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

[Charleston Princess]

Ha!! hey Jackie- cannot wait to hear more!! I am laughing b/c when we were in WDW in Feb, I looked for a few from our PTR's, like Jordan and Sabrina and others from our Feb '08 travelers.

I am here and waiting!!

Lori

Hi, Lori!

I met one person who recognized the DIS tag on my camera bag, but that story will come later...on day three.

 

[Nicole786]

Waiting for more!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Waiting for more!

I have my notes ready and my pics uploaded so I can update tomorrow morning.

 

[nts4wdw]

If there was ever any doubt whether I have OCD, I now know for sure that I do.

Tonight, I sat and listed all the installments for my TR, titled them, and figured out how often I will need to post to finish my TR before going back to work on August 1.

That means I will be posting a new update every other day. Yep, that's right. That's the plan. Every other day.

Starting tomorrow.

Hope that's not too much!

Don't worry, I probably won't be able to keep up that pace.

Oh My! I was just thinking I probably won't be finished before we go in December at the pace I'm going. You are my idol! Of course, you don't have to wait for someone else to put his comments on there when he takes his sweet time!!!!! Sorry. My impatience is showing.

Your updates will definitely get me through the summer. They always make me smile.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

That means I will be posting a new update every other day. Yep, that's right. That's the plan. Every other day.

Starting tomorrow.

Hope that's not too much!

Too much?! Are you kidding?? Sounds great to me!!

 

[Sarilas]

I met one person who recognized the DIS tag on my camera bag, but that story will come later...on day three.

I have my notes ready and my pics uploaded so I can update tomorrow morning.

Yeah for today! Anxiously awaiting the newest installment! And I can't wait to hear about who recognized you. I loved the idea of the DIS tags - so cute!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh My! I was just thinking I probably won't be finished before we go in December at the pace I'm going. You are my idol! Of course, you don't have to wait for someone else to put his comments on there when he takes his sweet time!!!!! Sorry. My impatience is showing.

Your updates will definitely get me through the summer. They always make me smile.

Hopefully, I can stick to my schedule -- being off during the summer should help!

Too much?! Are you kidding?? Sounds great to me!!

Hurray!

Yeah for today! Anxiously awaiting the newest installment! And I can't wait to hear about who recognized you. I loved the idea of the DIS tags - so cute!

Getting ready to write it now!

Thanks -- I was quite proud of my DIS tags!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Yahoo for the summer reading list!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Foreshadowing: A literary device in which the writer hints at what will come later; often done with an ominous tone.

Example: Saturday night Charles took two Benedryl to combat his allergies and to help him sleep in a strange bed.

Sunday morning Stitch woke us all up. I went down to switch our room over to the package and get our tickets. No problemos!

It was time for our first full day at a Disney park and our first ever Star Wars Weekend! (Said with a Kermit voice and much waving of arms in the air). We knew we were just going to "play" on Sunday, since we hadn't even banked on a full day originally.

I didn't want to make rope drop, so we strolled slowly over to the bus stop, taking a couple of pictures along the way.

I think the bus came fairly quickly. No, wait, it didn't, because I distinctly remember Charles falling asleep while waiting on the bench. He was still groggy from the Benedryl.

But soon enough, we were on the bus and headed to Disney Hollywood Studios!!! Hurray!!!

I was super excited about Star Wars Weekend. Star Wars is a huge part of my life -- I wanted to be Princess Leia when I was little, and my first real fear was Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers. Need I mention that Han Solo was my first crush (at six)? Nah, you could probably have guessed that one.

I am sure the rest of the family would have been super excited about SWW, but I hadn't told them. I wanted it to be a surprise for Connor (who is also a huge SW fan), and I knew that Charles would grumble about possible crowd levels. I kept my secret well.

As we pulled in to DHS, I was amazed at the number of cars also pulling in. I had never seen the lots so packed!!! Charles would have been amazed, too, but he had fallen asleep again.

Upon disembarking, I told everyone about Star Wars Weekends. Connor flipped (in a good way)! Walking up to the entrance, there was SW music playing -- The Battle of the Heroes, to be exact. I John Williams' music -- and that particular piece ranks right up there with the main SW theme, the Princess Leia and Han Solo theme, the Imperial March, and the theme from Jurassic Park. All of those rank only below the Schindler's List theme (which makes me cry everytime I hear it) as John Williams' best work. But I digress...which movie music will make me do.

Passing under the entrance, we saw them. STORMTROOPERS! I don't know who was more excited -- Connor or me! I had tears in the corners of my eyes, I was so giddy!

Here's the one on the left:

Here's the one on the right:

Here is their group shot:

We just stood and watched them for awhile. Their little routine was cracking us up!

We had decided to eat breakfast at the park, so we strolled over to the ABC Commissary. Everyone had bagel breakfast sandwiches. Charles was awake for that.

After breakfast, Connor wanted us to ride the Great Movie Ride. He really likes how the tour gets hijacked, and last year, he and I rode it while Chelsea and Charles rode Rock n' Roller Coaster. He felt that Charles and Chelsea needed to ride it.

No wait at the GMR -- chi-ching! DHS Mojo!

While we were riding, I glanced over and noticed that Charles had fallen asleep again! He was leaning perilously close to the man beside him, and I could just see him laying his head on this stranger's shoulder! So, I nudged him repeatedly during the ride to keep him from getting too cozy with his neighbor.

After this ride, I convinced Charles to head back to the hotel to sleep and return later when he was rested. I debated putting him on the bus and leaving him to his own devices to find his way back, but then visions of him in his Benedryl-induced coma riding the bus all day guilted me into going with him.

DISCLAIMER: I am not really such a sweet wife. I had an ulterior motive. When I pulled the camera out to take pics of Chelsea and Connor on the bus, I noticed I had the wrong lens. It was the "I-can-see-into-your-living-room-from-five-city-blocks-away or the if-I-were-Jimmy-Stewart-in-Rear-Window-I-could-see-the-contents-of-your-murdered-wife's-handbag" zoom lens. I wanted the regular one. Also, I was worried that Charles in his comatose state would lose his wallet with his KTTW and debit cards. Ordinarily, I would have pinned a tag on him like Paddington Bear (Please look after this man) and hoped for the best .

Back on the bus to return Charles to the hotel room, and back on the bus to return to DHS.

On our way back, the kids and I formulated our game plan. We would get our pic with Darth Vader, go to Wicket's Warehouse (Connor wanted SW souvenirs), and see the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

We found Darth Vader and despite Chelsea's grumbling -- it was so hot waiting in that line, but at least it was shaded -- we waited (I was not giving in on this one). Vader was great -- totally in character -- it was fun watching him with the other people.

Then, it was our turn (only about a 30-minute wait). I probably shouldn't have been grinning this big, but I couldn't help it. I was getting my pic made with Darth Vader!!!

That done (one thing checked off my wish list), we found our way to Wicket's Warehouse. Here is one thing you should know, dear readers. Connor takes FOREVER to shop. He's worse than a woman. Couple that tendency with an entire warehouse full of stuff from some of his favorite movies and we were in there for a long, long time. It was air-conditioned though.

Connor finally opted for a Stormtrooper Blaster (those Stormtroopers really made an impression on him), the SWW t-shirt with Donald as a Stormtrooper, and we all picked out pins. I will take pics of those later -- they are really cute!

Checking the time, we figured we could make it to the next IJSS show. Nope, all filled. So, we got ice cream from Dino Gertie's, Chelsea shopped at the little carts outside the Indy show, and we people watched.

How could all those people wear Jedi robes on Sunday??? I was pouring sweat in regular clothes! I guess they were truly die-hard fans!

Connor's favorite moment of that part of the day: He was playing with his blaster, completely in character as a Stormtrooper (he's my little actor), and suddenly turned towards me practically squealing, "Momma, Momma, that boy with his lightsaber? He totally deflected my blaster with it!!!" He was all excited that another boy played right along with him!

It was almost time for the afternoon parade, so we headed down Hollywood Boulevard to get our Photopass pics of Darth Vader and go back to the hotel room to rest and wake up Charles (again).

Up Next: In Which One of Our Intrepid Adventurers Receives a Little Bit of Magic!

 

[thewesterberg]

made you look SO happy!! That's awesome!

And way to take DH's well-being into account and escorting him back to the room. That's mighty big of you! I would have been so tempted to stay and let him take an unconscious tour on the bus!

 

[MegansMom]

Jackie---first of all, I SO desperately want to go back already!! LET'S DO IT!!! ;o)

Great first installment---sounds like you guys had a very relaxing first day so far!! The picture is GREAT!! Can't wipe that smile off your face at all, could we?!?! So far, SO GOOD!!! Keep 'em coming!

 

[MomofCKJ]

After this ride, I convinced Charles to head back to the hotel to sleep and return later when he was rested. I debated putting him on the bus and leaving him to his own devices to find his way back, but then visions of him in his Benedryl-induced coma riding the bus all day guilted me into going with him.

Back on the bus to return Charles to the hotel room, and back on the bus to return to DHS.

You are one good wife! I think for sure I would have left him to fend for himself and potentially snooze his way around the World on that bus! You get points for this! I guess Charles + Benedryl is not the best combination huh?

Cool pic with Darth! I have a pic of my BF and I in college at Disney on Spring Break with Chewbacca. It is one of my FAVE pics of all time! Gotta love that Star Wars stuff!

Can't wait for more!

Allyson

 

[Lady Lallie]

Cutest picture ever, you look so adorable with your Darth Vadar Glory. You look like you were trying to get as close to possible while maintaning some self control.

You are a better woman than I, DF would have been on his own. I think the bus driver would have eventually woken up Charles.

 

[camelotcats]

We had the Imerial March as our wedding march (you know, the song they play after they introduce you as Mr and Mrs X).....

Great pic with Darth! You look excited.

And so cute about the kids.

I know what you mean about the robes. We go to the ren-fest here every year, and it is in August, yet you will see people in full garb. I don't know how they do it. I would die of heat stroke.

 

[ehstrojette]

your hubby sounds like without medicine. My dad can fall asleep anywhere..lol. I really need to work on my trip report since I got back when you guys got there I am a week behind you getting mine up. Can't wait to read more

 

[MRYPPNS]

I couldn't have gone back to the hotel with DH...that just wouldn't have been efficient and that would have ruined my schedule. Seriously I would have hives...I have issues.... I know. Tell Charles how lucky he is to have you!

I'm a horrible shopper too...maybe Connor and I can shop together sometime...he has his own credit card right?

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

There is no try. There is only do or not do.

 

[willwriteforears]

Loved the foreshadowing and example bit!

And an update every other day?

 

[dreamer17555]

Oh you are such a better wife than I am. I would have let He (DH) fend for himself, no way would I have ridden back and forth like that. He better have bought you something sparkly for that

I love the Darth Vadar pic. I am not a huge Star Wars fan but I married one. So it is big part of our daily life

BTW your kids are too cute!

-Becca-

 

[punk101]

Sounds fun!