Whos who:
Me: (Steve), 37
DW: (Louise), 37
DS: (Jeremy), 5
DS: (Simon), 3
DD: (Ellie), 5 months
Pup-pup and Doggie: Simons 2 stuffed dogs, each of which spent the entire trip clutched under one of Simons arms.
Things were crazy this morning, as we tried to get 3 kids up and out of the house in time to make it to Disney-MGM Studios in time for park open. When the kids were getting dressed, I pulled another surprise from the suitcase. Unbeknownst to anyone, including Louise, I had purchased customized Toy Story T-shirts for the kids. Jeremy got a Buzz Lightyear shirt that said Jeremy on it; Simon had a Woody shirt that had his name on it; and I even got Ellie a onesie with Jessie and Bullseye on it, with Ellie printed on the bottom. The kids were in heaven and it really set an exciting tone for the whole day.
We got to the park just after 9am. The tram ride from the parking lot probably would have been enough fun for the boys. Again, just like in the airport, they screamed with glee WHEEEEEEE! IM THE CONDUCTOR!!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEE!! When we got to the gate, we were shocked at how empty and open the place seemed. Where was everyone?
In order to ease the boys into the overwhelming theme park experience, we decided (in advance) that it would be best to go see the Playhouse Disney show first. They watch Playhouse Disney, know the characters (especially Bear) and would be comfortable there. We were right. They LOVED it. Simon went into his shy mode, wouldnt clap or dance, but he was smiling! Even Ellie seemed to enjoy it. Fun show (waited in line all of 5 minutes).
After the show, I went to rent a double stroller for the boys while Louise put sunscreen all over the kids. The weather was great low to mid 80s, pure sunshine, no clouds. We reunited, bought autograph books for the boys and went straight to see the REAL reason we came to Disney World the Toy Story folks. We walked over to Als Toy Barn to see who was there. Jeremy and Simon loved it, their jaws dropped when they saw Woody and Jessie posing for pictures and signing autographs. And there was NO WAIT! We took pictures and got autographs. Even Ellie got into the act Jessie saw her own image on Ellies t-shirt and laughed while she held Ellie for a picture. It was great, except it was too bad that Buzz Lightyear wasnt there. Just then, as we were starting to walk away, Buzz emerged from the Toy Barn! The kids got to take their pictures again with all 3 characters, and got Buzzs autograph too. This was the first of many occasions on this trip that our timing turned out to be lucky or just plain perfect.
Everyone but Jeremy wanted to see the Muppet 3D show; he was a little afraid. So he and I waited and explored a little while the others saw it. Afterwards, we all had lunch at Pizza Planet (anything Toy Story ..), then I went to see Muppets 3D alone. No wait again! This place seemed empty! I met up with the family and we just decided to stroll around a bit. Without much planning, we saw Pluto, Miss Piggy, Mickey Mouse, and Green Army Men from Toy Story. All the characters were so great about posing for pictures and signing autographs. My kids were truly in heaven.
At this time, we decided to go to the MGM Backlot Tour. We really had no idea what was in store, but we figured that wed sit on a tram and take a leisurely, relaxing ride around part of the park. Well, we went in (no line, again!) and were shepherded into an area where there are a few shallow pools and some scaled-down mockups of military boats. Then the presentation begins, and it turns out its a recreation of the special effects from the Pearl Harbor movie. It was pretty cool, but extremely loud and very scary if youre a kid. Well, very scary if youre my 5 year old kid (who, as Ive mentioned, doesnt like loud noises to begin with). He cried and cried, turned around to look at the wall behind us, and was basically just beside himself with fear. Oddly enough, Simon and Ellie were just fine! We decided that we were not going to subject Jeremy to this, so Louise took him and Ellie out as the line moved forward. When we got on the tram, it was just me and Simon. Good thing too, as the make-believe tanker crash/fire/tidal wave effects would have been too much. Simon (and his dogs) loved it, of course.
After we met up with the rest of the family, we went to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, which was fun for the boys. Simon had a bit of a tough time climbing and sliding, however, while holding onto Pup-pup and Doggie. It was getting a little hot, so we decided to leave the playground and we took a break with some ice cream. Afterward, we split up again, with Louise taking Simon and Ellie to see the Beauty and the Beast show. Jeremy didnt want to see it, so I decided to stay with him and shop for souvenirs. What do you think he got? Yep, Toy Story stuff. He actually has always wanted a Jessie doll to complete his collection. And we got Simon a stuffed Rex dinosaur, and also some Toy Story drinking cups to give to cousins.
We all met up again at about 4:30pm under Mickeys sorcerers hat, and we went to stake out a spot for the afternoon Stars and Motor Cars parade. We got a great spot right on the corner near the front of the park, just at the end of the parade route. The boys were comfortable relaxing in the double stroller, and Ellie was comfortable in the baby bjorn. Louise and I sat on the curb. I struck up a conversation with a cast member who was positioned to keep the crowd within the proper places for the parade. Very nice and helpful young man and I enjoyed chatting with him. It was then that we experienced the ONLY rude thing during our entire visit. Two women just sat right in front of us (not even on the curb), totally blocking the view for the kids. They clearly knew just what they were doing because I had seen them wandering around scoping out their options. When they sat down in front of the kids, I was shocked. I told them that we had been sitting here for ½ hour and, anyway, they cant sit in the street like that, AND theyre totally blocking my kids view. They looked at me like I just killed their dog or something. They mumbled, complained, and when they looked around they saw the helpful cast member I had been talking to. He sort of shook his head as if to say to them, youll have to move on .. They did and he and I shared our disbelief.
Ultimately, the parade was worth it. It was the only time on the whole trip that I used the camcorder, and I recorded the entire thing. Weve watched it many times since, and my boys love it. We left the park at about 5:30pm and were home by 6.
At dinner, out of the blue and completely unprompted, Jeremy announces: I have something to say to Dad. Thank you for making the special Disney coloring books for Simon and me. (I had put these coloring books together for them from pages I printed from various websites). We just about melted. It was a special moment to wrap up a special day.
More to come .
Me: (Steve), 37
DW: (Louise), 37
DS: (Jeremy), 5
DS: (Simon), 3
DD: (Ellie), 5 months
Pup-pup and Doggie: Simons 2 stuffed dogs, each of which spent the entire trip clutched under one of Simons arms.
Things were crazy this morning, as we tried to get 3 kids up and out of the house in time to make it to Disney-MGM Studios in time for park open. When the kids were getting dressed, I pulled another surprise from the suitcase. Unbeknownst to anyone, including Louise, I had purchased customized Toy Story T-shirts for the kids. Jeremy got a Buzz Lightyear shirt that said Jeremy on it; Simon had a Woody shirt that had his name on it; and I even got Ellie a onesie with Jessie and Bullseye on it, with Ellie printed on the bottom. The kids were in heaven and it really set an exciting tone for the whole day.
We got to the park just after 9am. The tram ride from the parking lot probably would have been enough fun for the boys. Again, just like in the airport, they screamed with glee WHEEEEEEE! IM THE CONDUCTOR!!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEE!! When we got to the gate, we were shocked at how empty and open the place seemed. Where was everyone?
In order to ease the boys into the overwhelming theme park experience, we decided (in advance) that it would be best to go see the Playhouse Disney show first. They watch Playhouse Disney, know the characters (especially Bear) and would be comfortable there. We were right. They LOVED it. Simon went into his shy mode, wouldnt clap or dance, but he was smiling! Even Ellie seemed to enjoy it. Fun show (waited in line all of 5 minutes).
After the show, I went to rent a double stroller for the boys while Louise put sunscreen all over the kids. The weather was great low to mid 80s, pure sunshine, no clouds. We reunited, bought autograph books for the boys and went straight to see the REAL reason we came to Disney World the Toy Story folks. We walked over to Als Toy Barn to see who was there. Jeremy and Simon loved it, their jaws dropped when they saw Woody and Jessie posing for pictures and signing autographs. And there was NO WAIT! We took pictures and got autographs. Even Ellie got into the act Jessie saw her own image on Ellies t-shirt and laughed while she held Ellie for a picture. It was great, except it was too bad that Buzz Lightyear wasnt there. Just then, as we were starting to walk away, Buzz emerged from the Toy Barn! The kids got to take their pictures again with all 3 characters, and got Buzzs autograph too. This was the first of many occasions on this trip that our timing turned out to be lucky or just plain perfect.
Everyone but Jeremy wanted to see the Muppet 3D show; he was a little afraid. So he and I waited and explored a little while the others saw it. Afterwards, we all had lunch at Pizza Planet (anything Toy Story ..), then I went to see Muppets 3D alone. No wait again! This place seemed empty! I met up with the family and we just decided to stroll around a bit. Without much planning, we saw Pluto, Miss Piggy, Mickey Mouse, and Green Army Men from Toy Story. All the characters were so great about posing for pictures and signing autographs. My kids were truly in heaven.
At this time, we decided to go to the MGM Backlot Tour. We really had no idea what was in store, but we figured that wed sit on a tram and take a leisurely, relaxing ride around part of the park. Well, we went in (no line, again!) and were shepherded into an area where there are a few shallow pools and some scaled-down mockups of military boats. Then the presentation begins, and it turns out its a recreation of the special effects from the Pearl Harbor movie. It was pretty cool, but extremely loud and very scary if youre a kid. Well, very scary if youre my 5 year old kid (who, as Ive mentioned, doesnt like loud noises to begin with). He cried and cried, turned around to look at the wall behind us, and was basically just beside himself with fear. Oddly enough, Simon and Ellie were just fine! We decided that we were not going to subject Jeremy to this, so Louise took him and Ellie out as the line moved forward. When we got on the tram, it was just me and Simon. Good thing too, as the make-believe tanker crash/fire/tidal wave effects would have been too much. Simon (and his dogs) loved it, of course.
After we met up with the rest of the family, we went to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, which was fun for the boys. Simon had a bit of a tough time climbing and sliding, however, while holding onto Pup-pup and Doggie. It was getting a little hot, so we decided to leave the playground and we took a break with some ice cream. Afterward, we split up again, with Louise taking Simon and Ellie to see the Beauty and the Beast show. Jeremy didnt want to see it, so I decided to stay with him and shop for souvenirs. What do you think he got? Yep, Toy Story stuff. He actually has always wanted a Jessie doll to complete his collection. And we got Simon a stuffed Rex dinosaur, and also some Toy Story drinking cups to give to cousins.
We all met up again at about 4:30pm under Mickeys sorcerers hat, and we went to stake out a spot for the afternoon Stars and Motor Cars parade. We got a great spot right on the corner near the front of the park, just at the end of the parade route. The boys were comfortable relaxing in the double stroller, and Ellie was comfortable in the baby bjorn. Louise and I sat on the curb. I struck up a conversation with a cast member who was positioned to keep the crowd within the proper places for the parade. Very nice and helpful young man and I enjoyed chatting with him. It was then that we experienced the ONLY rude thing during our entire visit. Two women just sat right in front of us (not even on the curb), totally blocking the view for the kids. They clearly knew just what they were doing because I had seen them wandering around scoping out their options. When they sat down in front of the kids, I was shocked. I told them that we had been sitting here for ½ hour and, anyway, they cant sit in the street like that, AND theyre totally blocking my kids view. They looked at me like I just killed their dog or something. They mumbled, complained, and when they looked around they saw the helpful cast member I had been talking to. He sort of shook his head as if to say to them, youll have to move on .. They did and he and I shared our disbelief.
Ultimately, the parade was worth it. It was the only time on the whole trip that I used the camcorder, and I recorded the entire thing. Weve watched it many times since, and my boys love it. We left the park at about 5:30pm and were home by 6.
At dinner, out of the blue and completely unprompted, Jeremy announces: I have something to say to Dad. Thank you for making the special Disney coloring books for Simon and me. (I had put these coloring books together for them from pages I printed from various websites). We just about melted. It was a special moment to wrap up a special day.
More to come .
