wilma-bride
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Fred, Wilma and Family do Disney Day 12 Hooray for Hollywood
Tuesday 22nd April
Firstly, I have two apologies to offer:-
Apology number 1 I have been unbelievably slack in finishing these trip reports. I offer no excuses, other than the fact that I was finding it mega depressing to keep moaning on about the in-laws oh, and the fact that I was incredibly busy at work and couldnt seem to find time to write. Other than that, no valid excuses and I only hope that my few readers havent got fed up of waiting and deserted me completely.
Apology number 2 for some reason, I seem to have only one photo taken today and I have absolutely no idea where I took it so if anyone can shed some light on it, I would be grateful
Anyway, with a promise to get these trip reports finished by the end of the week and without further ado, its on to Day 12.
Today we were off to Hollywood Studios, the park formerly known as MGM Studios. Its amazing that we say Oh, Im always going to call it MGM and now, writing this trip report the name Hollywood Studios feels almost natural. I still preferred MGM though, for what its worth.
We were up and about early, as usual, and raided the fridge for some left over apple danishes, croissants and fruit. Well, me and the kids did. Doreen and Charles had their usual 3-course breakfast! We enjoyed our makeshift breakfast out on the balcony waving to the odd boat and bird that passed by.
Sian was suffering somewhat, due to the effects of the sunburn from the previous day at Aquatica. Being the over-cautious Mum I am, I made her wear 3 t-shirts, a jumper and a coat so no more damage could be done
We arrived at HS just after 9 well, we couldnt possibly break tradition and get to a park before opening, could we? Gary, Sian and I raced on ahead to Tower of Terror, leaving the non-riders to lag behind and collect a stroller for Daniel, who had temporarily lost the use of his legs (since discovering it was much more fun to be pushed around in a stroller all day oh, to be a 5 year old). We got fast passes for Tower of Terror, then rode Rock n Roller Coaster. Then it was straight on to Tower of Terror. To be honest, I could have stayed and ridden both of these rides all day but we had to make the effort for the rest of the party.
So it was off to the Backlot tour, which Gary and I had done before but was new to the others. We arrived and went through just as the first demonstration of special effects was starting and, before long, we were on the tram and headed round to see the props and Catastrophe Canyon. Sian freaked out a bit when the fire effects started she has an irrational fear of fire but had more to worry about when the wall of water came hurtling toward her
We thought the in-laws and Daniel would enjoy Muppet Vision so sent them off to see it while Gary, Sian and I took the opportunity to have another go on Tower of Terror with the remaining fast passes (there are definitely benefits to having 4 non-riders in your party).
By now, it was getting on for lunch time and we had reservations for 50s Prime Time, which Gary and I had been to back in August 07 and had great fun. Unfortunately, the experience wasnt quite so great this time our waitress wasnt really getting into the whole thing, for a start, and the food didnt seem quite as great as the last time either (although Sians notes, which I am cribbing from, describe her meal as awesomely delicious so maybe it was just me).
We left 50s PT and headed to the theatre to watch Beauty and the Beast. For some inexplicable reason, this show never fails to make me cry. This time was no different there is just something so special about it and it remains my favourite show in any of the parks.
From there, it was off to the Great Movie Ride, which was OK except our guide was definitely not English and, although he was attempting to speak English, it was no version of the English language Ive ever heard.
Everybody was starting to flag by now but I insisted on a quick tour of the shops no visit to Hollywood Studios is complete without an hour spent in Villains in Vogue. I bought a Mickey Mouse towel, to Garys complete disgust Its white, how long do you think its going to stay white and found a lovely picture frame but, unfortunately didnt buy it a decision which I would live to regret.
A quick aside am I the only person who sees things I really like and doesnt buy them, thinking I can come back and get it another time or I might find something similar which I prefer? Then, inevitably, I never get a chance to go back and buy said item and spend weeks after the trip regretting it.
As part of that aside, when visiting MGM (as it was then) last August, I saw a gorgeous watch in one of the shops. Again, the careful shopper side of me kicked in and I didnt buy it. After listening to me moan on about it for ages after we returned home, Gary said he would buy it for me on this trip. Hands up those of you who have already guessed that I did not manage to find the exact same watch or anything I liked as much hence I came home watchless.
Anyway, back to the story. We headed for the exit, returned the stroller and caught the bus back to Old Key West where we just had time for a quick change and freshen-up before heading to Outback for dinner.
We had to wait quite a while for a table but enjoyed a drink outside in the sunshine while we waited. The meal was lovely. Nobody except Sian wanted dessert so, as we werent far from Publix, we decided we would get some desserts from there to enjoy later.
Gary pulled up outside and I ran in and bought an apple tart and some cheesecake. Yum!
Back at the villa, with Daniel tucked up in bed, we settled down to watch a film on the TV. It was at this point I realized that I missed being able to stick my jammies on and curl up on the sofa with 7 of us in the villa, there was barely enough room for everyone to sit down and, more often than not, I ended up on the floor. Sian decided she would have a piece of cheesecake and, after asking if anyone else wanted any, helped herself to a piece from the fridge. No sooner had she sat down then it started Are you eating again young lady?, All youve done on this holiday is eat. It took every ounce of self control that I had not to point out to Reeny that this was a holiday and thats what we like to do. Instead, I gathered myself together and politely told Reeny that she was eating her dessert that she hadnt been able to have earlier then, to reiterate my point, I went to the fridge and got a massive piece of apple pie, ate it and took myself off to bed, quietly seething.
Tuesday 22nd April
Firstly, I have two apologies to offer:-
Apology number 1 I have been unbelievably slack in finishing these trip reports. I offer no excuses, other than the fact that I was finding it mega depressing to keep moaning on about the in-laws oh, and the fact that I was incredibly busy at work and couldnt seem to find time to write. Other than that, no valid excuses and I only hope that my few readers havent got fed up of waiting and deserted me completely.
Apology number 2 for some reason, I seem to have only one photo taken today and I have absolutely no idea where I took it so if anyone can shed some light on it, I would be grateful
Anyway, with a promise to get these trip reports finished by the end of the week and without further ado, its on to Day 12.
Today we were off to Hollywood Studios, the park formerly known as MGM Studios. Its amazing that we say Oh, Im always going to call it MGM and now, writing this trip report the name Hollywood Studios feels almost natural. I still preferred MGM though, for what its worth.
We were up and about early, as usual, and raided the fridge for some left over apple danishes, croissants and fruit. Well, me and the kids did. Doreen and Charles had their usual 3-course breakfast! We enjoyed our makeshift breakfast out on the balcony waving to the odd boat and bird that passed by.
Sian was suffering somewhat, due to the effects of the sunburn from the previous day at Aquatica. Being the over-cautious Mum I am, I made her wear 3 t-shirts, a jumper and a coat so no more damage could be done
We arrived at HS just after 9 well, we couldnt possibly break tradition and get to a park before opening, could we? Gary, Sian and I raced on ahead to Tower of Terror, leaving the non-riders to lag behind and collect a stroller for Daniel, who had temporarily lost the use of his legs (since discovering it was much more fun to be pushed around in a stroller all day oh, to be a 5 year old). We got fast passes for Tower of Terror, then rode Rock n Roller Coaster. Then it was straight on to Tower of Terror. To be honest, I could have stayed and ridden both of these rides all day but we had to make the effort for the rest of the party.
So it was off to the Backlot tour, which Gary and I had done before but was new to the others. We arrived and went through just as the first demonstration of special effects was starting and, before long, we were on the tram and headed round to see the props and Catastrophe Canyon. Sian freaked out a bit when the fire effects started she has an irrational fear of fire but had more to worry about when the wall of water came hurtling toward her
We thought the in-laws and Daniel would enjoy Muppet Vision so sent them off to see it while Gary, Sian and I took the opportunity to have another go on Tower of Terror with the remaining fast passes (there are definitely benefits to having 4 non-riders in your party).
By now, it was getting on for lunch time and we had reservations for 50s Prime Time, which Gary and I had been to back in August 07 and had great fun. Unfortunately, the experience wasnt quite so great this time our waitress wasnt really getting into the whole thing, for a start, and the food didnt seem quite as great as the last time either (although Sians notes, which I am cribbing from, describe her meal as awesomely delicious so maybe it was just me).
We left 50s PT and headed to the theatre to watch Beauty and the Beast. For some inexplicable reason, this show never fails to make me cry. This time was no different there is just something so special about it and it remains my favourite show in any of the parks.
From there, it was off to the Great Movie Ride, which was OK except our guide was definitely not English and, although he was attempting to speak English, it was no version of the English language Ive ever heard.
Everybody was starting to flag by now but I insisted on a quick tour of the shops no visit to Hollywood Studios is complete without an hour spent in Villains in Vogue. I bought a Mickey Mouse towel, to Garys complete disgust Its white, how long do you think its going to stay white and found a lovely picture frame but, unfortunately didnt buy it a decision which I would live to regret.
A quick aside am I the only person who sees things I really like and doesnt buy them, thinking I can come back and get it another time or I might find something similar which I prefer? Then, inevitably, I never get a chance to go back and buy said item and spend weeks after the trip regretting it.
As part of that aside, when visiting MGM (as it was then) last August, I saw a gorgeous watch in one of the shops. Again, the careful shopper side of me kicked in and I didnt buy it. After listening to me moan on about it for ages after we returned home, Gary said he would buy it for me on this trip. Hands up those of you who have already guessed that I did not manage to find the exact same watch or anything I liked as much hence I came home watchless.
Anyway, back to the story. We headed for the exit, returned the stroller and caught the bus back to Old Key West where we just had time for a quick change and freshen-up before heading to Outback for dinner.
We had to wait quite a while for a table but enjoyed a drink outside in the sunshine while we waited. The meal was lovely. Nobody except Sian wanted dessert so, as we werent far from Publix, we decided we would get some desserts from there to enjoy later.
Gary pulled up outside and I ran in and bought an apple tart and some cheesecake. Yum!
Back at the villa, with Daniel tucked up in bed, we settled down to watch a film on the TV. It was at this point I realized that I missed being able to stick my jammies on and curl up on the sofa with 7 of us in the villa, there was barely enough room for everyone to sit down and, more often than not, I ended up on the floor. Sian decided she would have a piece of cheesecake and, after asking if anyone else wanted any, helped herself to a piece from the fridge. No sooner had she sat down then it started Are you eating again young lady?, All youve done on this holiday is eat. It took every ounce of self control that I had not to point out to Reeny that this was a holiday and thats what we like to do. Instead, I gathered myself together and politely told Reeny that she was eating her dessert that she hadnt been able to have earlier then, to reiterate my point, I went to the fridge and got a massive piece of apple pie, ate it and took myself off to bed, quietly seething.
lets make a pact to eat as much as we can on our trip !
I would have been tempted to put the chessecake in her face! 
