The "Dreams Really DO Come True" Trip Report - COMPLETE - UPDATED 11/4 About This Page:

[Suzie&Jay]

Those cherries are no joke! I think mine are still wearing off Congrats on your first dream! I didn't notice the servers at Coral Reef, I'm going to have to check out my photos !

[lukeandbrookesmom]

More please......

[DyanKJ130]

Great update!! I like Nicholas' idea of riding Buzz over and over again! It's the only video game I can beat DH & DS at and they don't like it! This past trip I did start to teach DS which targets are the ones to hit, but they still can't beat my 999.999! Then I watch them pout!

[amandal]

That pic of Nicholas on the teacups is absolutely adorable!!!! I saw sooooo many people with the dream fastpasses and was so jealous. We were there for 7 days and I kept hoping one would come and it didn't. Good for you, though. Maybe we'll get ours in December. I never score above like a 3000 on that stupid Buzz ride. Looking forward to the dream that is to come. . . . .

[vfair]

Great update. Your boys are too cute.

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update!

[jhoshowski]

Day 5 – MGM

We had another quick breakfast in the room, and made it to MGM by 9:15 AM. Ethan wanted to ride Tower of Terror, so we did a kid swap. I checked the times guide and noticed that the meet and greet with Lightning McQueen and Mater would be starting soon. I had not told Nicholas that there was a possibility to meet them. He is a big fan, and I didn’t want him disappointed. So I herded the family in the right direction, without telling them why.

When we got to the Streets of America, I saw two other families in what I assumed was the line. I also noticed a member of the Dream Squad standing several feet away. I walked up to her and asked her if that was the line for the meet and greet. I also asked her if she knew where would be a good place to park the stroller out of the way. We proceeded to get in line (the boys didn’t even know for what).

A minute later, the Dream Squad member walked up to us and asked Nicholas if he was excited to meet Lightning McQueen and Mater. He looked and her, speechless, and I quickly explained that I had not told him what we were doing, just in case we didn’t make it in time. She asked him if he would like it to be more special – by getting to be their junior pit crew! Nicholas was still speechless. The DS member told him that Ethan could go with him to help out, and he quickly agreed. He went with her to get “suited up” in a jacket and headphones. Both of the boys got flags to wave as they escorted the Cars in. Then they were the first to get pictures with them. Nicholas got a certificate, as well. As you can tell by looking at the pictures, I think he was beyond excited!!







We had lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In next. Fred had requested this. It was very cute (and campy). The food was solid, if not spectacular. The only real problem that I had was our waiter not bringing out Nicholas’s appetizer with ours. He said that it was part of his meal (it was tomato soup, and his lunch was a hot dog)! Overall, though, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Next up was the Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show. The line was long and hot, and the boys got bored quickly. The show itself was very interesting. I’m not sure that I have a burning need to see it again any time soon, but it is definitely worth seeing at least once. By this time, Ethan was suffering from the heat again. Fred wanted to check out the Backlot Tour, but the line was huge. Not suprising, considering that LMASS had just let out. I said no, and we decided to let the boys get temporary tattoos, instead. There were tons to choose from, and the price was very reasonable. Since they lasted for several days, I would take them over face painting any day! Nicholas got Mickey skateboarding, and Ethan got a dagger.

We found a bench just outside Backlot Express. We grabbed it, and got something to drink. I noticed that they were getting ready for the parade, and we had a prime viewing spot!! It would come out right next to BE, and go right by our bench. So we decided to hang out. A CM asked Ethan if he would like to be in the parade (carrying the rope at the end), but he said no. I think he was still a little hot and miserable. Our seats were great, except when Darth Vader approached our bench. Nick has a bit of a problem with Vader – remember, when we were at the Studios on Day 1, that was his big concern with the Star Tours ride. He wants no part of him. So Nicholas actually climbed OVER me, and hunched up between my back and the bench, until Vader was gone. Yet he shook hands with Jafar without batting an eye.

After the parade, we did a little shopping before our dinner at Hollywood & Vine. I was very apprehensive about this one. The last time I ate here, it was NOT good. Yes, it was 12 years ago, but it stuck with me. The problem was that we really wanted the Fantasmic package, and I didn’t want to spend two credits for Brown Derby. We ate there in 2005 and it was excellent, but I was being a DDP credit hog. And I really do NOT like Italian, so Mamma Melrose was out. So, H&V it is. Well, I was very surprised. This meal was excellent!! I am not a fan of pork, but they had pork with apples that blew me away. They also had a cream corn cornbread that Ethan and I could not get enough of.

After dinner, Fred took the boys to the bathroom. I stepped outside and watched the Public Works performers for a while. It started to rain lightly, so when Fred and the boys came out, we shopped for a while. Fred wanted to ride the Great Movie Ride, but the boys didn’t. So I stayed out with them and we checked out all of the names and handprints in front of the theater. We shopped some more – Ethan picked up a very cool Jack Skellington hoodie. The rain had stopped, and we went over to Oscar’s to get back to the theater for Fantasmic.



We got some good seats, right near the rope seperating the reserved seating from the general seating. The boys wanted light-up sunglasses. Nicholas was really enjoying the music – so much so, that he decided to entertain the group around us by standing up on the bleachers and dancing. He got some giggles. It got very overcast, and stared to sprinkle again. We could see dark clouds rolling in, with thunder and lightning. Fred and I decided to give up on the show, and head back to the hotel. We didn’t want to get stuck in the crush if they decided to cancel it and it was pouring rain.

We waited a bit for a bus. Finally we got on one. As we left the park, we saw that there was a pretty bad accident (involving a Disney bus) right outside the park. From what we heard on our driver’s radio, they were not able to get any more buses in that way, causing huge backups and problems. Thank goodness we got out when we did! Back at the room, I mentioned in passing to Fred that I saw the bounce-back free dining offer on the TV the day before. He knew about it (he is a “lurker” on the boards). So, he tells me to book it! Now, we had agreed that we were going to Gatlinburg in 2008. Fred doesn’t believe that we need to take a vacation every year. I do, so we compromise by doing something big, usually Disney, every other year, and something small, like Gatlinburg, Hershey, or Kings Island, on the alternate years. So, my response was, “I thought we were going to Gatlinburg. I thought you wanted to pay off some bills!” He told me that we would NEVER have as much fun in Gatlinburg as we were at WDW, and he thought the free dining was AWESOME. He said this had been our best vacation ever.

Now, I was not going to argue with him! Thinking about it, it actually made more sense. We had planned to go to WDW in August 2009, since Ethan would be starting middle school and we didn’t want him to miss school. But the heat was going to be a problem, if this trip was any indication. Going for bounceback in 2008, we could arrive September 27. Still warm, but not near as bad as the third week in August. And the free dining plan made it a no brainer – Ethan will be 10 next year, and considered an adult, so we would be saving $125 a night. By this time it was about 10:30 PM, so I told Fred that I would call first thing the next morning. We discussed staying at a value to save some money. We agreed that we would need to get a fridge and a preferred room location, since we were using the pool and the refillable mugs like crazy on this trip. I said that I would price POP Century and POFQ – we loved this moderate, and were no longer too interested in branching out to try the others.


Up next. . .more free dining, a day of rest, and my thoughts on the hotel.

[Karla]

Jennifer,

You are doing a great job ! It makes me not have the "Disney Blues" so bad anymore. Can't wait to read more.

[Minnie Lor]

I'm all caught up. You've done a great job on your TR. I'm lovin the no line thing going on. I thought it was interesting about "touring plans" website. I have a membership also but didn't know that the days made a huge difference. I will definitely take note of that from now on.

Love all of your pictures. Your boys are too cute. Now that I'm caught up - more please.

[mcc0313]

Another WDW trip in the works...how great...guess you sold him for sure...lol

How great for them to be in the Junior Pit Crew.....seemed like a real treat...

WOnderful TR and lookign forward to your next installment.....

[Colexis Mom]

Great update

[DyanKJ130]

Great update! How cool that the kids were able to help out with the meet & greet!! Are people lining up to see them now? When we saw them it was more like a free for all. I like the idea of lining up! Can't wait to hear more

[jhoshowski]

Dyan - they are trying to get them to line up now, so they can take pictures with the cars. However, since we got to "skip the line", we broke and ran when we were done, so I didn't see how well it worked.

BTW, I have been meaning to tell you that Nicholas loves your "It's not unusual" siggy pic. Whenever he sees it, he makes me stop reading so he can watch it for a while!

[DyanKJ130]

Originally Posted by jhoshowski

BTW, I have been meaning to tell you that Nicholas loves your "It's not unusual" siggy pic. Whenever he sees it, he makes me stop reading so he can watch it for a while!

I guess I better not change it any time soon! I've been thinking about it because it's been a while, but I think Nicholas is a great reason to keep it up! Nicholas!!!

[WHMom]

Great update! Being the junior pit crew must have been very cool!!

Can't wait to read about your plans for the next trip!