find them. Even that amazing parade was not worth the trouble to me… we had to find a seat an hour before it even started because the spots were filling up THAT fast.

So do I have anything positive to say about the night? Well, yes. I LOVED seeing everyone in costumes. That was super fun. I also thought the fireworks were spectacular, and hearing them set to Nightmare Before Christmas was a joy. The Headless Horseman was cool… nothing that took my breath away… but cool. And the grave-digging-zombie dancers made the parade for me. But other than that? I will never shell out the money I did for this party. UNLESS we went in early September before the hoards of Halloween lovers descended on WDW!

So what DID we do that night? Here are some highlights… and that awesome Aladdin story.. coming right up!

We thoroughly enjoyed the People Mover!

Bryan had never been on the people mover, and we actually had the whole car to ourselves, so it was a great time.

We also took in the speedway. I loved this because Tyson and Shae went in their own car! So cute!

Bryan ended up behind me and was a bit too serious about it all.

Next, the boys rode Space Mountain while Shae and I hit up Buzz Lightyear.

We also stood in line to meet Buzz for a LONG time. Bryan and Ty got off of SM just in time to meet up with us and meet Buzz.

Bryan was a great Gunkle and even helped lug Shae around when she got tired.

As we were heading back to Frontierland to try and possibly locate Snow White, we noticed that the sidewalk space for the parade was quickly filling up. I couldn’t believe there was still over an HOUR before the parade and there was very little space left. So I grabbed a spot with Shaelyn. Bryan and Tyson went off to ride BTMRR while we held the spot… which got interesting as I witnessed a couple of women arguing about encroaching into each other’s space. Ugh. I hate those kinds of conflicts! Luckily, Bryan and Tyson returned in time to have some pretty decent spots for the show. Here are my parade pics. Enjoy!

I absolutely loved seeing the Pirates characters in the parade! Barbosa!!

Captain Jack Sparrow!!

And THIS was completely fabulous!

Here’s a shot of the sparks from the grave diggers’ shovels.

One of my finer parade shots.

So, if you’ve read any of my other trip reports, you might recall that my family is famous for screaming the names of the characters repetedly and as loudly as possible as they walk by us in the parade. We are usually pretty successful at gaining their attention and receiving some kind of wave or gesture. Tonight, we scored pretty big with the Big Bad Wolf. We were going nuts yelling for him, and he walked past us as if he was ignoring us… then, at the last minute, right on cue with the music, he stomped toward Shaelyn and jumped right in her face on the word “BOO!!!!” It was awesome!!

The End of the parade, but not of the night, yet….

 

[Sooze]

You did a great job on the show pictures. I love all the Disney shows.

Thank you so much! I can't wait to get myself a real camera and some classes... then hit up those shows at Disney! It'll be a dream!

The last time dh and I were at the MK they were working on the new Queue at HM, so we were not able to enjoy it. Your pictures were so fun I can't wait to go throught it with my nieces and nephews.

You will have a blast! It's a very cool area!

 

[micandminforever]

I am glad you enjoyed the parade and fireworks. I am with you the time DH and I went we were able to get candy early fairly easy, and the fireworks and parade were nice, but I just do not know if it is worth the money it cost.

I look forward to the Aladdin story.