That's it, moved to FL to be closer to Mickey! Update 2/4 Kidnapped at WDW 10/03/09

[jmskinner]

So, the previous year at SWW right when the parade was starting we realized that not one, but both camera's battery's were going dead. Not this year, wasn't going to happen. So, while I was sitting on the ground with Jacob, Jonas was above me with the old Kodak. Hope you enjoy some more pics.

I forgot to mention that is had rained as we were waiting for the parade, so my hair was a little wet and going curly again, all that hard work straightening it.

I can't believe neither of us got a good pic of Donald.

And that's it for the parade, but more to come later from the day.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Melissa,

Great phots as always, especially the B&W ones of ToT! Gordon is very impressed with them!

It looks like a good viewing spot for Wishes, I think that must be where we'll sit - if we book our holiday through Disney we get 'reserved viewing' for Wishes and for Illuminations.

And I think a future June trip for the SWW is on the cards for us as well!

Di x

 

[JPFamilyMom]

My mother thoroughly enjoyed your SWW pictures and is now planning another trip to WDW. We haven't even officially begun plans for March and she is planning for June now, don't know what year, but she wants to go for SWW.

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

The pics of the parade are superb, always love the Imperial Troopers, never knew some of them came in large size though

You really should colour-splash the Hat and the Toy Story Soldiers....it would look amazing.

Fave shot is the last one of the Stormtrooper.....just brilliant.

And I so want an x-wing car!!!!!!

Gordon

 

[jmskinner]

Hi Melissa,

Great phots as always, especially the B&W ones of ToT! Gordon is very impressed with them!

It looks like a good viewing spot for Wishes, I think that must be where we'll sit - if we book our holiday through Disney we get 'reserved viewing' for Wishes and for Illuminations.

And I think a future June trip for the SWW is on the cards for us as well!

Di x

It was an ok spot. If that is where they have you sit, make sure to get there early. There are spots where the trees won't be in the way of the castle. I kind of agree with a CM I spoke to, Main Street is the place to see them. That is how Walt planned it.

I hope you do get to go to SWW sometime. I know it is harder for you since they don't release the dates to February I think. I saw a lot of people planned on attending this year in late June only to learn they were starting in Mid-May.

My mother thoroughly enjoyed your SWW pictures and is now planning another trip to WDW. We haven't even officially begun plans for March and she is planning for June now, don't know what year, but she wants to go for SWW.

It really is fun. I personally think a SW section of the park would be cool, but I guess the movies are too old now.

The pics of the parade are superb, always love the Imperial Troopers, never knew some of them came in large size though

You really should colour-splash the Hat and the Toy Story Soldiers....it would look amazing.

Fave shot is the last one of the Stormtrooper.....just brilliant.

And I so want an x-wing car!!!!!!

Gordon

I'll have to tell Jonas that one. And I will try colour-splashing the hat and Toy Story Soldiers.

Some how I missed that Stormtrooper shot when I was trying to pick one out for the photography boards weekly contest they had for SWW pics. It would have been a good one to enter. I might have to start posting pics and asking you which one I should enter.

Jacob wants that x-wing car also.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

It really does make you realize how Americans are getting bigger (poor guy -- his red stormtrooper outfit just emphasizes that he's different, and then you notice he's a "clone gone wrong!").

You keep talking about how hot the temperatures are in the parks, now -- I'm thinking the 100+ degree weather we're having in San Antonio is preparing us for our trip in July! I've told Leah to pack Emily a poncho for those spontaneous rainshowers I remember from years ago.

Jordan and I are freaking on the ToT ride, since we've never ridden it. I'm excited to see the inside of the mansion, but I know I'll be so hyped that although I'll see stuff, I won't retain it -- so I better take pics, too! I'm guessing there will be a riding system by which we can leave 8 yr old Emily waiting? That will have to be the case for a lot of the rides...

I'm dreading seeing myself in this thread, btw.

 

[jmskinner]

It really does make you realize how Americans are getting bigger (poor guy -- his red stormtrooper outfit just emphasizes that he's different, and then you notice he's a "clone gone wrong!").

You keep talking about how hot the temperatures are in the parks, now -- I'm thinking the 100+ degree weather we're having in San Antonio is preparing us for our trip in July! I've told Leah to pack Emily a poncho for those spontaneous rainshowers I remember from years ago.

Jordan and I are freaking on the ToT ride, since we've never ridden it. I'm excited to see the inside of the mansion, but I know I'll be so hyped that although I'll see stuff, I won't retain it -- so I better take pics, too! I'm guessing there will be a riding system by which we can leave 8 yr old Emily waiting? That will have to be the case for a lot of the rides...

I'm dreading seeing myself in this thread, btw.

You have the weather that we were experiencing. I just can't get over 85 at 1:00am.

You will love ToT. Do you remember the Texas Cliffhanger at Six Flags? Nothing like that. Drops really aren't that bad. Is Emily tall enough to ride? If she isn't, we can do child swap which is much easier. They give you FP's for the person that had to wait, so they can ride real quick. Jacob doesn't like ToT either, so that makes me feel a little better. Jonas makes him ride it.

We will have to send each other the pics and videos we take. Did you notice I changed my countdown tickers, I added the Universal one.

Actually I was wondering if it was ok for all of you to be in the TR pics? I'm planning on starting another with the July trip. Need to complete this one, but it is hard when I keep going back. I know, most of you want to whack me upside the head right now. Jacob and I are going to MK tomorrow to preview HoP and Jonas has a meeting at work and is then coming home to paint.

Saw Transformers today, it was good, but Jonas ripped it to pieces at the end. Taking him to any movie dealing with the military can be a bad thing unless it is Steven Spielberg, who goes for accuracy. I even caught something in it that I was like "What the.....?"

Hope everyone is enjoying your weekend. Can't believe next weekend is July 4th. Anyone doing anything exciting? I know Scottsminnie is, she is here in Florida. I believe they are spending the 4th in Celebration.

 

[thecapells]

Great SWW pictures!
We definitely have to try that one year...

 

[jmskinner]

Great SWW pictures!
We definitely have to try that one year...

After reading your TR on Star Tours, I say "YES, You Do!!!!" Your kids would love all the characters also.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

*cough cough* Notice anything different about me today?

 

[jmskinner]

*cough cough* Notice anything different about me today?

YOU BOOKED!!!!

What exactly are your dates? Staying at POR next time. Fantastic!!! I'll get lots of pics in July for you.

Ok, you booked through a good strong travel company right? I know, that isn't funny just couldn't resist. Did you ever get that refund?

I'm so excited and free dining too!!!! Gordon, Di and Thing 1 & 2 are going to WDW!!! I bet you go to Universal also, Harry Potter anyone? I think I remember you mentioning that on your TR.

One more time: and can't leave this one out....

 

[JPFamilyMom]

*cough cough* Notice anything different about me today?

Woo hoo for you!!!! Will a ptr be in order?

 

[jmskinner]

Woo hoo for you!!!! Will a ptr be in order?

I meant to ask this also!!!

 

[Finkelstein's Hubby]

Hi guys

In a very happy place at present and yes there will be a PTR in effect very soon....dont want to hog your thread Melissa but today is a happy happy joy joy day

We booked direct through Disney so if it does go belly up I think the economy is in a far worse place that we feared HP at Universal willindeed be very much on the cards....assuming its ready, heaven help Universal if it aint!

Its Monday October 4th 2010 we fly out

Diane will be on later to further expand on whats to come

Gordon

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

YOU BOOKED!!!!

What exactly are your dates? Staying at POR next time. Fantastic!!! I'll get lots of pics in July for you.

Ok, you booked through a good strong travel company right? I know, that isn't funny just couldn't resist. Did you ever get that refund?

I'm so excited and free dining too!!!! Gordon, Di and Thing 1 & 2 are going to WDW!!! I bet you go to Universal also, Harry Potter anyone? I think I remember you mentioning that on your TR.

One more time: and can't leave this one out....

Woo hoo for you!!!! Will a ptr be in order?

Thank you all!!!!! Am so excited!!!! Have booked for 4-18 Oct 2010, direct through Disney travel, no flights as yet as they don't get released until 11 months before, so am hoping for a bargain.

As Grumpy said - if Disney go belly up we're all in trouble! And yes we did get the refund back, but only last month!!!

We're going with our friends Michael and Susan, who we should have gone with last year.

Harry Potter is on the cards, just hoping it will be up and ready by then. We also want to do MNSSHP (I will wear my Glamorous Witch outfit!), as we missed it last year.

I will be doing a PTR - not sure I'll start it until maybe nearer the time, don't know yet.

Anyway, won't hijack your thread anymore Melissa!!!

Di x

 

[thecapells]

After reading your TR on Star Tours, I say "YES, You Do!!!!" Your kids would love all the characters also.

Yeah, it's killing me.
Every year I debate it (got really close this year - my conference was 2 weeks before SWW).
And every year we decide against it.
Summer vacations are hot, crowded, and more expensive.
It's harder to justify but I'm going to have to one of these days...

 

[jmskinner]

Hi guys

In a very happy place at present and yes there will be a PTR in effect very soon....dont want to hog your thread Melissa but today is a happy happy joy joy day

We booked direct through Disney so if it does go belly up I think the economy is in a far worse place that we feared HP at Universal willindeed be very much on the cards....assuming its ready, heaven help Universal if it aint!

Its Monday October 4th 2010 we fly out

Diane will be on later to further expand on whats to come

Gordon

I'll try to scope out HP in a couple of weeks. Not looking so good for their new coaster, Rip Ride Rocket. I don't think it is open yet and was suppose to be in open in the Spring. I'm hoping we can get AP's for Universal next year. Guess it will depend on how well we like it.

Thank you all!!!!! Am so excited!!!! Have booked for 4-18 Oct 2010, direct through Disney travel, no flights as yet as they don't get released until 11 months before, so am hoping for a bargain.

As Grumpy said - if Disney go belly up we're all in trouble! And yes we did get the refund back, but only last month!!!

We're going with our friends Michael and Susan, who we should have gone with last year.

Harry Potter is on the cards, just hoping it will be up and ready by then. We also want to do MNSSHP (I will wear my Glamorous Witch outfit!), as we missed it last year.

I will be doing a PTR - not sure I'll start it until maybe nearer the time, don't know yet.

Anyway, won't hijack your thread anymore Melissa!!!

Di x

That's ok about hijacking my thread, I don't mind at all. I figured MNSSHP would be in there. So there will be more to watch Gordon's acting debut!

Can't believe you only got the refund last month. Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact you were to leave the next day that held it up.

Ok, I have your dates, if Jonas ends up getting moved next Summer I will start booking us in October 2010 no matter where we end up.

Yeah, it's killing me.
Every year I debate it (got really close this year - my conference was 2 weeks before SWW).
And every year we decide against it.
Summer vacations are hot, crowded, and more expensive.
It's harder to justify but I'm going to have to one of these days...

I hope you do!!!

Wow, we are a little more than two weeks from being at Universal. The plan is to get to Universal on the 14th and then on the 16th we will go over to POR sometime early afternoon or so. Once we are checked in we will head to DTD to eat dinner and go see the new HP movie. Sadly, not on the Imax since it is 3D and Jonas hates those.

Friday, Jacob and I will be meeting Simmerbaggins and her family at AK and Jonas and Kara will be off doing something until her plane leaves at 3:30. And then Jonas will join us.

Ok, hope to do another update in the morning!

 

[jmskinner]

Oops, still haven't done the update. Maybe tonight.

I know I have creative people reading my TR. Jonas came up with the bright idea to wear matching t-shirts to Universal. There are thousands of ideas for WDW here on the Dis, but I haven't found anything for Universal. He wants Universal since Kara will be with us. He doesn't care for Thing 1, 2 etc. I can't think of anything except something like, "Where's Mickey?" or "This isn't WDW!" Or "The Skinner Family has lived in Florida a year and finally made it to Universal." See, no creativity here.

Anyone have an idea?????

 

[jmskinner]

After seeing the parade and enjoying all of the SW characters, we still had time before our TSMM FP's, so what should we do? We had never been in the animation studios, so I thought we could head there. On our way, Jonas sees an open door and CM's sending people in to an attraction, so he follows along.

I could not believe he led us into Disney's Playhouse. We enjoyed the show, but sadly we didn't know a lot of the characters except for the oldies but goodies, Mickey and Friends, and Pooh and Co. I wish we had taken Jacob when he was 7, but sadly we had missed this attraction on our first trip. I think it still had Bear and the Big Blue House, which Jacob might have remembered.

After that, it was on to:

After the little show, we headed into the character meet and greet, but I couldn't get Jonas to get in line. But we did look at some of the displays:

Jacob decided to see which character he was:

Finally time for the FP for TSMM, so off we went. Now, I love clouds, especially thunderheads:

I think it was about a 90 minute wait at this point, so we were glad we had FP's. Of course Jacob entertained himself with the 3D glasses.:

Now, all day I had heard Jonas didn't really care to ride this ride, but you can tell he got into it (and this was just practice):

I won't lie, Jonas beat me as usual, but for once we tied on accuracy which if I do beat him he normally gets a higher accuracy score.

Jacob rode by himself, so I don't have his score.

High scores for the day and month:

After TSMM, Jacob wanted to show his daddy the raining umbrella. He just loves making it rain. But on the way, we spotted more characters:

This is what I love about SWW. Even though they were on their way to break, it is just fun to see them wandering around.

That little boy behind Jacob was in every single shot.

Another surprise on the way out of the park:

More entertainers:

My boys on the tram.

That was it for our first day of SWW 2009. More to come though.

 

[jmskinner]

So, on May 30th I had my first true Dismeet. AngWill was visiting for almost a full month. I can't imagine doing this. So, Jacob and I met her and her son at DTD. They didn't have park tickets yet, their package kicked in the following day. We had a nice time visiting and ended up at Rainforest Cafe for dinner, which I really enjoyed. She informed me about their dining club, which was a good deal. You pay $10 for it and will get a $10 coupon back so you get your money back. Each time you eat you can get a free appetizer if you purchase an entree' or you get 10% off up to 4 entrees. Not a bad deal for free (once you get that coupon back, which I still don't have.) We said our goodbyes to AngWill and headed over to SWW because I had two goals after meeting AngWill and that was purchasing t-shirts for SWW and HYPERSPACE HOOPLA.

Now, last Summer we completely missed this show. I found it on Youtube and freaked. I was so disappointed that we had missed it. Each year is different, but basically it is always a dance contest with SW characters as the contestants. Now this show is about 30 minutes after the last Jedi Training Academy. Jacob and I were there before the JTA, but sadly he wasn't chosen. After, JTA we figured we were in a good spot. Jacob was right up front and I was a few adults behind him. Well then, the CM's announce they will be moving the ropes forward. There was probably over 100 people just in our section of the stage, so you can imagine how crazy it was. Actually, the CM's handled as well as possible and most people were nice, but they really should set up bleachers, or hold this in their special auditorium.

Jacob wanted the DSLR to take pics, I had planned on giving him my Kodak with the video option, but I let him take pics. He knows to keep the strap around his neck, but sadly the battery died right after the show started. I was able to get some videos though, so I am posting those for ya.

The Band

The Band lets loose!

CHEWY!!!

I didn't realize Darth Vader had moves like this!

Jacob just loves it when Darth does the head to the side move. It was something he had done the year before also, so Jacob kept asking, "Do you think he will do this?", moving his head to the side.

Just let the Wookie Dance!

Sadly the Stormtroopers came in to enfore the law that all dancing must cease at 7:00pm.

One last little jig!

Jacob and I headed home after this. But not before I had to stop and get Jonas' AP renewed. Somehow he ended up with a different renewal date than we did when I changed to the FL resident pass. Which, would you rather buy one or three all at once. So, off to Guest Relations. At first the CM said she couldn't do it without having his photo ID, but she ended up doing it for me. I even showed her my drivers license and military ID showing he was my husband. Now before this while waiting in line the lady ahead of me was getting upset that it was taking so long. The CM's were being very nice and helping guests as much as possible. Such as, the CM that helped me noticed my lanyard with pins. She asked if I traded and I told her the pins on my lanyard were just for that. She then asked if I knew that Guest Relations had a book of pins you could trade. I didn't and she proceeded to bring it out. I had purchased a couple of those $1 pins with the $40 purchase, but ended up with the same one both times and also still had a duplicate from the starter kits we had purchased two years ago. I saw a couple of pins I thought were from that $1 set, so I traded for those. Once I got home I realized all three pins were from different sets. Now they are all on my lanyard to trade.

That was it for this day and there is still more to come of SWW. I must get this TR done, because soon I will have another week long one to post. But guess what? I have another Dismeet coming up this Sunday. I'm very excited to get to go with someone that loves Disney as much or more than I. The kiddo will be staying home with his Dad, who is finishing up his army. Which by the way, I thought I would show you a pic:

These are only about an inch tall and I think Jonas does a fantastic job painting them. This is his Lord of the Rings army he is working on for the tournament this month. He has to get them all done before his daughter gets here July 8th.

More to come, I promise!