"Mom, Dad, 3 Kids & a Gingerbread Boy" Matty's Wish Trip December 10-18, 2009

[Momofwishkid]

Great job on the update! Im not sure were going to make any rope dropes but Im gonna try.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I first heard a ring back about 3 years ago. It surprised me, but it told me it "to please enjoy the music while my party was reached" so I knew what it was.

I figured I'd be the last one waking up each morning, but maybe my kids will sleep in too. I can dream!!!

 

[dawnbu40]

My daughter, (disname PrincessCaitlin) has been a fan of your Tr since you started and now I've finally caught up! You are a wonderful writer and your family is beautiful! I'm really enjoying hearing about Matty's magical vacation!

 

[jenb1023]

I know you were struggling to get back in the groove of updating but I am glad you did! Hopefully the late morning won't affect what you wanted to get done at DHS. It sounds like a nice morning of just soaking up GKTW and everything it has to offer. Looking forward to more!

 

[pacrosby]

Yep!

I am here! Lurking and laughing out loud!

You are so funny!!!

That strange thing on my phone is a "ring back" - it is a song that plays instead of a ring...and with the exception of my friends here in MS - most of my friends have never heard such a thing.

I get a dozen "hang ups" a week.

My mother called me 4 times one night and I thought someone died (my mother rarely calls and certainly not four times in a ROW!)...but turned out she was so confused by my new ring back that she just kept calling and calling...

So...yes...I am listening!

And...YES...I was STRESSED!

Honestly, I never did get used to that ring Even when we talked a couple of weeks ago............it STILL threw me for a loop! I keep telling you maroo.................I'm OLD..................I don't go for all this new fangled kid-stuff

Woohoooo for an update! Good for you guys for sleeping late, we'll see what happens with us, I'm planning 6am wake-ups with Piper's treatments.. :scary: But..we also only have two late nights planned, so hopefully that will help. LOL@ Maroo's ring thingy..the first time I called it threw me off for a minute too..the ex has that though..I hate his..but, Maroo..yours is great! You do know I expect you to have this done before we leave, right, Pamela? LOL!

I've said this before, but if I were to do it again we would have been there at rope drop, gotten back to the Village by dinner and been in bed at a reasonable hour most nights. That way we wouldn't have been rushing through the parks (or lamenting about all the things we couldn't do because of the lack of time).

So you expect me to get the next 4 days done before you leave. Excuse me for a minute while I laugh..........

Great job on the update! Im not sure were going to make any rope dropes but Im gonna try.

That was the lamest of updates !!!!!!!!! But thanks for trying to make me feel better

I first heard a ring back about 3 years ago. It surprised me, but it told me it "to please enjoy the music while my party was reached" so I knew what it was.

I figured I'd be the last one waking up each morning, but maybe my kids will sleep in too. I can dream!!!

My kids have never been early risers................we TRAINED them well

My daughter, (disname PrincessCaitlin) has been a fan of your Tr since you started and now I've finally caught up! You are a wonderful writer and your family is beautiful! I'm really enjoying hearing about Matty's magical vacation!

awwwwww...............thanks!

I've wondered if I've lost readers since I've slowed the pace here. Gotta get back on the schtick here LOL!

Hi to PrincessCaitlin

I know you were struggling to get back in the groove of updating but I am glad you did! Hopefully the late morning won't affect what you wanted to get done at DHS. It sounds like a nice morning of just soaking up GKTW and everything it has to offer. Looking forward to more!

Struggling is an understatement!!! I've almost reached my limit on photobucket too so I've got to decide how to handle that.

Leisurely mornings at the Castle of Miracles seemed to become the routine with my kids. Every morning we went from hash browned potatos to potato heads! Kids. Who can figure them huh?

I read about your furnace on another thread 7200 bucks????? YIKES Do you have a fireplace???

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Hi!

Sorry I try to comment on TRs but then I usually just end up lurking on them

Great updates

GKTW looks like so much fun I love all the little elfs

That clown is a little bit scary Matty being in the picture makes the clown look cute though

 

[pipersmom]

The only place I have my heart set on ie.. rope drop is MK. Piper's morning treatment will take us about an hour, hour and ten minutes.. ugh! She's definitely going to be showering at night before bed. We have it pretty well worked out and down to a routine, and now she's old enough that I can shower while she's hooked up. Gram gets up every morning at 5:30 for work, so either she'll be fine with it, or wanting to sleep in since she's on vacation...she is the unknown element in the equation, lol. Gotta have some of those to keep things interesting though, right?

 

[pacrosby]

Part I: "Just sign here.......and here........and here........."









We arrive at Hollywood Studios ready to roll. Time check. It's 12 noon. We make our way to the turnstiles repeatedly yelling to our little Brennan to 'catch up' but he seems to be engaged in a conversation with his imaginary playmate:

Eventually Brennan catches up with the clan:

and once through the gates we catch site of yet another beautiful Xmas tree (notice that dh is getting much better at capturing the whole tree!)

I love Hollywood Studios. I know, I know............it's generally not on the top of most people's lists but keep in mind how much I loved Universal and Islands of Adventure. Truth be told, I've always been a bit of a contrarian. We quickly grab out stroller and head down the avenue towards the 'Hat' not knowing exactly what we want to do or where we want to go. All I know is that we have three and half hours before our lunch reservation. Plenty of time to have some fun.






On the Avenue my Lulu and I get caught by a photopass photographer:

and as we approach the 'Hat' we see our first opportunity for a couple of giggles with photos and autographs to boot! Smile. Say Cheese. And..............."please sign here":

(I know the last two pictures look the same to you but to a momma's eyes that Brennan looks just deliciously adorable and I needed to keep 'em both)







Quick check of the guide reveals that the Voyage of the Little Mermaid is due to set sail soon but as we get closer to the queue we find the crowd to be huge. Hmmmmmm Maybe we'll catch the next one. We look around. Where to go. How 'bout stage right? And in short order we see:

ooooooooooooooooooh Now we've heard alot about this 'Toy Story Mania' mania but don't have any personal experience. We watched the Disney dvd. We've seen the travel channel's Disney specials. Certainly looks like a lot of fun. But the sign above the 'regular' line reveals the wait to be over an hour????!!!!!! What?????? What kind of nut would stand in line for over an hour? Well, certainly not 'these nuts' (that be us) because 'these nuts' are fortunate enough to have the "magic button". Everyone together now: Bowing to the almighty "magic button" We park the stroller and get in the fast pass line. On the way through the maze dh is getting quite a kick out of the 'artwork' and can't help but snap a few pictures:

the latter is a tribute to our baby we left at home, our 11 month old mini-dachsund named Heidi






My kids love anything involving 3D glasses and enjoy sporting them for all to admire:

Fortunately our wait is no more than 10 minutes or so and before we know it we are in the midst of a crazy midway carnival game:

Aha!!! Now I get the attraction. This thing could be addictive (kind of like my kids plug and play Ms. PacMan at home ) We have fun comparing scores and promise to come back and play again (and maybe again) before the end of the day. As we exit we notice yet another opportunity for giggles with photos and autographs to boot! Smile. Say Cheese. And................please sign here:

(ooops, no more room so I'll be back!)

 

[Momofwishkid]

Just had to say Gavin LOVED this update!! Woody is his favorite has been for years. Thanks for the pics.

 

[pacrosby]

Part I: "Please sign here.......and here.......and here.........." cont'd








After cavorting with the 'Toys' we decide to head back and see if we have timed it right for a 'Mermaid' show. Nope. Next show isn't for another 20 minutes. Certainly you don't think we are going to just stand around for 20 minutes, do you?????!!!!!! While weighing our options little Brennan spots someone he likes across the way. More giggling. More photoing. More autographing. Yup, you got it...............Smile. Say Cheese. And................please sign here:

Sadly there is no interest in the Little Einstein characters (I think that June is just such a little cutie) so we decide instead to move on into the Animation Building which stands immediately to our left. I know that there is some sort of show/attraction where they 'teach' you how to draw a character.................definately up my Olivia's alley (quite the little artist if a momma may brag for just a brief moment ). We make our way into the building and first find...........................



Whoa.......................



What do we have here?????



Yes, yet another opportunity for alittle GPA!!!!!!!



Everyone together now:



Smile. Say Cheese. And...................



please sign here:

After mugging with the characters for some time the kids move on to all the interactive computer animation games they have in this building. Talk about a load of fun. We literally have to drag the little buggers out the door! We do reluctantly decide to forego the animation 'class' when we realize that the younger boys will likely be bored to death. Brennan + boredom = "not a heck of alot of fun" let me tell you! Liv and I feel better about the decision when we remember that that we will be returning in the Spring (sans 3 little brothers). A definate must-do on our upcoming 'girls-only' trip

We leave the Animation Building and enter the courtyard. What now? How 'bout that Mermaid? The Voyage of the Little Mermaid? Let's check her out one last time shall we? I remember this show from our 2005 visit and, for some reason, have it in my head that it's a must-do. The wait is listed as 5 minutes. Ahhhhhhhh Perfect. In short order we are in, seated and ready for the show. Did it meet my expectations?

Well....................I don't know. It is good. It is fun. The kids like it. I like it. But it seems short. Shorter than I remember. And not as dramatic. Anyone out there know if it's been modified over the years? Just curious.


Ok....now that we've had more than our share of character interaction, rode the midway and seen a show we are in need of something else. Hmmmmmmmmm What else? This day has been pretty tame thus far. Mommas thinkin' we are in need of some terror. Can you say 'the Tower of Terror'?

Nicholas is on board!!!! Matty is on board!!!! I am most certainly on board!!!! Dh, Olivia and Brennan? Uh.............................maybe not so much We look to our guide for directions to the haunted hotel and make our way in that direction.

ahhhhhhhh............................lookin' good. We get closer:

My two brave little men accompany me to the 'lobby' leaving our frightened family members behind to wait on a park bench. No sense of adventure, that bunch The line is short, there is little wait, and before we know it we are being ushered into the elevator and are off to meet our fate. OMG This ride is fantastic!!!! The kids and I are screaming like a bunch of loonies in a bin!!!!! A rather short thrill, but a good one just the same. "Let's go again!" the boys cry. They bound out of the exit and run to Daddy/Olivia/Brennan to tell them how 'cool' it is. "You've gotta go" they tell them. Dh is somewhat surprised at little Matty's response. "How bad could it be if Matty loved it that much?" I tease. With alittle bit of urging and cajoling (ok, more like a lot of urging and cajoling) they agree to try it.

Walking into the 'lobby' my Olivia is none too happy (take note of the look on her face):

and I must admit they do quite the good job of setting the scene. We watch the elevator door close on the group ahead of us:

and my precious daughter is having some major second thoughts. Unfortunately for her however, before she is able to convince anyone to bow out with her, it becomes our turn. The bellman delivers his schtick, says his goodbye, and proceeds to get ready to close the elevator door. As if right on cue, you suddenly hear the voice of my little Matty belting out from his front seat "OK.............BUHBYE!!!!!!!!!!" Our fellow passengers are in hysterics

And then we fall

The boys and I of course enjoy our second ride to the fullest. Olivia reveals that although this first ride was not as bad as she thought (in fact, it was 'kind of' fun) she would prefer it to be her last. Dh and Brennan. Well, they are alittle white. I guess they won't be going again either




Time check? 2:50. Oh oh We've got 40 minutes until our lunch reservations but only 10 minutes until the 'party'. What 'party' you ask? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

You'll just have to come back and check it out




Next up: "Dancin' in the Street"

 

[yinyanggirls]

Glad you figured out the pics. Sorry I confused you.

Looks like fun so far, although I have to admit, I'm afraid I might offend some characters by not wanting their pics. Tessa will probably want them so maybe it won't be an issue. So many characters at this park, Wow!

 

[pacrosby]

The only place I have my heart set on ie.. rope drop is MK. Piper's morning treatment will take us about an hour, hour and ten minutes.. ugh! She's definitely going to be showering at night before bed. We have it pretty well worked out and down to a routine, and now she's old enough that I can shower while she's hooked up. Gram gets up every morning at 5:30 for work, so either she'll be fine with it, or wanting to sleep in since she's on vacation...she is the unknown element in the equation, lol. Gotta have some of those to keep things interesting though, right?

I think I've heard people say that the only real rope drops that are worth killing yourself to get to are MK and AK so I don't think you should worry about getting there 'exactly' at that time. Might do you good to get there before noontime like us though

Just had to say Gavin LOVED this update!! Woody is his favorite has been for years. Thanks for the pics.

oh yay...............I'm glad he enjoyed the px. They were nice (not the px, the characters LOL). FYI we went in through the back door which is a direct entrance across from TSM rather than going inside the building they were in and around to the line.

Glad you figured out the pics. Sorry I confused you.

Looks like fun so far, although I have to admit, I'm afraid I might offend some characters by not wanting their pics. Tessa will probably want them so maybe it won't be an issue. So many characters at this park, Wow!

Oh Melissa, no apologies necessary. Thanx so much for trying to help. It's not your fault I'm such a dope LOL

Now help me out here.....................why wouldn't you want pictures with the characters? (I must've missed something)

 

[pacrosby]

ooooops.................forgot to include our TT adventure so I went back to edit that last installment (post #370). It may be good for a little laugh

 

[pipersmom]

Awesome update, Pamela! I can't believe all the characters you all saw at DHS! Too funny about the ToT haters..have to give them credit for trying though! So glad you're back to updating..so much fun stuff still to come! (And by the way..you're down to 10 days to finish it.. :

 

[ladybugmom]

YAY! What a great update!! We did not get to ride TSM last time so we're all looking forward to riding it in May. We've been practicing on our TSM Wii game, though!! WOW--ya'll got to meet a bunch of characters!! How fun!! The Up characters are too cute!! I'm in awe of all of you riding TT. No one in our family will step foot on that ride--including me!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Now help me out here.....................why wouldn't you want pictures with the characters? (I must've missed something)

No, I've never really talked about it, I just don't have a "thing" for people dressing up as characters from kids movies. I don't think I'm a grinch or anything, because I love the rides and shows, even the "face characters" will be fun to interact with but I think I might get a little overloaded on stuffed animals wanting to take pics with us. We'll see....

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Great update!

I have always loved DHS! I like all the different movie themes and especially all of the rides!

I am glad you enjoyed TSM it is definitely my favorite DHS ride

Great character luck! I can't wait to meet the UP! characters!

 

[pnutallergymom]

Lovin the update!! Glad your back!!!

So, fill me in on this AutoTrain!! I was trying to look into it last night, but all I could find is the one that leaves out of VA?? Is that the one your going to take?

 

[pacrosby]

Awesome update, Pamela! I can't believe all the characters you all saw at DHS! Too funny about the ToT haters..have to give them credit for trying though! So glad you're back to updating..so much fun stuff still to come! (And by the way..you're down to 10 days to finish it.. :

We hit the jackpot didn't we???? The sudden rash of updates is only because my older three children have been at my mom's since Wednesday AND dh left his computer with me yesterday. I have so many photos to upload before I can actually start writing................that's what ends up holding me up. Unfortunately for you guys...............they're coming home today

YAY! What a great update!! We did not get to ride TSM last time so we're all looking forward to riding it in May. We've been practicing on our TSM Wii game, though!! WOW--ya'll got to meet a bunch of characters!! How fun!! The Up characters are too cute!! I'm in awe of all of you riding TT. No one in our family will step foot on that ride--including me!!!

No ToT riders in your family?????? Awwww, c'mon I'm definately an adrenaline junkie..............even at my ripe old age!

I think I might get a little overloaded on stuffed animals wanting to take pics with us.

Oh, girl.............you've got issues

Great update!

I have always loved DHS! I like all the different movie themes and especially all of the rides!

I am glad you enjoyed TSM it is definitely my favorite DHS ride

Great character luck! I can't wait to meet the UP! characters!

We unfortunately didn't get to do too many rides (as you will soon see) given our late start. That's ok...............gives us something to go back for, right? That 'Russell' makes me laugh

Lovin the update!! Glad your back!!!

So, fill me in on this AutoTrain!! I was trying to look into it last night, but all I could find is the one that leaves out of VA?? Is that the one your going to take?

Got the wheels turnin' do you?????

Yes, you are right it does leave from VA which is maybe a 6-7 hour drive (we drive 7 hours to the Canadian mountains every summer so it doesn't sound horrible to us). The train leaves at 4 in the afternoon so we figure we could leave the house early in the morning and get there in plenty of time which removes the need for an extra day out of school and more money for a hotel. I just think it would be fun for the kids (we're always up for another adventure) and the cost savings is considerable. I do so want to try and figure in annual Disney trips but am not willing to eat up a considerable portion of our yearly vacation budget doing so (we really do try and do alot of different things over the course of the year). This just seemed like a great alternative for us. Definately not an option for everyone though.

 

[pacrosby]

Day 6: Hollywood Studios

Part II: "Dancin' in the Street"






Ok.....remember the time? It's 2:50. Time to run................

Where to? Well, to be honest, I'm not quite sure . Well, I know the general vicinity, but not 'exactly' where. And I've been told that 'where' you end up will make a big difference in how much fun you have. And, heaven knows, we certainly want to have fun, don't we. BIG fun!

As we get closer we see that crowds have already formed. No music yet though. Phew! In seconds we've arrived and seem to have gotten lucky as there appears to be the perrrrrrrrrrfect place to 'squeeze' on in. And the music starts................

Where the heck are we? you ask.






Well, the Block Party Bash!!!!!






Music and floats, characters and dancers groovin' to the beat. We were hoping to land a spot where we can catch our fuzzy favorites from Monstropolis. Do we?






Well, here, see for yourself:

That 'Boo' is too cute And the orange guy..................did you note the sock stuck on his back They don't miss a beat do they?




Of course there are other celebrities to be had as well:

and last but certainly not least, a rather fuzzy px, but one that I simply do not have the heart to leave out:

It's the Spudman himself!!!




We have a great time at this 'party'. Midway through a couple of crazy dancers approach my children and pull them into the fun (all together now............bowing to the almightly 'magic button' ). I had heard here on the boards that this 'Block Party Bash' wasn't much to get excited about. I don't know Perhaps those folks were at a different point along the route and didn't get much character 'action'..............................or, perhaps, we are just easy to please (probably the latter ). Anything with floats and music and dancing and characters can't go wrong in our book!


The 'party' breaks up and we check our watches (for someone who generally never even wears a watch, I've become alittle obsessed with this clock watching haven't I???). 3:20. Ok. We've got 10 minutes. We could take a leisurely walk to our fine dining establishment OR we could sneak in another ride. Hmmmmmmmmmm

I vote for a ride!

Everyone gives the big 'ol thumbs up

And we're off................................to.....................................

grab some more of those ever-flattering yellow 3D glasses!!!!! Yup, Toy Story Mania it is We finish our game, each with a higher score than than our previous ride (I guess this is where the obsession comes in) and although the children are begging for "one more game" we convince them that we are already late for our reservation. Ho Hum.................ok Mum









Next up: "Serving Up a Slice of Science-Fiction"