Trip Report The Texas Ranger, The Beast, and We "started the fireworks": A trip of firsts!

Tiggerish · May 9, 2016

It's too bad that the first-row placement cause you and Hunter to have to miss the ride. If he'd gotten third row, do you think he would have enjoyed it? Have to say, I'm with him--I like roller coasters, but I'd never want to sit in the front row of a "challenging" one. As a grown-up, I could handle 7DMT (and Barnstormer!), could probably deal with BTMRR, and would hop right out of the first row of Everest. Nope--I wouldn't have to hop out, because I would not have even gotten in!

"I wanna be like dad" with Goofy hat--too funny!!

Those V&A pictures look amazing, and the seafood ones are tantalizing. :hungry:

Looks like you had a fun day at the Studios.

Here's a trick I learned from a Photopass photographer for taking pictures facing the sun, when I couldn't keep my eyes open--have the subject (in your case, the boys) close their eyes while you frame the shot, and tell them to open their eyes wide when you say "open", then right as you are pressing the shutter, say "open"! You should be able to get a quick shot with eyes open before the sun gets to them. It worked for me.

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

Tiggerish said:
It's too bad that the first-row placement cause you and Hunter to have to miss the ride. If he'd gotten third row, do you think he would have enjoyed it? Have to say, I'm with him--I like roller coasters, but I'd never want to sit in the front row of a "challenging" one. As a grown-up, I could handle 7DMT (and Barnstormer!), could probably deal with BTMRR, and would hop right out of the first row of Everest. Nope--I wouldn't have to hop out, because I would not have even gotten in!

"I wanna be like dad" with Goofy hat--too funny!!

Those V&A pictures look amazing, and the seafood ones are tantalizing.

Looks like you had a fun day at the Studios.

Here's a trick I learned from a Photopass photographer for taking pictures facing the sun, when I couldn't keep my eyes open--have the subject (in your case, the boys) close their eyes while you frame the shot, and tell them to open their eyes wide when you say "open", then right as you are pressing the shutter, say "open"! You should be able to get a quick shot with eyes open before the sun gets to them. It worked for me.

thanks for posting, yes I think if he hadn't seen the drop, he would have enjoyed it. sometimes to autistic guys, the look of things is so scary, worse than the reality.

LOL- love the comment about not hopping out of everest, some folks are roller coaster folks and some are not. As I told Hunter, that just makes you different from each other, not better or worse.

thanks for the tip about sunny shots, will try it next time, makes sense.

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

So, right after finishing at Mama Melrose, it was time to go over to the training session for Jedi training.

Yeah, you read that right, you have to be trained to be trained.....??

Basically, they sit the kids in rows, give them basic instructions, like "Don't hit each other over the head with your lightsabers", and change them into little Padawans. I must admit, they do look cute.

Originally Nicholas was supposed to do this also, but did not get a nap that day, and was a little tired and not at his best, so we decided it was better for everyone involved if he just watched. So, some standby had his day made!

The show starts with the jedi master and his apprentice Nedriss coming out and teaching the kids different positions and manuevers. then the evil ones arrive, the sixth sister and Darth Vader, and you get to practice with them.

Of course, sweet little Logan, gave it his gentlemanly best,

While of course, rough tough Hunter got seriously into it.

Then Kylo Ren comes out, and we need to use The Force to get rid of this guy.

Logan's gentle little force ain't sending nobody nowhere though......

Hunter of course- who realizes these are the REAL Darth Vader/Kylo Ren/Sixth Sister, and this is no show- keeps using the force, the whole time the play is going on. Everyone is just chillin' and watching, and he is still trying to send this guy back to kingdom come.

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

After a final confrontation, Kylo Ren gets sent away by the power of the Force

"And the audience goes wild"!!
Must say, the differences in our little guys personalities really did come out here. My favorite shot of Logan, pensive and thinking about how to resolve this conflict without bloodshed,

And then Hunter going for broke

They had a wonderful time, it was well worth the time investment.
And goofy Steve, Nicole's "fourth little boy" even got in on the action with the photopass guy on the way out.
A puny attempt at using the force in my opinion

Then another spin on Toy Story- not like he became a sweaty mess fighting off evil or anything.....

And then Fantasmic. What did we do to entertain the kids before iPhones

And then we literally RAN from the theater over to Main Street to catch the Star Wars fireworks. I'm sure they have a reason for the way that is scheduled, but it doesn't work for us. Man, I thought either the kids, me or all of us may have a heart attack doing that run.
Nicole and Steve had really wanted to do the dessert party, but they way it's scheduled you can't do both Fantasmic and the party, so we divided and conquered, and I took the kids to Fantasmic and they took Nicholas to the party. Great plan, except that Nicholas finally konked out, no nap remember?, and they paid for him NOT to eat anything.
But as you can see, that really is a fantastic fireworks display, we were deeply impressed.

So after another late night, home we went, to get ready for another Magic Kingdom day.

Beckett · May 9, 2016

Lovely trip report, but that is Kylo Ren!

My daughter really wants to do this the next time we go. I didn't know about it until we were already there so we will try to do it next time.

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

Beckett said:
Lovely trip report, but that is Kylo Ren! My daughter really wants to do this the next time we go. I didn't know about it until we were already there so we will try to do it next time.

Oh cool so that's what I get for believing a 5 year old

thanks, will amend my report

Beckett · May 9, 2016

They do look alike! I just have a crush on Kylo, so I can tell them apart

your grandchildren are lovely!

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

Beckett said:
They do look alike! I just have a crush on Kylo, so I can tell them apart your grandchildren are lovely!

thank you, I'm sort of fond of them- but may be just a little prejudiced

if you decide to do it, just be there by 830-845, even if the park doesn't open then, you'll get through the line faster, it wasn't as hard to get though as most posts let on. probably because they've added a bunch of shows per day, so more kids get in.
it really was one of the highlights of the trip for the boys

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

Nicole and Steve had surreptitiously stopped the night before to pick up a particular lightsaber that Hunter had seen the day before and fell in love with.
So after the boys fell asleep- in the car on the way home of course- they put it out on the breakfast table.
Exactly what did they think was going to happen? Especially since it came with a tiny little saber on the end that can be removed = 2 lightsabers= lightsaber fights. duh!!
Not much breakfast got eaten this morning.

After arriving at Magic Kingdom, our plans got a little waylaid as we passed the sword in the stone. We were on our way to Winnie the Pooh- again- we love that ride- when they pulled Steve to try to pull out the sword.

Sadly, he wasn't the guy, we did not become royalty on this trip. But we did have fun.

So instead of Winnie the pooh, we did the next scheduled thing, Cinnamon rolls at Gaston's.

Does the phrase "dug into it" seem to fit?

Notice the missing iced top layer of the roll, selective eating I guess....

Here's where things really went off the rails, we went to use our Fastpass for Enchanted tales with Belle. Logan wanted to wear his Prince Charming outfit to meet Belle, so we changed his top and got in line.

There was 1 group in front of us in the FP line, so assumed we would get right in. ONE FULL HOUR LATER, the FP line was out of the queue, no one had come out of the doors, no one had gone in the doors, and no one was giving us any information. A little info about what was happening and that there might be a delay and for how long it might last so we could make an informed decision would have been nice. Or an offer to let us un-use our FP and come back later. We kept thinking that any second someone would tell us something!!!

Well, eventually the doors opened, and they started to let us in. I asked what had happened and of course got no answer. Pretty disappointing since we had a FP for that next hour that we were worried about missing. (Fortunately, we did make that one just at the "you're allowed to be 15 minutes late" window). So we decided that we couldn't be stressed during the show since it was starting, and what happens with the next one was out of our control.

docdebbi · May 9, 2016

FINALLY- THE BEAST- FROM THE TITLE OF THIS REPORT

When asking for volunteers for the role of The Beast, they asked the kids to "roar". It was either his cute little roar, or his being already dressed like a prince, but Logan got to be the beast. The excitement in his little face was incredible. He was going to meet Belle personally!

And lest I forget, Nicholas got chosen to be a plate. Hey, it made him happy. And he got to stand beside his brother, so he wasn't afraid. Nice to always have a big brother by your side.

So when Belle enters the room, he gets to roar like the beast and scare her. He thought it was hysterical.

great roaring guy!

Then she turned and talked to him, as the beast of course. His heart melted.

The lack of parenting skills showed up here. Nicole and Steve have taught him to dance, but not waltz, she had to lead. Ha Ha. But he didn't notice at all, too smitten.

Got to love a beast wearing an inside out magic band. :joyfull:

After the show everyone gets their picture with Belle

Even Hunter, who was too shy to ask for a role in the play, but was happy to meet Belle.

Wow, it was a fantastic morning, despite our stress over missing the next FP.

After Hunter got so much attention at Hoop de Doo, we couldn't have been happier that Logan got his moment to shine too. So many good things happened for the kids on this trip.

As said, we did just squeak in 15 minutes late for Little Mermaid, but we made it, and enjoyed that too.

MinnieM123 · May 10, 2016

What great pictures of your sons posing with Belle! (Logan was so charming in his outfit, too!)

By the way, I really like the matching (blue/green) tie dye t-shirts your family was wearing. I hope they still sell those in the park when I go; I'll definitely buy one!

fractal · May 10, 2016

The boys are awesome! Looks like a lot of special moments.

docdebbi · May 10, 2016

MinnieM123 said:
What great pictures of your sons posing with Belle! (Logan was so charming in his outfit, too!)

By the way, I really like the matching (blue/green) tie dye t-shirts your family was wearing. I hope they still sell those in the park when I go; I'll definitely buy one!

thank you

and if you really are interested in our "tie dye day" shirts, they do not sell them at disneyworld. they are from swirly sensations, whom I found on etsy- don't know if they do business directly without etsy. choice of color combinations and take about 3-4 weeks from order date. the good news in that? sure cheaper than what disney would want.

cgersic · May 10, 2016

docdebbi said:
So, right after finishing at Mama Melrose, it was time to go over to the training session for Jedi training.

Yeah, you read that right, you have to be trained to be trained.....??

Basically, they sit the kids in rows, give them basic instructions, like "Don't hit each other over the head with your lightsabers", and change them into little Padawans. I must admit, they do look cute.

View attachment 141175

View attachment 141176

Originally Nicholas was supposed to do this also, but did not get a nap that day, and was a little tired and not at his best, so we decided it was better for everyone involved if he just watched. So, some standby had his day made!

The show starts with the jedi master and his apprentice Nedriss coming out and teaching the kids different positions and manuevers. then the evil ones arrive, the sixth sister and Darth Vader, and you get to practice with them.

Of course, sweet little Logan, gave it his gentlemanly best,

View attachment 141177

View attachment 141178

While of course, rough tough Hunter got seriously into it.

View attachment 141179

View attachment 141180

Then Kylo Ren comes out, and we need to use The Force to get rid of this guy.

View attachment 141182

View attachment 141183

Logan's gentle little force ain't sending nobody nowhere though......

View attachment 141185
Hunter of course- who realizes these are the REAL Darth Vader/Kylo Ren/Sixth Sister, and this is no show- keeps using the force, the whole time the play is going on. Everyone is just chillin' and watching, and he is still trying to send this guy back to kingdom come.

View attachment 141184

Your commentary on this has me laughing right out loud! Sooo adorable! I have to say, this is one of my favorite "shows" to watch! And Prince Charming is the cutest thing I have ever seen in his picture with Belle. Smitten indeed! Great report!!

docdebbi · May 10, 2016

So after Little Mermaid

We did a quick spin on the Speedway. Hunter got to drive me, he actually did pretty well.

Logan apparently doesn't do well with sun in his eyes (again)

While Nicholas just needs to be taller if he wants to be in our pics

Then we headed over to Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch.
On the way, Prince Charming saw the photopass man and asked for a picture with Belle's castle.

so of course goofball wanted to have his done too, some people never grow up.

So we arrived at Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch

Believe it or not we have never eaten here before in all of our trips, so we were quite anxious!

docdebbi · May 10, 2016

We were seated in the Betsy Ross room,

and it may be accurate for the time period,

but we come from Philadelphia, I can assure you it looks nothing like Betsy Ross' house. I assume it was just named in her honor, not meant to represent her home. Her home is incredibly small, as were all the homes of the time, and sort of crooked and rickety. I felt a little safer here

.

We got the corn fritters first, but apparently we were so anxious to tear into them that we forgot to take a picture. But they get a thumbs up from us.

Then for the entree, we got the New England pot roast

Pilgrim's platter

and Tavern fish and chips

All very nice and enjoyed, but then came the reason for the visit in the first place.

The ooey gooey toffee cake

However the boys seemed to prefer their ice cream. Good to the last drop!

FlaggNL · May 11, 2016

Just caught up into your TR! Love it! Thanks for sharing!

dupac · May 12, 2016

Your meal at LTT looks yummy! We went to LTT my first visit to WDW as a kid, and my dad was disappointed, because we had eaten in a tavern in Colonial Williamsburg a few years before, and that was legitimate colonial tavern food. I guess that's what he was expecting! Lol.

Also, I'm a little late, but I have major foodie jealousy over V&A!!

docdebbi · May 12, 2016

dupac said:
Your meal at LTT looks yummy! We went to LTT my first visit to WDW as a kid, and my dad was disappointed, because we had eaten in a tavern in Colonial Williamsburg a few years before, and that was legitimate colonial tavern food. I guess that's what he was expecting! Lol.

Also, I'm a little late, but I have major foodie jealousy over V&A!!

I agree, we go to City Tavern in Philadelphia which is authentic, but I enjoyed the food at LTT anyway. And no way ooey gooey is colonial- but I REALLY don't care!!! I'd eat that all day long if I could.

And you may indeed have foodie envy, V&A was superb. The only reason good enough to leave the kids home for a night for us. What a meal!

Tiggerish · May 13, 2016

docdebbi said:
FINALLY- THE BEAST- FROM THE TITLE OF THIS REPORT

When asking for volunteers for the role of The Beast, they asked the kids to "roar". It was either his cute little roar, or his being already dressed like a prince, but Logan got to be the beast. The excitement in his little face was incredible. He was going to meet Belle personally!

And lest I forget, Nicholas got chosen to be a plate. Hey, it made him happy. And he got to stand beside his brother, so he wasn't afraid. Nice to always have a big brother by your side.View attachment 141260

So when Belle enters the room, he gets to roar like the beast and scare her. He thought it was hysterical.

View attachment 141261

great roaring guy!

View attachment 141264

Then she turned and talked to him, as the beast of course. His heart melted.

View attachment 141266

View attachment 141265

The lack of parenting skills showed up here. Nicole and Steve have taught him to dance, but not waltz, she had to lead. Ha Ha. But he didn't notice at all, too smitten.

View attachment 141262

Got to love a beast wearing an inside out magic band.

View attachment 141263

After the show everyone gets their picture with Belle

View attachment 141268

View attachment 141267

Even Hunter, who was too shy to ask for a role in the play, but was happy to meet Belle.

View attachment 141269

Wow, it was a fantastic morning, despite our stress over missing the next FP.

After Hunter got so much attention at Hoop de Doo, we couldn't have been happier that Logan got his moment to shine too. So many good things happened for the kids on this trip.

As said, we did just squeak in 15 minutes late for Little Mermaid, but we made it, and enjoyed that too.

SO CUTE!! How great that after putting on his prince outfit, Logan got to be the hero. I actually teared up reading this. Couple years ago, I did Enchanted Tales and the little boy acting the beast was completely mesmerized by Belle, it was adorable and really makes the show extra-special.

docdebbi said:
On the way, Prince Charming saw the photopass man and asked for a picture with Belle's castle.

View attachment 141386

so of course goofball wanted to have his done too, some people never grow up.

View attachment 141387

He's even got the Prince pose down! It's going to be a lucky girl who gets this one when he grows up!!

Thanks for the picture of the OGTC. :hungry:

Trip Report The Texas Ranger, The Beast, and We "started the fireworks": A trip of firsts!

Resident Redhead

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Attachments

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Resident Redhead