Goofy's Great Birthday Bash NEW 6/2 page 34

[moparop]

How cool to meet a Diser and out in the "real world" too!!

I hope your Easter was very blessed!

 

[lilpapsgirl]

I am really enjoying reading your Trip Report. Every update has something new and exciting! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter!

P.S. How fun to meet a DISer in real life. That would be so cool!!
Can't Wait to read the next update!

 

[CJsMom]

That's great that Goofy got chosen to participate. He looks like he had a great time! My friend and her family did this in January and they had the new "procedure" in place, where the kids have to stand in line and wait for their turn to participate rather than being picked from the crowd. Her 5 year old was incredibly patient and insisted on waiting through several shows - he was so excited to do it! Funny thing, he had the same trainer as Goofy did, and would you believe that my son had the same trainer in December 2007? Unless they have a couple of guys that are identical twins, this guy has been doing the exact same show for over 2 years! I wonder if he says the lines in his sleep by now?

 

[SkyGirl]

HI JAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HI DISNEY DUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay, did you see my post about the boys? It was right after you posted the pictures.

Also, do you remember I told you I had a surprise for you? Well, unfortunately, I was too late to get it. On my drive to the hospital, I passed a building and was shocked when I saw the name: Jaycns Enterprises!!!!!!!!!! I so wanted to take a picture of it and post it for you, but I guess it sold and the new owners painted over it!

I'm so enjoying the TR! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Kara]

So glad he got picked!! What a memory!!

 

[jaycns]

How exciting that Goofy got picked for Jedi Training Academy! My boys are hoping that they get picked the next time we go. Both of my boys are Star Wars nuts.

BTW in one of your trip reports, I saw the cool Yoda backpack that Stitch got at DHS. I managed to find one for my youngest for his birthday. You should of seen his eyes light up when he opened it. Tell Stitch "Thanks!" for the great gift suggestion.

It was very exciting for him to get picked. He was on cloud nine. I hear that the new process is that the kids who want to be in the show line up and may end up standing through several shows to get there turn up on stage. Not exactly sure about the new way they do it but that is what I have heard.

Awww wow I'm so pleased he plucked up the courage to volunteer and then to be chosen that's amazing. He looks as though he had a great time

FYI I've read that the selection process has changed and there is now a seperate line to join if you want to be a Jedi, this means you may have to wait several shows till your turn though. Of course this may have gone by the next time you go, you know WDW

Like everything else at Disney, "subject to change". I love the phrase 'plucked up the courage'....it made me smile. I need to say that more often.

Yay Goofy for getting picked to be in the show!! Good for him deciding to shine instead of holding back

I think it would be funny if one of the trainee's decided to go over to the 'dark side' - I bet it's happened before!

I would love to hear what their response was. I had a good chuckle with myself trying to imagine just what they would say.

Another low crowd day? WOW! Sounds like a great one so far!

It was another great day. I think we were very lucky crowd wise. The entire week long we were at the right park at the right time to hit some crazy (crazy great) crowd levels.

he looks so proud
Jason had to same trainer and he was fabulous, I would know since I sat through 4 of those shows waiting for my kids when they got a backstage tour of star tours and I got stuck waiting with a crabby overtired 2yr old

You waiting shows a great deal of dedication! I don't know that I could have done it (waited through four shows I mean) knowing that the rest of the park was out there and waiting for us to explore. I think I might just be way too impatient for that.

Your little Goof certainly had a great time! Now what is Harry Potter doing on stage?!! Shouldn't he be at Hogwarts Castle?

Ha ha ha. I thought he looked like a lil' Harry Potter myself.

Alright! Goofy was a young padawan!! Good for him! It is so much fun to see someone who is a bit hestiant to come out of their comfort zone and do well... good job!

He def. is my shy guy. I love that about him. It makes him unique in a house full of extroverts. I was very happy that he didn't let being reluctant to offer himself up as a volunteer stop him from doing something he enjoyed so much.

That looks like fun! Too bad they don't have an adult version And I am not even a huge Star Wars fan. Looks like Goofy had a great time!

I would have loved to have gotten to fight the dark side. Wouldn't that be a hoot!

 

[jaycns]

I bet you beamed with pride from behind that camera when he volunteered (even more so than when he got picked)!!

Lexi and I went to the Children's Museum in Boston last week. They had a Three Little Pigs play and asked for volunteers.. She was one of the first to stick her hand up...could have knocked me over with a feather, because she is normally a bit shy!

Boston has a great children's museum! I always enjoy children's museums...maybe I just have a part of me that refuses to grow up. Way to go Lexi! I bet she was just adorable up there helping to put on the Three Little Pigs!

Yay for Jedi training!!!!!! I'm sure he couln't wait to tell his brothers about training. SO NEAT!

He really couldn't...especially Stitch. He wanted to tell Stitch all about it since he (Stitch) had wanted to participatewhile we were on his birthday trip but had not gotten picked. Goofy told him all about it and Stitch thought Goofy was very lucky/cool for having done it.

Happy Easter blessings to your family as well!

Thanks, we had a very busy Easter weekend but it was a lot of fun as well.

Happy Easter Jay!

Thanks! We traveled and then had houseguests for a week starting the day we got home. It was very busy but good. That seems to be my very own mantra "busy but good".

How cool for Goofy to be chosen at Jedi training!!! I've never seen it but it seems like fun for the kids!!!

Hope your Easter was wonderful!

I was very happy for him to be chosen. It did him some good to be rewarded for stepping outside of his comfort zone. Hopefully this makes it easier for him to 'step out' again next time.

How cool to meet a Diser and out in the "real world" too!!

I hope your Easter was very blessed!

I was sooo excited. Silly me got her real name but NOT her DISer name. I am sort of hopeless when it comes to pulling my own thoughts together.

I am really enjoying reading your Trip Report. Every update has something new and exciting! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter!

P.S. How fun to meet a DISer in real life. That would be so cool!!
Can't Wait to read the next update!

Thanks! Your comment made my day! Hope you also had a wonderful Easter.

That's great that Goofy got chosen to participate. He looks like he had a great time! My friend and her family did this in January and they had the new "procedure" in place, where the kids have to stand in line and wait for their turn to participate rather than being picked from the crowd. Her 5 year old was incredibly patient and insisted on waiting through several shows - he was so excited to do it! Funny thing, he had the same trainer as Goofy did, and would you believe that my son had the same trainer in December 2007? Unless they have a couple of guys that are identical twins, this guy has been doing the exact same show for over 2 years! I wonder if he says the lines in his sleep by now?

I bet that poor guy dreams in Jedi! He is a very good actor because he seemed very into it and excited about what was going on (and really, how could you be excited over play fighting with Darth Vader for almost three years?!).

HI JAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HI DISNEY DUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay, did you see my post about the boys? It was right after you posted the pictures.

Also, do you remember I told you I had a surprise for you? Well, unfortunately, I was too late to get it. On my drive to the hospital, I passed a building and was shocked when I saw the name: Jaycns Enterprises!!!!!!!!!! I so wanted to take a picture of it and post it for you, but I guess it sold and the new owners painted over it!

I'm so enjoying the TR! Can't wait to read more!

HA HA HA, Jaycns Enterprises. I wonder what they sold/did. I missed your last post (even after going back looking for it). Did you see my HI HEIDI. You seem to be the popular girl to give a shout out too! How are you doing?

So glad he got picked!! What a memory!!

It really was!!

 

[LexisAuntieLala]

i love childrens museums too! probably for the same reason as you. There is a discovery museum near my house here that is similar but more "home-made" that the childrens museum and we love to go there too!

 

[29apr00]

Jedi training camp looks so cool! I hope if/when my little man gets interested in that, they still have it around!!

Can't wait to here the rest of the trip!

 

[SkyGirl]

I can't believe how big my little nugget has gotten!! And soooo fast!! It seems like just yesterday we were all praying for him and for you and here it is; time has passed.

BUT .... he is still my little nugget.

And Aladdin is gorgeous!! That boy is going to be a girl killer!

I'm so enjoying your Trip Report. So much fun to share in such wonderful birthday trips! Thanks for taking us along.

xoxo

Yes, Jay, I saw your HI HEIDI, as well as DisneyDusted! That was so great!

I am eagerly waiting more of this TR! Goofy is such a fabulous guy!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Whenever I am sad I find myself reading your 2006,2007 trip reports and your 17 Day CL trip reports. I love your individual children' TRs but i do find myself wondering what Aladdin , DH, Goofy or Stitch depending which TR i am reading! I even find myself wondering about your dear friends lol! So when is your next full family trip? Its kind of like a book series! But better

 

[jaycns]

Day 5- Continued...

Once Goofy had helped insure that a galaxy far, far away was safe from Darth Vader, we made our way to another world, this one didn't take a trip with Star Tours to get there. In fact, all we had to do was pass through the closet door.

On our way to Pixar Place, we passed the area where they do Monsters Inc. meet and greets. We were both happy to find our favorite blue furry monster there. Once again, the low crowds gave us a chance to spend a little one and one time with yet another character! This time, we had Sully to ourselves for about four minutes. He kept trying to block us from going through the door. I have no idea why. Maybe he thought Randall would be on the other side?

Once we finished play time with our favorite monster it was just about time to use our fast passes (finally!). Even with our fast passes, our wait was about fifteen minutes from the fast pass entrance to actually loading into the ride vehicle. I really enjoy TSM but it's always been so stinkin' crowded in our experience. I think that the low crowds really have me spoiled, I remember feeling 'antsy' with such a 'long' wait. Even with the wait, TSM is SO worth it. I really love getting into the action. I even fancy myself an expert with my very own strategies 'figured out'. The funny thing is, my scores never seem to reflect my expertise. Ha ha.

I wish that TSM lasted just a little bit longer, I am never quite ready to turn over my 3-D glasses once the ride ends. I feel like I am just getting into my groove by the time it's time to get my groove on and get out of the of the ride car.

After TSM it was time for our late lunch...and it wasn't a minute too early, both Goofy and I were very hungry as we hadn't even had so much as a snack in the past six hours (which is practically impossible on the deluxe dining plan). The Brown Derby had been Goofy's requested lunch venue and I was very happy with his choice. Our last time here as a family, we had enjoyed a very good meal and I was looking forward to the chefs providing a repeat performance.


An adorable derby light.

I started my meal out with the blue jumbo lump crab cake. *I wish I had a drooling smile to insert right here* I see it has since been changed to a dinner only menu choice. What a sad loss for the lunch menu. The crab cake itself was crispy on the outside with a very rich and moist inside. It was a little lump of taste bud heaven. The outside was breaded with a potato crust and the cake itself was sitting on a bed of green cabbage cole slaw. Their were dijon mustard and remoulade sauces drizzled around the plate along with a swatch of tangy tarter sauce. It was a very pleasing presentation. Sorry, my picture doesn't do it justice (I had my flash off so as not to annoy others dining there).

Goofy started out with a kid's chopped salad. It consisted of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and carrots. He didn't want any dressing on it but looked like one happy little bunny and downed his salad in no time flat.

Here he is holding up one of the recipe cards our waitress brought out for us. I thought that was sweet of her (and her tip reflected it).

For Goofy's main course, he asked for and was able to eat a bit 'off menu'. Instead of tempura fish (which is offered on the children's menu) he wanted grilled fish. We were appreciative when the chef agreed to grill his grouper for him. And just so nobody starts to think he ate too healthily on vacation (ha ha ha), he asked that the steamed broccoli that normally comes with the kid's tempura fish plate be french fries instead. Goofy said his grouper was done 'just right'. And, he would know, Goofy is my junior foodie and one of his favorite foods is grilled fish.

I chose the grilled rib eye steak which was topped with arugula, sweet onions, gorgonazola and grilled red potatoes. It was garnished with a ring of oven dried tomato vinaigrette. I thought this was a good steak. Not the best ever but FAR from the worst. Goofy helped me make a dent in it (no way I could have eaten that monster up on my own) and he too thought it was tasty. I would happily order it again.

After we placed our dessert order, our server brought out a surprise 'pre-dessert' dessert for Goofy. In conversing with her earlier in the meal, we had explained how we took this special mom and me trip to celebrate his birthday and as she brought out this birthday treat, she told him that he should celebrate all trip long. Thank you sweet server!

His special birthday treat was chocolate mouse topped with whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce and plastered with sprinkles sitting atop delicious bands of raspberry sauce. Each of us nibbled a few small bites before pushing it aside in anticipation of the desserts we had ordered.

Goofy picked the Hidden Treasures dessert off of the children's menu. It was vanilla ice cream topped with Oreo cookie crumbles, gummy worms (which were supposed to be like snakes I think) and a huge chocolate chip cookie. He was happy with his choice.

I chose the much bragged about grapefruit cake. It consisted of yellow cake layers with fresh grapefruit cream cheese icing in between. While it was beautiful, I was not a fan. It seemed very sour and had a bitter aftertaste (maybe they got an especially sour grapefruit in mine?). I know this dessert has many fans, I guess I am just not one of them.

After our very late lunch (we walked out of the Brown Derby at about 3:15) both of us agreed that the rest of our afternoon plans had the Boardwalk's pool written all over them. On our way out, we decided to take one last ride on Star Tours since there did not appear to be a line. Just as we walked in, it started to rain. And not just rain, but pour. Only in Florida do you go from clear skies to pouring rain in under a minute flat. We were happy that we were under cover when the buckets started to fall. A happy coincidence was that another Jedi Training Session had been just about to start. With the rain, it was a no go so the characters who would have been on stage were prowling around in the loading area. They were GREAT! The storm troopers prowled around with their guns drawn looking for trouble.

And Darth Vader, he was even cooler! I think he might have remembered Goofy from the earlier session (or ???) so he pointed at him (in a very menacing way) and had the ride attendant make us stand off to the side.

As the rest of the people lined up on the little numbers we stood over next to our new (and very creepy) friend. He had pointed (and stomped over when the CM didn't seem to get his drift at first) to leave open two spaces in the first row for us. He wouldn't let us line up on them, every time we tried to inch closer, he shook his head and made a no sign by crossing his hands and moving them straight out (sort of like an ump calling an out). For the most part though, he just stood in this little alcove (I think it was the start of a CM only hall) and 'glared' and breathed. It was great! Finally, he pointed us over to the two spaces about a minute before the doors opened and crossed his arms over his chest as if he had just accomplished something? I have NO idea what the point of that interaction was...nor do I care. Goofy was in heaven during the entire thing! He was eating up Darth's attention like it was some more of this Brown Derby dessert. I loved watching Goofy watch Darth Vader watch us. It was one of my favorite moments of the entire trip.

And even more good luck was with us. As we entered the ride vehicle, a storm trooper came in and stood in the front corner while the CM who was doing the seatbelt check/safety stuff did his thing. Just before he left, the storm trooper started to dance. The entire group of us guests laughed out loud. This made the storm trooper stop and give us a warning point and he left just before the doors closed. Leave it to Disney to allow their employees to throw in these very special and unexpected magical moments. What a great way to do business.

It was still raining by the time we finished up our interstellar trip so we ponchoed up and made our way to the front of the park. We stopped and did a bit of shopping along the way (when you have four guys at home, a lot of 'I miss him" shopping goes on). We stopped for one final photopass picture that afternoon before continuing out of the park and back to do some swimming before our late (8:45) dinner.

We DHS a little damp, full from a late lunch, a few dollars poorer from the shopping we had completed and a whole lot richer from the memories we had made together. To be honest, DHS is not my favorite park but I had just had one of my very favorite days ever with my lil' Goof.

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[KatMark]

Love the update. I'm with you...DHS is my least favorite park at Disney. And my darling DH would agree with you on the grapefruit cake. Mark LOVES all desserts and absolutely hated the grapefruit cake.

 

[marsa1969]

Oh Jay!! How fun for you guys! I totally thought that you were going to say that Mr. Vader rode the ride with you, but still that much interaction - too cool.
Your grapefruit cake looked quite yummy, but I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the cake. I do not care for the after taste of grapefruit. It's one fruit that I've tried and tried, but cannot get myself to like.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm not a fan of grapefruit, so I probably wouldn't have liked the cake either. Goofy's birthday chocolate mousse looked yummy though!

Sounds like a fun ride on Star Tours. What an odd thing for Darth Vader to do, I bet it was funny though!

 

[praisehisname]

All caught up again...I'm loving reading about your special time with your son! That's so cool that he was able to participate in the Jedi training, and then have the interaction with Darth and the Storm Trooper later.

 

[jess98ac]

Great update! OMG, that crabcake looks DIVINE!

 

[Goldeelox9]

What a FUN day! I love the fact you got such great character interaction! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful day! I can not wait for more....Oh and I updated my TR with my surprise for Pete! Finally!

 

[heaven2dc]

You always bring a smile to my day when I read another update Loved the interaction betwen Goofy and Darth - too cute On our first visit in 1997, my nephew and I were getting a picture taken with Darth and Darth wouldn't let me leave! It was creepy at first and my in-laws teased me about it unmercifully for the next couple of hours. When we were in line outside Star Tours ride, Darth was walking up to the attraction, saw me and pointed at me to follow him. When we got inside the attraction, he pointed (and breathed rather heavily which only got my in-laws to laugh even more) and motioned for me to go up these steps where R2-D2 was. Darth left and I ended up getting stuck up there because I couldn't see a way to get down! The handler finally came over and broke me free - that was a memory I'll never forget

Your dinner at The Brown Derby looks delicious

 

[disneydusted]

Yay for another update! More magic was made, and surprises to be shared. Love the interaction with Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers, they know how to get a crowd going. Love the Brown Derby, it is one of our favorites!