Day 02: Hollywood Studios

What did I just write??? O_o

Coffee in hand as I write tonight, only my second today and the first one was a half decaf so not doing too bad (decaf coffee - seriously man, whats the freakin point?). Didnt mean to write that much last night either - sorry - It was late, I was tired and I ended up babbling (was pretty much falling asleep as I posted, which would account for the tremendous amount of spelling mistakes and down right poor grammar). Oops.

Short Version

Hollywood Studios today. Weather was hot, no precipitation (I said that in my head like the bird from Dune when Paul Atredi… eek sorry geek tangent). Got there a lot earlier and ran to get some FPs right away for the Star Wars ride. Wrong decision in the end - looks like Toy Story was the way to go with that, rookie mistake which Im a bit gutted about. Star Wars & Indy were my fav picks. Buses in, buses back so spent a lot longer in the park today (and a lot longer on buses) but no time restrictions. Got round most of the park with a few exceptions. Didnt do the fireworks - mainly due to tired folks and a wife with a bug in her ear (kinda like Checkov in Star Trek II, Wrath of Kha… eh seriously need to stop doing that, sorry). We DEFINITELY need to do them at Epcot! No one was really hungry and we got home LATE, but had an absolute nightmare in the local BK, which resulted in no food for me. With what Ive been eating lately, thats probably a good thing though!

Longer-ish version

We needed to get a good start on the day, so we agreed on a light breakfast in the form of doughnuts, bagels and coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Or so I thought…

Night before:

> Me: Dad, you ok with getting the coffee and doughnuts tomorrow morning since you’re up nice and early?
>
> Dad: Aye, no bother.
>
> Me: Oh can you just get me a plain bagel with nothing on it (a poor attempt at trying to be good).
>
> Dad: Aye no bother, I know what to get.

What actually happened:

> Dad: Here’s some doughnuts & bagels.
>
> Me: What about the coffee?
>
> Dad: Oh I couldn’t carry doughnuts AND coffee.
>
> Me: Oh eh right, did you get anything other than the sausage, cheese and egg bagels?
>
> Dad: No, that’s all they had. Have a doughnut.
>
> Me: -_-

Ive got this guy’s genes man, what am I gonna do when I reach his age? Im kinda worried. Hehe only joking, my dads been ace, so can forgive him that minor slip (not that he’d remember… ;)

There and there and there and there and there and there and back again…

Got a bus from one bus stop to another bus stop, then a different bus to Disney MK, then another bus to Hollywood Studios. Just a little crazy, but got there eventually and was presented with a large Monsters University monument, which made up for it a little (posted on my IG, FYI. OK?).

It was recommended that we FP Toy Story first as it was a popular ride, but decided Star Wars would be the better option, as that fit with our plan better and we could catch Toy Story at a later time. Arranged to rendezvous with the rest of the group at the 50’s cafe (just because I like the word rendezvous), so sped ahead and got the tickets.

Oh yeah, Ann took an allergic reaction to something so wasnt feeling too good and had puffy eyes. However, the crazy diagnosis which stuck was that she had a bug in her ear, since I mentioned I found one on the bed the night before (were living on the ground floor). Ironic process theory in practice. Got better at the later stages of the day, but I dont think she had a good time of it in the morning - wee shame :(

Dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun…

Indy stunt show was up first. Really got to my emotions again - whats going on??? Got my big lens out (heh heh), then realised I forgot to charge my camera battery! Whats that about??? :( Felt a little stupid, but got some really good shots and Patrick couldnt stop talking about it afterwards. 9/10 (though a bit bias as I like Indy, even had my Indy hat on today :)

After that, it was time for Star Tours. A simulator ride which was just amazing! Even if you arent into Star Wars, the 3D ride feels like you are actually in the simulation! Visited Kashyyyk and Coruscant for those versed in the lingo, and shouted ‘Its a trap’ before Ackbar got it in (I bet a lot of people do that). They had a Jedi Academy, for the little ones outside where you could train like a padawan and then have a duel with Vader. I didnt book in time though which I kicked myself for, sorry boys :/ But hard to beat, 9/10.

Seeing that American Idol was next up, I volunteered to take one for the team and go get some Fast Passes for Toy Story (close one, huh? ;). However, FAST PASSES FOR TOY STORY WERE ALL OUT FOR THE DAY!!! I didnt even know that could happen! AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Is it that good? It wasnt that late :( In the end we also never got to do Toy Story, we kept checking back but at one point the queue was 3 hrs. Real shame we missed it. Anyway, since I had some time to kill, I went and got passes for Tower Of Terror instead.

Rescue Rangers!

No, I havent converted to the dark side since Ive been here, I’m talking about Chip and Dale! :) We bumped into them outside American Idol - our FIRST character meet! Grace likes Chip and Dale, but only on TV it seems as she ran away when she was getting her picture taken :)

Then went on to Disney Junior Live. A little show with Mickey, Toodles, Doc McStuffins and the rest of the DJ gang. Found myself singing along, but shhh dont tell anyone. Grace just loved it. She had a great big smile of her face for the duration of the show and got really excited over gold doubloons that rained from the ceiling at the end - which they were NOT (did the real gold bite check - turns out they were just circular bits of tissue paper).

Patrick being Patrick, excused himself from The Hollywood Hotel Tower of Terror drop. So was up to me, Ro, Ann and Wullie to drop faster than gravity through 13 floors of HELL! Mwahahahahaha! It was really cool and the build up was extremely immersive. Ill take a moment to say that Robert is a trooper, pretty big ride but he has no fear, got really excited during the buildup and handled it all brilliantly. 9/10!

Fast cars & big explosions

Last shout out is the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show. Fast cars, bikes and jetskis chase each other about in a beautiful and dangerously synchronised stunt spetacular. Seriously not into cars that much but this was epic. This image pretty much sums it up. 8/10.

Did some other movie related rides and attractions throughout the day - all very good but not going to go over them in any detail (Ill maybe fill them in at some point in the future). A few buses and a lot more waiting on those buses, we were back on International Drive.

Fast food…

No one was that hungry so opted for Burger King. I really wish we hadn’t. 30+ minutes after ordering and its brought to the counter like something resembling the Argos purchase process and it was missing half the order! Seriously, is it THAT difficult??? Poor attitudes by the staff didn't help, neither did the cold food, so it was sent back. McDonald's was then picked as an alternative, but by that time it was really late and I was too tired to be bothered.

I think after two full days, everyone is kinda looking forward to a more relaxed day at a water park tomorrow :) Gonna get Wet and Wild and see some chicks in nice, ooohhh public forum, ill shut up ;)

Anyway ditched the coffee, now on to Bombay Sapphire which was on offer on the trip over. Pretty bottle, but Ive done it again, really need to start this earlier and make it shorter. Adios.