MickeyMonstersMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,427
The Monsters are:
Myself (Lori), 32: Single mom and anal planner; previous trips to WDW in 1972 and 1993
Grandma, 68: Just had back and heart surgery, determined to share kids first trip; also went in 1972
Bryn, 8: Loves all rides; first trip is also celebration of 8th birthday
Ethan, 4: Tall enough for almost everything, but not as daring as his sister; well have to see...
<u>The Monsters World Tour, Part III: Magic at MGM</u>
Id planned a day at MGM in between our two ride-dominated days at MK, hoping that wed get a chance to recharge while we took in the shows. An afternoon swim and nap before returning to Fantasmic! was also on the slate. We slept in (for us!), had a bite at the food court, and still made it to the gates just as the park opened. Bryn wanted another birthday pin, but the CM said he could do one better: he offered us Fastpasses for Indiana Jones! Woohoo! The passes were for the first show, so we strolled around Echo Lake and took pictures of Gertie for Ethan, our resident dinosaur nut, and reported at the gate about ten minutes before the show. To our amazement, the CM at the gate called us by name and said that Mickey himself had called her to tell her that some special guests were arriving, and to give them VIP seating! She complimented our t-shirts, adding quietly to me that the CM from Guest Services had told her to watch out for them. I am truly surprised that more people dont wear matching outfits! We ended up in the third row next to the control booth, and got some outstanding photos of the excellent show.
The Muppet Show was next on our list, so we wandered through the shops along the way. The show was hilarious, and the effects were incredible. I spent half the time watching the kids reach for things that appeared to be under their noses.
We got lost looking for the Backlot Tour (guess we didnt memorize the MGM map well enough, lol), and finally found the entrance flanked by CMs. I was quite disappointed to learn that the attraction had been closed; Ethan nearly had a meltdown. One CM whispered to him to go around the corner and check out a particular doorway, so off he went, tears forgotten. And who should we find but the great Mouse himself! I later noticed that the character greeting area is clearly labeled on the map, but fewer than 15 people were there. Mickey was in his sorcerers costume, and m y children were in awe - what a wonderful moment!
Grandma wanted to check out One Mans Dream, and I wished just that once that we adults could have done so by ourselves. The kids were so used to overstimulation that they put up a fuss the whole time we were there. In fact, Ethan started gearing up for a meltdown as I searched for an exit. Voyage of the Little Mermaid was last on our list for the morning, so I hustled the kids over there to find that the line was quite small. The kids revived in anticipation, but then the doors opened and only Fastpass holders were being admitted. My mother became quite angry as we stood there for 20 minutes while Fastpass holders trickled in at their leisure. Finally the standby line was opened and we managed to get decent seats in the theater. We all loved the underwater effects, but felt the show did not live up to its hype.
Ethan reached his personal breaking point as we exited the show, so instead of the planned treat at Dinosaur Gerties, we returned to ASMu. He managed to pull himself together even before we reached the buses, so I let the kids swim for an hour before we all lay down for a nap. I dragged everyone out of bed to get supper, and then no one was hungry! We hopped the bus back to MGM and arrived just as the Fantasmic gate opened at 6:30. We had incredible seats in the Mickey/Scar area and some friendly neighbors from Texas with whom to pass the time. They had brought their 3-year-old grandson, who reported that he loved Tower of Terror - oh oh. Now my own kids began badgering me: Mo-om, pleeease? If this little boy went, Ethan should be OK. Pleeease? I said Id think about it. (Discerning parents know already that I had no chance, lol.) Of course, everyone got hungry at this point: first I spent $12.50 for 4 ice creams and a water, then I dont know what for hot dogs, soda, and more water, then finally another $3 for popcorn right before the show. Sheesh!
Fantasmic was truly mind-boggling. Ethan appeared literally spellbound as not one muscle moved the entire time. Brynna gasped and pointed out items of interest from time to time, equally riveted to the show. It turned out that it was cancelled due to rain the remaining nights that we were there, so our day ended with yet another bit of Disney magic. I hadnt planned on returning to MGM, but both kids pronounced it their favorite park and begged to go back, even if only to buy souvenirs (Mom, please buy everything in the Star Wars store!). Yeah, right - theyre trying to get me on ToT! Well, it wont happen tomorrow, because were hitting the other side of the MK. Cant wait to revisit Space Mountain and try out Buzz Lightyear!
Myself (Lori), 32: Single mom and anal planner; previous trips to WDW in 1972 and 1993
Grandma, 68: Just had back and heart surgery, determined to share kids first trip; also went in 1972
Bryn, 8: Loves all rides; first trip is also celebration of 8th birthday
Ethan, 4: Tall enough for almost everything, but not as daring as his sister; well have to see...
<u>The Monsters World Tour, Part III: Magic at MGM</u>
Id planned a day at MGM in between our two ride-dominated days at MK, hoping that wed get a chance to recharge while we took in the shows. An afternoon swim and nap before returning to Fantasmic! was also on the slate. We slept in (for us!), had a bite at the food court, and still made it to the gates just as the park opened. Bryn wanted another birthday pin, but the CM said he could do one better: he offered us Fastpasses for Indiana Jones! Woohoo! The passes were for the first show, so we strolled around Echo Lake and took pictures of Gertie for Ethan, our resident dinosaur nut, and reported at the gate about ten minutes before the show. To our amazement, the CM at the gate called us by name and said that Mickey himself had called her to tell her that some special guests were arriving, and to give them VIP seating! She complimented our t-shirts, adding quietly to me that the CM from Guest Services had told her to watch out for them. I am truly surprised that more people dont wear matching outfits! We ended up in the third row next to the control booth, and got some outstanding photos of the excellent show.
The Muppet Show was next on our list, so we wandered through the shops along the way. The show was hilarious, and the effects were incredible. I spent half the time watching the kids reach for things that appeared to be under their noses.
We got lost looking for the Backlot Tour (guess we didnt memorize the MGM map well enough, lol), and finally found the entrance flanked by CMs. I was quite disappointed to learn that the attraction had been closed; Ethan nearly had a meltdown. One CM whispered to him to go around the corner and check out a particular doorway, so off he went, tears forgotten. And who should we find but the great Mouse himself! I later noticed that the character greeting area is clearly labeled on the map, but fewer than 15 people were there. Mickey was in his sorcerers costume, and m y children were in awe - what a wonderful moment!Grandma wanted to check out One Mans Dream, and I wished just that once that we adults could have done so by ourselves. The kids were so used to overstimulation that they put up a fuss the whole time we were there. In fact, Ethan started gearing up for a meltdown as I searched for an exit. Voyage of the Little Mermaid was last on our list for the morning, so I hustled the kids over there to find that the line was quite small. The kids revived in anticipation, but then the doors opened and only Fastpass holders were being admitted. My mother became quite angry as we stood there for 20 minutes while Fastpass holders trickled in at their leisure. Finally the standby line was opened and we managed to get decent seats in the theater. We all loved the underwater effects, but felt the show did not live up to its hype.
Ethan reached his personal breaking point as we exited the show, so instead of the planned treat at Dinosaur Gerties, we returned to ASMu. He managed to pull himself together even before we reached the buses, so I let the kids swim for an hour before we all lay down for a nap. I dragged everyone out of bed to get supper, and then no one was hungry! We hopped the bus back to MGM and arrived just as the Fantasmic gate opened at 6:30. We had incredible seats in the Mickey/Scar area and some friendly neighbors from Texas with whom to pass the time. They had brought their 3-year-old grandson, who reported that he loved Tower of Terror - oh oh. Now my own kids began badgering me: Mo-om, pleeease? If this little boy went, Ethan should be OK. Pleeease? I said Id think about it. (Discerning parents know already that I had no chance, lol.) Of course, everyone got hungry at this point: first I spent $12.50 for 4 ice creams and a water, then I dont know what for hot dogs, soda, and more water, then finally another $3 for popcorn right before the show. Sheesh!
Fantasmic was truly mind-boggling. Ethan appeared literally spellbound as not one muscle moved the entire time. Brynna gasped and pointed out items of interest from time to time, equally riveted to the show. It turned out that it was cancelled due to rain the remaining nights that we were there, so our day ended with yet another bit of Disney magic. I hadnt planned on returning to MGM, but both kids pronounced it their favorite park and begged to go back, even if only to buy souvenirs (Mom, please buy everything in the Star Wars store!). Yeah, right - theyre trying to get me on ToT! Well, it wont happen tomorrow, because were hitting the other side of the MK. Cant wait to revisit Space Mountain and try out Buzz Lightyear!
