Great Gifties!
I see your online now probably early morning for you. It's late night for me.
Hope you had a great weekend.
(Seriously, not joking here...)
Let's just say, patience is something learned and practiced. And you're learning very well, I might add. Just find it amusing that being a mother (or a wife) requires colossal amounts of patience and forebearance. (Not that I'm all the way there yet.)
(yikes, I'm not sure I can see you as a grandma!)
You know, the funny thing about me being a wife and mom is that it gives you a son-in-law and a whole bunch of GRANDKIDS!!!!
I like your top ten! But you should see the Lights, Motors, Action Show. It's really cool!
***
IN my 3 trips into the World of Disney Utopia, I've only spent about 3/4 of a day romping in the playground called Disney Hollywood Studios. Honestly, even the name itself causes much consternation, as smack dab in the center of my 2007/8 planning, Disney management found the ultimate method of confusing is patronage- changing the name. Perhaps they were short on boardroom giggles.
Regarless, even to this day, DHS holds some sort of tweaked, but only partially unfounded bias. Growing up near Anaheim, we were diehard Disneyphiles, we never stepped foot into Universal. It was regarded by ALL of my family and freinds as a place only Yayhoos went to in order to cause mayhem and act obnxious. We were told that the theming was tacky, the rides lame, and the ticket cheap- for good reason. I'm sure very little, if any, was founded in truth, but being sheep (and diehard Disneyphiles) we never succombed to the entering of its gates. I probably missed out on a great time. Nevertheless, the stigma, however unfounded it may be, still lingers in my thinking.
Fast forward- 2001. Planning for trip #2. There was none. And I do mean NONE. But that's getting ahead of myself. I am hoping to tuck a mini-trip report into here, hopefully starting next month; so you'll hear all about that comical foray into lands unknown. For now, suffice it to say, we knew nothing about where we were going!
We had 4 days to wisely use our time. We didn't go with PHs (but back then, I"m beginning to remember that perhaps everything was PH?), so we had to be careful with our alottment. Do we do DHS? or no? We went in 2000 blinder than the 3 mice, and because we were going with those blind preconceived prejudices, we shunned DHS as if it carried Swine Flu. Why would anyone go to a place that even remotely resembeld U.S.?? That's what we heard it was like. Besides, my kids were little; they were more than happy to ride the teacups 35 times, which we probably did.
Come 2007. We upgraded to a full 6 days of tickets to bliss, and my head was fully extracted from the dark recesses of my hind end. Again, the questions, "What parks?" and "How many times?" reared their ubiquitous heads. Long story short, it was unanimous that we would give DHS a try.
Some of you have caught on that our family is a movie fanatic kind of bunch, especially old movies and classics- Disney included, but mostly film noir. My kids could pick out Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwick, or Cary Grant out of any booze-swigging crowd anywhere. Well, they could if they were still alive, but they all took their booze-swigging fairly seriously. Being on the "goober" end of the spectrum, we are not your average soccer, Boy Scouts, and chess club kind of family. Call us weird if you want. We love the 30's, 40's,a nd 50's films so we figured DHS was worth a try. Then we discovered ToT. That sealed the deal. We own a season of TZ, and that too is one of our faves. Especially the episode, "Talking Tina". Creepy!! Anyway, we gave DHS a whole day in the schedule.
Well, try DHS out we did and lasted a full (maybe) 8 hours. It was hot! Why is there less shade here than the Gobi desert?
Another tag line if I ever saw one.Carry on...
The lines were long, and even with our well-researched FP prowess, we were just getting no park mojo that day. We kept getting lost (never did find the Incredibles). And worst of all, Momma (me) had a colossal headache. We left around 3 or so. We were done, and honestly a little bored too. As of now, it sits firmly in the last poll position, but I'm willing to give it another spin. Afterall, who can go wrong with an attraction something akin to Buzz Lightyear on crack? Another factor is getting PHs this time around. We can always bag out for greener pastures. But as I've said many times before, and what has become my new park touring mantra, "The more you know, the less you blow (in regards to money, time and energy)." And what I know now has me almost excited about the possibilities- Possibilities Like These:
1. TSM. I love Buzz, and hear this is EVEN BETTER!
Mm Hm! I agree! FP it...then ride it...then FP again. You will not be able to get enough. And we need to research game secrets!
2. ToT! This time, I am looking specifically for the hidden props from the movies.
That is good. Then you won't mind if I just close my eyes?
3. Being a slow down and enjoy the park for its own charm sort of trip, I intend to watch a whole lot more streetmosphere.
Lisa LOVES the streetmosphere here!
4. Obviously, the Great Movies ride. Being someone who can quote Casablanca word for word, this is a must!
Sure! I will ride it again!
5. Never made it to Animator's Studio.
This was SOOOO on my list and I never would have though it would make yours!
6. Nor One Man's Dream
Me too!
7. Finding fun new hats to add to my hat photo scavenger hunt will be fun.
You crack me up.
I will hold the camera.
8. Finding a whole bunch of hidden gems and Mickeys (separate post of these coming in a future installment)
Can't wait for that post.
9. I adored having a latte and a pastry at Starring Rolls and taking a people watching break there.
10. If there is time, and they've added more shows by then, I'll risk my life and watch Fantasmic! This will be a game-time decision.
Hm...Hot tub time for Maroo? I really don't even like this show. What is WRONG with me?
So, there you have the long-winded version of how I feel about DHS. Maybe it's a park that has to grow on you??
When we went when the boys were young (BDD - before DD) like jordonyosh stated - it was a working studio - it was amazing - we saw them make MULAN that year!! We love Mulan even more - so when you sit down for the pre show - you see them making Mulan - we walked and watched as opposed to sitting and watching... Then you are released into a fun area - games, and meet and greets - I'll have to post some pictures!! Then you wait to get a chance to draw with an animator... (who is usually just a CP CM - who is hoping to get hired on full time - kinda sad, but take the time to engage them in talking about their love of drawing))
)
Toy Story Mania. A must do if there ever was one. And still, regardless of the time of year I've been, unless you're there at park opening, you are running to get a fastpass. That's for sure.
Might I make a recommendation? Even if you don't want to do the Backstage Studio Tour (it is a bit long), the building that it dumps into is the film institute's display, and it always has some wonderful costumes and movie props in it, if you're into that sort of thing. Even if we don't do the tour, we always check out what's new there.
DHS must do's...
That is where we are...right??
*** And can I just say I hate it when our smiley faces change position?
Couldn't agree more! I'm, how does Tim put it, veclempt.
1. Toy Story. First thing. Hopefully grab a FP...then ride it...then get another FP later!
I'll be the runner while you watch B&B. Been there, done that.
2. RnR
We'll see how necky-poo is doing.
3. ToT - if I must.
You must.
4. See the Finale Show of American Idol. I hear it is pretty good.
I think I might have to pass on this one. I may add Star Tours at this point.
5. One Man's Dream (never seen it)
6. Narnia ride - or is that a show - again, never seen it!
It's a walk-through, and my kids are fairly begging me to check it out.
7. Indiana Jones show - missed this one, too
It's ok. I'd do it again; there are some clever and funny parts to it.
8. Beauty and the Beast - One of my favorites!
Of the two shows, I'd rather see Little Mermaid, if only for the scores. I like the music better in the other.
9. Take an "art" lesson at the Animation Studios
My kids tell me I stink at drawing, but this sounds super fun anyway.
10. I would love to have "lunch" with an Imagineer.....?? Just totally throwing THAT out there!
Now, that's an interesting thought. I never thought of any tours or lunches, but this one does sound very intriguing!
What did I miss??
Thanks for allowing me back in...
But I think...in fetching this list...that I may have seen SOMETHING on that very page!
You guys gotta warn me to stay away!!
It was around 7ish PST when I wrote that. I forgot what I wrote. I had to go back and read it again....
With the theming and overall cohesive, it lost the "working Studio" angle and with that went the thread that tied the parks different areas together. I'm sure the Imagineers and planners for this park tear their hair out trying to bring back cohesive w/o blowing up the park and starting over.
Your DHS plans look pretty similar to what ours will be, though we'll prob skip a few things..One Man's Dream ( I don't think Piper is old enough to appreciate that kind of exhibit yet), Indiana Jones show, American Idol..for us, it comes down to time. With three day PHs my plan right now is to split a day with AK and DHS. I think I'm looking forward to seeing the theming at TSM the most, with the animation studio a close second. Not sure what Piper will pick yet, will be interesting to see
Beauty and the Beast. I like your lists. It's a funny park. A bit hard to navigate and can feel like it's deserted in areas and insanely crowded in others but lots of wonderful things. I love the street performers, they add so much to the experience. When we went in '04 we hit this park on our first night, really on a whim, not thinking we'd like it and I think we ended up hitting the park 4-5 times during our week we liked it so much!You can find her here- this is a specialized PTR for our trip together.
I did see yours...the one where she has to "knock first" before entering
love it!
