The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[Charleston Princess]

I said I would be back for the tr and I am.

Great report so far.

Love the pic with Vader.

We are doing it next year and I cannot wait.

Looking forward to more.

Scott, you came! I am so pleased! I've missed you!

When are you planning on going next year??? I would love to run into you and Biff!

Guess what today is?? It's update day!!!

Yeah for update day!

Yes, it's update day -- as soon as I get enough coffee into my system to sound halfway coherent!

YEAH UPDATE DAY!!!!!!

BTW Jackie, I totally am right there with you on your admiration of Grace Kelly--she was stunning and such a style icon!! My sis, once dressed up and made up, looks a LOT like her. SO UNFAIR! (I know it is probably really hard to imagine that from the car coma picture from my TR.) She looked so much like her on her wedding day--I'll try to post a pic of her from then if I can! Can't wait for today's update!!!

I would love to see a pic of Kristi in her wedding dress!

 

[trixiequilts]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi, I've been lurking for a long time and thoroughly enjoyed it all. In fact, the pre-trippie will all be read again as soon as I have the time, loved all the planning ideas!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi, I've been lurking for a long time and thoroughly enjoyed it all. In fact, the pre-trippie will all be read again as soon as I have the time, loved all the planning ideas!

Welcome!!! Thank you!!! I am glad you like all the planning ideas!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Upon returning to the hotel room, we were welcomed to a blast of cold, air-conditioned bliss. How wonderful to be able to just sit for a few minutes!

Sleeping Beauty was still slumbering away and had no interest in waking up. Using my infinite medical knowledge garnered from Grey's Anatomy, I knew Charles was probably okay since he could still talk to us when I shook him repeatedly and asked him questions.

After resting, the kids and I headed back to DHS (another bus trip of which I was getting thoroughly sick and tired of taking) for dinner, Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, and Fantasmic.

The park was beginning to empty somewhat and cool down. We decided to ride Star Tours first since what Star Wars Weekend would be complete without a trip to Endor??? No waiting -- chi-ching! Star Tours is one of my favorite rides -- grainy film and all -- it is just enough of a thrill for me without making me hide my eyes and wait for it to be over.

After our Star Tours adventure, we went to Backlot Express to grab some dinner. I love this place! I think we have eaten there on every trip since the opening of Disney-MGM. We found a table at the back near a window and could watch Hyperspace Hoopla going on. Connor loved seeing the Cantina Band and danced his way through dinner.

With dinner and Star Tours checked off the list, we headed to Toy Story Mania -- we figured we would either wait in the stand-by line or grab fast passes -- either way, Connor was very excited to ride it since he loves, loves, loves Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

Remember how I said the park was not nearly as crowded? That's because everyone was waiting in line for Toy Story Mania. It was a 170-minute wait, and there were no Fast Passes!!! I won't stand in a line that's longer than 40 minutes.

Connor was beyond disappointed -- like, "I am going to cry at the unfairness of life and everyone will know about it" disappointed. So disappointed in fact that he wanted to do nothing else the rest of the night. At this moment, I thought, "I need a solo trip like Allyson (MomofCKJ) without whiny kids and sleeping husbands." I took one look at Connor and his mood, took one look at Chelsea who was dragging, and decided to call it a night. We had six more days and maybe traipsing back and forth across the parks and to the resort in the heat had just done them in.

I made the command decision which must have been the right one since no one argued. We stopped under the hat to look at pins (I bought Chef Mickey ones for the next night), and Chelsea asked if we could browse through the shops on our way up the street.

MAGICAL MOMENT: As we were in one of the stores and Connor was indulging his inner goofiness by trying on hats, a CM came up to Connor and asked him if he would like to look at his pins. Connor looked at them and said, "I forgot my lanyard back at the hotel." The CM then said, "If you had your lanyard, which of my pins would you want to trade me for?" Connor pointed to a Donald Duck as a pirate pin, and the CM took it off his lanyard and gave it to Connor saying, "Here you go! Next time don't forget to wear your lanyard!"

This is why I love Disney! Connor's night was made -- in fact, his whole day was made, and I had tears in my eyes at the kindness of this man who had made my little boy so happy!

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason -- I tell the kids this a lot. As we headed out to the buses to return for the final time to POFQ and the beckoning pool, I couldn't help but point out, "See, if TSM hadn't had a huge wait and we hadn't decided to leave, you never would have received that pin!" Connor practically skipped the whole way to the bus stop!

Riding the bus back (we won't count the number of times we had done that in one day), I mulled over the day -- two rides and a photo op! Obviously, the whole flowing thing was not going to work.

We were going to Epcot with a plan the next day!

UP NEXT: In Which Our Intrepid Adventurers Head to the Future and Get Detained! (And the pictures start to pick up)!

 

[willwriteforears]

So glad the CM helped make Connor's night!

Yup, TSM is definitely a ride to catch at park opening, or get FPs. When we were there, we got FPs for it around 10-ish, and the return time was already for 3:30-4:30, I believe.

Looking forward to Epcot! I really should get on the ball--here your TR is happily in park land, and even though I started mine earlier, I'm still going on about GPSs!

 

[cjhinch]

Your dh must have really been wiped out! How much Benadryl did he take? That is a little scary!!

After our Star Tours adventure, we went to Backlot Express to grab some dinner. I love this place! I think we have eaten there on every trip since the opening of Disney-MGM. We found a table at the back near a window and could watch Hyperspace Hoopla going on. Connor loved seeing the Cantina Band and danced his way through dinner.

This is what I find crazy about MGM, we have been there plenty of times, and I couldn't tell you where 80% of the restaurants are. I have no idea where Backlot Express is, we always end up at Pizza Planet! We have an ADR at 50's prime time on our next trip, have no idea where it is! This park is so confusing!

Remember how I said the park was not nearly as crowded? That's because everyone was waiting in line for Toy Story Mania. It was a 170-minute wait, and there were no Fast Passes!!! I won't stand in a line that's longer than 40 minutes

.

While reading your report, I was wondering why you hadn't grabbed fastpasses for that ride the minute you got to the park! I'm sorry he didn't get to ride it this time, hopefully you got to make up for it later in the week?

MAGICAL MOMENT: As we were in one of the stores and Connor was indulging his inner goofiness by trying on hats, a CM came up to Connor and asked him if he would like to look at his pins. Connor looked at them and said, "I forgot my lanyard back at the hotel." The CM then said, "If you had your lanyard, which of my pins would you want to trade me for?" Connor pointed to a Donald Duck as a pirate pin, and the CM took it off his lanyard and gave it to Connor saying, "Here you go! Next time don't forget to wear your lanyard!

This is what I love about Disney. They always seem to come through in some of the worst moments! Not to hijack, but on our trip before last, we were in Epcot, the sun was killing us, we were all hungry, and my Mom had just about had enough walking for the week. We were all very, very cranky!! We were heading to Great Britain for some fish and chips when the street entertainers showed up, and made us park it right under a shady tree. They then went on to pull Dh into the show (much to his embarrassment), and they even made him dance!! We all left there feeling much better.....they must have a radar that hones in on those families not feeling the Magic!!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I had no idea they had the Cantina Band there....now I need to go to Star Wars weekend just to see that!

 

[stagemomx3]

I hope Sleeping Beauty wakes up well rested and happy!

Having just looked at what the average wait times for TSMM in California Adventure are this week, I could have guessed that the wait would be close to 3 hours during your trip.

That was a great Magic Moment for Connor.

So you are done flowing? I thought you day sounded pretty good, especially since it was your bonus full day. I can't wait to see how the plan works though.

 

[DisneyJo]

What a sweet CM, it sounded like your DS was so pleased

 

[Charleston Princess]

So glad the CM helped make Connor's night!

Yup, TSM is definitely a ride to catch at park opening, or get FPs. When we were there, we got FPs for it around 10-ish, and the return time was already for 3:30-4:30, I believe.

Looking forward to Epcot! I really should get on the ball--here your TR is happily in park land, and even though I started mine earlier, I'm still going on about GPSs!

That CM was the best!

TSM was crazy busy all week!

But the GPS stuff is hilarious! So is the Mickey Ninja!

Your dh must have really been wiped out! How much Benadryl did he take? That is a little scary!!

Two -- I think his body just decided it was going to be a sleeping day. I think he was just wiped out because I found out later he had stayed up all night the night before we left.

This is what I find crazy about MGM, we have been there plenty of times, and I couldn't tell you where 80% of the restaurants are. I have no idea where Backlot Express is, we always end up at Pizza Planet! We have an ADR at 50's prime time on our next trip, have no idea where it is! This park is so confusing!

Backlot is tucked back between Indiana Jones and Star Tours -- not many people end up there, so it's usually pretty quiet.

Prime Time is right across from the big dinosaur ice cream stand on Echo Lake -- so it's pretty easy to find. You will have to let me know what you think of it - I would like to try it on the next trip.

While reading your report, I was wondering why you hadn't grabbed fastpasses for that ride the minute you got to the park! I'm sorry he didn't get to ride it this time, hopefully you got to make up for it later in the week?

I don't know what I was thinking -- obviously, I was too busy trying to flow!

TSM definitely comes back into the picture later in the week.

This is what I love about Disney. They always seem to come through in some of the worst moments! Not to hijack, but on our trip before last, we were in Epcot, the sun was killing us, we were all hungry, and my Mom had just about had enough walking for the week. We were all very, very cranky!! We were heading to Great Britain for some fish and chips when the street entertainers showed up, and made us park it right under a shady tree. They then went on to pull Dh into the show (much to his embarrassment), and they even made him dance!! We all left there feeling much better.....they must have a radar that hones in on those families not feeling the Magic!!

Hijack away! I love hearing other's stories! That is awesome about the street performers! Those are the moments we always remember the most fondly!

I had no idea they had the Cantina Band there....now I need to go to Star Wars weekend just to see that!

They were hysterical!

I hope Sleeping Beauty wakes up well rested and happy!

Oh, he does!

Having just looked at what the average wait times for TSMM in California Adventure are this week, I could have guessed that the wait would be close to 3 hours during your trip.

It was craziness! But I think it played to our benefit later in the trip because it sucked people away from other rides.

That was a great Magic Moment for Connor.

He's still talking about it!

So you are done flowing? I thought you day sounded pretty good, especially since it was your bonus full day. I can't wait to see how the plan works though.

I keep telling myself that it was a good day overall, but my OCD is just aghast at how little we actually accomplished.

The flowing became more like a dripping faucet the rest of the trip!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a sweet CM, it sounded like your DS was so pleased

He was ultra-sweet! Connor was on cloud nine from it for days afterwards!

 

[stagemomx3]

The flowing became more like a dripping faucet the rest of the trip!

 

[thewesterberg]

Sleeping Beauty was still slumbering away and had no interest in waking up. Using my infinite medical knowledge garnered from Grey's Anatomy,

"I'm not a doctor, I just watch them on TV" That stuff really knocked him out!!

After resting, the kids and I headed back to DHS (another bus trip of which I was getting thoroughly sick and tired of taking)

You could have just taken over, you probably knew the route so well!

That's because everyone was waiting in line for Toy Story Mania. It was a 170-minute wait, and there were no Fast Passes!!!

Say what???!!!??? An almost 3 hour wait?? That's insane! Mental note to self... Get FPs immediately for this ride!!!

MAGICAL MOMENT: As we were in one of the stores and Connor was indulging his inner goofiness by trying on hats, a CM came up to Connor and asked him if he would like to look at his pins. Connor looked at them and said, "I forgot my lanyard back at the hotel." The CM then said, "If you had your lanyard, which of my pins would you want to trade me for?" Connor pointed to a Donald Duck as a pirate pin, and the CM took it off his lanyard and gave it to Connor saying, "Here you go! Next time don't forget to wear your lanyard!"

Way to save the day, CM!! That is just awesome!

UP NEXT: In Which Our Intrepid Adventurers Head to the Future and Get Detained! (And the pictures start to pick up)!

 

[MegansMom]

Another great installment!!! That is a CRAZY wait time for TSM--we had much better luck with it (but you'll have to wait until that comes up in the TR ;o) So cute about the magical moment for Connor!!! I bet your kids would still call it a good day, and that's all that really matters!!! Did you get to the pool that night? Can't wait to read more!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great Update, CP. I wonder if I will ever have to whip out my Grey's Anatomy medical training. Note to self: Do not let DF take benadryl at WDW.
Second Note to Self: Grab Fast Passes for Toy Story Mania.

I can't wait for more, more, more.

 

[Charleston Princess]

"I'm not a doctor, I just watch them on TV" That stuff really knocked him out!!

It sure did, and he wasn't allowed to take any more the entire trip!

You could have just taken over, you probably knew the route so well!

And done the spiel!!!

Say what???!!!??? An almost 3 hour wait?? That's insane! Mental note to self... Get FPs immediately for this ride!!!

Yes, go directly to TSM and do not pass go until you have FPs in hand.

Way to save the day, CM!! That is just awesome!

It definitely made up for missing TSM and Fantasmic.

Another great installment!!! That is a CRAZY wait time for TSM--we had much better luck with it (but you'll have to wait until that comes up in the TR ;o) So cute about the magical moment for Connor!!! I bet your kids would still call it a good day, and that's all that really matters!!! Did you get to the pool that night? Can't wait to read more!

Thanks! The kids did think it was a good day, and that is what matters in the long run! Any day at Disney, no matter how unproductive, is better than a day in the real world! We did end our day at the pool which was nice.

Great Update, CP. I wonder if I will ever have to whip out my Grey's Anatomy medical training. Note to self: Do not let DF take benadryl at WDW.
Second Note to Self: Grab Fast Passes for Toy Story Mania.

I can't wait for more, more, more.

Thanks! You can make a list -- Lessons Learned from Charleston Princess:

1. Do not take benedryl while at the World.
2. Upon arriving at DHS, get FPs for Toy Story Mania.

 

[IluvXU]

170 minutes... that is crazy! I do wish we could have checked that out... hate to think we missed something new! Yes you spent a lot of time bus riding... excited to hear how EPCOT touring changes!

 

[ampc3]

Another great update Very cool with the CM and the pin trading... I decided not to "show" my kids that even excisted.. I know bad mommy.

Yikes 170min... The longest I think we saw was 120 min of course FP were gone pretty quick... Hope you got to ride later in week?? It was AWESOME!!
Looking forward to your Epcot day... We found HS hard to really plan for b/c of all the shows etc..

 

[Charleston Princess]

170 minutes... that is crazy! I do wish we could have checked that out... hate to think we missed something new! Yes you spent a lot of time bus riding... excited to hear how EPCOT touring changes!

Just think, next time you go, you can try it out and the newness (long lines) will have worn off.

EPCOT touring changes dramatically! We make up for the slow day at DHS.

Another great update Very cool with the CM and the pin trading... I decided not to "show" my kids that even excisted.. I know bad mommy.

Yikes 170min... The longest I think we saw was 120 min of course FP were gone pretty quick... Hope you got to ride later in week?? It was AWESOME!!
Looking forward to your Epcot day... We found HS hard to really plan for b/c of all the shows etc..

The CM was a blessing! We're not into pin trading, but we like doing the whole pins and lanyard thing.

DHS is hard to tour -- we didn't do any of the shows this year, and that helped.

 

[Nicole786]

I love Grey's Anatomy and the infinite wisdom it gives me Great chapters! Can't wait for more, woohoo!