Jingle Bells....AKL....Disney for 10 Whole Days! ** Updated June 2015: Videos Added**

[thornton0511]

I LOVE your TR!! I just finished reading through the whole thing and can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

Awww thank you so much! Hope to have another update sometime this week

 

[thornton0511]

The First Time Ever to not Rush at a HS Rope Drop
Today was Thursday, December 12th and we only had two full days left in our trip. At this point I think that everyone was getting a bit worn out and even though I love Disney so very much I will admit too that I was kind of ready to go home…..I know, I know it's crazy talk. It was however a HS morning and we were up and ready for rope drop that happened to be at 9am. The in laws however were not up for hitting the park this early so we graciously walked next door to gather the children from their sleepover and headed to Hollywood.

The first thing on our list after arriving was obviously to get legacy FP's for TSM, but instead of running with the masses like we are running from the bulls on a alley in Spain, we took the slow stride to Pixar Place. No worries, the fast passes will still be there. Nice change.

Then with the realization that we had not had breakfast yet we hopped on over to Starring Rolls for a bite to eat.

I guess we were not too hungry seeing that apparently we split a chocolate croissant and a cinnamon roll? Hmmmm. No notes about this and only the picture. My memory starts to fade a bit when writing a TR four months after the trip happens. Bear with me people.

Anywho after our feast of two pastries I decided to take pictures of my two happy children.

And then we were off and headed to Star Tours….because we have not done THAT enough times on this trip lol.

I looked extremely excited to be boarding right?

Well at least someone was excited!
We soon boarded and since I wrote nothing down about our flight I am assuming that we landed on Hoth and almost fell off a cliff…..sorry spoiler alert. I only say this because 8 times out of 10 you will end up here lol.

After the ride dumped us off at the gift shop a mini Chewy tried to hitch a ride with my DS but was sadly turned down to the tune of I don't even remember but the price was ridiculous.

Since it was now only 9:40 and we were still waiting on the in laws to meet up with us the family decided to ride Star Tours AGAIN. Because only going once is never ever enough for my family….

We made our way through the queue and once again it was a walk on….when is it not?

Hey there C3PO long time no see….(sense the sarcasm here people)

We waited patiently to board once again watching the preshow that I am pretty sure I know by heart by now. DD had no idea that something cool would happen on this trip however…

We requested to sit on the back row (which we always do unless there are a ton of people (clearly not the case this early in the morning) and then my lovely family went to making faces. They have not quite figured out when the ride picks out the spy and takes a picture so they have decided that from the time they sit down to make a goofy or disturbing face and hold it……until they tell you to put your glasses on. Which is why we sit on the back row….so no one will see my family at their finest. Unless like this time when people decide to turn around….and then well you can imagine the looks I get. Only my family. Sigh. Well wouldn't you know it, Sydney got picked to be the rebel spy……goofy looking face and all, and it made us all laugh quite a bit.

After the ride this time we received a text from the in laws that they were headed our way so we decided to wait for them.
And wait……and wait. Then we took to looking for them. Poor dears. This was their first WDW trip and they were obviously not familiar with their surroundings. This is why you always tell people to met you at the incredibly large Mickey hat….you can't miss it! So that is what we did. And somehow they still missed it lol. Eventually we found them.

It was now getting close to 10am and we still had a while until our TSM FP's. DD was dying to see Voyage of the Little Mermaid and it was on the list of things to do this trip so we made our way over to see what the situation was. They were just letting in the last of the people for the next show and we had just made it in time. Or so it seemed. It was us and another family waiting to get in and standing by the beginning of the rope by the CM that lets you in to go towards the door (aka outside queue line). But there was this group in front of us with a person in a wheelchair asking a gazillion questions to the CM standing there, which would have been fine and dandy except they had the person in the wheelchair situated sideways blocking the entrance, and they would not move. And it was not in a way where we could just mosey on around this person. Inside my head I was screaming MOVE PEOPLE! but I did not want to be rude. It was at this point that the CM by the door started to close the door and finally the people shut up and proceeded through the line….but it was too late. They would not let us in. And the next show was not going to be a back to back one either. The family behind us was confused as to why we were not allowed in and when I told them that we missed it they were just as upset as we were that we did not get in because a group was chit chatting and holding the line up. What do you do? This kind of threw a wrench in our plans a bit but if there was anything we had learned thus far was that sometimes you have to change and adapt. So after I went off in the corner and threw myself a little temper tantrum that our plans had been slightly messed up we regrouped (just kidding I did not really do that lol) and decided to do a little window shopping by the entrance. Why not? Never really had made time for that before and there were a few things I needed to get for family and friends on this trip. But first I had to make a detour to visit our good friend…..

GERTIE!!!! You are so underrated and misunderstood. Why? So after getting puzzled looks from my group we made our way to the shops. That's when I noticed this….

Ha Ha! Almost bought it….almost. At this point we had managed to kill almost an hour and I was ready to do something. But what? Wait and see……
​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

MMMMM Starring Rolls for breakfast. Nothing more needs to be said.

You may not look excited to be boarding Star Tours, but your head is positively glowing, so that's something.

I so want to be the Rebel Spy!!!! Goofy faces from now on.

Oh you made my day Jen by giving some love to Gertie!!!! My mother's name is Gertie, so this dino has always been special for me.

 

[scottny]

I am adopted too. I wanted to know my history though for medical reasons. They actually found me so it worked out.
I just got my DBA results back today. That is funny.
Congrats on DLR trip.
We do Presidents maybe every 2 or 3 trips. Not a must do.
Good times at ‘Ohana. I prefer it for breakfast. Last 2 times there the food was cold and old.
Good times at DHS. Star Tours is my favorite.
That is too bad about the Little Mermaid. The CM should have just waved you all in while they chatted.
All caught up again.

 

[thornton0511]

MMMMM Starring Rolls for breakfast. Nothing more needs to be said.
true story!
You may not look excited to be boarding Star Tours, but your head is positively glowing, so that's something.
lol
I so want to be the Rebel Spy!!!! Goofy faces from now on.
As many times as we have managed to ride this in the last couple of trips is was only a matter of time. I never want to be the rebel spy, it would just be another excuse to climb into my turtle shell
Oh you made my day Jen by giving some love to Gertie!!!! My mother's name is Gertie, so this dino has always been special for me.

Your mom's name rocks!!! How incredible cool is that.....it's super cool! Glad to see that you are sympathetic to the importance of this famous dino!

 

[thornton0511]

I am adopted too. I wanted to know my history though for medical reasons. They actually found me so it worked out.
I just got my DBA results back today. That is funny.
that is so cool! you totally get it then....adopted people are awesome. I had a lot of people question why not have the test done for medical history and for me, personally, knowing where I came from was more important. Plus I don't think that I am brave enough to want to know the other. Good for you though!
Congrats on DLR trip.
Thanks! We are super excited, overwhelmed, and a little scared all rolled into one lol....kind of like when I planned our first trip to WDW
We do Presidents maybe every 2 or 3 trips. Not a must do.
Yeah I think that I am good for another decade or two
Good times at ‘Ohana. I prefer it for breakfast. Last 2 times there the food was cold and old.
Have not tried the breakfast. Is that still a character thing? That stinks that you had old cold food....yuck
Good times at DHS. Star Tours is my favorite.
I really do like Star Tours too, just not ten times in a row every time we hop to this park like the rest of my family wants to do lol
That is too bad about the Little Mermaid. The CM should have just waved you all in while they chatted.
All caught up again.

You're probably right. Just in the wrong place at the wrong time. no worries!

 

[always_learning]

So I just watched the last episode of "How I Met Your Mother." I really have only watched here and there but since it was the last episode I decided to catch it. Then I had to rush to this trip report and make sure you weren't the mother in the show!!! You look just like her...And now I read the adopted part so a wee bit on the crazy side!

I think it's awesome you had the DNA testing done. I kinda wish I was related to Anna and Elsa.

 

[MEK]

Oh Wow! I would have been upset if I hadn't been let it simply because someone was holding up the line. What is wrong with people? Do they simply forget that other people exist, even in Disney World?

Cute pictures of your kids and I agree with Rob, Starring Rolls - nothing more to be sad is right!

I LOVE the back row of Star Tours. So. Much. Fun.

 

[thornton0511]

So I just watched the last episode of "How I Met Your Mother." I really have only watched here and there but since it was the last episode I decided to catch it. Then I had to rush to this trip report and make sure you weren't the mother in the show!!! You look just like her...And now I read the adopted part so a wee bit on the crazy side!

I think it's awesome you had the DNA testing done. I kinda wish I was related to Anna and Elsa.

Ha! That's funny. I honestly have never watched the show so I googled the actress. I do see a resemblance there lol.....crazy. You never know who I might be related to.....crazier things have happend I'm sure

 

[thornton0511]

Oh Wow! I would have been upset if I hadn't been let it simply because someone was holding up the line. What is wrong with people? Do they simply forget that other people exist, even in Disney World?
it was aggravating at the time. Felt like one of those dreams where you try to run but can't move you legs lol. Ah well.
Cute pictures of your kids and I agree with Rob, Starring Rolls - nothing more to be sad is right!
Thanks! Starring Rolls......nom nom nom
I LOVE the back row of Star Tours. So. Much. Fun.

I agree its better, plus you don't get a neck strain too

 

[thornton0511]

Life Update
Sorry for the delay in getting an update everyone. It's been CRAZY around here! I have been working a few extra hours a week lately to help cover the cost of DS getting his braces put on and even with two dental insurance policies paying out those dang things are still a pretty penny. Luckily he will only have them for two years and off before high school so the timing is good! He's not happy to have them and feels like 2 years is going to be an eternity lol. No sympathy from this mama though. Nope. I had braces from 3rd grade until I was a freshman in high school….my poor parents. Yeah I had teeth all over the place lol. Anyways extra hours means no fun but those funds have to come from somewhere and I hate to sacrifice Disney funds so……extra hours it is. DH has been working a whole lot more too, but he is on salary so that is no bueno, which leaves me more responsibilities so bleh. It's also baseball season for Cory which keeps us on our toes pretty much from Feb through May. And to top it all off we had a monster rainstorm this past Sunday which flooded….our….house. Sigh.And like a good neighbor State Farm....well they do not cover flooding from outside your house. When it rains, it pours…..literally. Our schedules have been keeping us so busy lately that we have put off cleaning fall/winter debris from our gutters and French drains in our backyard and there was just so much rain so fast. The good news is that I think we were able to salvage the carpet in the kids bedrooms….the bad news is that we have wooden floors in our kitchen and they buckled, bad. No save there. So it's been something else around here that is for sure! I am working on an update now so hopefully I can get this TR wrapped up sometime soon. Thanks to everyone for hanging in there with me patiently!
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[MEK]

So sorry to hear about your flood. That is terrible. I hope you make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Yup - the 'ol braces. Only one of my kids needed them - that was a bonus. I don't blame you for working the extra hours to make some extra $

 

[rteetz]

Sorry to hear about the flood. I had braces for two years and it flew by in no time he'll especially appreciate not having them in high school. Can't wait for more updates soon!

 

[heaven2dc]

So sorry to hear about how your house got flooded I hope you get your place back to where it was before all the damage and soon. You sound like you are due for another Disney vacation - as soon as I hit that lottery, you're going!!

 

[thornton0511]

So sorry to hear about your flood. That is terrible. I hope you make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Yup - the 'ol braces. Only one of my kids needed them - that was a bonus. I don't blame you for working the extra hours to make some extra $

Sorry to hear about the flood. I had braces for two years and it flew by in no time he'll especially appreciate not having them in high school. Can't wait for more updates soon!

So sorry to hear about how your house got flooded I hope you get your place back to where it was before all the damage and soon. You sound like you are due for another Disney vacation - as soon as I hit that lottery, you're going!!

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the encouraging words and . And yes we are much looking forward to another trip to Disney, especially right now lol. It will all work out in the end, it always does

 

[thornton0511]

Hollywood Studios…The Adventure Continues
The time was now just before 11am and we had been killing time for a good while now. We made our way back over in the direction of Gertie the dinosaur to catch the first showing of

Yay! Timeless I know. But really I cannot imagine this park without it And even though clearly they were not scheduled to have an 8:00 show I still had to check the sign(confessions of a Disney employee) to make sure lol.

We made our way in and found our seats. Then waited for the fun to start.

They picked out "extras" from the audience to help with the "filming"

Then Indy fought off Ninjas

And big bad guys

And if a punch in the face wasn’t enough how about I step on you?

Big meanie
Then stuff caught on fire

And at the end of the day Indy saves the pretty lady

And everyone lives happily ever after. Classic. Would not change it for the world!

So after the show it was finally time for us to use our TSM legacy FP's that I had collected earlier in the morning.

Like always DH stomped me and why am I always a beaver?

After one go though we had 4 more FP's and usually we would spread some pixie dust and give them away, but being that this was probably going to be our last day in HS and DFIL and both kids wanted to have another go around, DH decided to go with them and me and DMIL headed to our lunch location to rest a spell.

DH was being a good honorary DIS person and took pictures for me to document their ride. While the rest of the family was taking a second turn on TSM, DMIL and myself were resting and waiting here

At the dockside diner. I had heard great things about this QS location and also that is was good if you are on the DDP, which we were. Soon enough the others met up with us and we made our selections for lunch. It was now just after 1pm.

Just in case you were curious this is what the Dockside Diner looks like. It's a quick service restaurant with outdoor seating along the boat dock area. If you are on the DDP you get a beverage, entrée, and dessert. There are no kids selections here so Syd got to order off the adult menu and get a dessert. We all ordered the same thing.

A pretzel hot dog thing, which, I thought was delicious but everyone else not so much lol. This also came with a bag of chips.

For dessert almost everyone went with a chocolate shake which yes melts in the Florida sun even in December…..

I on the other hand went with a special shake that they were featuring for the season. Peppermint. Yum!

It was a whole lot of food too. DH and I split a meal because we had plans for a second lunch today….because we are hobbits and that's how we roll. Not really but I will explain later. Any who as we finished up lunch we slowly made our way back over to see if there was a Little Mermaid show that was starting soon and this time we were in luck!

See how everything works out in the end?

We found our seats and waited for the show to start. And obviously it was fantastic! I love the little mermaid! It makes me so happy that Sydney's favorite is Ariel too because I was obsessed with her when the movie came out when I was a kid, so it kind of a bond thing we share I guess. It really is a great show though, and not just for little girls. Everyone in our family enjoys it! Have you ever noticed though how at the end when Ariel runs into Prince Eric's arms how she is so tiny and short and he is like a towering giant over her? It's a bit strange and DH and I always get a bit of a laugh out of it. Anyways that is it for this post but I will continue with more adventures of this day soon! Have a magical evening everyone!!!

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[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh my goodness Jenn, that's awful with the flooding. Sending happy thoughts!!

Hmmm good summation of Indy. Non stop violence!

I'm going to go with this... You want to visit PEI some day... PEI is in Canada... And the Beaver is a national symbol of Canada. Only took 3 steps.

 

[MEK]

Great Indy pictures! I haven't seen that show in FOREVER and now I really want too!

Lunch looks yummy. That pretzel dog looks great as do the shakes. Ok, thanks, because now I am hungry.

 

[thornton0511]

Oh my goodness Jenn, that's awful with the flooding. Sending happy thoughts!!
Thank you so much
Hmmm good summation of Indy. Non stop violence!
lol true but its a classic
I'm going to go with this... You want to visit PEI some day... PEI is in Canada... And the Beaver is a national symbol of Canada. Only took 3 steps.

makes sense to me

 

[thornton0511]

Great Indy pictures! I haven't seen that show in FOREVER and now I really want too!
Ha! I would just love to be in WDW right now!
Lunch looks yummy. That pretzel dog looks great as do the shakes. Ok, thanks, because now I am hungry.

Lol sorry about that! I know what you mean though I have had to learn to not go to Disney Food Blog if I am even the slightest bit hungry