Joshua's First Trip COMPLETE *** Conclusion added 1-16-06 *** About This Page:

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!! Glad Joshua wasn't hurt when he fell off the bed, my kids always seem to do it when we are on vacation. I am really enjoying your report, can't wait for more!!!

[Joy J]

Wonderful update, Christie! It sounds like you're having a truly magical vacation.

Joy

[Caldercup]

Great updates - glad that you liked your Fantasmic dinner!

More please!
Eileen

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
I am still amazed at how much you all manage to get done every day!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ] Ah, yes that's my commando personality showing through - you've really got to have the desire to be able to do it, and a super-de-duper good plan to stay away from most of the crowds, too. [ QUOTE ]

We really didn't very much done AT ALL, BUT we had MORE fun than we'd ever had before!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ] One of these days, I'll switch off the commando and we'll have a relaxing trip! Maybe ... [ QUOTE ]

Looking forward to July 8th where I reappear in your TR!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

BTW, are we going to be able to meet up again next summer?? I'm afraid that you'll go 4th of July week again if you go. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ] Nope, we're headed elsewhere next summer. But if we do end up in Wisconsin Dells, I'll be sure to let you know!

[christiejay]

Cast:

Me, Christie, 34, stay-at-home mom and the trip organizer.
My husband, Jay, 35, production line worker at Nissan, the funding source of the trip!
Our son, Joshua, 3
Jay's sister, Melanie, 34, casino money counter and sometime cashier

Experience:
Very experienced (me)
Pretty experienced (Jay)
Might-as-well-be newbie, only 1 trip in 1991 (Melanie)
First trip (Joshua)

Dates: July 1-9, 2005

Lodging:
EconoLodge North, Lake City, Florida (1 night)
Pop Century Resort (7 nights)

Transportation: Titan crewcab truck, 12 hours from Clinton, Mississippi



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Day 6 - Wednesday, July 6

Part Three - Now What Do We Do?


Previously: We just finished supper at Hollywood & Vine

We had a little while before the Stars and Motor Cars parade started, so we hung out around the hat where there was a little shade. While waiting, I purchased the Studios Independence Day pin, which completed my set of five. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Then I started looking at show times on the guidemap and became very disappointed. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I realized that we would not be able to see much of anything that evening, because most of the shows didn't have any performances that late in the day. We also couldn't look for any characters because their meet-and-greet times were all over as well. So much for my original plans! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] But it was almost parade time, so we headed up to what used to be a curb so that we could get a good seat.

Well, we ended up almost in the corner, and would have had a perfect view if the parade had been coming up Hollywood Boulevard. Naturally, the parade came from the other direction, so we had to try to stick our heads around the people next to us to get any decent view. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] This was made harder due to the obnoxious little boy next to Joshua who kept crossing over the line and completely blocking our view. (I was sitting on the ground next to Joshua, who was sitting in his stroller. We also had to deal with obnoxious kids behind us who kept practically climbing on top of us and our stuff. Whatever happened to parental supervision? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] ) But in the end we did get some good pictures, and Joshua loved the parade! It had a lot of his favorite characters in it - Star Wars, Toy Story, Mary Poppins, and Playhouse Disney. He especially liked the walking characters that came right in front of us, like Jessie and Darth Vader (the bad guy, Mommy! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] ).

Flying By the Seat of Our Pants

After the parade we let the crowd clear out a little bit while we decided what to do. The shows were almost all over, the characters had gone for the day, and the rides were not suitable for a relatively tame three-year-old. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] But we still had a couple of hours to spend before we headed for the Fantasmic theater.

There was still one more performance of Lights! Motors! Action! scheduled, so we decided to head down Mickey Avenue and do that. But on the way there, a cast member was trying to get people to see One Man's Dream. That was on our schedule for the next day, and I thought the movie came first, and therefore there would be a wait. So I asked how long the wait was, and he said that there was no wait. We walked in and looked at all the exhibits which were very interesting. However, I can't remember now half of what I saw or read in there. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] And wouldn't you know it, by the time we made it to the theater a show had just started (I missed the announcement), so we had to wait for the next one. However, we all enjoyed the exhibit. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

Next we headed back toward the new stunt show theater, but I knew something was wrong when we were suddenly met by a HUGE mass of people coming from the theater, even though the show hadn't started yet. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] As we got closer, I could hear people grumbling about waiting in line and not being able to get in. I couldn't believe the theater was full, especially for the last show of the day, but sure enough that's what had happened. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] So now, pretty much the only thing left we could do was to take the Backlot Tour. So we backtracked to that, and were happy to see that the line was not very long. We walked into the warehouse and got in line.

After a few minutes the next group was let into the water effects area, and we were among the last people let in for that show. We enjoyed this part as usual, but it was very hard to see anything on the monitors due to the glare. Next we headed through the prop warehouse and got in line for the tram. I made sure Melanie sat on the left (hee-hee), then me, then Joshua and Jay. I didn't want Joshua on that side! I can't remember anything from the tram tour that really stood out for me this trip. The main thing I remember was how slow the tram moved, and how it snaked its way around the stunt show performance area. By now, the show had started, and it was kind of neat to get a "backstage" look at the cars. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Next, we made it to Catastrophe Canyon. Melanie really liked this part. Joshua was a little nervous but managed to survive the ordeal.

The tram left the canyon area and again crawled its way back around the stunt show theater and let us out at the AFI Showcase. I love this area, and I knew Melanie would as well, since she is such a film buff. She got a lot of pictures here. I can't remember which films were spotlighted, this evening is kind of a blur to me. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] All I know is I didn't take any pictures in here. We walked back toward the front of the park, and stopped for a rest on a bench in front of the sorcerer's hat. Jay went to get us a frozen lemonade from Min and Bill's which was delicious. I took a couple of pictures of Joshua in front of the hat - he liked the sparkly stars on top! We were taking our time because we didn't want to have to wait too long in the Fantasmic theater, crammed in with a bunch of other people. But it soon came time for us to go or we would miss out on our reserved seating. So we headed down Hollywood Boulevard toward the back-door entrance.

Fantasmic!

We were let in the gate by Oscar's and began our very long walk to the theater. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] I thought it was so cool that we were allowed backstage at Disney with no guide! I was surprised that we weren't warned about taking pictures or anything like that. Of course, about the only thing to take a picture of was the stroller and wheelchair storage area! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] And I'm also sure we were being closely watched by surveillance cameras. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] We followed the road toward the theater with a lot of other people, and Melanie kept asking "How far is this place?" It was further than what I had thought it would be, but it sure beat standing in line like we did last time. Back in 2000 we stood in line for about an hour, packed in that sidewalk like sardines, hardly able to breathe. I vowed I'd never do that again! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] So thank you, Fantasmic Dinner Package! We will definitely make the Hollywood & Vine/Fantasmic combo a must-do on every trip in the future. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

Finally we arrived at the theater and found a seat. We only went a few rows down, as I didn't want to get too close for Joshua's sake. We waited and waited and waited. There was no pre-show entertainment like there has been in the past - only the wave. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] That got old after a while. Once the show started, I tried to keep talking to Joshua so he wouldn't get too scared. He pretty much took it all in stride, and enjoyed seeing the characters, especially Mickey. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] I had told him beforehand that this show was about a dream Mickey was having, so he still refers to it as that. Melanie's digital camera battery died during this show so she missed out on some pictures. She filmed part of it, although her camcorder battery was just about used up too. At least that battery could be recharged overnight. We all enjoyed the show and got ready for our trek back out of the park.

As I suspected, they rerouted us from the backstage area back onto Sunset Boulevard, so we had a little bit longer to walk, through more of a crowd. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] But we finally made it out of the park and headed to the bus stop. Tonight was extra magic hours at Magic Kingdom, but Jay and Melanie didn't feel like doing that. So we were all going back to the hotel. Just when it was our turn to get on the bus, somebody cuts line in front of us just to get to the parking lot. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I was so mad I told them that's what the sidewalk was far. (I know, that's not much of an outburst [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] , but I usually just ignore stupid and rude people, after giving them a mean look.) But of course they kept walking, and we got on the bus. Tonight's bus driver was the best by far. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] He kept telling jokes and trying to keep the mood light, as he knew we had all had a long day. I can't remember now what all he said, but it made the return trip seem almost pleasant. Melanie had printed out some cast member appreciation certificates from the Mouse for Less website, but wouldn't you know it she had left them in the room! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] He was definitely deserving of one. We went to our room, where we got ready for bed, and I updated my PassPorter and laid out another Mousekeeping tip envelope.

Next up: Day 7 - Lots of Park Hopping

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Christie [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!!

[PrincessSharon]

Just getting caught up on your excellent report, Christie! I'm really enjoying it! Hurry back with more, please!

[TroianRae]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Looking forward to July 8th where I reappear in your TR!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
BTW, are we going to be able to meet up again next summer?? I'm afraid that you'll go 4th of July week again if you go. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Nope, we're headed elsewhere next summer. But if we do end up in Wisconsin Dells, I'll be sure to let you know!

[/ QUOTE ]

You bet you will!! You know that I'll drive those 7 1/2 or 8 hours in a flash!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[LeahPen]

Loving your report! More please!

[christiejay]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
But if we do end up in Wisconsin Dells, I'll be sure to let you know!

[/ QUOTE ]

You bet you will!! You know that I'll drive those 7 1/2 or 8 hours in a flash!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

OK!

Sorry, everybody, more computer troubles on Monday, so I'm a little slow getting the next update posted. But here goes ...

[christiejay]

Cast:

Me, Christie, 34, stay-at-home mom and the trip organizer.
My husband, Jay, 35, production line worker at Nissan, the funding source of the trip!
Our son, Joshua, 3
Jay's sister, Melanie, 34, casino money counter and sometime cashier

Experience:
Very experienced (me)
Pretty experienced (Jay)
Might-as-well-be newbie, only 1 trip in 1991 (Melanie)
First trip (Joshua)

Dates: July 1-9, 2005

Lodging:
EconoLodge North, Lake City, Florida (1 night)
Pop Century Resort (7 nights)

Transportation: Titan crewcab truck, 12 hours from Clinton, Mississippi



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Day 7 - Thursday, July 7

Part One - An Eventful Morning at the Studios


Annabel?

We woke up this morning, and Melanie informed us that she had heard on the news that several bombs had exploded in London. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] My first thought was of Annabel, who was to arrive at Pop Century later today. But I knew from her biography that she didn't live in the area of the bombings, so I assumed everything was just fine. I wondered whether any planes were being allowed to leave the country, but it appeared that the planes might be delayed, but were taking off. So we got dressed and made our way down to the bus stop.

Today was our day to begin at the Studios. After learning yesterday what the show times would be, I had reworked our itinerary so that we would be able to see as much as possible. It was pretty obvious that after this morning's touring there wouldn't be enough left to do at the Studios to warrant a third trip back here tomorrow as we had originally planned, so we really wanted to make the most of our visit here today. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] Having learned my lesson at the rope drops at the other three theme parks, I hung back in the shade once we got through the gates, rather than crowd in with everybody else. Melanie stood with me, but Jay insisted on getting closer, so he and Joshua went on up Hollywood Boulevard a little ways.

Once the park opened, we caught back up with each other and headed toward Animation Courtyard and the first stop of the day, Playhouse Disney Live on Stage. The first show started in only ten minutes, so the doors were open and we got a great seat up front, on the side of the stage. Joshua had a blast at this show. He stood up the whole time (at least nobody was behind him!) and even sometimes clapped and sang along. Melanie grabbed one of the streamers that came out from the ceiling during the show and gave to him to wave around. He was having such a great time, until he saw the bubbles floating down. He stopped in his tracks and just stood there, mesmerized by the bubbles, completely forgetting the show on stage. It was really funny and I'm glad Jay got most of his reactions on tape. We counted this as our most magical memory of the day. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Next we crossed to the other side of the courtyard to see the Little Mermaid show. As we were coming through the line, the cast member was telling us to hurry up. So we were the last ones through the turnstiles for the next show. We didn't get to see the preshow and we had to sit on the end of a row in the back, but at least there was no wait! We all enjoyed the show; I noticed a few changes. I didn't feel any rain, Ariel's rock had been reconfigured so that she sits higher up, and it seems that the show had been shortened just slightly. I still enjoy the way the puppeteers are "invisible" on stage in their black outfits, and the performance was great. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

So the only thing left for us to do in Animation Courtyard was the actual Animation "tour", although it can't really be called that anymore, now can it? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] It is so sad. I can still remember the original version of this, and how cool it was to see the artists working, or to at least see their desks and how personalized their work areas had become. We thought the film was cute, and enjoyed seeing the previews of Chicken Little. After the film, Melanie spent some time checking out the different activities while the rest of us stood in line to meet The Incredibles. Joshua didn't act very excited about seeing them, which surprised me because this was the first movie he went to see at the theater, and that's all he talked about for a long time afterwards. Maybe it's because we hadn't seen any characters in a few days, or because these were the first characters of the day. I ended up having to hold him to get their autographs and a picture with them. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Afterwards, Melanie wasn't interested in attending the animation academy, so we all left.

Melanie had really been looking forward to playing the Millionaire game, and I felt bad for her that the show times had not worked out for us when we were here last night. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] But on our way down Mickey Avenue, I noticed that a show was about to start and there was no wait to enter the theater. So I asked her if she would be interested in going by herself while we took Joshua to see some more characters. She said sure, so we told her to meet us at the Toy Story area after her game was over. Once I made sure she knew how to get there [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] , she went on in to try her luck, and the rest of us continued down Mickey Avenue.

Characters Galore

Not far from the Millionaire theater was a trailer set up for JoJo and Goliath. They were taking a break but would be back soon, so we got in line. After just a couple of minutes they came back out and we got JoJo's autograph and a picture. The next trailer was for Donald Duck, so we did the same routine. For both of these pictures, I had to hold Joshua. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] We were just about to leave this area, when I noticed the Sorcerer Mickey greeting area. When I looked inside, I saw that the line was really short, so we stopped in there also. Joshua did better in here, and I didn't have to hold him. I think it was because Mickey was dressed as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Joshua really likes that hat with the sparkly stars. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] We got our picture made by the PhotoPass photographer here, also.

Next we were going to get FastPasses for the Lights! Motors! Action! show at 1:00. After seeing how crowded it was yesterday, we didn't want to fool around and miss it again today, too. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img] I really didn't think that Joshua would be able to handle the noises of this show, so I told Jay just to get 2 FastPasses, and he and Melanie could watch the show while I took Joshua to the room for his nap. So we walked toward the stadium, and while Jay got the passes, I took a couple of pictures of Joshua in front of the cars out front. He really loves cars, so it was a shame that he couldn't see the show. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] But he really didn't understand that it was a show, or that he couldn't see it, so it all worked out okay for this trip. Next time we go, I'm sure he'll be able to handle it better. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

Next we walked up toward Al's Toy Barn to see which Toy Story characters were out. There was a Green Army Man keeping watch over the street, so we got his autograph and a picture. Actually, he had to "ask" me for my pen. I didn't give it to him to begin with, because they used to have a stamp. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Well, now they sign! After this, Woody and Buzz went inside for a break. I asked Joshua which one he wanted to meet first, and he said Woody. So we got in line for Woody. When we came out, Joshua (finally!) got excited about it, and wanted to take a picture with his camera. So the new routine for characters became: let Joshua take a picture with his camera, get an autograph, then pose for a group picture. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I was glad he was finally getting into the routine of things, even though the trip was almost over! We met Woody and Buzz, then waited in the shade for Melanie. But while we were waiting, Jessie came out, so we went to see her. I asked if Bullseye would be coming out later, but I was told that Bullseye spends most of his time around the barn nowadays. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Finally, Joshua Eats!

So knowing that we weren't going to be missing any of the other characters, we walked a little further up the street to show Joshua the snowman. While we continued our wait for Melanie, I also went into the Muppets store to get the three Muppets pressed pennies on the machine inside. Shortly after I came back out, we saw Melanie walking up the street. She enjoyed the Millionaire game - she was listed on the scoreboard during the early going [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img] , but then she said the questions started getting pretty tough, and you have to be quick with your answers. We had already decided to have lunch at Pizza Planet, which we were right next to, so we went inside and got our food. I think we all got a pepperoni pizza. I can report that finally, Joshua ate a decent meal along with everybody else, with no fussing or complaining - thank you pizza! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] He also enjoyed looking at all the Toy Story stuff inside - the mural and the characters. I was sad to see that they had removed the giant crane of little green men - even though it wasn't operable it was still a cute addition. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

Next up: Another Hot Afternoon

[Colexis Mom]

What a great morning (except for the thoughts of Annabel and the bombs [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] )! More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[PrincessSharon]

Great update, Christie! Hurry back with more!

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Christie!! Sounds like you guys had a really nice day so far at MGM!! Can't wait to read more!!!