Starlight, Star bright, Give Kids The World tonight - October 2018 Day 5 - Hollywood Studios

[PrincessCastle]

Index

I forgot to show you our candy haul from the party so here it is...

And I also forgot to tell you about yesterday’s GKTW gift. It was GKTW Candyland! It must be an American childhood staple but we had no idea how you play. We’ve played it a couple of times since we got home. It’s not the most exciting game ever but it is very cute!

Day 5 - 17th October 2018

So after a ridiculously busy day and super late night yesterday we were up and out the villa by 8am.

We were off to DHS this morning for some Jedi Training and to see if we were able to get the kids on our all time favourite Disney ride, Tower of Terror!
When we took Oliver to DLP we waited with my mum while my sister and I went on TOT and the poor kid could hear all the screaming coming from the ride and thought his mum and his auntie were being brutally murdered over and over again. He was very very upset and probably scarred for life! But we were still praying that he’d overlook the horror of his past and ride it anyways!

Anyways, as usual, quick morning photo with Ariana looking lovely as Princess Sophia and Oliver going for the Star Wars vibe.

We arrived at DHS by Uber at 8:30 and made our way to the entrance. We walked past a lot of construction walls but they all had lots of illustrations of what's to come, it all looks very exciting! We had a photopass in front of the Chinese Theatre then waited tried to work out where we needed to go for Jedi Training.

We ended up having to ask multiple CMs as we kept being sent different places! Anyway in the end we found it and got booked into the second slot of the day. We could have gotten into the first slot but we thought we’d better get some food first. Ariana decided she would like to join in with the training so she was booked it as well.

We opted for a quick snacky breakfast in Starbucks. Ross and I ordered a bacon bap each, the kids opted for a giant chocolate chip cookie to share (because that is an acceptable breakfast in Disney). For drinks, Ross got a coffee, I got a mango and dragonfruit iced drink thingy and for some reason we didn’t order anything for the kids cause we’re awful parents. Total was $17.50.

While Ross was waiting to pick up the order the kids and I went outside and bagged a table. When Ross came out he only had 1 bacon bap with him! We checked the receipt and we’d only been charged for one which was fine so I let Ross eat that one and I went back in to get something for me, something for the kids to drink and Ross liked the look of my iced drink so asked for a strawberry one.

Instead of a bacon bap I had spotted the carrot cake cookie so I bagged one of those as it was on the snack wish list, the strawberry drink for Ross and an apple juice each for the kids. Total was $13.29.
The carrot cake cookie was to absolute die for! But it was gigantic and I couldn’t finish it. I put it in the bag to finish later but I never did, it got binned in the villa later.

We had a browse in the shop next to our table at the very start of Sunset Boulevard. The kids both spotted stuff they wanted so I decided to sneak some stuff to send to Father Christmas. Ross went out of the shop with them and I grabbed a box of little Animator Collection figures for Ariana and a light up lightsaber keyring and a baby Groot for Oliver which came to $49.40 including the $11.59 DVC discount. We had the stuff sent to the front of the park to collect later.
We later saw people walking around with these baby Groots on their shoulders and realised he was magnetic and came with a little magnet you could put on your shoulder under your tshirt and put baby Groot on top and he’d sit on your shoulder, very cute!

It was now time for Jedi Training. We had a quick toilet stop and the Disney Junior character dining spot. When we booked in we were told we could use the restrooms in this restaurant before check in as it was right next door. Ariana got excited as she saw Vamperina walking round but had to tell her she was only meeting the people having breakfast.

We checked in and the kids were taken off to line up by the wall and were given lots of instructions. We got talking to a lovely family Minnesota since our kids were playing and chatting with their kids Joseph and Issac. When they asked where we were from, we said North England as we usually do and they asked where abouts cause they’ve visited North England before. So we told them Carlisle in Cumbria. They’d been to Carlisle! They had a pen pal family from Dumfries so they had visited many places in South West Scotland as well as Cumbria. All together now...’It’s a small world after all’.

We managed to get a good spot in front of the stage and we watched the kids in their training. I think it took all the willpower Oliver has not to bust out his greatest lightsaber moves. He’s had training in the past at various comic cons from people who train folks for a living and take it very seriously. He is very good and can bust out some serious moves! But he was very good and listened to the instructions. Then Kylo Ren appeared and they had to fight him, then Darth Vader came out and the bigger kids had to fight him. Then they all used the force to defeat the bad guys and all was well in the world again. I’m shocked Ariana didn’t freak out if I’m honest. I imagine Kylo Ren being quite intimidating when you’re so small but she kicked his butt with the best girl power!

There was an official photopass photographer snapping the whole time and at the end of the session we were given a photopass card so we could view all the photos. Obviously it has everyone in them so you have to sift through them to find and download the ones of your kids but there was lots of good ones. The kids were also given a pin each.
Photo overload...

This was very important to Oliver. It was one of the reasons he wished to come here. He’d watched countless videos on youtube and had seen the advert that has the tiny clip of it so many times. The advert made him extra happy cause the guy doing the training is in a wheelchair. It is good for us to know that Oliver will still be able to take part in future years, even when he is no longer on his feet.
From his reaction and everything he said to us I’m sure that it lived up to his expectations. I think he may have been slightly disappointed that he didn’t get to fight Darth Vader as Anakin is his absolute favourite character (he calls him Anakin even when he is Vader) but it wasn’t the end of the world and that aside it was one of the highlights of the holiday for him and for me. It was wonderful watching him live out his dream.

We were all done with the training by 10:40 and we went straight into Star Tours which was a walk on for us in the FP lane.
There was no rebel spy on our ride. Do they not have them on every one? Either way, we do enjoy this ride and Oliver loved having C3PO on the ship with us.

Out into the gift shop it was finally time for Oliver to get his new lightsaber. If you’ve read previous days you’ll know we had a major meltdown in Epcot cause he wanted to do the build your own lightsaber in Mouse Gear but we wanted him to wait so he could do it in the Star Wars shop as planned. So now he could finally build it!
He wanted to build Anakin’s blue lightsaber so the CM helped him choose all the right parts and put them together. The CM was also admiring Oliver’s wheels. She told me that her husband works over at MK at Story Book Circus and he regularly spots Chris Evans (Captain America) there with his kids. Well, I know where I’ll be spending the rest of the week!

Lightsaber built we went to pay. Ariana also chose a toy box Rey so it all came to $35.77 including $8.40 DVC discount.
Outside we had a quick photopass on the pod racer then wandered round to Toy Story Land.

I’ve seen the Toy Story area at DLP and this just seemed to be slightly better. Not sure why, couldn’t put my finger on it but it’s a seriously impressive area.
We stopped for a photopass at the entrance then decided to go on Toy Story Mania first. Ross and I love this ride, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. We bought the xbox game and the kids had had a go on that. Obviously it’s not the same but we were fairly sure they would love the ride too.

We went down the FP lane but it was really busy and we ended up waiting about 15 minutes. But to be honest, being able to say that the longest you waited for a ride all holiday was 15 minutes, its really nothing to grumble at is it?!
I sat with Ariana and Ross sat with Oliver. As with the Buzz ride, Ross won, I came second, then Oliver and Ariana. Both kids said that their Arms were knackered after and asked how Daddy won... well kids, that’s not for such young ears.

Next up was Slinky Dog Dash. I’d originally thought they were just having the same Slinky ride as DLP but then I saw photo of it and it was much more impressive. We love a good rollercoaster as you can tell so it looked like a great addition.
We waited 5 minutes in the FP lane. It is an EXCELLENT ride! It’s so rapid! Definitely a good one for thrill seekers. Ross and Ariana had a little boogy at the end to Wheezy’s song.

Last up in this area was the Alien Swirling Saucers. This was a walk on in the FP lane. The kids thought this ride was so much fun, every time it whips you round they were laughing. The whippy bits are quicker than they look!

We asked a CM about meeting Jessie and Woody and it turns out we were stood in the exact spot they’d be meeting but they were on a quick break. She had seen the GW pass and told us to wait around here and as soon as they were back we could be the first to meet them. So we went to the adjacent souvenir cart as I saw they were selling the claw plastic glasses and my sister asked me to pick one up for her, which I did for $12.77 including $3 DVC discount.

While I was buying that Oliver was being Oliver and play fighting with an invisible opponent and making all the sound effects (Oliver has been a professional sound effect maker since he was very young and got into dinosaurs, he had a different sound for each dinosaur!) the CM serving me heard Oliver and was impressed by his skills (so she said, I’m not convinced! ) and challenged him to do some with her. I can’t remember what they were though!

I quickly put Ariana’s Jessie clip in her hair just in time when Woody and Jessie came back. The CM spotted us and called us over. First thing Ariana did was show Jessie her clip. Jessie took it out of her hair to have a closer look and to show Woody. She even held it up for the photos then clipped it back in her hair for her before they said goodbye.

We said goodbye to Toy Story land for now and went over to Sophia the First’s meet. There was only about 5 families in the queue so we joined the back of it. After Sophia had said goodbye to the family she was with she went for a quick break so the CM came over to the queue to tell us all that she’d be back in a few moments. He then clocked us and the GW pass and said (in a firm but kind way) ‘What are you doing? Why are you queuing? You don’t queue, come here’. We left the queue and went to the meet exit to wait for Sophia so we would be first so see her when she came back. I did say that I didn’t mind waiting when the queue was so short but he told me that we had the GW pass for a reason, we deserved a perfect vacation and made me promise I wouldn’t queue again. That’s twice I’ve been told off for queuing!

When Sophia came back she instantly got hold of Ariana and they were comparing dresses. She even wrote ‘We are ever after friends’ in Ariana’s autograph book. And when it was time to go she gave Oliver the biggest hug and the photographer get the sweetest photo of the two.

After we said goodbye to Sophia it was time to head to Star Wars Launch Bay.
First on the list was Chewbacca. We were escorted to the exit by a CM and saw him right away. It was a very quick meet, he didn’t have the same enthusiasm that he had when we met him on our honeymoon but never mind. He was another reason why Oliver wanted to come to Disneyworld, he even drew a picture of Chewbacca on his wish form. So Oliver was very happy.

A CM then took us from Chewbacca straight to Kylo Ren. He tried recruiting us again! He’s relentless, this Kylo, even after the kids had defeated him! Also, when are they going to realise that his backdrop needs to change! It’s not too bad on my computer but on my phone he completely blends into his background and you can’t see him! Maybe that’s how he likes it though, camouflage.

Finally we were taken to see BB8. The kids loved him, and he seemed to love them back. He definitely loved Oliver’s tshirt.

Now it was time for our greatest challenge. Getting the kids on Tower of Terror. I was determined! I wasn’t going to miss out on my favourite ride and I really didn’t want to ride alone. To be honest they didn’t have a choice!

We walked up Sunset Boulevard and stopped for a photopass on the way, the kids rocking their best scared faces...practicing for what’s to come!

Then we just walked up and walked on the ride. Yes the kids were apprehensive but they weren’t kicking and screaming so that’s something!
Ariana didn’t like the pre ride video. I knew she wouldn’t! She calmed down while we were waiting to get into the elevator but then the creepy ghost people sent her off again.

When we got off she made it very clear... ‘I do not like that ride mummy!’ Oliver though, loved it! You can’t tell by the ride photo since he’s hanging on to Ross for dear life but he swears blind he enjoyed it! That makes me so happy. But I honestly think that Ariana would love it if the story wasn’t scary. She’d probably love the one in DLC. But I’ve broken one child in, that’s an achievement! I can work on the other one. Side note, if anyone can photoshop a ghostly figure into that empty seat so it looks like Ariana’s staring at something creepy, I’d love you forever!

Continued...

[PrincessCastle]

Ariana needed the loo so I took her in and changed her out of her dress, into an outfit that wasn’t making her sweat buckets!

While Ross took Oliver to the loo we went into one of the shops to stock up on some Disney snack bags. Ariana had a look around and found a Jessie toybox toy that she wanted and a pink Cars car. I said I’d buy them and send them to Father Christmas if she promised to forget about them until Christmas day. I also picked up a Cars tractor tipping playset for Oliver for Christmas and 4 bags of Minnie’s Graham Crackers and 3 bags of Goofy Sour Worms. The CM at the till looked shocked at all the bags of treats so I told him that we couldn’t get anything close to the graham crackers back home and we wouldn’t be back for a while so needed to stock up! The total came to $77.33 including $18.15 DVC discount.

The first thing Oliver did when he came back from the loo was peek in the bag and spot his Christmas present, monkey! He genuinely did forget about it though, either that or he is a fabulous actor and did a good job with his Christmas day surprise face!

We decided to see if we could meet Minnie Mouse (spoiler - we never did!) so we started heading towards her. Oliver was having a break from walking and sat in his chair for a bit now. We stopped to watch Captain Fazma march with the Storm Troopers. Captain Fazma is one of Oliver’s favourite Star Wars characters, it’s his go-too fancy dress costume.

Once she had passed we walked a bit further up to cross over the ‘road’ but we were stopped by a CM called Jay who said we couldn’t cross yet as they would be marching back down. He told us he loved Oliver’s wheels and asked if he was a Star Wars fan. I said that would be an understatement. He told us to wait there and he’d be back in a minute.
When he came back he told us to wait until they started marching back down and for us to follow on after the Storm Troopers. We weren’t sure what was going on but when they started marching again a female CM beckoned us over and we started walking next to her behind the Storm Troopers. Some other guests were trying to come and walk behind them as well but they were told to move off the road so they clearly just wanted us with the Troopers. At one point one of the Troopers at the very back fell out of formation and wanted Oliver to take his place in line. I encouraged him to jump out of his chair and go march next to them but he didn’t want to which was fine.

I also noticed a photopass photographer was taking pictures of us.
Once we got to the end of the road we followed the round the corner to the gateway to backstage. Captain Fazma went backstage but the Storm Troopers stayed with us and we had some photos taken with them then said goodbye.

It was a ridiculously cool experience. For Oliver who has been Star Wars mad for years and wanted to come here originally for the Star Wars meets and Jedi Training etc it was so magical for him. Thank god for Disney and their pixie dust moments.

Where we took the photos was right next to Donald Duck’s meet so I went to talk to the CM and she told us that Donald was about to go for a quick break but we could see him as soon as he got back so we all went and waited on a bench in the shade. Ross went off to get a drink while we waited. I briefed the kids on Donald Duck, basically I said to tell him he was number 1, he’ll love it!

He soon came back so we went over to him and the kids gave him big cuddles. Oliver remembered to tell him he was number 1, he agreed! We said goodbye then Donald escorted the kids 2 meters to his right to meet Daisy!

We then went back over to our bench to wait for Ross to come back. He came back with a frozen lemonade and a diet coke for us all to share. We both thought that this frozen lemonade was much nicer than Universal’s version.
I had a look in the shop to try and find a DHS magnet. I managed to find one and a general 2018 magnet. I also picked up a jigsaw for me, a hairbrush for Ariana for Christmas and a My 1st Visit pin. This came to $58.75 including $13.79 DVC discount.

We were well overdue some food now So we found the nearest QS place which was the little hotdog spot by the lake. I’ve written that Ross got a mac and cheese dog but the photo doesn’t look like one so I actually don’t know what it was! I got the nachos, Ariana got a plain hot dog and Oliver got a chilli dog (Sonic the Hedgehog eats them so he has to eat them) and a bag of crisps and a drink each. I didn’t make note of how much this cost unfortunately.

Over lunch we decided to do two more things, meet Olaf and one last ride of Oliver’s choosing.
We went it the FP queue for Olaf and waited about 5 minutes. When it was our turn they both give him a lovely warm hug. Oliver asked him why he wasn’t melting so Olaf showed him his bottle of sun cream. I bet he gets asked that a million times a day!

For the last ride of the day Oliver chose Toy Story Mania. We waited about 5 minutes in the FP queue and the scoreboard was the same as last time! Ross, me, Oliver then Ariana.
I snapped a few photos of the theming on the way out including the chequers board and the cute popsicle benches.
We also spotted the green army men coming out for a performance.

It was time to say goodbye to DHS. We left the park at 4:15, grabbing the shopping on the way out.
We decided to have a wander to the Beach Club again. It’s such a nice little walk along the river. We tried spotting gators but there wasn’t any about today. We did spot some of the Sky Liner construction though.

Once we were back at GKTW the kids wanted to go in the pool so we got changed and straight back out. We spotted a pale lizard on our wall, it was like an albino one, never seen one like that before! Before we got in the pool we all got a slushie.

We decided to try and get Ariana to swim on her own but he had an absolute meltdown when we tried to let go (she had armbands on so wasn’t going to sink!) and screamed the place down. So I had to take her out of the pool, put her in a chair and wait for her to calm down.

We got out at 7 and got changed for tea. On the way into the Town Hall we were stopped by a volunteer trying to get people to sign up for Village Idol, their weekly talent show. Ariana was bang up for this, she’s a natural born performer. When the volunteer asked what talent she wanted to show off, she chose twirling... yes...twirling. And she chose to do this to Under The Sea from the Little Mermaid. AND she wanted me to do it with her... great.

The boys went in to grab tea while I took Ariana into the events room to get ready for the show. They were doing glitter makeovers so of course Ariana needed to be covered in glitter.

I swear that glitter was still in her hair at Christmas!

The show was full of wonderful talent including dancing, singing and one girl even hula hooped and didn’t drop the hoop for the whole song, I was very impressed! I pointed out to Ariana that no one else’s parents were going on stage with them so did she fancy being brave and doing it all by herself? Thankfully, she did and I was officially off the hook! I’m very much an introvert and getting on a stage in front of a room full of people is my worst nightmare, doesn’t faze Ariana though, she loves performing! When it was her turn she twirled beautifully. Thankfully the boys were back by now so they didn’t miss her performance.

Three kids were the judges and they all had a list of compliments in front of them so they just chose some nice things to say to each child off their list, it was very cute.

After everyone’s individual performances they did a group song which, unfortunately for our ears, was baby shark. After that the judges decided that the winner was...

EVERYONE!
Ross was raging. He does not believe it that mentality. I did remind him that some of the kids here have developmental issues and might not be able to cope with losing, and let’s face it, kids are rubbish losers anyway aren’t they. Ariana got a certificate and a chocolate lolly for “winning”.
Ross had got us a big meat lovers pizza for tea since Ariana and I missed it so we took it back to the villa to eat it.
Mr Lizard was still there as well. He was so cute!

Then we all fell into bed at 9:15. Last full day tomorrow meaning last day at Disney.

[disneywiseowl]

I’m really enjoying reading your report. I hope this doesn’t sound crass but it is interesting reading about a different Disney experience. The Disney village looks amazing.
Your children are gorgeous, so cute & I loved the Stormtroopers’ kindness.
Looking forward to the rest of your report. X

[KristyA]

Loving your report, sounds like Oliver had a dream day today and well done Ariana on the twirling performance!