Mel's Pre-trip Report: Interactive Version

[Goofyluver]

THanks JO!

I am going to post an update tomorrow morning...


Oh, and Jen, thanks for the bump. Do you still have Myspace? I wanted to add you but your Myspace addy is gone from your siggie....

MEL

My myspace is shortstuffnm! So I'm vertically challenged...sue me!

OK OK OK...we did SWW last year. And lemme just say...that will never happen again!

You have to get FPs to meet the actors. You don't have to have everyone with you in the line to get your FPs, but you must have your KTTW. So, if all of you want to meet someone, the person standing in that line must have all of your KTTW. My advice is to stand in the line for the person you want to meet the MOST. Get there as early as possible. We got there at about 7:50 or so, and the line for Ray Park was closed. Someone...not naming names...was able to weasel into the line. If the other lines are still open when you get your FPs for the first person, THEN hop on over.

Definitely be there early enough to watch the opening show with the Jedis. That was super fun!

For the parade...stand down by Star Tours, but you must get there super duper early. The parade ends down by Star Tours, and you get to see all of the actors and get some good interaction down there. But, there's not a lot of shade down there, so have a cool one in hand.

Also...don't expect to get a lot done this day. The park is simply too full. We got about 3 things done...that's it.

Even though I will never do this again, it was totally worth it. I have the best pic of Jon and Ray Park. Soooooo cool!

Also, for lunch, definitely do Toy Story Pizza Planet. That place is so neat!

 

[Miz Diz]

Jen - thanks for the tips. We are doing SWW the first weekend in June.

 

[Muffinygood]

This pre-trip report suspended for a brief time.

I will continue to update "over there."

For now this is best. I am sorry but it seems that I need to reassess some priorities.

MEL

 

[DisneyJo]

 

[Muffinygood]

Update tonight peeps!

Sorry for the wait!

MEL

 

[Muffinygood]

Alright, someone else excited about SWW! Our whole reason for going in June. Wow, I didn't realize we would need to be there so early, so guess we will also. Guess, I haven't planned too well.

We haven't been before, so not much help there.

I'm looking forward to some of the responses you receive.

My boys are OVER THE MOON about SWW!!! They have wanted to do this since it started! And I just heard that they added Young Annakin (Jake Lloyd) to our weekend! Whoo Hoo!

I have heard from Goofyluvr's TR and others that you MUST arrive early!

SWW sounds fun, we are not big enough fans to brave the crowds though. I'll be looking forward to reading all about it though.

I hear the crowds are NUTSO!

SWW sounds like something that DH would like. I can use it as an excuse for another trip once we retire. Thanks for the tip

Rosies is the place by Tot, RnC that I think you are talking about. They have really good Burgers and Dogs

Yes! Rosies is the place! Thanks! I think it has a nice shady spot near it too! After my last experience in MGM (Ooops! I mean Hollywood Studios!) I don't care to have sun stroke again!

OMG I would shower the night before, I'd also go and get croissants or similar the night before too and eat in the room, that's what we did every day in August and it saves so much time

As long as you've all entered the park 1 person can have all the tickets and go get FP's for everyone!

Oh thanks JO! Shower the night before? How will I wake up???? I need hot water to get my blood moving around. I think PopTarts are in order here! Do you have those in the UK?

OK OK OK...we did SWW last year. And lemme just say...that will never happen again!

You have to get FPs to meet the actors. You don't have to have everyone with you in the line to get your FPs, but you must have your KTTW. So, if all of you want to meet someone, the person standing in that line must have all of your KTTW. My advice is to stand in the line for the person you want to meet the MOST. Get there as early as possible. We got there at about 7:50 or so, and the line for Ray Park was closed. Someone...not naming names...was able to weasel into the line. If the other lines are still open when you get your FPs for the first person, THEN hop on over.

Definitely be there early enough to watch the opening show with the Jedis. That was super fun!

For the parade...stand down by Star Tours, but you must get there super duper early. The parade ends down by Star Tours, and you get to see all of the actors and get some good interaction down there. But, there's not a lot of shade down there, so have a cool one in hand.

Also...don't expect to get a lot done this day. The park is simply too full. We got about 3 things done...that's it.

Even though I will never do this again, it was totally worth it. I have the best pic of Jon and Ray Park. Soooooo cool!

Also, for lunch, definitely do Toy Story Pizza Planet. That place is so neat!

Awesome Tips Jen! Thanks! I was thinking of another spot for the parade... Which will remain nameless....it was in Carrieannie's TR I think.....not giving it away though!
And we are NOT planning any other things at this park from arriving till dinner OTHER than SW's and the parade. You'll see in my next installment....

I remembered you saying that it was too crowded to do anything....don't have to worry about that anyway....kids have done it all. They won't die if they miss the rides ONCE!


OK, update on the way!

MEL

 

[Muffinygood]

Day 7!!! Part 3!!!!!


Hi everyone! Sorry about the brief hiatus. Lots going on here lately.

SO, I left you all at Hollywood Studios ( I will NEVER get used to that! ) Henceforth referred to as: HS.

We are going to get cold drinks and hunker down for some Jedi parade watching! I am pretty excited about this parade! It looks soooo cool. Lots and lots of costumed actors and cars, etc.

I should interject here that we are going to **TRY** to do the movie/commentary thing at the ABC TV Theatre. I think it's called Behind the Force. But, I don't know what the schedule will be like once we get our "meet and greet" FP's.

***small correction: I apparently "brain bubbled" the actors/weekends they were appearing. We are actually meeting Jake Lloyd, Wicket the Ewok and the guy who is directing the Clone Wars. Not JL, Wicket and Aayla Secura and General Grevious. Sorry for any mixups with your own plans this may have caused!***

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled Pre-Trippie!

SO, anyway. I am also not going to bother trying to get to the Jedi Training Academy. Two HUGE reasons. One, my boys are WAY too old to do it. Well, Goofy anyway. Gus would NOT do it. He's way too shy in front of a crowd. The other HUGE reason is that I saw this when I was in DL last January with DH. The parents are CRAZED. And rude. Sorry people. That's just the truth. I cannot hack pushy parents. If we can find a quiet, out of the way spot to watch it from, great we will. I think that's doubtful though if it takes place where I think it does.

The times of our meet and greets will greatly determine our schedule for the day. But, once 4:45 pm rolls around people, you better GET OUTTA MY WAY! It's time for dinner at Hollywood and Vine! Whoo Hooty! I seriously love this buffet. We go every year! My kids love it also as it has enough variety to please them both and the desserts are Yummy! We are doing the Fantasmic Package for this dinner. We also do THAT every year too. Just one year of waiting in the line to get into Fantasmic convinced us that it was WELL worth it. We'd eat there anyway....might as well do the package and get *special* early entry to the show!

Depending on what time we get done eating, we may try for a ride or two. I never want to do this, since I'm full of food at this point! But, there's always later, after the show!

Do you guys ever do the Fantasmic Package? Which resturaunt do you chose? Do you like the choices they offer? I think it's Hollywood and Vine, Mama Melrose's and Brown Derby. Should they extend it to the others? (sci-fi dine in, 50's prime time) What about the Fanstasmic show? Is this a "must do?" It is for us!!!

As I said, it's possible we'll ride ToT and RnRC after the show. Then I'm sure we will be ready to collapse. I'm entertaining ideas of having a cold beer at Rosie's (or near there...?) while the boys shop a bit. I don't mind letting them do that as most of the shopping is RIGHT there on that one street.

I have to add in here at the end, that I plan on trying to find Stephanie during this day. (If you read my TR, you know she's the living doll CM who saved me at the park that day in Sept. last year!!) I don't know if she'll still be there, but I have to try to say thanks!

So guys! What do you think so far of Day 7? I think that's all the fun I can cram into one 24 hour period!

See you for Day 8 sometime soon!

MEL

 

[Donald is #1]

Do you guys ever do the Fantasmic Package? Which resturaunt do you chose? Do you like the choices they offer? I think it's Hollywood and Vine, Mama Melrose's and Brown Derby. Should they extend it to the others? (sci-fi dine in, 50's prime time) What about the Fanstasmic show? Is this a "must do?" It is for us!!!

I'll be interested in seeing the responses you get. I have never done the Fantasmic Dinner Package. My sister and I toyed with it for our November trip, but have decided not to do. Also, we may not be doing Fantasmic. We are doing HS on our last full day and we are hoping that the Osbourne Lights start that night.

 

[jcc0621]

Yes! Rosies is the place! Thanks! I think it has a nice shady spot near it too! After my last experience in MGM (Ooops! I mean Hollywood Studios!) I don't care to have sun stroke again!

Yes! They have tables shaded by trees and quite a few have umbrellas also Hot Dogs are GOOD!

Day 7!!! Part 3!!!!!
I have to add in here at the end, that I plan on trying to find Stephanie during this day. (If you read my TR, you know she's the living doll CM who saved me at the park that day in Sept. last year!!) I don't know if she'll still be there, but I have to try to say thanks!

I bet if you go to guest services and explain the situation to them they would be able to tell you if she is working there.

So guys! What do you think so far of Day 7? I think that's all the fun I can cram into one 24 hour period!

Think.....I'm exhasuted reading it...going to take a nap now

See you for Day 8 sometime soon!
[/QUOTE]

 

[Goofyluver]

Awwww...Wicket??? He is kinda cute. He's almost worth doing Geeks weekend again!

 

[DisneyJo]

Oh thanks JO! Shower the night before? How will I wake up???? I need hot water to get my blood moving around. I think PopTarts are in order here! Do you have those in the UK?

Yep we do have poptarts here but only about 4 or 5 flavours!

Do you guys ever do the Fantasmic Package? Which resturaunt do you chose? Do you like the choices they offer? I think it's Hollywood and Vine, Mama Melrose's and Brown Derby. Should they extend it to the others? (sci-fi dine in, 50's prime time) What about the Fanstasmic show? Is this a "must do?" It is for us!!!

We did the FP at Mama Melrose last year and the main thing I'd say is still get to Fantasmic about 30/45 mins before show time, we arrived about 30 mins and the reserved seating area was already packed, also go as close to the rope that seperates the seating area as possible for the better views

 

[Muffinygood]

I'll be interested in seeing the responses you get. I have never done the Fantasmic Dinner Package. My sister and I toyed with it for our November trip, but have decided not to do. Also, we may not be doing Fantasmic. We are doing HS on our last full day and we are hoping that the Osbourne Lights start that night.

Me too Donald.....um.................where are they? Hello? Hello? Where the heck is everyone?
Osbourne lights is pretty neat, the first time. It won't take as long as you think to do this though. It's really just the WAITING to turn on the lights that is the event. Once they're on.....eh......that's it. They're on. JMHO...though.

Yes! They have tables shaded by trees and quite a few have umbrellas also Hot Dogs are GOOD!

I bet if you go to guest services and explain the situation to them they would be able to tell you if she is working there.

Think.....I'm exhasuted reading it...going to take a nap now

See you for Day 8 sometime soon!

[/QUOTE]

Yes! Hot Dogs=Gud!! Especially if there is BEER with them!
I was thinking the Guest Services approach was the best one too. I hope she's still there!
Yes, I have to keep looking at this itinerary and thinking.....it's going to be HOT !!! Really Really Hot. Don't plan too much!! But, it's hard not to!
Cya for Day 8 tonight....or tomorrow.....gotta DH's Bday today!

Awwww...Wicket??? He is kinda cute. He's almost worth doing Geeks weekend again!

Yeah, he's cute! I have been calling it Geek Week too! But, you know, every little boy wants to be Luke Skywalker when they grow up! Funny, none of us wanted to be Princess Leia......?

Yep we do have poptarts here but only about 4 or 5 flavours!
We did the FP at Mama Melrose last year and the main thing I'd say is still get to Fantasmic about 30/45 mins before show time, we arrived about 30 mins and the reserved seating area was already packed, also go as close to the rope that seperates the seating area as possible for the better views

4 or 5 flavours! OMG! Is Hot Fudge Sundae one of them??? If not, then NO DEAL MAN! I won't even eat a pop tart unless it's Hot Fudge Sundae.

Yeah, you know, I did notice that although we were getting IN TO the Fantasmic seating early, we didn't have the BEST seats there! I think that there must be a way around this, but I haven't figured it out yet. I will sneak about on this trip and see if there's a chink in the armour!

MEL

 

[jcc0621]

Funny, none of us wanted to be Princess Leia......?

Who wanted the big cinnimon buns sticking out the side of their head

HAPPY B-DAY to your DH

 

[carrieannie]

A big Happy Birthday to Mr Mel!!!

​

 

[Goofyluver]

Yeah, he's cute! I have been calling it Geek Week too! But, you know, every little boy wants to be Luke Skywalker when they grow up! Funny, none of us wanted to be Princess Leia......?

That hair! Who could deal with that??? I'd tip over!

Happy Birthday Mr. Mel!!!!

 

[jmskinner]

Day 7!!! Part 3!!!!!


Do you guys ever do the Fantasmic Package? Which resturaunt do you chose? Do you like the choices they offer? I think it's Hollywood and Vine, Mama Melrose's and Brown Derby. Should they extend it to the others? (sci-fi dine in, 50's prime time) What about the Fanstasmic show? Is this a "must do?" It is for us!!!

QUOTE]

We have never done the Package, but we loved Fantasmic! DH didn't get to go with us last time so it is a must see this time around for him!

 

[DisneyJo]

4 or 5 flavours! OMG! Is Hot Fudge Sundae one of them??? If not, then NO DEAL MAN! I won't even eat a pop tart unless it's Hot Fudge Sundae.

No Hot Fudge Sundae I don't think, I'll have a look when I go to the Supermarket tomorrow

 

[Miz Diz]

I have never done the Fantasmic dinner package. We almost always go to WDW during value season and never have had issues with getting a seat. Last year, we went during Spring Break and even then we found seats without getting there that early, but it was the last show of the night. A CM told me that if Fantasmic is playing twice that night, go to the last one because it is not as busy.

 

[Muffinygood]

I know I have alot of quotes to do but I'm going to update first and then go back! Ok?

Now where did I leave you people???

Perhaps that is why it's bad to wait several weeks between updates....
Day 8!!! Our last Disney Day....

This is our last day. I hate the last day at Disney. It's so sad. I will be packing this morning while I run around and make sure that:

1. We have everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Cell phones, bathing suits, clothes, food, toys-games-movies, keys, EVERYTHING.

2. Everyone is UP DRESSED AND READY TO GO AT 9:30 am.

3. Make sure to fill the cooler with ice.

4. We get everything above, including people, into the car.

We have to check out by 10 am this morning. Then we have an ADR at Boma for our last morning.

This is our first Disney trip that we haven't eaten at Chef Mickey's for our last morning. It's sort of a tradition. But, those darn people called and booked it before I did! Do you guys like Boma? I can only remember that we liked the juice. So what's good here?

After our breakfast, my plan is to have DH stop off at the Publix on the way outta town so I can grab some drinks and snacks for our drive home to throw in the cooler. Everyone has their favorite snacks for travelling. My DS15 loves cheese/crackers and pepperoni. DH likes trail mix. DS10 likes popcorn and goldfish and I like those small Quaker rice cakes in caramel flavor.

What's your travel food???

We are hitting the road to Chattanooga as soon as we have our food set. We are staying in a B&B just on the Georgia side of the TN border. They have a gorgeous 1800s house!

Well, that's today. How do you guys like it?

Do you guys have any last day rituals?

 

[DisneyJo]

Do you guys like Boma? I can only remember that we liked the juice. So what's good here?

Never been but read loads of good food reviews of it

What's your travel food???

We don't do long distances like you do but we like fruity candy, chips or toffees

Well, that's today. How do you guys like it?

Nice end to a lovely trip

Do you guys have any last day rituals?

We always have to leave about 2pm so we just swim all morning, have showers, check out and have a last lunch before the horrendous journey home and all that jetlag