Disney Diaries / Day 2 - Hollywood Studios

 

Our 2nd magical day was spent at Hollywood Studios. This day was much more relaxed for me - I had weeded out what I needed/didn't need to lug around in my backpack, had better sleep the night before, and overall felt more prepared for the day. Plus, Hollywood Studios is far less intimidating and overwhelming than MK! 

Emily developed a bad cough during the night. I was SO.WORRIED. she was going to wake up sick on our 2nd day. Tears came to my eyes when I woke her up and she said in her normal, cheerful, sweet Emily voice, I'm so excited to go to Disney World today! Whew. 

The bus ride to the park - the girls ready to start a new adventure! 

 

Very FIRST thing on my agenda was to take a few pics in front of "the hat." Our 1st day at MK, I agreed to bypass family castle and front entrance pics because everyone was ready to hit the ground running. I regretted this decision and was determined to get these pics today even if others were annoyed (Bo and Michael).  =)

As soon as we made it into the park, we saw characters. The line wasn't very long for them, so we took a quick pic. This was their 1st "character" experience other than princesses or Gaston (face characters). I was curious how they would react as everyone is scared of Santa and the Easter Bunny (except Abby). But, everyone loved them!  Look at my Cade's face...so sweet!

Next, Emily spotted a "fairy" and she HAD to go see her. After feeling so rushed to get lots done yesterday, I made a point to slow down and try to say "yes" more to her on this day. Yes, we can stop and see the water fountain. Yes, we can stop and see the fairy. Yes, we can stop and look at ducks and butterflies ...whatever my princess want to do!! 

While I didn't want to feel rushed, there were several "must dos" on my agenda. First, was "Voyage of the Little Mermaid." Not to be confused with the ride at MK with the same name, this was a live show. No pics allowed. Boo. Great show, the girls and boys all loved it. 

After the Little Mermaid show, we walked right across the street to "Disney Jr. Live on Stage." We JUST made it into this show as it was about to start, so we were on the back row, but hey, I'll sit on the back row anyday if there is no wait! Cute show featuring characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, and Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  Both girls are big Sofia the First and Jake fans, so def worth it. Cade and Owen even could join in on the fun. Music, bubbles, streamers, and gold doubloons fell from the ceiling, what's not to love?!  Very exciting for everyone. 

Lisa with her lap full! haha!

 

Sweet boys 

 

Sweet precious girl 

We decided on Pizza Planet Arcade for lunch. Walking to lunch, Em found a water fountain. Seriously, we could have taken a water fountain tour and done nothing else, she would have been the happiest girl in the world.  Love this age so much - EVERYTHING is new and exciting!

 

Lunch was just ok - nothing to write home about. Kids liked the arcade games. Cade enjoyed some b'ball with Daddy. 

After lunch, we decided to do "The Great Movie Ride" since the wait was only 15 minutes. While we stood in line for this, Bo and Michael got everyone fast passes to "The Rocking Rollercoaster." The line for "The Great Movie Ride" seemed to take a lot longer than 15 minutes, but it's probably because of Cade. Some random strangers found him cute and helped entertain him. As soon as it was about to be our turn to get on the ride, Emily decided she had to go potty (*sigh). Thankfully, cast members allowed our group to step to the side while we took her to the potty and we were able to get right on the ride when she returned. The ride was ok. There were a few scary parts for kids, but everyone did great. I may would skip this ride next visit unless we had some extra time. 

Next up was the "Toy Story Mania" ride! This is a very popular ride at HS. Bo and Michael had gotten us fast passes to this ride while we were waiting for Voyage of the Little Mermaid.  The wait for this ride was insane, so FP was a must!  You wear 3D glasses and play lots of different games while being whisked around in a little cart. It was cute, but both of my kids were a little young for this. Neither would wear the 3D glasses, which made it impossible to play the game correctly, but both enjoyed trying to play.

   

It was probably around 2 pm at this point and the boys were beyond exhausted.  It was almost time for us to use our fast passes for "The Rocking Rollercoaster," so we headed in that direction and let the boys sleep.  

We all took turns riding the roller coaster while others stayed behind with the kiddos. First up was Michael, Dad, and me. It was soooo fun! 0-60 in 2 seconds! I loved it! Hands down, favorite ride!

Next up, Lisa, Bo, and ME AGAIN..woo hoo! Did I mention this is my favorite ride? =)

It was SO HOT this day, so I broke down and spent $15 on this spray fan. It served as great entertainment for the babies while we were riding the "grown up" rides.

Bo and Michael wanted to ride "Tower and Terror" and there wasn't a long wait for it, so Lisa, Dad, and me took the babies and got a snack at "Anaheim Produce" while the guys rode the ride. We had yummy frozen lemonade, which hit the spot on this very, very hot day. 

 

The boys woke up from their naps and enjoyed some snacks too. 

 

Michael and Bo returned with more fast passes for Rocking Rollercoaster. They said the line for Tower of Terror wasn't long and asked my dad if he wanted to ride it too. So, dad, Michael, and Bo left again to ride Tower of Terror..again.  We probably sat at "Anaheim Produce" for an hour enjoying snacks, letting the girls play, and just relaxing while the "grown ups" rode a few rides. It was hot, but still nice to sit down and relax. 

 

Poor Emily fell down while walking to the potty. It was a pretty bad fall - required TWO band-aids. Thankfully, mommy was prepared with first-aid meds and princess band-aids. 

 

After Bo, Michael, and Dad returned from Tower of Terror, it was almost time for The Beauty and the Beast Live show, which was located across from Anaheim Produce. This was a MUST SEE for Emily as she LOVES Beauty and the Beast. I wanted to get as close to the stage as possible. Since we had been hanging out across the street, we were able to walk across quickly and get in the front of the line for entance into the show.

 

The show is outside under a pavillion. We had about a 20 minute wait for the show to actually start once we sat down. Cade made a new friend while waiting for the show to start. This little boy's parents kept telling their little boy, "turn around, stop bothering those people," but I told them, "No, please, please let your child entertain him!" ha ha! 

 

My Em taking a quick rest before the show started. 

 

Hobsons are ready to see some Beauty and the Beast! 

Once the show started, both girls were in awe.

 
Cade enjoyed it too, although I think he was about to fall asleep.

 

The show was very good and everyone loved it. Favorite part was holding her hand while she got to see "her favorite Belle" perform live on stage. 

After the show, we had more fast passes for Rocking Roller Coaster to use. Lisa, Bo, and Michael rode it while Dad and I waited for them with all the kiddos. The girls enjoyed coloring and playing with the fan while we waited.  Lisa and Bo also rode Tower of Terror together.  I had no desire to ride that one.  =)

We had about an hour before our dinner reservations, so we decided to do the Studio Back Lot Tour since the wait time wasn't very long. On the way to this ride, Emily spotted another water fountain. She enjoyed making water hand prints. 

This is how we stand in line with Cade. He's up!



He's down.
 

The Studio Back Lot Tour was pretty good. Cade's favorite part of the ride was playing with the fan.

 

Surprise!

 

Dinner reservations were at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. Although we had reserations, we still had to wait a few minutes for our table. While we waited, I let Cade run around outside and burn some energy. Poor guy spent a lot of time in a stroller. The weather was so nice at this point - windy and overcast. He LOVED being able to run free. 

Blur...

 It wasn't very long before sister joined us outside for some running around too.

 

They loved playing in the car. Cade kept saying, "Byyyyeee, Byyyyeeee"

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Dinner was so good! To say it was a unique dining experience is an understatement. When I 1st saw our table, I wondered how we were going to all sit, but it worked out great and was one of my favorite meals at Disney. It was nice to be able to sit and enjoy a meal without getting up every 5 seconds to take pics of characters. The movie screen kept Cade's attention, which made for a more peaceful meal for mommy.  =)

Our reservations were at 6:30 and the entire meal (waiting, eating, etc) took about an hour and a half. I really wanted to do the Fantasmic show, but because it took so long for us to eat and get out of the restaurant, we missed out. Plus, it had been another long day (with no naps), so we went back to the hotel right after dinner.

2nd day was really fun. Hollywood Studios is more "show" oriented with a few big rides for adults or bigger kids.  Great time had by all.