Firsts, Fourths, and Farewells (4/28 Back to the Future!)

[MEK]

I absolutely love seeing the happy smiles of children in Radiator Springs. I know my boys would have adored those cars characters had the movie come our ten years earlier. This summer my 4 nephews will be traveling with us and the youngest is 5. I can't wait to see what he gravitates towards.

I never get tired of seeing pix of your children. So cute!!!!!

 

[thecapells]

Finding your own border? Very creative I never would have thought of that.

I love how excited X looks! Great pics

Could you be headed to the Muppet store?

Congratulations!
Someone's been paying attention!
We are definitely off to the Stage 1 Company Store before we grab a bite to eat.
2 points for Dawn!

 

[thecapells]

I absolutely love seeing the happy smiles of children in Radiator Springs. I know my boys would have adored those cars characters had the movie come our ten years earlier. This summer my 4 nephews will be traveling with us and the youngest is 5. I can't wait to see what he gravitates towards.

I never get tired of seeing pix of your children. So cute!!!!!

Thanks so much for the kind words.
Our little tikes definitely keep us busy.
You'll have a blast this summer with nephews!!

 

[boxmaster]

The problem is when it is time to say “good-bye” to these characters.
X literally breaks down and cries.
Everytime.
So, much like we did last time, we hopped on-line again.
And X visited his friends one more time.

It was a fair bit easier this time 'round, I'd wager. Do recall that when we were all a decent chunk of the way through the line the first time around, I actually got out of place and went to the back of the line, to save a space for Xander once he was finished with his first time through. It wasn't that much extra time on line, given the timing.

 

[thecapells]

We still had some time to kill before our extremely early dinner ADR – the one with problem with the Fantasmic! Dinner Package is the dinner times are sooooo early!!
First off, we decided to explore the immediate area a bit.
There’s some great Muppet gags scattered around here if you know where to look…

The recurring motif of the area is that the muppets were apparently painting and knocked over most of the paint.
You’ll see it in lots of places just splattered around.
Check for footprints, handprints, and other things that might indicate who was there…

Then there’s the larger-than-life frog himself.
We always stop to take a picture here.

Followed by some more paint…

And some interesting cannisters left in the corner.

Then we decided to shop a bit and explore one of our favorite stores – the Stage One Company Store.
The entire store is made up of props from the Muppet movies complete with Muppet-style pranks with all the fun signs.
So let’s start the tour…

And then, my favorite set of sign gags.
The kids love this one too – follow along everyone across one of the walls…

And then the randomness ensues.
Yes, it gets even worse (these are the Muppets after all)…

Don’t forget the subtlety!

Remember this set?

And then our Princess got into the Diva act…

X wasn’t as happy being green…

Now, back to the scenery.
Here’s some with good ol’ reliable Rizzo…

 

[thecapells]

Before we left, we ended up buying the huge 2011 Matchbox box and matching airplane for X (you'll see the picture later).
It was his birthday after all and he deserved a keepsake.
With the little guy thrilled, we headed outside for some more Muppet Mayhem.

I love this one.
It’s a target on the floor for when the Muppets decide to drop things on your head.

Finally, our tour was over.
It was time to have some dinner – but that story is for next time…

 

[thecapells]

Sorry I haven't posted in some time.
This past week has been crazy as we try to fit in soccer games that were rescheduled due to rain.
In addition to all that, we've been prepping for Halloween - yes, we are that family who gets dressed up all together!
And then there was Princess' birthday!
She turned 7 on October 19th (which a little birdie tells me will be an important day next year as well!)


And then there's the small issue of us DOING THE SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!
Yup, we are headed to the World next Friday and the kids don't even know yet!
I can't believe we've been able to keep it a secret.
They're gonna die when they find out!!!
Needless to say, we've been trying to pack in our spare time so the kids wouldn't see and gather all the things we need.
It's gonna be a long trip and we'll be driving so there's lots of planning to be done!
However, I do vow to keep posting until we leave and hope to have a couple more segments up by then!

 

[dawnbu40]

What a fun update! That store has so much to see! You got some pictures of things I'd never noticed

Enjoy Halloween weekend! Do we get a hint on your costumes or a family picture?

Oct 19th will always be an important day in both our families! Caitlin loves that she and your princess will share a special day.

I am so impressed that you've been able to keep your trip a secret! It can't be easy!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Happy Birthday to the Princess!!!!

Yay for single digit dancing

 

[HilJoy14]

Thanks for sharing all the pictures of the muppets area. We never take time to just look at things like that! (Although maybe we can soon, since we're hoping to get annual passes and are now living only two hours away!)

I can't believe you've been able to keep the trip a secret from the kids! Have an amazing time!!!

 

[thecapells]

What a fun update! That store has so much to see! You got some pictures of things I'd never noticed

Enjoy Halloween weekend! Do we get a hint on your costumes or a family picture?

Oct 19th will always be an important day in both our families! Caitlin loves that she and your princess will share a special day.

I am so impressed that you've been able to keep your trip a secret! It can't be easy!

Yes, we'll be thinking of you guys when we crown her 8 Years Old!

We did "Boo at the Zoo" last weekend to test out the costumes and I think they came out well.
We can post pictures after Monday if we can get a good group shot.
Although I must warn you, we deviated from Disney in our costume choice and went with a certain wizard also found in Orlando...

Happy Birthday to the Princess!!!!

Yay for single digit dancing

We are very excited!!
And I will pass on the birthday wishes from one princess to another!

Thanks for sharing all the pictures of the muppets area. We never take time to just look at things like that! (Although maybe we can soon, since we're hoping to get annual passes and are now living only two hours away!)

I can't believe you've been able to keep the trip a secret from the kids! Have an amazing time!!!

We could spend hours over there - we literally find new details either in the store, the queue, or in the courtyard every time we visit.
As for keeping a secret from the kids - it's been tough.
Our current plan is to start leaving clues on Monday.
I'll update the TR with our progress!

 

[thecapells]

The Muppet Mayhem seems to continue as you head around the corner.
I can’t otherwise explain this picture…

But that’s where we were headed.
It turns out we’re not very fond of the dining choices at Hollywood Studios.
We like Sci-Fi and Play ‘N’ Dine is fine for breakfast, but there’s no real other choice.
Until we found Mama Melrose.
On our last trip, we tried it and were pleasantly surprised.
So this time, we decided to go with the Fantasmic! Dinner Package here and let J experience it.

We checked in and wandered the lobby.
DS even found a hidden Mickey in the dalmation statue!

After a slight delay, we were seated.
We were placed right next to the kitchen.
And it was hot.
Not because we were next to the kitchen, but because the place’s air conditioning must have broken.
It was so bad in there that I literally developed a headache before our food arrived.
And that wasn’t so hard as it took FOREVER for the food to arrive.
We actually had to complain several times and were about to walk out when it took more than 45 minutes for dessert to arrive.
I have never experienced a Disney restaurant this bad before.
Which is sad because we really enjoyed it last time.
And even more so since the rest of our day was now ruined.
Spending 2 hours for dinner eliminated the chance for us to squeeze some more attractions in before Fantasmic!
But, before we move on, here’s what was on the menu.
Honestly, I couldn’t enjoy mine since I was sweating and had a migrane from the heat but it may have been good…

Mom had the Chicken Pipette but substituted shrimp.
She said the shrimp were great but she detested the veggies and the sauce.

I had the chicken parmigiana with a cesar salad.
I had heard good things about this simple dish here and was very excited to try it but I barely had a bite since I felt so ill by the time it arrived.

J went with the chicken flatbread and a cesar salad.

The kids each got pizza.
Sides ranged from a fruit cup to yogurt to just plain strawberries.

For dessert, we ordered the chocolate meatballs to go.
Yes, I did say chocolate meatballs – more on that later.
Outside we tried to cheer up (that is, Mom tried to get me in a better mood since I was fuming) so we posed for some pictures.

Then we decided to split up.
I had to swing by the photo shop on Hollywood Boulevard to get the Jedi Academy pictures added to our Photopass account.
So Mom took J, X, and Princess and headed out to Sunset Boulevard slowly.
I grabbed DS and we took off quickly.
With one minor detour – I was so excited for the upcoming Star Tours 2!!

We finally arrived, found the pics of DS (which you saw earlier) and added them to our account.
Then we ran over to Sunset Boulevard to meet the rest of the crew.
It was getting close to Fantasmic! Time and that would definitely cheer me up!

 

[dawnbu40]

I'm so sorry to hear what a lousy experience you had a MM! I hope Fantasmic saved the day!

 

[thecapells]

I'm so sorry to hear what a lousy experience you had a MM! I hope Fantasmic saved the day!

Yeah, it was disappointing.
But Fantasmic always makes things better!
Stay tuned!!

 

[boxmaster]

It truly is amazing just how RIGHT this sign actually is. Having worked for a TV show, I can attest to how #4 always seemed to come into play, no matter how accurate I was able to get things for the writers, as the actors and producers were always mucking around with things.

 

[boxmaster]

Clearly, none of us paid particular attention to the sign above the restaurant, let alone realized that it referenced lots of things inside: the air conditioning, the food, the waitress...

We actually had to complain several times and were about to walk out when it took more than 45 minutes for dessert to arrive.

...

J went with the chicken flatbread and a cesar salad.

It was quite tasty. I was very glad that I went with this pseudo-pizza. Shame it took so long, though.

For dessert, we ordered the chocolate meatballs to go.
Yes, I did say chocolate meatballs – more on that later.

A preview, though, of what happens to dessert when you get so fed up with them and tell them that you want it to go. Any guesses at to what this, my dessert, was actually supposed to be?

At least the chocolate meatballs Mike referenced above were presented in a much better manner, as you'll see.

 

[MEK]

I'm all caught up (except for pictures).

Happy Belated Birthday to your pretty little princess. I actually still remember my 7th birthday because I felt so "old". If only I knew.

Sorry Mama Melrose stunk. I have eaten there several times and its always been good, plus I like the interior of the restaurant. But the experience you had makes me question whether I would ever return. I know you aren't the first person to have a bad meal/service there.

I agree that those Fantasmic Dinner Package meals are ridiculously early. I just stopped doing fantasmic all together. I am taking my nephews this summer. Hmmm .....I wonder if we will have to do it again.

So - planning a new trip??? When are you leaving?

 

[MEK]

Love all the muppet pics! And the kids - well you know I adore them! Although X doesn't look so happy in his hat pose!

 

[thecapells]

I'm all caught up (except for pictures).

Happy Belated Birthday to your pretty little princess. I actually still remember my 7th birthday because I felt so "old". If only I knew.

Sorry Mama Melrose stunk. I have eaten there several times and its always been good, plus I like the interior of the restaurant. But the experience you had makes me question whether I would ever return. I know you aren't the first person to have a bad meal/service there.

I agree that those Fantasmic Dinner Package meals are ridiculously early. I just stopped doing fantasmic all together. I am taking my nephews this summer. Hmmm .....I wonder if we will have to do it again.

So - planning a new trip??? When are you leaving?

It was surprising as we really liked Mama Melrose the previous trip.
We'll go back again and see which one shows up next time.

As for the the new trip - ummmmm.
We leave FRIDAY!!!!!
And the kids don't know about it yet!!!
We left some clues yesterday and today but I don't think they've caught on yet.
Should be fun picking them up from school on Friday and driving south!

Love all the muppet pics! And the kids - well you know I adore them! Although X doesn't look so happy in his hat pose!

Yeah, X didn't like the strap from the Kermit ears.
And hopefully we'll have some more Muppet goodies to share when we get back next week!

 

[MEK]

As for the the new trip - ummmmm.
We leave FRIDAY!!!!!
And the kids don't know about it yet!!!
We left some clues yesterday and today but I don't think they've caught on yet.
Should be fun picking them up from school on Friday and driving south!

Woohoo! I got the feeling you were leaving soon, but tomorrow! That is so great and what a wonderful surprise for the kids. I hope you have a wonderful trip! I can't wait to read all about your latest adventure!