KaityBsMom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2003
- Messages
- 113
Cast: me (30), DH (30), DD (4)- all big Toy Story fans
After breakfast in our room, we headed for MGM. We arrived at 8:45am and were let through the turnstiles right away. Rope drop for the park was 9 am. After the requisite pictures of the giant sorcerer's hat, we headed for Voyage of the Little Mermaid first.
I was somewhat disappointed with this show, although I'm not sure why. The water effect in the beginning (when the ship sailes towards you) was cool, though. DD enjoyed it and that was what was most important. Next was the Playhouse Disney show, which was great. DD had a blast. She hasn't seen much Bear in the Big Blue House, but knew who he was and enjoyed his part of the show. She is, however, a huge fan of Stanley, Rolie Polie Olie, and Pooh. She was thrilled with the show all around. I got cute pictures of her trying to catch bubbles (which I think were released during Olie's part?) and bouncing like Tigger. Lots of fun.
Next we decided to do the Magic of Disney Animation. We all enjoyed this, even DD. I have always liked to draw (insisted I was going to be an artist until I was around 15) and found this very interesting. It is amazing how they can start with circles and other simple shapes and create such complex and realistic characters. We shopped in the AFI gift shop a little afterwards, where we bought a cute "Why We All Love Mickey" book and a How To Draw Toy Story book (for me
).
After about 10 confused minutes trying to locate our stroller (we knew it was probably just moved by a CM, but didn't expect it to have been moved 10 miles away), we decided to head to Pizza Planet for lunch.
We had all been looking forward to this. We got Fast Passes for Millionarie at 12:30 on the way (well, it wasn't on the way, but we did that first). We also met Kermit on the way. I have very fond memories of watching the Muppets (and of Kermit on Sesame Street) when I was a kid, so this was a treat for me. I didn't think DD knew who he was, but she ran right up to him and gave him a big hug. Guess Mommy was wrong!
Then it was off to Pizza Planet. Of course, we had to try their version of the "Claw" machine. Didn't manage to snag a green alien, though. We all enjoyed our pizza quite a bit (it was a lot better than I expected). We then headed downstairs and got a bunch of tokens. We knew we didnt have time to play much before Millionaire, but we also knew we'd be back (we all love games). A very fun lunch, although DH and I discussed that we thought Disney could have done so much more with PP to make it more 'authentic' and cool (why couldn't we be 'cleared for security access' at the doors like in the movie for instance?). I suppose Disney's hands may have been tied as to how much they could do since Toy Story is not soley 'theirs'.
We made the 12:30 Millionaire show and had fun playing along. Didn't make it to the hot seat, though. Next we did the Backlot Tour. DD was somewhat bored, but it was interesting for DH and I. She did like Catastrophe Canyon, though. My favorite part was the first section where they film a short scene for a 'movie'. Next time I will figure out how to become a volunteer for that. Cool! Next it was on to the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground, which DD really enjoyed. It was hot and muggy as all get out in there, but she didnt seem to mind. She went down the film slide, touched the Play Dough spilling out of the huge canister with Daddy's help, and climbed the huge net structure.
Next stop was Al's Toy Barn to meet the gang. We had already met Buzz at MK, but that didn't matter to us at all.
Woody, Jessie and Buzz were out. We had to wait only 5 minutes or so. Mommy just had to go up with DD for this character greeting. It was around 3:15 at this point and we made our way towards the Indiana Jones show (3:45). We got FP for Star Tours on the way.
The Indiana Jones show was fun and impressive; DH particulary liked it. It was the one thing he was really looking forward to for himself. Afterwards we rode Star Tours, which DD loved. She wanted to ride again right away, but we promised her tomorrow. After an ice cream stop (cookie sandwhiches for DH and I and a Mickey bar for DD, which she proceeded to make a huge mess with), we made it for the 5:15 Beauty and The Beast show. This show was another highlight of the trip. Just wonderful. DH and I have fond memories of seeing the movie in the theater with an old friend we are out of touch with now and DD had recently seen the video and loved it. DD was mesmerized through the entire show. It was so good.
We had just enough time after to make it for out 6 pm Fantasmic package PS at Hollywood & Vine. We enjoyed this meal quite a bit, although I had heard that the food is usually pretty bland. DH and I had herb-seasoned turkey, which was moist and quite good. I can't remember what else DH sampled, but I also had some mashed potatoes, rice and beans, and a slice of watermelon I couldn't resist. DD ate very well here. She had half of a jumbo hot dog, some mac & cheese (do you get the sense this is a favorite of hers?) and lots of corn. Frozen yogurt for her and DH and a yummy brownie for me for dessert and then it was off to get seats for Fantasmic. (We did a little gift shop browsing first and I bought some postcards).
DD was difficult again during the wait (we were seated around 7:20, the time she is normally settling down for the night with bath, books, etc.), but perked up by the time the show started. She was excited to see the show after we had described it to her. Fantasmic was awesome! I have always loved Sorcerer Mickey. DD said her favorite part was "when Mickey won" and she also loved the big character boat that sailed through at the end. As the show was ending, it started to rain moderately, but luckily it was a gentle rain. We did get pretty wet by the time we made it back to the van, though. We did a little more shopping on the way out, but I only bought a Sorcerer Mickey, as I couldn't decide between the other things (Tshirts) I was looking at and we were all getting tired. Time to get back to the resort and rest up for our last day in the parks.
Highlights of the day: Fantasmic, meeting the Toy Story gang and Kermit, watching DD watch the Beauty and The Beast show
After breakfast in our room, we headed for MGM. We arrived at 8:45am and were let through the turnstiles right away. Rope drop for the park was 9 am. After the requisite pictures of the giant sorcerer's hat, we headed for Voyage of the Little Mermaid first.
I was somewhat disappointed with this show, although I'm not sure why. The water effect in the beginning (when the ship sailes towards you) was cool, though. DD enjoyed it and that was what was most important. Next was the Playhouse Disney show, which was great. DD had a blast. She hasn't seen much Bear in the Big Blue House, but knew who he was and enjoyed his part of the show. She is, however, a huge fan of Stanley, Rolie Polie Olie, and Pooh. She was thrilled with the show all around. I got cute pictures of her trying to catch bubbles (which I think were released during Olie's part?) and bouncing like Tigger. Lots of fun.
Next we decided to do the Magic of Disney Animation. We all enjoyed this, even DD. I have always liked to draw (insisted I was going to be an artist until I was around 15) and found this very interesting. It is amazing how they can start with circles and other simple shapes and create such complex and realistic characters. We shopped in the AFI gift shop a little afterwards, where we bought a cute "Why We All Love Mickey" book and a How To Draw Toy Story book (for me
). After about 10 confused minutes trying to locate our stroller (we knew it was probably just moved by a CM, but didn't expect it to have been moved 10 miles away), we decided to head to Pizza Planet for lunch.
We had all been looking forward to this. We got Fast Passes for Millionarie at 12:30 on the way (well, it wasn't on the way, but we did that first). We also met Kermit on the way. I have very fond memories of watching the Muppets (and of Kermit on Sesame Street) when I was a kid, so this was a treat for me. I didn't think DD knew who he was, but she ran right up to him and gave him a big hug. Guess Mommy was wrong!Then it was off to Pizza Planet. Of course, we had to try their version of the "Claw" machine. Didn't manage to snag a green alien, though. We all enjoyed our pizza quite a bit (it was a lot better than I expected). We then headed downstairs and got a bunch of tokens. We knew we didnt have time to play much before Millionaire, but we also knew we'd be back (we all love games). A very fun lunch, although DH and I discussed that we thought Disney could have done so much more with PP to make it more 'authentic' and cool (why couldn't we be 'cleared for security access' at the doors like in the movie for instance?). I suppose Disney's hands may have been tied as to how much they could do since Toy Story is not soley 'theirs'.
We made the 12:30 Millionaire show and had fun playing along. Didn't make it to the hot seat, though. Next we did the Backlot Tour. DD was somewhat bored, but it was interesting for DH and I. She did like Catastrophe Canyon, though. My favorite part was the first section where they film a short scene for a 'movie'. Next time I will figure out how to become a volunteer for that. Cool! Next it was on to the Honey I Shrunk The Kids playground, which DD really enjoyed. It was hot and muggy as all get out in there, but she didnt seem to mind. She went down the film slide, touched the Play Dough spilling out of the huge canister with Daddy's help, and climbed the huge net structure.
Next stop was Al's Toy Barn to meet the gang. We had already met Buzz at MK, but that didn't matter to us at all.
Woody, Jessie and Buzz were out. We had to wait only 5 minutes or so. Mommy just had to go up with DD for this character greeting. It was around 3:15 at this point and we made our way towards the Indiana Jones show (3:45). We got FP for Star Tours on the way.The Indiana Jones show was fun and impressive; DH particulary liked it. It was the one thing he was really looking forward to for himself. Afterwards we rode Star Tours, which DD loved. She wanted to ride again right away, but we promised her tomorrow. After an ice cream stop (cookie sandwhiches for DH and I and a Mickey bar for DD, which she proceeded to make a huge mess with), we made it for the 5:15 Beauty and The Beast show. This show was another highlight of the trip. Just wonderful. DH and I have fond memories of seeing the movie in the theater with an old friend we are out of touch with now and DD had recently seen the video and loved it. DD was mesmerized through the entire show. It was so good.
We had just enough time after to make it for out 6 pm Fantasmic package PS at Hollywood & Vine. We enjoyed this meal quite a bit, although I had heard that the food is usually pretty bland. DH and I had herb-seasoned turkey, which was moist and quite good. I can't remember what else DH sampled, but I also had some mashed potatoes, rice and beans, and a slice of watermelon I couldn't resist. DD ate very well here. She had half of a jumbo hot dog, some mac & cheese (do you get the sense this is a favorite of hers?) and lots of corn. Frozen yogurt for her and DH and a yummy brownie for me for dessert and then it was off to get seats for Fantasmic. (We did a little gift shop browsing first and I bought some postcards).
DD was difficult again during the wait (we were seated around 7:20, the time she is normally settling down for the night with bath, books, etc.), but perked up by the time the show started. She was excited to see the show after we had described it to her. Fantasmic was awesome! I have always loved Sorcerer Mickey. DD said her favorite part was "when Mickey won" and she also loved the big character boat that sailed through at the end. As the show was ending, it started to rain moderately, but luckily it was a gentle rain. We did get pretty wet by the time we made it back to the van, though. We did a little more shopping on the way out, but I only bought a Sorcerer Mickey, as I couldn't decide between the other things (Tshirts) I was looking at and we were all getting tired. Time to get back to the resort and rest up for our last day in the parks.
Highlights of the day: Fantasmic, meeting the Toy Story gang and Kermit, watching DD watch the Beauty and The Beast show
