We Shared a SWW...and more! Done...At Home! (10/17)

[TinksThree]

I get soooo irratble when I get hot or hungry...combine the two and watch out!!!

Melissa: I am screaming at my computer right now: TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I get soooo irratble when I get hot or hungry...combine the two and watch out!!!

Melissa: I am screaming at my computer right now: TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!

Add one more thing to the equation: I knew the parade would be long, and that everyone would be running for food just like we would be -- and lines would be long!! I knew I wasn't going to make it...and who wants to be in a bad mood for the SWW parade? Snacking and observing: it went well together!

Yeah...I wanna go, too!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Parade looks great. For some reason we have never seen this parade. Think it is because we never stay too late at Animal Kingdom. It always seems to be hot. That sounds stupid I know but I think it is all the vegetation or something!!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Parade looks great. For some reason we have never seen this parade. Think it is because we never stay too late at Animal Kingdom. It always seems to be hot. That sounds stupid I know but I think it is all the vegetation or something!!!

That's what we've heard -- it's all the vegetation!! (there's not a sweaty smiley that I could find)

okay...more update...comin' up!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

There were a couple of close, personal interactions from the paraders...

I just wanted to touch this rubbery mask. Maybe pull on it, a little...

DUDE! It's REALLY Boba Fett!!! Well....kinda. Here's his thigh and one arm.

Here's the other side of him, minus the head. Hope you weren't hoping for the head.

And finally:

It was after this that we headed for FOOD. I say it like this, because this is how Melissa and I both describe going to eat. Especially when we're really hungry. I didn't care what I stuffed down my gullet. Hunt it, kill it...eat it.

Jonas led us to the Backlot Express. Nice, greasy cheeseburgers!!

I didn't take any pictures along this trip...you can imagine I was slightly focused. We actually made it in before the hordes of people discovered this place. Melissa and Jacob saved a huge table, I believe, while we all ordered on our QSDP -- cheeseburgers and cokes. And chocolate cakes. I forgot about those. I quickly discovered that Natalie liked to wait to see what Jordan ordered, to see if that was what she wanted. When we got seated, people began pouring in...and eyed our two, put-together tables. Weren't we a greedy lot? But, no, there were a lot of us!!

I think Jacob ate chicken strips...and I really don't remember anyone else's food. I would recommend these greasy cheeseburgers. Very tasty. I also like the fact that you could go get more coke. Those of us with our mugs poured our cokes into them right before we left, and they kept them cold a long time.

We graciously gave our tables away when we were done, and then grabbed FPs for the Star Tours ride. What would we do, next?

 

[TinksThree]

I love how you describe eating... FOOD! That would be how I would describe it as well! I have heard that the Backlot Express is the best CS at DHS.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

I love how you describe eating... FOOD! That would be how I would describe it as well! I have heard that the Backlot Express is the best CS at DHS.

I think our FOOD!! expressive word was born somewhere during our high school years...you know how teenagers get!

This was our first time eating here for our family -- usually we end up eating along Sunset Boulevard at one of those CS places. Vying for one of those outdoor tables can be hairy, so I was impressed with Melissa's strategic skills!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Having obtained our FPs for Star Tours, we found ourselves face to face with a cool alternative to wandering around in the blistering heat.

I had never noticed this life-size Sweet-ums!

I really wanted to go read what the old men were saying, as they are some of my favorite jokesters, but I didn't want to run away from the family....

I love Natalie's face -- such a little sweetie for the camera.

We enjoyed the show -- I always forget about the "live action" that goes on for the show! When we walked out, I immediately noticed Mama Melrose's across the street -- I had never known where that restaurant was! It sits in an out-of-the-way kind of way, and I was curious to look around back there, but I sensed no real feeling of patience from the group for aimless wandering. Instead, I suggested (or maybe Melissa did) that we find the umbrella. I'd never seen it, and I LOVE Gene Kelly!

The little pressure plate was temperamental.

Everyone who wanted to, had a turn!

Including me!

Now was the time when Melissa was to show me how to get a SWW pin for DVC members, and whatever other Star Wars memorabilia we wanted. We went to that little shop across from the Studio Catering Co., where they had a bunch of SWW stuff, and then she took me to the "back" where they had more official stuff. She told me when she got her passholder pin, they had a LONG line, but we just walked back, casually with no line.

A good reason why...there were no more DVC pins. I got the "standard issue" pin. I comforted myself...but I didn't want to be comforted.

We came back to the forefront, and there Melissa had a DIS meet with a couple of friends who knew she'd be there that day. Vader popped by and signed some autographs, but somehow we didn't get a picture of him. No one else bought anything that I can remember -- maybe the heat was getting to us.

And then -- time for Star Tours!!

 

[TinksThree]

I love Gene Kelly too and I took the exact same picture...last year! We just didn't have time for the cool little things in the park.I just love Kermit..."It's not easy being green"...he is so cute!!

 

[jmskinner]

I'm back!!!! Love your Boba Fett pics Vickie! We really lucked out getting to the FOOD place before that crowd. It was really crazy. And a lot of people didn't realize there were tables inside because they were grabbing tables outside as we walked in. And I did almost have to get nasty with people trying to take our table. I had even placed my backpack at the other table and someone tried to grab the table.

Here are a few more of my pics!



And look...


Boba Fett does have a head.

Hmmm, who is this guy?


He be this guy...


Looks like a likeable guy without the makeup.

And I was most excited about seeing this man:


Lando Calrissian!!!! He's a little older and a little rounder, but still looks pretty good.

And here are a few of my pics from the Muppet Show (which I was excited to see since the film had recently been cleaned up.)










I love this one:


And I was glad I was able to show Vickie the umbrella. Just one of those little things so many people pass by. Always cracks me up how many people don't know you can make it rain. Jacob always runs up to show them or yells at them.

On the way back to Star Tours, grabbed this pic:


That sign cracks me up.

 

[dancer4life22]

i love this trip report!

in fact... ive spent the past hour reading it

keep going your doing great!

 

[TinksThree]

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That sign cracks me up.

I love this sign too! I like saying "Hey Ya'll....It says Youse Guys!" I draw out ya'll and get some very funny looks!!

Welcome back! How was POR? I miss it so very much!!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Great updates!!!!! Parade looks fantastic and great pics of Muppets 3D. Would love to experience the umbrella but every time we have tried it it is been dry!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

i love this trip report!

in fact... ive spent the past hour reading it

keep going your doing great!

Awww -- that is the nicest thing I've heard in a long time!! Thanks for joining in -- will have to check out your PTR, since you are going to my home resort soon -- woo-hoo!! And those Treetop villas look amazing!

I love this sign too! I like saying "Hey Ya'll....It says Youse Guys!" I draw out ya'll and get some very funny looks!!

Welcome back! How was POR? I miss it so very much!!

who doesn't like to sound like they're from Jehrseey??

Great updates!!!!! Parade looks fantastic and great pics of Muppets 3D. Would love to experience the umbrella but every time we have tried it it is been dry!

Awww...that would have been such a downer if it had been dry -- and how does that happen, I wonder? The kids really enjoyed getting wet!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

We went back to the Star Tours ride, with FPs in hand -- it was packed. It's so funny, because I feel like I really never have time to look around when we're walking to get on this ride, so I was happy that we had a line!!

Here's this same picture, but with no line, last year:

Jacob, holding his ears and looking at C3PO last year:

I don't remember seeing this multi-screen thing before!!

We had a good, standard-act flight to Endor -- almost. Natalie seemed to enjoy her first flight. We then went into the Star Tours store, where I resolved to find myself a SWW t-shirt! I had wanted one like Melissa's aqua-blue one, but that was a junior shirt, and I probably would have needed XTRA LG...and the largest one to be found was medium. That would never work. So, I scavenged the store for something I liked, at the price I was willing to pay. Would it ever work?

Soon, I found the shirt I really liked, at the price I wanted -- and here it is!!

But, then it was time to go. We had to say good-bye to Melissa and her family. As we headed toward the park entrance, as before, Jonas and Jacob took off!! I don't know if we just didn't go fast enough, but soon they were out of sight!

As we got to the front entrance, we saw Jonas was talking to a CM, who had a clipboard...we didn't know what was going on, but the bus stop was right in sight, so we were headed for it, figuring he would probably zoom by us at any moment, anyway! As we neared the turnstile, Melissa yelled something, as she had paused to see what was going on -- I heard her say to wait for him -- he was doing a survey. I thought, "so?" I guess we were hot and annoyed, and I really didn't feel like waiting on him any more than he wanted to wait for us!

So we stopped outside the entrance and shopped to pass some time -- the girls decided to buy some Ears. Jordan went for a lesser-known hat that looked like an upside-down Mickey head ice cream, and Natalie went for a cap with Minnie ears. Afterward and during the rest of the trip, both of them began counting how many people had their hats -- Natalie had many, many more look-alikes!

We took the bus and went back to Kadani. Melissa had bought us some apples and water, and we hadn't been able to get together and get them from her (who wants to carry a case of water down Kadani's halls???). So, we went down to our garage elevator and waited for them to drive down to give them to us, and to say good-bye.

Do I get any pictures of our good-bye? Oh, heck no. I still don't have this blogging thing DOWN!! But, I do get a great picture of the light cover that I noticed while I was sitting on the sidewalk, waiting.

We did have a good good-bye...I just can't prove it. Good-bye, Melissa! Bye, Jonas!! Wave back, Jacob -- buh-bye!!

 

[mermaid764]

Joining in!

It's awesome hearing two different perspectives.

Your room at Kidani looks sooo nice and I love the pics from SWW.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Joining in!

It's awesome hearing two different perspectives.

Your room at Kidani looks sooo nice and I love the pics from SWW.

Welcome to our thread (soon to be just mine... )!!

We had a great time with our dual TR last year, when we spent more time together...

If you like a quiet resort with great views, Kadani is WONDERFUL!! And, the 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom aspect isn't so bad...!

 

[jmskinner]

Turns out Jonas wasn't filling out a survey, but was giving them our email address to do one online, that is what took so long. But I can fully understand now wanting to wait, when he didn't want to wait. Turned out the survey was specifically about SWW, so I really enjoyed filling it out. Told them how I really felt about the setup of the LE merchandise and how they need a new shaded location for Hyperspace Hoopla. Can't wait for next year to see if they make any changes.

And where was I when you bought that shirt, I didn't see you buy it. I like that one!

We ended up spending forever at that little stand where the girls bought the Ears. Because then Robert was looking for something and then when we were ready to leave, I noticed they had Jonas' favorite cokes, the bottle shaped cans. I texted him, and he came a runnin'!

I was upset that we didn't get pics, but we were hot and tired. Jacob had school the next day and Jonas had to work. I had to start getting ready for our trip to NC the following weekend.

Can't wait to hear what you did after getting rid of us.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

After a long morning and afternoon, saying good-bye to our friends, we found ourselves in our room. I think the girls were ready for this:

(shhh! They probably don't know about this picture!)

We woke up hungry, and I insisted that we go to The Mara, at Jambo house. Now, if you recall, we are 'way at the end of the wing of Kadani, and the guy behind the customer service counter had made a point to inform us that we were very close to Jambo. Knowing there would be an exit closer to Jambo that our Zazu one, I chose to lead the family down to it.

Let me just say, for those of you who may want to try this, it was a surprise! We found the stairs (we were on the 3rd floor) at the very end of the wing, and took them down. When we got to the door on the 1st floor, it really didn't look like a "customer" door, if you know what I mean. I opened it, and found a little break table (think, smoking area), inside a walled-off "back area", where some of the AKV vehicles were parked. Hmmm...I don't think we were meant to come down here! My DH was a little perturbed, and I was a little embarrassed, when a female CM told us we could walk over to the walled opening, make a left, and would be on a short path to Jambo.

It did make for a short trip, but we didn't try that way again.

I had the shrimps w/the couscous. The shrimp were good, but the couscous was COLD!! That was a shock & disappointment -- I don't like a salad-like couscous. Jordan also had shrimp, but with fries.

You'll notice I got zebra domes -- a great perk for a CS meal. But, they weren't as good as I was expecting.

Natalie's chicken pesto pizza, which she liked.

Robert's hamburger:

After dinner, we jumped on the bus to head back to DHS. The girls were happy about their ears.

It was still pretty busy, and they had a band playing some old good rock & roll -- we did stop to listen to them for a while before we left.

We must discuss the busts...Oprah:

Walt...but who is THAT, checking out my @$$???

And, Art.

One of Jordan and my favorite things to do here is the Drew Carey place, where you can dub your voice into the cartoons. It was closed, but we peeked in:

...oh, that's why. Probably for autographs.

We decided to go on the Great Movie Ride:

Mary Poppins' horse...she was so lucky. I'd buy this beauty, if I had the dough.

I think we saw all the previews 3 times, then away we went!

I think it would be a great joke to insert a couple of live ladies in this group every once in a while...just to freak people out!

He was a great artist...hope i get to meet him in heaven someday.

Didn't you always want to fly with Mary Poppins?

We got a female gangsta. I've never seen the cowboy.

Her skeleton looks eerily like the last guy's.

This is the closest I've ever been to the witch!

Afterward, we went and did another of our favorite things: the animation studio, where we get to draw a character. While we were waiting for our turn in the studio, the girls found where to dub their voices into the cartoons...great fun!!

And this is my last picture of the day, and quite appropriate:

Natalie bought herself a Vinylmation figure, and we went home. It had been a long day...but, for tomorrow!!

 

[mermaid764]

I love the pic with Oprah..too cute!

Were the Zebra domes the same ones they have at Boma or are they different?