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

[Native NYer]

Connor's b-day is Sept. 19th -- he and his sister, coincidentally, are exactly two years, two months, and two days apart.

Oh we have to remember to wish Connor a happy birthday

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh we have to remember to wish Connor a happy birthday

I think we are going to get tickets to take him to Medieval Times for his birthday (we have one here in Atlanta). It looks like it is right up his alley!

 

[Native NYer]

I think we are going to get tickets to take him to Medieval Times for his birthday (we have one here in Atlanta). It looks like it is right up his alley!

It's a lot of fun! My brother went for his 8th birthday and had a blast. It's an excuse to eat with your hands.

 

[Charleston Princess]

We still had a little bit of time before the Toy Story Mania fast passes and lots of time before the RnRC fast passes, so we decided to head over to the Magic of Animation tour and the drawing classes. I had seen pictures of it on Punkin413's TR, and it looked like something we would enjoy!

We had never done it before (well, I did the old animation tour back in the 1990's when there were real animators at work), and it was a lot of fun. Mushu (who plays a starring roll in the little film) cracked us up! We then headed for the drawing class.

Our animator taught us how to draw Winnie-the-Pooh step-by-step. Charles, Connor, and I followed along gamely, although we will never be mistaken for Disney animators. Chelsea got fed up on the second circle, pulled a Toy Story Mania, and refused to finish her rendering of Pooh. Sigh. Sometimes the kids like to tag-team. One acts like a demon while the other behaves nicely as if proclaiming, "Look, Mom and Dad, I am the good child." Chelsea was not being the good child, but I ignored her (after trying to bolster her self-confidence to no avail) and kept drawing. I'll take pics of our Pooh pictures for the "souvenirs and other fun stuff" update.

When we were finished, it was time for our TSM fast passes. Remember we only had three. I wanted Charles to ride and was looking forward to some quiet window-shopping while they rode. Chelsea considerately volunteered to ride solo so that Charles and Connor could ride together. I am very lucky in that I truly have sweet children most of the time. So, merrily my three tripped off to play. This time Connor did learn how to work his gun!

We just happened to catch the Block Party Bash parade which is very cute if you like parades and Pixar.

Then it was time for RnRC. As we walked over that way, Charles and I decided we would cancel our Boma dinner ADR (we were having too much fun at DHS) and just schedule a lunch for tomorrow. Connor decided he didn't want to ride RnRC -- he's leary of those corkscrews -- which enabled Charles and Chelsea to ride back to back.

Before my two rockers went to party with Aerosmith, I had them pose for the Photopass photographer. These are my two favorite photos of Chelsea from the trip. They truly capture her personality better than any others (silliness being a big part of who she is)!

Connor and I spent our time making a ressie for Restaurant Marrakesh for lunch on Friday, playing with the wigs in the gift shop, hiding from a brief rainshower, and getting a gecko tattoo for Connor. I have to say that I was a little surprised both times that Connor never complained about waiting on Charles and Chelsea while they rode.

Here's Connor sporting his new tattoo which I kid you not lasted like two weeks!

Then we rode Star Tours again -- I would guess this is one of Connor's favorite rides at DHS and ate at Backlot Express. Charles said he liked it better than Pecos Bill's and that we should always eat there (which we do -- I don't know where he has been for the past 7 trips that we have taken together).

Connor was thrilled to find the ToonTown Patrol car from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? He had watched it for the first time on television the night before we left for WDW. In fact, there are quite a few nods to the movie that we had spotted while at DHS.

After dinner, we debated staying longer, but we were all pretty beat so we headed back to the resort for pool time and relaxing.

UP NEXT: In Which Our Intrepid Adventurers Explore Their Resort!

 

[UltraJoshua]

that's nice

 

[Native NYer]

Sounds like you had a great afternoon at DHS! I'm glad that Connor's day improved and he enjoyed Toy Story Mania.

I had no idea about the drawing class. Maybe I'll try that this trip.

Those photos of Charles and Chelsea are great! And I love Connor's gecko tattoo. So cute!

I can't wait to see pics of the resort and read your review of Restaurant Marrakesh.

 

[Charleston Princess]

It's a lot of fun! My brother went for his 8th birthday and had a blast. It's an excuse to eat with your hands.

I was talking to Connor about it the other day, and he was all excited about the prospect of jousting knights and eating with his hands.

that's nice

Thanks!

Sounds like you had a great afternoon at DHS! I'm glad that Connor's day improved and he enjoyed Toy Story Mania.

I had no idea about the drawing class. Maybe I'll try that this trip.

Those photos of Charles and Chelsea are great! And I love Connor's gecko tattoo. So cute!

I can't wait to see pics of the resort and read your review of Restaurant Marrakesh.

We did have a great afternoon! The drawing class was something new and different for us -- even Charles thought it was fun -- which says a lot.

When I saw those pictures, I knew I had to have them! They are just so Chelsea!

I had wanted to eat at Marrakesh for years! I was quite excited to be able to sneak it in.

 

[KatGarcia]

I can't wait to make a beeline for TSM!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I guess the Marrakesh review will be next week

Oh did you buy a Photopass CD? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I can't wait to make a beeline for TSM!!!

It's really neat -- it's like a much more advanced Buzz Lightyear! Grab Fast Passes and then do stand-by if you get there a rope drop. That way you will get a chance to ride it twice!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I adore this picture. I love his reflection in the car.

Chelsea's pictures are adorable too, so cute and fun. I think she has been watching America's Next Top Model.

Great Update CP! Thank you for entertaining me in my last hour of work, it is much appreciated!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I glad you skipped Boma and spent more time in the park. And I like Backlot Express as well. But the Studios in general need better counter service restaurants.

 

[stagemomx3]

I want to see the pictures of Winnie the Pooh. I like the picture of Charles and Chelsea playing air guitar.

 

[Nicole786]

Awesome update! I can't wait to see the animation pics! I know I'm horrible at it, so mine are pretty funny! My brother pulled a TSM on it too, he gave up, I hope I can get him in it again this trip!

 

[Supermom3]

Love the updates. They really are one of the highlights of my day. DHS is really one of our favorite parks and now with the new Toy Story ride it'll be even that much more.

 

[shannon47142]

Conner's tattoo looked awesome!!

 

[Sarilas]

I think I'm going to have to implement a Disney movie watching plan! The younger kids haven't seen half of the movies and characters they're going to run into... (Roger Rabbit included.) Bad Disney Mom, BAD!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Great update (as always!)! Love the Tattoo!

So glad he got to enjoy TSM the second time around. I'm excited to see that ride first hand.

And looking forward to your Marrakesh review!

Isn't the Animator's Studio fun? Sorry Chelsea got frustrated. My Goofy did too. It can be hard.

Allyson

 

[swwake]

Cracked me up that Chelsea pulled a TSM!

I love the pics of her also, esp with her dad.

Glad that Connor got a 2nd chance at TSM and enjoyed it.

I love the tattoo. Cool that it lasted so long.

Thanks for another great update!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

glad he was fine for the rest of the time.

nice tattoo.