Thanksgiving AND New Year's?! Whew! - Update 3/12 Pg. 17

[TanzUnited99]

Wow can't believe you were able to operate on 3 hours sleep!

Agree with your dad about it's about how old you feel, not how old you really are.

on riding and winning TSM twice.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Ok, I have to ask what Angry Birds is all about. My best friend talks about it all the time. Is it a ton of fun? lol!!

It sounds like your dad has an awesome personality and outlook on life! What a fun companion to go to Disney with you. That's awesome.

I also am easily amused so really like the Great Movie Ride!

I honestly didn't know what the whole angry birds thing was about either....until I downloaded the app. It's just a stupid little game, but really fun. You just launch birds at pigs to knock them over.

My dad is great, and he makes a fun travel companion. What also helps is that he's really easy going, and pretty much just goes with the flow. He lets me make all the decisions in regards to travel.

That's disappointing that there is no little ceremony for rope drop at DHS. It could be something so cute, too, considering the whole park is about making movies! Oh well!

I have yet to participate in the TSM stampede, I'm actually pretty nervous about it, it sounds terrible!

Yay, love ToT! Although if they were having problems with it, I'd be nervous to ride it...but I guess they know what they are doing, if not, they wouldn't let people on it at all, right?

I know, I was totally expecting something, and then.....nothing.

It's really not that bad getting over to TSM during the early morning. I find it easier to get over there in the morning then some other times of the day.

I think at ToT they just had a delay....nothing more. But I used to work at a theme park, so nothing really phases me!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Wow can't believe you were able to operate on 3 hours sleep!

Agree with your dad about it's about how old you feel, not how old you really are.

on riding and winning TSM twice.

Trust me, I was pretty surprised too! But in Disney, I think anything is possible!

I have a problem with winning. I am very competitive.....

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

nice update!! The food looks yummy too!! I never score high on those games so you would beat me by a ton! haha.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Aww, I like your little Yeti mascot and your TSM pictures are pretty funny. The couple of your dad are great.

 

[Sooze]

I feel slightly bonded with you now... I am one of those Smartphone people too! Yeah!

Your dad is awesome! It seems that he has the right outlook on life and is loving every moment!

Warm Pop Waffles.... yummmmmmmm... I think I'm drooling right now....

LOVE the lady on ToT! I always enjoy helping people out at Disney. Especially when they ask! Glad you were able to assist in the locker question!

Disney naps ROCK!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

nice update!! The food looks yummy too!! I never score high on those games so you would beat me by a ton! haha.

Ha ha, then I would love to go with you!!!! I was raised in a house with only two older brothers. I think that's where competitiveness and the need to score high comes from.

Aww, I like your little Yeti mascot and your TSM pictures are pretty funny. The couple of your dad are great.

Thanks! I like taking funny pictures. The idea for the mascot came from other threads I've seen. Although, when you see some of my pictures later, my dad thought I had lost my mind....

I feel slightly bonded with you now... I am one of those Smartphone people too! Yeah!

Your dad is awesome! It seems that he has the right outlook on life and is loving every moment!

Warm Pop Waffles.... yummmmmmmm... I think I'm drooling right now....

LOVE the lady on ToT! I always enjoy helping people out at Disney. Especially when they ask! Glad you were able to assist in the locker question!

Disney naps ROCK!!

OMG, we can be like kindred spirits!

I love Disney naps. It helps me to feel like I'm actually on vacation.

 

[scottny]

The November trip ended nicely. Sounds like a great trip.

The New Years trip is off to a great start but wow you got in late and then up early.

Looking forward to more.

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

I am horrible reader as I am just joining, but at least I made it right? The November trip was great and enjoying the New Years trip so far. You are so lucky to have taken a trip with your mom and now your dad.

 

[IheartDDuck]

The November trip ended nicely. Sounds like a great trip.

The New Years trip is off to a great start but wow you got in late and then up early.

Looking forward to more.

It was a really great trip. Lots of fun in three days.

Yup, that was a late night and an early morning. That's not like me.

I am horrible reader as I am just joining, but at least I made it right? The November trip was great and enjoying the New Years trip so far. You are so lucky to have taken a trip with your mom and now your dad.

Hey, no worries! Glad to have you on board. I'm very fortunate to have really great parents that I enjoy spending time with.

 

[IheartDDuck]

So we had just finished up our lunches and decided that we were going to head back to the resort and relax. That four hours of sleep was really catching up with me now, and dad couldn't agree more.

We decided that we would take naps until around dinner time, eat at the resort, and then head back out to DHS. Then we would be able to use our fastpasses for Rockin' Roller Coaster and do a few other things. Sounded like a plan to me.

The weather had warmed up really nicely at this point, so I also knew that dad wanted to change into shorts before heading back out. We were back at the resort by 1pm. I started typing up details for the trip report, but I started getting really tired. But who cares, this is vacation, right? Dad fell asleep right away and I was shortly behind him. However, the nap was very much needed and I felt very refreshed afterwards.

We got up and freshened up and then headed to Everything POP for dinner at about 5:45pm.

My dinner. So yummy!

Dad's dinner. He loves this chicken noodle soup from Everything POP.

The yeti was in a food coma.....

We finished eating at about 6:15pm and were on our way. We made it back to Hollywood Studios by about 6:45ish.

The first thing we did was head over to Rockin' Roller Coaster to use our fastpasses. I love that even when you're a little bit late, you can still use them.

The wait only took about 15 minutes with our fastpasses. I wore my Aerosmith shirt knowing that I would be going on this ride. Had to my homage. LOL.

After that, we were discussing what our plan for the night was going to be. When we were heading over to RRC, everyone was lining up for the second showing of Fantasmic!, and the wait time for ToT was only listed as 30 minutes. When we got off of Rockin' Roller Coaster, the wait time for ToT had increased to 55 minutes. However, we wanted to ride it again, so dad and I decided just to wait. Where else were we going to go?

We ended up in line with a man and his 16 year old daughter, and spent the wait time talking with each other. They were there for a soccer tournament, and were enjoying the parks after the tournaments were done.

We chatted all the way through the line, and it really helped the line go by fast. However, we still didn't have to wait 55 minutes, it was more like 30. The wait was even shorter then it had been in the morning. We parted ways with them after the ride.

Our redneck ride photo. I was passed out in the back.

After our terrifying elevator ride, we decided to head over to TSM to check it out. I figured it was going to be crazy, but I figured we were heading over there anyway, so we would check it out. OMG, it was really crazy! The wait time was up to 180 minutes!

Um, no thanks. Not waiting three hours! I was okay with the fact we had gotten on our two rides that morning.

Dad and I discussed what our next steps would be. Let me tell you, the crowds for New Year's were already getting crazy. For those who don't know, this time of year is crazy. When the crowds get to their fullest, it's literally shoulder to shoulder in the parks. Dad is not a huge fan of New Year's as a holiday. The reason behind that is because he was a cop for 25 years. He's seen too many people do stupid things on New Years, and he prefers to just treat it like every other day. I respect that completely, and I could care less what we did. I knew I wanted to go to morning magic hours in the Animal Kingdom the next day. My theory was, that everyone would have been hung over and still asleep from the night before, so the park would be empty. I really wanted to make it.

So, we decided that since we had done everything we really wanted to at DHS, we would head back to the resort. However, on our way out, I wanted to get a snack.

The peanut butter chocolate cupcake from Starring Rolls cafe! I'd never had this before, but it was so good! It was so big, I had to eat it in two helpings!

We were on a bus by about 9pm. I wanted to be able to take a shower when I got back to the room and do my hair for the morning. I hopped in the shower right away and dad grabbed our mugs and went to the food court to fill them. Thanks Dad!

By the way, the cupcake was totally worth it! I suggest it to anyone who likes chocolate and peanut butter!

Up next: Animal Kingdom.....is my prediction accurate about the crowds?

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

nice update!! Did you see any fireworks that night? I hear they are pretty good on NYE. I went to a party the year I lived there so we were closer to Sea World but we could hear fireworks all around us at the party!

The cupcake looked yummo!

 

[IheartDDuck]

nice update!! Did you see any fireworks that night? I hear they are pretty good on NYE. I went to a party the year I lived there so we were closer to Sea World but we could hear fireworks all around us at the party!

The cupcake looked yummo!

We didn't stay to watch any fireworks that night, just because there were so many people, but we were able to watch them from POP. Not the best view, but defo better than standing shoulder to shoulder with people.

We're going back next year for New Year's, so we're definitely planning on seeing them this time around, because we'll be going for an entire week instead of just a few days.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Am glad the lines weren't as bad as they were listed and you got to ride RnRC and ToT!!

Love the Christmas Tree picture and that Starring Roll cupcake is yummy!! Can't wait to try one on our trip

Am hoping your prediction was right and AK was empty the following morning...look forward to finding out. Have noticed you have started a Feb TR so am heading over to subsribe and read!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Am glad the lines weren't as bad as they were listed and you got to ride RnRC and ToT!!

Love the Christmas Tree picture and that Starring Roll cupcake is yummy!! Can't wait to try one on our trip

Am hoping your prediction was right and AK was empty the following morning...look forward to finding out. Have noticed you have started a Feb TR so am heading over to subsribe and read!

I was glad the lines were decent too. Definitely different than I anticipated.

Defo get the cupcake! However, I have heard that they can run out of them, so if you don't get one, check back again another day!

 

[Nermel9]

OMG 180 minutes for TSM???? That's crazy!

That cupcake looks amazing, I'm so getting one in October!

 

[IheartDDuck]

OMG 180 minutes for TSM???? That's crazy!

That cupcake looks amazing, I'm so getting one in October!

Yeah. I was like NO WAY!

 

[IheartDDuck]

So we left off last wondering if my prediction about the crowd levels would be right at the Animal Kingdom.

I was able to wake up before the alarm went off (by two minutes). Good timing. Much better than being scared awake by an alarm! I was up and out of bed by 6:13am. I washed up and woke dad up right after I was done. We were both ready to go by about 6:45am. We watched the weather channel to see what was up for the day. Plus, I had learned from my mistake the day before, which was that all the windows don't serve breakfast until 7am. I wanted a different variety this morning.

We made it to the food court right at 7am, and there was nary a person there. Woo hoo!

I opted for...

The breakfast wrap with potatoes.

Dad opted for...

The breakfast platter. This is his favorite breakfast....

We were done and ready to go by 7:30am, so we were right on track to get to the Animal Kingdom when they opened at 8am.

We didn't have to wait for too long before the bus came. Good timing that we've had in general with buses.

There weren't any people there. Well, there was a crane....

See how empty? My prediction was right!!!

I got some great pictures though. I've never gotten pictures like this before at Animal Kingdom. There's normally people in them!

Our first stop...

At first we were going to get fastpasses and hop in line, but there were absolutely no people there. The ride wasn't quite open yet, so we had to wait about a minute. It was walk on, so we opted out of fastpasses.

Little Yeti was pretty excited.

We made it to our transport

I made sure little Yeti was strapped in.

We were on our way

Dad was pretty excited!

So was I!

Great views

We had a great time, and when we got off the ride, the line was still a walk on, so we decided to go for another spin. Good choice! It was such a great way to start the day. We grabbed fastpasses, just so we could have them in case we wanted to use them later.

Continued in next post....

 

[IheartDDuck]

So we had just finished our two rides at Expedition Everest, and Dad wanted to head over the Primeval Whirl. Dad likes this ride, and we figured what better time because there was no one here.

We ended up getting a car to ourselves.

Dad was very excited.

Me.....not so much. I remembered that I don't really like Primeval Whirl too much....

I secured the Yeti

And we were on our way

We got bounced and jostled all over the place. I was joking around the whole time and screaming that I was getting too old for this crap.

After that, it was time for.....

Again, there was no line or wait (although there normally isn't). I find myself in a category all my own, because I just love Dinosaur. "We're not gonna make it, we're not gonna make it!" I just love it. Maybe it's the ride and the vehicle more than the actual effects guess.

So after this started the conversation that seems to happen on all trips....

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know, what do you want to do?"

"I don't know..."

This always seems to happen to me at Animal Kingdom. It's the park I tend to spend the least amount of time at. While beautiful, there just isn't as much to keep my interest for an entire day.

We had gotten all of these things done.....in less than an hour! It wasn't even 9am yet. Morning magic hours are so worth it, and getting up early on New Year's Day is so worth it too!

So I visited my handy dandy crowd calendar app, and the only park to avoid was the Magic Kingdom. So, we decided to go back to Hollywood Studios. I still wanted to get some more action on Toy Story Mania.

So we headed out.

We still had our fastpasses for Expedition Everest, so I figured we would find a couple on the way out to give them to. We had a few photopass pictures taken, and on the way we saw a couple, so I gave them our fastpasses. They were very grateful. We made it to the DHS bus stop and the bus pulled up shortly after. Our bus mojo continues!

By the time we got to DHS, it was about 9:30am. The masses had already gotten into the park, so I was interested to see what it was going to look like over there. The first mission was obviously to go to TSM and see if we could pull a double whammy again of waiting in line and getting fastpasses. There was no line for the fastpasses and we got a return time of 12:55pm. We headed over to the ride, which had a posted wait time of 50 minutes. We waited 15 (no joke).

Obligatory pictures.

Our scores. I'm on the left.

I got best in vehicle

Dad was not happy with his score.

I was a little disappointed.

I really really wanted to crack 200,000 this time. I've only done it once before and I have not been able to do it again. Alas, it obviously wasn't in the cards.

After we were done, Dad needed a potty break, and I needed a frozen coke break.

The green army men came out while I was waiting. These guys are too funny!

He was imitating Justin Bieber.

He was imitating Strawberry Shortcake.

Up next: Where would the day take us?

 

[TanzUnited99]

Wow on how empty AK was...there was hardly anyone there! The pictures look great. Can't believe how much you got done within an hour

Yay on riding TSM again - I would have been happy with the score you got (especially getting best in vehicle) but am not as competitive

The green army man imitating Justin Beiber had me