Let's turn around. Magic Kingdom is open till 1AM! 3/23 Some Final Thoughts

[khertz]

The problem was that DS didn’t want to believe the show was over. Every time Mickey disappeared during the show, he’d always reappear later. At the end when Mickey disappeared into the smoke, DS couldn’t figure out where he went and why he wasn’t coming back. We told him Mickey went to bed for the night and it was time for us to do the same.

Everyone started to get up, DS is still staring at the stage. “Mickey?”

Walking up the stairs. “Mickey?”

Walking around the top of the theater. “Mickey?”

Strapping him into the stroller. “Mickey?”

Walking out of the park. “Mickey?”

Basically the kid said “Mickey” once about every 30 seconds until he finally fell asleep on the ride back to Wilderness Lodge.

I think he liked the show...

How adorable!!! I'm glad your DS loved the show. Maybe we can give it a try this year with Paxton since he will be about that age.

Love your pictures of the O Lights. It makes me want to go back and see them asap! I just love watching them dance to the music. The lines for the Photopass were crazy when we were there too! It settled down some as the night went on, but they were still pretty long. And they had those little dividers set up to designate where the line as which I don't remember them having (or needing) when we went in 2009.

 

[afwdwfan]

What a fun night at DHS!

I love the Osborne Family lights....just so pretty! And the pictures of DS with Mickey & looking at the lights are adorable.

He absolutely loved the show. He wanted to just run around, but it was just too crowded for that.

That's wonderful that he liked Fantasmic, too. I'm thinking of trying it with Reid this year since I love that show.

It worked out well. He enjoyed the show, but I sure wouldn't have taken him to see it if we would have had to stand on Sunsetl Blvd with he herd an hour before showtime.

I really hope we get Darth Vader when we ride Star Tours this year. It is the one ride Reid is over-the-moon excited about being able to ride this year. And he loves Darth Vader. Yes, my almost 4 year old has already gone to the dark side!

I don't know how many different opening scenes there are. I got 3 of them, but the Vader one was the best. There was an audible gasp from the crowd. I'm sure he'll love it, you just have to remember to keep riding if you don't get it the first time.

Pictures or it didn't happen

I'm sorry, I don't take pictures of parking spots or bathrooms.

You should move to Wisconsin. You'd fit right in.

What a scary thought.

I love that show! Glad to see your little guy is loving it too!

We all loved it.

That one is much better than the other. Vader sure it quick with that lightsaber, isn't he?

I think I had goosbumps when I saw him. It was incredible.

Beer & Aerosmith. Hard to beat that night!

I've had a few nights of that in my lifetime. But this is the first with a super stretch limo.

It's amazing how many people that theater holds.

Well, at least for the second show on a not too crowded night. That place gets pretty darn small on a crowded night in July.

Never give up! He's coming back, I just know it!

6:30 pm tomorrow night.

Those last few hours are awesome, but when you leave, you really leave.

 

[amandaw]

I don't know how many different opening scenes there are. I got 3 of them, but the Vader one was the best. There was an audible gasp from the crowd. I'm sure he'll love it, you just have to remember to keep riding if you don't get it the first time.

I'm sure that won't be a problem for my family! All Reid talks about is being tall enough to ride Star Tours & Spiderman (at Islands of Adventure). I think we're all going to dress up for MNSSHP. We're considering a Star Wars theme. I would be Princess Leia (the white dress from New Hope, NOT the bikini costume! ) and Ed would be Han Solo. I wanted Reid to be Luke Skywalker. But he is insistent on being Darth Vader.

 

[afwdwfan]

Awesome update.

Thanks!

Love the Osborne Lights (one of these years I am going to get there for that). The pictures of you, DW and DS in front of them are great.

In all of your trips, have you not seen them yet?

They really are amazing. I'd seen all the pictures on various trip reports, but there's no way a picture can do them justice.

Glad you were able to get in a couple of attractions while at it.

Well of course... I don't think I can step foot inside a park and not get on a ride.

And so glad that DS enjoyed Fantasmic. It is so cute that he was looking for Mickey all the way out of the park.

He had a great time. I think part of it was he had people there that he knew other than just Mommy and Daddy, so he was eating up that attention, he loved watching Mickey, and was probably a little bit on the tired side.

Depends on the subject.
You ain’t right all that often, but when you talking Disney you do better.

I'm always right, and if you forget that, I'll be more than happy to remind you.

Naaaa….
He’ll figure that one out on his own
(when I’m not the one paying for the vehicle in question)

That might be a bit more practical.

All part of my diabolical plan…
The older you get… the more alike we will think!!!

Bwahahahaha!!!!

I'm going to go live in Neverland, but not if the Peter Pan from Test Track is there. I dislike him more than I dislike you.

Y’all are only just getting started on this young’en raisin’ thing. I give it six more months top before a beer and a kids meal will seem far more necessary then “funny”.

Very good point.

That’s an entertaining show. They interact a lot with the guests. Heck they even gave me a well deserved hard time during one performance. When Landon get a bit more age on him, try to catch that one and see if they don’t pick him out of the group for some of the festivities.

He'll love any show that includes music.

Cool! I love this show.

Doesn't everybody?

Nice shot threre!
R-e-a-l-l-y nice shot.

Thanks

A sound plan

He knew what he wanted to do. They were only there for a long weekend, and could only go to the parks when his sister was off work and could accompany them. This was his only time in DHS. I think the next day, she was off so they did AK and MK. I don't think he ever even made it to EPCOT.

He did share some past CM wisdom with me when we were in line for Star Tours (which is when he outlined his plans for the weekend to me). I asked him what his favorite rides are and he started to mention Expedition Everest, and then said he still likes it, but his experience working at AK kind of ruined it a little bit. I asked what he meant and he said, people should be smart enough to know not to eat ice cream when it is 100 degrees and then get on a roller coaster.

Looking forward to seeing many of these…
but it’s going to be a while yet

It is definitely a sight worth seeing.

You married well.

The boy knows what he likes.

And he's more than willing to let you know it.

Great story…
And great stories are one of the reasons we all go down there in the first place.

Absolutely! I'm ready to go make a new story right now.

I don’t know…
he seemed a little iffy on it if you ask me.

Yeah, I don't think he cared much for the ending.

 

[afwdwfan]

How adorable!!! I'm glad your DS loved the show. Maybe we can give it a try this year with Paxton since he will be about that age.

Go for it! I just highly reccomend going for the second show on a not too crowded night. I don't think we could have handled the whole hour long wait in the sea of humanity parth.

Love your pictures of the O Lights. It makes me want to go back and see them asap! I just love watching them dance to the music. The lines for the Photopass were crazy when we were there too! It settled down some as the night went on, but they were still pretty long. And they had those little dividers set up to designate where the line as which I don't remember them having (or needing) when we went in 2009.

It was so crowded, we couldn't even get close to the photopass people. That's why we went back over when we did. We figured the lights had been on for almost 2 hours, so maybe the photopass lines would be shorter... or not.

I'm sure that won't be a problem for my family! All Reid talks about is being tall enough to ride Star Tours & Spiderman (at Islands of Adventure). I think we're all going to dress up for MNSSHP. We're considering a Star Wars theme. I would be Princess Leia (the white dress from New Hope, NOT the bikini costume! ) and Ed would be Han Solo. I wanted Reid to be Luke Skywalker. But he is insistent on being Darth Vader.

It really is a great ride. I always liked Star Tours, but it was never something that I just got really excited about. It was always a one ride and done attraction for me.

The new version is just incredible. The simulator is smoother, the video is crisp and clear and you really feel like you're there. I like Spiderman at IoA too, but this one is much better.

I like the idea for costumes. I'm sure Reid will make a great Darth Vader. It kind of makes me think of that commercial with the kid dressed up as Vader making the car start. Maybe you and Ed should be Storm Troopers for a little Vader. That would be funny too!

 

[My sister's princess]

Now I am convinced I need to see the lights! They stopped them the day before we went down, so we didn't catch them this year!

 

[afwdwfan]

Now I am convinced I need to see the lights! They stopped them the day before we went down, so we didn't catch them this year!

Should have gone a day earlier!

Your spontaneous trip just didn't include enough planning.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I'm going to go live in Neverland, but not if the Peter Pan from Test Track is there. I dislike him more than I dislike you.

And well you should…



But you should fear me more.

 

[Shannon84]

Aww the lights are so awesome!!! Glad that DS had fun dancing to them too

I know nothing about Star Wars, but the new ride is really cool!

Poor guy looking for Mickey at the end of Fantasmic

 

[glennbo123]

I felt kind of funny ordering nothing but a kids meal and a beer though…

It's a shame those had to be two separate orders....they should come with beers, right?

I'm glad the little guy liked Fantasmic. All-in-all it sounded like a great night!

 

[amandaw]

It really is a great ride. I always liked Star Tours, but it was never something that I just got really excited about. It was always a one ride and done attraction for me.

The new version is just incredible. The simulator is smoother, the video is crisp and clear and you really feel like you're there. I like Spiderman at IoA too, but this one is much better.

I'm really excited to try out the new Star Tours. We didn't get to do it on our trip last May since it didn't open until 2 weeks after we were there.

We have not been on Spiderman since Dec 2006. At that time, Ed & I both noted that the screens really needed some work. They have supposedly been working on that. So, I'm interested to see if it will be nice & crisp again this year.

I like the idea for costumes. I'm sure Reid will make a great Darth Vader. It kind of makes me think of that commercial with the kid dressed up as Vader making the car start. Maybe you and Ed should be Storm Troopers for a little Vader. That would be funny too!

That is one of my favorite commercials! Cracks me up no matter how many times I see it!

I am liking your idea about Ed & I being Storm Troopers.
The way I see it.....I already work for Reid.
In fact, that's what I told our mortgage loan officer yesterday when she asked if I'm employed. I said, "Yes. And my boss is 4 years old & stands about 41" tall."

 

[that's nice]

Hey there Andy. I've been MIA but I've been trying to recruit people to be on my team.... you know the team that gets free wings and beers at all ESPN restaurants.

Your DS was loving the Osbourn lights! Are they awesome. It is really amazing to see all those lights, then to have them jumping to the music too!

You must of hit DHS on a good night. You guys fit in a lot in a little time!

 

[afwdwfan]

I probably won't get around to posting anymore updates until sometime next week. I have to head to Washington DC tomorrow for a few days, so I'll probably be absent from the DIS for a while. I might have some DC pictures to share when I get back though, if we actually have time to do any sight seeing.

Aww the lights are so awesome!!! Glad that DS had fun dancing to them too

Absolutely loved the lights.

I know nothing about Star Wars

but the new ride is really cool!

Poor guy looking for Mickey at the end of Fantasmic

He was pretty disappointed that Mickey didn't want to come back out for more.

It's a shame those had to be two separate orders....they should come with beers, right?

The more I think about it, the more this makes sense.

I'm glad the little guy liked Fantasmic. All-in-all it sounded like a great night!

It was a wonderful evening!

Hey there Andy. I've been MIA but I've been trying to recruit people to be on my team.... you know the team that gets free wings and beers at all ESPN restaurants.

Sounds good to me, as long as this isn't some screwy deal where there are all kinds of rules about it the way this Dole Whip thing between you and Barry works.

Your DS was loving the Osbourn lights! Are they awesome. It is really amazing to see all those lights, then to have them jumping to the music too!

It was pretty awesome. Gotta love lights dancing to Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas music.

You must of hit DHS on a good night. You guys fit in a lot in a little time!

Yeah, it really wasn't too bad. It was really crowded in the walkways, but we seemed to be going to attractions where the crowds weren't.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We got parked in the AAA Diamond Parking, and since some of the early risers had already left the park, we were able to park in the closest spot to the park. That was a nice way to start things off.

Nice! It's the little things.

DS actually leaned over from me to give him a hug, unfortunately, the photographers caught him in mid-move, but didn’t quite get the hug.

You sure? I think Mickey is trying to eat him.

I felt kind of funny ordering nothing but a kids meal and a beer though…

Gotta watch your figure. Some people super-size the meal and then order a Diet Coke.

They arrived just in time too, because just after they got there, we saw a beautiful sight….

Awesome pictures! I want to see this so badly someday.

We had a fun ride and got to see the opening sequence with Darth Vader. I have to say compared to the others I saw, I thought that scene was pretty awesome.

This is high on the list, too! I'm determined to see this Vader scene.

A few minutes later, they came out carrying beers for everyone (except for the pregnant lady and the toddler).

No kids meals?

Our CM friend's oldest brother took these for us, while the other 2 were off getting some videos of the lights.

Your CM's friend's brother's cousin's sister's uncle's cousin-twice-removed's roommate did a great job.

There were plenty of empty seats, and we got a spot about midway up, a few sections in from the left hand side. There were empty sections on each side of the theater when the show started.

Looks like you had a great seat.

Everyone started to get up, DS is still staring at the stage. “Mickey?”

Walking up the stairs. “Mickey?”

Walking around the top of the theater. “Mickey?”

Strapping him into the stroller. “Mickey?”

Walking out of the park. “Mickey?”

Basically the kid said “Mickey” once about every 30 seconds until he finally fell asleep on the ride back to Wilderness Lodge.

"Son, Mickey died at the end. He's not coming back. I'm sorry. Here, have a brownie."

We were going to be headed back to WL for our last night in that beautiful resort.

 

[petals]

I love the Osbourne lights pic. Those lights are AMAZING!

Fantasmic is great. Glad your DS liked it.

 

[CandleontheWater]

The photo of Landon enjoying the lights is really cute! All the music and bright colors, the Osbourne lights are pretty much tailor-made for toddler enjoyment!

I'm also happy to hear he enjoyed Fantasmic! On our last trip we sat next to a family with children who definitely DIDN'T enjoy it, maybe they could have used some awesome headphones to help block some noise!

Too cute that he was looking for mickey for the rest of the evening!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Love the Osbourne family lights !! Looking forward to seeing this in December !

 

[afwdwfan]

Nice! It's the little things.

It's the pleasant surprises that make life fun.

You sure? I think Mickey is trying to eat him.

I knew we should have washed his hands better after he ate that string cheese.

Gotta watch your figure. Some people super-size the meal and then order a Diet Coke.

That's why I had a Light beer. It has a whole 5 less calories.

Awesome pictures! I want to see this so badly someday.

It is definitely a sight to behold. I was very happy to finally have the opportunity to see them. Totally worth it.

This is high on the list, too! I'm determined to see this Vader scene.

It is awesome X infinity.

No kids meals?

They must have forgot.

Your CM's friend's brother's cousin's sister's uncle's cousin-twice-removed's roommate did a great job.

Yeah I know... trying to keep from using names.

Looks like you had a great seat.

It was... not sure there's really a bad one anywhere though.

"Son, Mickey died at the end. He's not coming back. I'm sorry. Here, have a brownie."

What are you trying to do? Scar him for life?

I love the Osbourne lights pic. Those lights are AMAZING!

Fantasmic is great. Glad your DS liked it.

We loved the lights and had a great time at Fantasmic! We had completely ruled out the idea of even trying to watch Fantasmic! before the trip, but I'm glad that we made that last second call to try it.

The photo of Landon enjoying the lights is really cute! All the music and bright colors, the Osbourne lights are pretty much tailor-made for toddler enjoyment!

You are absolutely right. He was just eating it up. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if it was less crowded so he could have been allowed to run free.

I'm also happy to hear he enjoyed Fantasmic! On our last trip we sat next to a family with children who definitely DIDN'T enjoy it, maybe they could have used some awesome headphones to help block some noise!

Too cute that he was looking for mickey for the rest of the evening!

It was a tough call. We were afraid of both the noise factor and the idea of keeping him in one place for a show. We finally realized the noises would be fine with his earmuffs, but he hadn't shown much interest in sitting through shows all week. He really seemed to enjoy all the visual stimulation in Fantasmic! though.

I'm sure the fact that it starred Mickey helped immensely though.

Love the Osbourne family lights !! Looking forward to seeing this in December !

They are incredible! Make sure to take a lot of pictures and video, because no matter how much you get, you'll wish you had more.

 

[afwdwfan]

The Magic of Disney First Aid

It was Saturday Dec 3, and I was awake bright and early. Our plan for this morning was to finish hauling our things out of our room, check out and head over to Hollywood Studios. The Studios had EMH that morning, and we hoped to be there before Rope Drop. I was carrying some things out to the truck at around 6 am and I could hear a marching band playing “Here Comes Santa Claus” over at the Magic Kingdom. Those parade taping people are nuts.

I returned to the room to see this sad sight:

By the time we were all up and moving, we decided that we were running too close on time to have breakfast at the resort, so we checked out and headed over to DHS. Unfortunately, this update is going to be light on pictures. We apparently didn’t take the camera out of the bag while we were in DHS.

We made our way into the park and were in the middle of the herd ready to stampede the elderly, women and children en route to Toy Story Midway Mania. DW took DS and the stroller to park it and meet me by the standby line, while I grabbed some FP’s for later. Our FP time was 9:30 and we rode standby with a 30 minute wait.

I’m really glad we were able to get a couple of more rides in, because DS absolutely loved this ride. He liked helping pull the rope, but I think he enjoyed the way the car whips around from scene to scene as much as anything.

We were starting to feel a little bit hungry, so we headed to Starring Rolls to grab some breakfast. It was ridiculously crowded there, so we went on down Sunset Blvd and grabbed some breakfast sandwiches at Fairfax Fare, but we stopped for a Photopass picture first.

While we ate, we discussed what else we needed to do before we left DHS. We hadn’t seen Muppet Vision 3D yet, and this is an absolute must do for DW and I, so off we went. DS was wearing pants that morning, because it was cool out, but the sun was bright and it was warming up quickly. I went to park the stroller and DW took DS into the restroom to change him into shorts. They came out and he took off running towards me across the bricks that make up the courtyard area in front of Muppet Theater. The result was a hard tumble, a scraped knee, and our first visit to a Disney World First Aid station!

We cleaned DS up as well as we could and got him back in the stroller. We had some band aids, but we wanted to make sure to get the cut cleaned up properly and get some antibiotic on it, so we headed towards the front of the park for First Aid.

We took DS out of the stroller and went in the door to find a small room with a window that didn’t have anyone behind it. So we waited. And waited. After about 5 minutes a lady came to the window and asked what we needed. We told her what happened and she handed us a band aid. We told her we already had a band aid, but wanted something to clean the scrape and some antibiotic. She handed us a sterile wipe to clean it up and a couple of antibiotic packets. We quickly had DS cleaned up, and ready to go.

We made our way back over to Muppet Theater and enjoyed seeing the show. By the time we got out of the theater, it was time to use our Toy Story FP’s. We took one last ride through the midway and decided it was about time to head out. We stopped in Mickey’s of Hollywood on the way out to buy some souvenirs we had our eyes on all week while we could still use the discounted voucher that was on our breakfast receipt. We were able to find most of the items we wanted, but we’d still have to make another shopping detour before we left property.

We said goodbye to the Studios and headed out to the parking lot. We had one more park to visit before we headed home and we needed to hurry. We had an ADR and I definitely didn’t want to miss this one.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

We made our way into the park and were in the middle of the herd ready to stampede the elderly, women and children en route to Toy Story Midway Mania.

Have you fitted a cattle catcher onto the front of your stroller yet? Those really work wonders in these types of crowds. And when the new baby comes, you can get the double wide stroller a clear an even wider path!

but I think he enjoyed the way the car whips around from scene to scene as much as anything.

(Me too!)

We hadn’t seen Muppet Vision 3D yet, and this is an absolute must do for DW and I, so off we went.

The result was a hard tumble, a scraped knee, and our first visit to a Disney World First Aid station!

My vacation is ruined! I demand a refund!

so we headed towards the front of the park for First Aid.

I was surprised at how easily the First Aid Station in Epcot handed out Children's Tylenol. Sounds like the person staffing the one in DHS needs a little more training.

We said goodbye to the Studios and headed out to the parking lot. We had one more park to visit before we headed home and we needed to hurry. We had an ADR and I definitely didn’t want to miss this one.

You can get an ADR at Cosmic Rays?