Alright, Day 5 part 2, we had a plan tonight to wrap up Hollywood Studios. While we rested my parents headed to DHS to do some shopping until we could meet up with them. Our only other angry guest story of the evening came on the bus ride there. Our bus had 2 scooters already on it and when we stopped at Trinidad South, they had to tell a third scooter to wait for the next bus. This lady in no condition to run ran in front of the bus and pounded on the front window demanding a ride. Now again, I usually dont laugh at these folks because its usually sad, but this one was REALLY funny. The bus driver sat pretty calm, got off the bus and explained again that he was full. The gentleman in the actual scooter apologized for his companion, and we all on the bus let out a cheer that she didnt get on. Pretty funny and a first time experience for me to see someone hitting the front window. We actually saw her later in the evening in the park and it took alot out of me not to congratulate her for her Golden Glove win against a Disney bus........ for clarity sake, I dont tell these stories about angry guests to complain or to seem negative, I find people that overreact really funny. I am so so relaxed on these trips i cannot help but smile at it!
Back to the fun evening, we had a Fantasmic fastpass for the evening so that was a HUGE timesaver in our pocket for our evening. We headed into the park and made our way to the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. We hit the standby for a show that was minutes away and were held at the front of the line. IT was close but we snuck into the show (close call #1 successfully executed!). I haven't seen this show in a few years and was reminded the quality of the performance. The kids liked the lazer lights that made it appear that we were under water.
From there we headed to the Indiana Jones Stunt Show for our first fast pass of the evening. We sat off the the left in the second row! We have never before been that close. I am a relatively shy guy as is my whole family but for some reason I always wanted to be an extra in this show, just never had the guts to raise my hand. With all of the new changes happening, it was an absolute priority to see this show just in case it was my last chance. Growing up Indy was one of my favorites and was always so so real! As I got older it just got more fun and the jokes and puns throughout made it even more fun.
Anyways, casting began and the beautiful lady sitting to my right (my wife) was waiving her hand like a crazy person. No way she gets picked right? Wrong! the casting director walked straight towards her and picked her to be one of the screamers. Now I might be biased but she was by far the best. She was animated and really worked the role very well! My kids were beside themselves too. My daughter kept telling those around us, my mommy is in the movies! my mommy is a tv star! It was adorable.
She headed off to wardrobe and the temple scene began. My son was totally wrapped up in the show and like I am sure you guys know, watching a first timer at this show is so much fun. They jumped when the spears shot up, fretted when the arms came down and screamed like crazy when the ball came out! My daughter was yelling, "Indy are you ok?!?!" Indy answer me Indy!?! Too cute!
So the scene ends and back comes my wife down the steps in full costume. Really cool experience for her to be on set during the whole show. I asked her afterward what all they did and I noticed the director was talking to them the whole time. She said that the staff was constantly explaining what was happening and what would be happening around them and pointing things out. She said it was really neat to see and hear and that it was very helpful to allow them to enjoy the experience as well since they were in it. Neat effort by the Indy team to make sure everyone gets the same experience. She also said the joke about signing their life away is real. They all are required to sign waivers before being allowed on the active set.
One other note about Indy, my daughter asked me is Indiana Jones lived close to us. I said, why? She said, "well his name is our state daddy, so he must live close!"
Anyways, it was HOT and the costumes were quite warm apparently. Our original thought was to head to the Sunset Blvd Market for dinner, but instead of tracking the length of the park, we headed back to the ABC Commissary. I will also say, the green beans there are absolutely fantastic! We were all hot so we enjoyed a cool drink and a hot meal. Unfortunately we sat a bit too long and missed our Frozen Sing Along fast pass (yes we got 2 fastpasses for this for the week, our kiddos are HUGE fans). We went by the theater anyways and they got us in with the stand bye for the same show!
Both kids with full bellies and energy stood the entire show dancing and singing along. For the classic, Let it Go, the even mirrored Elsa's dance move even stomping their feet to help build the ice castle. The "historians of Arendale" were again hilarious, best line of this night was when let it go started, the man yelled, here it is your favorite song, you are welcome dads!! hahaha
The show wrapped up and looked at my wife and said, what you do think about Star Tours. I have not actually had the chance to experience this since they upgraded it to the random 3D experiences! My little gal said daddy, I am a big girl, I will go with you. Now everyone was worried about her getting sick and told me not to do it. They were worried about the jerking around for a ride that she didnt even know the theme (my kids havent seen star wars but have heard of it, and none of us have seen the new one yet). I said, "Family, this little girl is tough and if she says she wants to face it, we are going to face it!!"
Me, my daughter, and my dad walked in. Picture a slow motion walk down the corridors of Star Tours with Eye of the TIger playing in the background. We had prepared for this, we were ready for the experience, and we wanted the conquer the dark side once and for all.
What would you guess happened? Who do you think was right?
It was the dad! She LOVED it. I kept my arm around her and was slighting angled toward her and she kept telling me to stop touching her.... haha. She did great! Actually I was a little motion sick since I was sitting sideways so my gloating was limited. She came off the ride skipping and smiling! We had a scene from the new movie so I had no ideas what to expect either which made it really fun! We walked out towards the gift shop where my little guy was standing there holding a lightsaber. Before I could say anything he yelled, "DIE ZURG!!!" and cut me down to size....... For those of you keeping count, this was Zurg defeat #4 for him for the trip and my first role as Zurg for the week........ To have a 3 year old come at your with a lightsaber is pretty cute too.
We had about an hour until our Fantasmic fastpass return time so we started to slowing stroll that way and enjoyed the lights coming up around the park. Made me miss the backlot set and the Earful tower as I always enjoyed that area in the evening. It also made me wish Mulch Sweat and Shears would be pulling around the corner at some point for a show! The future is so bring though for this park so that is exciting! One of my favorite classics icons of this park still reamains though and we made our annual trip past Dino Gertie to say hi on the way. The kids like seeing him again as well.
Hollywood and Sunset Blvds are so so pretty at night! The old shop fronts all lit up and my favorite, the wagging pluto, wagging away with a smile! I did like the sorcerer had quite well, but it was fun to look back and see the Chinese Theatre lit up again. I havent seen that sight since I was a kid.
We headed down to the market for some Brownies and Ice Cream! We sat in the shadow of the Tower of Terror and enjoyed our evening treats. I took my son to see the big guitar at the RRC and to run around and play in the colorful lights under the entrance way (burn some energy before Fantasmic). We headed in to the ampitheatre. It was really nice to have the passes. Folks were lining up hours before it even opened for seating and we were able to walk right in! We ended up on the far left but had a great view for the show. Now I must say, my daughter is a big big Malificent fan and I had no idea how in the world I was going to pull that one off. Fantasmic did it for me! I am pretty confident that we were the only family in the entire seating area cheering for the dragon..... but hey, when in Rome right?
Anways, great show. The dragon looked great! Caused my son to stutter for a solid 30 seconds and point. What I love about fantasmic is that no matter how big of a sensory overload you have, they cap it off with the clincher of the ferry with all of the characters. My kids were stunned. They were all there! My big fail as a father though was not being able to fulfill my daughters next request..... Daddy, can you take me on that boat so I can get their autographs.....
Sorry sweetie, no, but you are sitting with a movie star remember? That was a very magical moment. My little girl walked over to her mommy and said, "Mommy, will you sign my autograph book please since you are a big Indiana Jones star now." Priceless!!!!!! For a kid to view her mommy as one of the big stars she meets at Disney World is hard to top right?
We headed out the exit to Hollywood Blvd to position ourselves close to the exit for the Star Wars fireworks. There were awesome and so I dont ruin it for anyone I will simply say great soundtrack and by far, BY FAR, the loudest end to any fireworks show I have ever seen to date. very very cool and well done.
We finished the big blast and made the first Caribbean Beach bus back to our resort. Tomorrow would bring what I called Papa's day. I know very little about Animal Kingdom so my dad was in charge on day 6 of touring us around in the AM. We had to get some sleep so that we could go enjoy what he had in store! We got the kiddos down, I headed to the food court to get some food for an in room breakfast the next morning and off to bed!!!
Day 6, here we come.....
