- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
Saturday 25th August Hollywood Studios, a Meet-Up and Man v Food - The Sequel
Before I begin, I completely forgot to mention something in yesterdays report. Remember this?
Well, having seen the forecast for the next few days, we had made a decision that we may well need to visit Disney Quest again during the remaining few days of our trip and wanted to see if it we could upgrade Daniels MYW ticket to a MYW Hopper Plus. While we were at DTD on the Friday afternoon (After checking in at the Beach Club) we went to Guest Services and asked whether it was possible to upgrade Daniels 6-ay MYW Hopper to a 6-day MYW Hopper Plus it was! I also then explained that wed bought a 1-day ticket to DQ a couple of days earlier and cheekily asked if the cost of the ticket could be offset against the cost of the upgrade. The friendly CM gave me a little smile and said he would see what he could do. After a little bit of discussion with a colleague, he typed a few things in to the computer, disappeared out the back and then came back and gave me a weird look. I thought maybe he was going to congratulate me on my audacity and inform me politely that he couldnt apply the cost of the DQ ticket but, no. Instead, with a small grin, he informed me that he had upgraded Daniels ticket, offset the cost of the 1-day DQ ticket and applied the remaining amount that THEY OWED ME to a gift card! I was astonished. Apparently, the cost of the new ticket was less than wed paid for the old ticket (or some such nonsense) and so we actually made on the deal. Only at Disney!
Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled viewing and our first day at Disney. We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning, which was a relief after the poor weather of the last few days. Since it was EMH at Hollywood Studios this morning, we were up bright and early.
This was the view from our balcony much better!
We were soon showered, dressed and walking down to the lighthouse, where we waited for the Friendship Boat to DHS. There were quite a few people waiting and, although there was no line as such, there was the usual unspoken rule that those who had been there less time held back to let the others who were there first board. Except for one family (there's always one), who arrived at the same time as the boat and calmly strolled up from the end of the pier, barging their way through to try and board first. Appalling behaviour! We were soon all herded on though and it was standing room only as we approached the Swan and Dolphin. The captain only let a few people on here and apologised to those waiting but explained thered be another boat along soon. The other CM on board was admiring Daniels t-shirt (Kermit the Frog) and said his nickname was Kermit when he was a child. I love that the CMs are still so willing to engage with the kids even when theyre not young and cute any more.
We eventually arrived at Hollywood Studios, disembarked and headed into the park. First stop was Toy Story Mania for Fast Passes. We then had time for a quick ride on Tower of Terror before meeting our friends, Peggy and Gary (and two of their sons). We had met Peggy and Gary on the cruise we took back in October 2011 and were very excited to get the chance to spend some time with them.
We had a quick breakfast at Starring Rolls and I was able to cross the first snack off my snack list (yes, I was sad enough to prepare a list of the snacks and treats I wanted to try at WDW this visit). Daniel and I shared the extremely delicious Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake.
One snack down, several more to go
Cross-section
Gary had a chocolate croissant and a hot tea boring!
Pain au Chocolat
After our healthy breakfast, it was time for a Hollywood Studios classic The Great Movie Ride. Daniel found Kermits handprint (?) outside.
Kermit and Kermit
After the GMR, we decided we would try out the new Star Wars ride as we hadnt done it since it changed. It was great fun, a big improvement on the previous iteration. After the ride, we watched the Jedi training for a while and then Daniel decided he needed a drink so we wandered off to get some water.
We had a little bit of time to spare before our FP return time for TSM so we took a vote on which ride and Rock n Roller Coaster was the clear winner. On the way there, Peggy and I ran across a guy who was recruiting contestants for The American Idol Experience. Since Peggy and I had proved our singing prowess while on board the Disney Magic, we were very tempted to enter but, luckily, common sense won out and we decided just to have a photo with the guy instead.
For our fellow Karaoke buddies love ya Char and Wendy
After Rock n Roller Coaster, we just had enough time to pose for some Photopass pictures before bidding Peggy, Gary and the boys farewell.
Aaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhh
Since we still had a little time before our TSM Fast Passes were active, we decided to catch the Beauty and the Beast show. We were a little peckish by now so time to tackle another yummy treat off the list. Daniel and I went off to Min and Bills to grab a couple of pretzel dogs while Gary popped across the way to a little stand to get some drinks. The pretzel dogs came with chips so I got two, figuring that would be plenty between the three of us.
I had asked for both of the dogs without mustard and, in hindsight, I guess I should have checked. However, when we got seated in the theatre to watch Beauty and the Beast and unwrapped them, there was mustard on both. I left the boys in the theatre and hot-footed it back to Min & Bills. Did I mention it was pretty hot today? By the time I got there, I had a bit of a sweat on. As soon as I approached, the CM knew what I was going to say and pre-empted me. She apologised profusely and gave me two freshly cooked hot dogs, two more packets of chips and a couple of huge cookies by way of an apology. I gave her back the packets of chips, explaining we already had some and didnt want any more, thanks.
I rushed back to the boys, praying that theyd saved me some of the drinks since I was parched now.
My timing couldnt have been better as the show was just starting.
Pretzel dog no mustard!
It might look boring (without the mustard) but it was really very nice. A definite will have again.
Lemonade Slush very refreshing
Raspberry Lemonade Slush delish!
HUGE cookie
The cookie was very nice, if a little bit melted. Daniel polished it off with no problems.
As far as the show went, Im afraid I was a bit disappointed. It was a different Belle and she really wasnt very good. I do hope this wasnt a permanent change as this was always my favourite show at Disney World. Fingers crossed, the old Belle will be back when we go in November.
Finally, it was time for Toy Story Mania, which was great as always.
Since it was quite a nice afternoon, we decided we would head back to the Beach Club and spend some time by the pool. We were going to walk but saw a boat approaching and, being lazy, decided to hop on. Being a stickler for spelling, I couldnt resist taking a picture of the sign next to the boat jetty.
Spot the deliberate mistake
The pool was really busy so, as we were walking through, we decided to grab a couple of loungers before heading up to get our swimming stuff.
We arrived at an empty set of four loungers at the exact same time as a couple with two small children so made a deal to split them, two each! They offered to keep an eye on the loungers for us while we popped up to get changed.
We picked up our wristbands on the way out, quickly went back and got changed, grabbed my Kindle and came back to the pool where I settled myself on one of the loungers while Gary and Daniel went off into the lazy river.
Stormalong Bay
We wont lose him in those shorts!
Lazy River
It wasnt long before I felt the need for something cool and refreshing.
What to have, what to have
I eventually settled on a Poolside Plunge. I asked the CM if it was similar to the Poolside Lemonade which I was so fond of at AKV. Apparently it is exactly the same. Happy days! I made my way back to my lounger and spent a very pleasant couple of hours relaxing, reading, slurping and people watching. I was beginning to like the Beach Club a bit better now .
The perfect duo
Daniel was having an absolute whale of a time. There were plenty of poolside games going on and competitions for the kids and he was in his element. It almost seemed a shame to drag him away but we were all just starting to recover from our sunburn so didnt want to push it. So we all went back up to the room for showers and to get changed for dinner.
We had decided to head to Beaches and Cream for dinner tonight as Gary had a point to prove. After a quick change and a pose for photos outside the villas, we strolled round to B&C.
Beach Club Villas
When did he get so tall?
My two handsome fellas
Continued in the next post...
Before I begin, I completely forgot to mention something in yesterdays report. Remember this?
Well, having seen the forecast for the next few days, we had made a decision that we may well need to visit Disney Quest again during the remaining few days of our trip and wanted to see if it we could upgrade Daniels MYW ticket to a MYW Hopper Plus. While we were at DTD on the Friday afternoon (After checking in at the Beach Club) we went to Guest Services and asked whether it was possible to upgrade Daniels 6-ay MYW Hopper to a 6-day MYW Hopper Plus it was! I also then explained that wed bought a 1-day ticket to DQ a couple of days earlier and cheekily asked if the cost of the ticket could be offset against the cost of the upgrade. The friendly CM gave me a little smile and said he would see what he could do. After a little bit of discussion with a colleague, he typed a few things in to the computer, disappeared out the back and then came back and gave me a weird look. I thought maybe he was going to congratulate me on my audacity and inform me politely that he couldnt apply the cost of the DQ ticket but, no. Instead, with a small grin, he informed me that he had upgraded Daniels ticket, offset the cost of the 1-day DQ ticket and applied the remaining amount that THEY OWED ME to a gift card! I was astonished. Apparently, the cost of the new ticket was less than wed paid for the old ticket (or some such nonsense) and so we actually made on the deal. Only at Disney!
Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled viewing and our first day at Disney. We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning, which was a relief after the poor weather of the last few days. Since it was EMH at Hollywood Studios this morning, we were up bright and early.
This was the view from our balcony much better!
We were soon showered, dressed and walking down to the lighthouse, where we waited for the Friendship Boat to DHS. There were quite a few people waiting and, although there was no line as such, there was the usual unspoken rule that those who had been there less time held back to let the others who were there first board. Except for one family (there's always one), who arrived at the same time as the boat and calmly strolled up from the end of the pier, barging their way through to try and board first. Appalling behaviour! We were soon all herded on though and it was standing room only as we approached the Swan and Dolphin. The captain only let a few people on here and apologised to those waiting but explained thered be another boat along soon. The other CM on board was admiring Daniels t-shirt (Kermit the Frog) and said his nickname was Kermit when he was a child. I love that the CMs are still so willing to engage with the kids even when theyre not young and cute any more.
We eventually arrived at Hollywood Studios, disembarked and headed into the park. First stop was Toy Story Mania for Fast Passes. We then had time for a quick ride on Tower of Terror before meeting our friends, Peggy and Gary (and two of their sons). We had met Peggy and Gary on the cruise we took back in October 2011 and were very excited to get the chance to spend some time with them.
We had a quick breakfast at Starring Rolls and I was able to cross the first snack off my snack list (yes, I was sad enough to prepare a list of the snacks and treats I wanted to try at WDW this visit). Daniel and I shared the extremely delicious Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake.
One snack down, several more to go
Cross-section
Gary had a chocolate croissant and a hot tea boring!
Pain au Chocolat
After our healthy breakfast, it was time for a Hollywood Studios classic The Great Movie Ride. Daniel found Kermits handprint (?) outside.
Kermit and Kermit
After the GMR, we decided we would try out the new Star Wars ride as we hadnt done it since it changed. It was great fun, a big improvement on the previous iteration. After the ride, we watched the Jedi training for a while and then Daniel decided he needed a drink so we wandered off to get some water.
We had a little bit of time to spare before our FP return time for TSM so we took a vote on which ride and Rock n Roller Coaster was the clear winner. On the way there, Peggy and I ran across a guy who was recruiting contestants for The American Idol Experience. Since Peggy and I had proved our singing prowess while on board the Disney Magic, we were very tempted to enter but, luckily, common sense won out and we decided just to have a photo with the guy instead.
For our fellow Karaoke buddies love ya Char and Wendy
After Rock n Roller Coaster, we just had enough time to pose for some Photopass pictures before bidding Peggy, Gary and the boys farewell.
Aaarrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhh
Since we still had a little time before our TSM Fast Passes were active, we decided to catch the Beauty and the Beast show. We were a little peckish by now so time to tackle another yummy treat off the list. Daniel and I went off to Min and Bills to grab a couple of pretzel dogs while Gary popped across the way to a little stand to get some drinks. The pretzel dogs came with chips so I got two, figuring that would be plenty between the three of us.
I had asked for both of the dogs without mustard and, in hindsight, I guess I should have checked. However, when we got seated in the theatre to watch Beauty and the Beast and unwrapped them, there was mustard on both. I left the boys in the theatre and hot-footed it back to Min & Bills. Did I mention it was pretty hot today? By the time I got there, I had a bit of a sweat on. As soon as I approached, the CM knew what I was going to say and pre-empted me. She apologised profusely and gave me two freshly cooked hot dogs, two more packets of chips and a couple of huge cookies by way of an apology. I gave her back the packets of chips, explaining we already had some and didnt want any more, thanks.
I rushed back to the boys, praying that theyd saved me some of the drinks since I was parched now.
My timing couldnt have been better as the show was just starting.
Pretzel dog no mustard!
It might look boring (without the mustard) but it was really very nice. A definite will have again.
Lemonade Slush very refreshing
Raspberry Lemonade Slush delish!
HUGE cookie
The cookie was very nice, if a little bit melted. Daniel polished it off with no problems.
As far as the show went, Im afraid I was a bit disappointed. It was a different Belle and she really wasnt very good. I do hope this wasnt a permanent change as this was always my favourite show at Disney World. Fingers crossed, the old Belle will be back when we go in November.
Finally, it was time for Toy Story Mania, which was great as always.
Since it was quite a nice afternoon, we decided we would head back to the Beach Club and spend some time by the pool. We were going to walk but saw a boat approaching and, being lazy, decided to hop on. Being a stickler for spelling, I couldnt resist taking a picture of the sign next to the boat jetty.
Spot the deliberate mistake
The pool was really busy so, as we were walking through, we decided to grab a couple of loungers before heading up to get our swimming stuff.
We arrived at an empty set of four loungers at the exact same time as a couple with two small children so made a deal to split them, two each! They offered to keep an eye on the loungers for us while we popped up to get changed.
We picked up our wristbands on the way out, quickly went back and got changed, grabbed my Kindle and came back to the pool where I settled myself on one of the loungers while Gary and Daniel went off into the lazy river.
Stormalong Bay
We wont lose him in those shorts!
Lazy River
It wasnt long before I felt the need for something cool and refreshing.
What to have, what to have
I eventually settled on a Poolside Plunge. I asked the CM if it was similar to the Poolside Lemonade which I was so fond of at AKV. Apparently it is exactly the same. Happy days! I made my way back to my lounger and spent a very pleasant couple of hours relaxing, reading, slurping and people watching. I was beginning to like the Beach Club a bit better now .
The perfect duo
Daniel was having an absolute whale of a time. There were plenty of poolside games going on and competitions for the kids and he was in his element. It almost seemed a shame to drag him away but we were all just starting to recover from our sunburn so didnt want to push it. So we all went back up to the room for showers and to get changed for dinner.
We had decided to head to Beaches and Cream for dinner tonight as Gary had a point to prove. After a quick change and a pose for photos outside the villas, we strolled round to B&C.
Beach Club Villas
When did he get so tall?
My two handsome fellas
Continued in the next post...
.
but I'll bet it's even better with a Poolside Plunge!! 
