Pixie Dust, Princess Magic and Christmas Cheer TR--Princess & Sparkly lizzard seats..

[MagicMomentsMom]

We've been in the "World" exactly one week and we’re back in Hollywood today! it's a day of fun stuff and daddy getting smooches from a hollywood starlet!

We have an early ADR at Hollywood Play and Dine for breakfast. It’s cold and overcast again today--but we’re seated immediately upon check in at the restaurant. It’s a fun atmosphere and we had barely taken our seats when the characters started making their rounds.

There’s also a fun dance that the characters get up and do and GenevaClaire was so very lucky because June (from Little Einsteins) chose her as her Dancing partner

So we’ve danced, met all the playhouse characters of the morning, photographs, autographs, etc.

We think we just might make it out to rope drop inside the park and be one of the first to TSM. We finish up and wait for the bill, and we wait…UGH. Ok so we finally get everything taken care of and we walk out the door, look to our right and the masses of people are zooming by. arggggghhhhhh, so much for making the TSM line first thing in the morning. So we wait, we’re not about to put GenevaClaire in the middle of all that chaos, so we go visit “Gertie” the dino at the lake and just hang out for a minute. Once the crowd chaos passed us, we headed over to TSM just to see what the deal was with the FP line--OH MY WORD. The fast pass line was stretched from the machines to the courtyard entrance (before the Little Mermaid Ride) The standby line went the other extreme distance passing the monster coke bottles--TSM is killing me, seriously, why on earth is the line so monster long all the time?? Is it because that it is the only ride in DHS that is remotely kid friendly that’s not a show?? That has to be it, I mean I love toy story but not enough to risk life and limb (or hours and hours of waiting for it) So we’ll just bypass TSM all together, seriously, this trip will not include a ride on TSM. (no one is totally heartbroken about this)

Then we head up sunset blvd, just wandering having a good time -- Our first stop is RNR--now this entire trip Ben would not do rider switch pass because he didn’t want to do anything that GenevaClaire couldn’t do--admirable, yes. BUT I WANTED TO RIDE RNR. Period.

That’s exactly what I did, when we got there it was a short wait so I told the CM we were going to do Rider switch (wasn’t sure if I could convince him or not) and off I went thru the que. I LOOOOOOOOOVED it, seriously FUN stuff! Since I was a single rider they gave me the front seat--but I was a total chicken and switched with a couple next to me so that they could have the front seat. Once off the ride I head out to find them and convince Ben that he has to ride it, so off he goes.


About that time, GenevaClaire is having a temper tantrum because she can’t ride. Once again we trot over to the measuring sticks and I attempt to explain why--thank goodness for the CM that came to my rescue. He gave GenevaClaire a magical fast pass for RNR, basically it says that “I’m not tall enough, but when I am I can bring my whole family back to ride with this fast pass” so she’s now smiling again and asking how she can grow that tall to ride next trip, lol. So we have the fruits and veggies talk--then we wander over to the kiddy area right at the exit of RNR. Kids can decorate a “CD” with Mickey mouse/fab5 music stickers--this was definitely a great idea from Disney folks, for the little kiddo’s who can’t ride RNR yet.

so we head back up to the main hub, but before we get there we see a cool street show, and GenevaClaire wants to sit and watch. I’m sooooo glad she wanted to do this because once again, Ben was chosen out the crowd to participate. It was HILARIOUS!

The over the top female actress is Tululah Fruity --- I sooo wanted to use this photo as our christmas card this year, lol.

By the time we got to the hat, the HSM3 show was up in the center getting ready to perform--they did perform for a few minutes but due to some behind the scene/cast issue/technical snafu’s they stopped the show.

Then we stopped for a midmorning snack at SS Down The hatch--now that’s not the real name, but it’s in the boat at Echo lake--great Chocolate Milk shakes and super large so there is enough to share! Plus we were having a great time taking in all the topiary’s and people watching. Mostly killing time waiting on Beauty and the Beast to have it’s first show of the day. It was really nice to take this approach to touring for us, no stress, no commando approach, even though we did follow a touring plan, it was relaxed and no one felt like we were going crazy to get from point to point.

We did backtrack but it wasn’t a big deal, not too far to walk back down the street to watch Beauty and the Beast--we sat pretty far in the back (by choice) and I really wish we had chosen to go further down the rows for a better seat or that I’d brought my zoom lens--our photos aren’t that great. But the show was one of our favorites--I’m so sappy, It actually made me cry a bit.

After the show we need to head over to the side of the park so that we can be near Lights Motors Action show--this was one attraction that I wanted to make sure that Ben saw during our trip. He is a 2 wheel junkie and I knew that he would love the show. We had just enough time to eat dinner at Pizza Planet, it was one of GenevaClaire’s favorite places to eat. But when it came time to actually eat, she wouldn’t, she was in a full blown temper tantrum (minus the screaming/crying) She wanted to do her thing and not go to Daddy’s show. She’s normally not a selfish child but wowsa she was really pushing it today--we almost left the park. GenevaClaire realized that she was not going to get her way, instead she was going straight back to POP for the rest of the day, she decided it wasn’t such a bad idea to join in the fun with Daddy’s show.

The LMA show was fantastic--Ben really did enjoy it (so did GenevaClaire, lol) It was a great venue for live action photos--

After that we headed back to Muppets 3D (again) lol. GenevaClaire loves this 3D show--then when we left we headed over to the Muppet store and she got the cool movie clapper from DHS. Then it was off to Indiana Jones Show-another cool show but it wasn’t one of my favorites. I’m just not an Indy fan. ( I hadn’t even planned on us going to this attraction but GenevaClaire wanted to see it ) plus we were killing time till the next American Idol show (we tried to go to an earlier show but it was cancelled due to some technical issue) So we headed over to the American Idol Experience--it was a really cool show--it was another one of those attractions that I hadn’t even put on the “plan” for us to visit, but GenevaClaire really surprised me with her desire to go to the shows.

At this point it’s time to call it a day and head back to POP. It’s been a fun day in Hollywood. Tomorrow is an EARLY and busy day planned at Magic kingdom-- a visit to BBB,a very special dress and breakfast at the castle…..

 

[pipersmom]

Not sure how I missed seeing you had updated when we first got back, but here I am! So cool that GenevaClaire got to open FOTLK and get special seats, etc..what great pixie dust! I love the pics of her with the characters as well! Bummed that you guys didn't get to do TSM, but it looks and sounds like you had a great day without it! We're totally going to be in search of one of those clappers for Miss Piper. I'm a huge Muppet fan, so we'll be in that area at least once, if not more. I'm in a toss-up over the coasters..Piper is tall enough, but I'm not sure how adventurous she's going to choose to be. Will have to wait and see! Looking forward to the next update..can't wait to see the BBB pictures!

 

[Charlefours]

I am not sure how I missed that you did updates? Who knows? I have read it tonight and am caught up.

EP: I love that GenevaClaire wore her Princess shirt to the Princess Breakfast. What great pictures!! I not sure what I would rather have, no crowds but yucky weather or good weather with lots of people. How about the best of both!! I hope my DD likes TT. I am glad you liked CR--we are planning on eating there our trip. We liked it our first go around and DH's one dining pick he definitely wanted.

DHS: TOT, I did that once and no thank you not again! LOL I am glad you enjoyed it!! for Sorcerer Mickey! My DH's favorite character, which we did not get to meet! Hopefully this next go around. GenevaClaire looks cute in her sweatshirt!! The Little Einsteins--another great set of characters that my DD wants to meet!! :

What a nice trip--12 days!!

AK: TH, I have heard such good things about that place. We are hoping to get one on our trip in September. : Gorgeous shorts of the Tree of Life! Yay for GenevaClaire for getting to the star of FOTLK!! AK is so her park Gorgeous pictures--I love the sunset picture.

DHs: another great day! I agree with TSM, it must because it is still "new" and with the build up for Toy Story 3 people are going crazy over it!!

Looking forward to your next update!!

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

sorry so long since I posted--Once again GenevaClaire has been super sick and is sick now with double ear infection with two ruptured ear drums and apparently while she was at the ped's office this weekend she picked up norovirus, so she's dealing with that too....
plus I have to be honest and say that I'm dealing with some winter depression issues--usually it's not this bad,but this year has been horrible, so we're all hoping for some sunshine and warm days

our princess makeover day--it makes me happy just thinking about it...but it was also a great day for a lizzard who had the best sparkly seat for the parade EVER

Today is GenevaClaire’s Princess Day at Magic Kingdom--We’re headed to an 8 am appt at BBB--but we run into bus issues this morning--the line for MK is insane, the busses are super slow. We wait thru 2 busess before we can finally get on board. We’re late, we’re late. I’m soooo worried that they won’t hold GenevaClaire’s BBB appt. We end up being 15 minutes late for the appt but all is well and she begins her magical Princess transformation.

I had the dress sewn for her by a fabulous Etsy Artist, Tinkerella. GenevaClaire wanted to be Aurora, so I decided since this was a Christmas time trip she should be wearing Aurora’s winter dress and Tinkerella did an AMAZING job on it---we were stopped by quite a few people wondering where on earth did we buy the winter version of Aurora.

I have to say that BBB was crazy busy--you could barely move with all the people, photopass photographers, etc. But She was sooooo happy with her makeover and she had a fantastic Fairy Godmother!

We had time after her BBB appt to head back down main st for her pics

We also made use of the Candy Cane Garden and Santa’s area for pictures

It’s getting closer to our ADR time at CRT so we head back up Main st to the Castle

We’re still too early so we had time to meet the Fairy Godmother right beside the castle

Now it’s time to meet Cindy in her Castle--

Then Snow White

Jasmine

and up next GenevaClaire’s favorite Princess Aurora--she kept telling GenevaClaire that she loved her Winter dress, that she loved that dress too, it was one of her favorites. She kept paying special attention to GenevaClaire through out the breakfast and GenevaClaire was just glowing from the special attention from her favorite princess.

and then Belle

This is one of the best Character breakfast at WDW--It’s not overly full, its fantastic food (the cheese danish french toast, mmmmmm) and we absolutely loved it! The wishing stars and the magic wand was great--Princess Aurora stayed with GenevaClaire during the wishing ceremony and it was sooooo cute!

One of the sweetest and silliest things from her makeover today--she kept the beauty queen smile on her face all day, lol. The Fairy God Mother must have said something about smiling that I didn't hear because she kept this smile plastered on her face all day

After the breakfast--we skipped all the fantasy land rides, GenevaClaire wanted to visit Ariel in her Grotto. She had already ridden all of the major fantasy land rides during MVMCP. Plus she was hot--the sun was shining and the Winter dress was way too hot for her. (Believe me no one is complaining, we're soooo ready for the sun today) So we got her changed into shorts and tshirt and headed over to Ariels Grotto (with everyone else in WDW, lol, the line was loooooooong)by the time we got to ariel--GenevaClaire was having some sensory issues--- but we did get this pic

Now the next few steps will have seasoned Dis’ers cringing at the crazy pattern we take for touring--we are doing exactly what GenevaClaire wants to do today, so she chooses Country Bear Jamboree. So off we go..
Then Lunch at Columbia harbor house--Then we head to Jungle Cruise--the line was a little longer than I would have wanted us to stand in, but the ride was a hit with GenevaClaire--


Parade time is close--the streets are taped off, so we grab a spot in Frontier Land and sit down for a little while. We had a great spot in the shade and made a little lizzard friend, he chose to sit in GenevaClaire’s hair to watch the parade go by--he had the best sparkly seat in the house

We caught the train right beside Splash Mtn and headed to Toon Town--the Christmas decorations were great on Minnie and Mickeys house and I'm so glad we got to see it before it gets torn down Goofy's barnstormer was a big hit too with her, lol


We decided to take the path to Tomorrowland rather than riding the train again

Then we all rode the TomorrowLand Speedway--I remember riding this with my Dad back in the late 70’s. So GenevaClaire rode with Ben and I followed them, lol.

Up next--my child throws me for a loop and wants to do Stitchs Great Escape--I try my best to talk her out of it, I know it’s not a good little kid ride, but even after I tell her it can be scary she says I want to do it, so against my better judgement, we get in line. (who am I kidding there was no line for this horrible ride, ugh)
It wasn’t a good time--she was scared because she couldn’t sit in our laps and she hated it. ( so did I)

now it’s time for dinner--I had begun to think all we were doing was eating this trip--seriously with the Deluxe dining plan it felt like we ate a whole lot--but we stopped at Cosmic Rays to eat. The park was closing for the party, so we finished up eating and headed out of the park.

As we were going down main st the snow fall started--it’s such a pretty display, even though it was wall to wall people either exiting or entering the party.

A great end to a great day.

 

[Charlefours]

Awe, Veronica--I hope you are hanging in there. Spring is starting to appear here in my home state--I hope it is for you too.

There were that many people waiting for a bus to MK before 9:00 a.m. That pretty much guarantees we are going to drive the morning of our 8:00 BBB appointment since parking is free. That is one of the biggest concerns I have on my list--the early morning transportation since we have three early mornings on our schedule for September. That is a gorgeous dress! The pictures of her are just adorable too. : What a great day in MK--I know you were hopping around but it was so great that GenevaClair decided where you headed that day! It is cute to see what they pick out, despite our best intentions.

 

[MagicMomentsMom]

Awe, Veronica--I hope you are hanging in there. Spring is starting to appear here in my home state--I hope it is for you too.

There were that many people waiting for a bus to MK before 9:00 a.m. That pretty much guarantees we are going to drive the morning of our 8:00 BBB appointment since parking is free. That is one of the biggest concerns I have on my list--the early morning transportation since we have three early mornings on our schedule for September. That is a gorgeous dress! The pictures of her are just adorable too. : What a great day in MK--I know you were hopping around but it was so great that GenevaClair decided where you headed that day! It is cute to see what they pick out, despite our best intentions.

thanks--we're supposed to be in the 70's today I wouldn't worry too much about busses, that was the only morning we ever ran late and we had a bunch of 8-8:30 Character ressies, but if you're driving then that's a definite plus to get there. I looooooove her dress Once she stops playing around in it, it's getting packed up for my future grandkids