MONDAY – Hollywood Studios
Whew! Three days, three theme parks! But our pace has been pleasant, so no one is too wiped out.
Up and out early this morning as Jeff had to be at his conference by 8:15. I wanted the car, so I dropped him off.
In the car on the way over, I had a talk with the kids about how I was the only parent there and that was going to change things a bit—if one of us has to go to the bathroom, we all have to go. If one person doesn’t want to do a ride, then we can’t do it. RnR and ToT were automatically out because Kelly isn’t tall enough. I talked A LOT about flexibility.
We went right to DHS so we could be there for rope drop! Ah yes, the elusive rope drop! I wish they made more of a deal of it at DHS.
Once in the park, we made a bee line for Toy Story Maina. Got FPs for later in the day and then waited a short 15 minutes to ride the first time. Such a great, great ride! So much fun. Riley loved the fact that he schooled us all. It was cute.
Then, it was straight back to Star Tours. Did you know that they are rehabbing it next year? Totally needs it. Still, old and all, the kids love it. At this hour of the day, it is a walk-on, so we did it—get this—three times in a row. OMG, I was a bit nauseous by the third time.
Bopped on over to Voyage of the Little Mermaid and took in the show. Riley wasn’t crazy about going, but he agreed to do it for his sisters. And he ended up loving the show—as he always does. Always complains a bit and then ends up liking it!
From there, we went over to Animation Courtyard and hooked up with some characters. We *always* have to get a picture with Sorcerer Mickey—because, invariably, the one from the previous trip doesn’t come out great! I swear I have about 15 bleh pictures of the kids with Mickey in his Sorcerer’s outfit. We stepped right up and the wait was super short so I decided I was going to take a zillion pictures to ensure that I got a good one this time! Once I was confident I had it, we went to get photos with the characters from UP. There was more of a line there (still maybe only 10 minutes), so we decided on a quick bathroom trip before getting in that line.
Why am I writing about a bathroom trip? Because this is when disaster struck! The 3 of us were all in our own stalls (we had decided that Riley, at 10, could use the men’s room by himself). And I heard Kelly crying from her stall. So I hurried and got over to her. No big deal—she hadn’t closed her door all the way and someone thought her stall was emptied and opened the door and crashed it into her face. She was more shocked than hurt. Ok, phew. Not a big deal—but hearing your kid crying in a public restroom like that is a bit unnerving.
Back to the UP line. Went to get my camera—GONE! I realized instantly what happened. I left in the bathroom! In my haste to take care of Kelly, I put it down. Once I realized she was ok, I was in a rush to get out of there b/c I was worried that I left Riley waiting too long. So back out of the UP line, with kids in tow, sprinting back to the bathrooms. Camera was already gone. Crap! Fortunately I downloaded all of my pics the night before, so the only thing lost was the camera itself…and of course my elusive Sorcerer Mickey pics! *sigh* Thus, not many pics from the first part of my day. The ones posted above were taken with my iPhone so I could text them to J throughout the day.
Back to the UP line once again. I had my iPhone and PhotoPass, so I figured I would just make do. The kids were thrilled to collect more characters, so that was fun to see at least.
Time for The Great Movie Ride. I don’t know, I used to love this ride, but the last several times I have done it, I have been disappointed. You know the part where the gangster (or cowboy) takes over the tram? Well, the last couple of times the CM playing that role has had a really strong accent. And on top of that, he/she is trying to put on an accent of a 1940s mobster. And no one can understand a word being said. One of the things I love about WDW is the multiculturalism in the parks. I always talk to all of the CMs who are from outside of the U.S., etc. But I am frustrated that the communication level doesn’t seem to be where it should be. Is it just me? Am I being culturally insensitive?
Disappointment aside, we went back down to hang with the Muppets. While being annoyed during The Movie Ride, I decided to get out my iPhone since I couldn’t understand the CM anyway, and I downloaded a Hidden Mickey app. So we had so much fun at the Muppets looking for the hidden Mickey’s and other inside stuff.
Lunch time. Right next door to the Muppets at Mama Melrose’s. This was a new restaurant for us. It was, well, fine. I guess. Boring? Can’t really comment on the food, the atmosphere, or the service. Nothing stood out in any of those categories—good or bad.
Visited the Cars characters—they are a must do for the kids.
This reminds me of a funny story. So the kids have been watching “Stacey” all week, of course. And while we were at TL the other day and we were all in the Wave Pool, Kelly turns to us and says, this is one of MY 'must-dos.' I think I better call Stacey.” OMG, we were in hysterics. So all week, everything has been evaluated as to whether or not it is a “must do.” And they all three keep quoting Stacey verbatim. So funny!
Next up was the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. My kids LOVE this. Riley is getting old for it, but he still had fun this time, though I think it will be the last time he wants to do it. I get sort of neurotic in there since you lose sight of your kids instantly. The saving grace, though, is that there is only one exit. It is truly impossible to get out of that area without going through that one gate. So as long as you stand right there, no one can walk out with a snatched kid. We killed about 15 minutes here while waiting for the Stunt Show.
We knew that the park wasn’t that crowded (ok, not AT ALL crowded), so we waited until literally 5 minutes before show time and then went to the bleachers. Sat down and like 10 seconds later the show started. And our whole day was like that. Just walked on to rides or arrived at shows just as they were starting. The girls, in particular, didn’t remember much about the show from the last time they saw it (we have skipped it the last few trips) and were both enthralled. Kelly, in particular, was in awe.
After the show, we decided to hit Toy Story Mania for the second time with our FPs. We each improved our score, but again, Riley was victorious. Which he didn’t let us forget for the rest of the day. “I OWNED you on that ride!” Wonder where he gets that competitiveness from??? Pretty cute, actually.
Since we were right next door, we hopped in to One Man’s Dream. This was the biggest surprise of the day. The kids—all of them—were fascinated! OMG, I could not get them out of there. They wanted to read every placard and look at every picture. I knew that Riley would be interested since he did his biography project on Walt last year, but I was surprised that Cammie was so interested. Again, just couldn’t get them out of there! I LOVE this pic—
By this point in the day it was time for my favorite of all of the WDW parades---The Block Party Bash! OMG, the energy of this show is SO HIGH. And the acrobatics are awesome. The Army men who lead the show get the kids so pumped up and they play such high energy dance music. LOVE IT. This year we were in front of the Toy Story float and Bug’s Life. Last time it was Monster’s Inc.
Riley and Kelly went right into the street, when asked by the characters, to dance with the CMs. They were doing the Macarena and YMCA. Cammie, not surprisingly, was happy to watch.
We decided to end on a high note and call it a day. The weather had been perfect—warm but not hot, and dry. They were ready for the pool. So the only thing left to do was to go to Guest Relations and ask about my camera. No luck. Not surprised. BUT the CM said that 95% of all lost cameras are actually turned in, just usually not until way late in the day. She gave me a card with a number on it to call tomorrow morning to see if it gets turned in. I’m not holding my breath.
Home to SSR. Pool. Cocktails. Word. One of the things I love about DVC resorts is that the CMs have a daily pool party for the kids. As in, they play games with them and have fun dance music, and just entertain them for hours! All of the lifeguards know all of my kids by this point in the trip. Riley was on the slide and they actually got on the megaphone that they use for running some of the games and the lifeguard called "Hey Riley, you gotta get down here for the pool party! We can't start without you!"
Also, each night they have a big inflatable movie screen at the pool and show a different film each night at the pool. It's a DIVE-in theatre. We haven't done it yet, but tomorrow is our last day of getting up early. We sleep in on Weds., Thursday, and Friday so we will be catching the movies starting tomorrow night.
Tomorrow we head to the Mother Ship. MK. I am not too worried about doing it alone. Today went REALLY well. Kelly got a bit whiney since she couldn’t have as much attention as she wanted, but OMG Riley totally stepped up. He was SO helpful and was trying so hard to be flexible and positive! I bought him a shirt that he really wanted just because he was such a great kid all day.
I don't know about you, but I love that "starting fresh" feeling when you do something like this that you haven't done in a while. 
I can not tell you how freakin' excited I am! Hopefully I'll be able to catch up on a few things here today....
Are you on a regular work schedule yet ? I belong to P.F. also. I don't love it, but it's better than the Gold's I was going to. Totally miss group classes, but my trainer has told me that a friend of hers has just opened a place where she does ALL classes. And apparently you pay by the CLASS! I have to check it out - because I would love to be able to go even once a week just to break up the monotony (sp?)
You are made of fabulous! And I absolutely love the purple font! 
That cake was around all weekend too, and it didn't stand a chance. Lots of entries in the journal based around that stinkin cake haha!!!!
Just kidding - we go resort hopping.
Oh boy - what a thrill!!! I LOVE her. 
. You SO entertain me and it's all ABOUT ME so post would ya? How is the gym? 
Well done you!
I would have been out of the stall like a shot too! I can sympathise with her too - you won't be surprised to hear that I too have been hit in the face with a toilet door.
When are people going to learn that other people's weddings aren't about THEM?! So we have a meeting next week with the bride and groom...and probably maid of honor to go over designs. Groom has said he's putting his foot down on the design he and Suzanna agree on and maid of honor can suck it. THANK GOODNESS.
Ate a good healthy breakfast today, which made me happy. Have yet to get lunch but going to keep the one choice at a time motto in my head as I do it. 
