SWW 2013:One tiny goal: A picture with every character!-New 6/11 - Link to TR

[lsenquiz]

I had to smile when I read your concerns about your son at Prime Time. My DS12 is the same way. He is very sensitive about being scolded and hates to feel like he has disappointed someone or done the wrong thing.

This describes my little guy to a tee!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Love your Valentine's Day pics!! That looks like so much fun!!

I also love your 2nd DHS day plans! You have a great plan in place for getting all of those pics! I am anxious to hear what you think about the POTC attraction. We aren't doing DHS this time, so we won't get to see it!

 

[indimom]

The plans are coming right along!
And, you reminded me to add the Capt Jack show to our list of "Yes" attractions. It may not be great, but we've got to check it out just once.

I've been meaning to ask. Your title is a picture with every character. Are you combining trips to get to EVERY character? Because I'm realizing how hard that would be to manage in one trip otherwise! You've already got a LOT of characters and I can't imagine trying to see all of them again, plus those you missed! Makes me tired just thinking about it. lol.

It would be awesome to create an album of just the character greets after you've managed this extra-ordinary feat of greatness!
Of course, then you would have to come back and have them sign their photos.... ahhhh, looks like you're gonna need a few more trips. (As if you needed the motivation. lol.)

 

[lsenquiz]

I've been meaning to ask. Your title is a picture with every character. Are you combining trips to get to EVERY character? Because I'm realizing how hard that would be to manage in one trip otherwise! You've already got a LOT of characters and I can't imagine trying to see all of them again, plus those you missed! Makes me tired just thinking about it. lol.

I actually do have a life long goal of a picture with every character but for this thread my goal is really just a picture with every Star Wars Character. Even that will require 3 or maybe 4 DHS SWW days. Thanks goodness we will be there for 15 days and love DHS.

I do keep a running spreadsheet of all the characters we have a picture with and think by the time my September trip is complete I will have all the active characters. It's the retired ones that I will be working on for years. They do bring them back out for special occasions so I will continue to try to get them.

 

[lsenquiz]

Love your Valentine's Day pics!! That looks like so much fun!!

I also love your 2nd DHS day plans! You have a great plan in place for getting all of those pics! I am anxious to hear what you think about the POTC attraction. We aren't doing DHS this time, so we won't get to see it!

Thanks. We learned the hard way when we went to SWW in 2011 that you have to have a very solid plan if you want to get pictures with all the characters. The way they handle M&Gs for this event is crazy IMO and can be very frustrating since many characters share a single line and you never know who will be out when you get to the front. I can not tell you how many time we waited in line only to get to the front and have them switch out the character and bring out someone we had already seen I am hoping going into it this time knowing what to expect will keep the frustation to a minimum

 

[lsenquiz]

We made it to double digits and somehow I missed it


double digits celebration by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

So I will count this as my celebration for getting into the 90's.

 

[indimom]

We made it to double digits and someone I missed it


double digits

So I will count this as my celebration for getting into the 90's.

Yeah for double digits!!

 

[lsenquiz]

Day 9 – Tues June 1st​

Today is our first official EPCOT day. However because of where we are staying(Beach Club) we will have visited EPCOT for at least a few hours on several different days already during this trip.
We will arrive about 15 minutes before park opening at this gate:


epcot gateway by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

Along with everyone else our first stop will be here to get FPs:


soarin fp by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We will also go ahead and ride standby if the line is not too long.

With FPs in hand we will head here:


figment by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from WDW Park Hoppers

This is one of my favorites and the very first ride DS8 ever rode when he was a baby.

We will definitely spend some time in the imagination pavilion after riding Figment. My DS loves this area.

Then we will head over to get FPs for this:


Test-Track_FP Distro by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This has never been a favorite of mine but I feel like we need to try it again since the redo. We’ll see if it gets added to the must do list????

I am estimating that our FPs for Soarin will be open by now so we will head back over to ride my absolutely favorite ride of all time again:


epcot-soarin_edited by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

After Soarin it’s over to here:


the-seas-with-nemo by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We really enjoy this ride but our favorite is where we go when we finish this ride:


crush by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I really think this is an under-rated attraction and have talked to many people who did not realize it was even there. This is a must do – many times for us each trip. Last year we did it 6 times while we were there. Since this is the first of three EPCOT days for this trip we will only do this the one time today.

After we’ve gotten a good dose of the “Dude” we will spend some time exploring the Seas area. We really enjoy watching the dolphin, sea turtles, sharks and manatees.

We will hang out in the Seas until our FPs for TT open up and then head over to ride the recently renovated TT:


testtrack by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I debated for a while on whether we should use FP for this because I have heard from some that you miss a lot of the experience by going through the FP line. I am going to ask a CM about that before we get our FPs and if they say we miss the part where you build your own car then we will just do stand by for this ride on one of our other EPCOT days and skip it for this day. We will make it the first thing we do when the park opens on the next EPCOT day.

Next up is a delicious lunch at:


la cantina by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I love eating here because they have a nice big air conditioned restaurant that you can enjoy your lunch in. We can usually get a table right by the window with a beautiful view of the water.


La cantina seating by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This area is used as a table service restaurant in the evenings but is open for counter service seating during the day.

After lunch we will head over to here:


mission space by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

DS rode this for the first time last year. We rode the green side but I still had to bribe him to do it and he was very scared while we were waiting in line. That changed immediately once the ride started and this is now on his top 5 favorite list.

I am sure we will spend some time here after the ride:


Mission-SPACE-Advanced-Training-Lab by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

Then we will head here:


spaceship_earth_at_night by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This is not a favorite of ours but is a tradition. My father is an electrician and worked at EPOCT when it was being built in 1981/1982. He helped run all the electricity to Space Ship earth so we always make a point to ride this one. DS calls it the Earth that Papaw built

After our traditional Space Ship Earth ride we will spend a good amount of time in the innovations buildings. My DS loves this area and it feels like a break to me when we spend time in here:


innovations by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We will make our way over to World Show Case via Mexico and take a very leisurely walk through the countries as we make our way to the international gateway. Once there, we will head back to Beach Club for some down time.

DH will watch some TV, DS will spend time on the computer and I will probably sit on the balcony and catch up on the DIS.

DH, DS and I all have special plans for this evening. DS will spend the evening here:


Sandcastle-Club sign by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet


sandcastle club1 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet

Believe it or not this will be the highlight of DS’s entire vacation. He loves this kids club and has been going at least once a trip for the last couple of years. Last year he begged and pleaded so we let him go twice. We will drop him off between 4:30 -5pm and then DH and I will head here for dinner:


captains grill by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet


captains grill 2 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet

It is pretty rare for DH and I to have a dinner alone so we are really looking forward to it. After dinner, we will head back into EPCOT to spend some time in the World Showcase doing all the things we would like to do there that we know DS would get bored with.

We will pick DS up at the kids club a little before 9pm so we can make our way to the beach in time to watch the high fireworks from Illuminations.

Up next, our 3rd SWW day!!

 

[indimom]

Day 9 – Tues June 1st​

Today is our first official EPCOT day. However because of where we are staying(Beach Club) we will have visited EPCOT for at least a few hours on several different days already during this trip.
We will arrive about 15 minutes before park opening at this gate:


epcot gateway by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

Along with everyone else our first stop will be here to get FPs:


soarin fp by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We will also go ahead and ride standby if the line is not too long.

With FPs in hand we will head here:


figment by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from WDW Park Hoppers

This is one of my favorites and the very first ride DS8 ever rode when he was a baby.

We will definitely spend some time in the imagination pavilion after riding Figment. My DS loves this area.

Then we will head over to get FPs for this:


Test-Track_FP Distro by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This has never been a favorite of mine but I feel like we need to try it again since the redo. We’ll see if it gets added to the must do list????

I am estimating that our FPs for Soarin will be open by now so we will head back over to ride my absolutely favorite ride of all time again:


epcot-soarin_edited by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

After Soarin it’s over to here:


the-seas-with-nemo by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We really enjoy this ride but our favorite is where we go when we finish this ride:


crush by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I really think this is an under-rated attraction and have talked to many people who did not realize it was even there. This is a must do – many times for us each trip. Last year we did it 6 times while we were there. Since this is the first of three EPCOT days for this trip we will only do this the one time today.

After we’ve gotten a good dose of the “Dude” we will spend some time exploring the Seas area. We really enjoy watching the dolphin, sea turtles, sharks and manatees.

We will hang out in the Seas until our FPs for TT open up and then head over to ride the recently renovated TT:


testtrack by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I debated for a while on whether we should use FP for this because I have heard from some that you miss a lot of the experience by going through the FP line. I am going to ask a CM about that before we get our FPs and if they say we miss the part where you build your own car then we will just do stand by for this ride on one of our other EPCOT days and skip it for this day. We will make it the first thing we do when the park opens on the next EPCOT day.

Next up is a delicious lunch at:


la cantina by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I love eating here because they have a nice big air conditioned restaurant that you can enjoy your lunch in. We can usually get a table right by the window with a beautiful view of the water.


La cantina seating by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This area is used as a table service restaurant in the evenings but is open for counter service seating during the day.

After lunch we will head over to here:


mission space by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

DS rode this for the first time last year. We rode the green side but I still had to bribe him to do it and he was very scared while we were waiting in line. That changed immediately once the ride started and this is now on his top 5 favorite list.

I am sure we will spend some time here after the ride:


Mission-SPACE-Advanced-Training-Lab by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

Then we will head here:


spaceship_earth_at_night by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This is not a favorite of ours but is a tradition. My father is an electrician and worked at EPOCT when it was being built in 1981/1982. He helped run all the electricity to Space Ship earth so we always make a point to ride this one. DS calls it the Earth that Papaw built

After our traditional Space Ship Earth ride we will spend a good amount of time in the innovations buildings. My DS loves this area and it feels like a break to me when we spend time in here:


innovations by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

We will make our way over to World Show Case via Mexico and take a very leisurely walk through the countries as we make our way to the international gateway. Once there, we will head back to Beach Club for some down time.

DH will watch some TV, DS will spend time on the computer and I will probably sit on the balcony and catch up on the DIS.

DH, DS and I all have special plans for this evening. DS will spend the evening here:


Sandcastle-Club sign by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet


sandcastle club1 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet

Believe it or not this will be the highlight of DS’s entire vacation. He loves this kids club and has been going at least once a trip for the last couple of years. Last year he begged and pleaded so we let him go twice. We will drop him off between 4:30 -5pm and then DH and I will head here for dinner:


captains grill by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet


captains grill 2 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Borrowed from the internet

It is pretty rare for DH and I to have a dinner alone so we are really looking forward to it. After dinner, we will head back into EPCOT to spend some time in the World Showcase doing all the things we would like to do there that we know DS would get bored with.

We will pick DS up at the kids club a little before 9pm so we can make our way to the beach in time to watch the high fireworks from Illuminations.

Up next, our 3rd SWW day!!

That's awesome that your son loves the Kids' Clubs so much and you get to enjoy some one-on-one time with your husband. Sounds like a lovely evening.

I have to admit, I'm looking forward to "someday" doing Food and Wine with just DH. He would love trying all the food and just wandering around his favorite park without worrying about whether kids are getting bored, etc. We are going to have to do that someday. (Then he'll have to return the favor and do the Flower and Garden Festival for me! I think that looks gorgeous!!)

 

[lsenquiz]

I have to admit, I'm looking forward to "someday" doing Food and Wine with just DH. He would love trying all the food and just wandering around his favorite park without worrying about whether kids are getting bored, etc. We are going to have to do that someday. (Then he'll have to return the favor and do the Flower and Garden Festival for me! I think that looks gorgeous!!)

I would love to do both Flower and Garden and Food and Wine. Seems like we just miss both with our trips. Like you, we will get there some day .

 

[lsenquiz]

Day 10 – Sun June 2nd​

We will be heading to Hollywood Studios on this day for our third and hopefully final SWW day. As always, we will be there by 8am for the 9am opening in case they open the park early(which they more than likely will). Since we are in DHS anyway we will go ahead and follow DIS prodigal so as soon as we enter the park my DH will head here for FPs(even though we will have already ridden several times this week):


TSMania_FP_Machines by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Allears

Since my DS will have already done Jedi training and Padawan training we will skip those and head straight to here:


star tours by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo Borrowed from the internet

This is DS8s favorite attraction so we will let him ride it as many times as he can until 9am when the SWW characters start coming out.

Then we will spend as much time as we need meeting and greeting. Our goal to see any character we have not seen yet. If I am able to follow the plans I have already laid out we will still need to see the following:


Boba Fett by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

I also hope we can see Jango Fett because we did not get to see him last time.


Darth Vader by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

This one is not a huge deal since I know DS will fight him in the Jedi Training.


Darth Maul by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

DS was unwilling to M&G with this fellow last time so hoping he will do it this time.


Ventress by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


Jawa by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from Unofficial Disney Character Hunting Guide

We only got to see this guy in the parade last year so hoping for a picture this year.

We will also keep a close eye on the time so we make sure we use our FPs for this within the allotted window:


TSM by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

After we ride TSM we will head back to the SWW M&Gs if there are any we still need. We may also try to attend some of the SWW shows although they are not really on our must do list.

I have no idea what we will do for lunch this day. Maybe just something from one of the kiosks??

The final thing I want to do before we leave the park for the day is my very favorite thing to do at Disney. Characterpalooza. I know this is on hiatus for now but hope that they bring it back in its original form before we get there in May. I think the reason I love this so much is you never know who you might see there and it is the best place to M&G with some of the rarer characters. It is also in the air conditioned animation building! We will take the Animation class first and then head to Characterpalooza. We have seen so many great characters in our past trips. I have included some of my favorites below:


Smee by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


queen of hearts by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


meeko by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr


bolt2 by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr

We will leave the park right after Characterpalooza is done which should be about 6pm. I think we will either pick-up some pizza from Boardwalk or eat at beaches and cream and then spend another relaxing evening at the amazing YC/BC pool.

Up next: Another down day - what will we do???

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Looks like a great plan! Any Star Wars lover's dream!

 

[indimom]

Looks like a great plan! Any Star Wars lover's dream!

Good Luck getting those last characters! Can't wait to see what your final count will be.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

I think my DH now wants to go on YOUR trip. . .he is a huge Star Wars fan, and your plans look terrific!!

Ooh, Boardwalk pizza or Beaches and Cream! What a yummy thought!!

 

[lsenquiz]

Looks like a great plan! Any Star Wars lover's dream!

Yep. It is amazing what we Moms will do for our boys

Good Luck getting those last characters! Can't wait to see what your final count will be.

Fingers crossed that we get them all and that I do not get too frustrated doing it

I think my DH now wants to go on YOUR trip. . .he is a huge Star Wars fan, and your plans look terrific!!

Ooh, Boardwalk pizza or Beaches and Cream! What a yummy thought!!

Maybe your little man will became a Star Wars fan like Dad and you guys can head back to Star Wars weekend next year.

We really are counter service people so Boardwalk Pizza is something we always have on our trips. This will be our first year trying Beaches and Cream but I know we will love it.

 

[ravensterling3]

Coming over from June FB grp. I'm going to catch up this weekend but what I have read so far, your trip sound great.

 

[lsenquiz]

Coming over from June FB grp. I'm going to catch up this weekend but what I have read so far, your trip sound great.

Glad to have you along.

 

[lsenquiz]

Update to Day 4 - Mon May 27th​

I have made an exciting change to our Day 4 plans. I added an Illuminations cruise.


illuminations pontoon by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I think this is what the boat will look like.

We have never been on one of these. I remember trying to get one years ago and it being impossible so I did not have much hope when I called to see about getting a reservation. I was very surprised to find that there was plenty available for the two weeks we will be there.

We have lots of family that live in Florida and we always struggle to spend time with all of them when we are there. I have a strict policy about driving all over the state to visit relatives when I am supposed to be enjoying Disney. I figure I could just invite everyone to meet us at the Beach Club and we could have a pleasant dinner and end the evening with an excellent view of illuminations.

So along with DH, DS and myself I am hoping we will have my Dad, My Aunt and Uncle, My DHs brother and his wife and my best friend and her boyfriend.

The timing worked out perfectly because this was a down day for us anyway. If anyone has ever been on this cruise I would love to hear about your experience.

 

[indimom]

Update to Day 4 - Mon May 27th​

I have made an exciting change to our Day 4 plans. I added an Illuminations cruise.


illuminations pontoon by Disneyalwaysn4ever, on Flickr
Photo borrowed from the internet

I think this is what the boat will look like.

We have never been on one of these. I remember trying to get one years ago and it being impossible so I did not have much hope when I called to see about getting a reservation. I was very surprised to find that there was plenty available for the two weeks we will be there.

We have lots of family that live in Florida and we always struggle to spend time with all of them when we are there. I have a strict policy about driving all over the state to visit relatives when I am supposed to be enjoying Disney. I figure I could just invite everyone to meet us at the Beach Club and we could have a pleasant dinner and end the evening with an excellent view of illuminations.

So along with DH, DS and myself I am hoping we will have my Dad, My Aunt and Uncle, My DHs brother and his wife and my best friend and her boyfriend.

The timing worked out perfectly because this was a down day for us anyway. If anyone has ever been on this cruise I would love to hear about your experience.

Now, that is the life!
What a great way to get everyone to come to you for a visit instead of the other way around. That's some creative thinking!!
Sorry, I have no experience to share, I'll just have to enjoy your experience vicariously! I'm sure it will all be wonderful!

 

[lsenquiz]

Now, that is the life!
What a great way to get everyone to come to you for a visit instead of the other way around. That's some creative thinking!!
Sorry, I have no experience to share, I'll just have to enjoy your experience vicariously! I'm sure it will all be wonderful!

Now all I have to worry about is everyone showing up on time