Will I be Herding Cats Again?* **** COMPLETED *****

[whogirl'smom]

Congrats on the new trip! What in the world are you telling the kids?

 

[mom2mek]

Congrats on the new trip! What in the world are you telling the kids?

Um, right now....ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!

Sara

 

[jillyb]

Tell them that Mommy and Daddy are going away for a few days to spend some time together. There's no rule that says you have to tell them WHERE you'll be. *evil grin*

 

[mom2mek]

Day 5 - Disney Hollywood Studios
Part 5 - A Birthday Serenade


We left the "film" portion of the Backlot Tour and were on our way to the backstage portion. As we boarded the tram, a group of men boarded and sat in the row behind me, my MIL, Emily and Katie. (My parents and Shawn were in the front row with Michael). As we got ready to depart for the tour, my mom turned around from the front with the video rolling and said "Happy Birthday, Katie"! She smiled, and before we knew it, the guys in the back row, complete with their gold teeth and Mr T. starter sets, started clapping and then sang (in very broken English) “Happy Birthday” to Katie!!!

(There were four of them, but you can see one of them behind Katie in this picture)

It was so sweet, and strange, and funny, and odd….all at once!!!

We thanked them and then we were off on our....um, ….rivoting tour!!! LOL!!

ZZZZZZZZZ......Wow......a water tower.....

Wow.....a plane......

Wow.....a herbie.....

wow...1/2 a herbie....

Seriously...this tour used to be fun I think. The old sets, way more backstage stuff.....it was just much more interesting if I'm remembering right. Since they took out a huge section of it when they did the stunt show, it's just one of those....”been there, done that” attractions now.

The only thing good that came out of it was that when we go back to the Studios, we now know that we don't need to waste the time on the Backlot Tour.

Catastrophe Canyon wasn’t even that thrilling anymore. Maybe it's just that the rest of the tour is so bland, that even Catastrophe Canyon couldn’t save it from its blandness!

Emily was sitting on the end and was complaining of the sun being too hot and in her eyes. I told her she should just stay close to the end and she would probably get wet, which would cool her off. Of course once the "Catastrophe" started and all the fire came shooting out, she was even hotter. So she scooted even closer to me...then the water started down, and she scooted even closer! LOL! Michael was in the row in front of us and he was on the end, and got quite a bit damp. Then after it was over, Emily was like "I didn't get wet at all" DUH!!!! Geez!! Maybe it was because you were practically sitting in my lap, doofus!!

We passed around the edge of where the stunt show was going on and got a little show of our own, which was kind of cool. Those drivers are fantastic!!!

As the ride came to a stop, we all woke up and made our way into the cool prop place and then onto the gift shop. Shawn told me that he saw some Disney security people come up to the nice, Mr. T wanna-be guys who had sung to Katie and were questioning them about something! Hmmm….kinda weird.

Inside the shop…..I actually really enjoyed the props – the organ from POTC was really amazing to see and some of the behind the scenes stuff that they were showing on the TV screens about how they did a lot of the POTC special effects was very impressive!!

As we exited through the gift shop, my MIL caught a glimpse of the funny “Put yourself in the movies” type pictures and she wanted to do one with Michael from Star Wars. She and Michael did an ObiWan/Padme combo picture I believe that was hilarious! My MIL thought it was fabulous to see herself in such great shape! Ab muscles and all! Well, the one picture turned into a whole bunch!!

We were the only ones in there for a while (until the next tour group came through – but none of them stopped) so we kind of monopolized the photographer girls! Michael did two by himself – Hans Solo and Anakin,

And of course the one with Grammy (which I don’t have a copy of). Then he wanted the girls to do a Star Wars one. Hmmm…..I thought they might object and want to do a princess one (ok, I hoped they would), but Nope!! They were fine with Star Wars.

So without further adieu….my scantily clad (and blue, in the case of Katie) daughters…..

Disturbing? Yes.

But funny as heck? You betcha!!!



I saved the best for last though….Shawn, Michael, and Pop Pop decided to do one together as well…I’ll let you see for yourself….

Oh brother – this one is in Shawn’s office and it makes me laugh every single time I pass by it!!!

Coming up....How to lose your mind in 10 minutes flat????


Sara

 

[DisneyGalAlways]

In my neck of the woods, we call it "herding spiders" and "juggling cats".

I've never taken as many people as you. You're my hero!

I've posted my pretrip report. You'll have to search for my posts - I'm too new to post links.

Enjoyed yor pictures and the report!

DisneyGalAlways

 

[jillyb]

Those Star Wars pictures are great! And The Three Stooges???

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I have to remember to those do those pics- my kids would freak. My kids were Anakin and Padme for Halloween!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Great updates Sara! We've never been to Pizza Planet but I know Sam would love it. I have to remember to try that next time. And I'll be sure to go at 11:30 too!

Love the Three Stooges picture!

Did you have video of the birthday song by those guys? I swear I remember seeing that? Or am I imagining.....

 

[mom2mek]

In my neck of the woods, we call it "herding spiders" and "juggling cats".

I've never taken as many people as you. You're my hero!

I've posted my pretrip report. You'll have to search for my posts - I'm too new to post links.

Enjoyed yor pictures and the report!

DisneyGalAlways

Hi! Thanks for reading! And welcome to the DIS! I will search for your report...looking forward to it!

Those Star Wars pictures are great! And The Three Stooges???

Thanks Jill! That picture cracks me up every time I look at it!

I have to remember to those do those pics- my kids would freak. My kids were Anakin and Padme for Halloween!

Funny...Michael and Emily were Anakin and Padme last Halloween too (year before this past one)...

Here's a picture:

(Emily wanted the buns so people kept calling her Leia, instead of Padme)

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Great updates Sara! We've never been to Pizza Planet but I know Sam would love it. I have to remember to try that next time. And I'll be sure to go at 11:30 too!

Love the Three Stooges picture!

Did you have video of the birthday song by those guys? I swear I remember seeing that? Or am I imagining.....

Hi Michelle! (I must have been posting at the same time and missed you in the "multi-quote" LOL!)

I think most kids probably would like Pizza Planet! What's not to love, right? Pizza, arcade games, little green men floating above you....

Yes, you and Monica saw the video of the guys singing...wish I could upload it here...dang that camera!!! It's a great camera, just not for uploading to a website!

Sara

 

[kaysmommie]

On booking the Poly. Wish I were staying there too, then we could have a Lapu Lapu by the pool. So what are your dates and how long are you staying. Would love to meet up with you.

 

[whogirl'smom]

LOVE those Star Wars pictures! Cute, cute, cute. Can you get to the place where you take them without doing the tour? We were actually going to do the Backlot last time, just to say we had finally, but we got there and just missed the show starting and decided it wasn't worthy of a 45 min. wait! I'm glad we went to the animation studio instead now!

 

[KathyRN137]

Yoo-hoo!!! Yoo-hoo!!

Check out a little something in my signature....


A new ticker....so sparkly and new.....

Spill it, Sista, we want some details!!!

Kathy

P.S. LO(Really)L for the Three Stooges pic!!!

 

[mom2mek]

On booking the Poly. Wish I were staying there too, then we could have a Lapu Lapu by the pool. So what are your dates and how long are you staying. Would love to meet up with you.

I would love to meet up with you too Nichole! We are getting there on May 13th (early afternoon) and leaving on the 17th (flight leaves at 2:00 I believe)! We should definitely meet up if we have the chance!

LOVE those Star Wars pictures! Cute, cute, cute. Can you get to the place where you take them without doing the tour? We were actually going to do the Backlot last time, just to say we had finally, but we got there and just missed the show starting and decided it wasn't worthy of a 45 min. wait! I'm glad we went to the animation studio instead now!

Yes, I believe you can get there without doing the tour - it's right near where Mike and Sully come out for pics - like right at the end of "mickey avenue". The gift shop, I believe, is on the right if you were headed that direction. But the Star Wars gift shop has the same things - probably easier to get to if you aren't doing the Backlot Tour. Of course, it's more crowded though due to the popularity of Star Tours.

Spill it, Sista, we want some details!!!

Kathy

P.S. LO(Really)L for the Three Stooges pic!!!

I know Kathy - that pic really cracks me up!!!

Well I worked some Disney math up and with my AP burning a hole in my pocket, I was able to convince Shawn to go on another trip (it really wasn't that hard if I'm being honest...he loves Disney too)! We wanted to experience this trip just the two of us, and since we don't need park tickets (he still has days left on his 2006 Non Expiring ticket and I have the AP) combined with a great discount off of Tikiman's website that amounted to about 40% off, we were able to "level up" shall we say and spring for the Poly!! We figured this would never be the case with all 3 kids along, what with the cost of tickets, meals, etc, etc, being so much more...

So, May 13 - 17th we will be staying at the Poly, going to the Flower and Garden Festival, drinking up some grey goose lemon slushies and lapu lapus!!! So, any Poly visitors have suggestions for me for requests regarding longhouses? I have no idea, and I'm just starting my research, so let me know if you have any suggestions!

Sara

 

[mom2mek]

Day 5 - Disney Hollywood Studios
Part 6 - Losing my mind in 10 minutes flat!!!


As we exited the gift shop and turned to the left, Mike Wazowski was out, but his line was really long so I just snapped a quick picture.

Then we found our way over to the HISTK playground.

Ick.

Love the theming, hate the crowds…it’s just too scary with little ones…they go in one way, and you’re not quite sure if they are going to come out the same way.

I tried to keep my happy face on, but I think after about 10 minutes, I had my fill and wanted out of there for the sake of my mental health! I think I would enjoy this area A LOT more if I went early before it got really crowded.

Cool stuff here though!

As we exited the playground (thank goodness), we were all a little in need of some refreshment….After the 10 minutes in the playground, I was in need of something like a Lapu Lapu, but unfortunately for me there weren't any of those around...so I had to settle for ice cream! Mickey Bars and Itzakazoozies all around!!! And as we were enjoying the yummy goodness, we saw a photopass photographer and decided to grab a pic holding our ice cream! Even though everyone is all squinty in this pic, it's one of my favorites!!

It was about time to get a spot for the parade, so we headed up towards the hat. I really didn't properly research the best places to sit for the Block Party Bash, (gasp, I know) so I was kind of at a loss, but I figured that with the theme of the parade (and at least knowing that it did stop and proceed with the "block party") that the Hat HAD to be one of those spots.

We grabbed a pretty good spot, across from the Snow White topiary, and we divided and conquered once again - Shawn went to take some pics, Mom took some to the bathroom, and I left to go get some popcorn and drinks, while Pop Pop and MIL held our spots!

When I got to the front of the line for snacks, the guy next to me (there were 2 cashiers) ordered 64 BOTTLES of water!!! Yes - 64!!!! The CM was like...um....ok, and rang him up, then turned to the other CM and said "do we HAVE 64 bottles of water?"

Phew - I have no idea how that guy was gonna carry all of those waters as he was all by himself, but I got my stuff and headed back to my group! Who sends ONE person to get 64 waters anyway? I even take someone with me if I have to get more than 2 things! Because HELLO, I only have 2 HANDS!!! What was that guy thinking????

So we snag our seats, and the parade started. And the parade stopped. Hmmm....just a little shy of where we were sitting! Drat!

Um, ok...we'll just listen to the music and eat our popcorn and drink our drinks. The CMs did a great job of entertaining the kids who were waiting, with the parachute and big beach balls, but none of my kids were willing to part with their drink or snack to join in on the fun.

After 10 minutes or so, the parade started moving again. Here it comes....here it goes.....ok, now it'll stop....um, nope...ok.....PLEASE STOP!!!!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Hi! Thanks for reading! And welcome to the DIS! I will search for your report...looking forward to it!



Thanks Jill! That picture cracks me up every time I look at it!



Funny...Michael and Emily were Anakin and Padme last Halloween too (year before this past one)...

Here's a picture:

(Emily wanted the buns so people kept calling her Leia, instead of Padme)

Sara

Love the pic! Too funny- the thing that irked my daughter the most is that everyone kept calling her Princess Lea. We put the bun low in the back like Padme- but few people seem to know who she is!

 

[julezdisney]

OMG, those pictures are hilarious! The scantily clad and the 3 stooges? Too too funny!

 

[KathyRN137]

We wanted to experience this trip just the two of us, and since we don't need park tickets (he still has days left on his 2006 Non Expiring ticket and I have the AP) combined with a great discount off of Tikiman's website that amounted to about 40% off, we were able to "level up" shall we say and spring for the Poly!! We figured this would never be the case with all 3 kids along, what with the cost of tickets, meals, etc, etc, being so much more...

So, May 13 - 17th we will be staying at the Poly, going to the Flower and Garden Festival, drinking up some grey goose lemon slushies and lapu lapus!!!

Ahhh, sounds wonderful! Gotta love that Tikiman! I did some research on his site when I thought Ed & I would be doing another "just the two of us" trip! It's a whole 'nuther World without the kiddos

Kathy

 

[jillyb]

What's Tikiman and where do I find him/it? LOL

 

[mom2mek]

Day 5 – Disney Hollywood Studios

Part 7 – Commence Par-tay!!!



So we had great seats for the parade, or so we thought. We enjoyed watching the other kids (since mine wouldn’t get up and participate) playing with the parachute and the beach balls while we waited. I was periodically scanning the crowd for the guy with 64 bottles of water, but never did see him…



And then the parade started moving again. Great. The floats kept going past and going past, like a normal parade would do, but we KNEW they would stop eventually, right? We knew we were supposed to be getting more of a “show” parade, instead of just a regular parade.

Here come the Toy Story floats!

They kept moving.

But here come the Monsters Inc floats!! Maybe they will stop!!

They kept moving.

FINALLY, the last float, the Bugs Life float, stopped in front of us. Technically I think we were sitting in between the last two floats, if I’m gonna get all particular on ya. Phew! I was starting to get worried that seeing the floats pass us by would be all we would see.

Again, the video really does show more of what this parade is all about, but I will have to let my pics do most of the “talking” as the video, well…you know….WON'T UPLOAD!! GRRRR!!!


We really enjoyed this parade. It is very interactive with the kids and is quite humorous! The green army men who are leading most of the action from their perches on top of the floats are quite witty and I enjoyed listening to their subtle humor.

We love the Pixar characters so we really enjoyed seeing Woody, Buzz, Mike, Sully, the Incredibles, and the characters from Bugs Life. The floats, trampolines, acrobatics, and singing and dancing were hugely entertaining!

At the end they asked kids to get up and come out to the floats to dance. Katie was my only volunteer! She was so cute up there.

When they started doing the YMCA, my other two finally mustered up the energy to join their sister. Michael doing the “robot” was hilarious! He hardly moved! I was so proud of him for joining in though!

I do miss the classic cars and the classic Disney characters from the Stars and Motor Cars Parade. Something “old” Hollywood about that parade!

Oh well…moving on….this is nice too. Just different.
Better in some ways, not in others.


After the parade, we decided to head over to the Magic Of Disney Animation. This is something we have wanted to do for a long time, but never seem to get around to doing.

I was thinking in the back of my head that going over to catch PHD or the Little Mermaid, might be more of what the girls wanted to do, but when given the choice…they choose the Animation. Go figure.

Oh well –having never done any of them, I guess they didn’t know they were missing anything. I was to the point in the day (or the trip really), where I wasn’t willing to argue with them or try to convince them that they might be missing something that they would like more….and I was just going with the flow. It was very freeing. I had even stopped mentioning to Shawn about getting FPs for anything for later on.

See...back around 12:00, we had hit our window for a FP, so on our way to the Backlot Tour, I mentioned going back to get a FP for something (RNRC again or TOT or even Star Tours), but no one seemed like it was necessary and quite honestly, I just figured once I had TSM under my belt, I was good to go.

Hmmm….foreshadow, foreshadow, foreshadow…

So on to the Animation.

Up next....The evolution of a duck.....