Well, this trip was....different. UPDATE - 9/1!

[SEASONK]

Glad to know that H&V is not terrible. We are going back to WDW in October with my sister, nephew (2), cousin, and cousin's son (4). They have requested we eat there, and I have been really worried that it would be disgusting.

 

[pas130]

No need to be sorry! If the check-in would have gone a bit smoother, I probably would feel somewhat different about H&V. It's just one of those things that leave you with a bad feeling.
.

I agree completely Amanda!!! Maybe that's why I haven't wound up back at GF scared I'll get walked again

 

[TinksThree]

I just posted this almost exact picture in my TR!!

Wouldn’t you know it? They checked in the wrong family! REALLY?!? And to think I had confirmed my name at the podium. Two people “confirmed” the wrong family. Needless to say, I was not happy. By the time we got seated it was 8:15 am. Not terrible but we could have been in there right away if people had paid attention to their job.

That is so frustrating! At least you went and checked! No telling how that would have ended!

H&V character meal isn't one we will be going to. I actually only know those characters from reading others TRs!! I wish they would do a Pixar with Sully, Woody, Buzz, the UP characters and so on! That would be my most favorite regardless of the food!!

Back to the MK post...you all got a lot done even with the rain! I remember Madison's first ride on Barnstormer....which I put in my TR and made you cry...sorry She was showing me prom dresses and discussing college choices last night.... I am so glad he was brave enough to do Haunted Mansion and BTMRR! Two of my favorites!! I introduced newbies to those two rides and they loved them! Classic!

 

[beachta1]

Just joining your TR, sounds like you've having a great time. Congrats on the 5k and to your husband on the 10miler. I ran my first half marathon last year and still have days where 3 miles stinks, so don't worry, you aren't alone in having an off day. You should be proud of finishing!

By the way, your son is so freaking cute. He seems so energetic and genuinely happy on all of the rides and with all of the characters. It must make the trip that much more exciting to know he is having the time of his life

 

[RGirl]

Hi! I'm glad to see you back on here. Now don't be gone for so long again!

Check me out - twice in one week!

I would give it a try. The nice thing about it is that it is served family style. No getting up and down to get food for you and your child. You can just sit, relax and eat. I thought the food was pretty good, too. And I think Willow would probably enjoy the little parade they do around the restaurant.

Yeah, I am wanting to do this more and more. I am nervous about a resort breakfast ADR though because we like to get to the parks early (rope drop), and I just don't think we could manage a breakfast even earlier than that - traveling from the West Coast is a real disadvantage if you have to get up early on the East Coast. Maybe I need to work in a day where we do resort stuff until the evening or something. It really does look like a great breakfast (I bet they would even make gluten-free Mickey waffles!), and I know Willow would love it!!!

This was our 1st time meeting them anywhere. Reid has just never been crazy about them. But, for whatever reason he does love Tigger. Oh, actually I know why - because "he bounces high, Mommy!"

\
You know, Willow has never been that into them either. For some reason, she was crazy for them at Crystal Palace.

I told Reid he could do it once and that would be it. It just made me so anxious trying to keep my eye on where he was. And then trying to get him down. Would have been better if Disney had kept all the play stuff on the ground instead of having to put it in the air.

Ugh - I had that experience at The Boneyard, and it just about gave me a nervous breakdown. Maybe now that Willow is older, I won't be quite so nervous about it.

I was so excited that he rode it and loved it!!! Ed & I are big coaster junkies so our child needs to like them, too.

That is so great! I just love BTMRR so much.

Yes ma'am they sure do! Ed said it was all good except for the steak.

Very interesting! I had no idea. I don't know that I can be swayed from my one burger meal of the trip - I love piling on those fixin's!

If the only character she would be interested in is Jake, then skip the breakfast and just meet him in the park. I believe he meets throughout the day around Disney Junior Live. I'm glad we tried the meal but probably won't go back.

Yeah, I have been noticing that he is now out. I wonder whether Phineas and Ferb are still meeting. I can't see any real reason for us to do H&V.

I agree - a Toy Story meal would be the bomb diggity!!!

Why don't they just do it??????

 

[amandaw]

Glad to know that H&V is not terrible. We are going back to WDW in October with my sister, nephew (2), cousin, and cousin's son (4). They have requested we eat there, and I have been really worried that it would be disgusting.

It's definitely not terrible or disgusting. It was fine for a one time meal. And I'm sure the little boys in your group will really enjoy it!

I agree completely Amanda!!! Maybe that's why I haven't wound up back at GF scared I'll get walked again

Yeah, but I think you'll end up at GF again before I go back to H&V!

H&V character meal isn't one we will be going to. I actually only know those characters from reading others TRs!! I wish they would do a Pixar with Sully, Woody, Buzz, the UP characters and so on! That would be my most favorite regardless of the food!!

I am so with you!! That would be a fantastic character meal! Can you imagine how hard it would be to get an ADR? It would be worse than dinner at 'Ohana!

Back to the MK post...you all got a lot done even with the rain! I remember Madison's first ride on Barnstormer....which I put in my TR and made you cry...sorry She was showing me prom dresses and discussing college choices last night.... I am so glad he was brave enough to do Haunted Mansion and BTMRR! Two of my favorites!! I introduced newbies to those two rides and they loved them! Classic!

We really did get a lot done despite the weather that day. I can hardly handle thinking about Reid going to Kindergarten next year. I can't even imagine discussing prom and college. But, it is nice to read TRs like yours and realize that not all teenagers end up being horrible and making awful choices. Your children give me hope!

I was proud of Reid for trying new rides! And he had so much fun on BTMRR!

Just joining your TR, sounds like you've having a great time. Congrats on the 5k and to your husband on the 10miler. I ran my first half marathon last year and still have days where 3 miles stinks, so don't worry, you aren't alone in having an off day. You should be proud of finishing!

Thank you for joining in!!

And thank you for those kind words about my run. We've been so busy the past few months that I haven't been running. But, I went out last weekend and did 2 miles. While I felt like I was going to die when I finished, my time was still better than my 5K time. That really told me how dehydrated and run down my body must've been for that run.

That's great that you've done a half marathon! I would really like to do the Princess Half Marathon one year.

By the way, your son is so freaking cute. He seems so energetic and genuinely happy on all of the rides and with all of the characters. It must make the trip that much more exciting to know he is having the time of his life

Awww....thank you so much!! He's definitely full of energy....most days, I wish I could borrow some of it.

He has so much fun at Disney! It definitely makes it all that much more fun!

Check me out - twice in one week!

WHAT?!? You're gonna give me a heart attack!

Yeah, I am wanting to do this more and more. I am nervous about a resort breakfast ADR though because we like to get to the parks early (rope drop), and I just don't think we could manage a breakfast even earlier than that - traveling from the West Coast is a real disadvantage if you have to get up early on the East Coast. Maybe I need to work in a day where we do resort stuff until the evening or something. It really does look like a great breakfast (I bet they would even make gluten-free Mickey waffles!), and I know Willow would love it!!!

I can see where it would be hard to do the real early ADRs. Those are the ones I like though. I've got it....stay at the Contemporary or Poly, then it would be super easy to get to 'Ohana for breakfast and then on to MK for the day. Seriously though, I would say it's worth having breakfast there at least once.

You know, Willow has never been that into them either. For some reason, she was crazy for them at Crystal Palace.

Isn't it so weird how they'll go crazy over a random character they hardly care about?!?

Ugh - I had that experience at The Boneyard, and it just about gave me a nervous breakdown. Maybe now that Willow is older, I won't be quite so nervous about it.

The Boneyard - yet another place I avoid.

That is so great! I just love BTMRR so much.

It's such a fun ride! How can anyone NOT like it?

Very interesting! I had no idea. I don't know that I can be swayed from my one burger meal of the trip - I love piling on those fixin's!

Hmmmm.....if you wanted to try the BBQ platter you could do a burger at a good TS perhaps? Have y'all gone to Beaches and Cream? YUM!

Yeah, I have been noticing that he is now out. I wonder whether Phineas and Ferb are still meeting. I can't see any real reason for us to do H&V.

When we were there, Phineas and Ferb were still meeting. In fact, I'm about to post an update that has that meet and greet in it.

Why don't they just do it??????

RIGHT?!? We need to write letters to Disney!

 

[amandaw]

We finished up our meal and Hollywood & Vine and headed out into the park.



I wanted to go to TSMM first to try and do a standby ride. We stopped to get some Photopass pics taken on our way. The photographer was not the best. Let’s just say he wasn’t very “Disney friendly” and all he kept talking about were his aches and pains: bad knee, bad back, etc. Thanks dude for trying to put a damper on the beginning of our Disney Day!



Once we left Mr. Ray of Sunshine, we continued on our way to TSMM.



However, when we got there, the ride was down! So, we decided to continue on our way towards the Streets of America.



I was so excited to see this sign:



Love that show so much!



And we wound up here:







This attraction is so cute and fun! I want to say this was the first time Reid ever did this and really enjoyed it. When we exited, we saw that the meet and greet for Phineas and Ferb was right back there. This was on my “must do” list. I thought Reid would be very excited since he loves that show. But, as usual, he didn’t really want to take time to meet characters. After some persuading, he agreed to get in line to meet them.

Thankfully, the line wasn’t very long. But, they did take a little break. So, I tried to waste time by taking some pictures.



Reid doing his robot dance:





Looking back at the Muppets:





Phineas & Ferb meet and greet:









Phineas came over to get Reid:









Continued in Next Post.....

 

[amandaw]

After meeting Phineas and Ferb, we headed next door to Lightning McQueen and Mater. There was absolutely no line to take pictures with them.





After our meet and greets, we decided to head back to TSMM. We got there and the ride was open so we decided to hop in the standby line.



We were in line no more than 5 minutes when a CM came through saying everyone had to leave because the ride had gone down again. We gathered our stuff and they guys went off for a potty break. While waiting, I noticed there was some painting being done for the new Pirates attraction.



We decided to head here next:





Reid loved Star Tours every bit as much as he had on the night of the race. I can honestly say that this became one of his favorite rides on this trip.

Back from our space travels, we decided to try our luck one more time and headed back to TSMM. Yeah, no luck....the ride was still down. But, we were able to grab another set of FP’s for the ride.

So, we carried on and ended up at Disney Junior Live. Luckily, the line wasn’t very long and they had just opened the doors to let people in. Perfect timing!



Mickey Mouse!



Handy Manny and the Tools:



Little Einsteins:



Goofy!



Jake and the Neverland Pirates:



I love Sharky and Bones!





Gold doubloons! If only they were real.....I could afford another Disney trip!



And in the end, we were able to celebrate Minnie’s birthday! YAY!



After the show, we were starting to get hungry for lunch. I had really wanted to eat at Starring Rolls, so we headed that way. However, when we got there they didn’t have anymore sandwiches. Plan B it was then....







The line was a little lengthy but not horrible. But, we got there just in time as it got much worse by the time we ordered our food. We got our food and made our way onto the elevator to try to find a table upstairs. The place was packed! Luckily, we were able to find a table in the corner overlooking all the games.

Reid had the cheese pizza and a chocolate chip cookie. He enjoyed his meal a lot. Ed went with the meat lovers pizza, salad and chocolate chip cookie. He also enjoyed his meal very much. Well, minus the salad. He doesn’t eat salad.

And I went with the pepperoni pizza, salad and a carrot cake cupcake that had me very excited! My salad was very good - fresh and plentiful. The pizza was good, too. It’s not the best pizza in the world but, for whatever reason, I do like it. Now, on to my cupcake! Let me show you first how precious it looks:



Cute, right?!?

Well, that cupcake was one big disappointment! First....the cake did not have a lot of carrot cake flavor. Then, the icing....if it was cream cheese icing, they may have put about a teaspoon of cream cheese in there. It just didn’t taste like carrot cake to me. I thought the carrot cake dessert at Cosmic Ray’s was much better than this!

After lunch, we headed back to TSMM yet again.

Question is.....Was the ride finally working???

 

[shan23877]

Reid is so darn photogenic! I love the robot pic and the one where he's waving to Ferb is awesome!

I wonder what on earth was going on with TSMM? That's really disappointing.

Did Reid like Disney Jr Live? We've yet to do it, and may have missed our window. Lately Maddie wants nothing to do with Dis Jr shows. All I hear is "mommy, can I watch real Disney channel please?"

I sure hope that you guys got to ride TSMM at least once that day!

Oh Pizza Planet. I feel like the name should officially be changed to Plan B. The pizza really is pretty decent there. How disappointing about that cupcake though.

I think I am going to do a PTR (probably booking next week!). The only thing is that the trip isn't 100% a done deal. We're a little worried about what our taxes will look like (2 jobs worth of taxable bonuses), and since Bry is in his first year at this job his bonus payouts aren't full yet. Anyway, sorry to ramble Like I said I'll probably do a PTR since we're staying somewhere new and doing DxDP again, plus I'll want some advice on how to tackle new Fantasyland!

 

[annmarieda]

How frustrating that TSM was down so much!!! I do hope you got to ride it!

Ya know I don't think I have ever gone inside of Pizza planet. The cupcake looks cute if nothing else!

And...whats this about a new pirates attraction?

 

[fi46re129]

That's really annoying about Hollywood and Vine. I have never really been a fan of that place. I feel like they could really change up the characters a bit... Some are still the same from when my son was 2 and we took him and now he is almost 9.

The pics of Reid doing his robot dance are too cute.

I've been at DHS on a day where TSM was down on and off all day we ended up giving up on riding after attempt 4.

Stinks your cupcake was disappointing but it is one of the cutest cupcakes ever... They should change it to display only! Lol

 

[afwdwfan]

Love that show so much!

Never seen it, but I have several episodes on the DVR. Just another show we keep recording but haven't had time to watch.

I thought Reid would be very excited since he loves that show. But, as usual, he didn’t really want to take time to meet characters.

We missed a lot of character meets for that very reason. I wouldn't have minded meeting Phineas and Ferb, myself, but if we saw characters and DS didn't act excited about it, we just passed rather than waiting in line.

We were in line no more than 5 minutes when a CM came through saying everyone had to leave because the ride had gone down again.

Reid loved Star Tours every bit as much as he had on the night of the race. I can honestly say that this became one of his favorite rides on this trip.

Awesome!!! Great ride!!!

I love Sharky and Bones!

After the show, we were starting to get hungry for lunch. I had really wanted to eat at Starring Rolls, so we headed that way. However, when we got there they didn’t have anymore sandwiches. Plan B it was then....

Wow... must be your lucky day.

It’s not the best pizza in the world but, for whatever reason, I do like it.

I'm the same way. It isn't great, but I don't think I've ever had pizza that is just awful. I don't mind eating there.

Cute, right?!?

Well, that cupcake was one big disappointment! First....the cake did not have a lot of carrot cake flavor. Then, the icing....if it was cream cheese icing, they may have put about a teaspoon of cream cheese in there. It just didn’t taste like carrot cake to me. I thought the carrot cake dessert at Cosmic Ray’s was much better than this!

Should have had the cookie.

After lunch, we headed back to TSMM yet again.

Question is.....Was the ride finally working???

Let's hope so!

 

[catherines_mama]

What a way to leave us hanging... geesh!

Had it rained that day? the pics from waiting for Phineas & Ferb look like a FL shower had come through. Sounds like a nice day so far - I hope you get to use your TSMM FPs soon.

 

[petals]

Luvin the update. Boo to grumpy photopass photographers. We've had experience with two grumpy photographers.

Reid looks like he could burst with happiness in the McQueen pic

That cupcake is so cute looking sorry to hear is was a disappointment.

 

[marDgreen88]

NOOOO! Toy Story was down? Say it ain't so.

I'm glad Reid enjoyed Star Tours so much! It is so fun. Playhouse Disney looks fun too!

 

[MEK]

Reid does know how to work it for the camera! More wonderful shots, but I'm too lazy to cut and past them right now!

That is one giant cupcake - definitely picture worthy!

I didn't know TSM could actually go down - and not once, but twice. That really is a bummer, but the rest of your day went really well!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

I'm all caught up...finally!

Wow, you guys were having quite a successful DHS day! Too bad about your cupcake...I hate it when something that has magical potential fails to live up to its potential!

 

[pas130]

Yeah, but I think you'll end up at GF again before I go back to H&V!

Amanda, you're probably right about that!

Sorry about the cupcake...ugh, waste of calories...Reid is too cute!!!! (makes it so hard to discipline them when they are so cute, doesn't it) LOVE his robot dance!

Although you had Grumpy as the photographer, it's great to see ALL 3 of you in a pic!!!

 

[amandaw]

Reid is so darn photogenic! I love the robot pic and the one where he's waving to Ferb is awesome!

Awww...thank you!!

I wonder what on earth was going on with TSMM? That's really disappointing.

It was soooo frustrating!! And it makes you realize just how important that ride is to that park.

Did Reid like Disney Jr Live? We've yet to do it, and may have missed our window. Lately Maddie wants nothing to do with Dis Jr shows. All I hear is "mommy, can I watch real Disney channel please?"

He loves Disney Jr. live! I'm sure we'll do in December especially since they are supposedly taking out Handy Manny and Little Einsteins and replacing them with Doc McStuffins and Sofia the first. I would take Maddie on your next trip...you never know!

I sure hope that you guys got to ride TSMM at least once that day!

Let's just say it worked out ok in the end.

Oh Pizza Planet. I feel like the name should officially be changed to Plan B. The pizza really is pretty decent there. How disappointing about that cupcake though.

I don't know why I'm always so reluctant to go to Pizza Planet. I actually think the food is better than most places in DHS.

UGH - that cupcake. What a letdown!

I think I am going to do a PTR (probably booking next week!). The only thing is that the trip isn't 100% a done deal. We're a little worried about what our taxes will look like (2 jobs worth of taxable bonuses), and since Bry is in his first year at this job his bonus payouts aren't full yet. Anyway, sorry to ramble Like I said I'll probably do a PTR since we're staying somewhere new and doing DxDP again, plus I'll want some advice on how to tackle new Fantasyland!

I hear ya! I am always stressed about taxes. I'm anxious to get all of our forms in so we can just get it over with and see what we owe.

I say do the PTR! If things happen, they happen. I definitely don't think you would be the 1st person to start a PTR and then have to cancel/change the trip. But, I bet you'll be able to work it out in the end. And, besides, I really want to know the details!

How frustrating that TSM was down so much!!! I do hope you got to ride it!

It really was quite frustrating! I was starting to worry it would never be working that day.

Ya know I don't think I have ever gone inside of Pizza planet. The cupcake looks cute if nothing else!

I really don't mind the food at Pizza Planet. I only wish that cupcake had tasted as good as it looked.

And...whats this about a new pirates attraction?

It's where the Narnia attraction used to be. I don't know too much about it....I believe it's some sort of walk through attraction and centers around Jack Sparrow.

That's really annoying about Hollywood and Vine. I have never really been a fan of that place. I feel like they could really change up the characters a bit... Some are still the same from when my son was 2 and we took him and now he is almost 9.

Yeah, they need to make that place have a little more "WOW".

The pics of Reid doing his robot dance are too cute.

Thank you!! He loves to dance. The robot is one of his many "moves".

I've been at DHS on a day where TSM was down on and off all day we ended up giving up on riding after attempt 4.

This was our 1st time being there while it was down. It was hard figuring out what to do since we wanted to stay nearby and keep checking on it.

Stinks your cupcake was disappointing but it is one of the cutest cupcakes ever... They should change it to display only! Lol

Indeed! Hopefully, I'll try some better tasting cupcakes this year.

Never seen it, but I have several episodes on the DVR. Just another show we keep recording but haven't had time to watch.

I know what you mean! There's a few shows I've really liked but I've had to stop watching because I just don't have enough time in the week.

We missed a lot of character meets for that very reason. I wouldn't have minded meeting Phineas and Ferb, myself, but if we saw characters and DS didn't act excited about it, we just passed rather than waiting in line.

Yeah, we usually pass them up. While I'm glad Reid loves the rides and doesn't really want to waste all day meeting characters, I wish he would sometimes be a little more interested in some of them. Especially the ones I'd like to meet.

Awesome!!! Great ride!!!

It really is! I love the new Star Tours!

I'm the same way. It isn't great, but I don't think I've ever had pizza that is just awful. I don't mind eating there.

In a strange way....I really like the pizza. The only thing I don't like about Pizza Planet is the crowds.

Should have had the cookie.

You are correct, sir!

What a way to leave us hanging... geesh!

Had it rained that day? the pics from waiting for Phineas & Ferb look like a FL shower had come through. Sounds like a nice day so far - I hope you get to use your TSMM FPs soon.

It hadn't rained that day....yet.

There I go leaving you hanging again!

Luvin the update. Boo to grumpy photopass photographers. We've had experience with two grumpy photographers.

Thank you!! It was kind of strange....I don't think I had ever had a CM list all of their complaints of the day to us.

Reid looks like he could burst with happiness in the McQueen pic

He was having lots of fun...that's for sure!

That cupcake is so cute looking sorry to hear is was a disappointment.

And I was so excited about that darn cupcake, too.

NOOOO! Toy Story was down? Say it ain't so.

I know, right?!?

I'm glad Reid enjoyed Star Tours so much! It is so fun. Playhouse Disney looks fun too!

He really developed a love for that ride on this trip.

Reid does know how to work it for the camera! More wonderful shots, but I'm too lazy to cut and past them right now!

Thanks! When he wants to take a picture, he will definitely ham it up for the camera!

That is one giant cupcake - definitely picture worthy!

It was really big! And cute!

I didn't know TSM could actually go down - and not once, but twice. That really is a bummer, but the rest of your day went really well!

I had never experienced it going down either. Who knew?!?

I'm all caught up...finally!

Oh, I know that feeling!

Wow, you guys were having quite a successful DHS day! Too bad about your cupcake...I hate it when something that has magical potential fails to live up to its potential!

Yeah, the day wasn't going quite as I had expected or planned. But, everyone was (surprisingly) rolling with the punches pretty well and not getting upset over anything.

Amanda, you're probably right about that!

Sorry about the cupcake...ugh, waste of calories...Reid is too cute!!!! (makes it so hard to discipline them when they are so cute, doesn't it) LOVE his robot dance!

Thank you!! He loves dancing like a robot, talking like a robot, walking like a robot, etc. It's a common occurrence in our household.

Although you had Grumpy as the photographer, it's great to see ALL 3 of you in a pic!!!

Thanks!!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I found my way over here from Heather's trip report...

MNSSHP looks so fun! Your costumers were great! I especially loved Reid's interactions with the princesses and their princes.

How exciting that Reid was able to try so many new rides! It's great when kids are finally big enough for the really fun rides. BTMRR is one of my favorites - I'm glad he liked it!