I Knew You Would Eventually Get Tired of Disney World - April '12 TR - Completed 2/9

[nilla]

This is the best Trip Report ever! Jon is the coolest! Woo hoo!

Thanks, Kristin! Now I just need to learn how to log you out before accidentally posting under your screen name! Ok, on to the updates.

 

[nilla]

 

[nilla]

I slept a bit better after a much, much better day in the parks. Malibu Gold and whatever mixer I had didn't hurt, either

We slept in again, which meant that I was up at 7:00 and had to find a way to fill the next two hours. Hey, CSR has free WiFi now! Netflix!

As usual, me watching Netflix usually entails me fast forwarding through some bad horror movie to see if it looks remoted interesting. Rarely does, though. A few recommendations, though:

1. The Rock-a-fire Explosion
2. Burnt Offerings

...and that's about it. Dylan watches all those outer space shows, and I'm now certain that the sole job of astronomers is to come up with far-fetched ways life on Earth could end, to be listed in top-ten format on some Science TV show.

But anyway, the others are finally up. Today is a rare occurrence for us - a second Hollywood Studios day. We're excited. No rush. We can cover most of what we missed the first day.

We arrived at DHS and went...wait for it...right up to Toy Story! Random shots along the way.

I would say that these photos show the crowd level to be light that day, but no one is ever in these parts of the park unless they're coming and going. So, on to Toy Story.

I take a lot of crooked shots. I swear, the pavement isn't level. It IS swampland, after all.

We got FPs for I don't remember what time, but THAT should tell you the crowd levels. Pretty light. I LOVE this time of year. For some reason, level photography does not love me.

 

[nilla]

The standby line for TSM didn't look THAT long, but we went into Walt Disney: One Man's Dream (which I heard another guest call "One Man's Life". For some reason, that stufff cracks me up.), and really took our time. We sort of rushed through last year and have regretted it ever since.

Love pics of Walt with Mickey!

More pics! Toys!

Two of my favorite Disney productions:

Took a TON of pics in here, if you couldn't tell.

To be honest, I don't really remember this, but Kristin does, and it looks ridiculous:

It's be back. Captain EO came back. Bellbottoms came back. It's only a matter of time.

Speaking of fashion, "teenage girls be wearin' tube tops" is apparently what's happening in teen apparel these days. No opinion either way, just an observation. I usually don't question fashion decisions, unless it's a guy with a straight-brimmed baseball hat. Bend it. It should be bent. It's not a matter of opinion, either - it's just how it is.

Back to OMD, here's something else that's hopefully coming back:

Love the models, too! Lots of great ones...here's one:

Honey I Blew Up the Kid! What a classic! I've seen it about 10 times, and never saw the original.

What's to come at MK:

Finally, I stop taking pictures and we make our way into the theater. This movie always moves us.

 

[nilla]

Afterwards, it was over to Journey into Animation, where Red Figment tells us all about how he became a dragon and Pocahontas was originally supposed to be a turkey.

At least, that's what he'd tell us if we hadn't skipped that part. We saw it the other day. No disrespect, just moving on.

We're seated, and the lesson starts. A big circle, followed by a small circle to the side...deja vu! Let me guess - the upper lip next?

The animator tells the screaming masses that the first person to correctly guess what character this is will get her artwork. Having drawn this exact same character just 6 days prior, I knew it was Dale. I didn't shout it out, though...I thought it would be cheap.

"Dale!"

Hey, someone got it! Good job...Kristin? Booo!

Dale is drawn, and though she got the artwork, we feel a bit cheated. We want another character!

So how do we do that? By going back in IMMEDIATELY. Dylan thinks himself a genius because he knows all of the characters in game up on the screen. Hey, you've only seen it 5 times this vacation!

We have a conversation with a lone late-teen girl who apparently LOVES Star Wars, and Star Tours. We now know the exact number of permutations possible with the ride. Can't wait to get back on it today!

In we go. In the pre-session conversation, a new animator says we'll be doing an easier character.

"Is it Dale?"

"No, it's not Dale."

Good. I guess Tigger, but it's not. It's very Tiggerish, though. We drew Tigger last year.

She says it's unusual to get the same character in consecutive visits. So it's not Dale?

NO. It's NOT Dale. Now stop.

It's Pooh. And that's what Emily thinks her drawing looks like. I'm tempted to say, "you're six", but don't think that will go over well. I do remind her that when I tried to give her advice during the lesson, she gave me a look and snapped, "I know!" Hey, your loss. You'll learn. Maybe.

Ok, now that that's done, what should we do next? How about we draw another character!

No, we're done. How about eat? But where?

 

[nilla]

As I'm sure you know, Hollywood Studios is a tough place to find good food. We were looking online for the place near Indy Jones, but couldn't find it. We decided somehow on the Studio Catering Company.

That's it, way in the background. The menu looks decent - plus, Dylan will probably eat a Turkey Club. And he does.

Kristin gets the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

We discover there's some sort of Happy Meal thing we can get for Emily, and she's all in.

It's like an Emily jackpot! Love the packaging, too!

Really good meal, actually! Great value for a Dining Plan Counter Service credit.

 

[nilla]

Our TSM FPs still haven't come due, but we can get more FPs. How about Star Tours? I ask a CM how to get there, since I am really, really lost in this park. Turns out, it couldn't be easier. I get the FPs, then return to meet the kids in the Honey I Blew Up the Kid playground.

Kristin would just as soon skip this one and didn't even mention it, but I know the kids love it. And I love it. And Kristin looks at it. Look at how much she loves it.

Great theming! It would be a shame if they ever got rid of this.

Ok, standard film slide pic time!

There's one of the girl, too, but she's in enough pictures. We finally move on, and I hit the spray sunscreen, in part as sunscreen and in part because my "odor free" Keen sandals are certainly NOT free of that which they should be. Aerosols inadvertantly inhaled, it's over to Indy Jones.

We missed this show the last two (or maybe even three) years, but it's really not one you need to see every year.

Or one you hear about tonight. That update's for tomorrow! Good night!

[POST=45518637](next update)[/POST]

 

[MEK]

This is the best Trip Report ever! Jon is the coolest! Woo hoo!

Way to go kristin or kristin's alter ego! Which is it Jon..really?

So, I went through your pictures this morning, but I had already overslept and was running late. Can't really remember much except for the turkey sandwich that Dylan ate.

Sounds like an awesome day so far at HS. Wish I could remember more.

OK - i'll be back later!

 

[laura74]

We got FPs for I don't remember what time, but THAT should tell you the crowd levels. Pretty light. I LOVE this time of year. For some reason, level photography does not love me.

Love when the crowds are low.

The standby line for TSM didn't look THAT long, but we went into Walt Disney: One Man's Dream (which I heard another guest call "One Man's Life". For some reason, that stufff cracks me up.), and really took our time. We sort of rushed through last year and have regretted it ever since.

Have to make sure to see that again next year.

Walt sure had a lot of ashtrays in his office.

I usually don't question fashion decisions, unless it's a guy with a straight-brimmed baseball hat. Bend it. It should be bent. It's not a matter of opinion, either - it's just how it is.

Noted.

"Dale!"

Hey, someone got it! Good job...Kristin? Booo!

I'm telling Kristin!

It's Pooh. And that's what Emily thinks her drawing looks like. I'm tempted to say, "you're six", but don't think that will go over well. I do remind her that when I tried to give her advice during the lesson, she gave me a look and snapped, "I know!" Hey, your loss. You'll learn. Maybe.

We had the same problem with our daughter not being happy with her drawing.

That's it, way in the background. The menu looks decent - plus, Dylan will probably eat a Turkey Club. And he does.

Kristin gets the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.

We discover there's some sort of Happy Meal thing we can get for Emily, and she's all in.

What did you get?

It's like an Emily jackpot! Love the packaging, too!

Cute.

Great update and photos!

 

[shan23877]

Couldn't agree more about the ball caps. BILLS SHOULD BE ROUNDED. Hate the flat look.

Sounds like a great morning! There's so much that we keep skipping until Maddie is older. Animation Class and One Man's Dream among them. I can't wait until we can get in there and check it out!

 

[mirage0306]

I too am absolutely, positively lost in DHS. I am golden in Epcot and do moderately well without a map in AK and the MK (except for Storybook Circus--that threw me for a loop), but DHS--nope. I can find the hat without a map and that's it. Sad.

Nice to hear Dylan's eating. Gives me hope for Quinn. Maybe.

 

[laura74]

I too am absolutely, positively lost in DHS. I am golden in Epcot and do moderately well without a map in AK and the MK (except for Storybook Circus--that threw me for a loop), but DHS--nope. I can find the hat without a map and that's it. Sad.

Nice to hear Dylan's eating. Gives me hope for Quinn. Maybe.

Us too! We always get all turned around at DHS.

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

Hiya! I found your trip report the other day and have been spending all free time this week catching up. I'm really enjoying it. Now that I ran out of new material, I guess I better go back and catch up on past reports!

 

[nilla]

Way to go kristin or kristin's alter ego! Which is it Jon..really?

Chrome on our home PC has Kristin set to auto-login on the DIS, which I something I can never seem to remember!

Walt sure had a lot of ashtrays in his office.

I think he loved cigars like he hated commies.

We had the same problem with our daughter not being happy with her drawing.

The positive side of this is that she seems to think my drawings are professional quality

What did you get?

Turkey club, too. Forgot to mention that!

Couldn't agree more about the ball caps. BILLS SHOULD BE ROUNDED. Hate the flat look.

I knew I wasn't alone!

There's so much that we keep skipping until Maddie is older. Animation Class and One Man's Dream among them. I can't wait until we can get in there and check it out!

Emily likes them, for the most part. Not as much as we do, though. Age will help!

I too am absolutely, positively lost in DHS. I am golden in Epcot and do moderately well without a map in AK and the MK (except for Storybook Circus--that threw me for a loop), but DHS--nope. I can find the hat without a map and that's it. Sad.

It's a small park, so it shouldn't be this difficult!

Nice to hear Dylan's eating. Gives me hope for Quinn. Maybe.

It actually all came to head in Virginia last week. He lost video games until he starts eating at a reasonable pace. It seems to be working, too.

Us too! We always get all turned around at DHS.

I think I might have it somewhat down now. It's not that confusing if you really think about it, but it's not like the other three parks, so it requires a mental adjustment!

Hiya! I found your trip report the other day and have been spending all free time this week catching up. I'm really enjoying it. Now that I ran out of new material, I guess I better go back and catch up on past reports!

Or you can read my latest updates, which are coming right now! Thanks for reading

 

[nilla]

It's off to Indy, passing up another chance at buying some quality moichendise along the way...

...but we do get another "look how light the crowds are in early May" pic.

Before going into the show, we stop for water. The CM manning the cart is in his 40s, extremely enthusiastic, and from somewhere in the Northeast.

Kristin: "He seemed like a guy who should be selling moichendise."

Jon: "I was thinking the same thing."

See, we have a special connection.

In we go, and the sea of humanity rejoices in Disney's generous mist offering.

We head on down the front, which is surprisingly open. For four, anyway. About 15 minutes until showtime.

 

[nilla]

While we wait, I'd like to share with you a few more pics I took at the Iron Maiden concert last month.

Cool set! They're such a great band live. More shots:

Hey, here comes (frontman) Bruce Dickinson!

The crowd goes BERSERK!! What a show!

Wait, that's not Bruce That's....

Indy Jones?

What?

Indy grabs the microphone.


"I've got some bad news for you such as Bruce isn't well, he stayed back at the hotel and they've sent us along as a surrogate band. We're gonna find out where you fans really stand."


"Are there any Universal shirts in the theater tonight? Get 'em up against the wall."


"Against...the...wall..."


"Now there's one in the spotlight, looks like Shrek to me! Get him up against the wall."


"Against...the...wall..."


"And that one's got Thing 1! And that one, Thing 2! Who let this riff raff into the room? There's one with Griffindor. And another Gringotts! If I had my way..."


Fortunately, it's not me who Indy wants shot, and besides, his "gun" is only a prop that shoots bang caps. So it's all good. Gymnastics break!

Emily loves this stuff. Gymnastics in the living room is a significant part of our home life. This Post Has Already Gotten Way Too Long Break!

 

[nilla]

Someone else with a microphone tells us all about we just saw, as if our own eyes aren't good enough.

The stunt actors reenact the scene from the Sopranos where Furio daydreams about shoving Tony into the moving airplane propeller. Again, only props here, so nothing to worry about.

Explosions! Fire! Gunshots! In Hawaiian, that means "you're awesome"! Or at least this show is. If you don't believe me, check this out:

Everyone knows the Third Reich was especially susceptible to fireworks. Everyone, including Indy. But they're just prop Nazis, so all is well.

Thoroughly blown away by the Iron- I mean, Indy show, it's back out into the heat of Florida, on our way to the heat of Tatooine. In line, I hear a Southern girl and her mom talking.

Mom: "Does this ride go up in the air?"

Girl: "I think you fly over the Star Wars stuff."

Yep, for all of you Star Wars buffs, that just about sums up this ride. Hoth, Leia, and Naboo this time, which is my favorite planet combo. Always loved the AT-AT scene in Empire Strikes Back. And the Atari game of said AT-AT scene. The Naboo bit is great as well; possibly the best one, IMO.

Afterwards, it's down the hall. Or at least, it would be, if it were not blocked by...


Stormtroopers? What??? Can you say, "photo op"? They're not taking a lot of pictures since they need to clear the ride exit, but take a moment for our Sith Lord.

Awesome!! NEVER expected that! Dylan's got the Star Wars hat, too. Really, really cool moment! Em got her fair camera time on the Speeder Bike.

 

[nilla]

We cash in our TSM FPs next. In line, Dylan feels the need to tell everyone what we just recently learned - that you're supposedly shrunk to toy size on this one and in one of Andy's playsets. Ok, cool. Makes the ride even more fun! Dylan takes the top prize this time, though, I swear my lever was defective. He does rock at the speed plate part at the end. For some reason, he also likes to laugh at Emily's score, which is a major jerk move because she's SIX. He WAS probably better than her at six, but he's got a natural game ability, which has probably done him more harm than good. WAY too competitive with garbage like this.

Unlike Kristin and I...we don't really care. It's not important. At least not at times like this, when Kristin beat me

We're pretty competitive with each other, to be honest. I told her once about a secret target on Buzz Lightyear, and she told me she already knew about it, but wasn't going to tell me. Thanks

After TSM, we rode Star Tours again. Hold on - Yoda is talking. He says we're carrying a rebel spy...and it's Emily! Holy crap! We'd better be careful!

Another very cool moment, solidifying the fact that I now LOVE STAR TOURS. What a wonderful ride. I wonder how they get the gender-specific pronouns and guest selection correct? Is it a manual process, or is it facial recognition? Pretty cool, whatever it is.

Which reminds me, before the Indy show, the host was asking for volunteers. One selection really stuck out to me.

Host: "And that lovely young lady over there."

Guest: "I'm a guy!"

Host: "You're still beautiful. Come on down."

Flashback over, we decided to hit Tower of Terror one more time before we head out to dinner at the Beach Club. Emily, however, does NOT like this plan. She refuses to ride. Great.

I offer to sit back, but Kristin has another idea - bribery! She tells her she'll get her a gift if she rides.

Dylan: "What about me? Do I get to get something?"

Parents of the Year: "No; you were going to ride anyway."

So Emily rides, and we bootleg the ride photo:

Stop me if I mentioned this in my last DHS day, but Dylan is amazed at how many items from the movie Tower of Terror are in the queue. I remind him that the movie was made after the ride, and not vice versa.

 

[nilla]

With that ride down, it's off to pick up the spoils of her extortion. Meanwhile, Dylan and I hit up RNR one last time.

Single rider is the best way to do this one. No significant wait. No wasted Fast Passes.

Waiting in the "recording studio" this time is funny. As Pre-recorded Steven Tyler does his bit, the crowd plays along.

Tyler: "What about these guys? We can't just leave them here!"

Guest: "How about taking them with us?"

Tyler: "Hey, let's take them with us!"

Awwwww, that was cool!

Woman from Cape Fear: "Better make it a stretch limo."

Other guest: "Super stretch!"

Woman from Cape Fear: "No, make it a super stretch."



In we go, and we're split up, as usual. For some reason, as we're waiting to take off, I'm thinking, "play Sweet Emotion, play Sweet Emotion.", and it does. For some reason, that's the song I equate with this ride. Not an Aerosmith fan by any stretch of the imagination, but here, it fits.

Another bootlegged ride photo:

Sorry, PhotoPass...maybe next year!

 

[nilla]

Kristin and the kids opt for some pre-dinner lemonade, which they agreed was WAY too sour. In the meantime, I got a final picture of the hotel.

Emily with the fruits of her inflexibility:

Rapunzel looks happy to be joining us, though, so I can't complain. Plus, we all got to ride ToT together, one last time

Since I'm sad to be leaving Hollywood Studios for the last time this year, I get another shot on the way out.

And like monkeys, if there are Fantasia brooms, I will get a photo.

Ok, the Friendship Boat is almost here, and just in time. We're ready for some crab legs!

[POST=45600384](next update)[/POST]