Not my first trip, but my first trip report

[Bonniec]

Thanks Grumpy! Your name makes me laugh lol


Downtown Disney was fun. Ian and the twins split off and spent more money than I would have liked...including my $125 gift card Mason spent a bunch at the lego store and then we stopped by a little dance party they were having outside. I took a video...

Mason Dancing
You'll notice the first part is him dancing on benches way in the back. Poor kid is so shy I had to slowly coax him to the stage. He had a fun time though.

This brings back memories of when I was younger

I swear one day I will ride this!!!

The next day we would be heading back after out ADR dinner at 50's PTC. We ended up eating elsewhere but I'll explain that next...

 

[Moodyzblu]

Mason looks like he's having SO much fun !!!

We love the atmosphere of DTD !

 

[Bonniec]

So we spent the night frantically packing everything up. Our plan was to check out super early and then head to DHS so Mason would FINALLY get to fight Darth Vader.

Ian and Mason had a little fight on our way out...

BTW, Bonnet Creek's check out system kind of sucks. You are supposed to just call the front desk and drop off your keys in the drop box. I sat on hold for over 20 minutes. We were going to be late and I did not have time to go to tower 6 to check out. I finally got ticked, hung up the phone, and dropped the keys in the box and we just left. I guess they figured it out lol.

So we got to DHS and immeditaely ran to get Mason registered for the Jedi fight. The woman gave us a return time...more on this in a minute...

I sent Sam off to get Fast Passes for Toy Story. Instead of a rope drop, DHS was staggering people in early at 8:30. It was very nice and not too crowded this way. I hope they continue this method! We decided we were hungry for breakfast. We walked the whole friggin park just about and couldn't find anywhere that was open. So we stopped at Hollywood and Vine. They had openings so we figured we'd try it. I knew from the boards it was some form of character meal but that was it.

Now we don't really watch the Disney channel so we didn't know who these characters were. But if your kids like these characters, this is THEE place to go! It was a breakfast buffet very similar to Chef Mickeys. The food was good. But the place was DEAD. There were not many families in there at all. Some girl came out about every 15-20 minutes with the characters and they started dancing. By far, this would have been the best character meal we had eaten at...if we knew who they were

For example, wth IS this thing? Some kind of Orzo bear or something? Sara and Sam said it looked like some sort of drug trip, lol. Mason ignored it. But all the other kittle kids were freaking out over this thing. The bear came to the table next to us and kept bumping into me, so I kept poking him in his green butt. This totally embarrassed Sara and Sam which I was happy to do! Mom's revenge...

Again, Sara had no idea who this was, lol.

Now Handy Manny we knew! AND, he came up and yanked Mason out of his chair and made him dance. I loved that he did this. Mason is so shy and this really brought him out of his shell. I practically cried over this.

Then he grabbed Sara and Sam too which I also loved.

Next we headed to Toy Story Mania and the Green Army Men were out! These guys look so cool!

Sara and Sam being their usual self, lol

We had time to kill so we did some things we've never done before. We saw the Little Mermaid and Mason sulked in the line about it being a "girl show". But he was totally entranced and loved it...we all did.

We also saw Indiana Jones which I thought was super cool. I can't believe I hadn't seen this show before.

Then it was time to head over for the Jedi training...

 

[Bonniec]

The woman had given us a return time to come back for the Jedi training. Ian and I both heard her tell us the same time. But she told us the time of the show, NOT the return time. Ian did not bother to look at the piece of paper and stuffed it back into his pocket. This is where I turn into crazy-mom-with-a-spoiled-child mode.

We got there too late. Mason didn't yell or throw a temper tantrum, just welled up with huge alligator tears when they told him no. I felt horrible for him. He had waited all year for this, we weren't planning to renew our passes which were almost out and I knew this was likely it. Then I lost it started crying to and had to walk away to not look like some crazy mom.

Yes the woman told us the wrong time but it was Ian's fault for not checking the paper. I was ticked and trying so hard not to freak out. A manager CM came over. This poor guy was so nice and trying to make Mason happy. They could not get him into any shows. He offered to let him ride Star Tours immediately and give him a fast pass to Toy Story. We had already done these things so this didn't help me much but I knew they were doing all they can, PLUS this was really our own fault. They didn't have to do anything...this is why I love Disney. Mason seemed passified by it so I put on a brave face for him. I think I was more broken hearted than he was! lol

Dustin (the manager) took Mason by the hand and walked him right up and put him on the Star Tours ride, and then just gave Mason a light saber. How cool is that? It was really sweet of them to do this when ultimately this was our own fault.

Ian of course felt horrible and was ticked at himself for doing something so stupid. So after Star Tours, mom and dad guilt set in and we bought a buttload of Star Wars merchandise, lol. I bought him a Jedi Robe and Darth Maul mask (he likes the bad guys). And then Ian also bought him a double ended light saber. So now we have 3 freaking light sabers at home.

We promised to bring Mason back once more and then as you know, Ian got the job over there. So we plan to renew our passes after all. I'll just make sure to hold onto that ticket next time or we're going to go broke out of guilt!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Oh no ... I'm so sorry that happened. ( I can totally see me doing something like this). But that must have been heartbreaking.

It was nice of the CM to try to make it up to him though.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

AAAWWW - I'm so sorry that happened to Mason.

I know what you mean about feeling worse than the kids do sometimes....

Hopefully the next time will be the BEST!

 

[Bonniec]

So for dinner, we were supposed to eat at 50's PTC. Ian and Sam took one look at the menu and wrinkled their nose.
Seriously?! I had gone over and asked for opinions on our ADRs a million times. I had told them a million times what 50's PTC offered for food. So after yelling at them for tuning me out, we cancelled our ADR and decided to try Sci-Fi.

I was pretty ticked because I don't like cancelling an ADR at the last minute. Why don't boys listen?? If it were a busy season, I think I would have made them eat there anyway. I actually want to try 50's PTC so I think I will take Sara back at some point.

But the Sci-Fi dinner was AWESOME! I highly recommend this place. I worried the monsters on the screen would scare Mason, but it wasn't scary at all. I'd even take a 2 year old in there.

The shakes were just average. I probably wouldn't order one again or recommend them. I didn't finish mine but Ian and the kids liked them. I also got an old fashioned vanilla coke and that was very good. We all ordered the mushroom, bacon cheeseburger. These were huge and very good. It's not the best burger I've ever had but it was yummy and the place is just very cool.

Normally walk ins get a table but since it was slow, we lucked out and got a car. So if you eat here, be sure to get an ADR.

It's hard to take pictures because the place is very dark. I did take a video with my cell phone so you all could see the place and that actually came out pretty good. This is a pretty good representation of the light in the place (which is all indoors)

Video of Sci-Fi

After this we sadly headed home. I snapped a pic of Mason in all of his "guilt gear"

I was so sad to be back at work and then the first day back I found out about the job offer. So now I am so psyched to be living there!

Anyway, thanks all for following along on my TR. We had such a blast!

 

[Bonniec]

AAAWWW - I'm so sorry that happened to Mason.

I know what you mean about feeling worse than the kids do sometimes....

Hopefully the next time will be the BEST!

Yeah. He really got over it pretty fast. We just felt so awful knowing it was our fault. Disney is so magical about things like this. It's not up to anyone else to make my kid happy but they do it, ya know? I'll be writing in to thank Dustin.

Plus, it's better this happened to us than someone living out of state.

Oh no ... I'm so sorry that happened. ( I can totally see me doing something like this). But that must have been heartbreaking.

It was nice of the CM to try to make it up to him though.

It really was. I am embarrassed for crying about it, lol. Drama-queen mommy!

In the year we have had our passes, we've had many wonderful things happen from CMs. Once Mason freaked out in the POTC line, and as we left a CM "pirate" stopped us. He spent at least 15 minutes talking to Mason about how pirates are cool and not scary, then walked him up to the ride and put him right on it (Mason loves pirates now because of that). He also dropped a half eaten Mickey ice cream bar once. We were cleaning him up and calming him down, when a CM from out of no where just showed up and gave him a new one. Again, it was our fault for letting him walk around with it. And it was half eaten so I never would have dreamed to ask for a new one. But the CM refused any money, just gave it to him and left. Disney really rocks sometimes.
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[blessedby3]

I have enjoyed your trip report! Thanks for sharing. Glad you are getting to move closer to the Mouse!! Good luck to you

 

[dara00]

It was Thurs the 26th. That's what they did for them too. According to Ian, he said the ride stopped because 2 people jumoed out of the boat to take pictures. So of course they stopped the ride and couldn't get it started again. Ask your in laws if they made that announcement.

hmm, I think they were there that Monday! twice in one week with a 45 minute break down? not so cool!

 

[dara00]

oops I got behind on your report and now it's over! I'm so happy for you that you're moving close by the parks though!

the characters you met at Hollywood and Vine were Special Agent Oso (the bear) and someone from the Little Einsteins (the girl).

 

[Bonniec]

LOL Sorry, I sort of sped it up to get it done. Got packing to do!

Thanks for clearing it up on tha bear. He sure was odd looking. Then again, not as bad as a teletubby

 

[mike the canuck]

Looks like a super fun trip! I also have had green gel in my hair from the Barber shop as well as "pixie dust." I have never had so many people comment on my hair in my life. lol.

Your bday decorations and sweets looked freakin' awesome! Well done!

 

[southbound]

Thanks for sharing your trip, Bonnie. I had fun reading it, and tagging along with you on your Disney adventure. Congrats to your husband... I can only imagine living there and being able to go any day I wanted to. My daughter would be in heaven so close to all those princesses.

You guys looked like you had an awesome trip. I wasn't aware of Whispering Canyon Cafe, so thanks to you, I now have another place to check out. I think it would be funny to ask my husband to grab our server for some ketchup.

I felt for your son when he missed out on his Jedi training. I can only imagine how bad you felt... it was heartbreaking. At least you'll be able to make it up to him really quick when you move. And you did a great job of trying to make him feel better with all the gear.

BTW... your trick with Tinker Bell was really cute, and I think I might have to try something out for my daughter. Thanks again for sharing your trip.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Thanks Grumpy! Your name makes me laugh lol


He's not really Grumpy we just tease him because he's not as "in to Disney" as the kids and I would like.

Our last trip we stayed at the WBC in a four bedroom Presidential Suite. We were with my sister's family and they are a member. The next trip I will definitely try to stay there on my own. Awesome place! Looking at your pictures brings back such great memories.

So sorry Mason didn't get to do the Jedi training. I so would have done what you did and buy him everything I could to make up for it.

Thank you for posting the Barber Shop pictures. I sort of forgot all about that. Just might have to give that a try.

 

[Stacy_C]

Glad you had a great trip! Thanks for the review and pictures.

Oh, and the characters in your pictures are Oso from Special Agent Oso and June from Little Einsteins!

 

[Megsie1000]

I would have cried over the Jedi Training thing, too. So sorry that happened!

I have enjoyed reading your trip report, especially the parts about Bonnet Creek since we are thinking about staying there when we go in June! Glad you guys all had so much fun. The pictures are great.

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Sounds like you guys had a really great trip; thanks for sharing about it!

I especially loved the part about your son's birthday surprise...very cool and creative!

 

[Bonniec]

Thanks everyone!

Oh, and the characters in your pictures are Oso from Special Agent Oso and June from Little Einsteins!

Thanks for clearing that up! lol That bear sure seemed to be popular.

 

[BecksHH]

Subbing!