"I bet they get Charmin" A May 2014 Girls Trip **04/03 THE END**

[amberg93]

Just have to say it... glowing drinks rule.

Ah yay, I do love the Ralph and Venelope meet. They always seem to be great, plus I'm just in awe of Ralph since he's SO HUGE!

Congratulations on ToT Amber!!! See, it's not so bad. And well done Marie for being the reassuring wife, lol.

It was pretty cool. Marie even took a video

He is huge, that's always my first thought too. Like, dang, how big. I feel tiny. It's nice.

I was super terrified though. And My bag went flying up cause I didn't secure it. Marie was the least helpful too, I started to panic when she was like 'Oh my God, oh my God' and I was like, "Are we gonna die?!"

I love Mama Melrose! When I was there, I had the shrimp dish as well. Sorry Amber didn't like the dessert, I haven't experienced it yet but it looks really yummy!

And I ADORE Vanelope and Ralph, their hugs are AWESOME.

I completely understand about Tower of Terror, I'm okay up until the ride starts moving, then I start to sweat a little! Love-hate relationship indeed.

Can't wait for more!

Merranda seemed to really enjoy it as well. If I didn't love the steak and liked shrimp I would try it. Everyone else seemed happy with the desserts, I'm just picky.

They give great hugs!

It's so scary. Like, it freaks me out so much. I can do it now but it's still freaky.

And more is coming up

Alright, Mama melrose is definitely on my list now!! I've always been intrigued but the steak sounds amazing!!

Yay for everyone getting on ToT! Definitely one of my faves!!

Cute pics with ralph!

I could marry that steak. You need to try it. It's sooo good.

You're a brave soul.

I do like them some of the best just because of the great interaction

You don't often see a ton of reviews of Mama Melrose but all of your food looks pretty darn good - sorry that Amber didn't like any of the desserts though

But congrats to her for bucking up and going on Tower of Terror!

Give it a go, it's so good. It's my favorite TS in HS. True I've only done that, 50s Prime Time and Sci Fi but I honestly love it the most.

Thank you, thank you. *bows* I survived and everything

Mama Melrose looks awesome!! I've never been but I loveeee steak so I should definitely try it sometime.

Ralph and Vanellope rock!! Such a cute picture with you all flexing.

I too am TERRIFIED of ToT but this trip I conquered my fear and actually got on it. I had a death grip on the handles though, no way was I putting my hands up hahaha.

Go for the steak, you won't regret it!

Thank you

We both did it! But agreed, no way my hands were getting up. I was sat between Traci and Marie so that I could grab onto them and feel safe.

 

[amberg93]

Warning: Drama ahead. That's right guys, the first round of drama is in this chapter. Heck, it practically is the chapter. If that's not your cup of tea, feel free to skip this chapter as it will primarily deal with the drama.

Disclaimer: This is not an unbiased reporting of the drama. It's my trip report and so I'm telling my story. It's a one sided story because of that. I'm not blameless or perfect and you are allowed to disagree with my narrative, with me, with the drama and with anything else you want. You can even tell me if that's the case, just don't be mean about it.

Also yes, I'm telling the drama in detail because it's a part of the trip. It's important to understanding other things that happen later on and is also important to understand so that you get how much opinions regarding this trip were formed.

Day 3, Part 5: "There's a better way to say that."

Now that I'd survived Tower of Terror, which I'd admittedly considered chickening out of again because I hate normal elevators, let alone ones that take you into the Twilight Zone and drop you like it's fun, everyone else had to use the bathroom. So, I went ahead and caught up on my TR notes as that happened.

When everyone was finished, we decided that we were going to select more FP+ options since we'd used all of them.

So we headed over to the FP+ station that's right by Tower of Terror and Rock N Rollercoaster to see what else we could get for the day. Only, our bands weren't working.

The FP+ helper told us we'd have to go to guest relations to get it sorted out. Great. Who knew what that line was going to look like.

We made our way up toward the front of the park though to get it taken care of.

See, I even documented it with an image.

Now when we got toward the front of the park, I realized that I actually had to use the bathroom too. I was probably an annoying child, I realize, but as an adult, I was able to go by myself to the bathroom while the rest of the group went to guest relations.

Upon exiting the bathroom, I noticed that there was a lonely photopass guy with no one stopping to get pictures taken by him. So, I went ahead and decided to cheer him up.

By getting pictures of just myself while the whole group was in guest relations. I'm a thoughtful individual like that.

Here's me being glam.

And again, but not as glam as the lady in the right hand corner, she's much more fab.

Then the nice photopass photographer wanted to give me some extra shots. And I got the most coveted shot of the entire group.

Yes, me and Olaf!

No one has forgiven me for the fact that they did not, in fact, get a magic shot with Olaf and I did.

Anyway, after my mini-photoshoot where I got the most glamorous selfies of the whole trip, I went to guest relations since my group was still not out.

Though first I moved out of the way for the Hollywood Public Works.

Inside guest relations they had the following piece that I loved:

So cute!

Anyway, we got everything situated, made a FP+ for RnRC and this is where I proceeded to make a mistake. See, Traci and Eli were feeling tired and I wasn't really. However, we'd talked about a midday break if people wanted it. Given that I didn't want to send Traci and Eli (of all people) back to the resort alone together and have them feel like they were missing out, I volunteered to lead 'Team Nap' back to the resort while Marie would stay with Merranda and Veronica as 'Team Park'.

Eli was trucking along, excited to go back and nap.

We were at line 13 because that's where the Sports always is, but it was shared between all the All Stars since it was mid-day.

Okay, and here's where the drama comes in.

Some things you need to know first.

One: Eli and I both share the flaw of sometimes stating opinion to be fact. Therefore, it annoys each of us when others do it too and are against us.

Two: Eli tends to think that any experience in an area makes her opinion even more factual.

Three: Eli works with children currently. I worked at an amusement park and volunteered with first graders for two years for an hour every school day.

That being said, here's what happens. We're standing in line and Eli asks a question about something relating to a theme park. I explained a policy that relates to safety rules and children (it's not important what it is because I'm sure everyone has differing opinions on things and I don't want to debate the policy) and gave praise for it, including why I think it's a good policy and how it helps other people.

Eli's response, "Well, that's stupid because x,y,z."

I made the mistake of going back and further defending what I think is a good policy, countering her points with the positives of the system after exclaiming, "It's not stupid, it's helpful because a,b,c."

To which we debated a little more and she goes. "Whatever, it's still stupid."

Here's another thing I forgot to mention about myself, I'm all about the way you say things. Your words don't matter half as much to me as the tone in which you say something. So if I explain to you something, defend it, and tell you why I agree to it and you come back with, 'it's stupid'. To me you're basically insulting me because you've heard all the logic and thought I put into it and you're still insulting the thought process behind it.

That's not what she meant, but that's how I felt. I felt like she was insulting me and I was upset and hurt by it. Like, you've already been making comments about one of my best friends, I'm giving up park time for you to nap and now you're insulting my thought process. Thank you.

So, stupidly, I go, "Okay, fine, could you apologize."

"Apologize? What for?"

"You insulted me."

"Right, *sarcasm* I totally called you stupid. No, I called the thing stupid because that's what I think."

"Well, I feel insulted because of how you said it and even if you didn't mean to insult me, I'm hurt so could you please apologize for that?"

"I don't have to apologize for my opinion. I think it's stupid."

So I'm still upset I'm practically shaking and I just want to leave and run back into the park and I just get a bit snarky as a resort. "Okay, but there's a better way to say that." I used the line she'd been using with Traci, the one she'd used on me that had gotten me to apologize.

Instead of an apology, I got, "No it's my opinion, I can say it how I want."

At that point I shut up because I was so upset that I couldn't even talk without fear of bursting into tears. I felt totally used and disrespected. Like, my wife and I brought you here, we flew with you here because we knew you were scared, I'm giving up my park time so you can nap, and I apologized to you earlier for being snarky when you weren't even anything other than annoyed. Here I was, genuinely upset and she just ignored that.

There was tense silence until we got on the bus. In which I got on last of the group and therefore couldn't get a seat. So I stood, the whole way back, awkwardly almost falling into this nice lady that kept apologizing for her folded stroller and trying to talk to me. I tried hard everyone, to be nice to the lady and chat, but I just could not because I was still on the verge of crying the whole way back to the resort.

When we arrived, Eli darted off the bus and practically ran to the room while Traci and I talked together on the way back. She allowed me to vent my frustrations over the situation and explain how hurt I was without judging and I thank her so much for that.

Traci, you're an angel.

Look at the happy weather, the bright colors, it all was like 'Yay, you're at Disney!' and yet I was still so upset I couldn't enjoy it.

When I got into the room, in fact, I was so mad that I couldn't even begin to nap.

Instead, I got onto my laptop and went to the May 2014 group and did a little bit of venting about traveling with people who you can handle spending time with each day, as well as checking Tumblr.

In the end, I fell asleep maybe 20 minutes before we got our wake up call to leave back to HS at 4:45.

I led the way with Traci and we had some conversation. By that point I was past upset and onto annoyed, though I tried not to be too cold because I didn't want to be a jerk.

Basically, I was just at the point where I knew I should have stayed part of Team Park and just not worried about it.

Going through the lobby, I took a picture of the balloon arch.

And the people under the balloon arch.

When we walked outside though there was a huge group and they were all in line for Hollywood Studios. Oh crap.

Except, I ran to the front to see if it was true and they weren't technically in line yet because they were waiting for the last people in their group to arrive, so we hopped into that line so quick that it wasn't funny.

We ended up here.

This is part of what was behind us after about one minute later the whole group got into line.

The line went past the end of the Epcot line. Turns out it was a Senior class on their class trip together and when we got onto the bus, we got seats but were promptly surrounded by standing teens from New Jersey who were very excited. Eli and Traci chatted with them, but I was cranky from my short nap and the drama so I kept quiet and mentally despaired on the fact that we'd been planning on staying through EMH until the end, but I was rethinking this plan since most of the teens would likely do the same.

We arrived back to the Studios and sent some texts to Team Park to find out where to meet.

They were at Cantina Eddie's, so we headed over that way and instantly it was obvious that something had happened within Team Nap.

Still, we set off for our next adventure now that we were all reunited and I discreetly filled in Marie as to what had happened.

Click for next post​

 

[DisDance]

Finally caught up! Sorry for the drama Amber, I think we have similar personalities, as that would have upset me too. I'm a very emotional person, I can't help it but it is what it is. Hopefully it all worked it self out! Guess we will find out!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

That's ok... I like drama. And before I even read the drama, I will say that I fully appreciate and support your including it. Not everything is always rosie with butterflies and the fact that your so honest about that is a beautiful thing.

Aww that Olaf magic shot is adorable. And good on you for giving the poor lonely photographer some glam.

OK, as for the drama... Amber, I am the exact same way. Tone is pretty much everything with me. It's why I hate conversing over the phone or in email (generally speaking) because body language also plays a large role. If all I can do is hear you, the tone is all I have to go on. And tone is the most important thing to me. But honestly, this isn't even a question of who's right and who's wrong. It's a matter of respect. And I don't believe you were being respected. I've been in your situation (and in one case almost exactly) many times on trips, so for what it's worth, I get it.

 

[courtneybelle]

As you know, I totally support including drama. To be honest, I'm glad I'm not the only one that had a fight and got upset on vacation.

Your Photopass pics are fabulous...especially the Olaf one!!! I love it!

UGHHHH. Okay so here's my thing. I just don't get why it is so hard for people to apologize. Even if she didn't agree with you, if she recognized that you were upset she could have apologized for upsetting you without changing her opinion. I don't know, I will never get why it is so hard for people to say that they're sorry, ESPECIALLY since you gave her the most generous gift ever!

I'm glad you had Tracy to vent to though!! Hope the rest of the day got a little better.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I totally fell behind! Im so sorry about that.

That cookie bits sundae from Ghirardelli looks great! That's one of my favorite stops in Disney. We have one in Chicago, but it's in the middle of the city and not always convenient to get to.

I would have totally been like Veronica, finishing mine and then eating others sundaes. I LOVE ICE CREAM!

I have had some pretty horrifying moments almost getting lost in World of Disney. I feel you girl. I feel you.

Poor Marie breaking her little toe on the beach chair! I feel her on that. I broke mine recently too. It's not fun and it's just awkward.

Specialty cupcakes are my favorite thing for me! I didn't get there in time to try the worms and dirt one.

Yay we-sies!

I'm always happy about bread too. It's the Belgian in me. European bread is unlike anything out there!

Love meeting Ralph and Vanellope!

So sorry for the drama. I am similar to you as well. I would have been upset. My oldest brother can tend to be like Eli. He says it's fine for him to have his opinion, but if you start to state yours, heaven forbid.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

aw, I'm sorry that you had that drama to deal with. Thanks for including it though and hopefully going through it and recalling it helped you move on more than relive it.

I think sometimes it can be hard for someone to understand why someone else is upset, and because of that, feel they don't need to apologize - but that is totally not true or fair. Eli is correct that it was her opinion and she didn't need to apologize for that ... but what she said - or rather how she said it - upset you. Even if she didn't get why it did and she should have acknowledged that and apologized for it.

So glad that Traci was there for you to vent to and help out

And super cute photopass photos and yeah for getting that magic shot with Olaf!

 

[HarkiQuinn]

I'm sorry that you had to deal with unpleasantness. Blah. It seems like you both were both very sensitive and on the defense, I'm assuming your never got an apology from Eli though? At least the internet is there to hear you vent!

 

[amberg93]

Finally caught up! Sorry for the drama Amber, I think we have similar personalities, as that would have upset me too. I'm a very emotional person, I can't help it but it is what it is. Hopefully it all worked it self out! Guess we will find out!

I am an emotional person and I totally get what you're saying, it just happens.

Will it work itself out? Will it not? Who knows. What I will say is that there is more drama to come later in the trip.

That's ok... I like drama. And before I even read the drama, I will say that I fully appreciate and support your including it. Not everything is always rosie with butterflies and the fact that your so honest about that is a beautiful thing.

Aww that Olaf magic shot is adorable. And good on you for giving the poor lonely photographer some glam.

OK, as for the drama... Amber, I am the exact same way. Tone is pretty much everything with me. It's why I hate conversing over the phone or in email (generally speaking) because body language also plays a large role. If all I can do is hear you, the tone is all I have to go on. And tone is the most important thing to me. But honestly, this isn't even a question of who's right and who's wrong. It's a matter of respect. And I don't believe you were being respected. I've been in your situation (and in one case almost exactly) many times on trips, so for what it's worth, I get it.

I know but it's just not fun, you read TRs and you're expecting fun and then bam, reality sneaks in. Darn reality, but it's true that I'd rather paint the truth as it is/was.

I try.

Thank you, Rob. As I was writing it I worried more about like, maybe I was just really overreacting and people will think I'm crazy, but I'm glad that's not the case. Respect is so huge and I'm a firm believer that respect is freely given until a person shows that they truly don't deserve it - and you've got to do a lot not to deserve respect.

As you know, I totally support including drama. To be honest, I'm glad I'm not the only one that had a fight and got upset on vacation.

Your Photopass pics are fabulous...especially the Olaf one!!! I love it!

UGHHHH. Okay so here's my thing. I just don't get why it is so hard for people to apologize. Even if she didn't agree with you, if she recognized that you were upset she could have apologized for upsetting you without changing her opinion. I don't know, I will never get why it is so hard for people to say that they're sorry, ESPECIALLY since you gave her the most generous gift ever!

I'm glad you had Tracy to vent to though!! Hope the rest of the day got a little better.

I'm glad you included drama in your TR too Courtney for that same reason. I like knowing that it's very human of all of us to still act like people even in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Thank you. I do love the Olaf one.

Everything you said. Everything. That's a huge problem for me that people can't recognize that they upset people and just apologize. Like, I'm not asking anyone to change their mind, I'm asking them to acknowledge how hurt I am and apologize for it. Even if you accidentally step on someone's foot, you apologize for hurting them (unless you're a jerk in MK like a guy that did just that and didn't apologize later this trip) and why are feelings different Ugh. Thank you.

Well it certainly didn't get worse

 

[amberg93]

I totally fell behind! Im so sorry about that.

That cookie bits sundae from Ghirardelli looks great! That's one of my favorite stops in Disney. We have one in Chicago, but it's in the middle of the city and not always convenient to get to.

I would have totally been like Veronica, finishing mine and then eating others sundaes. I LOVE ICE CREAM!

I have had some pretty horrifying moments almost getting lost in World of Disney. I feel you girl. I feel you.

Poor Marie breaking her little toe on the beach chair! I feel her on that. I broke mine recently too. It's not fun and it's just awkward.

Specialty cupcakes are my favorite thing for me! I didn't get there in time to try the worms and dirt one.

Yay we-sies!

I'm always happy about bread too. It's the Belgian in me. European bread is unlike anything out there!

Love meeting Ralph and Vanellope!

So sorry for the drama. I am similar to you as well. I would have been upset. My oldest brother can tend to be like Eli. He says it's fine for him to have his opinion, but if you start to state yours, heaven forbid.

It's okay Dani, welcome back

So good of a sundae but so much. I'm not that great at putting away ice cream. It's delicious but I have limits.

Actually I remembered that and mentioned it to Marie afterward. I was like, you know, "Dani on the Dis broke her toe and they can't do anything for it even at the hospital". So you actually helped us have knowledge

If they have the dirt cake one again and you're there you should try it. I think you'd like it.

You and Marie would get along well. To me bread is just bread

Eli and I tend to clash a lot actually because we've both got stronger personalities. In hindsight spending a whole week and more together isn't a good idea.

aw, I'm sorry that you had that drama to deal with. Thanks for including it though and hopefully going through it and recalling it helped you move on more than relive it.

I think sometimes it can be hard for someone to understand why someone else is upset, and because of that, feel they don't need to apologize - but that is totally not true or fair. Eli is correct that it was her opinion and she didn't need to apologize for that ... but what she said - or rather how she said it - upset you. Even if she didn't get why it did and she should have acknowledged that and apologized for it.

So glad that Traci was there for you to vent to and help out

And super cute photopass photos and yeah for getting that magic shot with Olaf!

When I was typing it it did bring back some feelings of anger but now I think it was really helpful.

I feel like I just got a Mr. Feeny lesson right there. It was beautiful. Honestly.

Traci was especially great for venting in this instance because she was there, so she had a view of everything without me needing to explain and Eli already didn't like her so telling her wasn't going to make things worse between them.

It's a great magic shot, I have to admit.

I'm sorry that you had to deal with unpleasantness. Blah. It seems like you both were both very sensitive and on the defense, I'm assuming your never got an apology from Eli though? At least the internet is there to hear you vent!

Pretty much that was that was the case. And no no apology was made.

But you're right, the internet is great for venting!

 

[TraciDisNewbie]

I remember the argument and being very careful not to say anything while the actual argument, or whatever, was going on. However, when I saw how upset Amber was, I naturally hung back to take care of here. I am not an angel, although thanks for the compliment, I am just a regular friend and I did as any friend would do.

I would also like to say that up to this point I had realized that Eli seemed to be cold toward me, but I chose to be unaware of any rude comments she was making or attitude problems. I was out there to have a good time and celebrate a great thing with my Amber and Marie and all the other girls. So reading this and see just how much Eli had been jabbing at me is opening my eyes.

 

[geckodani]

Drama sucks. I'm sorry that you had to deal with it. I hope that the rest of the night went better!

And I ADORE bread. Bread is amazing.

 

[xera12]

Loving the TR so far! Getting lots and lots of ideas for when we go next time!! Your friends seem awesome!

Even though there is more drama to come I gotta know, are you and Eli still friends after this trip?

 

[amberg93]

I remember the argument and being very careful not to say anything while the actual argument, or whatever, was going on. However, when I saw how upset Amber was, I naturally hung back to take care of here. I am not an angel, although thanks for the compliment, I am just a regular friend and I did as any friend would do.

I would also like to say that up to this point I had realized that Eli seemed to be cold toward me, but I chose to be unaware of any rude comments she was making or attitude problems. I was out there to have a good time and celebrate a great thing with my Amber and Marie and all the other girls. So reading this and see just how much Eli had been jabbing at me is opening my eyes.

Well I was still glad to have you there.

I'm sorry. I probably noticed it the most just because of how aware I was at anything negative Eli was doing because it was a big fear of mine pre-trip that this would be an issue.

Drama sucks. I'm sorry that you had to deal with it. I hope that the rest of the night went better!

And I ADORE bread. Bread is amazing.

It happens. Disney can't fix issues between people *shrug* But the rest of the night was better.

I'm a white bread kind of person who doesn't care much as long as it's white and soft. Marie's the bread lover of the couple

Loving the TR so far! Getting lots and lots of ideas for when we go next time!! Your friends seem awesome!

Even though there is more drama to come I gotta know, are you and Eli still friends after this trip?

Glad you're enjoying it, Francine And we do have great friends.

I'd say yes, we are, but these sort of dramatics have been a problem in our friendship for a while. We're kind of hot and cold friends. Sometimes we get along really well, sometimes we don't talk for months. It's a really strange friendship and held together with lots of nostalgia and Marie.

 

[MarieLightning]

Day 3, Part 6: "The hardest thing to do for this ride is a deadpan face."

Through all this drama, Veronica, Merranda and I were blissfully unaware and just trying to decide what to do next.

And I was all good, writing it all down in my own little notebook so that I would be able to remember everything properly when time came to tell it all - especially since Amber left with the camera, and as such there was no photo evidence of anything we did.

And now we can't find that notebook.

So I will have to rely on memory, and although I think I remember the bigger portion of what we did, I'm a bit fuzzy on the order, so that's gonna be left up in the air!

We did, first, start up toward the hat, and decided to stop for a picture!

I like frame pictures. I think they look pretty snazzy - and this was as good an opportunity as any to get it, seeing as all six of us would not have fit in the frame

Which, admittedly, the other three girls weren't so keen on agreeing that it'd been a good move - especially Eli who'd earlier on pointed it out and mentioned she wanted a frame picture - but oh well. You snooze you lose!

And now, here is a deconstructed list of what we did in the rest of this time with Team Park

We did the Great Movie Ride. Verdict - not impressed. Actually, I think Veronica almost fell asleep. We got the gangster side, and I have to admit our guide and our gangster weren't the most fascinating or entertaining ever, so I can't really blame the girls.

We also did Star Tours, twice in a row, because the line was that short! Which, I came to find out later that, upon suggesting going back on after the first ride, Veronica would rather have moved on, but her response was a bit vague (at least for me, I'm sure Amber would have understood because she's more awesome) and Merranda was for it, so we ended up subjecting her to the ride again.

Finally, we rode Tower of Terror again!

Which, here I have to share something that I forgot to mention in my last update, in regards to our first time riding. So, as we were exiting the ride, Merranda was like, "Well, that went a lot better than I was expecting!" and Amber asked her why that was.

Turns out, she thought Tower of Terror was literally just standing in an elevator (with some safety restraints to kinda hold on to, but still, standing) that they let drop. Which, when she shared that, Veronica was like, Oh my God, I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that!

Seriously, those two girls. No wonder they formed such a bond during that trip.

Can you imagine though? That would definitely clear up the park pretty quick with people exiting on a stretcher!

With that worry cleared up though, the other two girls were more than up for another ride, so we got in the line, which was pretty reasonable - we didn't wait much longer than we had with our FastPasses earlier on.

I took my pose a few seconds before the first drop, because I didn't know when the picture would get taken. Merranda also managed to look snazzy - and Veronica's laughter, well, it's out of relief, because she found out the hard way what gravity does to a strapless dress and bra! Thankfully, her reflexes were quick enough to pull it all right back up, otherwise we would definitely not have a picture to show for it.

With all those things done, and everything else having a fairly lengthy wait time, we decided to just got and take a sitting break while waiting for the other girls to come back, during which time I wrote down my poor lost notes.

It wasn't much longer until Team Nap joined us at the table, and although I didn't notice right away the tension in the air, when I suggested that the three of them go and take a frame picture like we had, Amber was quick to assure me that wasn't the best of idea, at which time she let me know why. Now, I've had my share of fights with Eli - we didn't really argue between the two of us during this trip, the main of her attitude was toward Traci and Amber, because she had no reason to dislike Veronica (one might say her reason for disliking Traci, which dates back to teenage drama rants, is invalid was well, but oh well) and she got along pretty well with Merranda, which we had been hoping for anyway. But that didn't stop me from being a bit annoyed with her just from the story Amber was relaying. Her behavior played a large part in it, but I was also just getting worried and annoyed that she couldn't behave herself when we'd taken her on this trip. Okay, she had to pay for her plane ticket, but who else can say they got a Disney trip for 280$?

Anyway. When I'm in these kind of situations, I usually go for the "pretend like nothing's wrong" approach, and just keep going as if nothing happened. In this case even more, since technically nothing did happen while I was there.

At that point, we decided to head toward the Streets of America. It was nearing the time at which we were expecting Characterpalooza to happen, and we wanted the girls to get that experience as well.

Unfortunately, as we got past Pixar Place and were rounding past the Backlot Tour, we were stopped by a Cast Member who informed us the Streets of America were closed for the evening.

And as we turned around, we saw all these guys coming up to assist in effectively blocking off the area.

I'm assuming there was an event going on and people had rented part of the park for it. We debated to figure out if maybe if was the Senior group, as the Streets of America usually gets set up with tons of food during those private events, and in hindsight, for a large group, it might be cheaper to do something like that than get everyone a meal at one of the restaurants. Or it might not, but then if they're taking a Senior weekend trip at Disney World from New Jersey, they're clearly not lacking in finances anyway.

However, that did mess up our dinner plans, as we had wanted to eat at the Backlot Express, which was effectively cut off from us by a line of Cast Members directing people away. That was one of the two Quick Service locations we had planned on eating at at Hollywood Studios, the other being Pizza Planet. Easy enough to figure we'll do a switch of plans, but that did put our dinner at an earlier time that night because we knew it wouldn't be open after Fantasmic.

Ultimately, it was getting to a decent dinner time, so we ended up making our way toward there, having to take the long way around

Once we got to the restaurant, Eli shared that she wasn't hungry for dinner yet. Other people were though - and I have to admit that I can be a bit purposely spiteful at times, so I didn't really care. I told her to let us know later when she got hungry so we could direct her to where she would be able to get food at that point. I know, I'm not the best person ever.

I told Amber to go find a table while the rest of us got our food, and Eli ended up following along because she didn't want to wait in line with the rest of us when she wasn't getting food. Which I'm being told resulted in some awkward silent sitting, during which Amber caught up on writing up TR notes.

It wasn't too long until we joined them though, and started eating.

Veronica got the Antipasto salad, without the salami and pepperoni.

Merranda got a kids' meal, with a cheese pizza, applesauce, a cookie and juice. Which, now Amber says that's what we should get whenever we go and pay out of pocket because it's plenty of food. Which, it does look like it - but how sad is that tiny little pizza?

Merranda was satisfied though, so that's all that matters.

Amber and I both got our usual pepperoni pizza with Caesar salad on the side.

Which is what Traci also got, and she also ended up purchasing one of several souvenir cups.

Once we were done eating, we decided to head right next door to go see Muppets Vision 3D!

For the first time, I actually thought to stop and look under the welcome mat for the key - which, you can't see all that well unless you're zooming on it since it's pretty much the same color as the carpet.

It was a pretty short wait to be let in, and everyone appreciated the show well enough.

With that done, we made our way back over to the other side of the park, stopping in front of the hat for a group picture.

We had another FastPass to keep up with at that time though - the one we'd had to stop by Guest Services to make!

Not Tower of Terror again - I don't think Amber could really handle it twice in one day.

So instead, we headed to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster!

It was our very first time going on that ride, so we were definitely excited, but I was admittedly pretty worried about the whole keeping your bag on a ride that goes upside down thing.

Thankfully, there were no casualties - and we obviously all look just wonderful.

We looked around the store afterward and then headed back down Sunset Blvd, with the intention of going on the Great Movie Ride - only to encounter a forty five minutes wait time. Yikes!

At that point, we took a seat to try and figure out what to do next.

Veronica found some herb (I think she said it was rosemary) and was busy making Traci smell it in this picture, in case you're wondering

Cuties selfie time!

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[DisneyKid4Life]

I LOVE the frame pictures. Such a clever addition to photopass.

Holy wow can you imagine if ToT was like that? That would be awesome!!!

Haha, almost a "Flash Mountain" Tower ride eh?

Ugh, the perils of group travel. There's always one that has to make it difficult. I do enjoy sharing the Disney experience, but these are the times I fully appreciate my solo trips.

Yay, you found the key!!

 

[geckodani]

Gah - can you imagine if ToT was really standing in a elevator?!? That would be absolutely terrifying, LOL!!!

Love the frame pictures, sorry about the change in food plans, but it looks like you at least got fed!

 

[courtneybelle]

The Tower of Terror comments made me laugh because in a TON of the promo videos people are actually standing on ToT, which is totally not the case! So I can see why they would think that...but I'm very glad it's actually not that way.

I feel bad about this but I just pictured what a frame picture of Team Nap would look like and I laughed a little bit...I think it was the right move not to take one.

I would have done the same thing with Eli re: dinner--if everyone else was hungry, you shouldn't have to wait!

The key under the mat!! Such a fun hidden surprise.

I still get kind of worried about my bag on RnRC haha but it's one of my favorites so I'm glad you all enjoyed it!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Someone should make a version of Disney World (maybe in Disney Infinity?) Where everything is like how people think it is - you are just standing in an elevator for ToT, all of EPCOT is in the giant golf ball, etc.

I think you made the right call to get dinner - if you waited until every single person wanted to do the same thing you would get nothing done - plus there are plenty of places to eat around for Eli to get food later.

Some fun looking group pictures- bummer about the wasted walking though

 

[amberg93]

I LOVE the frame pictures. Such a clever addition to photopass.

Holy wow can you imagine if ToT was like that? That would be awesome!!!

Haha, almost a "Flash Mountain" Tower ride eh?

Ugh, the perils of group travel. There's always one that has to make it difficult. I do enjoy sharing the Disney experience, but these are the times I fully appreciate my solo trips.

Yay, you found the key!!

I love frame pictures. Marie and I will have to get one in September.

That would be so terrifying. I shuddered to think about it.

Yep, sounds like it

Yeah, I think it's really key to like who you're going with a lot and to be able to handle schedules the same.

And she did. She wanted to show it off to the group

Gah - can you imagine if ToT was really standing in a elevator?!? That would be absolutely terrifying, LOL!!!

Love the frame pictures, sorry about the change in food plans, but it looks like you at least got fed!

I know. That's what we get for not telling them anything beforehand

I did get food and that's what was good.

The Tower of Terror comments made me laugh because in a TON of the promo videos people are actually standing on ToT, which is totally not the case! So I can see why they would think that...but I'm very glad it's actually not that way.

I feel bad about this but I just pictured what a frame picture of Team Nap would look like and I laughed a little bit...I think it was the right move not to take one.

I would have done the same thing with Eli re: dinner--if everyone else was hungry, you shouldn't have to wait!

The key under the mat!! Such a fun hidden surprise.

I still get kind of worried about my bag on RnRC haha but it's one of my favorites so I'm glad you all enjoyed it!

I hadn't noticed that the promos did that so now it makes even more sense.

Now I thought about it too and just got amused as well Though actually, there is a picture later in the trip that shows how at least part of it would look.

Pretty much. She managed.

Everyone was impressed.

I really enjoyed RnRC too. Usually I'm not a fan of bigger roller coasters but I did feel really safe in there so that was good.

Someone should make a version of Disney World (maybe in Disney Infinity?) Where everything is like how people think it is - you are just standing in an elevator for ToT, all of EPCOT is in the giant golf ball, etc.

I think you made the right call to get dinner - if you waited until every single person wanted to do the same thing you would get nothing done - plus there are plenty of places to eat around for Eli to get food later.

Some fun looking group pictures- bummer about the wasted walking though

That would be awesome. I still don't know how to build in Disney Infinity or I'd try it.

Totally agree and I did at that point too. Besides, we'd done the same the day prior.

It all worked out though