Magical Grand Gathering Trip with Pics. Completed

[kaysmommie]

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!

Kaylee feels exactly like Samantha on TOT and RNRC, just wait to later in the report . We had seeing B&TB again, hadn't seen for the last 2 years. We all loved TSM of course. But Playhouse Disney, I'm just so over it . I have not been able to geton my computer for the last day and a half , kids are hogging it with webkinz.

Hey Nichole,

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

Cathy

You will love TSM so fun!

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

I guess with so many people at Disney I have come to expect some rude people unfortuntely. But just a little courtesy for others would be nice once in a while . We did have a fun day, I don't let the little problems ruin it. We loved TSM and B&TB. That is the first time we have seen in the last 3 trips. The housekeeping issue was just really bad timing and it cause Thomas to get very run down and then sick. He really needed that hour and a half to rest up before dinner and the evening GG event.

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.

Everyone in your party will get a pin. I would love to do the Illuminations dinner. Not sure if August would work or not because the kids start school in August as of now anyway. They can only miss 5 days per year without a Dr's note kind of ridiculous IMO. But they may change and have them start later and give up fall break. Then August would out perfectly. Well except the humidity .

Please PM me your ride secrets , I really need to win. The HSM photo op was right on Hollywood Blvd. in the afternoon. Just ask a photopass person when you go back. As for Playhouse Disney I'm just over it. I hope Thomas is too.

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.

Wow a lady with a huge head. Did you take a picture too ? TSM was fun but it was craxzy going there in the morning.

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!

Thanks. That was just the biggest head I have ever seen. Mind you he has no hair either. Can you imagine if he did though. No one in the theatre would be able to see. kaylee was laughing when I took the picture. good thing she is used to me taking pics of food and strange stuff at Disney . Thomas just loves the Toy Story characters. He didn't care about the hour wait.

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!

Thanks Shawna,
I traded seats with Kaylee not that it helped too much. It was a fun day, didn't let little annoyances ruin our fun. Well except the housekeeping did put me in a bad mood. If it had been any other day I wouldn't have cared so much. Also if they came when I called that would have helped too.
Sorry you missed the Cars but at least you will be able to see them at DL.

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!

Thanks .
I guess the background is busy but still not having to wait at a certain time and just being able to go whenever we want to see them is great for us.

 

[cdotla]

I guess the background is busy but still not having to wait at a certain time and just being able to go whenever we want to see them is great for us.

Ooooohhhh...I didn't know that. So what are their hours now?

 

[wdwgirl03]

Sounds like you had a great time at DHS! Toy Story Mania is so much fun! We were lucky enough to get to ride it in May before it was officially open so we avoided the long lines. I'm sure it will be a different story in December. The whole area looks really cute...it wasn't completely done in May so I can't wait to see it.

 

[kaysmommie]

Ooooohhhh...I didn't know that. So what are their hours now?

It was 10-6 PM when we were there. Also there was like 2 people on the line. It was excellent not having to wait in that caos it used to be.

Sounds like you had a great time at DHS! Toy Story Mania is so much fun! We were lucky enough to get to ride it in May before it was officially open so we avoided the long lines. I'm sure it will be a different story in December. The whole area looks really cute...it wasn't completely done in May so I can't wait to see it.

I loved the are by TSM. It's very cute. Your so lucky to get to ride during a soft opening. The lines stay long all day. FP is the way to go unless you get there first thing in the morning with the crowds.

 

[kaysmommie]

Animal Kingdom Pics from our Photopass


These were the first characters this trip...

This picture was supposed to have Baby Simba in it but somehow it didn't work

​

Tom photoshopped Simba in...

 

[kaysmommie]

Last Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch to pick our own pumpkins. It was a really nice day out sunny and 65. The views from here of the Smokies are really nice too. My kids are dressed in play clothes so excuse their outfits . kaylee tells me there is a hidden Mickey in the first picture, can you find it?

 

[dddisrunner]

Great update Nichole! So many things to comment on........ I am so excited to try Toy Story Mania in June, I loved all your pics! After reading allthe comments about the June heat I am a little nervous but we've been in August so June can't be much worse We have never had our pictures with Sorcerer Mickey, I didn't even know you could! Sorry Kaylee didn't like TOT Good idea to ditch Sci Fi for PP that would have been a long time to wait for your ADR considering you were already so hungry! Cute HISTK playground pics., again another place we have never been Loving our report Nichole

Cute pumpkin patch pictures too! Looks like fun!

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update Nichole! So many things to comment on........ I am so excited to try Toy Story Mania in June, I loved all your pics! After reading allthe comments about the June heat I am a little nervous but we've been in August so June can't be much worse We have never had our pictures with Sorcerer Mickey, I didn't even know you could! Sorry Kaylee didn't like TOT Good idea to ditch Sci Fi for PP that would have been a long time to wait for your ADR considering you were already so hungry! Cute HISTK playground pics., again another place we have never been Loving our report Nichole

Cute pumpkin patch pictures too! Looks like fun!

Hi Diane ,
You are going to love TSM, so fun. If you have been to Disney in August June won't be half as bad. August is much more humid and rainy. My ex SIL lives in Kissimee/ ST CLoud and I used to visit her alot before we started taking yearly trips to Disney. This is the first time we have met Sorcerer Mickey too. But the line was nonexistant both times we went. It was early morning though.

I went to SCi Fi to see if we could get in earlier but they booked, unless I wanted to sit at the tables. I did take a peek at the dining room though and I think Thomas would think it's the best thing in the world. So we will be going there next time. You have to take the boys to the HISTK playground!! They will love it. It's hard to get them out iof there though. Just make sure to tell them not to go out of the exit without you or your DH. because inside it's hard to keep track of them. One of us usually waits by the exit in case. Thanks for the kind words . you must be looking forward to going to AKV! Did you book a studio or 1 bedroom. I love the one bedrooms . But I love the 1 bedrooms at BLT even more (Contemporary) and i don't like comtemporary decor at all but I guess it would be a fun vacation and the kitchen is awesome. We did the tour.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I see it! Left side on wagon....

 

[kaysmommie]

I see it! Left side on wagon....

She started after I posted it and said mom do you know there is a hidden Mickey in that picture. Then I realized what she was talking about. Jack O latern Mickey head.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Cute pumpkin patch pictures! I spotted the hidden mickey right away - sounds like something Samantha would point out!

 

[mom2mek]

Love the pumpkin patch pics Nichole! We went today as well! No mountains in our pics though... So beautiful!

Your photopass pics are really cute...I think Tom's photoshopped Simba is even better than Disney's! Adorable!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

Cute pumpkin patch pictures! I spotted the hidden mickey right away - sounds like something Samantha would point out!

Thanks, she thinks everything is a hidden Mickey . I saw a huge one on the drive home in the clouds. You could not miss it even Tom thought it a hidden Mickey . I didn't take a pic because I was feeling pretty sick at the time .

Love the pumpkin patch pics Nichole! We went today as well! No mountains in our pics though... So beautiful!

Your photopass pics are really cute...I think Tom's photoshopped Simba is even better than Disney's! Adorable!

Sara

Thanks Sara,
We have to Pumpkin pick every year. Now we just have to find time to carve them between Dance classes . Kaylee wants to do her's all by herself. I think Tom's Simba's is a bit bigger though. thomas askd as soon as the CD came in the mail. he wanted to see that baby Simba picture .

 

[29apr00]

great update! I can't believe the guy at B&TB! What a JERK! Don't people look around before they sit down?? Ugh!

Sorry Kaylee didnt' like TOT! I love that ride but Dh won't even ride it with me! And it really stinks that housekeeping hadn't cleaned your room yet. I hope no nap for Thomas didn't ruin the rest of the evening, espically with a fireworks cruise!!

 

[kaysmommie]

great update! I can't believe the guy at B&TB! What a JERK! Don't people look around before they sit down?? Ugh!

Sorry Kaylee didnt' like TOT! I love that ride but Dh won't even ride it with me! And it really stinks that housekeeping hadn't cleaned your room yet. I hope no nap for Thomas didn't ruin the rest of the evening, espically with a fireworks cruise!!

I would certinaly look to make sure I wasn't siting in front of a small child when there was still seats in the theatre. Especially with a head that size . Funny that your DH won't ride TOT. then again it's not my favorite either . So did your cruise booking window open up yet? I think you said November, right?

I'm going to update tomorrow morning. I just have to upload the pics today and help Kaylee with a Social Studios project which is due Thursday .

 

[mansionterror]

I am all caught up...great updates Nichole! Colby hates TOT...so much that this past June he started crying as soon as he saw the ride.

What a jerk at BATB...we always seem to get lucky with those kind of problems at shows when we go. Hope they enjoyed the show anyway.

 

[kaysmommie]

I am all caught up...great updates Nichole! Colby hates TOT...so much that this past June he started crying as soon as he saw the ride.

What a jerk at BATB...we always seem to get lucky with those kind of problems at shows when we go. Hope they enjoyed the show anyway.

Oh poor Colby . Thomas has asked to ride but I still think he is too little. Maybe next year if we go. My nephew who was 4 absolutely loved it though. Just depends on the kid I guess.

Yes, we always have bad luck with shows and Parades no matter how early we get there . We still really loved the show of course and had fun.

 

[crgfsu1]

Cute AK pictures!! I need to go to Camp Minnie-Mickey this trip, never been there either.

Your pumpkin patch day looked fun - we took Abby to two of them a few weeks ago. I see Kaylie's wrap is still hanging in there. The picture of Thomas in the little "tractor" makes him look soooo tiny - all you see is his little cute face

Sorry CBR had poor housekeeping - hope the night went OK. We had no trouble when we were there.

Cathy

 

[kaysmommie]

Cute AK pictures!! I need to go to Camp Minnie-Mickey this trip, never been there either.

Your pumpkin patch day looked fun - we took Abby to two of them a few weeks ago. I see Kaylie's wrap is still hanging in there. The picture of Thomas in the little "tractor" makes him look soooo tiny - all you see is his little cute face

Sorry CBR had poor housekeeping - hope the night went OK. We had no trouble when we were there.

Cathy

Hi Cathy,
Thanks for the kind owrds about Thomas. he has a small afce but a huge head . The housekeeping was good but they just skipped us this day for some reason. I took Kaylee's hairwrap out last night, seems like it was pulling on her scalp and sort of left a bald spot . yes try to go to Camp Minnie Mickey when you go. The Safari outfits on the characters are so cute!

 

[earthfaries]

Great photopass pics

Looks like you all had a really fun day at the pumpkin patch ~ did you find some nice ones?

The hidden mickey is great