"Mom, My Wish Came True!" Our best-trip-ever-week-before-Thanksgiving '09 TR!

[ShannonMB]

Yeah i definatly dont blame him!! It can be very nerve racking!!! I still cant believe you had a short wait time on Toy Story!! Wish i was that lucky in May!!

I have to believe that wait time for TSMM is very rare! We were SO lucky this whole trip with wait times -- there were none!

 

[ShannonMB]

Hollywood Studios -- Day 3!!! Mon, 11/16

I've been slacking so much on getting these updates done!! Sorry for anyone who's been waiting (Mom!!).

Okay, so when we left off, we had just finished our thrill rides and it was time to head over to 50s Prime Time Cafe for our 1:30ish lunch!

We checked in and waited just a couple minutes in the living room for our name to be called.

We were seated way in a back room, no TV at our table or anything, but we were in view of 2.

Elbows off the table, Billy!!!

Our waitress called herself 'Mom', and the first thing she did was make the guys take their hats off in the house. haha! She took our orders and gave us 'homework' -- ours was to come up with 17 Disney movies with just one word in the title. We did pretty well, came up with about 12 on our own, the table next door helped us with a couple more, and she ended up telling us the rest at the end of the meal. Kinda a fun way to wait for your food!

Now I can't imagine WHAT I was thinking, but I didn't take any pics of our food here. BOOOOO! I'm so disappointed in myself, because this was one of our best meals! Anyway, I'll tell you about it.

Lily and I had been anxious to try the peanut butter and jelly milkshake, so Lily ordered that -- but come to find out, kids can't order milkshakes as their drink. Now who more than a kid would want a milkshake as their drink??? They should at least offer little mini ones for the kids. Grrr. Anyway, I let Lily order it on my behalf, and I got a vanilla coke. There was more than plenty of the milkshake for us to share! Andy got a chocolate milkshake, and I think everyone else got flavored cokes or diet. The PB&J milkshake was delish, it mostly tasted like peanut butter with ice cream, which I love!

For our meals, they did have a fried chicken option for the kids that I don't think is on the menu, so Lily got that. Uncle Billy and I also got the fried chicken, Andy got the chicken pot pie, my mom got the pot roast, and Janie got the vegetarian stuffed pepper.

I tried Andy's pot pie, and it was beyond delicious. Mom and Janie enjoyed their entrees, too, but the main attraction was most definitely the fried chicken. Billy and I were ooohh'ing and aahhh'ing the whole time, just like Bob eating at Dr. Marvin's in "What About Bob", if anyone's seen that movie. (MMM, is this corn hand-shucked? I LOVE that movie). I mean it was just the juiciest, most tender, delicious crust fried chicken I've pretty much ever had. I am a true pot pie lover, but I don't know if I'd ever be able to go there again and NOT get that fried chicken.

The dessert doesn't stick out in my mind much -- I know I ordered the s'mores and Lily got the ice cream sundae. I ordered the s'mores for Lily, but she didn't even take one bite. I think we were all too full from our lunch to truly appreciate the dessert. I was sad that no one ordered the apple crisp with ice cream that Mom told us about. I woulda liked to have tried that!

So after lunch, we just mosey'd around for a moment trying to figure out what to do next.

One of the couple things Andy had requested for HS day was to see Narnia (he's a fan of the movies), so we figured we'd head back over in that direction. Before we really got started over there, we realized that it was time for the Block Party Bash to start, so Janie, Billy, and Andy found a bench in the shade while Lily, Mom, and I found a spot close to the hat to give the parade a try.

Now I know some people really enjoy this parade, but I am not one of them. I really don't enjoy this trend of the parades stopping to do a show. I much prefer a traditional "parade", where they "parade" past you. I felt like I stood there in the sun FOREVER watching people in weird costumes jump around on a trampoline. It just wasn't for me. Mom seemed to enjoy the music, and Lily was just so-so with the whole thing. We definitely won't bother to seek this one out on our next trip. Oh well, glad we saw it once.

After Block Party Bash, we headed over to Narnia. After standing in the hot sun for so long for that dang 'parade', I wanted nothing more than a shady spot and one of these...

A delicious frozen raspberry lemonade. I had so many frozen lemonades of one kind or another on this trip. Man, this one hit the spot!! I found a nice shady little place to sit, and Lil and I shared our lemonade while Janie, Andy, and Mom went in to check out Narnia. While we were waiting, Lil and Bill decided to head in to One Man's Dream and check that out. I was perfectly content to sit there and wait for everyone!

When the Narnia people came out, they all said it was a major snore-fest and was not worth the time. But we were glad Andy got to see it, because he would have always wondered if he missed something very cool!

It was almost show-time for the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, so Andy and Janie went on ahead to see that while Mom and I waited for Lily and Billy to get out of One Man's Dream (the rest of us had already seen Indy and didn't really care if we saw it again -- all except Mom, who hadn't seen it before and STILL didn't care if she saw it).

Lil and Bill enjoyed One Man's Dream much more than the others liked Narnia! When they were done, I felt very refreshed from my rest and lemonade! We decided to head around the back way, as we were to meet Janie and Andy over at Star Tours.

Mom under the ton of bricks...

Lily finishing up the raspberry lemonade.

When Andy and Janie finished up with Indy (they enjoyed it!), we met up at Star Tours. I snapped this quick pic on the way in...

We walked right on to our ride (again)! Lily loves this ride, because it's a thrill for her, but not TOO scary. Personally, it makes me a little , but not to the point where I won't ride. I enjoy watching Lil on the "thrilling" stuff she'll go on. We all did this one.

 

[mcdowelj]

You do such a great job of capturing the true feeling of the trip! I just love re-living it on here!! I loved when Mom told the boys to take off their hats! They were trying so hard not to get in touble but got busted out for the hats.... And when Andy spilled his milkshake, Lily told on him for making a mess and Mom ended up not liking tattle-tales very well! That was such a fun time!

I don't get why Disney spent all that money on the Narnia thing. It's obvious they spent some money on the whole set up there but it's really just a big commercial for the movie. Nothing cool at all! That's what all the reviews on the DIS said but I just had to do it for Andy!!

 

[buzz for boys]

fantastic update !!!
We have never been to the 50s prime time cafe but think after youre review we will have to give it a go - sounds like a lot of fun !!

Cant wait to read more x
Louise x

 

[ShannonMB]

50s Prime Time Cafe -- a couple things I forgot!!!!

I was watching Rosemary's Baby this morning while I was doing my update, and I must have been paying too much attention to the movie (LOVE that movie), because I forgot to say a few things about the restaurant...

First, I did write down the name of our server -- she was awesome!!! It was Sue, from Birmingham, AL.

Another thing was what Janie was talking about with Andy spilling the milkshake. He spilled some of his milkshake and he was trying really hard to get it cleaned up before "Mom" came back. He did a pretty good job, but Lily told on him for spilling. She said, "No tattle tales! I have a saying, you're only allowed to tattle if you're perfect!" We all cracked up, but I think Lily wasn't too happy that the tables got turned on HER! She wanted Andy to get in trouble!!

I got a laugh out of the nicknames she gave everyone. When she was taking our orders, she asked Andy, "What'll ya have, Skippy?" Then Billy was "Sparky", and when she got to my mom, she said, "Okay Prissy, what'll it be?" When she left, my mom said, "I wonder how she knows I'm prissy?" I was like, "Well, probably because you're the only one at the park today wearing a blouse and beads!" Here's the pic of her again...

The last thing I wanted to mention about the restaurant was just how much Billy loved it. I'm quite sure it was his favorite meal of the trip! He was sitting there eating, saying, "I can't believe I'm sitting here watching "The Real McCoys eating the best fried chicken since Mom's". High praise, since my Gramma Opal (Mom to Billy, Carol, and Janie) was pretty much the best cook of hillbilly food that ever lived!!! Gramma Opal passed away several years ago, but she's ALWAYS with us in spirit.

 

[ShannonMB]

You do such a great job of capturing the true feeling of the trip! I just love re-living it on here!! I loved when Mom told the boys to take off their hats! They were trying so hard not to get in touble but got busted out for the hats.... And when Andy spilled his milkshake, Lily told on him for making a mess and Mom ended up not liking tattle-tales very well! That was such a fun time!

I don't get why Disney spent all that money on the Narnia thing. It's obvious they spent some money on the whole set up there but it's really just a big commercial for the movie. Nothing cool at all! That's what all the reviews on the DIS said but I just had to do it for Andy!!

Glad you're enjoying! I still have a long way to go, lots more to remember!!!

fantastic update !!!
We have never been to the 50s prime time cafe but think after youre review we will have to give it a go - sounds like a lot of fun !!

Cant wait to read more x
Louise x

Oh, yes, Louise!! I can safely say that 50's PTC is a must-do for us at HS now. I think if you give it a try you won't be disappointed! Thanks for staying tuned!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Just joining in on your TR. LOVE it!

We have stayed at both POFQ and POR and we really like POFQ the best. I loved seeing your pictures of the resort. Brought back wonderful memories. We were there when it was decorated at Christmastime too.

Cute engagement surprise. What a way for them to start off their trip!

I'm really enjoying your pictures too.

Finally, someone else that loves Living with the Land as much as I do! My family rolls their eyes when I even make the suggestion of riding.

I'm now drooling over the picture of school bread. I want some now. Too bad I have to wait until September 2010!

Can't wait to read more

 

[nania]

I wish you could get that pic I took on here of "mom" talking to the boys and they looking so intently up at her.. and for dessert, I had the boston cream pie cupcake... and I"ve been thinking about it off and on since the trip... It was soooo good... cupcake with the boston creme on the top and then covered with with chocolate triangles... by far... the best cupcake I've ever had in my life....and I regretted not getting the chicken after I heard all the oohhing and aahhing... but never even took a bite because my pot roast was soooo good...

 

[Jaci]

Great report so far and can't wait to read more.

 

[buzz for boys]

Dont want to be a pain just felt the need to tell you im bursting to read the next installment - anyone would think you were busy getting ready for christmas
Seriously cant wait to read more !!
Louisex

 

[ShannonMB]

Just joining in on your TR. LOVE it!

We have stayed at both POFQ and POR and we really like POFQ the best. I loved seeing your pictures of the resort. Brought back wonderful memories. We were there when it was decorated at Christmastime too.

Cute engagement surprise. What a way for them to start off their trip!

I'm really enjoying your pictures too.

Finally, someone else that loves Living with the Land as much as I do! My family rolls their eyes when I even make the suggestion of riding.

I'm now drooling over the picture of school bread. I want some now. Too bad I have to wait until September 2010!

Can't wait to read more

YES! I LOVE Living with the Land. On our first trip, my BIL, who's a farmer, suggested we ride it, and everyone (me included) was like, uh, okay, I guess. LOVED it! It's seriously one of my must-see's now. Luckily for me, everyone likes it, and Lily definitely does. Can't believe I waited till my 3rd trip to try schoolbread. That'll probably be a must-do from now on, too. LOVE that cream in the middle!

I wish you could get that pic I took on here of "mom" talking to the boys and they looking so intently up at her.. and for dessert, I had the boston cream pie cupcake... and I"ve been thinking about it off and on since the trip... It was soooo good... cupcake with the boston creme on the top and then covered with with chocolate triangles... by far... the best cupcake I've ever had in my life....and I regretted not getting the chicken after I heard all the oohhing and aahhing... but never even took a bite because my pot roast was soooo good...

Email it to me and I'll figure out how to get it on here. I gotta work on getting the UP character pics on here, too. And yes, how could I forget how much you loved that cupcake? I shoulda had a bite -- THEN I would have remembered!

Great report so far and can't wait to read more.

Thanks so much, I'm glad you joined us and are enjoying. I'm going to do another installment today.

Dont want to be a pain just felt the need to tell you im bursting to read the next installment - anyone would think you were busy getting ready for christmas
Seriously cant wait to read more !!
Louisex

Awww, how sweet of you, rushing me for the next installment. I'm so glad you are enjoying our trip!!!! Stay tuned, I'm going to get an update going!

Thanks to everyone who's still reading!!!

 

[ShannonMB]

Hollywood Studios -- DAY 3...continued Mon, 11/16

Okay, when last we left off, we had just ridden Star Tours, and I was a tad nauseated. But all good. DH Darren had requested before we left that I find a Goofy Vader for his brother like the one he had gotten on our first trip to give to him for Christmas, so I snagged that at the Star Tours gift shop.

When we got out of there, Mom and Janie said the "fast walkers" were going to run ahead and get our jackets out of the lockers. Sounded good to me, since I'm one of the "slow walkers". Andy is the other "slow walker". Lily ran ahead with Jan and Mom, being a fast walker (or runner!) that she is, and Billy kept pace with Andy and me, though he could easily be considered a fast walker if need be. So the fast walkers booked it to the front, and the slow walkers leisurely walked around echo lake waiting for our jackets to be delivered to us. We were making our way toward Sunset Boulevard and the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater for FANTASMIC!!!! WooHOOO!

Now with the LOW wait times we'd been experiencing since we got off the plane in Orlando, I really wasn't sure how much time to give ourselves to get great seats for F! In Feb, Lily and I got our choice of seats by waiting about 90 minutes, but that was a very crowded President's Week, so I knew that wouldn't be necessary. Just to be on the safe side, though, I was thinking an hour before show time. We made it to the entrance of the amphitheater at 5:38pm for the 6:30pm show, so I figured we were good. There was also to be a second show at 8pm which was added a couple weeks before we arrived. Were they thinking it was going to be busy this week??

We sat in the Scar section, which is just to the right of the center-stage Mickey section, but it still felt like center. Here's our view of the stage...

And here's what the rest of the seating areas looked like at about 45 min to show time...

Oooohh, starting to get dark!!!

Refreshments...

Mandatory light-up toy!!!

Billy is THRILLED with the light-up (c'mon B, let me get a pic of you with the light-up )

Janie and Andy anxiously awaiting the show!

And just before show-time, all these seats on the left were still open, along with quite a few on the right in the dining package section as well (sorry blurry).

I usually just stow away the camera during the show, because I hate to be distracted with taking pics of it (plus my night pics don't always turn out so well). I did snap a couple toward the end...

OMG, I LOVE FANTASMIC SOOOO MUCH!!! I really think I like it even better than Wishes. Probably because I am a huge villians fan, I love all the scary parts of Disney movies where you're sorta thinking, "Isn't this a little too scary for kids?" Lily LOVES F!, too. I think when she was 6 she was a little creeped out by it, but now she is right there with me, screaming "MICKEY!!!!!" at the end when he takes back his dream. Uncle Billy said he got a kick out of how Lily and I were screaming for Mickey at the end like we were at a rock concert. I will never go to WDW and not see F! if it is showing while we are there, I don't care how long I have to wait! AWESOME!!!!

So after we filed out of the amphitheater, Andy and I checked the wait time for Tower of Terror (why not, it's RIGHT THERE). 10 minutes posted, which was about right. We walked right in to the pre-show, then waited about 10 in the boiler room. More hilarious laughter from Andy! That ride is even better at night!!!!

 

[buzz for boys]

Oh Thank you my nagging paid off !!
I love fantasmic we never got to see it in march as the whole time we were there it wasnt showing !!
Top of our things to do for next year though x

 

[ShannonMB]

Hollywood Studios -- Day 3, continued. Mon, 11/16

After the quickie on ToT, we were on a mission to see the Osborne Lights. I was so excited when I found out before our trip (from the DIS, of course) that they were starting before Thanksgiving this year and that we'd get a chance to see them!!!

It was around 7:45pm, and the park closed at 8pm, and since Mom loves Disney 3D, I thought we MIGHT be able to see the Muppets if we headed over there. We took the back way, past Pixar Place and the backlot, so we got to the Osborne lights before the Muppets. Obviously in the midst of the lights, the Muppets went on the back burner!

I love this picture of Andy, looking around in wonder...

The Osborne Lights was really a pretty amazing experience. First let me say that even though the previous 2 nights had been chilly and we were prepared this night with our jackets, we did not need them. It was a very warm evening, and by the time we got over to the lights, I had broken a sweat. So a hot Florida evening is not really what I think of as "Christmassy". But as soon as we turned the corner onto the Streets of America and saw the lights, I SWEAR the temp dropped 15 degrees (I am actually still secretly wondering if they pipe in cool air!). And of course it was snowing! It took about 30 seconds flat for me to go from hot Florida theme park to magical snowy Christmas world!!!

Some of us heard an announcement that the lights would start dancing in just a few minutes, so we decided to not worry about the Muppets so we could watch the lights dance. We sat on a curb for a little while and just soaked it in. Very enjoyable.

I guess Mom wasn't in on the "waiting to watch the lights dance" conversation, because she came over and said, "I thought we were going to try to see the Muppets?" I broke it to her that she probably wasn't going to see them this trip (it was well after closing by now), but that we'd walk over that way.

Indeed the Muppets was closed when we got over there, but I did get a couple cute pics of Lily by the fountain!

Then on the way back out of the park, I took a this, Lily on the Ewok's riding machine..

..and a couple pics of the hat on the way out.

I think I tried a couple of pics of the Christmas tree out front, but they didn't turn out, and since I'm a slow walker, I was already way behind on the trek to the bus stop.

Let me take this chance now to give another plug to POFQ. The bus stop locations are so much more civilized than those for the value resorts. Yes, I am pooh-sized and out of shape, but I hate trudging to the furthest possible place for a bus to come at the end of a long day at the parks!!! POFQ bus stop is by no means at the front of the line, but did seem MUCH closer to me than ASMovies' stop! Woohoo!!! Worth the extra cost -- right there!

There was a bus there when we arrived at the stop, but it filled up and we opted to wait for the next and get seats instead of standing. The next bus came around shortly and wasn't full, so we could all enjoy a seat at the end of a long day!!

When we got back to POFQ, Lily wanted another one of those turkey subs, so we shared one. Then Janie got Lily a bag of her favorite snack on the planet -- a bag of Lays Sour Cream and Onion chips. She allocated me a couple of them, then hid the bag so I wouldn't eat any more of them (brat!). Not sure what everyone else ate, but I think we all had snacks/food of some sort, then crashed!!! We had a very early morning at the Magic Kingdom the next day, and at some point that evening I said a line that Lily got a kick out of -- "I hope you all enjoyed your last loosy-goosy day, because from now on it is PLANNED OUT!!!"

Will everyone enjoy my touring plan for MK, or will we have a revolt? You'll have to stay tuned to find out!!!

 

[ShannonMB]

I wish you could get that pic I took on here of "mom" talking to the boys and they looking so intently up at her..

Here you go...

And here are the pics Mom took of Lily with the UP characters. I think in my report I said Lily met Carl and Dug, but now I'm thinking that Carl was the little boy (who wasn't there), and the old guy is Mr. Fredrickson -- is that right?

 

[ShannonMB]

Oh Thank you my nagging paid off !!
I love fantasmic we never got to see it in march as the whole time we were there it wasnt showing !!
Top of our things to do for next year though x

Definitely!

I was glad to read on Cam's blog today that his blood work came back negative for leukemia (thank God). I hope he gets back to feeling better from his virus soon, and that you all have a peaceful, magical Christmas together.

 

[PrincessPeanut]

Found your TR this morning, and am all caught up! Love it so far, and can't wait for more.

 

[cbg1027]

I'm glad you haven't done that many updates because I had less to catch up now! I just got back and you are right - POFQ is amazing.
It really beats the values. I'm in trouble now!

 

[buzz for boys]

Definitely!

I was glad to read on Cam's blog today that his blood work came back negative for leukemia (thank God). I hope he gets back to feeling better from his virus soon, and that you all have a peaceful, magical Christmas together.

Yeah definatly a hold youre breath few days !!!
CAmeron is much better now Santa bought him a good dose of miracle recovery!!!
Thanks for reading my blog and thanks for the updates im all caught up with youre trippie now and as always cant wait for the next installment x x

 

[praisehisname]

Mom and Janie enjoyed their entrees, too, but the main attraction was most definitely the fried chicken.

I am sooo hungry now!

OMG, I LOVE FANTASMIC SOOOO MUCH!!!

This trip was our first time to see Fantasmic and we loved it, too!

...Andy and I checked the wait time for Tower of Terror (why not, it's RIGHT THERE). 10 minutes posted, which was about right. We walked right in to the pre-show, then waited about 10 in the boiler room. More hilarious laughter from Andy! That ride is even better at night!!!!

Definitely better at night!