Sun,Fun and Mickey Mouse Our 2 week vacation About This Page:

[tikibird]

Sounds like you had an excellent day - and dinner!

The picture of the MK from the CG is incredible! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

Great installment, more please! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[angelina]

Day 5 Feb 15: MGM and oh my gosh did they ever change TOT
Another early morning since it was MGM EE and we wanted to get going. After our workout, we actually skipped breakfast because we couldn't wait to get to MGM. We arrived at the park about 8:05 am and after taking a few pictures, we headed to Rockin' Rollercoaster. We used the baby swap and DH went first. We noticed a lot more people using the baby swap this time. It's such a great feature, I wonder why more people don't use it? DH was so excited after his ride that I couldn't wait to go. I actually had someone to ride with, another mom who was doing the baby swap. We chit-chatted a little in our car before we heard the rev of the engine, and we both knew what was coming... My stomach just dropped! This ride is so exhillerating, I just love it. It's definitely different on an empty stomach, and both DH and I agreed we probably should have eaten. As the park still was not open to day guests yet there was no wait on RnR so we were both finished riding by about 8:30 and we headed to ToT.
The thing I love about this ride (besides the obvious thrill factor) is the amazing attention to detail. Disney does this on all their rides, but I think this one is the best. I love taking my time strolling up the queue to the entrance, it's so great. Since DH went first on RnR it was my turn to go first. It took about 10 minutes to wait in line, get through the preshow and onto an elevator. Now I had heard about the changes, but I was not prepared for what was about to happen. I always used to know when the drop was coming because they would open the elevator doors and you would get that beautiful view of MGM before you plummet. So I was not prepared to just be shot up in the air without warning. We were dropped and shot up more times than I can count. It was definitely very different. It was scarier and more fun, because everything was so unexpected. I didn't tell DH what was coming, because what fun is that?
Next we headed over to Beauty and the Beast. Now DD loves B&B, I mean she would watch that movie all day long if we let her. When we read stories she always wants to read B&B. She has other favorites like Monsters Inc. and Sponge Bob. But B&B is her absolute favorite, favorite [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] So we sat down in the first row. The guys that perform the preshow are so great. I'm sorry but I don't remeber their name, but they have such great voices. When the show started DD's eyes were glued to the stage and I swear she didn't blink the whole show.
Belle and Gaston were both wonderful performers. But I was disappointed to discover that the chorus was not singing live. I think that's ridiculous. Having done professional theatre since I was nine I've done a lot of musicals. When you're in a musical you sing and dance. That's the way it is and that's the way it should be. Disney should select people for this particular show who can do both. They have so many talented performers who work at there, I'm sure most of them can sing as well as dance. We've never sat that close before so I never realized they were lip synching. It really took away from the performance for me.
DD, however, was not such a critic. She loved it. She started cring when the show was over, and kept saying, "more, more". We stayed in the theatre for about five minutes after the show because she thought they were coming back out.
By this time we still hadn't eaten and we were starving. So we headed over to H&V. Up Next More Day 5 and Characters Galore

[ProChristo]

I am really enjoying your TR and I couldn't agree more about the lip synching. I majored in classical vocal performance in college and while there is not a lot of dancing in your typical opera, I did my share of musicals, dance lessons, show choir, etc. along the way. If you can't sing and dance (with microphones for cryin' out loud!) at the same time than don't quit your day job! I didn't know they lip synched until after we got back, so it didn't spoil the performance for us while we were there.

Anyway, you are off to a great start and I can't wait to read more!

[tikibird]

Enjoyed hearing about your day at MGM and more great pictures! Looking forward to hearing how well you liked Mama Melrose's.

More, please! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[angelina]

More Day 5
We headed to H&V to see if we could be seated for breakfast. The crowds were noticeably heavier (it was President's weekend) but nothing like what we were expecting. We were told we could be seated for breakfast right away, it was about 10:40.
We did this character breakfast on our last trip and really enjoyed it. Once inside the reastaurant we were surprised to find there was no one there. The characters were Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Chip & Dale. We had a wonderful server who told us to go ahead and help ourselves to the buffet. There were two buffet lines but only one had breakfast, and it was very picked over. We got some cereal and fruit for DD from the breakfast buffet. But DH and I ate from the lunch buffet, which looked wonderful and was fresh. The food was good. But the characters were fabulous. We got more character interaction here than anywhere else. Often we had three characters at our table at one time
The characters would just sit down at our table and stay there while we ate breakfast. They were all wonderful with DD, they aprroached her slowly and got down on her level. She had a great time, and so did we. We were charged for lunch, not breakfast, and we used two Magical Wishes. I can't find the receipt for this meal, so I can't tell you what it would have cost. We had a wonderful experience at H&V and will definitely go back again.
After lunch we decided to visit some characters. Once again they were everywhere. We found out where Mike and Sulley from "Monster's Inc." would be as this was another DD favorite. We headed over to Commissary Lane and they had a great little set up there for the characters. They had a roped off queue area, a great little set and a garage door, where we assumed the characters would be when it opened. We were the only ones in line and after a couple of minutes the garage door opened and Mike and Sulley were there. Well DD took one look at them and flipped out, because Sulley is about seven feet tall. She wouldn't go anywhere near them. So DH gladly posed with them.
Next we headed back to Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat where there were tons of characters. Some we'd never even seen before, like Scrooge Mc Duck and the Italian guy from "Atlantis". We didn't even remeber his name, but he didn't have anyone in his line so DH took a picture with him because we felt so bad. We had a really magical moment with Jasmine. She was wonderful with DD. She picked her up and just started playing games with her, DD just loved her. Jasmine had her in stiches laughing.
It was so sweet. We did a little bit more shopping (ok a lot) and headed over to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set where DD again went nuts. She loved the toddler area which had a little slide that was a dog's tounge. She went up and down for about a half an hour. The older kids area was insanely busy, but there was only one other family in the toddler area. Next,we toured the AFI display and also the "Santa Clause 2" movie set. We also walked around New York Street Area.
We decided to line up for Stars and Motorcars about one hour early. We chose a different location for us. Usually we line up on Hollywood Blvd. but we had a 3:50 PS for Mama Melrose's so we wanted to be close to the restaurant. So we got a bench near Sounds Dangerous. While DH stayed at our spot DD and I went exploring. We did a little more shopping and played by the Muppet's fountain. We grabbed a turkey sandwich from the Backlot Express for everyone to share. This was a great counter service restaurant. There was no line and lots of seating. The sandwich was very large, enough for two and it was tasty.
We really liked this seat for the parade. The last time we saw this parade there was an "Atlantis" car and we were pleased to see it had been replaced by "Lilo and Stitch" While I like this parade, it lacks some of the "wow factor" that the other parades have. And I really could do without the "Star Wars" car. But, that's just me. Next we headed to Mama Melrose's for dinner...
Up Next: More Day 5 and Fantasmic Again

[angelina]

More Day 5
We had a 3:50 PS for the Fantasmic dinner package at Mama Melrose's so after the parade we headed on over. We were given a pager and told it wouldn't be too long. It wasn't, we waited about 5 minutes. We had never been to Mama Melrose's and we liked the inside of the restaurant. It had the feel of an authentic Italian restaurant, complete with the open kitchen with the hearth pizza oven. We had another excellent server, named Kelly. DD didn't take a nap today, so we weren't sure how she was going to do sitting down for a meal, but she was just fine. We again used two Magical Wishes to pay for our meal. We started with some Sangria, which was very good. Then we had the calamari and caprino for our appetizers. Both were excellent, and the portions were huge. It was enough food for four or five people. For our entrees DD had the spaghetti, I had the pipette pasta which was chicken, vegetables and pasta in a wonderful sauce, and DH had the filet. Everything was fabulous. We were really impressed with the food. For dessert all we could squeeze in was one little cannoli. After dinner we stopped by One Man's Dream before heading to the show. Incidentally, the One Man's Dream exhibit is fascinating and if you haven't seen it, it will give you an even bigger appreciation for Walt Disney.
I was really concerned there was going to be a large crowd for Fantasmic. Everyone had been telling us that the crowds would be crazy today. Which we found, at MGM at least, not to be the case. So we arrived about an hour and 45 minutes before the show was to strart at 7:00. Indeed the two center seating areas were full, but the reserved section had only us and one other family. My husband (who had said all along we didn't need to get here this early) looked at me like; see, told you so. But I was determined to get those pictures so I wanted to sit close. Now of course, I look back and think we could have arrived 45 minutes later and gotten the same seats. But, what do you do. So I told DH I would wait, he and DD headed off to go find some fun. While I waited I filled in the blank spots in my PassPorter. It was about 20 minutes before people started showing up in our section. But the theatre did fill up. Once again Fantasmic was incredible. We always try to see it at least twice.The second time I don't take any pictures, so I can just enjoy the show. It was so wonderful to see the emotions on my daughter's face [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] But when that character boat came out, I was ready, with film this time.


I got some great shots of the character boat, and even the fireworks at the end.
We had a wonderful, but long day at MGM. It would be the only day DD didn't get a nap. So she fell asleep as soon as we were in the car. We headed back to POFQ and called it a night. Tomorrow, was our breakfast in the castle [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Up Next: Day 6 and Our Breakfast at CRT

[tikibird]

You meal at Mama Melrose's sounds very good, and more great shots from Fantasmic! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Can't wait to hear about your morning with the princesses!

[Suzie]

Great report and your daughter is darling. That picture with Snow White looks like she might want to keep her.
I agree with you that they always sit the families with kids over in the "kids ghetto" area of restaurants. But at least you fell comfortable there when your kid lives a four foot area around their high chair covered with crumbs. What is it with people who don't like kids? Do they think they never were one?
Oh well, looking for more report soon!
Suzie

[Joy J]

I'm thoroughly enjoying your trip report. And I couldn't agree with you more about the great character interaction at Hollywood and Vine. I was devastated to hear that they are discontinuing the character breakfasts and lundhes and will be only having the dinner but without any characters. Perhaps they'll change their minds.

Your photos are all fabulous and it makes me feel like I'm right back at WDW again. More please!

Joy

[chezp]

What a great trip report - and you've got some beautiful photos too. I love that one of you and DD at the Rose and Crown, it's a beautiful shot.

Cheryl

[TINKN]

I'm enjoying your report, especially the pictures! Well done!

[angelina]

Thanks for the replies [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] More TR coming tonight.

[angelina]

Day 6: February 16 A Date with the Princesses at CRT
Now I'll begin our story for today by saying that I know people will hate me, but I've never had a problem getting a PS at CRT. Of course now I've probably just jinxed myself. But we even had to change the dates for this vacation. So after securing one PS for CRT I had to call back and get another one. Which I did, but my call didn't get through until 6:06 am (central) and we still got a table. So before you get too mad at me you should know: I've never won anything in my life, so maybe I have good luck with CRT instead of winning concert tickets on a radio station or a free TV. But, I really feel for people that just can't get through. But I would say keep trying. The day I called back to cancel my original PS for CRT the CM said, "ok, just for fun let's go back and check the PS you just cancelled." We did and you know what, it was gone already. So call back, because people do cancel.
So we began our day early again and while DH went to workout I skipped it today, so I could take my time getting myself and DD ready. It was EE at MK and our PS was for 8:20, so we left POFQ at 7:30. Once at the MK we were surprised to find that it was not crowded. We were told, again, that today would be crazy because of President's Weekend and the fact that the Daytona 500 was tomorrow (apparently a lot of people going to Daytona come to Disney the weekend of the race) We walked around a virtually empty Main Street, where there were a lot of characters out. We got some great pictures in front of the castle with just us. How often does that happen?
We checked in at CRT a little early and we were seated right away. There's just something so magical about this restaurant for me. I think it's because I actually feel like a princess when I'm in the castle. I know it sounds silly. But for me it's just magical. So much of what I remember about Disney from being a child revolves around the castle. When we would watch "The Wonderful World of Disney" you would always see the castle and when you saw the commercials you would see the castle. And I'll never forget going to Disney World for the first time with my family and riding on the ferry and as you got closer there it was... Cinderella's Castle. So I love this restaurant. And the last time we brought my DD she had so much fun, it was just another reason to love CRT even more.
We had a wonderful window table with a great view of Dumbo. Our server's name was Ron and he was great. He came over right away and told us about the selections for breakfast. The princesses (and one prince) were already out. It took about five minutes for our first princess, Alice, to reach us.
She was wonderful with DD asking her name (something all the characters did this breakfast)and when she left she blew DD a kiss and DD blew one back. It was too cute! Next we had Aladdin.
Whom DD was a little skeptical of but DH and I thought he was hilarious. He was obviously used to people wondering why he was at the princess breakfast. He said to DD, "are you having fun with the princesses...and...me?" And then he said, "Yeah, I'm a little confused about that one myself." It was funny. He was really good with her. In the past we have seen Peter Pan and another Aladdin at CRT. Only on our last trip to CRT in March 2002 did we see all princesses. And that trip we hit the jackpot, we had Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine, Belle and Cinderella. I think it's great for the little boys at the breakfast to have some male chacters there. But selfishly, I like it when it's all princesses. Next we had Mary Poppins. And it was the same Mary Poppins we had seen twice already. Once again she remembered DD's name, and asked now "where did I see you, was it at tea?" I told her it had been in Norway and then she said, "Oh yes, you gave me a Valentine" it was really cool.
Then we had Cinderella. At this point in the meal DD was really into her strawberries and even offered to share a little with Cinderella.
Our last princess was Aurora and she was as wonderful as all the rest. One kind of bummer, we overheard the mom at the table next to us chastizing Aurora for the characters not spending enough time with her kids. But her kids, who were preteens, sat there obviously uniterested in dining with the princesses and not wanting to be there. I felt so bad for Aurora, but she handled it very well.
One other thing we noticed was there were no couples without kids dining. I think this is a great breakfast for couples, it's really romantic eating here. DH and I did it once on our first trip together and again on our honeymoon. For our honeymoon they even gave us engraved crystal champagne flutes. So don't let not having kids at your table hold you back from trying this wonderful experience.
We had a wonderful time at CRT. The characters each spent a good amount of time with DD. I never understand when people complain about the amount of time characters spend with their kids. I'm mean it's not like the characters are on an assembly line and they wave to the kids as they go by, they stop at each table and greet you. Do they expect the characters to spend a half of an hour with their kids while the other 200 kids in the restaurant just sit and watch? Ok, sorry a little ranting about pushy parents (but more on that later) The food was ok, but not as good as it has been in the past. It just wasn't very fresh. But, do you really come here for the food? We used two Magical Wishes to pay for our meal. It would have cost $48.58.
Up next: More Day 6

[angelina]

More Day 6
After our fabulous breakfast we headed to Fantasyland to do some rides. DD absolutely loves carousels, so that was our first stop. There was no wait, so we rode twice in a row, without even getting off [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] She just loved it.

Then we did Peter Pan's Flight, which is one of my favorites. Next we headed over to It's a Small World. I think with this ride you either love it or it drives you crazy. [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I love it, but it drives DH absolutely nuts. He says after he rides it he just can't get that song out of his head. DD also loves it, by the end she was singing right along. DH was not amused [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

We headed over to Tomorrowland and DH did AE while DD and I did TTA. I love TTA because there's never any wait, you get to sit down and relax and get a great view of Tomorrowland. It's also a hit with DD. I have never done AE and don't intend to. I'm just not into gross, scary alien stuff. But DH likes it so he does it. He thought that it was scarier from the last time he experienced it.
We headed over to Liberty Square because we wanted to get DD's silhouette done. The artist was wonderful. DD only sat still for about 30 seconds yet somehow the artist managed to get a fabulous likeness of DD.
It looked like it was going to rain and so we headed over to Downtown Disney to get in some shopping and of course more yummy eating [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

Wow, great pic in front of the castle, and from Cindy's too!

Congrats on the great luck in securing CRT - loved hearing about it, and your time in Fantasyland, as well.

Next, please! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]