Hollywood Studios (Day 4)

In Summary…

Hollywood studios today (though you might have guessed that already ;). No breakfast as we had last night meal quite late and it was more like three meals rolled into one anyway. Instead, grabbed the kids a few smoothies from the coffee bar in the hotel - which are really quite brilliant - so they had some energy to start the day. Had to hit the park early to enroll the kids into the Jedi Academy as it gets snapped up really quickly. Everyone save for my mum done The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror once we were in and ready to get going though the kids did need some words of encouragement (and promises of prizes) before they were happy to proceed. They all did amazingly good. A few slower rides and a character meet with Chip & Dale and then on to Star Tours. We make comparisons between this visit and the last quite often and this was no exception. Gracie was too small last time for Star Tours, but this time she got really excited as she seen C-3PO, her favourite character. After lunch, it was shortly time for their Jedi Academy training, where they all received a badge, robes and a lightsaber - they looked so funny, but they loved it and chatted away to some American kids who were equally as excited. After some training they go to duel with Darth Maul, who had some pretty awesome makeup on. Once they finished the training and received a little diploma, we made our way around the corner to The Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, a Hollywood favourite (I’m so glad it was still here as I heard rumours they were due to close it down - I’m mean its INDIANA JONES - how could you? ;). A quick jump around to Toy Story Mania to win AGAIN, and then headed home. Miller’s Ale House for dinner as Kids eat free on a Tuesday (always a bonus, especially with Patrick around). Portions were a little more normal sized and it went down a treat so mostly likely return next Tuesday when we get Kids Eat Free again :P Animal Kingdom awaits tomorrow…

First an apology

For the amount of grammatical and spelling mistakes lately, something that I regularly ridicule on the internet, but I do have a valid reason. On 2013, I used to write blog updates when I was waiting for a bus or on a bus or near a bus or well you get the idea. I had spare time basically, which meant most of the updates were done when I got in. With having the car this time, and not having to ask yet wait in any lengthy queues, there’s literally no free time during the day, which means I’m coming in and writing it from scratch, all of it. And I don’t have any time time proof it, hence the errors. Anyway, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it, now on with the show (get-it? The Show? And were at Hollywood Studi… oh nevermind :P).

So all the kids woke up this morning and one after another talked themselves out of going on The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror at HH today. I tried to explain that it would be really nice for us all to go on as a family and especially since my mum and dad where here now (you got that, right?) - it would be a great opportunity and probably not one well get another chance at anytime soon. Nope they weren’t buying it, so I had to take more drastic measures. It took two Mystery Mini My Little Pony blind bags, an Autographed NFL card set by Panini, an TBC gift of unknown origin, some Mickey pretzels and 10+ points for each child. Points? Yeah, we use a points system to reward good behaviour (and to highlight any mischief). Essentially you do as your told and you get points, the more points you have the better but any naughty behaviour and you get points deducted. Its rudimentary but it works fairly well and well enough in this case to make them change their minds.

Fear is not an option

We had Tower of Terror FP+ but once we got to the park, we first we had to register for Jedi Academy so I ran ahead with the kids. It gets booked up really quickly and we never managed to get it last time we where here so i was a priority. While waiting in the queue, a wee kid commented on how cool my GoPro looked, probably even cooler as I had a wrist strap with a hinge on it (for cooler read YOURE A COMPLETE GEEK, but that’s ok). He they started talking to the boys and he said he was really hot and that he was “Baking”. Robert immediately retorted “But I like Bacon!” and hilarty followed. Robert seems to thrive on laughter (very much like the way energy is generated in Monsters Inc.) and especially when it’s him that instigates it, so that set him off. The falafel game word of the day would be Bacon! which then turned into Bacon Panakes!, which then turned into Makin’ Bacon Pancakes! - a tribute to that big yellow dog Jake from Adventure Time - he would’ve been proud!
Got registered for Jedi training, then got going to Tower Of Terror. It went well, though they were all a wee bit shaky when they disembarked, but I’m glad we all went on it together (video to follow at some point). We Gracie did amazing for going on it though and even though she got a little scared, she forgot after a few minutes and carry on business as usual. Had a quick look around the shop at the end and came across some great looking memorabilia art marked The Wondergroup Gallery. Its like dark versions of Disney princesses, beautifully drawn & coloured and Ill need to be making some purchases when we return.

At this point it might be worth mentioning the custom T-Shirts we created for this holiday as we wanted something to easily identify us and look unique. So each person on their T-Shirt has their name and a Disney character, Grace has Tink, Robert has Baymax, Patrick has The Sorcerers Apprentice, Ann has Aurora, my mum has Alice, my dad the Mad Hatter and I have Simba. Looks really good altogether and a few people commented on how good they were looking. Worked out brilliantly for identification purposes for us and well more than likely put them on again!

And relax…

To balance it out we popped into The Voyage of The Little Mermaid for a nice feel good show - and Grace, Ann and me (unashamedly) were signing along to all the songs - one of my fav. classic Disney (and no, not just because I have a thing for red hair). Anyway, after that we crossed over into The Great Movie Ride, bypassing some of the more infant stuff like Disney Junior, which GG has now grown out of. I love this ride (is there many I don’t love, I suppose but I get excited when rides are the same or remotely similar to what I remember from when I was kid here). A little real life action mixed with some animatronics, great entertainment for kids and adults even though the subject matter was classic movies.

Finished off the morning with Star Tours in which we got hunted by Boba Fett & Darth Vader in an amazing simulator experience - it got Patrick and myself really excited for the new movie coming out in December :) As we left I noticed you can construct your own lightsaber, so well plan to do this when we return in the next week or so (the itinerary eludes me, but were definitely back at some point).

Sat down in the same restaurant (Backlot Express) and realised I order the same meal as last time. DOH! Scoffed it then took a little walk before returning for Jedi Academy enrolment.

You are no Jedi… yet!

One of the first to check in the kids and sat down right next to the desk (protip: this happens to be the best position as they are allowed to carry the Jedi Academy Banner). Then they got lead out to the Jedi Academy Arena Robert in front, happy as larry (LARRY!). They went through some skills & basic maneuvers and Grace although struggling to operate her lightsaber effectively, gave it a really good go with the instructor helping he on… well that was until Darth Maul turned up. Yes he and Vader did a little sketch about turning the padawans to the Dark Side of the Force but once she found out she had to fight Darth Maul, she got quite upset and wanted to stop. His makeup was absolutely excellent and really looked the part, down to the horns on his head, so cant really blame her (yeah she’ll get dropped from a great height in an elevator fine, but scary dressed up humans she cant deal with, LOL). When the boys started fighting Darth Maul, all I could here was Duel of the Fates. Once it was all over, with the addition of some comedy moments from two stormtroopers aside, they each got little diplomas for their efforts :)

Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?

After Jedi training we jumped into Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Robert fell asleep last time, so it was good he was able to catch it this year - he really enjoyed the action sequences and explosions. Seen this myself a few times now, it doesnt get old. One of the last rides on our checklist and FP+ was Toy Story Midway Mania, another shooter similar to Buzz Lightyears one in MK, but this time in 3D. Due to my knack of being the most awesome champion for these things, Ann decided enough was enough and really put me to the test on this one. Of course, there are winners who come first like me then there is everyone else. The scores, just for reference of course…

GG - 141400, AG - 102600, PG - 94100, RG - 66100, WG - 61000, SG - 38000, GG2 - 10000

It was better than I remembered and gladly one I would play again and again :)

And that’s a wrap!

Missed a few attractions (including some Frozen stuff) due to availability and we wanted to head a little earlier for dinner tonight, which was good timing as it just started to rain :) No matter as were heading back. Got home and changed by which time the rain had turned torrential so we had to take the car to Millers Ale House which was just a 5 minute walk up the road. Kids Eat Free on Tuesday which was a bonus. Opted for Snow Crab (along with a pitcher or two of beer) which was amazing but took forever to eat due to all the gangly legs I had to plow through. We headed home afterwards (via Walgreens to pick up the prizes I promised the kids), and we started talking to this woman outside who is also Scottish and comes from Coatbridge!

It’s A Small World afterall…