Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[kaysmommie]

ok -- so why am I just finding this report now.... You are on page 23 I am literally on page one right now so I have a lot of catching up to do... How are you?? Sorry we never got to meet when you came to Jersey.

How are you? glad to see you here. Just skip to the actual trip report if your short on time.
It was a crazy week in NJ with bad weather and way too much visting family. We had litelrally no time for anything we really wanted to do
Next time we won't tell all our family & friends we are coming up that way we can get to the beach when there is a nice day. I have to ask any engagement news yet?

Hey Nichole! Great update. Looks like a great evening. Tarantualas and all! We love the safari and Hunter would love to be able to ask questions. And to see an empty, dark AK sounds awesome!

It was a fun evening. Hunter would definately love this if he has lots of questions. Anything you wanted to know all you had to do was ask. they stopped a bit more for us to take pics too. AK empty was different especially with the tree all lit up.

 

[kaysmommie]

Hi Nichole! Great update! The safari looks like fun, but the dinner looked AWESOME. The kids all look soooo cute in their matching t-shirts! I am glad you guys had a good time with your friends!

Thanks Diane,
It was a fun night and I liked the food. But not everybody did . Tom didn't care for it and my friends DH ate mostly bread because african inspired food scares him, LOL.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I love Illuminations but unfortunately I missed it this trip, along with Spectromagic, jammin Jungle Parade, Block Party bash and the nemo Musical. I'm ready to go back already. I thought I was finally Disneyed out and needed that year to recover but 2 weeks later I'm missing it already . Glad to hear you like Tony's, might have to put it on the list. For the GG it's breakfast though, so it would have to be good, right? The mountain house is very cute!! Thanks for sending.

I do not like the block party bash. Saw it once and that was enough for life. I prefer the parades better. I probably shouldn't go back at Christmas but if I had to I'd drop Summer to go now. Free dining at Christmas!? You don't get that oppurtunity every day! It'll be nice to go to Disney without sweating to death!

 

[kaysmommie]

I do not like the block party bash. Saw it once and that was enough for life. I prefer the parades better. I probably shouldn't go back at Christmas but if I had to I'd drop Summer to go now. Free dining at Christmas!? You don't get that oppurtunity every day! It'll be nice to go to Disney without sweating to death!

I agree I hate going in the heat. I should have booked the free dining for December just in case . But I know I'm going to want to go again in 2009 too. Tommy thinks we should skip 2009, not going to happen. SO Block Party Bash is not good? Glad I didn't waste my time then.

 

[mom2mek]

I agree I hate going in the heat. I should have booked the free dining for December just in case . But I know I'm going to want to go again in 2009 too. Tommy thinks we should skip 2009, not going to happen. SO Block Party Bash is not good? Glad I didn't waste my time then.

I loved Block Party! So much fun! Love the regular parades too, but it was very interactive and the kids just loved it! Michael's only complaint....no R2D2! He was sad about that, but still really loved the party! (Hmmm...maybe I could convince Shawn to go back down for Star Wars weekends so he and Michael could see all the Star Wars stuff! But why, oh why, does it have to be in the hot month of June? Ugh...)

Anyways, carry on...

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

I loved Block Party! So much fun! Love the regular parades too, but it was very interactive and the kids just loved it! Michael's only complaint....no R2D2! He was sad about that, but still really loved the party! (Hmmm...maybe I could convince Shawn to go back down for Star Wars weekends so he and Michael could see all the Star Wars stuff! But why, oh why, does it have to be in the hot month of June? Ugh...)

Anyways, carry on...

Sara

I loved Stars & Motor cars. I do think my kids would love Block Party. Kaylee loves dancing around having a good time. Thomas would love the pixar characters. i guess if it fits in the schedule next time we will see it. It was just too late this year having a ressie at Chef Mickey's then the FW cruise. Thomas just got exhausted, maybe that is why he had a fever. Update coming right up .

 

[kaysmommie]

DAY 3 Hollywood Studios...


Like everyday of our trip the wake up call came way too soon. Thomas loved waking uo to Mickey & Stitch everyday. We had breakfast in the room, just cereal, poptarts and Nutri Grain bars. Tommy went to the foodcourt to refill our mugs and get fruit for the kids.

We didn't want to wait for a bus so we drove to HS this morning and were at the gates of HS long before rope drop. We were second at the gate. Getting to HS early was important with TSM being a nightmare with lines.

They opened right at 9AM and let us up to yet another rope drop. We watched the opening show, which stinks IMO, so boring. This is my least favorite park, no flames as we all have different favorites. MK and Epcot would be mine.

We had a plan for this morning . The CM dropped the rope and Tom walked quickly to TSM to grab FP's. Luckily the CM's were walking with everyone becaue I have heard this gets quite crazy. They made sure no one ran but there was pushing. I had the kids and stroller and the crowds practically ran me over getting to Toy Story Maniac, I mean Mania. When we got there Tom walked right up and got in line with us . He was the first one to FP machine . So we had Fp's for our next ride in hand. I really wanted to make sure we got to ride twice and we would be leaving at 2PM to get ready for dinner. We had no plans to come back to HS because we had so many other plans. This ride was so fun. I rolde with Kaylee and the boys rode together. Tom of course had the wining score and made sure I knew it.

After our fun ride on TSM we couldn't decide what we wanted to do next. VOTLM, GMR, OMD were all no's from my family. We walked across the entire park to go and try ST for our first time ever. The kids loved it. Tom and I thought it was alright. Of course Thomas told me yester day that I forgot to get a picture of him on that thing (KWIM, I haven't watched since I was 7) that they pretend to ride at the end of the ride.

Next on our list was seeing Sorcerer Mickey in the Animation Studio. Fisrt we stopped for this picture on the way.

We had a little problem though, Thomas had a huge pee accident. So Tom took him to the bathroom to get cleaned up and tried to dry his shorts and change his underwear. Thomas is the pee accident King, let me tell ya. I took his stroller into the bathroom to rinse it off a bit. Then I parked it in the sun to dry.

We were the first ones to meet Mickey today. Thomas brought his Sorcerer Mickey with him to the park to show Mickey. Mickey tried to set the toy up in his spot and leave for the day . He was very cute. The character handler was a major grump.

We did a bit of spltting up today to be able to fit more things the kids wanted to do in. Tom and Kaylee were going to do the Art Class since tom never has before. I was taking Thomas to Playhouse Disney. Seemed like a god idea at the time.

Warning- bratty children coming right up.....

Let's just say there were so much bad behavior around us I didn't kow what to do, except be thankful that Thomas is usually a good boy. One little girl about 3 ran away from the line and dissappeared behind the buildings and her mom spanked her. It probably scared her though, so to each his own. Then we get inside and a whole family next to us was having meltdowns. This ladies DS who was at least 6 screamed like he was 2 for the entire show. He was just being spolied because his dad went to do something on his own. He sreamed and kicked his mom like I have never seen before. It made it hard to hear the show. So I tried recording it on my cell for later to let DH hear how much fun I had . Now we have all been in a situation like this at sometime but I think she should have left so other people could enjoy the show. I would not tolerate my kids kicking and hitting me. The whole place was looking at her horrified .

What I heard and saw of the show was really cute. I'm hoping this my last time seeing it and Thomas will be too old for it next time. He wanted to skip it this time actually, but everytime it come on TV he asks about it. So we went and he still liked it and had fun.

We met back up with Tom and kaylee outside. It was time for our TSM FP's so we went to ride again. this time we let the kids ride together on the other side of the car. We did that alot this trip and the kids loved riding together. Of course I lost again. I love the way the whole TS area is themed, so cute!

Next we headed over to Luigi's garage to see the Cars. Had to stop on the way to get a picture of the Sining in the Rain umbrella first.

Then Thomas got to see some of his favorites. I'm happy I get to use lots of our photopass photos earl on in the trippie. I have to add the ones from AK before my next update.

I loved the new Setup for the Cars at Luigi's Garage. It's so much more organized and you don't have to wait in line for over 30 minutes for pictures .


Continued in next post....

 

[kaysmommie]

It was getting near lunchtime but I had and ADR for Sci Fi @ 1 PM but we were hungry now and it was only 11:30. I canceled our Sci Fi ressie so we could eat a quick lunch at Pizza Planet at the kids request. Thomas would loved Sci Fi though, it was very cute in there. I didn't want to spend over and hour eating when we were going to Chef Mickey's at 5:30 for a buffet dinner. Tom and I are not crazy about Pizza Planet but the kids love the atmosphere. Next time we will be eating at Sci Fi instead!! After lunch I told Thomas and Kaylee they could play one game and that's it. I don't want to spend my Disney time in and arcade.

We figured everyone else in the park would be having lunch now. So a good time to go over to the Honey I Shrunk the kids Playground. Well it was like I have never seen. Spring Break was not this busy or hot for that matter. I love Disney in Spring. Anyway I let them play for bit and some of crowds did leave to go eat lunch lucky for us.

We walked back over to the TSM area to get on line to see Buzz & Woody. This was a very long line but Thomas was more than happy to wait to see some of his favorites. Our plans for the afternoon were Kaylee and I wanted to see B&TB stage show and Thomas and Tom wanted to see LMA again. LMA didn't start until 1:20 more than and hour away. Beauty statred at 1 PM and it was 12:15 so Kaylee and I left the boys to meet Buzz and Woody and headed over to B&TB to relax a bit before the show.

We stopped and used Snack credits for popcorn and cokes. Then went into the theatre with over 30 mintues to wait. We were tired so that was fine with us. We got great seats and there was hardly anyone in there yet. As we sat for the next half hour more people started coming in but it was not crowded at all. But of course I had Mr. 10 minutes before the show with the biggest head I ever saw in my life sit in front of Kaylee . I switched with her but it didn't help. His head was so big it blocked the whole stage. there were other seats towards the back, but we had been there 35 minutes already and I didn't want to have to move. Just one more annoyance but I tried not to let it ruin our day of course. Tommy edited this photo , this is not what he originally wrote of course. Just had to show DIS friends our view of the show though. I did try to take pics around him though the best I could..

B&TB was great as usual. Kaylee loved it and I did try to take a picture of her face when it started . She liked the one on Broadway better but would happily see this one again. I agree of course. She did ask about the guys that sing, 4 for a dollar, and I told her they retired .

In the meantime Thomas loved meeting the TS characters. The army men he still talks about today.

It was only 1:30 when we got out of the theatre and we didn't meet the boys until 1:50 or when ever they called my cell phone. We went to get FP's for TOT for the 4 of us to maybe ride. We only had 30 minutes until we could use them which was good because we would be leaving in the afternoon.

Kaylee and I just relaxed and went in some shops. She bought a Camp Rock pin with her money and we stopped for the Stitch picture in case we didn't have time later. Which was a good idea .



We were very thirsty from the heat and humidty so we used more snack credits to get some yummy slushies. Pina coloda for Kaylee and iced Mocha for me. We just had a seat in the shade and people watched for a bit, luckily lots of happy families.

I tried to talk Kaylee into riding GMR to have some A/C for a bit but she didn't really want to. The wait was only 5 minutes too. Then the boys walked up while we in the shopping area in the hat. Thomas was hot & tired and wanted to go back to CBR. I tried to get him to do this photo op with Kaylee but he was too tired.

Tom talked Kaylee into using the FP's for TOT. She wanted to try it but not RNRC . So I told them I would leave now with Thomas and meet them at the hotel. We walked to the bus stop and waited forever for a bus. Tom called just as our bus was pulling away. He said Kaylee hated TOT and was very scared. So he gave the set of FP's to a couple and they were happy. I told him I would see them at the resort so we could get showers and maybe naps.

Of course when I go back to the room, it hadn't been cleaned yet and it was now almost 3PM and we had to leave at 5 PM for dinner. Not much time to nap and shower 4 people. I called the housekeeping line and was told someone would be right over. I felt bad because Thomas was so tired and he really needed a nap. We didn't even have clean towels. Mind you when we arrived I requested early housekeeping because we are out of the room by 8:30 everyday and they said that would fine. This was the worst day for this because we had dinner and the GG Fireworks Cruise and would not be back until after 10 PM . We waited for and hour and housekeeping never showed up. So I helped myself to clean towels from the cart downstairs so we could shower at least. We now had 1 hour to get ready and the kids didn't nap because I thought we were going to leave as housekeeping was coming right up. I called them back and told them to please come after 5 PM because we were getting ready for dinner now. This was not good, especially today.



Next update: Would we finally get a family picture at Chef Mickey's? Would Thomas make it the GG FW Cruise with no nap?

 

[kaysmommie]

Tammy,
Here are the pictures of the pins they gave us at the Grand gathering events.

 

[earthfaries]

Hi Nichole! So sorry I missed talking to you right before you left for WDW ~ I didn't want to come onto DIS so I wouldn't feel bad for not going... I don't, so it's good ~ but just being here makes me want to go so bad!!!

I am caught up with your TR so far. Your room at DTD was nice, neat that you drove in one day so you had the next day for relaxing at your nice resort! So great that your room was ready that early in the morning ~ ours is never ready before 3! The resort is beautiful

Sounds like a fun day at AK, the dinner and safari sounds like a neat experience ~ the desserts looked yummy

Great day at MGM ~ sorry about your experiences with the spoiled kid at playhouse disney and man that guy in front you you is BIG!!! He should know to sit in the back !!!

Sorry Kaylee didn't like TOT and that she was scared ~ it can be scary ... I LOVE it ~ boy I would love to be riding that soon!

I love your pictures, they are all great and the kids are so cute always!

The photo pass pic of all of you with sorcerer mickey is wonderful!

Well, I can't wait to read more, and once again, sorry for abandoning you for the last month ~ I'm back though and trying to catch up on a few TR.

Everything is well here, we can't wait until Halloween! Glad you had a great trip and everyone is feeling better ~ talk to you later Amy

 

[kaysmommie]

Hi Nichole! So sorry I missed talking to you right before you left for WDW ~ I didn't want to come onto DIS so I wouldn't feel bad for not going... I don't, so it's good ~ but just being here makes me want to go so bad!!!

I am caught up with your TR so far. Your room at DTD was nice, neat that you drove in one day so you had the next day for relaxing at your nice resort! So great that your room was ready that early in the morning ~ ours is never ready before 3! The resort is beautiful

Sounds like a fun day at AK, the dinner and safari sounds like a neat experience ~ the desserts looked yummy

Great day at MGM ~ sorry about your experiences with the spoiled kid at playhouse disney and man that guy in front you you is BIG!!! He should know to sit in the back !!!

Sorry Kaylee didn't like TOT and that she was scared ~ it can be scary ... I LOVE it ~ boy I would love to be riding that soon!

I love your pictures, they are all great and the kids are so cute always!

The photo pass pic of all of you with sorcerer mickey is wonderful!

Well, I can't wait to read more, and once again, sorry for abandoning you for the last month ~ I'm back though and trying to catch up on a few TR.

Everything is well here, we can't wait until Halloween! Glad you had a great trip and everyone is feeling better ~ talk to you later Amy

Hi earthfairies,
Glad to see you back on DIS. I completely understand. Even I'm ready to go back and I'm sure it's because I'm on DIS so much. On the ride home I thought I had enough for a year but now I'm ready to go back already and it's been 2 weeks . Thanks for the kind words about my kids. yes that guy had a huge head. If he was there first then I would sat somewhere else. of course he walked up right be fore the show started . Thanks we are looking forward to halloween too.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Great update Nichole!

Wasn't Toy Story Mania so much fun! We got there at 8:15 (EMH) and there was already a 50 minute wait for standby!

Very cool that you were the first family to meet Sorcerer Mickey - love him!

I'm so glad Samantha has outgrown Playhouse Disney - I always hated sitting on the floor in there and being trampled by other people. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

We love Beauty and the Beast too - so sad that 4 for a dollar is no longer there.

What is it with Great Movie Ride? Samantha didn't want to ride it either - even though she's been on it before.

Samantha HATED ToT also - but RnRC is her favorite ride in all of Disney!

Love the Grand Gathering pins - will have to try to do that someday.

Looking forward to more!

 

[crgfsu1]

Hey Nichole,

Great DHS day update! Can wait to go to TSM myself!

Cathy

 

[mom2mek]

Nichole, great update as usual! I loved Toy Story Mania too! I don't know how anyone could NOT like that ride! It's just so fun! Sounds like the rest of the day was good - even with the rude children and rude adults! It looks like you and Kaylee had some nice moments together too! I love that BaTB show and I havent' been able to see it the last two times...sad...

I can't believe that about the housekeeping! That would be so frustrating! especially after you called and had them note it.

I hope Thomas did ok on the cruise...can't wait to hear about it!

Sara

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I agree I hate going in the heat. I should have booked the free dining for December just in case . But I know I'm going to want to go again in 2009 too. Tommy thinks we should skip 2009, not going to happen. SO Block Party Bash is not good? Glad I didn't waste my time then.

Well the float stops in front of you and that's the show you get to see so to see each show would take a person forever! At the end they all ride by you (if you're at the end) but that's it. I wish it would have been in parade form instead. My kids loved it though. They were called in to hang out and all. I wouldn't stop to check it out again unless the people I'm with wanted to.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Tammy,
Here are the pictures of the pins they gave us at the Grand gathering events.

Does everyone get a pin? If so maybe we can trade out one of each of these for the Tony's ones we'll get? I think we'll book the Illuminations next time. You guys should go in August! We could all go together. The pins are cute!

Just read the update....sorry about the HEAD. You think you had it bad at Playhouse Disney???? Try going during EMH when they do the dance party! The parents get crazy then too. I went in for about 5 minutes. The kids were having so much fun dancing with the characters then suddenly Mickey and Minnie came out and they were attacked! I was like, "Let's go NOW!" TSM mania is so much fun. I am bound and determined to beat Sidney this time! I was talking to a CM the other night on the GG line and he told me some secrets! BTW I LOVE the CARS pictures. So cute!!! Oh and where is the HSM photo op? I never saw that!? Of course I was there during the Night of Joy and the HSM thing was moved to the back near the lights, motors, action or whatever it's called.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Glad you guys were able to beat out the rope drop crowds at TSM, it gets so crazy over there!

We had a Ms Big Head sit in front of us at Beauty and Beast. I had to keep shifting around in my seat to see past her.

 

[Disneychix]

OMG! The picture of Mr Big Head is the best! Sorry that happened. Very annoying!

The pic of Thomas and Woody is very cute!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

OMG I just read through your entire DHS update and I realized I totally missed the Cars. Luckily we have seen them at DL but still. Geez! I feel like smackin' myself on the head!

I personally think the opening show at the studios stinks too! That and MK were the only ones we made it to and I kept thinking "JUST LET US IN ALREADY". So no flames from me!


Poor Kaylee not being able to see around that guy at Beauty and the Beast.

Can't wait to hear how the rest of the night went. I hope better. Stinks that housekeeping was not out of there before then.

I love the Toy Story pictures with Thomas!

 

[cdotla]

Another great update Nicole!

But I have to say...unlike you, I am not a big fan of the new Cars set up. I much preferred the old one. I find the background on this one too busy and gimicky.

Given that I think they have moved 3 times in a year, I am assuming unfortunately this is where they will be. Sigh!

Looking forward to more!