"Nothing's sweeter than summertime and a Disney vacation!" -A 2010 TR- *UPDATE* 10/17

[mermaid764]

Another great update!

I'm with you on the flights of wonder show, i'm not a bird person either so it would definitely not be on my to do list.

Your dinner at WS looks really good and I love the pics of your sis eating the churro...too funny.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your night at the MK

 

[celeste.]

Another great update!

I'm with you on the flights of wonder show, i'm not a bird person either so it would definitely not be on my to do list.

Your dinner at WS looks really good and I love the pics of your sis eating the churro...too funny.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your night at the MK

Thank you! !
WS is a great place to eat...and take pictures of people eating.

 

[celeste.]

Day 3: A night at MK
I really thought I had more pictures from tonight, but I don't so this will be a short update.
I left off with the monorail arriving to take us to Magic Kingdom, but what DSis & I were going to do is not get off at the stop, but stay on so we could be on the monorail when it arrived at Epcot so we could see the the inside of Epcot from the monorail. I knew I wanted to do this at some point this trip, but DSis suggested that we do it tonight.
Here are some pictures from the monorail:
Entering MK

Now we're back in Epcot. I love seeing Epcot from high up in the monorail.
Mission Space:

The Land:

Now we were back on track to MK. We got off at the Transportation & Ticket Center and went up the ramp to the MK monorails. DSis was getting a little impatient. She wasn't a huge fan of this monorail excursion. But every time she complained I just kept reminding her that it was her idea to do this tonight!
The monorail came quickly and we soon arrived at MK:

Our view soon after entering:

A balloon vendor:

And of course every time I enter Magic Kingdom, I have to take this picture:

Our plan was to go over to Frontierland to get fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain, you can never ride this too many times!
On the way I stopped to take a picture of the castle from another angle:

Frontierland was quite crowded tonight.

Then we got over to splash mountain and saw loads of people staring at it. And then we found out why, it was stuck! That was probably why Frontierland was so crowded, everyone had to get off the line. A car was actually stuck right on top of the hill. This was probably a little scary.

So we went over and got Big Thunder Mountain fastpasses & then we decided to use a snack credit and get a snack. We saw an ice cream cart:

I was deciding between the pineapple bar and the frozen banana, but I decided on the frozen banana, I took this picture, but not a picture of the actual banana.

We stopped and ate them on the bridge where you can see some of splash mountain, not the big drop, but some of the outdoor stuff after the drop.
Then we decided we should ride something while we wait for our fastpass return times.
We went over to Tomorrowland and decided to ride the Indy Speedway.
The wait was 30 minutes, but we had to wait for our fastpasses anyway.

I love riding Indy Speedway at night because it's not so hot like it is during the day and it looks pretty cool all lit up.
A picture of the line:

I love this next picture, because the car that's a blur makes it look like these cars go really fast & anyone who has ever ridden this ride knows that isn't true, they go really slow.

DSis & I each got separate cars because we both wanted to drive. I'm glad I was behind DSis because I hate being behind a person who stops every 2 seconds, it really makes the ride not enjoyable.
After we got off of our race cars we went back over to Frontierland to ride Big Thunder Mountain. With fast passes there was hardly any wait! So we got on and we asked for the back of the train, which really goes much faster. There is huge difference between the front and the back.
After we got off of BTMRR, we decided to go back to CBR & because we time things so well the light parade was just ending so hordes of people were trying to either leave or find a place for the fireworks. But the bus was there waiting for us & we got a seat.
We were back at CBR quickly and were ready to go to sleep because we were going to Hollywood Studios in the morning!

Coming Up: Disney's Hollywood Studios!

 

[mermaid764]

Awesome update!

I never thought of riding the monorail just to see Epcot from it, but that's an awesome idea and you got some great pics.

That's nice that you and your sis were able to have some time just the two of you at MK, and I can't wait to hear about your day at DHS

 

[Adgie128]

Sounds like a very fun day.

Good choice on the frozen banana. It's one of my favorite Disney snacks.

 

[celeste.]

Awesome update!

I never thought of riding the monorail just to see Epcot from it, but that's an awesome idea and you got some great pics.

That's nice that you and your sis were able to have some time just the two of you at MK, and I can't wait to hear about your day at DHS

It was really cool to be 'inside' the park from the monorail.

Sounds like a very fun day.

Good choice on the frozen banana. It's one of my favorite Disney snacks.

mmmm, the frozen banana was delicious!!

 

[jerseygirl81]

I'm enjoying reading your TR! I love your pictures, CBR looks so tropical I hope to stay there on our next trip. I've never seen pics at EP from the monorail they came out good. Linda

 

[Abibaby]

I am LOVING your trip report. We will be first timers in august 2011 and your pictures and commentary have added a few 'must sees' to our disney plans!

 

[mandas08]

What time did you get fast passes for Big Mountain? I was under the impression that most fast passes are normally gone by noon.

 

[celeste.]

I'm enjoying reading your TR! I love your pictures, CBR looks so tropical I hope to stay there on our next trip. I've never seen pics at EP from the monorail they came out good. Linda

Thanks, I really recommend staying at CBR. It's a great resort.

I am LOVING your trip report. We will be first timers in august 2011 and your pictures and commentary have added a few 'must sees' to our disney plans!

Thanks you! Have fun next year.

What time did you get fast passes for Big Mountain? I was under the impression that most fast passes are normally gone by noon.

The fastpasses are usually still available all throughout the day, we got them around 6:30-7:00-ish and the return time was 8:30. They were probably all gone by around 7:30 that night. Big Thunder Mountain is pretty easy to get fastpasses for. However, if you're interested in riding Space Mountain, those fastpasses go rather quickly.

 

[celeste.]

Day 4: Disney's Hollywood Studios
Today was our Hollywood Studios Day & it was regular opening, 9 AM. So we wanted to arrive at around 8 AM so we could be one of the first in the park and to get Toy Story Mania fastapsses!
We woke up early and got breakfast at Old Port Royale. I think I got a muffin on this day, but I'm not sure.
So after we ate we went back to the room and waited until the buses started running & then went down to the bus stop. We got a bus pretty early, I think like ten to 8. CBR is like two minutes away from DHS so we were at the park by 8, like we wanted to be.
When we got there, there were practically no one there.

& we were the first at our turnstile!!

An empty park:

We were waiting almost an hour, but it didn't really seem too bad, the America Idol people came out and started having people audition at about half past 8.
Pretty soon it was 8:50 so we could get to the rope inside the park.
We were right against the rope. We actually got to see the rope drop at rope drop!

The hat:

The crowd was quite large behind us:

Then the little show started. We were 'cast as extras' in the directors new movie. Our line was 'Hollywood here we come!'. We had to say it like 10,005 times. Doesn't he know that everyone just wants to get in the park and ride TSM?
SO finally they were done 'filming' and we were in the park!
The plan of action was for DParents to get fastpasses for all four of us and then they would ride standby once & for DSis & I to get on standby right away and then get off and get back on the standby line. So DParents would ride once and DSis & I would ride twice. We would use the fastpasses later.
DSis and I didn't want to run so we just walked at a regular pace over to TSM. We saw the cast members up ahead that we had to follow. Then one of them says that anybody who is getting fastpasses go to the right and everyone who is going to ride stay to the left. So everyone went to get fastpasses and when DSis & I get to the standby line, this is what we saw:

We were the THIRD PEOPLE on the toy story mania line, but we were on the FIRST ride of the day because the cars hold four people!!! I was super excited.
I love Toy Story Mania. it is definitely one of my favorite rides.
Okay a new rule for this trip report, nobody is allowed to make fun of my TSM scores. Let's just say I don't have the highest score of the month.
The scores for the first time around, mine's on the right:

But look at that accuracy!
We went outside 7 I took some pictures:

An army man!

So we got on the line for a second time. This time there was an actual line so I took lots of pictures of the waiting queue. here are a few of them:
The line looks long, but it was moving.

And now everyone's favorite (or mine anyway), Woody!

Soon we were on the ride again. I really tried to improve my score this time, but no luck. But hey, my accuracy went up!

Then we met up with my parents at the Beauty and the Beast show. We were going to see my two favorite movies in attraction in a row. Toy Story & Beauty and the Beast!

DParents at the show:

We were pretty early for the show so DMom went over to Tower of Terror to get DSis fastpasses for after the show.

Continued in the next post

 

[celeste.]

Me with the stage in the background:

I took this of DSis & I:

The the show started! This is such a great show. So of course I took a ton of pictures!
here are a bunch, sorry if I bore you with them:

This one here's my favorite one!

The last picture:

After the show DSis used her two TOT fastpasses. Me, DMom, & DDad went in some of the shops while we waited for her to come back.
When she came back, we were getting pretty hungry since we ate breakfast early so we decided to head over and get some lunch!
On our way we saw a Jedi training in the distance:

We ate at:

We looked at the menu and then DSis & I went to go get a seat, not that it was crowded or anything.
We say right near the railing upstairs so you could see the people ordering.
DParents:

I got the cheese pizza, a garden salad with Italian dressing. & a Mickey rice crispy treat for dessert.

It's really cool in there, I felt like I was Andy in Toy Story!

The food was really good there, we all really enjoyed it!!
Then we decided to head over and go to the 12:00 America Idol show.

I was very surprised at how much this looks like the real American Idol studio!

The three performers were all pretty good. The first woman sang 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot', she was okay, but not great. The next guy, I forget what he sang, but he thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. He was pretty young, 16 I think. Then the last girl sang 'Part of Your World'. She was really good, I liked her a lot. I wound up voting for her, but it turned out the second guy won.
I enjoyed this show much more than I thought I would, it was really good!

Coming Up: The rest of Hollywood Studios

 

[MLinDisney]

I can't believe how empty the park was when you arrived! I'm sorry I missed HS when I was down there. Definitely going next time! The Beauty and the Beast Show looks like a Broadway stage! I think I need one of those Mickey rice crispy treats!
I'm loving this TR!!

 

[celeste.]

I can't believe how empty the park was when you arrived! I'm sorry I missed HS when I was down there. Definitely going next time! The Beauty and the Beast Show looks like a Broadway stage! I think I need one of those Mickey rice crispy treats!
I'm loving this TR!!

Thank You!
it was nice getting there so early!
The rice crispy treat was yummy.

 

[Queenofallthings]

We really enjoyed AI too! The person we saw earlier in the day ended up winning the whole day....it was sure nice to see that!

Love TSM, we already have our plan for FP's when we go, then we'll double back and do ToT and RnRC first!

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite show at the park...I could go every trip, my daughter is of a different opinion though...she would rather ride the two big rides over and over than see my show

Another great update!!

 

[mandas08]

Wow you guys have accomplised alot and your day isnt even over

 

[celeste.]

We really enjoyed AI too! The person we saw earlier in the day ended up winning the whole day....it was sure nice to see that!

Love TSM, we already have our plan for FP's when we go, then we'll double back and do ToT and RnRC first!

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite show at the park...I could go every trip, my daughter is of a different opinion though...she would rather ride the two big rides over and over than see my show

Another great update!!

Thanks!
I love the Beauty and the Beast show also, I'm not much of a big ride person (like TOT & RnRC) so I don't have to worry about going on those. I'd rather see the shows at DHS.

Wow you guys have accomplised alot and your day isnt even over

When you get there early you get things done quickly, it's really nice.

 

[nessz79]

I'm in! Whew! I read through your whole trip report and am enjoying it- can't wait for more .

 

[celeste.]

I'm in! Whew! I read through your whole trip report and am enjoying it- can't wait for more .

Thanks!
& I see that you're staying at CBR soon, have fun!

 

[celeste.]

Hey everyone, before I go on with the rest of our Disney adventures I'd like to share some pictures for anyone who is interested, so this is an Off Topic update.
This past Friday (8/27), DSis & I went to a Good Morning America taping to see Lady Antebellum be a part of their summer concert series! It was lots of fun & cool to see how different it seems on TV.
We took a 5:16 AM train into New York City on Friday. We got to Central Park shortly after they opened, around 6:05 AM. There were people there, but it wasn't nearly as crowded as I though it would be! That was good for us at least. We got a good spot, close to the stage.

I don't know what caused DSis to make this face.

Pretty soon people started making lots of racket, we looked and saw that Sam Champion, the guy that does the weather, was in the tent close to us.

Now there were some hardcore Sam Champion fans there. He started to come out and stood right behind DSis & I to do the weather. Of course this made a bunch of people go near him, including people in front of us moving back to see him. So, DSis & I moved up and got even closer! There were only two people in front of us and then there was the barrier separating us from the VIPs.
I don;t know if anyone here watches the show Raising Sextuplets on WE tv, the show with the Masches, but if you do, don't you think this guy bears a slight resemblance to Bryan Masche?

well if you don't watch it, here's the actual Bryan:

Anyway, shortly after this, crew members and part of their band came out & started to set up some instruments and stuff. And someone came out and explained that soon Lady Antebellum would be coming out for sound check!
They came out at around quarter to seven for sound check. This was pretty cool getting to see them run through their songs.

Hillary drinking some tea:

I think Hillary's face is funny in this picture; I don't think she was liking whatever Dave had to say:

I took a video of them during sound check, if you'd like to see: (just click on it and it will play in a new window)

Then they went backstage and a guy came out to entertain us until they started filming. He was going around and reading people's signs that they had. And these people had cowboy hats with a picture of Lady Antebellum on it & he took and wore it for the whole time he was up there. Some of the stuff he said was pretty funny.
Then soon Lady Antebellum came out again to the stage and practiced singing one of their songs acapella. After that they just hung out on the stage until it was time to film.

They were BBQing something in the distance for a different segment on the show & I think Charles was checking it out:

They talked to the audience a little bit. There was a group of girls towards the front who loved the drummer so Charles was telling the drummer about this and asking him if he liked long walks on the beach & interviewing him. Then Charles saw that somebody made an 'I love Charles Kelley' sign and he asked them of they made a sign for the drummer and when they said no he asked the drummer if he was jealous because he had a sign and he didn't.
So soon they started filming and they started singing.

After two songs, they were interviewed by some of the Good Morning America hosts.

Then they were going to film a song that wasn't going to be on TV, but on the website.

After that song it was over and everyone left. DSis & I went to a little place and got some breakfast, it was around 9:15 AM now.
So hopefully I didn't bore you too much with my excessive pictures. An actual WDW update will be coming soon!