There's 104 days of summer vacation - Day 9 TL and Studios

[Alison]

Up early today – we were going to Typhoon Lagoon and wanted to be there for opening. Got there just on 9 and found a lounger to dump our stuff and then headed off to the slides. Nigel rode the Storm Slides and Humunga Cowabunga – S couldn’t ride as you have to take your shoes off. Wish they would tell that to the lifeguards at the bottom or have it on the sign!

Went on to the family raft ride – there was still hardly any queue! Got very wet due to all the spray but good fun.

Nigel and Stephen rode various combinations of the raft rides and then we headed to Crush ‘n’ Gusher. The boys went and queued while I wallowed in the pool nearby, chatting to a woman who had climbed all the way up and then chickened out and come down again!

Stephen wanted a sand pail ice cream so we headed over to Happy Landings but it wasn’t open yet. We would return – he was on a mission!

On to the lazy river next – it was still fairly empty for most of it and was a nice gentle ride.


Lazy River by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Miss Tilly by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Went in the wave pool for a bit.


Typhoon Lagoon by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Scarily, Nigel lost his glasses at one point, despite wearing a sports strap. He could see them on the bottom but, when he eventually managed to pick them up, they weren’t his! Fortunately, someone else had managed to grab his but that was a bit worrying for a while!

Stephen loves the wave pool and could spend hours in it – he went right up to the rope and rode all the high waves!


Here it comes! by limegreenlife, on Flickr


He's in there - somewhere! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

(Can you spot him? Look for the goggles!)

I sat on the rocks at the back, getting soaked by all the waves – had a lovely ‘chat’ with a South American lady – she didn’t speak English, I didn’t speak Spanish but we got there!

We wandered back to Happy Landings and decided to get a nugget meal to share before indulging in the main event – the ice cream!


Eyes bigger than ...? by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We got a lot of looks and comments – it was a lot of ice cream! Vanilla and chocolate ice cream, strawberry and chocolate sauce, oreo cookies, bits of waffle cone, whipped cream, Mickey sprinkles and cherries! It was really nice, actually but it was melting fast by the time we got to the bottom. We managed it – just – but could never do a Kitchen Sink!


Did it! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Refilled our mug a few times (you can buy a new barcode for $6) and then headed back for more suncream and the boys managed to persuade me to go on Crush 'n' Gusher! As the CM at the top pushed us off, he shouted, "Are you ready?" to which I replied "No!" but it was too late! I really didn't enjoy it that much but at least I did it, which pleased Stephen! He enjoyed laughing at me as I screamed all the way down! Unfortunately, there was a Photopass photographer there to record the occasion but, sadly, our photos haven't arrived yet so I am not able to share them - shame!

A last go in the wave pool.


Splash! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Met a nice English lady and we chatted about plans we had and what we’d done so far – wonder if she’s on the Dibb? I didn’t realise till later that the sun cream was only factor 30 instead of the 50 we’d been using and I burnt my knees a bit.


Lagoona Gator by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Back home for a rest, TV, washing etc. Think I fell asleep for a bit! We decided that we would try for Fantasmic again – fingers crossed!

(Cont in next post)

[Alison]

Headed off to Ruby Tuesday’s for dinner – we used to go here a lot when I was a child but had never tried it with the boys. As we drive, the rain started up again – uh-oh! Made a mad dash for the restaurant. The boys had steak and I had lobster carbonara. Nigel had fries and onion rings for his sides – Stephen had fries and sugar snap peas. The server told Nigel he could learn from his son! We loved the cheese biscuits they give you to start! Lovely meal – the steak just melted. For the first time, we all finished our meals!

It was still raining when we left but not as heavily as before. Got to the Studios and sat in the car for a bit (seeing a pattern here?) and then decided to don ponchos and just go for it. We were in Stage, so close enough to walk in. It had all but stopped by the time we got in – phew!

Headed to the Great Movie Ride – it was a walk-on! We have always had long queues here. Sat at the back again but the car stopped further forward on all the scenes so that was better. (Rather a lot of photos here - please feel free to scroll on past them!)


Journey into the Movies by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Singin' in the rain ... by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Step in time! by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Chim chiminee by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Western skies by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Don't shoot! by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Ding-dong, the witch is dead ... by limegreenlife, on Flickr


We're off to see the wizard by limegreenlife, on Flickr


If I only had a heart by limegreenlife, on Flickr

On to the new Star Tours – another walk on! Everyone was queuing for the first showing of Fantasmic by now – we planned to do the second show! I wasn’t really going to do Star Tours but am really glad I did – the new show is really good with lots of clever touches. Apparently, there are 54 possible combinations of films. We went to Kashyyk (Wookie planet) and Naboo (underwater). Loved it so much, we went straight back on! This time we got Tatooine and Naboo again. Definitely a must do!


Star Tours by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Round to Tower of Terror now – another walk on.


Any vacancies? by limegreenlife, on Flickr

The boys rode while I took some photos. Stephen wasn’t convinced (although he’s done the Paris version lots of times) – he likes the ride part but not the theming.


In control by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Name in lights by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Hollywood Tower Hotel by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We joined the queue for the next Fantasmic show. We didn’t have to wait long at all and couldn’t believe how empty the second show is.


Fantasmic by limegreenlife, on Flickr

(Cont in next post)

[Alison]

Really enjoyed this show, as always – think it is my favourite night time show. We really enjoyed taking photos here – it was my first time. There are so many lovely photographic opportunities at Disney.


Maleficent by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Mickey to the rescue by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Driving the boat by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Steamboat WIllie by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Full of character by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We seem to have rather a lot of photos of Ariel, for some reason - think Nigel might have had something to do with that!


Kiss the girl by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Ariel by limegreenlife, on Flickr


The main man by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Ssssssssnake by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Sorceror Mickey by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Red mountain by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Ta-daa! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Because the show was pretty empty, it was fairly quick and simple to get out - we definitely weren't used to that!

Headed home, taking lots of photos on the way.


Hollywood Drive by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Towards the hat by limegreenlife, on Flickr

There were several Disney characters being painted with water on the pavement – love those!


Minnie by limegreenlife, on Flickr


Fill her up by limegreenlife, on Flickr

It was bizarre to see the car park so empty – there can’t have been more than 30 cars in it!


Time to go home by limegreenlife, on Flickr

[sarahewoods]

Another wonderful day, thank you for sharing xx

[christybell]

Your photos are fantastic- Thank you for sharing

we got rained off from Fantasmic this year...Was really disappointed as we had done the Fantasmic package to save queueing...so frustrating... Thankfully really enjoyed our meal at Mama Melrose

Couldnt believe when the rain started at 8.59pm

[Mouse mess]

Great day again! You are not helping my urge to by a DSLR! Please stop posting such great photos!

[highland lass]

Great photographs

[Dissie]

I just love your photos. They are so good. Really enjoying your report.

[Milner]

Excellent day and photos really looking forward to Fantasmic next year as have never seen it before.

[Reetser]

I had thought my next upgrade would be for a HD camcorder good in low light but you're now making me feel that I need to update my DSLR to something with a higher fps rate!

Quality photos again. Thanks.