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

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Oh man the tears are flowing for the goodbye But it does look like you all had a very magical trip. The cessna ride looks awsome. Not sure I could do it either dh and the kids woud love to do that. Do they set that up through MAW?

Interesting meeting Ronald there That is a nice pic of you all!

I love that you are all in disney shirts.

 

[maroo]

LOVE the updates!!!

I really enjoyed seeing the pictures from the flight. I wish we could see the Harry Potter stuff! HA!

Can't wait for more!!!

 

[pacrosby]

Is it almost over???

Okay, weird to see Ronald there. I've never seen him in pics or heard of him being there before.

Almost. We've got the balance of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Wanna make a bet on how long it'll take me to finish this baby??????

Oh man the tears are flowing for the goodbye But it does look like you all had a very magical trip. The cessna ride looks awsome. Not sure I could do it either dh and the kids woud love to do that. Do they set that up through MAW?

Interesting meeting Ronald there That is a nice pic of you all!

I love that you are all in disney shirts.

Yes, so very sad to leave GKTW. GKTW is the one that offers the Cessna rides now. When we were there it was offered on Mondays or Wednesdays, I think.

Yeah, pretty funny about Ronny huh?

LOVE the updates!!!

I really enjoyed seeing the pictures from the flight. I wish we could see the Harry Potter stuff! HA!

Can't wait for more!!!

I need to give you the info for my photobucket account for the MVMCP px. I actually have very few px from that................dh's camera doesn't capture moving objects very well, it's all a blur Did you get video of the private meet and greet too? I thought someone was video taping but we don't have it. Maybe I imagined it.

Thanx for keeping up with me girl










I just finished uploading px for the next installment but it's past my 'new' bedtime so I MUST resist the temptation to write it now. It's getting just crazy around here...........so much going on and so many things being planned at once - Liv's bday party with her friends (a 'spa' sleepover), Nick's first Communion, the Spring Disney trip, Easter, school vacation.................. so please bear with me. The end is truly in sight I think that will be cause for a party!!!!


.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Well, if you're gonna try and finish before your next trip....I would guess about one more month.

 

[noahsketomom]

Yes, so very sad to leave GKTW. GKTW is the one that offers the Cessna rides now. When we were there it was offered on Mondays or Wednesdays, I think.

.

Funny, I had just seen that on the GKTW site. Is it something that you book ahead of time or when you get there?

Can't wait to read more -- keep em coming, girl!!!

 

[kellyw8863]

I LOVE the updates! Your husband got some great pics from the airplane! I'm not sure I would have the guts to do that - I'm already stressed about flying on a BIG plane! I can't believe your week at GKTW has come to an end.

 

[pacrosby]

Part II: "What've We Missed?................Studio Studs and a 'Need for Speed'"





First Up - 'Studio Studs!'





With the car packed, we are sad but ready to go. But where do we go? We could go straight to our new hotel and check-in. Hmmmmmmmm. Nah. That'd be wasting precious time now wouldn't it? The better choice is most definately to just go straight to a park for some good old-fashioned fun to cheer us up. But which park? We haven't been to Epcot yet but................. Maybe a quick pit stop at Hollywood Studios on the way? OK..............plan in place. We're off. Toy Story Mania here we come

As we pull into the parking lot the clock reads 1:00. Our hope is to stay for just a couple of hours and then move on over to Epcot. We make our way through the turnstiles and stop to plan out our attack. After some discussion we decide to begin at the Animation Building to see if there are any characters there that we had missed yesterday. As we enter we find that indeed we are in luck It's Bob! Bob Parr! AKA Mr. Incredible! ahhhhhh..................what a stud

(oh, did I neglect to mention that Helen was there too? )




After our px and autographs with the Superhero himself (and his wife) we move on having already seen all the other characters that were present. What's next? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....silly question. And I bet you know too

After this trip now I really know what all the fuss is about! This game is truly addictive!! I'm thinking someone needs to come up with one of those plug and play versions so we can sit for hours like a bunch of couch potatos and play at home! Until then I guess Pac-Man will just have to do

Our craving satisfied we head off in search of more Studio Studs. Before long we come to a very familiar looking garage with a couple of handsome dudes. While the 'red fellow' may be a favorite of my boys, his 'friend' has Liv's (and my) heart. And he's Italian

Ok.............times marchin' on. Anyone else? Anyone we've missed? Ahhhhhh. Of course. How could we forget. We set out in search and luckily JUST make it under the wire before they return to..........................well, where ever they return to after they are done While the big blue guy may be cute and cuddly, the green one? Now that's what I call a body

While there are many attractions we have not enjoyed here at Hollywood Studios the day is starting to slip away and we still want to spend some time over at Epcot before heading to our new hotel. As we walk to the exit we pass a phone booth with....................hey isn't that Frosty?

and then in a window these sexy ladies all decked out in their holiday finery.................

As we return the stroller the boys pose for one final photo:

and we bid our goodbyes to the 'Studio'. See ya next year!






Next up: 'A Need For Speed'

 

[yinyanggirls]

Cute DHS pics! We call Phoebe "elasti-girl" because it always amazes us what she manages to reach that we don't want her to.

 

[kdzbear]

As usual I am behind in reading again. The flight over Orlando looked amazing. I bet that your husband and boys will remember that flight for forever. I loved the pictures of everyone hanging out at the villa. Great idea to check the animation building at the studios. My kids loved meeting the Incredibles too. It looks like you were able to fit a lot in in a short amount of time. The Toy Story Mania ride was Tyler's favorite ride of the whole trip. Thank you for the new updates!

 

[Momofwishkid]

Great pics from DHS! You guys met a lot of characters in a short time. Good job! Toy story Mania was a favorite of my boys too.

 

[pacrosby]

Well, if you're gonna try and finish before your next trip....I would guess about one more month.

And while I would like to think one month would be ample time................I've come to know better

Funny, I had just seen that on the GKTW site. Is it something that you book ahead of time or when you get there?

Can't wait to read more -- keep em coming, girl!!!

We arranged for the flight the day that we got there. I don't know how popular it's become, it's still pretty new. If you were really interested and worried about not getting a reservation you might consider calling them a couple of weeks out and asking them. Just a thought. I know my boys loved it and it was definately an experience they never would've had without this trip.

I LOVE the updates! Your husband got some great pics from the airplane! I'm not sure I would have the guts to do that - I'm already stressed about flying on a BIG plane! I can't believe your week at GKTW has come to an end.

I'm with you. I'm not thrilled with BIG planes never mind that little thing!

Cute DHS pics! We call Phoebe "elasti-girl" because it always amazes us what she manages to reach that we don't want her to.

Funny about Phoebe. I'm always telling my kids I'm NOT elasti-girl when they want me to get something that is clearly OUT of my reach

As usual I am behind in reading again. The flight over Orlando looked amazing. I bet that your husband and boys will remember that flight for forever. I loved the pictures of everyone hanging out at the villa. Great idea to check the animation building at the studios. My kids loved meeting the Incredibles too. It looks like you were able to fit a lot in in a short amount of time. The Toy Story Mania ride was Tyler's favorite ride of the whole trip. Thank you for the new updates!

Great pics from DHS! You guys met a lot of characters in a short time. Good job! Toy story Mania was a favorite of my boys too.

We all loved that Toy Story Mania!!! My Nicholas pointed out a Wii Toy Story Mania game to me in a Target catalog yesterday. Too bad we don't have Wii Gotta love all those crazy Pixar hunks

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Love the DHS pics!! Ohh that makes me want to go there now. I was going to pass on that one for Kennedy lol Ty loves CARS. His room is done in Cars and Tow Mater is his favorite. OY!

 

[pacrosby]

Love the DHS pics!! Ohh that makes me want to go there now. I was going to pass on that one for Kennedy lol Ty loves CARS. His room is done in Cars and Tow Mater is his favorite. OY!

OMG you're right.............that's NOT Luigi that's Mater!!!! What was I thinking. Silly me. Ok, so I guess Mater's not Italian then, huh? Oh well, he's still quite the stud

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

OMG you're right.............that's NOT Luigi that's Mater!!!! What was I thinking. Silly me. Ok, so I guess Mater's not Italian then, huh? Oh well, he's still quite the stud

I never even paid attention!!!

 

[pnutallergymom]

LOVE the Incredibles!!!! Such a good movie.

So, I keep waiting for more updates on the bird poop??? Whats up???

And your right....I shouldn't talk so fast about TR's getting done!! I probably won't even come back!!!

 

[pacrosby]

LOVE the Incredibles!!!! Such a good movie.

So, I keep waiting for more updates on the bird poop??? Whats up???

And your right....I shouldn't talk so fast about TR's getting done!! I probably won't even come back!!!

Gee, IDK......................you've all given me so much flack about abandoning the gingerbread boy when I introduced the bird poop! I figured I'd best move alittle further along on this before getting back to that. Don't want to get my behind kicked anymore!

But time is marching on isn't it? And I've only got alittle over a month before the 'bird poop' trip. Actually that's about as much time as I had to plan the Wish trip so I figure that puts me right on schedule

Today would be a perfect day to make some progress but I'm planning on being too busy recuperating from a neighborhood BUNCO party last night

 

[kellyw8863]

Gee, IDK......................you've all given me so much flack about abandoning the gingerbread boy when I introduced the bird poop! I figured I'd best move alittle further along on this before getting back to that. Don't want to get my behind kicked anymore!

But time is marching on isn't it? And I've only got alittle over a month before the 'bird poop' trip. Actually that's about as much time as I had to plan the Wish trip so I figure that puts me right on schedule

Today would be a perfect day to make some progress but I'm planning on being too busy recuperating from a neighborhood BUNCO party last night

You're killing me!

 

[pacrosby]

.



Part II: "What'd We Miss?.....................Studio Studs and a 'Need For Speed'"



Next up - 'A Need For Speed'







Time check as we pull into the Epcot parking lot reveals it to be about 4:00. Hmmmmmm. While dh and I would love to spend a good deal of time meandering around the World Showcase we know that our time here tonight is going to be quite limited. Keep in mind that we still need to check into our new digs and we're pretty sure that it's not going to be so cool to be dragging the chickens through the hotel lobby for a midnight check-in Ok, so it's looking like it'll just be an abbreviated tour of Future World. Sadly the World Showcase will have to wait for another trip.

First stop the obligatory photo op in front of the gargantuan golf ball:











here are the chickens:

and then some of these cute little friends (and don't you just know that I would've loved to smuggle one of these cuties onto the airplane to take home to MY garden!):

Photo op complete it is now time for some fun!!!!!!!!!

First on the agenda? How about a little 'Soarin'? And thanx to our magic button, before we know it, we find ourselves strapped in and flying over the ocean, above the mountains and amongst the orange groves. Of course the feet dangling from those folks up above may dampen the sense of reality just a wee bit but.....................still........................it proves to be quite the flight. And yup, no one is exaggerating. You truly can smell the sweet scent of those oranges!


Here's Olivia strapped in and ready to roll..................

Next stop, a visit to our favorite little clown fish and his friends. Nemo, Dory, Gill, Bruce.....................just gotta love that group! So 'The Seas With Nemo and Friends' it is:

Of course we can't help but make a stop for a quick photo shoot before we make our way inside the pavillion (please excuse the grainy quality of the photos - I guess NOW we know not to use the still option on the video cam when the lighting is poor LOL):

Did you get a load of Matty's imitation of Nemo







Inside the Seas Pavillion we realize that we are going to need to prioritize. After some discussion the plan is made. A quick spin on Nemo's Clamshell ride (uneventful but cute nonetheless) leads us to an interactive talk show with a sea turtle (otherwise known as Turtle Talk with Crush) and finally to the cutest of play areas for a little silly fun (apologies again for the lousy quality, it's quite dark in there):

Time for a time check once again. It's 6:00. Six stomachs are rumbling and it's no wonder. We haven't eaten since we left GKTW at noon! A quick review of the choices and the Electric Umbrella wins the vote. Off we go in that direction. Of course we wouldn't be Crosby's if we didn't take a detour so a quick spin on The Land boat ride is squeezed in along the way. Truth be told I was sure the kids would be bored to death but there was literally not a soul in line. Seemed silly to pass that up. "How bad could it be?" I thought. And, you know, it was not bad at all! The kids ended up really enjoying it. In fact my Olivia has already informed me that we must take Nani (my mother) on it when we go next month. Go figure huh?

Now of course we'll get that bite to eat right? Ummmmmm. Well, not so fast. Did someone say that Test Track is in this general vicinity? You know. Test Track. Race Cars. Speed. Because for my boys Race Cars + Speed = Big Fun!!!!! And dh, Olivia and I? We're definately on board. The Crosby's are feelin' a 'need for speed'!




Here comes our car:

and here we are:

Can you say "woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"








to be cont'd

 

[pacrosby]

.


Now THAT'S what I call a rush!


Although we are tempted to just get right back in line for another 'thrill of all thrills' we manage to resist and instead give in to our rumbling stomachs. A quick counter service meal at the Electric Umbrella fills the bill. Here's a couple of quick shots of my Lulu waiting (not so) patiently for her brothers to finish up:

And as soon as our plates are empty, we are off again. Where we goin'? This time it's off to find Mission Space.

Now I had heard alot about this Mission Space. All the warnings about the intensity of the ride. The choice to be part of the 'Green Team' vs the 'Orange Team'. They really have you second guessing yourself. Of course the warnings about the potential for motion sickness are enough to make dh give it the big 'ol thumbs down (he HATES any ride that involves spinning ). And as Matty and Bren sidle up to the magic measuring stick we find that they are just a tad too short. Oh well. So that's that for them. But what about Liv and Nick? And ME? After some discussion we opt for the less intense version (aka the 'Green Team') and before we know it are boarding our shuttle for an adventure through outer space to Mars.

So what'd we think? How'd we do? Well, let's just say we should have joined the 'Orange Team' After all that hype. I'm just gonna shake my head and say "talk about anti-climatic!"

Walking towards the exit my little boys find themselves quite the slice of heaven. Video game heaven that is!!! Otherwise known as Expedition Mars - a silly joy-stick video game where you try and steer your astronaut (outfitted with an ultra-cool jet-pack) around Mars in search of...........................well, I'm not exactly sure what they are in search of OMG This game ends up being hilarious..................especially when one can't play very well (think 4 year old Brennan) and your astronaut keeps tripping all over himself. Let's just say we end up watching Brennan play and play and play and we are all, all six of us, in utter hysterics

Back outside we find that it has gotten very dark. Time check? Just after 7:00. We know that we really need to wrap things up here. But there is sooooo much we've missed. Do we try to fit in something new? Do we stick with something we know will deliver? It doesn't take us long to decide. And no one is arguing.

It's back to Test Track

Two more times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






As we make our way to the exit we grab Mr. Photopass man for one more shot:

and drag ourselves to the van. Everyone is very tired as we head back to the hotel. Keep in mind dh, Nick and Matty were up at 6:30 am this morning for the Cessna ride. The kids promptly fall asleep in the car on the way to the hotel. It's just before 10 pm as we pull into the parking lot. Not too too bad.

Port Orleans French Quarter. Our new home away from home.






Next Up: Dragons and Dinos in Downtown Disney

 

[noahsketomom]

Pamela,
I just LOVE the pic of Olivia --- gorgeous! Sometimes it's the candid shots that end up being favorites!

Loving the TR as always --- looking forward to hearing about DD!