Disney Day 6: Hollywood Studios, Coral Reef and MK at Night

Day 6 at Disney found us heading back to Hollywood Studios. Why, you might ask? Well, for a couple of reasons. First of all, Tay had been upset the evening before because she hadn't been able to get Chip and Dale's autograph and/or a picture with them. We'd seen them at HS so we thought we'd chance it. Second, there was a really a cool ride - Toy Story Mania - we didn't ride while we were there the first time. Third - it's just a cool park.

So we headed over and, much to my angel's delight, both Chip and Dale were front and center when we arrived. Thank you, Jesus!

While we were in picture mode, we snapped a photo of the Snow White topiary. Isn't Dopey cute?

We picked up Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania but the line was so crazy that we had several hours to kill before we could head back to the ride. 

So we did some sightseeing...
Tay picked up yet another new hat...this time with rhinestones!
She got a Squirt tattoo...
And we just toured the park for a while...
We rode the Star Tours ride again, which was even more fun this time because we got to sit in the front row. We browsed several gift shops, thought about riding Rock 'n Roller Coaster again and/or maybe Hollywood Tower of Terror but then we decided against it.

We dodged the rain drops, met the Green Army Man from Toy Story, pretended to wait in line to meet Buzz and Woody simply to get out of the rain and finally it was time for us to ride Toy Story Mania. It really was a great ride. It was 3-D and you got to fling darts, eggs, rings, etc. at targets. Lots of fun. Glad we did it.

Then we headed back to the hotel for a little swim time. I took a few more pics of the scenery...

And Dave apparently took a pictures of us swimming...

Tay's dog decided to get out of the window and, instead, opted for a little light television viewing...

And we found a bunny. He hopped right over Tay's foot - so close she could feel his fur. Need I tell you that she was in heaven?

Then it was time to get ready for dinner Coral Reef, which we had been anticipating for months. It's located at the base of The Seas at Epcot so the walls are actually open into the aquarium. Awesomeness.

The only problem is that my mom called while I was getting ready and told me that Pop (who'd just been given 6 months to live) had gone in for a blood transfusion that morning, experienced a massive brain bleed and was unresponsive. 

Wow...

My brain turned to mush, I almost made us late for the reservation, Dave was irritated with me, he got run into by a guy at Epcot and tweaked his bad knee and Tay was just trying to figure out why we were so darn cranky.

We finally made it, though, and this was the view from our table...
The food was amazing...


So was dessert...this is Tay's made your own sundae platter. I had butterscotch creme brulee and Dave had a yummy chocolate cake...

Once we were finished, Tay and I decided to head back over to the Magic Kingdom for rides and fireworks. Dave went back to the hotel to rest his knee.

She tried to con me into buying this giant light saber but I held firm...

She posed for a few pictures...
We saw Stitch's Great Escape again. This time we got to sit in the front row. The only bad part was that I was tired and yawned at the wrong time, which allowed Stitch to spit directly in my mouth. Nasty!!!

We also rode Pirates of the Caribbean again and then we scoped out the perfect spot to watch the Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks Spectacular. We called Dave and he decided to head back over and join us so we were all set for family Extra Magic Hours. They were open until 2am!

Neither Dave nor Tay really wanted to watch the parade and fireworks but both were absolutely captivated by them. It was truly magical and had a special meaning knowing what was going on at home. 

Afterward, we rode the Buzz Lightyear ride again, Dumbo (a totally different story...took forever because some guy didn't think his child got to ride long enough), and then hit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. They were totally different in the dark and it was so much fun - awesome memories.

We headed back to the hotel at this point and got in at 1:45am. Tay had a reservation for a Pirate Cruise the next morning so we said our prayers and went to bed quickly.

Awesome, awesome day. You know, with the exception of the news about Pop and all...made us cherish it more, though, I think.

Next up: Tay's Pirate Cruise, Le Cellier and Illuminations

Disney Day 5: Epcot and Mickey's Backyard BBQ

Yes, yes, I know it's been much too long since I posted but I've been out of town at a conference for work and just returned. Let's continue the Disney fun with our foray into Epcot...

The first ride we hit on this day was Test Track. My Nascar enthusiast husband was super stoked about this ride. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to his expectations. At the beginning you go through various testing areas with your car and then at the end you go super fast around the track and pull some major g's. My man would've been happier if it was nothing but speeding around the track...but it was still fun.

Once we were done with the ride, we walked through the area where they have new vehicle prototypes. Dave thinks this will be his next car...he's wrong but happy...

Then Miss Tay decided to try out a few herself...

Next we went over to Soarin' to grab some Fastpasses. We'd heard this ride was fabulous but that you must get passes early as they run out. This ride is actually inside The Land building so even if you waited you would at least have the pleasure of doing so in an air conditioned building. There a huge food court in this building as well...this is a pic of the ceiling there...

While here, we decided to take The Land boat ride. It was really neat and very educational. We learned about the evolution of the land as we know it and then caught a glimpse of some of the new ways the staff at Epcot are growing plants and veggies.

Afterward, we headed over to The Seas and hopped on the Nemo and Friends ride. We got to ride in a giant clamshell, which Tay absolutely loved. We saw some great sea creatures but, unfortunately, this was not a good photo op.

See?

Next we went upstairs and spent some time gazing at the aquariums from above. This picture was a total accident but I love how it turned out!

As luck would have it, we were there just in time for the dolphin show. This little guy showed off some mad skills and then smiled for the cameras. Isn't he cute?

This was a dream come true for my animal loving fam :-)

Then we visited some smaller aquariums...

Epcot was full of great photo ops - Tay liked this fountain a lot...

Mainly because it went up instead of down.

See?
Next we headed over to the Imagination building. First we rode the Figment ride, which was fun and explored the five senses. Then we saw the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3-D ride. Super awesome!

Except for the mice...

We had some time to kill before our Fastpasses for Soarin' and had already explored all of Future World so we headed to the World Showcase.

First we visited Mexico...
Saw Mulan in China...
Strolled through Morocco and then saw Snow White in Germany...where we also stopped for yummy pretzels...

I liked the architecture in Germany...

This was heading into Italy...


Japan...
We found Belle!
Right after walking through America, we spotted this fair princess...

We found England rather enjoyable...

And, after a quick stroll through Canada, it was time for our much anticipated flight on Soarin'. This ride was absolutely amazing. You sat in a parasail and then were lifted up. A screen surrounded you and you actually felt like you were touring our great country with the wind in your face. 

A-ma-zing!

We headed back to the hotel at this point to rest for a bit before going to dinner. While waiting for the bus, I learned that my dad had taken my grandfather to the nephrologist that day and was told he had 6 months to live. Not exactly a surprise due to his long-term kidney failure and the fact that he was in his mid-80s but still not fun to hear.

We were determined to keep this trip light for Tay, though, so I didn't tell her. We went back to the hotel, had lunch in the food court and took a short nap before heading over to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. To get there (it was at Fort Wilderness) we had to go to the Magic Kingdom and then ride a boat. On the way, we passed the Grand Floridian. Dave has informed me he will not be going back to Disney unless he can stay here.

And I'm the diva?
We arrived at the BBQ and saw Goofy right away - isn't he cute in his cowboy duds?

We waited for a bit in the blazing hot sun and I realized this entire dinner show was actually going to take place outside. In Florida. At the end of June. 

I then made Dave promise to double check all dinner reservations I make for vacation from now on. Clearly I am not capable to deciphering which ones will not cause heat exhaustion and/or stroke.

But I digress...

Anyway, here's the stage..
Here are Cyclone Sally and Tumbleweed Will. They were our hosts for the evening.

Mickey showed up in his cowboy attire....

While my cowboy was in heaven as he had found the keg. All you could drink. Until it floated. Apparently he and many other fathers commiserated together in line. 

His mood greatly improved at this point...

See?

A band came out and played for a while. Dave was excited because the lead singer was "hot" but then she began singing and that infatuation was over. Apparently she didn't do justice to some old country.

This was Tay's favorite part - the trick roper.

Tay was a little bummed at this dinner because it was all about going out and dancing with the characters as opposed to them coming over to your table, signing your autograph book and taking a picture.

To cheer her up, Dave offered $100 in spending money if she'd dance with him. While it may look like she actually followed through in this picture, that is not the case. She was a bit embarrassed. But she got her money anyway...

Perhaps I should take lessons...I've been dancing with him for free for years!

Isn't Minnie cute in her hat?
Chip or Dale...how do you really tell anyway?

At this point, Tay decided she was over it so we headed back out to the boat to beat the crowd...

We decided to go to the Magic Kingdom so Tay could make her own customized Mickey ears. She was also going to make some for Uncle Danny and Aunt Diane as their souvenirs. While on the boat, I checked FB on my Blackberry and learned that both Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett had passed away.

At this point I became the news source for everyone on the boat and spent the entire ride trying to get more facts from MSN, MSNBC, CNN, etc. We were very popular...and then it started raining so we put on our trusty dollar store ponchos before heading into the Magic Kingdom.

Once we got in, the rain let up and we decided to stay for the parade and fireworks. Dave went to get us a good spot while Tay and I made Mickey ears. That was a really fun process but, unfortunately, it started storming and the evening's festivities were cancelled.

We still had ears, though.

See?
We rode the bus back in the storm and then shared a 3-scoop ice cream sundae for dessert. Yum! When we went to go back to our room, the rain had completely stopped so we put on our swimsuits and headed to the Hippy Dippy Pool for a little late night swim. Needless to say, we all slept really well that night and Tay thought it was SO COOL to swim that late :-)

Next up: Hollywood Studios, Coral Reef and the Magic Kingdom at night