Flowers, Segways & DIS Meets, Oh My! - Updated 10/26, Final Thoughts-FINALLY!

[LilAnn]

I keep wondering how we never crossed paths. It sounds like we were at the same parks on the same days around the same times. Then again, they are pretty big parks and I was more focused on the toddler/little ones areas.

I can't wait to one day walk through One Man's Dream. We tried to go through one evening during EMH, but they wouldn't let us in with a stroller. Since it was late, I had been hoping to walk through leisurely with our little girl in the AC so she could doze off and I could enjoy the whole exhibit. Oh well, maybe next time.

Have a safe trip this weekend and thinking positive thoughts for your aunt!

 

[kschafer]

Good start to your DHS day! How fun to run into Tracy again!!

I didn't realize they had shut down the animation building. I was there Sunday and the UP background was there and when I returned on Saturday, the TS3 background had appeared...no characters either time though

 

[disneydusted]

Good for your mom riding so many different rides! She is a trooper!! I can't believe you had such an easy time with TSM! It will be closing down on Sunday.. the day we arrive so I don't think we'll get to try it out.
I like your Pluto! He's good! I am looking forward to doing the animation studio, it's nice to have something free!
I'm sorry you have had quite a shock about your aunt. It's always a hard time to go through

 

[mermaid764]

Great morning so far at DHS!

I've always wanted to see One Man's Dream and was so disappointed that it will be closed during our first visit.

That's insane that you had that short of a wait for TSM and to collect the fastpasses, but luckily you guys got a chance to ride it twice.

Can't wait to hear where you decided for lunch

 

[MHTeacher]

Enjoyed your morning at DHS update.

Hope those drawings stayed safe and sound.........!

 

[praisehisname]

So sorry to hear about your aunt; I hope you're having a good visit with her.

So nice to have the Green Army Men controlling the TSM masses; sounds like it worked well for you. Kudos to your mom for trying RNRC! I think your Plutos turned out really well!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Sounds like a great morning at DHS! Yay for getting to ride TSM.

haha, we met Lotso while we were there! My sister kept saying how he was so cute but why does he have to be so mean?!

I love the Animation Academy! Pluto looks really hard but your turned out good!

Oh yeah, and we always get the gangster scene in GMR too.

 

[cdotla]

Hey Michelle! All caught up with your Report. I am glad I am not the only one who has been scarce this August on the Boards!

Loved your report about St. Louis. Sounds like a lot of fun!

So glad you and your mom liked La Nouba. Chris and I saw the show back in 2007 with our best friends. We left the kids with my parents and headed out for an adult's evening out. We LOVED it!!! The Chinese girls were definitely our favourites too. We were 2nd row, and admittedly you had to crank your neck to see some of the higher acts. However, I really enjoyed our seats. We were able to see so much of the performers' expressions during the show. And when the guy on the mountain bike came out, he literally bounded almost right into our laps!

I completely agree with you - everyone has to see La Nouba at least once. Chris and I will likely take the kids on our next family trip. We have seen 2 other Cirque shows, but La Nouba is definitely the best!

Glad you didn't have a crazy pushing experience to TSM. Curious as to where you had lunch. I am gonna guess Sci Fi.

 

[Disneygrl36]

for you hitting TSM just right!!!!
Can you tell me where exactly you got the yummy pretzel in AK? I think the On Safari came from Dawa bar right? Planning on partaking of these snacks in 3 days!

 

[SoScary'09]

Thanks for sharing your amazing trip! I read through the whole thing

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow.......your TSM experience was way different from ours!!! You got to ride it and got FPs for later....very cool! We were at rope drop, yet still encountered the longest FP line I've ever seen...crazy!!!

So glad you got your mom to try RnRC...it's such a great ride!

I LOVE the animation academy.....that's so cool that you got to draw Pluto!!!

Hummmmmm....interested in seeing where you went for lunch!

This was the only time we have had such an easy time with TSM, I'm not sure why it was that way, but I'm glad it was!

I'm glad Mom tried RnRC too, it's one of my favorites and I would have been bummed to miss it!

We discoved how fun the animation academy was when we went to DCA a couple of years ago, now it's a must do - several times if we can swing it

Lunch was decidedly NOT interesting...

This time of year always seems to be crazy busy for everyone! Lots of prayers for your aunt!

Great update! Hurray for being at the front of the crowd for TSMM! You have had a wonderful day so far at DHS! So cool that you ran into Manntra! Can't wait to see where you ate!

Kids go back to school Thursday, hopefully things will slow down a bit then. Of course, I got cornered by a lady I know tonight at Jared's open house and she talked me into signing up for all kinds of stuff at his school

I was pretty excited to be ahead of the masses for TSM, first time it's been that easy, but I was shocked that there was no real wait for FPs when we finished the ride!

It was fun running into Tracy

Great morning at DHS! Your mom and Ellie rode RNRC the same way and had the same opinion of it too!

The Great Movie ride thing cracks me up-- we have ALWAYS gotten the cowboy side until this trip when we got the gangster. We were so excited to get it!! It seems that people always get one or the other a lot!!

I think you did just fine on your drawings. He is hard to draw. Ellie and I drew him last summer but from a different perspective than yours.

My thoughts are with your aunt, you, and your family during this time.

We did have a good morning! Mom did at least say she would consider riding RnRC again....

I can't believe you always get the cowboy! I've ridden that thing countless times and only had the cowboy once! I did learn that if they have both scenes running then you can ask for the one you want - I may do that next time.

I may not have a future in animation, but doing the drawings is always fun and they are a great keepsake too.

Great morning at DHS! My BIL wouldn't ride RnRC until our very last night one trip and he kicked himself that he waited! I was terrified the first time I went on and kept my eyes closed the whole time....now it's one of my fav'!

Love TSM....nothing better!!

I totally understand how your BIL felt! I didn't ride it at all our first two trips, I was terrified, but got persuaded (bullied into ) to ride when we went with friends. I love it now. I did keep my eyes closed the entire time the first time I rode too.

Wow! I'm sure all the parents really enjoyed that disc! That is so thoughtful.

I'm sorry to hear about your Aunt...is she at Mayo? If so and you happen to see any "Reimers" (my old last name) nurses there, tell them you know me! I have several relatives working there. I hope all goes well with treatment with your Aunt...how horrible that it was completely sudden and spread so far too. Prayers being said!


About the update...
There wasn't a TSM mad-dash?!! How nice! And the addition of the Green Army Men is a great idea too.

I have the Animation Academy on my wish list for DHS. I am going to put Henry in one of the seats and guide his hand - should be kinda fun.

I've never gotten the cowboy - IF I remember, I'm gonna request it this time!

My aunt was not at Mayo, small town doctors and hospitals. I'll have an update about her after I finish all of my responses.

The lack of a TSM dash had me baffeled - it was busy, but not crazy like normal - it was awesome!

Katie told me that you could request which scene you got, I'm so going to try that next time!

 

[SoonerGirl]

OH I think the D&B Princess pattern is SO cute!! I did notice that the AD said "Featured in Teen Vouge". I guess I just love anything girly looking---even if it is "for teenagers". HA!

http://www.disneystore.com/pop-princess-collection-princess-tote-by-dooney-bourke/p/1270371/314002/

I am going to have a hard time picking between the princess pattern and the sketch pattern!

Those are really cute! So many bags, so little time.......

Our paths must have kept crossing while at HS because I did a lot of the same things as you, except RnR because I had to much stuff and didn't feel like getting a locker. I think your Plutos look great. What's wrong with them. Good job. Sorry I missed the animation class because I couldn't endure the 20 min wait.

I always get the gansta' scene too. I have had the cowboy scene once, mmmhhhh, maybe twice. It's always that same old gangster and they are NEVER as good as the actor in my original ride so I always fine them just ho-hum.

Your mom is a trooper for riding RnR. Nothing wrong with closing your eyes on that one!

This was the morning you tried out for AI right? We probably did pass by each other a few times!

It's hard to make yourself wait for the Animation class if you just missed one, but I usually do since I enjoy it so much. Pluto just looks funny to me - nose too long, tongue too big, ears too small.....

I've had some pretty bad gangsters lately too, this last one was so quiet that you could hardly tell what she was saying.

Mom was a trooper, she rode everything I asked her too

Terrific update! Glad to hear the rush to TSMM wasn't so bad! We definitely experienced our fair share of pushers last time!!
I have never attempted Animation Academy-- I know my drawing would be far, far worse than anyone else's!!

I was super excited to have the rush to TSMM be so managable!

You should give the animation class a try, they do a really good job of breaking down the drawings. Believe me, if I can do it - anyone can!

I enjoyed your DHS update. Be safe on your drive to MN. Prayers are with you & your family.

Thanks - trip to MN was long, but I'm so glad I went.

I'll pray for your aunt and for the family during this difficult time. I pray that you'll also have safe travels and that you guys can bring some joy with your visit!

Ooo, I like that the soldiers made sure that everyone in the party was together. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to get a FP and meeting Weird on line or vice versa, so we would never do it. But that gives the "advantage" to others, so I'm glad it kind of forces people to choose one or the other.

We did the same thing; we rode first then got FP for later. It was okay that they were for later in the day because we were planning on staying. No waiting at all except for one person!

I've read that it's possible to ask the CMs if you could get on a ride that will get you the scene you want on the Great Movie Ride. If that's possible, I'd like to see the cowboy one too. We saw the gangster one last time. The CM gangster was fun though even though he kind of scared some of the kids! He was a very young gangster though! Haha, probably my age or possibly even younger!

The pic of your mom holding her drawing is great! The picture composition and the setting itself is great, but your mom looks so beautiful!

I see lots of people grabbing FPs and then joining their family already in line. I don't guess I really have a problem with it, but I'd feel weird doing it myself. Glad you were able to ride twice too - it's such a great ride!

I've heard that you can ask for the scene you want on the GMR too, I think I'll give it a try next time. I've had enough of the gangster, I want something different!

I took that picture of Mom without the flash so that I wouldn't disturb anyone else around. It gave her a soft glow

 

[SoonerGirl]

Michelle, love your Studios update. We only got to do TSM once last year and can't wait to try it twice this year at least. I think your Pluto picture is darn good. I can guarantee you that I won't even be taking a picture of whatever character I get. I'm a terrible drawer. I have to disagree with your mom...I prefer Expedition over Rock & Roll. But, in truth, I could do without both of them. Luckiloy with Mark's surgery I won't have to ride them this year.

I'm going to assume that you are going over that fact that you don't have to ride them, and not that Mark had to have surgery

Sorry to read about your aunt. Happy thoughts to her and all of your family.



Sounds like you had a great morning at HS...and I think your Pluto, and your mom's, actually look great!

We did have a great morning, probably the lowest crowds we experienced all week - it was nice!

I keep wondering how we never crossed paths. It sounds like we were at the same parks on the same days around the same times. Then again, they are pretty big parks and I was more focused on the toddler/little ones areas.

I can't wait to one day walk through One Man's Dream. We tried to go through one evening during EMH, but they wouldn't let us in with a stroller. Since it was late, I had been hoping to walk through leisurely with our little girl in the AC so she could doze off and I could enjoy the whole exhibit. Oh well, maybe next time.

Have a safe trip this weekend and thinking positive thoughts for your aunt!

We probably crossed paths many times just didn't know it!

Definitely check out One Man's Dream sometime, it's worth the time it takes to go through it and watch the film at the end.

Good start to your DHS day! How fun to run into Tracy again!!

I didn't realize they had shut down the animation building. I was there Sunday and the UP background was there and when I returned on Saturday, the TS3 background had appeared...no characters either time though

It was fun to run into Tracy! We talked about you actually, so told me about your dinner the night before

Yup, no entrance into the animation building at all - it was really strange!

Good for your mom riding so many different rides! She is a trooper!! I can't believe you had such an easy time with TSM! It will be closing down on Sunday.. the day we arrive so I don't think we'll get to try it out.
I like your Pluto! He's good! I am looking forward to doing the animation studio, it's nice to have something free!
I'm sorry you have had quite a shock about your aunt. It's always a hard time to go through

Mom was great about trying so many different rides - quite the daredevil she is

Oh, that stinks that TSM will be closed while you are there! I'm surprised that it is going down for referb so soon

The drawing from the class is a fun keepsake, and like you said, even better because it's free!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great morning so far at DHS!

I've always wanted to see One Man's Dream and was so disappointed that it will be closed during our first visit.

That's insane that you had that short of a wait for TSM and to collect the fastpasses, but luckily you guys got a chance to ride it twice.

Can't wait to hear where you decided for lunch

Awww, that stinks that One Man's Dream will be closed while you are there! It's such a great attraction. You'll just have to plan another trip to check it out

I was so shocked about the lack of wait for TSMM! I thought that maybe we were ahead of the crowd when we rode just because we were towards the front for rope drop, but I have no idea where everyone was when we got our FPs. In December the FP line that I waited in went all the way down past One Man's Dream - it was crazy!

Lunch was completely unexciting....

Enjoyed your morning at DHS update.

Hope those drawings stayed safe and sound.........!

Yup, no mishaps this time - I rolled them up and put them in the bottom of my camera bag. They got a little squished, but they made it home with me!

So sorry to hear about your aunt; I hope you're having a good visit with her.

So nice to have the Green Army Men controlling the TSM masses; sounds like it worked well for you. Kudos to your mom for trying RNRC! I think your Plutos turned out really well!

Having the Green Army Men doing crowd control adds even more fun to the attraction I think!

Our Plutos were okay, I'd like to try him again though!

Sounds like a great morning at DHS! Yay for getting to ride TSM.

haha, we met Lotso while we were there! My sister kept saying how he was so cute but why does he have to be so mean?!

I love the Animation Academy! Pluto looks really hard but your turned out good!

Oh yeah, and we always get the gangster scene in GMR too.

Yikes! You went up to that mean old bear?! He does look so cute and cuddly, I think that is partly why I was so shocked that he was rotten!

Apparently everyone but Stacy always gets the gangster scene!

 

[Happydog]

Hi! I am here still, really! I am just trying to get all caught up on my TRs!!! I never thought to ask about which "tour" to go on for the Great Movie Ride.. I liked the cowboy one best, but had the gangster one last trip. Good tip! TSM is the best, and I am glad there wasn't a crush of people!!!!

Just reading about your visit to your aunt, and hope everything went well with that unexpected trip.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hey Michelle! All caught up with your Report. I am glad I am not the only one who has been scarce this August on the Boards!

Loved your report about St. Louis. Sounds like a lot of fun!

So glad you and your mom liked La Nouba. Chris and I saw the show back in 2007 with our best friends. We left the kids with my parents and headed out for an adult's evening out. We LOVED it!!! The Chinese girls were definitely our favourites too. We were 2nd row, and admittedly you had to crank your neck to see some of the higher acts. However, I really enjoyed our seats. We were able to see so much of the performers' expressions during the show. And when the guy on the mountain bike came out, he literally bounded almost right into our laps!

I completely agree with you - everyone has to see La Nouba at least once. Chris and I will likely take the kids on our next family trip. We have seen 2 other Cirque shows, but La Nouba is definitely the best!

Glad you didn't have a crazy pushing experience to TSM. Curious as to where you had lunch. I am gonna guess Sci Fi.

This whole summer has been so nuts, I feel like I barely have any DIS time and I'm really neglecting this report!

I guess it would be really nice to see the facial expressions of the La Nouba performers, as I was watching though I just kept thinking that if I were up close I'd be missing the 'big picture', kwim? Either way, it's a fabulous show!

Sci Fi would normally be the perfect guess, it's our family tradition to eat lunch at Sci Fi on one of our DHS days, but unfortunately that is not where we ended up.

for you hitting TSM just right!!!!
Can you tell me where exactly you got the yummy pretzel in AK? I think the On Safari came from Dawa bar right? Planning on partaking of these snacks in 3 days!

I've gotten the pretzel in two different places - one from a cart by KRR and one from a cart by the safari. They aren't hard to find. And, yes the Lost on Safari can be obtained from the Dawa bar - I can't wait to hear what you think of my favorite snack/drink combo!

Thanks for sharing your amazing trip! I read through the whole thing

Wow! Thank you so much for reading and for posting!

**********************

I just want to say thanks so much to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my aunt. Unfortunately, she was much worse off than I had known when I planned this trip. The day before we left to go up there she was taken to the hospital. My brother and I made the decision to go and see her as soon as we arrived. We dropped our families off and then headed out to the hospital. I was totally unprepared to see her the way she was, it was heart breaking and emotionally draining. I had seen her just a few months earlier at my grandmother's funeral and she was fine, to see her dying such a short time later was hard to take. She had had a rough day and was pretty doped up, but she had a few moments of recognition where she looked at me and smiled. I'm pretty sure she knew I was there. She died on Sunday, just 70 days after she was diagnosed. Her funeral is tomorrow and I'm truly struggling with not being there. If I had known in advance that she was so bad I would have left my family at home and gone alone. I had to get them back home by today. Jared had open house today in a new school, has an orthodontist appointment tomorrow and they start school on Thursday, both boys at new schools. Plus Don needs to go out of town tomorrow. All of that convinced me to head home, but I'm feeling so guilty about it. I know that seeing her while she was still here is more important, but it's very hard not being with the family right now. I keep feeling like I made the wrong decision. Anyway, thanks again for all your support, it is very much appreciated

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hi! I am here still, really! I am just trying to get all caught up on my TRs!!! I never thought to ask about which "tour" to go on for the Great Movie Ride.. I liked the cowboy one best, but had the gangster one last trip. Good tip! TSM is the best, and I am glad there wasn't a crush of people!!!!

Just reading about your visit to your aunt, and hope everything went well with that unexpected trip.

Hey HD! How was Scotland? I'm very behind on my subscriptions too - I completely understand!

 

[KatMark]

I'm going to assume that you are going over that fact that you don't have to ride them, and not that Mark had to have surgery

Yes, but the good news is that I get to do Big Thunder Mountain! MaryAZ's girls love that ride, and we are spending time with them at EMH's on the Sunday night we are there.

I just want to say thanks so much to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my aunt. Unfortunately, she was much worse off than I had known when I planned this trip. The day before we left to go up there she was taken to the hospital. My brother and I made the decision to go and see her as soon as we arrived. We dropped our families off and then headed out to the hospital. I was totally unprepared to see her the way she was, it was heart breaking and emotionally draining. I had seen her just a few months earlier at my grandmother's funeral and she was fine, to see her dying such a short time later was hard to take. She had had a rough day and was pretty doped up, but she had a few moments of recognition where she looked at me and smiled. I'm pretty sure she knew I was there. She died on Sunday, just 70 days after she was diagnosed. Her funeral is tomorrow and I'm truly struggling with not being there. If I had known in advance that she was so bad I would have left my family at home and gone alone. I had to get them back home by today. Jared had open house today in a new school, has an orthodontist appointment tomorrow and they start school on Thursday, both boys at new schools. Plus Don needs to go out of town tomorrow. All of that convinced me to head home, but I'm feeling so guilty about it. I know that seeing her while she was still here is more important, but it's very hard not being with the family right now. I keep feeling like I made the wrong decision. Anyway, thanks again for all your support, it is very much appreciated [/COLOR][/SIZE]

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about your aunt. I'm sending you a big and your aunt is in my thoughts and prayers. I know you feel bad not being there, but you saw her and she recognized you and that is something to keep in your heart along with all of the special memories.

 

[photographymom517]

I am loving your D&B! Did you see the new princess one? I am going to have a hard time deciding in December! Where can you buy D&B purses in the parks? (or where is the most fun shop to do so)

Hi Katie! I just thought I would respond to your question real quick before responding to Michelle's update (Michelle, I apologize in advance!)

There's a list somewhere on DIS (I think on the Dooney thread) of where you can buy Dooneys in the parks. I will try my best to recreate the list from memory! lol

MK
Uptown Jewelers

DHS
Not sure what its called, but the store on the corner of the strip of stores right before you walk down the path to Tower of Terror (they have a HUUUGE selection!) I think its a light blue building right across from Fairfax Food.

AK
none that I know of

Epcot
Mousegears (in jewelry section)

Other Locations
Giftshop at Beach Club Resort (?)
Giftshop at Grand Floridian Resort
Downtown Disney (Tren-D)

Honestly, before we went in June, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find them anywhere, but they are honestly EVERYWHERE you look! I didn't have any trouble at all finding all of the designs.

 

[photographymom517]

Great update from Hollywood Studios! I really liked the Great Movie Ride and One Man's Dream...it was my first time at both attractions!!!

We got a very interesting, upbeat CM on the Great Movie Ride. He was really funny & definitely seemed into his job! I still didn't have a chance to ride TSM. We didn't even bother because of all of the crowds. I was pleasantly surprised to hear your story about how you didn't have to wait & were able to ride AND get Fast Passes...gives me some hope for next trip!

We didn't go to Animation Studios on our trip because it looked like it was closed. I didn't see anyone going in or out of any of the doors. I think our son was too young to sit there anyway, so maybe thats another thing on our list for next trip.

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. I will keep you & your family in my thoughts & prayers.