Heat, humidity and a great Mother/Daughter trip! A May TR **TR Update 12/10**

[afwdwfan]

I got a bit behind and I'm finally caught up on your updates, but I just want to say how sorry I am to hear about both your grandfather and uncle. That is definitely a sad situation and a lot of stress for your family in a short amount of time. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

 

[debsters41]

A new reader of yours here, but I had to let you know that I am thinking of you at this very difficult time. I wish you strength for yourself and for your family.

I will be doing a Mother Daughter trip next summer with my daughter and I love this report very much.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Stephanie, I do remember you writing about your Uncle Bubba. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Praying for you and your family.

Thank you Lisa!

I got a bit behind and I'm finally caught up on your updates, but I just want to say how sorry I am to hear about both your grandfather and uncle. That is definitely a sad situation and a lot of stress for your family in a short amount of time. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Thank you very much. It's been a hard couple of weeks.

A new reader of yours here, but I had to let you know that I am thinking of you at this very difficult time. I wish you strength for yourself and for your family.

I will be doing a Mother Daughter trip next summer with my daughter and I love this report very much.

First of all, welcome to my TR! Thank you very much for your thoughts.

Yay for a mother/daughter trip next summer! It was a great time for me, and I'm sure it will be for you two as well.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY 2, WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST, PART 3

Once I had rescued Mom from her captivity we made our way to our next (attempted) attraction.






We got in line and I took a couple pictures of the surroundings in the beginning queue.












I said attempted earlier as we knew we had to eat lunch and then get to our 1:05pm FP+ for TSM. It was about 12pm then, so since it's a 30-40 minute ride we figured we'd get on and then still have time for a quick lunch and get to TSM before the end of the FP+ window. They announced when we first got in line that there was only 3 minutes until the next tour, so that would work perfectly! Only, when they started to let people in for the next group they said they were having technical difficulties and could only let about 1/2 the normal group size in, and we didn't make the cut. We couldn't wait around to see if we made it in the next group, so we got out of the queue.

We decided since we were already right beside it that we would eat at Studio Catering Company. Despite the crowds not being bad that day it seems everyone else had the same idea as us. There were no empty tables and the lines were crazy. Since we were using the Dining Plan I got Mom's order then she went off to find and keep a table while I got our food. I did not take any pictures, but we both got the Sloppy Joes. They were actually very good sloppy joes and we were quite happy with them.

By the time we got thru the line and ate it was just already into our TSM FP+ window would open so we made our way over there.






Since it was the afternoon the line for Standby was out the door and the FP+ line was past the spot where you got your glasses. I did take one picture as we walked in.






But we were soon getting into our ride car and tossing those rings, shooting those balloons and plates and more!









I once again beat Mom, but she was still happy with her score






After our arcade whirl we thought we would head back over to the Backlot Tour to see if we could get on it yet, and it seemed to be back up to speed so we got in the queue.









They took us in the special effects area but did not do the whole show. They did do a quick explanation of different effects and set them off, like the water cascading into the "submarine" and fake gun shots and explosions, but no people and it only took a couple of minutes to do it all.






We were then quickly ushered through the props building and into a vehicle to start the backlot tour portion. I did get a good amount of pictures on that section!















Catastrophe Canyon!


















And then more of the backlot area:








CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



​

 

[PhoenixStrength]

More backlot tour pictures:









After the ride part of the tour ended we went into the AFI display room. I took a few pictures, but it was so packed in there that we quickly left.












Once we got out of the AFI institute building (and thru the gift shop!) it was time for our next FP+, The Great Movie Ride!






We only had to wait in the movie reel room for a couple of minutes before we were loaded onto those huge ride vehicles. I cannot remember our guides name right now, but she was very upbeat and funny. I will just post the pictures I took and let them tell the story!




































We once again got the gangster scene, but enjoyed our tour through the movies all the same.


NEXT TIME: THAT CHIPMUNK IS FLIRTING WITH ME!!



​

 

[KatMark]

Great updates, Steph. I wonder what was up with the Backstage Tour?

I didn't know they had sloppy joes? My DH loves sloppy joes...I'll have to keep that in mind.

Your Mom's score is about the highest I've ever gotten.

You got great photos on both the Backstage Tour and the Great Movie Ride.

A chipmunk flirting? I can't wait to hear about it.

 

[ZehnJahren]

It has been forever since I've been on the Backlot Tour, and I really can't even imagine going on it again, so it's nice to see pictures of it!

I don't necessarily like the GMR either; it is SOOO SLOW. It surprises me how slow it moves! I always feel like it takes too long for me. I have only gotten the gangster scene in as long as I can remember. But I DO like the queue!

I think your score on TSMM is as high as I've ever gotten; do you have any TSMM secrets? I know I got my higher scores right after I read about TSMM online...

 

[mickeystoontown]

We haven't eaten at Studio's Catering Company in a while so I didn't know that they had sloppy joes. It's odd that they were so busy as every time we pass by there, there's usually empty tables. Maybe everybody left the Backlot Tour with ya'll and decided to go eat.

Speaking of the Backlot Tour, we have encountered the technical issues too. Once, they did like when you were there....did the effects but no volunteers. Another time, we walked all the way through that entire area with absolutely no show at all.

Ah, Toy Story Mania! Love that ride so much. Having said that, you'd think that it would have lost some of it's "let's run to Toy Story Mania first thing" appeal by now.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Great updates, Steph. I wonder what was up with the Backstage Tour?

I didn't know they had sloppy joes? My DH loves sloppy joes...I'll have to keep that in mind.

Your Mom's score is about the highest I've ever gotten.

You got great photos on both the Backstage Tour and the Great Movie Ride.

A chipmunk flirting? I can't wait to hear about it.

It was weird that they didn't do the demonstration with volunteers for the special effects part, as everything was working. Maybe just a time thing?

I think the sloppy joes may be new, and they were pretty good. Good flavor for the sauce, cheddar cheese and good quality meat and bun.

Thank you, I thought I got some decent pictures too, especially since my GMR pics are usually horrible!

It has been forever since I've been on the Backlot Tour, and I really can't even imagine going on it again, so it's nice to see pictures of it!

I don't necessarily like the GMR either; it is SOOO SLOW. It surprises me how slow it moves! I always feel like it takes too long for me. I have only gotten the gangster scene in as long as I can remember. But I DO like the queue!

I think your score on TSMM is as high as I've ever gotten; do you have any TSMM secrets? I know I got my higher scores right after I read about TSMM online...

I keep doing Backlot do to the rumors that it will disappear once they start on the new section they supposedly are adding to DHS.

I actually really like GMR, though I'd like to get the cowboy scene every once in a while!

No real TSMM secrets. I just go for the highest score items (500, 1000 or 2000 points) and that's about it!

We haven't eaten at Studio's Catering Company in a while so I didn't know that they had sloppy joes. It's odd that they were so busy as every time we pass by there, there's usually empty tables. Maybe everybody left the Backlot Tour with ya'll and decided to go eat.

Speaking of the Backlot Tour, we have encountered the technical issues too. Once, they did like when you were there....did the effects but no volunteers. Another time, we walked all the way through that entire area with absolutely no show at all.

Ah, Toy Story Mania! Love that ride so much. Having said that, you'd think that it would have lost some of it's "let's run to Toy Story Mania first thing" appeal by now.

Like I said above to Kathy, I think the sloppy joes may be new. They were delicious. You are probably right about everyone leaving Backlot Tour and heading there for lunch!

I've had the walk right past the show area happen to me before as well. I just thought it was weird that they didn't do volunteers since it wasn't that busy and all the effects were working. Maybe the cameras weren't?

I love it too, and also keep wondering when the line and rush there will subside. It may just always be like that, or at least until they get something else new and popular in DHS.

 

[afwdwfan]

That was too bad about your first attempt at the Backlot Tour. Always frustrating when something that is well-thought and planned out backfires. At least you made it to your FP+ and got to come back later.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

That was too bad about your first attempt at the Backlot Tour. Always frustrating when something that is well-thought and planned out backfires. At least you made it to your FP+ and got to come back later.

I try to plan things out a few steps ahead, not the whole day mind you, just an idea of what will happen next. It did throw me off a bit when they let so few people in at Backlot, but thankfully we were able to rearrange and get back later to enjoy it!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY TWO, WEDNESDAY MAY 21ST, PART 4​

Once we were done singing in the rain, following the yellow brick road and more we walked out to find new characters for us to meet near the hat. First up were Chip and Dale!






Hey Dale, stop flirting with me, I have a boyfriend!






More pictures with Chip and Dale, both my camera and MM









Dale got one more hug in






Then we moved over to the next line, Kathy's favorite character!












By this time we had a FP+ to get to, our last one of the 3 scheduled. We headed back down Sunset Boulevard, avoiding getting hit by this car...






...and ducking into a store along the way. My Mom was looking for something, tho I don't remember what now. She did try on a hat tho






Sadly she didn't buy it, nor the adorable Olaf apple we saw at the candy store






When we got to the FP+ destination Mom decided to skip it. It was one I didn't think she would do, nor did she, but she thought there was a slight chance so we scheduled it. What attraction was it? Well since you knew which way we were going and that we had already both ridden one earlier, you should know which was one left!






There was a CM at the entrance warning everyone that there was only one elevator working so the line was moving much slower than usual. Even the FP+ line was about 40 minutes long. I still got in line and Mom went to hang out in the dump shop.


















We went into the video room, watched the Twilight Zone bit and then headed for the door out. The door opened and.....people. The line was so long it blocked that doorway. It did move up after about 30 seconds and all of us managed to cram into line. Unfortunately the next video room then opened and couldn't move. The CMs tried to tell everyone to make room for them, but quickly realized that we were all crammed together already and just told everyone to wait in the room for a minute.

The line did slowly move and I took a few pictures during the wait. The first one is blurry, but given the creepy nature of the surroundings and attractions I thought it fit!












Since the line was so long they were pulling people out to fill every seat each ride. I got lucky that there was one seat open when I still had about 40 people in front of me, so I got to go up and get on earlier. And here is my ride photo:






Nobody really freaked out, tho the woman in the front left in the multi-color shirt did shriek at the first drop!

I found Mom in the dump shop, laughing at my ride photo. We talked for a bit, then went to the Fastpass kiosk to see if anything else was open to get our 4th FP of the day. The line had a good amount of people in it, but they had 3 self-service kiosks and 3 CMs with tablets so it moved quickly. The only things they still had FPs for were Indiana Jones Stunt Show and one other thing, which I don't remember what right now. We wanted to see the stunt show, so we chose that and quickly the CM got us set. The show started in about 40 minutes so we headed that way immediately. There was no line for a Photopass photographer in front of the hat and stage, so we stopped for more photos.









CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[PhoenixStrength]

The MM pictures in front of the hat












No, we weren't ill, the second picture we were told to make silly faces. That was the best we could come up with

We still had some time before going into Indiana Jones, so we walked into the Star Tours dump shop where Mom and I each found something for my Dad. I found two funny comic-like books showing Darth raising Leia and Luke, so we each gave him one of those. Once we finished in there we walked out and saw the speeder bike had a PP so we went over. Only I got on it and we got a couple of MM pictures.









By that time we could go into Indiana Jones, so we did.






The show was the same as always, but we still enjoyed it quite a bit. I took a TON of pictures, and here are just some of them.

























































CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST

 

[PhoenixStrength]

More Indy pictures!





















By the time the show ended it was about time for our dinner reservation. We were going somewhere that I had never eaten at, though my Mom had.






We checked in at the stand and then moved over to the side to wait. There were quite a few people standing around waiting, but we only waited about 10 minutes before we heard "Stephanie" being yelled. They didn't even attempt my last name.

Our server was excellent, tho I didn't write down her name. She was funny and strict, but also very nice when my Mom started to feel ill part-way through our meal and couldn't eat anymore. She offered to get Mom something else to eat to help her stomach, but Mom preferred to just not eat anymore. I didn't dare take any pictures of our food, but we both got Mom's Old Fashioned Pot Roast and thought it was delicious! We also both got the Boston Cream Parfait, though only I ate it since Mom was feeling worse by then.

Mom was not only having an upset stomach, but she also startedg to feel pretty tired around then, having still not fully recovered from the lack of sleep Monday night. We made the decision to head out and get back to the resort. We did stop at the Hollywood Studios sign to try to get one last MM picture, though the sun was right in our face so they didn't turn out very well. The photographer did try to compensate by telling us to close our eyes and to open them when he said to and then he quickly snapped the pictures. This was the best one we got.






After that we walked out of the park and to the bus stop. We didn't wait too long before the bus pulled up and we got on.






We got off at the Old Port Royale stop once back at CBR and filled our resort mugs.






We walked back to our room and I took a couple of pictures from the doorway of our room. The first one was looking straight out from our door, the second shows just looking right from the doorway at the lake. And this was a standard room with such gorgeous views.









We sat our extra stuff in the room, then since it was still only around 7:30pm we walked back down to the Jamaica beach to relax for a while, with our duck friends!


















I relaxed in a hammock while Mom laid on a reclined chair.












We stayed down there for about 45 minutes before deciding to head up and get to bed so we would be rested for the next busy park day. On the way back though we did see one more friend at the base of the stairwell.






It actually sat there for a while, until some kids saw it and made a lot of noise, scaring it into running off. We went right to bed once we got back into our room.



NEXT TIME: DONALD, DAISY AND MICKEY, OH MY!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Great update Stephanie......I'm not even going to attempt your last name. Seriously, though, the update was great. The creepy ToT line picture was cool. It looked like ghosts or snakes or ghost snakes or something.

Oh, your poor mother. It's too bad that she started to feel so bad during dinner. The wait staff at 50s Prime Time can be a little over the top but it sounds like your's knew when to turn it on and off and was trying to take care of your mother.

Love the pictures of the Caribbean Beach and they are sooooo making me with that I was there right now with all my duck friends.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Great update Stephanie......I'm not even going to attempt your last name. Seriously, though, the update was great. The creepy ToT line picture was cool. It looked like ghosts or snakes or ghost snakes or something.

Oh, your poor mother. It's too bad that she started to feel so bad during dinner. The wait staff at 50s Prime Time can be a little over the top but it sounds like your's knew when to turn it on and off and was trying to take care of your mother.

Love the pictures of the Caribbean Beach and they are sooooo making me with that I was there right now with all my duck friends.

I thought that picture went perfectly for ToT's theme too.

Yeah, it had nothing to do with 50s that she felt bad, she started to feel bad about 1/2 hour before that. She hoped eating would help but it didn't. Our waitress absolutely realized Mom was really sick and while she still have me grief she did what she could to help Mom.

I wish I was there right now too!

 

[afwdwfan]

There was a CM at the entrance warning everyone that there was only one elevator working so the line was moving much slower than usual. Even the FP+ line was about 40 minutes long. I still got in line and Mom went to hang out in the dump shop.

Wow... that's brutal. But, you've definitely got to wait it out!

The line did slowly move and I took a few pictures during the wait. The first one is blurry, but given the creepy nature of the surroundings and attractions I thought it fit!

It did. Neat effect, even if unintentional.

Since the line was so long they were pulling people out to fill every seat each ride. I got lucky that there was one seat open when I still had about 40 people in front of me, so I got to go up and get on earlier. And here is my ride photo

The benefits of being a solo rider.

Mom was not only having an upset stomach, but she also startedg to feel pretty tired around then, having still not fully recovered from the lack of sleep Monday night. We made the decision to head out and get back to the resort.

I'm glad your meal was good, but that's a shame that she wasn't feeling good.

Seems like a nice, relaxing way to end the day back at the resort though. Well worth ducking out of the park early.

 

[debsters41]

Thanks for another fantastic update! I enjoy looking at all your pictures. I think I will get the M. Maker now . Your pictures of the resort are helping me get excited for next year and I really hope we have duck friends, too!

I hope you guys got rested! I look forward to reading more

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Wow... that's brutal. But, you've definitely got to wait it out!


It did. Neat effect, even if unintentional.


The benefits of being a solo rider.


I'm glad your meal was good, but that's a shame that she wasn't feeling good.

Seems like a nice, relaxing way to end the day back at the resort though. Well worth ducking out of the park early.

ToT is one of my favorite attractions, so I was certainly willing to wait to enjoy it

Thankfully after relaxing for a while Mom felt much better. I think she was still just recovering from traveling the day before.

Thanks for another fantastic update! I enjoy looking at all your pictures. I think I will get the M. Maker now . Your pictures of the resort are helping me get excited for next year and I really hope we have duck friends, too!

I hope you guys got rested! I look forward to reading more

Thank you! I really love the Memory Maker, especially for anyone who enjoys the attractions with ride photos. I love having tons of pictures to remember my trip by, so I think it's a great deal.

I've seen ducks all over WDW, in every park and resort, so you should have no trouble making some duck friends (besides Donald and Daisy of course!).

 

[KatMark]

I could have sworn I responded to this.

I love the pictures with Chip and Dale and all the photopass pictures. You look adorable on that thing from Star Wars.

We've not seen Indiana Jones in 6 years and now they are closing it. I doubt we will see it next month though.

I'm sorry your mom started feeling ill at 50's Prime Time. I would have blamed the food except you said it was delicious (we did not enjoy our meal there at all).

Sorry again for being late with a response.