April 30, 2015

2015 April Vacation - Orlando, Florida - Day 6:

Hollywood Studios:

This year we decided to skip Epcot and Animal Kingdom and check out Hollywood Studios.  We had not been since the very first time we took the boys back in 2009 (Evan wasn't even born yet!).  We thought the boys would get a kick out of the Star Wars attractions, and they did!

We figured out the fast passes, but was unable to get one for the most popular ride there - Toy Story Midway Mania.  So we knew we would need to make sure we got that done right away.  Even getting there first thing, we still had to wait 30 minutes!

Waiting in line!  The queue was fun for this ride.
They were good sports about the line.
After that ride we were going to head over to find out about getting the boys into the Jedi Training Academy.  But first we stopped in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play area.

They are so tiny!
We got the boys signed up just in time!  They made the very last class at 7:30pm.  That meant we would be having dinner at the park and so we made plans to spend a little more time and head back to the house for lunch and a rest.  But first we got to meet up with Phineas and Ferb!

The boys with Phineas & Ferb!


The group picture before heading back for a break!

After our lunch break at the house we headed back to the park in time for our Fast Pass to the Disney Jr. show.  I think the boys enjoyed meeting Jake  after the show the most!

Evan had just given Jake a gold doubloon he got from the show.

Jake really liked David's shark tooth necklace!
It was really hot, so we stopped to get a treat before our next Fast Pass to see the Indiana Jones stunt show.

Ice Cream Faces!
Grandmothers waiting for the show to start.
After the stunt show (which was so fun!), we headed back over to where the Disney Jr show as, there is an area over there where you can meet different Disney characters and I had heard that Baymax would be there!  He is my favorite.  The line was long but I really wanted to have my picture with him.  I told everyone that they didn't have to wait with me and so some people headed over to ride on the Tower of Terror, a ride I would never, ever go on!  The wait took so long because Baymax needed a mandatory 15 minute break...we were 3 families back when that happened so if we had only arrived just a little earlier.  Oh well.  It was worth the wait!

Baymax and Hiro!
We finished with Baymax in time for our Fast Pass to the Rock N Roller Coaster.  I was forced to go on because of the whole waiting around for Baymax thing.  I can't say it was my favorite but I survived.


I think my face says it all...
Then it was time to grab a bite to eat before heading back to the Jedi Academy for the boys to become Padawans.  This was probably the highlight of the day.  The boys had so much fun fighting Darth Vader.  The show was really cute and the lady who lead the group was really funny!
Waiting for instructions from their leader.




Since there were not too many pictures of us from the trip we snagged a quick shot before the show started!
The show starts out with instructions on how to use your light saber.  Then they go over the moves they will need to master in order to defeat Darth Vader!

*Disney PhotoPass Image*
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
David was the first to go up against Darth Vader!
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
*Disney PhotoPass Image*
After the show the kids all took a bow and got a certificate!  It was a great way to end a perfect day!


Jedi Training Complete!

365 ~ 2015: Day 120

Adventures in Hollywood Studios!

April 29, 2015

365 ~ 2015: Day 119

The BEST Moms on the planet!

2015 April Vacation - Orlando, Florida - Day 5:

Our last day at Universal was going to be the day we did all the "wet" rides!  Some of the rides will get you wet, but this one particular ride is designed to get you soaked.  So we wear our swim suits on this day!

We were going to work our way from Universal to Island of Adventures so that we could experience the Hogwarts Express going the other way!  This gave everyone the chance to pick their favorites to do again and for some to ride the Rip Ride Rockit.  While the rest of us headed to ET again and to the kid play area and, of course, Men in Black one more time, before heading over to Island of Adventures.

But first pictures in front of the Universal Globe!





We split up right away and those riding the roller coaster headed off.  The rest of us were heading to the kiddie area to ride ET again.  On the way over we ran into Lucille Ball!


The kiddie area opened up an hour later than the rest of the park so we had to wait.  The boys were happy to ride ET another time.  By the time we all met up again, it was open and they had the chance to ride on the Woody Woodpecker Nuthouse Coaster!  Evan loved it and since there was no line they were able to ride it a couple times with no wait!
Woohoo!
After that we started walking towards Men in Black again, but with no lines they boys wanted to check out Kang & Kodo's Twirl and Hurl.  I was happy to pass on that one!

Another round on Men in Black and we tried to get into Diagon Alley one last time but the lines were already super long so we decided to hop on the train and head to Island of Adventures.


Since the lines were not long at Hogwarts, some went to ride that again while others chose to ride the Hippogriff one last time.  Evan needed a grown up so he conned Omi!  Not sure she was happy about that, but she survived!


While we waited for the Hogwarts crew, we indulged in one last Butterbeer!
Mmmm!  Butterbeet!

Once we were done at Hogwarts, it was time to head to Jurassic Park!  I didn't go on the River Adventure the first day so I joined the second time around.  We didn't have to wait too long and because they were adjusting the lines (since it was getting hotter and the line was filling up!) we got a little bit of a jump!  I am not sure if they changed the ride from the last time we went on, but I feel like the ride soaks you more than I remembered.  We got nailed!
Heading to the world of dinosaurs!
After getting soaked it was time to break for lunch.  There was a place to eat right by the River Adventure so the kids enjoyed standing in the splash zone while we waited for our food.  After lunch it was time to head to Toon Lagoon for one of my favorite rides, and the reason I wear a bathing suit to the park!

Popeye & Olive Oyl!
We are ready to get soaked on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges!

The Before!

Ready for the ride!
The After! - I tried to warn them!

Omi & GG stay nice and dry from way up top!

Nailed again!
I told them that they would get more than just a little wet!
Wooooo!
Just a little wet!
The first time wasn't enough for some of us!  We wanted to ride again!

After getting soaked it was time to walk around to dry off a bit.  We were going to head over to Super Hero island again for another go at Spiderman and for some to ride on the Hulk!  But first we had a little more fun in Toon Lagoon with the funny signs!


Most definitely!
I didn't notice until I loaded the pictures that the idea was to turn them sideways!  Cool effect!





Shaun wanted a picture with a comic bubble!
Shaun was not interested in riding on Spiderman again, so while all the others were riding he was able to meet up with the Green Goblin and Dr. Doom!



After another go on Spiderman we had the chance to meet up with Wolverine and Captain America!  The boys were happy they had the chance to meet both again!



I wanted in on the fun too!
Evan surprised me and actually went on this!  I was so proud of him for trying!
After the photo-ops with the characters, we spit up and headed to SeussLand while those who were able to (and wanted to!) ride the Hulk got in line for that.  The kids enjoyed playing in the little play area and riding on the slower paced rides of SeussLand!


Why we wear bathing suits at least one day!


Cat in the Hat and Sam I Am!

It was time to head back.  We were pretty beat, so beat that we just decided to let the boys swim in the pool and order take out!




Wasn't quite tall enough for the Hulk and the Dragon Challenge.  He would have gone on them if he were!