Excuse me, you'll need to see security. What has Mickeystoontown done? Update 3/25x2

[mickeystoontown]

I feel the need....the need for speed! Step on it already!

Thankfully, by the time we were done with the Backlot Tour, it was no longer raining. Our stomachs were telling us that it was time for a lunch break so we started seeking out a place to eat. All of you know that there really aren’t that many good dining opportunities in Hollywood Studios. Yes, there are places to dine but I said there “aren’t that many good dining opportunities” in the park. During some of our earlier trips to Hollywood Studios, we always popped into the ABC Commissary so that Lacey could get the fish n chips and the rest of us could get a burger. Over the years, though, the food quality went downhill fast and we stopped eating there. However, last year, Hunter, Lacey and I tried it again and it was pretty good. Well, pretty good for Hollywood Studios standards. We decided to give it a whirl and ducked in before the lunchtime crowds descended upon the restaurant.

Let’s see what all we ordered:

Looks like a burger, a burger, a burger, a burger and an order of chicken nuggets. Jesse caught onto the need for taking pictures of our food real quick and even arranged the plates into a Hidden Mickey.

We also ordered the Darth Vader cupcakes and I tried to get a picture of the middle but it didn’t come out so great:

I must say that the quality of the food wasn’t that bad. I really enjoyed the fried shrimp that came on top of the burgers. There was very little sauce on the burgers so they seemed a little dry but it wasn’t anything that couldn’t be taken care of by adding a little mayo and mustard.

Once we were done eating, we meandered out and came upon the Great Movie Ride which wasn’t very crowded. Looks like we timed it right.

Wait, before we go in, we need to look at the handprints and footprints of the famous folks who have visited Hollywood Studios.

Once inside, we were able to walk right through and into the theater section. You know, that section where they show the various clips from movies of long ago. The line moved pretty quickly and we made our way through the maze of bars and were soon being loaded into our car. I tried taking pictures (without the flash of course) and some turned out pretty decent:

One of the other “we need to show Jesse” attractions was Lights! Motor! Action! Stunt Show. But, we were unsure whether or not it would take place because of the rain earlier in the day and the fact that it was misting rain when we came out of The Great Movie Ride. I found a CM who said that they believed the show was scheduled to start soon and we should make our way over.

I had to take this ala Abbey Road picture along the way:

**Continued in next post

 

[mickeystoontown]

As we got closer to the stunt show theater, we could see people streaming in and CMs waving people in. I feel the need! The need for speed! Step on it! They may close the theater before we can get it. We fast walked all the way to the bleachers and had to climb way up top to get a seat. Of course, just our luck, there was a big old column thing blocking part of our view. Oh well, at least we got in before they closed the theater to any more guests.

Last time we were at Hollywood Studios, Herbie was still in the show but now Lightning McQueen was the star! We were excited to see him make an appearance:

Everybody but Jesse was a tad disappointed in the show. Because of the weather and the set conditions, everything was slowed way down and to us they seemed to be in slow motion. It also took them a while longer to set things up in between stunts. Jesse had no clue that they were going slower than normal since he hadn’t seen it before. Pictures:

What did I mean there was a column blocking our view? Those pictures didn’t look so bad. How ‘bout this one?

Big column and big fan in our way.

More show pictures:

Instead of leaving with the hordes of other people, we sat where we were and let some of the others go out before us. Just look at all those people!

**Up next: Will you stop this foolishness? What foolishness would you like to see?

 

[MEK]

Glad that everyone enjoyed lunch. I guess it helps when you go in there with low expectations.

Yeah for pictures inside the great movie ride. They turned out really well. Nice job.

And I love the pics from the LMA show, but it is SO annoying when you are behind one of those supporting columns,

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I've never eaten at ABC Commisary since I've only seen bad reviews of it. Maybe I'll try it this time since you think it's gotten somewhat better, especially since no where has great CS at DHS.

I'm glad I saw LMA, but I don't know that I'll do it again. There are so many things I'd rather do there. But it is a nice show, though I'm sure not as nice slowed down.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Good Afternoon!

This is my first post EVER on DISBOARDS! I'm a newbie so please excuse my "rookieness". I LOVE your trip report so far! I always read trip reports on DISBOARDS to get my Disney fix, however yours was so fabulous I just had to actually join the boards as a member so I could post a response! Thanks for keeping me entertained and sharing your stories, you're a fantastic writer! Also wanted to share that I hope you do keep your reservations at Coronado Springs, that is my FAV moderate resort for sure! AND all their rooms have been refurbished and I think they just look fabulous, more of a contemporary style. It is a beautiful resort, yes the walking can be awhile depending on where your room is. However the walks are just beautiful and I think that you are just going to LOVE staying there. I can't wait hear what you think of Coronado and of course I can't wait to hear more on this current trip report! Have a great FRIDAY!!!!

I'm so happy to have you here! I sure hope that you'll feel free to post more and more on my report. I love hearing suggestions/comments/etc

Thanks so much for the honest review of the CSR. I'm looking for any and all tips I can get as it's a brand new resort for us.

I'm glad that Jesse enjoyed the Backlot Tour! We always mean to do it, but don't. In fact the last time we rode it was 9 years ago!

Love the Kermit hat! Those Muppet hats are a hoot!

9 years ago? Then you should remember the part of the tour that took you by all the fascade houses. My mother still talks about the Golden Girls house.

They have so many cute Muppets stuff.

Yes, I seem to remember you mentioning something about ghosts at your office. My first thought was that it was a ghost, but my cat was lying on the ground behind me completely oblivious to anything. So either it was a ghost of someone she knows or has seen often before and it's normal to her, or I hear voices in my head. Peanut often coos at *something*, so I'm thinking my mom or grandma are there.

We have all sorts of ghosties in our office building. I am always hearing creeking noises walking above my head.

How sweet that Peanut coos at "something". I chose to believe that it's both your mom and grandma.

Keith is slow in the mornings too and I still can't get him to understand the importance of doing the TSMM Dash!! The Backlot tour was closed for refurb this week and we were sad because we had planned to do it this go around! At least it appears you guys persevered despite the rain!

It must be a Southern boy thing then. I've heard rumblings that the Backlot Tour is going away soon so I hate that you missed it.

Whew… I'm caught up! Can I please slow my life down a little, I'm trying to prepare for a trip to Disney World!!!! Just found out this week that my In Laws are coming to town this upcoming week… Sigh!

I'm glad that John was a little slow on the draw with those deputies in your yard! My daddy woulda done the same thing!

I really hope we can do Toy Story Mania this trip! Missed out last time- No fastpasses, because we got there late! This year though, I'm planning on being there early!

Just look at your ticker! Just 11 more days until you are at Walt Disney World!

It sometimes seems like the line for the TSM fastpasses are as long as the line for the ride itself. I hope that it's not that way for you when you go.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow! What excitement in your backyard! That sounds about like something we'd do here. A few weeks ago Davis and I had just gone to bed - it was probably somewhere around midnight - when our doorbell rang. And our first instinct is - grab the gun!

As it turned out, it was the police at our door, too. It seems our backyard neighbors had called the police after seeing someone (Davis) in our backyard swinging a baseball bat (it was really a wiffle ball bat) and then noticing that our light was out.

He was swinging the bat at acorns while taking Margot out to potty. Says he does it every night. Nosy neighbors, I guess, but at least they're keeping watch over us!

I love Toy Story Mania - haven't had the chance to ride it since 2010! I guess we'll have to do the Toy Story Dash next time we're there!

It sounds at if the Arkansas and Louisiana Sheriff's Deputies trained at the same academy. We have a very very nosy neighbor too. I swear the lady watches our house with binoculars. One time, she asked me what happened to John's finger because she noticed that he had a bandaid on it. She's the same neighbor who, when we put up a small wooden privacy fence on our property line, told us that she had to put her eye up to the fence just to see down.

Any clue when ya'll will be heading back to Disney? Maybe our paths will cross again.

I was all the way back on page 103 but I'm caught up now. This past week was a busy one!

It sounds like you had a wonderful dinner at Ohana (except waiting for the bus to DTD. but it sounds like you all made waiting fun too.)

I can't believe you switched resorts!! I hope you enjoy the change. Are Lacey and Jesse staying there too?

About the incident while you were doing your floors I don't think I would be able to relax after that. Did they ever catch him?

I can't believe the parents of that child at TSMM. Don't they know they are just hurting their child? When other parents see him acting that way they won't want their children playing with him. I know at least 3 kids that River has known over the years that I didn't want him around because the parents wouldn't discipline them.

It never would have entered my mind to bring a stroller on a ride when River was still small enough to be in one. They couldn't park it and walk through the cue

I can't wait to see what happens next!

I am such a slower updater that it probably didn't take you long to catch up.

We never heard another peep out of the Sheriff's department nor did we see anything on the news or in the paper. Those dumb bunnies probably had the wrong neighborhood.

The parents in the TSM line were totally oblivious that their kid was doing anything wrong. It's sad that he'll grow up thinking it's okay to push his way around.

I have no idea how those people got the stroller on the tram. I thought that they were a no-no there.

They asked my to do the backlot tour a couple of years ago. I was only 14 so couldn't do it but i don't i would have if i could too shy. My mum and dad did it and my mum got wetter even tho my dad was the one in the chair.

Loving the trip report

Hunter was only 14 when he was chosen. We were the first ones in line for the first show of the day and Hunter was showing the castmembers magic tricks. After a few minutes, they said "you are 16 aren't you?" They had to say it twice before we caught on and said "sure he is".

How cool that both of your parents were chosen to participate. I'm sure that made for a fun memory.

Great update and pics,

Not a fan of the backlot tour but you got some good shots.

As always am looking forward to more.

The Backlot Tour isn't my favorite attraction but we still see it every trip.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Glad that everyone enjoyed lunch. I guess it helps when you go in there with low expectations.

Yeah for pictures inside the great movie ride. They turned out really well. Nice job.

And I love the pics from the LMA show, but it is SO annoying when you are behind one of those supporting columns,

We definitely did go in with low expectations so I guess that's why everything was tastier than we thought it would be.

I hated that we were sitting behind the column but it couldn't be helped. I just wish that the speed had been amped up a bit but I understood why it wasn't.

I've never eaten at ABC Commisary since I've only seen bad reviews of it. Maybe I'll try it this time since you think it's gotten somewhat better, especially since no where has great CS at DHS.

I'm glad I saw LMA, but I don't know that I'll do it again. There are so many things I'd rather do there. But it is a nice show, though I'm sure not as nice slowed down.

ABC Commissary was definitely better the past two trips than it was in previous years. A couple of times, it was downright disgusting.

We try to see the LMA show when we can. With Mama being with us next trip, we may have to skip it because she can't climb those stairs. If she rents a scooter, then we'll probably go.

 

[ronnmel]

I like that picture of everyone exiting the stadium. It's a different point of view that we never see, it's interesting.

We have all sorts of ghosties in our office building. I am always hearing creeking noises walking above my head.

How sweet that Peanut coos at "something". I chose to believe that it's both your mom and grandma.

I chose to believe the same thing. So when she does it I'll usually say hi to them.

 

[Pluto0809]

I agree that they need to add some better CS places at DHS! I ate at the Backlot place last time and it was just ok. Not sure where Mom and I will eat lunch.

I love the picture in the GMR of the cars in front of you! You don't see that perspective very often.

What a bummer on your seats for LMA but at least Jesse enjoyed it. I'm interested to see the Lightning McQueen part since I've only seen the show with Herbie. Mom has never seen that show so I'm looking forward to sharing it with her.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I have my own version of the Abbey Road picture as my computer wallpaper at work:

 

[macleod1979]

Nice!

 

[shan23877]

I'm glad that you were able to get a decent lunch at ABC! What is it about DHS? There are just too few places to get good food!

You did get really good pics on the GMR!

I'm so glad that you were able to take Jesse to LMA. Don't you love the perspective of first timers? That's great.

 

[deedeew80]

Hi Lisa! Great update! I agree that there isn't much to choose from in HWS for eating! I am hoping to try the Holywood & Vine for lunch on our upcoming trip. They have the Disney Junior Characters there for lunch & Emma will love it!!! I actually have made some ADRs this week since we are 180 days out! Unfortunately, some restaurants I wasn't able to book yet because I need a credit card to hold it. We are currently in the midst of switching banks, so no credit card right now. We will, however, be booking our trip officially this time next week!!!! And then I will be able to, hopefully, finish my ADRs!!! Anyway. Can't wait for the next update!!!

 

[natebenma]

Good to hear you survived lunch at Hollywood Studios! Fried shrimp on top of the burgers? Why?

We always enjoy the Great Movie Ride! I like your pictures. It is always hit or miss on that one!

Lights, Motor, Action, however, is NOT an every trip sort of attraction. But I'm glad that you went and Jesse got to see it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Coming back with replies later. I am trying to pump out a couple of updates before the end of the day tomorrow. I'm just on day two of Lacey & Jesse joining the trip so I need to get a move on.

I booked our Thanksgiving trip to Tennessee this morning! We're headed to Knoxville and then Pigeon Forge. I can't wait to see my two babies and the Smoky Mountains again!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Sam the Eagle: Will you stop this foolishness?
The Great Gonzo: What foolishness would you like to see?

After letting what seemed like thousands and thousands of other people exit the Lights! Motor! Action! Show, we made our way down the bleachers and wondered what to do next. How ‘bout we go see those wild and crazy guys affectionately known as the Muppets! I love the Muppets!

Just look at that wait time would ya. 5 minutes! Hold on Kermie , Lisa’s coming!

I love all the cute little details Disney throws in. It’s amazing how many of those details you can miss if you hurry through the parks.

We entered the pre-show area and were kept entertained by this guy:

And listened to this conversation:

Sam the Eagle: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it is my honor to present to you... Mr. Mickey Mouse!
Rizzo the Rat: [singing to the tune of the Mickey Mouse Club March] Oh, Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da! Hi there, welcome to my park, how'ya doin'...
Sam the Eagle: Wait a minute! You are not Mickey Mouse! You are a rat!
Rizzo the Rat: Rat, schmat! Besides, they're tourists. What do they know?

Hey Rizzo, I may be a tourist but I know Mickey Mouse when I see him and you certainly aren’t Mickey Mouse!

The doors to the theater opened and we continued “Making your way all the way down. All the way down. Do not stop in the middle of the row.” As with most 3D shows, there’s always some dumb bunnies who think that the rules don’t apply to them and we had to scoot our way past them. John may or may not have “accidentally” kicked one of the guys’ feet out of his way.

We really enjoyed the show, as we always do. John’s favorite part is when Bean Bunny is making the buzzing noises and providing the flying bees for Miss Piggy when she’s singing. Miss Piggy somehow gets caught on a ski rope and goes flying across the screen. Makes him laugh every single time.

Once back outside, I took a few more pictures while we decided on what to see or do next.

Everybody wanted to go to Star Tours so off we went. As we got into line, a Storm Trooper appeared and would walk up and down the walkway keeping guard or whatever Storm Troopers normally do. (I have no clue since I’ve never watched even 5 minutes of any Star Wars movie.)

Jesse was really excited to see Star Tours and we were excited to see his reaction. Everybody have their 3D glasses on?

Wait a minute! There’s someone missing from that picture. That’d be me:

So, what did Jesse think of Star Tours? He gave it a big thumbs up and said that he wanted to do it again if we had time before we left the park. Before leaving the “exit store” a/k/a dump shop, Hunter stopped to build a droid:

Now, it’s at this point that memory is a little fuzzy. I can’t remember if we went in to see Indiana Jones or if we skipped it. If we saw it, then I didn’t take one itty bitty picture which would be super odd for me. So, I’m thinking that we missed it. What we didn’t miss was the opportunity for Hunter to pull the “Don’t Pull The Rope” rope:

**Up next: Ooh ooh! Can I have one of those? Pretty pleeeze with a coffee on top?

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Yay for booking your Thanksgiving trip. Can't wait for your mini-TR for that.

I may do the same thing as John when people don't move all the way down and I have to go around them....

How could you not have seen any of the Star Wars movies!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Good to hear you survived lunch at Hollywood Studios! Fried shrimp on top of the burgers? Why?

We always enjoy the Great Movie Ride! I like your pictures. It is always hit or miss on that one!

Lights, Motor, Action, however, is NOT an every trip sort of attraction. But I'm glad that you went and Jesse got to see it.

I have no idea why there are fried shrimp skewered to the top of the burgers. The only thing on the burger that even semi ties in the shrimp is a dab of remoulade sauce.

We were trying our best to see and do everything so that Jesse could experience it all!

Hi Lisa! Great update! I agree that there isn't much to choose from in HWS for eating! I am hoping to try the Holywood & Vine for lunch on our upcoming trip. They have the Disney Junior Characters there for lunch & Emma will love it!!! I actually have made some ADRs this week since we are 180 days out! Unfortunately, some restaurants I wasn't able to book yet because I need a credit card to hold it. We are currently in the midst of switching banks, so no credit card right now. We will, however, be booking our trip officially this time next week!!!! And then I will be able to, hopefully, finish my ADRs!!! Anyway. Can't wait for the next update!!!

Emma will love the Disney Junior characters! I've seen several trip reports with pictures of the characters there and it seems to get good reviews.

I'm so excited that you are getting to return to Disney. I know that you're just busting at the seams to book.

I'm glad that you were able to get a decent lunch at ABC! What is it about DHS? There are just too few places to get good food!

You did get really good pics on the GMR!

I'm so glad that you were able to take Jesse to LMA. Don't you love the perspective of first timers? That's great.

I don't know why the counter service foods at HS are so...so...so....blah.

I loved seeing how Jesse reacted to everything we saw and did.

Nice!

Thanks!

I have my own version of the Abbey Road picture as my computer wallpaper at work:

Oh that's cute!

I agree that they need to add some better CS places at DHS! I ate at the Backlot place last time and it was just ok. Not sure where Mom and I will eat lunch.

I love the picture in the GMR of the cars in front of you! You don't see that perspective very often.

What a bummer on your seats for LMA but at least Jesse enjoyed it. I'm interested to see the Lightning McQueen part since I've only seen the show with Herbie. Mom has never seen that show so I'm looking forward to sharing it with her.

All of the counter service foods at HS are just okay. I don't know why?

I wish that the LMA show could have been shown at full throttle but I understood why they couldn't. I just hope that Jesse gets to see it in full blown mode next trip.

I like that picture of everyone exiting the stadium. It's a different point of view that we never see, it's interesting.




I chose to believe the same thing. So when she does it I'll usually say hi to them.

There were sooooo many people leaving the theater. When I see pictures like that, I am amazed at how many people fit into one area.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Yay for booking your Thanksgiving trip. Can't wait for your mini-TR for that.

I may do the same thing as John when people don't move all the way down and I have to go around them....

How could you not have seen any of the Star Wars movies!

I am ready to hit the road right now! We're leaving Wednesday after work, driving as far as we can/want. Mama will be going with us so we need to take it easy. We arrive in Knoxville on Thanksgiving day. Other than that, we have no real plans. Lacey called last week and said that she could see snow on top of the mountains!

It ticks me off to no end when people sit down in the middle of a theater. Especially since the castmembers are telling everybody to keep moving on down.

Nope! I have never seen one Star Wars movie. Not even a few minutes of one.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm behind! You booked a Thanksgiving trip? For this year?

Love the muppets. Did you ever stop to look under the matt for the key as you walk through the turnstile at Muppets? You're right, there is so much detail. Seems we find something "new" all the time!