Thursday, April 30, 2009

Disney Day 5

Epcot and Hollywood Studios
April 2, 2009

We started off the day heading to Epcot to visit all the stuff we couldn't get to yesterday. We rode the Monorail from Magic Kingdom to Epcot. There were not a lot of people getting on the Monorail so we were able to let 4 people (Barb, Hannah, Jonathan and Sarah) ride in the front car with the engineer. All the kids got an "official" Engineer license. It was awesome riding up to Epcot and being able to see everything as we came up on it. Here are some shots of the kids with the view behind them.
Jonathan and Sarah
Hannah
A good view of the "Ball"


The kids in front of the Ball

Our first order of business was to get a fast pass for Test Track.
We had to wait several hours before it was time to ride but we had plenty to see and do, so wait we would.
It was an awesome ride!!

We visited Pixie Hollow where Tinkerbell and her friends were.... well, floral sculptures of them.
Here are some flowers that I was able to take pictures of, they were gorgeous.



Sarah at Pixie Hollow

Abigail at Pixie Hollow


All the kids with Tinkerbell


Inside the Butterfly pavilion


Just outside the Butterfly pavilion


Beautiful flowers and beautiful children on our way to World Showcase for lunch.

We rode the Gran Fiesta boat ride.
Abigail, Sarah and Hannah


Barb, Jonathan and Tyler


Mi amor!!
My Mexican husband.....need I say more


The little Mexican

Inside the Mexico building


With Mexican Donald


In Norway

Once we had done everything we wanted in Epcot we left and went to the International Gateway. It is a boat ride that takes you around some of the Disney resorts that are on the water and then to Hollywood Studios.
We wanted to get back to Hollywood Studios to see the last American Idol show like we did the other night.
By the time we got there the line was very long and we did not get in. We did however watch the show on the jumbo tv for a little while. The show was not near as good as it was the other day.
We were able to visit some of the attractions that we missed the other day.
Jonathan, Hannah, Sarah and Abigail


Us with Frosty


Just outside Toy Story Midway Mania ride


We made reservations to eat at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater to have dinner. It was a very cool restaurant were you sit in cars that are tables and watch a big drive in movie screen with old
sci-fi movies. It was a fun place to eat. Our waiter was a little obnoxious, but oh well.
At this point it was late and we were hungry so we dealt with it.
A neat experience, but I wouldn't eat there again.
Just outside the restaurant.
Tyler and the kids at the table
Me and Tyler.
Love Yah!

All and all a great day, very busy but a great day!
Till next time,
Barb

Monday, April 27, 2009

Disney Day 4

Epcot
April 1, 2009
After being out very late last night, we decided take our time getting out of the house this morning. My parents were joining us today at Epcot, so we also were at the mercy of the transportation company of when they would be able to pick up my Mom in her wheelchair on the special bus.
We were very excited to spend the day with my parents since if it wasn't for the their generosity and great timeshare we would not have been in Disney.
We got into the park late so the fast passes for Soarin the ride I wanted to make sure they got on were going fast. So we decided to change our plan of getting the fast pass for Test Track first, and get the Soarin fast pass first.
We got our fast pass and then headed to The Seas with Nemo and friends.
It was a fun ride and my mom was able to get on with her wheelchair. We then went to the Turtle talk with Crush.
Once we finished we went to The Land building and rode Living with the Land ride. We had our picnic lunch inside since it was warm out.
We then went to Honey I shrunk the Audience. When it was time to leave it was pouring rain so we had to wait inside till it stopped. Once it stopped we walked along the paths to the World Showcase. It was the Festival of Flowers so there lots of floral decorations around the park. We stopped at this playground area for the kids to play and snap some pictures.
Sarah on the "spider web"

Jonathan on the "spider web"

Jonathan and Tyler with Captain Hook


Hannah and Tyler

Abigail posing


Hannah


The kids and Captain Hook

After stopping several times in all the countries we were ready to ride Soarin.
We all loved it when we rode it before, and both my Mom and my Dad loved it also.
So much fun.
We had a little time before we had to go to our 7 pm dinner reservations at Akershus Royal Dining Hall.
Unfortunately we did not have enough time to run over to Test Track for my Dad to ride, he was a little bummed.
We had a wonderful dinner at Akershus and got to meet a bunch of wonderful princesses.
Here are some shots from our dinner.
Belle

Sleeping Beauty

Snow White

Cinderella

Mulan

After a wonderful dinner we had to walk quickly to the viewing area for handicapped people so my Mom could see the fireworks at the best vantage point.
The fireworks were wonderful.

Dad and Mom and the kids in front of the Epcot ball.
All in all it was a great day and GREAT to share it with my parents!
Till next time,
Barb

Monday, April 20, 2009

Disney Day 3

Disney Hollywood Studios
Tuesday March 31, 2009


The first thing we did once we arrived at Hollywood Studios is get a fast pass for Toy Story Midway Mania. The sad thing is that it was so busy that we had to wait till night time to ride the ride since all the earlier times were already gone... all I have to say is WOW!
We then walked over to the Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian show, it was okay but since Abigail is the only one who read it and saw the movie the rest of us were out of the loop. We then went into Walt Disney, One Man's Dream. It is a self guided tour of his life. The kids really enjoyed it. They really love history and museums. Afterwards we went to the Magic of Disney Animation show.... which is followed by an animation class..... It was very cool! The kids loved it. The animator showed us step by step how to draw Pluto. This was one of their favorites since they asked several times if we could go back and do another character. Here are the scanned in pictures.
Sarah's Pluto
Jonathan's Pluto
Hannah's Pluto
Abigail's Pluto

Barb's Pluto, I messed up on the ear.

Tyler's Pluto

They all came out really good, we all learned some cool lessons about being an animator.
We then headed to see Voyage of the Little Mermaid.


We also met some characters!
Rhino and Bolt

The Incredibles



Frozone

One of the cool Mickeys


Jonathan watching the Sparky street show.


The block party bash parade!

Jonathan yelling loud when they told him to.

Star Wars Photo Op


American Idol


Sarah met the High School Musical cast, they cancelled the show since it had rained, but we tried to go to the last show but missed it. :-(

Here is a picture of the kids near Honey I shrunk the kids movie set.
I have one of them from the last time we went (2004), also in the same spot. Now you can't climb on the truck anymore.
It is amazing how much they have grown!


We met some more characters.
Mike and Sully


The Streets of America
Tyler and the kids, Abigail, Hannah and Jonathan rode the Rockin Roller coaster while Sarah and I got in line for the American Idol 7:00 finale show. Tyler was able to get in before they closed the doors, we were not able to sit together, but close. It was an awesome show.... they had some wonderful talent there that night.
After a long day at Hollywood Studios we left when the park closed around 8:30 and took a shuttle bus to one of the Disney Resorts and then caught a bus to Downtown Disney.
Our resort only had one bus that picked up after 9:30 pm and it was at 12:00 am... so needless to say... the kids were VERY Tired by the time we got home.
Here are some shots of Sarah with the princesses,.,.. just think there was no line to get your picture with them and she was just as happy!


One last shot of the kids before they got really cranky.
This dragon is in the lake around downtown Disney and just outside the huge Lego store, but it is made out of Legos. It is very cool!
All in all it was another Great Day!
Till next time,
Barb