The Darlings Do Disney (TR is started!)

[janabananas]

Totally on the same wavelength with you ladies. HS is my least favorite park of the 4.

The only "must do's!!!!!!" are: Star Tours (dbf and I are turbo star wars nerds), RNR for me, & TOT for dbf.

Beyond that I really don't care about the rest of the park. I have never had a good meal there either. How sad is that? I like Indiana Jones and the Stunt Show but do not "have" to go if it doesn't fit. Dbf wants to try TSM since it was not there on his last trip, several years ago. But if he doesn't ride it he won't worry about it.

I was REALLY disappointed with Prince Caspian. I went the week that it opened, stood in line for WAY too long and thought I just wasted my time on "THAT"!!!! As for Fantasmic!, I have never seen it, but cannot imagine that the long wait is really worth it. We are going in Sept during the slow time so it is possible we will see it without the long lines.

We are doing HS on arrival day. Hopefully our room will be ready sooner rather than later so we won't be stuck at HS.....

As for EPCOT, I won't do Captian EO even with a few drinks in me, but those same drinks make Figment that much better. I love that guy!!

 

[teekathepony]

Replies in the morning... full story in the morning... but for now...


I JUST SAW HARRY POTTER and the DEATHLY HALLOWS part 2!!!!!

 

[teekathepony]

it's not my favorite park either... and i can't quite pin down a reason
did you know Lightening McQueen is in the show now?
we haven't done this in awhile it was sensory overload for our DS who is Autistic...he is ready to try again in Jan...but DH and I hope to do it in Oct too...I want to look for the keys under the door mat
this is one of my FAV rides that and IASW good combo huh? you should try it once if you think you can handle the drops...I love it even more than RNRC
my son wonders why this is even still here when the movie is long since released?
sounds a really good day...hope you can fit in all the shows

I do know about Lightening McQueen... although I'll miss Herbie
I will try ToT... hahaha I just hope it's not so terrifying that I hate it!
I also wonder why on Earth Narnia is still there. It's not like it's an E-ticket ride!

I came over frm my PTR, everything looks ahmazing, but I'm going to admit, I've only gotten to page 3 lol Can't wait to read more!!!

Welcome!! Thanks for coming over!

Totally on the same wavelength with you ladies. HS is my least favorite park of the 4.

The only "must do's!!!!!!" are: Star Tours (dbf and I are turbo star wars nerds), RNR for me, & TOT for dbf.

Beyond that I really don't care about the rest of the park. I have never had a good meal there either. How sad is that? I like Indiana Jones and the Stunt Show but do not "have" to go if it doesn't fit. Dbf wants to try TSM since it was not there on his last trip, several years ago. But if he doesn't ride it he won't worry about it.

I was REALLY disappointed with Prince Caspian. I went the week that it opened, stood in line for WAY too long and thought I just wasted my time on "THAT"!!!! As for Fantasmic!, I have never seen it, but cannot imagine that the long wait is really worth it. We are going in Sept during the slow time so it is possible we will see it without the long lines.

We are doing HS on arrival day. Hopefully our room will be ready sooner rather than later so we won't be stuck at HS.....

As for EPCOT, I won't do Captian EO even with a few drinks in me, but those same drinks make Figment that much better. I love that guy!!

Our first full day at WDW is a full pre-rope drop (early breakfast) till Fantasmic day. I keep wondering if we'll have enough to do...

 

[janabananas]

I also wonder why on Earth Narnia is still there. It's not like it's an E-ticket ride!
Exactly. So pointless.

Our first full day at WDW is a full pre-rope drop (early breakfast) till Fantasmic day. I keep wondering if we'll have enough to do...

I am sure if you do everything on your list or try to do everything on your list, you will have plenty to do. We are just not that excited to go there, as I would be for EPCOT, for example. But then again I could go to EPCOT everyday and be happy. We might wander to EPCOT after HS if our room isn't ready.

 

[janabananas]

Replies in the morning... full story in the morning... but for now...


I JUST SAW HARRY POTTER and the DEATHLY HALLOWS part 2!!!!!

I am going today at 2pm!!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!! I am about to jump out of my skin at my desk right now.

 

[teekathepony]

I am going today at 2pm!!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!! I am about to jump out of my skin at my desk right now.

YAY!! It was great, I won't say anything else, but it was probably the best one.

 

[Kari-B]

Love all the pics, makes me excited to see all of the shows and rides on our trip.

 

[janabananas]

YAY!! It was great, I won't say anything else, but it was probably the best one.

I agree!!! It did not disappoint!! I was pleased and emotional. The treatment and "revelation" of a certain character made me cry for him and like him even more than after I read the book. I was heartbroken again for him. I want to gush and go on and on but I won't because I do not want to spoil for anyone else who hasn't read the book yet and doesn't know who I am referring to.

 

[teekathepony]

Love all the pics, makes me excited to see all of the shows and rides on our trip.

Thanks It's giving me the shivers just thinking about it!

I agree!!! It did not disappoint!! I was pleased and emotional. The treatment and "revelation" of a certain character made me cry for him and like him even more than after I read the book. I was heartbroken again for him. I want to gush and go on and on but I won't because I do not want to spoil for anyone else who hasn't read the book yet and doesn't know who I am referring to.

I completely agree. I'm thinking of writing a spoiler with lots of warnings because I really feel like I need to get it out before I explode!

 

[teekathepony]

It was a dark and stormy night. (Or a dim, cold, cloudy Thursday evening). The setting? Our local theatre. The cast? Hundreds of muggles in Gryffindor scarves and Slytherin sweaters, waving wands and eating junk food in a giant line up. Me? Skipping the line with my fancy CBUniversity alumni "Advanced Screening" ticket. (And my Universal Studios t-shirt, and my wand, and my Gryffindor scarf, and a scar on my forehead.)

While the rest of the world waited for midnight I waited for 7pm. The moment I'd been waiting for, when it would all end. It has all come down to this.

I am about to go astray, leave the world of Disney in temporary favour of another obsession of mine.

Harry Potter.

****Warning! Spoiler alert!******


-- The following contains spoilers for those who have yet to read the final Harry Potter book or see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 2. If your settings are such that the background of this update is almost white, you're good to go. I made the text white so you can't see it accidentally. If this is you, scroll down until you see dark text again. If you want to read my thoughts on the movie, Click and drag down starting here: ***









I am a Harry Potter fan. Maybe fanatic. I am also a stickler for details and there are a great many things throughout the movie series that bothered me because they didn't stay true to the books when it would have been so easy to. Having said that, this movie was my absolute favourite of all of them. It was almost entirely true to the book (except in places where they used a little artistic license or it would mean far too much extra work [building a whole set, creating a character, etc] for very very little screen time). The Gringotts breakout was fantastic. The dragon was a great character, sad and white and beaten, desperate to get out. The battle was well done, action packed and emotional. If you were, as I was, waiting for Molly Weasley's big fight with Bellatrix (and her best line of the series!) you will not be disappointed.
The Severus Snape story was awesome. Heart-wrenching and perfect. Instead of Snape's memories essentially oozing out his orifices, the come out in the form of tears. At first I thought this was weird, but thinking of how hard [impossible?] it would be to get it right and have it not look weird, I decided that it was probably better this way. There was a scene in his memories where he's holding Lily's body and baby Harry is crying in his crib and it's absolutely heart breaking.
When Harry is going to die and he summons his family and friends with the resurrection stone, I cried. Another great scene. Harry's death scene with Dumbledor was also fantastic.
I was very nervous about the Epilogue. How were they going to do it? Would they cast different people? But they pulled it off brilliantly. I assume they digitally aged everyone with some type of face mapping tech. Everyone looked so cool, 19 years older but obviously still the same people. Harry's kids were cute too, although I must admit I hated the Beiber hair on Albus.





Well, that's my thoughts on the movie. If you'd like to talk some more about it feel free to pm me! I love to talk Potter.

Here are a few pictures from the whole thing:
The tickets!

My scar:

My Harry Potter shelf at home:

 

[Disneyfreak616]

How awesome that you go to see it 3 hours before everyone else! I went at midnight and I thought it was absolutely brilliant! ***SPOILER ALERT***

I was a little upset that they left out the part where Harry repairs his old broken wand with the Elder Wand and talks to Dumbledore about how he dropped the Resurrection Stone. And in the trailer when I saw the excessive fighting between Harry and Voldemort I was a little upset that they didn't stick to the Great Hall scene from the book, but I can understand why. It was sort of anti-climactic and not dramatic enough for the ultimate turning point and ending of the series. So I can see why they added the chasing and the falling and the fighting. I loved Neville's speech to everyone after they see that Harry is "dead" and Voldemort's awkward hug with Malfoy. LOL. I loved the kiss between Ron and Hermionie, and although it was at a different part, it was more intimate and appropriate for the flow of the movie at that moment. I am also happy that they added that sort of desperate kiss between Harry and Ginny in the middle of the battle, because throughout the book he is constantly thinking of her and how much he misses her when the 3 are off hunting Horcruxes, but that is very hard to portray in film, because it is basically all thoughts. So it was a smart move to add that kiss to remind the audience of them and add something other than fear to the moment, even though it was a very desperate kiss, with explosions and fighting all around them. It sort of just slowed time for a moment for Harry where nothing else really mattered. It was perfect. I could ramble on all day about it but I too loved how this film stuck to the book in almost every other regard. Some of the lines in the beginning between Harry and Ollivander were RIGHT out of the book, and I loved that. Snape's memory was incredibly moving, and exactly as I pictured it to be. I'm glad they made the memory come out as tears instead because it always was a silly picture in my mind to think of all of these strands of memory coming out of Snape's ears. It just didn't seem right for such a tragic moment. Also, the scene with Harry and Dumbledore in King's Cross station was exceptionally true to the book and the most exact thing to the picture in my mind EVER in the whole series. The epilogue was fantastic and the makeup and special effects people did an excellent job with making them all look 19 years older. The kids were really cute, and I loved the moment with Harry and Albus. I thought it was SO funny how Ron had a bit of a belly to him. And I think Ginny was the most convincing as 19 years older.

Overall, I LOVED the movie and I can't wait to get parts 1 and 2 on DVD. It was bloody brilliant!

 

[teekathepony]

How awesome that you go to see it 3 hours before everyone else! I went at midnight and I thought it was absolutely brilliant! ***SPOILER ALERT***

I was a little upset that they left out the part where Harry repairs his old broken wand with the Elder Wand and talks to Dumbledore about how he dropped the Resurrection Stone. And in the trailer when I saw the excessive fighting between Harry and Voldemort I was a little upset that they didn't stick to the Great Hall scene from the book, but I can understand why. It was sort of anti-climactic and not dramatic enough for the ultimate turning point and ending of the series. So I can see why they added the chasing and the falling and the fighting. I loved Neville's speech to everyone after they see that Harry is "dead" and Voldemort's awkward hug with Malfoy. LOL. I loved the kiss between Ron and Hermionie, and although it was at a different part, it was more intimate and appropriate for the flow of the movie at that moment. I am also happy that they added that sort of desperate kiss between Harry and Ginny in the middle of the battle, because throughout the book he is constantly thinking of her and how much he misses her when the 3 are off hunting Horcruxes, but that is very hard to portray in film, because it is basically all thoughts. So it was a smart move to add that kiss to remind the audience of them and add something other than fear to the moment, even though it was a very desperate kiss, with explosions and fighting all around them. It sort of just slowed time for a moment for Harry where nothing else really mattered. It was perfect. I could ramble on all day about it but I too loved how this film stuck to the book in almost every other regard. Some of the lines in the beginning between Harry and Ollivander were RIGHT out of the book, and I loved that. Snape's memory was incredibly moving, and exactly as I pictured it to be. I'm glad they made the memory come out as tears instead because it always was a silly picture in my mind to think of all of these strands of memory coming out of Snape's ears. It just didn't seem right for such a tragic moment. Also, the scene with Harry and Dumbledore in King's Cross station was exceptionally true to the book and the most exact thing to the picture in my mind EVER in the whole series. The epilogue was fantastic and the makeup and special effects people did an excellent job with making them all look 19 years older. The kids were really cute, and I loved the moment with Harry and Albus. I thought it was SO funny how Ron had a bit of a belly to him. And I think Ginny was the most convincing as 19 years older.

Overall, I LOVED the movie and I can't wait to get parts 1 and 2 on DVD. It was bloody brilliant!

Yes!!! I completely agree with everything. I can't wait to see it again!! My mom and I are going sometime this week!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Yes!!! I completely agree with everything. I can't wait to see it again!! My mom and I are going sometime this week!

I just ordered Part 1 on DVD from Amazon. I am SO excited. And I'll probably go see Part 2 again soon, I loved it so much!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Okay, all this talk about Harry Potter and I'm not able to see it until Wednesday. Waaaahhhhh!

At least I read the books and I know what happens.

 

[janabananas]

Yes!!! I completely agree with everything. I can't wait to see it again!! My mom and I are going sometime this week!

Your review was exactly what I meant!!!!!!! I was so touched by Snape's death scene and did like the tears more than the spindle memories. I cried during the memories especially at the end of the memories when he realized that Harry had to die no matter how much he fought it and how much he tried to change it. Another example of how love is so important in the HP books. I missed the Hermione/Ron scene in the basalisk cave due to potty break so next time I will go at a different time, so I do not miss it!! LOL

The final battle scene was fantastic, epic if you will, I was happy at the added details. In the preview I saw how they went over the wall and was screaming at my tv that that is not what happened. After seeing it all together, I loved it.

I want to see it again, and was gonna take my kids but their dad took them already (that kind of pissed me off because I told him I wanted to take them, it is our thing, I am the HP parent, he is the Transformers/Thor/IronMan/....etc parent, you get the picture right). And my guys do not want to see it again. BLARG!!! And dbf has no interest in seeing it again. Phooey!! I guess I will check it out after my dr appt on thursday.

 

[teekathepony]

I just ordered Part 1 on DVD from Amazon. I am SO excited. And I'll probably go see Part 2 again soon, I loved it so much!

Exciting! I just finished re-watching them all before this one. I can't believe it's over!

Okay, all this talk about Harry Potter and I'm not able to see it until Wednesday. Waaaahhhhh!

At least I read the books and I know what happens.

No more I swear! Back to Disney after this!

Your review was exactly what I meant!!!!!!! I was so touched by Snape's death scene and did like the tears more than the spindle memories. I cried during the memories especially at the end of the memories when he realized that Harry had to die no matter how much he fought it and how much he tried to change it. Another example of how love is so important in the HP books. I missed the Hermione/Ron scene in the basalisk cave due to potty break so next time I will go at a different time, so I do not miss it!! LOL

The final battle scene was fantastic, epic if you will, I was happy at the added details. In the preview I saw how they went over the wall and was screaming at my tv that that is not what happened. After seeing it all together, I loved it.

I want to see it again, and was gonna take my kids but their dad took them already (that kind of pissed me off because I told him I wanted to take them, it is our thing, I am the HP parent, he is the Transformers/Thor/IronMan/....etc parent, you get the picture right). And my guys do not want to see it again. BLARG!!! And dbf has no interest in seeing it again. Phooey!! I guess I will check it out after my dr appt on thursday.

Yes yes and yes, I completely agree with everything. It sure would be a good movie to go to by oneself! Then you could get really into it! (But phooey about the kids already seeing it and not wanting to go again )

 

[teekathepony]

Must do:

Expedition Everest:

I remember the first time I rode this. I was terrified but I loved it so much! Second favourite only to RnR.

Kali River Rapids:

I get soaked every time without fail! It's been a while since I did this ride, we didn't do it in November because we didn't want to get wet (it was chilly that day). So I'm very excited!

Kilimanjaro Safaris:

As a family of animal lovers, this is an obvious must-do. We live in a very small town (and fairly Northerly too! ) so we don't have a big zoo, (just a little wildlife park) so I extra-love this ride.

DINOSAUR:

I LOVE Dino! I love Dinosaurs anyway, always have, and this ride is so much fun.

Maharajah Jungle Trek:

Again with the animal loving, and me being a photographer. I could spend hours at the tigers.

Pangani Forest Exploration Trail:

See above!

Festival of the Lion King
(No photo! )
I'll upload a pic of this, I have tonnes! I adore this show, makes me weepy. I always clap and sing along

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade:
(Again nothing uploaded~! I must have only uploaded a select few.)
I enjoy this parade a lot, definitely enough to plan to make time for.



If-we-have-time-to-do:

Finding Nemo – The Musical:
It's ok, it's no Beauty and the Beast and it's no Festival of the Lion King, but it's good for some entertainment.

Flights of Wonder:
I enjoy watching this show. I want to be picked for my camera some time!

It's Tough to be a Bug!:
Never done... I'm afraid of the bugs! But I'm going to see if I have time this year.

Primeval Whirl:
I actually don't like this much. It's jerky and it hurts and it's not much fun.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Okay, I am totally with you on the Primeval Whirl not being a must do. I went on it in January with my dad, and remembered why I avoid that ride most times.

I love all of your must do's though. Dinosaur is one of my favorites. Some people think I'm a weirdo, but I love it!

 

[teekathepony]

Okay, I am totally with you on the Primeval Whirl not being a must do. I went on it in January with my dad, and remembered why I avoid that ride most times.

I love all of your must do's though. Dinosaur is one of my favorites. Some people think I'm a weirdo, but I love it!

The first time I missed PW, the second time it was closed, then last year when I finally got to go on it I was so disappointed. Ahh well!
Now Dinosaur did NOT disappoint!

 

[NewlyDisneyCrazed]

Thanks for your AK tips! Once again, your tips are the greatest!!

I didn't join in on all the Harry Potter discussions because "gasp" I haven't seen any of the movies. That might not be weird except that I DID read all the books and loved them! I don't know why this happened because I'm sure I would love the movies too. I guess when the first few movies came out I was busy with school then babies and then never took the time to get caught up. I sort of regret it due to the fact that I think it would be fun to involved in all the hype right now. My sisters and cousins are HP nuts! But I have a plan. Soon (in a few years when my kiddos are ready) I'm going to start rereading the books with them and after we finish each book, we'll watch the movie. We might do a book/movie per summer because the books get pretty advanced and scarier fairly quickly so they'll need time to mature between books! What do you think?