Exclusive Baby Gorilla Photos! (plus bonus Trip Report) - June '15 - completed 10/23 - Page 31

[nilla]

I saw La Nouba a few years ago and it was so amazing. I don't imagine anyone not absolutely loving it. The crazy thing about it is time almost feels like it stops and you wake up out of your trance 90 minutes later. Glad you guys enjoyed.

I didn't want it to end. It was one mind-blowing act after another. How people can do those things, without messing up, is almost unbelievable! I'm so happy we went to see it.

Too bad about dinner. You need to tell Kristin that Olivia's is excellent. Not that I want to really get the word out there, but its amazing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Plus - you can order a turtle crawl, which is the second best adult beverage on disney property (second only to the ritas at La Cava).

Alright, now I REALLY want to go there

Despite your ala carte eating for the evening, it looks like a superb evening. And I love the HM ornament!

The dinner actually turned out pretty good! Very impressed with Old Port Royale.

Love the idea of not being super hunger for dinner due to snacks at the show .... so just did ice cream for dinner. Vacation is the best!

Yeah, these kids have it tough

Bummer about Raglan Road - especially since this was to be a do-over for you and now you need to have 2 do-overs of it .... but hey, if the downside is that you get a meal at Narcoossee's that's not to bad - glad you came up with an idea that you were happy with

I'm surprised they had a table. Right at restaurant opening, too. Maybe that's why.

I'd love to see La Nouba - maybe one day.....

Do it!

I see what you did there.

R.I.P. Raglan Road.

That ornament IS awesome!

So awesome it's hanging up right now!

We've managed to book and cancel Raglan Road on both of our trips to WDW... so I feel your pain. We're hoping to actually try it in March.

It's like Rose & Crown with a show. And better desserts.

Our trip photos are quickly turning into just photos of the youngest, as the older two tend to pull disappearing acts. I guess it comes with the teen years!

I should just let them take selfies, then PhotoShop it all together.

Thanks for the response. I will stop looking for myself in the background of your pictures! I'm looking forward to hearing about your SWW experience.

I look at other people's photos to see if I'm in them, too

SWW day coming soon!

So, we're watching Big Hero 6.....and you didn't give a tissue alert.......

C'mon. It's a Disney movie. It should come with tissues.

O.M.G. I NEED that Haunted Mansion ornament. It will be mine!

I LOVE that they're expanding their HM merch now. They've finally noticed people are interested.

Glad you enjoyed LaNouba. It really looks amazing!

One of the highlights of this trip!

Sorry about Raglan Road, that stinks, but what can you do, I guess. The OPR food court is good, though! And ice cream for dinner is always okay!

Especially THAT ice cream.

Not the last time we'd do OPR, either

Hey...nothing wrong with some ice cream for dinner...once in a while lol. I'm so glad you enjoyed the show and had fun at DTD. Sorry about Raglan Road though...I love it there and am looking forward to going back...hopefully one day you'll get a chance!!

Some day!

I LOVE this...totally want one!! I have a HM keychain that I put my house key on and just love looking at it every day!

There are so many cool HM things now! I want them all.

We buy a special disney ornament (or two or three) every year for Christmas.....I'm liking both of the ornaments you had picked out.

I wish I got the other one, too, now!

Okay, so your report got me psyched up for our trip and now we're back , and you're helping me get through the depression. Great updates - our day in Downtown Disney was miserably hot, and so the kids were miserable, and so it wasn't a good day.... really need to go back and spend some time browsing through all those awesome stores!

Welcome back! How was your trip? Is there a Trip Report started?

DTD is ALWAYS miserably hot. In April, too. I think it's all the concrete.

Looking forward to the Star Wars weekend update - my youngest is a huge fan and I'm trying to talk him into going on our "mom/son" trip while the weekends are happening, but he's afraid of the crowds. Really interested to hear what you thought!

That update starts today!

I've heard so many good things about Ragland Road that I canceled our Kona dinner ADRs for Ragland Road, and I canceled our California Grill ADRs for Citricos.

I'm worried about bus transport to DTD, though. We'll be coming from Epcot at 4pm for 5:30 ADRs at Ragland Road.

Buses weren't a problem at all when going to DTD. You should be fine.

Let me know how Citricos is! We've never eaten there or California Grill.

@nilla I've enjoyed this TR so much, I've gone back and read all your other TR's! Your writing style is HILARIOUS! I can't wait for more!

THANK YOU! Glad you're enjoying them. It's fun writing them, too.

We've never seen La Nouba, but I did see one of the first Cirque du Soleil's in Vegas and have to tell you I slept through the first half of it. Now, it was my girlfriend and me, it was the 9:30 p.m. show AFTER we had walked the strip back and forth in 115 degree weather and stopped in every casino on the way and had an adult beverage. I had a good excuse. Maybe I can talk Mark into trying this one time, but not counting on it.

You would've gotten popped in the head by a clown with a pool noodle if you tried that sleeping crap at La Nouba.

I'm sorry you missed Raglan Road (I remember eading about that small fire somewhere). I ate there in May and it wasn't my favorite meal as it used to one time be in the top five.

That's a shame! We love it, but like I said, our last experience wasn't exactly the greatest. For reasons unrelated to Raglan Road. And now this!

Really? You liked CB's quick service better than POR? I loved POR's QS and did not like CB's.

I'd have to see POR's again. I don't remember anything exceptional about it, but it's been 9 years, so maybe it got better? Really liked OPR, though.

But, but where are the pictures of the baby gorillas? Just kidding, but seriously send your wife with me for her negotiating skills!

I was wondering when someone was going to ask about the gorillas

Rest assured, there ARE baby gorilla photos. Coming eventually.

But not today. We're at Hollywood Studios!

Or at least heading there! Soon!

 

[nilla]

 

[nilla]

Day 2 - Friday - Hollywood Studios

Itinerary:

• Arrive at Hollywood Studios for rope drop
• Star Wars Weekends!
• Close out the night with the Symphony in the Stars fireworks show

FastPass+

• Star Tours: 9:20-10:20
• Toy Story Midway Mania: 10:30-11:30
• Tower of Terror: 12:10-1:10

ADR:

• Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, 5:30pm

 

[nilla]

It's finally here! Our first Star Wars Weekend!

Our relationship with Star Wars is kind of funny. I LOVED Star Wars as a kid. LOVED it. Still do, but really not fanatically. Not like some friends I know

But that's ok. They have that, and I have Disney. And that. Together. Someone put Lucas's chocolate in Walt's peanut butter, and here we are. Star Wars Weekends.

Dylan's a much bigger fan, however. Mostly due to the the giant encyclopedia of the expanded universe he got for Christmas one year.

When we made our ADRs, picking our park days, we had no idea it would still be SWW. A coworker told me she thought it would be, and whattayaknow, Star Wars Weekends!

Batteries fully charged from our "down" day yesterday, we hit Hollywood Studios at 7:50. The rope has yet to drop, and two Stormtroopers are guarding the entrance. Well, sort of.



The park finally opens, officially, and in we go. Our goal is to hit Rock 'n Roller Coaster right away. I didn't ask how to get there, but if I had asked a CM, she likely would've told me to walk this way.



Toward Tower of Terror. You're really living on the edge if you ride that one!



I'd go crazy, crazy if I rode that right now. But look, the wait time's low:



Awesome! But still...not yet.

Our touring plan for our first-ever Star Wars Weekend visit is simple: avoid as much Star Wars stuff as possible.

Wait, what?

Ok, allow me to explain. It's not that we don't like Star Wars. We love it. But I don't care that much to hear Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) speak, or to meet Darth Maul. Let's ride RnR!

 

[nilla]

This ride's not officially open yet, for some reason, so we get in the long line:



We're not really that far back. Should be on quickly...once it opens.

Time for another photo...



...and one more when the queue finally opens...



...and we're officially on!

We don't usually get to ride this as a family, since it's usually Em and I on this while Kristin and Dylan ride ToT. So this is fun. What does Emily think?



It's her favorite ride, to be exact. But she won't ride ToT. What?

Alright, two more photos...





...and it's off to...Beauty and the Beast!

 

[nilla]

Wow, that was unexpected. And totally unplanned. But the timing was right. Dylan's not happy, but too bad.

Since it's early and virtually no Star Wars fans are exactly rushing to see this show today, we get great seats:



SO peculiar.



Need expectorating? He's your guy.



"She's right! She's right! We all talk like Maurice Chevalier! Whoa ho ho!"







And ladies and gentlemen, the best part of the show:





Print and cut the photos above to create your very own Beauty and the Beast (tm) flip book! What do you say, Lumiere?

"Whoa ho ho."



Do people do those "luminaire" (candle in a bag, in rows on the front walk) things in your area? Well, they do in ours, and I can't stop calling them "lumieres".

But anyway...more stuff happens:





"Mothers, do you want your children to be eaten by Cecil the Lion?"



"Well, do you?"



"Look, it's Mickey!"



"Wait a minute. We were planning to do something, weren't we?"



And then, for some reason, the photographer of our story handed the camera to his 9-year-old daughter during the epic fight scene...







And he's down!



7...

8...

9...

He's up! And mad! And now the fight's over! And he's behind a carpet now, for some reason!



Oh, he's a guy now.



Meh. He was better as the Beast. Gaston would drop him now.

But anyway, they're happy:



And here's Boba Fett:



Don't ask how we jumped from the theater to Hollywood Blvd, because I won't tell you.

Ok, we walked. And didn't take pictures. Except for this:



Love it!

Anyway, when I said "do as little Star Wars stuff as possible", I included the parade and fireworks as some of the few things to do. And it's almost parade time. Let's sit!

 

[nilla]

Dylan and Emily find absolutely fantastic seats right on the curb, which is amazing since the parade starts in only 30 minutes. Nice!

A CM strikes up a conversation with us, telling us how she usually works at MK, but is here to work the parade. Only they didn't really tell her what to do, beyond "keep people behind the tape". But she's having fun. She says she loves working at Disney, and doesn't even think about work when she comes into the parks on her off days. Nice!

The only problem is everyone's crossing the tape. And the parade's not starting. Shouldn't it be starting?

Well, funny story about that. You see, the parade WOULD be starting, if we were here at the right time. It's not for over another hour. That explains the seat availability.

Harumph. Ok, moving on. We're not waiting that long.

We walk down the Avenue of Stuff We Watch...





...and over to Star Tours, to use our 9:20 Fast Passes. We're making great time today!

For some unknown reason, we take ZERO pictures leading up to that ride. But we do ride it. And it's awesome. The post-update Star Tours is one of our favorite rides.

But back to the "no pictures" thing, we also watched the "One Man's Dream" film (though it started before we had time to look at the memorabilia) and rode Toy Story Midway Mania, with our next FPs. That I do love about FP+.

I only took one photo in that queue as well, and it would have been used as the day number photo for today, if I hadn't found one better.



Dylan beat all of us with 199,000 points. I tanked on the plates.

Hey, it's almost parade time! In fact, it's after parade time! The REAL parade time!

 

[nilla]

Looks like we already missed some of it:



Let's chase it!



Lookout, Mickey and Minnie! Darth Goofy!



We're standing in front of the Great Movie Ride now, when out comes this guy, right in front of us:



Alright, let's get closer to the stage!

The area we end up in is PACKED with people, so I lift Emily up.

No, not on my shoulders. Settle down. And we didn't use a selfie stick, either.

I did sweat a lot, however. Because it was hot. And I was holding Emily. And we were packed in with dozens of other people. And did I mention it was hot?

I can deal with the heat, but the sweating gets a bit annoying. And I sweat.

But enough about that...Chewie!





This parade is great!





Human Star Wars celebs, too:









(Names and characters of Star Wars celebs available upon request)

But we'll give you this one for free:





Frank Oz! Fozzie! Yoda! Miss Piggy!

Stormtroopers are back:



There's a whole show, but we opt out to eat. I know, I know. What a waste of Star Wars Weekend.

The parade was great, though. They had pretty much every major and minor character in it.

Anyway, Dylan is up further in the crowd, which is a major issue when it comes to getting him. I don't know if it's the heat stroke, but I don't recall how we got him out of there. But, eventually, we did. Which is good, because we're hungry, and want to beat the crowds. Alright, let's eat!

 

[nilla]

Anyone familiar with Hollywood Studios knows the best Quick Service restaurant here is There Is Not A Good Quick Service Restaurant Here. At least, no great one. Most of them here are at least serviceable, though, so we make the short trip to the ABC Commissary.

We've eaten here once, and it's not bad, but really nothing special, either. It's no Sunshine Seasons, is what I'm trying to get at. But they DO have Big Tasty's roller skating outfit, so there is that.



The place is jumpin', since the parade/show just concluded, but there are still plenty of tables left. Here's our food:

Me - 1/3 lb Angus Cheeseburger with Siracha Aïoli and Fried Shrimp



The shrimp was "eh", but the burger was decent. Notice I opted out the fries, getting steamed broccoli instead. Because I have to counter-balance all the fried garbage I've been eating on this trip (and during this meal) somehow.

Dylan and Kristin went for the regular, Disney QS standard 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger:



Emily got the Power Pack:



For dessert, the kids got the gimmickcakes:



The meal satisfied the hunger, and was enjoyable, though not necessarily to the degree of a, say, Sunshine Seasons. Do you get the impression we like Sunshine Seasons?

For our in-meal entertainment, TVs scattered about the restaurant are airing "America's Funniest Children Hitting Their Fathers in the Crotch and Frighteningly Dangerous Baby Antics Videos", which is always amusing. Oh, crap - a trampoline in on TV now. We know where this is going.

The four of us are planning to skip out of the park after this. Not literally skipping, though that would be awesome, but we will be leaving. Temporarily. We'll be back for dinner. I know, I know. We're leaving in the middle of a Star Wars Weekend. Our first one ever. We suck. We're clearly not the fans the Jedi-robed couple sitting next to us are. But I bet our core temperatures are lower.

On the way out, the girls stop for a photo of the Elsa and Anna topiary:



A bus arrives in short order. One of the great things about CBR is the proximity to this park, so it's a quick ride. On the way back, I take note of what Disney is hyping this month:





Both movies were great, btw. I was surprised by how funny Teen Beach Movie 2 was. The couple from Wet Side Story were the best. Especially Tanner.

Other things being hyped: Once Upon a Time, The Goldbergs, Tomorrowland, and the Kingdom Keepers books. Hmm, they're still putting those out? I read the first one, and it was fun, but it just got too ridiculous in the second book. Yes, I realize the idea of animatronics coming to life and Disney characters being real IS ridiculous (though I do believe both of those things ARE real, I will admit this belief IS ridiculous), but I'm talking plot and character consistency issues. Could've been better, IMO. Maybe the later books resolved that.

Anyway, we're back at the resort now. Let's swim!

(next update)

 

[rndmr2]

Getting caught up today. I'm glad you liked La Nouba. I saw it a few years ago, not long after it opened and it was really great. I have seen a couple Cirque shows, one in Vegas (Mystere) and 2 touring ones (Dralion and Alegria) of those I have to say Mystere was the best one (the music in that one is really good) but La Nouba comes in close 2nd.

Too bad about Raglan Road, that one's on my list to try someday.

Great start for the day at the Studios!

 

[jdd]

Welcome back! How was your trip? Is there a Trip Report started?

Nah, no trip report - I'm just no good at them. And I took a shockingly small number of pictures on this trip . It was fantastic though, and I'm not sure any of us can go back to just a week vacation ever again! I will share a picture from one of my favorite mornings of the trip - DS14 and I walking around CBR in the early morning hours (okay, not so early, probably 8ish, but the other bums were still sleeping). We had a great time just the two of us together, and we spotted this!

 

[ksromack]

I *think* we've scheduled some swimming time in this fall for our CBR stay. We NEVER do that so this will be fun!

So you didn't have a FP for R&RC but made the mad dash at RD? I think we'll do that on our last day.....we have to be at EPCOT for a wine deminar at noon so we could take the boat from DHS and enter through the IG. So, I've never noticed the Hanes tag on the guitar. How appropriate since some people may require their products after riding the roller coaster

 

[KathyM2]

It's her favorite ride, to be exact.

Wow...she is brave. I can't get even my 12 year old to go on that.

Darth Goofy!

Love it!! I'm not a super SW fan either...but I think seeing the characters made up like that would be pretty neat.

The parade was great, though. They had pretty much every major and minor character in it.

That's cool...maybe make being there at such a crowded time a bit worth it lol

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Someone put Lucas's chocolate in Walt's peanut butter, and here we are. Star Wars Weekends.

I didn't ask how to get there, but if I had asked a CM, she likely would've told me to walk this way.

You're really living on the edge if you ride that one!

I'd go crazy, crazy if I rode that right now.

Your get up and go musta got up and went.

"Mothers, do you want your children to be eaten by Cecil the Lion?"

Careful now. You're going to make Jimmy Kimmel cry again.

And here's Boba Fett:

That guy in the hat was checking you out.

I did sweat a lot, however. Because it was hot. And I was holding Emily. And we were packed in with dozens of other people. And did I mention it was hot?

I can deal with the heat, but the sweating gets a bit annoying. And I sweat.

But enough about that...Chewie!

Heat and sweat. And Chewbacca fur. Ugh. Sounds miserable.

But they DO have Big Tasty's roller skating outfit, so there is that.

Big Tasty. I love The Goldbergs. Season 3 starts September 23!


(BTW-We leave for our trip in 6 days! I just hope Steve's lower back issues stay away and whatever bug Emily is fighting goes away too! Oh the stress of the last week before vacation!)

 

[princessesandpascal]

Great update, as usual! Sounds like a fun DHS day! I don't know if I'd personally put in the time for Star Wars weekends. It's cool seeing the celebs and the characters dressed up, but those crowds sound ridiculous! We toyed with doing the Sci-Fi breakfast, but opted not to since we know very little about Star Wars.

We did Min and Bill's Dockside for their mac and cheese when we did QS lunch at the Studios, and we really loved that. I agree that the QS options aren't great there at all!

Also, so funny seeing the Anna and Elsa topiaries in front of DHS, since they were in Epcot for F&G when we were there!

(Wholeheartedly agree with the Kingdom Keepers books, btw! Good concept, but the execution wasn't great. That's a pitfall in a lot of middle grade fiction, I find. Finding great MG/children's is like finding a gold mine.)

 

[MEK]

Fun updates.

I bet Dylan loved getting up for park opening only to have to watch Beauty and the Beast (after RnR). Yup - that's always a winner for a teenage boy.

The parade looked fun. You got some great pictures from wherever your viewing spot was. Last year I barely saw anything, but I am not up on my Star Wars so it really didn't matter.

Lunch was looking good - well as good as it can at HS, including the gimmicky cakes!

 

[JacknSally]

Jumping in way late, I know, but I love reading your TR's and I'm looking forward to following along!

 

[nilla]

Getting caught up today. I'm glad you liked La Nouba. I saw it a few years ago, not long after it opened and it was really great. I have seen a couple Cirque shows, one in Vegas (Mystere) and 2 touring ones (Dralion and Alegria) of those I have to say Mystere was the best one (the music in that one is really good) but La Nouba comes in close 2nd.

Kristin's parents saw some water-themed one in Vegas and loved it. I would certainly like to see another show!

We had a great time just the two of us together, and we spotted this!

Hey, I know exactly where that is! And who that little guy is!

How I miss Caribbean Beach

I *think* we've scheduled some swimming time in this fall for our CBR stay. We NEVER do that so this will be fun!

We swim A TON (as you can tell) at Disney anymore. It's become a big part of the trip!

So you didn't have a FP for R&RC but made the mad dash at RD? I think we'll do that on our last day.....we have to be at EPCOT for a wine deminar at noon so we could take the boat from DHS and enter through the IG. So, I've never noticed the Hanes tag on the guitar. How appropriate since some people may require their products after riding the roller coaster

It worked out great! Not sure if they sell Hanes in the gift shop, but it wouldn't be a horrible idea

Wow...she is brave. I can't get even my 12 year old to go on that.

But she won't ride ToT!

Last year, there were two guys, probably in their early 20s, in front of us getting on RnR. It was their first time, and they were talking about how crazy it was going to be. Then, they looked back and say Emily

Love it!! I'm not a super SW fan either...but I think seeing the characters made up like that would be pretty neat.

There were A LOT of characters, too!

That guy in the hat was checking you out.

Maybe he recognized me. And knows he's now famous.

Heat and sweat. And Chewbacca fur. Ugh. Sounds miserable.

He's lived with it for like 500 years or something, so I'm sure he's used to it by now. Tatooine has to be hotter than Florida, and he was ok there.

Big Tasty. I love The Goldbergs. Season 3 starts September 23!

Such a great show! And, living in Eastern PA, I get just about all the references. We, too, used to watch Dance Party, USA

(BTW-We leave for our trip in 6 days! I just hope Steve's lower back issues stay away and whatever bug Emily is fighting goes away too! Oh the stress of the last week before vacation!)

Whoa, that soon? Have a great time!

Great update, as usual! Sounds like a fun DHS day! I don't know if I'd personally put in the time for Star Wars weekends. It's cool seeing the celebs and the characters dressed up, but those crowds sound ridiculous! We toyed with doing the Sci-Fi breakfast, but opted not to since we know very little about Star Wars.

The SWW-specific activities do tend to keep people away from the attractions, somewhat. But still crowded.

We did Min and Bill's Dockside for their mac and cheese when we did QS lunch at the Studios, and we really loved that. I agree that the QS options aren't great there at all!

Wait, special mac and cheese?

Also, so funny seeing the Anna and Elsa topiaries in front of DHS, since they were in Epcot for F&G when we were there!

Wow, they grow back quick!

(Wholeheartedly agree with the Kingdom Keepers books, btw! Good concept, but the execution wasn't great. That's a pitfall in a lot of middle grade fiction, I find. Finding great MG/children's is like finding a gold mine.)

They had so much potential, too!

I really liked Coraline...and, of course, those books about that British kid who does magic.

I bet Dylan loved getting up for park opening only to have to watch Beauty and the Beast (after RnR). Yup - that's always a winner for a teenage boy.

...while forgetting we braved the crowds to come here on STAR WARS WEEKENDS.

The parade looked fun. You got some great pictures from wherever your viewing spot was. Last year I barely saw anything, but I am not up on my Star Wars so it really didn't matter.

"Hey, there are more Star Wars guys! And now it's different Star Wars guys!"

Lunch was looking good - well as good as it can at HS, including the gimmicky cakes!

The burgers are always good. As is the steamed broccoli

Jumping in way late, I know, but I love reading your TR's and I'm looking forward to following along!

Never too late to join! Welcome!

And, as a reward for reading, we have another update! Tonight!

Soon!

 

[kadrachb]

Toward Tower of Terror. You're really living on the edge if you ride that one!

I keep thinking that I need to try it... and then when we get to the park I'm always like "Now that I REALLY think about it... no thanks" need to stop being such a baby!

avoid as much Star Wars stuff as possible.

For some of our original plans, we were going to go to SWW since we were there the first weekend. While neither of us were major star wars fans (Kenny, who has seen like.. 2 movies, and I've seen some, can't really remember how many), we decided not to... because we heard it was rather crowded and chaotic...

Do people do those "luminaire" (candle in a bag, in rows on the front walk) things in your area? Well, they do in ours, and I can't stop calling them "lumieres".

They do. Around christmastime they light them around the lake in the center of our town.

My one roommate's favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast, and at one point she was talking about Lumiere, and I called him Lenny. She was forever confused... Until one day we were watching Law & Order, and I called Lenny, Lumiere... I still don't think she knows what I'm talking about!

 

[nilla]

I keep thinking that I need to try it... and then when we get to the park I'm always like "Now that I REALLY think about it... no thanks" need to stop being such a baby!

Do it!

For some of our original plans, we were going to go to SWW since we were there the first weekend. While neither of us were major star wars fans (Kenny, who has seen like.. 2 movies, and I've seen some, can't really remember how many), we decided not to... because we heard it was rather crowded and chaotic...

It's pretty easy to avoid the crowds, for the most part. Hint: they're NOT at Voyage of the Little Mermaid!

They do. Around christmastime they light them around the lake in the center of our town.

My one roommate's favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast, and at one point she was talking about Lumiere, and I called him Lenny. She was forever confused... Until one day we were watching Law & Order, and I called Lenny, Lumiere... I still don't think she knows what I'm talking about!

I don't think I know any actors' real names...I just know them by their characters. Walter White is still "Hal" to me

Ok, updates!