After the Monsters, Inc meet and greet, Ron and his family went their own way while we marched past the Splash Fountain and the giant misting Coke bottles to use our Toy Story Mania FastPasses.
Side note - I was all set to make fun of Hollywood Studios for having the Splash Fountain - a replica of a movie prop from 1984. I did just a bit of research and found that the sequel to Splash - "Splash Too" was the first movie filmed entirely at what was then known as Disney-MGM Studios. So I thought that was kind of neat and almost earned itself a reprieve from my mockery. But then I learned that Splash Too not only didn't star Tom Hanks or Darryl Hannah (or the majority of the original cast for that matter), but it was a direct-to-TV sequel that shown in 2 parts on different nights. Sorry, Hollywood Studios. You statue, while good intentioned, is lame.
But back to more important topics - us. We entered the FastPass line and started breezing by everyone standing in the normal queue. Brian stopped to talk to his neighbor that was in stand by. More proof that everyone in Canada really does know everyone else. When we got to the spot where FP merges with the standby line, we were asked how many were in our party. We all stopped and looked around, counting silently in our heads until someone shouted "9, but one is a baby"
"Perfect" was the reply from the Cast Member/Gate Keeper, and were were ushered up the handicapped entrance, bypassing the stairs and bridge. They were just pulling up a set of ride vehicles to unload someone with special needs and needed to fill those cars. We slipped on our cool 3D shades and put on our game faces.
Evan and Seth
Madison and Bayley (Game face, girls. Game Face. This isn't a tea party, it's Toy Story Midway Mania.)
Brian and Sheri (Seriously, are Evan and Seth the only ones that know how to do a good game face?)
Bambi and Ryder. (See?! Ryder gets it! Game Face!)
Our final score:
And I've got to stop and compliment Bambi right here. 109,000 while holding a baby. THAT'S how you play TSMM! (And as our Canadian friends would probably point out: The beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.)
And yes, I helped hold Ryder steady when the car was moving. Those things can really whip around corners!
And how did young Ryder like his first time on Toy Story Midway Mania?
Looks like he loved it!
We had a bit of time before we had to be at the Jedi Training Academy, so we headed over to Starring Rolls for a little late morning snack. Bambi had come across a picture of one of their menu items - a Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake - and decided this was a must do on this trip. Here's a tip for you guys out there - when your wife makes a "must do" list, do it. This thing was amazing.
And although the cup cake brought stability to our stomachs, I was still sensing much instability in the force. We wasted no time in rushing over to the JTA meeting area in the Sounds Dangerous building...so we could wait around for 20 minutes. Disney has you show up early to make sure every has time to use the little Jedi's room before training.
We made the short walk over to the JTA stage, and while the kids got suited up in their robes, we met up with another DisDad - Nick (DisneyDaddy-O). Nick, like Brian is Canadian. As I stood there listening to them talk about where they live and what they do, I came to a realization...
I can understand and speak fluent Canadian! It came as quite a shock. I never studied it or anything, yet here I was standing amung two Canucks and understanding perfectly everything they said.
Nick runs a restaurant called Mad Millie's in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada. If you're ever around, stop in and check it out. Tell them Barry sent you. It won't get you any special privileges, but it will sound cool.
Meanwhile, the kids got their robes and took their assigned positions in the training area (which looks suspiciously like "stage").
Being young padawans, they were given training light sabers until which time as they could control the Force enough to handle a real one. This was a good idea on Disney's part, because I can only imagine the devastation Evan would cause with an uncontrolled light saber. Honestly, I was a bit worried about the devastation he might cause with just a training light saber.
Using the Force requires a lot of concentration, doesn't it Evan?
Part way though their training, Darth Vader made an appearance, trying to sway the students to the Dark Side.
One by one, the padawans activated their training light sabers and took Vader on, one on one. Mano a mano. Dude to Dude.
Some might say that Vader has a height advantage, but in reality, Evan has a depth advantage. And he utilized it by attacking Vader's ankles.
Getting Vader off guard, he then tried levitating for a head shot, but only got half of his feet off the ground.
Thoroughly impressed with his skills, and convinced that he would never turn to the Dark Side, Vader switched his focus to Madison. Here we see him talking to Madison, telling here to come to the Dark Side, where together they would rule the galaxy. Luckily, she was disinclined to acquiesce to his request. (Means "no."). ((And for anyone keeping track at home, yes, I just combined Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean. You're welcome.))
It's a good thing he forgot to mention that the Dark Side has cookies. She probably would have joined.
Look at That! She buckled his knee with her strike. Nothing makes a daddy prouder!
After trying, and failing, to recruit or destroy each student, Vader realized that he was defeated. He gathered up his Storm Troopers and stomped off in a little galactic hissy fit.
After the kids all got their JTA diplomas, we said good bye to our new Canadian friends. We had a lunch ADR and Brian and his family were headed off...somewhere else. Go read his on going
Trip Report to find out where. Don't worry, he's writing it in English so all of us can follow along.
Brian - it was a blast hanging out with you guys while down in Disney World. One of these years we'll road trip into Canada (just as soon as I straighten out a few things with the Department of Homeland Security
). We'll hit up Nick for some free Fish & Chips! And if you're ever in Wisconsin, deep fried cheese is on me.
Up Next: Lunch, and the patented Florida Summer Afternoon Downpour®.
Help us, Madison. You're our only hope. 
sounds like a great day in DHS so far even if you did lose a child for a few minutes
Hooray for DISmeets.
Though, I must admit, my motivation is largely selfish. I have a brand new ticker to show off and you're the first of my subscribed threads to update since I added it. Technically, I haven't booked anything yet, but the plan is in motion. 
