The Rebel Forces Were Strong But The Smith's Are Stronger TR-7/20 FINAL THOUGHTS

[Tnkrbelle565]

Awww, Jedi Mickey is so cute! Almost as cute as Princess Aisling, but I think she's got him beat!

I can't believe that lines could get so long just to meet characters! Hours?! And people seriously camped out there?!

Hours...and yes people slept outside DHS to meet the celebrities. I just had this conversation with some co-workers (talking about the people sleeping outside for a week to see the Twilight premiere). I don't think there is ANYTHING/ANYONE that I would camp out to see.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I'm sure you figured it out by now but we were heading toward TSM!!! But first we had a seat outside the ABC Commissary to chat. The kids sat at one table- the adult at another and we relaxed.

We came out and the kids were DONE! I think everyone just needed a break after the lack of sleep/heat/long lines. We had been thinking about eating lunch at DHS but decided to just eat back at Mara. I feel bad that Cindee and her family came all the way to DHS to meet us for only 2 hours but there was really not much else we wanted to accomplish and for everyone's sanity...a break was warranted!

Good bye Star Wars Weekend! I'm happy that we were able to take Aisling to see it but I can assure you that we won't be back Funnily enough, before we left home, Aisling complained and complained that we weren 't planning to do all 3 days of SWW. She never mentioned it ONCE when we were there!

First order of business when we got back to the hotel was lunch! I'm not loving the new system at Mara that they have people taking your orders. Seems like a waste of CMs who could be getting the food ready (there were 3CMs taking orders through the line). yup...more crazy lines

Randy got a burger, Aisling got the kids meal, and I got the chicken flatbread. I know there were mixed reviews of it but I loved it. My best friend is Indian so I'm very used to the green sauce and enjoy the taste. I think a lot of people expect that's pesto...it's not...and that may be why people don't like it.

We obviously had to get some Zebra domes too

Next up was swimming!!!! Stacy and I layed around while Randy did pool duty!

The kids got out of the pool to do some of the games and won a couple of little prizes. I figured that was a good point to take off and try to get everyone down for a nap!

On the way back to the room, Aisling saw the crafts going on. They were making African ornaments. Aisling had to do it of course...so we put off the naps for a couple of minutes

We got back to the room, looked out the balcony and Aisling practically had a heart attack. Outside were the elusive Red River Hogs!!!!

On all our previous trips to AKL, they were the one animal we couldn't find. The CMs told her that they were the hardest to find. I can't tell you how excited she was. she made me take like 20 pics of them.

While I was taking some pics of the hogs I noticed the skies were getting might crazy looking...

Within minutes...this is what happened

A lot of the animals run when the rain starts...but the zebras couldn't be bothered

We had literally just missed the rain two day in a row Seemed like as good of a time as any to settle down for that nap.

How long did we sleep??? Would we end up in our room for the rest of the afternoon/evening??? Or would the nap rejuvenate us???

 

[Lady Lallie]

I am seriously amazed that you survived Star Wars Weekend. It looks like it is CRAZY. I'm glad Aisling was able to go at least once though.

That rain is what you call downpour for sure.

 

[jenjolt]

I absolutely love Aisling's outfit!! WOW!! Simply stunning!!!!!

It looks like you got a lot accomplished during SSW and that a lot of fun was had by all!!

WOW that is a rainstorm!!!

 

[sohappy]

I think that we pushed so hard on day 1 that we just couldn't take anymore on day 2. We were all just exhausted and not used to THAT many people and the lines too. The kids had just as much fun swimming and hula hooping. J LOVES to hula hoop..

 

[2xcited2sleep]

SWW look like fun but not sure how I'd do with the crowds. I guess your saying you wouldn't do it again says a lot.

Love all your pics though - with Chewbacca and the ewoks, from the jedi training academy and love the one of Princess Leia and R2!!

You have some good weather mojo going with just missing the rain!

And nice to hear a positive story about Sci Fi. I've only eaten there once and it wasn't the greatest so maybe I will give it another try.

 

[Dugette]

Your last update reminds me of our AKL nap! The exhaustion, the rain, the Zebra Domes, the Red River Hogs...

I hope the nap rejuvenates you! I can't imagine how exhausting your SWW must have been: I'm sure it was more crowded your week than ours. And you waited in a lot more character lines than we did!

Looking forward to hearing what you do next!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Yeah, it sounds like one SWW would be enough for me too! Well...I'm not a SW fan so I'd probably be ok with no SWW, but you get my drift...

I totally agree about the set up with the Mara! There were a few instances where I waited, and waited, and waited some more there. In fact, one time I went down by myself to get some food and I was gone for so long Miguel got worried and came looking for me! I think they could definitely be more efficient there.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I am seriously amazed that you survived Star Wars Weekend. It looks like it is CRAZY. I'm glad Aisling was able to go at least once though.

That rain is what you call downpour for sure.

Yup...a little too crazy for us. We like our Disney at a slower pace. And since we always go in the Fall...Aisling is used to being able to just walk onto rides or walk up to characters. I can't imagine for the poor people who were on their first trip.

I absolutely love Aisling's outfit!! WOW!! Simply stunning!!!!!

It looks like you got a lot accomplished during SSW and that a lot of fun was had by all!!

WOW that is a rainstorm!!!

Thank you!

I think that we pushed so hard on day 1 that we just couldn't take anymore on day 2. We were all just exhausted and not used to THAT many people and the lines too. The kids had just as much fun swimming and hula hooping. J LOVES to hula hoop..

Jackson was a hula-hooping fool. And I agree. We pushed through Day 1 but Day 2 we kinda crashed

SWW look like fun but not sure how I'd do with the crowds. I guess your saying you wouldn't do it again says a lot.

Love all your pics though - with Chewbacca and the ewoks, from the jedi training academy and love the one of Princess Leia and R2!!

You have some good weather mojo going with just missing the rain!

And nice to hear a positive story about Sci Fi. I've only eaten there once and it wasn't the greatest so maybe I will give it another try.

Wasn't that amazing that we missed the rain two days in a row? Love when that happens

I've been to Sci Fi 3 times now and it's been good each time. Maybe you got an off day????

Your last update reminds me of our AKL nap! The exhaustion, the rain, the Zebra Domes, the Red River Hogs...

I hope the nap rejuvenates you! I can't imagine how exhausting your SWW must have been: I'm sure it was more crowded your week than ours. And you waited in a lot more character lines than we did!

Looking forward to hearing what you do next!

When you put that update up I thought...wow we had the same day

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Yeah, it sounds like one SWW would be enough for me too! Well...I'm not a SW fan so I'd probably be ok with no SWW, but you get my drift...

I totally agree about the set up with the Mara! There were a few instances where I waited, and waited, and waited some more there. In fact, one time I went down by myself to get some food and I was gone for so long Miguel got worried and came looking for me! I think they could definitely be more efficient there.

It wasn't like that before. You used to go up and just order. This really slowed down getting your food plus I think it caused a lot of congestion with people waiting around with their buzzers. I got a survey afterwards and that was the only thing I didn't rave about.

 

[goofy's_gurl]

Looks like day to was extremely hot. But looks like day two wasnt too bad. At leat you guys did everthing you wanted to. That a plus. Plus you missed the rain.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Looks like day to was extremely hot. But looks like day two wasnt too bad. At leat you guys did everthing you wanted to. That a plus. Plus you missed the rain.

Nope it was a pretty easy day. Again we only met 2 characters and rode 3 rides so it wasn't the most productive of days given the lines but we did what we wanted to do!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I think 2 character meets and 3 rides sounds good for a half day especially in the crowds. I suspect my upcoming trip (1 more sleep) will be something like that.

Once again love the photopass pics. On a side note I can't believe Randy didn't get in at least one of them. I would have pictured him for hamming it up with Darth.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I think 2 character meets and 3 rides sounds good for a half day especially in the crowds. I suspect my upcoming trip (1 more sleep) will be something like that.

Once again love the photopass pics. On a side note I can't believe Randy didn't get in at least one of them. I would have pictured him for hamming it up with Darth.

It probably will be very similar!

It IS very odd that Randy didn't get in some of the pictures. I think we were brain-dead from the heat/crowds that nobody was thinking straight all weekend!

Have a great trip!!!! Can't wait to hear about it

 

[Charlefours]

Hey! Catching up...

Whew, I can only imagine what the crowds had to be like at SWW. It is nice that they have many other characters out, part of what makes it appealing I imagine. I like the way they did the JTA too. Poor Aisling and the rest of the kids, they did look like they were roasting! Thanks for sharing the parade photos! I cannot believe it took an hour to walk that--thank goodness for the kindness of strangers! I am glad she brought back Kristen.

Goodness, I am glad that you were able to get your card straighten out--so scary! A pain to deal with on vacation, but at least they caught it. So glad Sci-Fi got you in early and made you your requests--great service!

Randy is a fantastic Dad!

I know I will be taking a lot of photos too. I, personally, love seeing all the photos on TRs!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

When I left you...it was pouring and we were snoring!

And we slept, and we slept, and we slept. Stacy called/texted because her boys were up but we slept right through it! Finally Randy and I woke up but Aisling was still out. While she continued to sleep, the adults made plans to go listen to the storyteller and then head out to DTD.

Now here is where I feel bad. I convinced Stacy to come with us. She shouldn't have! Her boys didn't nap nearly as long and were clearly not up for a late night. Aisling on the other hand was ready to go when she finally woke up

First mistake...the normal storyteller was absent. The guy they had fill in was very ill prepared. The story he told was really short, didn't make a WORD of sense, and he should not be interacting with children...he was SOOOO boring! When I filled out the survey afterward, I suggested that they have regular standbys who either have prepared stories or are given one to read. The storyteller started late and we were still out to the bus stops before 7:30!

So off to DTD we went.

We had discussed our dinner options and I really wanted to try Earl of Sandwich so we headed over there. That's when one of the Smiths had a mini meltdown

Of course it wasn't us little ladies...it was Randy! I forgot to mention that after we had gone to bed the night before, Randy went down to the hotel bar to meet our friend Tom. Tom lives in the Orlando area so he came over to watch the Celtics/Magic final with Randy. Boys being boys...little things like no sleep the night before, a full park day, and 8am rope drop the next morning do not stop them from having a few beers and staying out late.

So Randy was a little more cranky than the rest of us. He got into line and declared that there was nothing he wanted. I tried giving him the look and asked him again what he wanted. It didn't work. I told him to cut it out...that he either needed to get a sandwich or go somewhere else and get dinner but he was eating. He relented and got the meatball sandwich (which he loved by the way!). I got the BLT. Aisling got the kids Pizza Sandwich and a fruit cup. 3 thumbs up for the dinners. However, the big winner was the drinks! That Earls Lemonade is to die for! (earl grey iced tea and lemonade mixed). I couldn't decide between that and that coconut/pineapple smoothie. So I got both! I could have had 5 of them...they were equally delish!!!!

Sadly there were huge crowds at DTD that night and we couldn't get a seat all together so Stacy and the boys sat separate from us. The boys did NOT look happy eating dinner so late.

We were finishing up when Aisling's ears perked up. There sounded like there was a dance party going on in front of Once Upon a Toy. Turns out there was!!!! This had Aisling written all over it!

Once she started, we weren't dragging her away from it. She had to stay for the rest. In the meantime, Stacy's family was really ready to go. I suggested that they leave but Stacy being a good friend said she would stay with us. At some point during this, I checked my FB and found out that my cousin was also at DTD. So I sent her a message that we were at the dance party.

Aisling just kept dancing (ice cream freeze, hoedown throwdown, walk it out, etc, etc)

Jackson ended up joining in

As did Randy

Stacy tried filming the kids but Randy (clearly out of his funk) overtook the shot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjh8jW7k67g

Cooper however was NOT feeling it. He developed quite a belly ache and the poor baby just laid on the ground while the others were dancing

My cousin showed up just as the dance party was finishing up. We chatted quickly and parted ways. We just had one final thing to do. Aisling really wanted to go to the kitchen store and spend some money We ran in there as quickly as possible and Aisling got the stuff she "needed"

Luckily Cooper was fine with Randy carrying him because he was out

We got a bus quickly and were on our way back. The kids sat together on the drive and suddenly we heard Aisling yell something about a miracle! Turns out Cooper's bellyache had gone away! With some quick goodnights and "we'll see you in the mornings" we headed to our rooms.

So what will be the plan for Day 3?!?!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Hey! Catching up...

Whew, I can only imagine what the crowds had to be like at SWW. It is nice that they have many other characters out, part of what makes it appealing I imagine. I like the way they did the JTA too. Poor Aisling and the rest of the kids, they did look like they were roasting! Thanks for sharing the parade photos! I cannot believe it took an hour to walk that--thank goodness for the kindness of strangers! I am glad she brought back Kristen.

Goodness, I am glad that you were able to get your card straighten out--so scary! A pain to deal with on vacation, but at least they caught it. So glad Sci-Fi got you in early and made you your requests--great service!

Randy is a fantastic Dad!

I know I will be taking a lot of photos too. I, personally, love seeing all the photos on TRs!

Thanks! Yes the best TRs have tons of pics...which works for me since I take so many. Only problem is that I'm running out of room on PB!!!

 

[twob4him]

OH gosh....I love that naptime! Glad you all (well except Randy) got some well earned rest. DTD looked like fun! I love the pic of the kids peeking through the shirts! Poor Coops...he was plain tuckered out! Hope you all got some reviving sleep or something....you're not trying three RD are you????

 

[Charlefours]

The dance party looks like it would be a lot of fun!

Switch to a different hosting site if you need to--that is what I am anticipating on doing.

 

[Dugette]

Glad you got your naps in! And some yummy Earl of Sandwich. I didn't know they had coconut/pineapple smoothies...that sounds good! Looks like Aisling had a great time at the dance party!