I really want to get this update done tonight, so I may respond to everyone tomorrow. I also have soooooooooooo many TR's that I haven't read in DAYS and I am so far behind. Just know I am with you in spirit if I haven't checked in on your TR for awhile. I am going to cry when I see how many pages behind I am on some of them.
Side Note: It is beautiful here tonight, so I went out for a run in the dark. I live in one of the southern fly zones for PHL airport. On a clear night I can see the twinkling lights of the southernmost approaching planes as they wait patiently in their holding positions. Tonight was one of those nights and I couldn't help wonder how many people up in the sky were just returning from a much anticipated trip to the most magical place on earth. I knew, JUST KNEW, that one of those motionless planes was holding a fellow Disney lover or two. So, whoever you are, whereever you are.....WELCOME HOME!
So when I left off, over a week ago, Denny and I had just finished riding ToT. When we entered the park RnR was down, so we grabbed FP's. When we got off ToT we went over to use our FP's.....only we didn't need them. The ride was up and it was as much of a walk - on as RnR could be. We queued right up for outside the door for the preshow. I love that part.
"Get me a Limo. Look's like we need a stretch. Make that a super stretch".
Through the preshow and on to the ride. I did NOT take any pictures in the queue. I get nervous that I am not going to get my camera put away in time. I guess I could just cruise at the end of the line and take my time, but I just wanted to get my ride on.
We got a seat in the middle of the car. I like the front and the middle. I do NOT like the back seats, especially the back cars....too rough....gives me a headache. So perfect seat......Time to Blast off....
The girl in front of me looks like she is having a great time!
I took a few pictures on our way out of the gift shop.....
On the way out we ran into a photopass photographer.......
Then we ran into ANOTHER photopass photographer.......
HS was pretty empty. I can't remember the last time I saw the park this empty. It was really relaxing.
Our next stop was a surprise to Denny. I really wanted to go to the animation studio and draw my own character. When we walked up to that area, I sprung the idea on Denny.
He wasn't lovin' it, but agreed to go in and watch the little preshow....the one with mooshue (or however you spell his name). Then it was time to do some drawings. We lined up and Denny announced his wanted to find a restroom. Yup - how convenient! He went off for a bio break and I went in to draw a character because the doors opened just a couple minutes after he left.
There were several people in my goup who had already drawn characters before, so the CM was careful not to repeat any of those characters. She decided on Pluto. I took a seat in the back row, which was really convenient because I had an empty seat next to me. I decided to draw a character for me AND one for Denny. Yup - I drew two Plutos in the time everyone else drew one. I was rushing back and forth between the two papers, trying to keep up with all the instructions.
At the end of the class I had this.......
And I had his twin for Denny, but I guess I didn't take a picture of that one.
So, it was about 1115 now and we had some time to kill before lunch. Our lunch ADR was 1130 at the Hollywood Brown Derby. This was one of the ADR's I wasn't sure about. I love the BD, I really do....but I wasn't sure if I wanted to use 2 TS for lunch. As it turns out, it was the perfect lunch time ADR. The restaurant was quiet, uncrowded, and a wonderful reprieve from the increasing heat. We roamed around for a bit, but ultimately decided to check in early.
I took some photos while we were waiting in the lobby.....
When we were seated you can see that we really did have the place to ourselves.....
Up close of the light fixture.....
Some more inside pics....
After we were seated, I took a picture of two post cards that I bought in the gift shop. I love these post cards. I collect them and I can only find them at HS. They are very high grade and I like to frame them. Here are my latest finds:
I especially love the fireman. How cute!
So bring on the food pictures (Disclaimer....I really have to work at taking better food pictures next trip. I try to hurry up and they all turn out blurry).
First up.....
My appetizer was a basic salad of greens, tomatoes, nuts, and feta. It was very good and not too filling. I do enjoy the cobb salad, but I wanted to try something different.
Denny's appe was a crab cake. So far he was 3 out of 4 on the crab cake appetizers....
I guess I was getting bored with taking pictures of the crab cakes, because that is the most unfocused picture ever!
So....on to the entrees...
Mine......
Denny's......
I went to the Allearsnet.com to try to remember what our entrees were, but I can't find them. I believe that my fish was tilapia and Denny's was tuna or mahi mahi.
Here are the descriptions for our appetizers........
Baby Greens Salad - with grape tomatos, candied pecans, Midnight Moon goat cheese and cabernet vinaigrette $8
Blue Jumbo Lump Crab Cake - with potato crust, green cabbage slaw, Dijon mustard, and remoulade sauces $12
Finally...for dessert....... the ever popular........
Grapefruit Cake - A Brown Derby Original! Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit Cream Cheese Icing $7
Yes....that cake IS in plastic. We decided to ask for the cake to go. We were just too stuffed to eat it there.
We really lingered over lunch. It really was an enjoyable meal. The food and service were excellent.
After lunch we stepped outside into the heat. We had no plan whatsoever. I was thinking about the back lot tour, but first we decided to visit the Little Mermaid. I am embarassed to say that I have never seen this show before. I read about it on LL's May TR and I decided I needed to see it for myself. I sat up front and tried to take a few pics.....
Continued Next Post.......
this made me laugh out loud!!! 
...sending good vibes out to both of them...
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