Nana and Bop Travels: Day Three (Part 1) Take Me Back To Where We Were

Hollywood Studio’s

I woke up at 6:30 a.m. and quietly got up before everyone else. I love the divider curtain at Port Orleans Resorts, because I could pull the curtain, turn on the light and get dressed, brush my teeth, and finish getting ready without disturbing anyone else. Dennis woke about 6:45 and got dressed and helped me get everything ready to wake the kids. Clothes laid out, shoes ready, hairbrush and toothbrush ready… time to wake up the kids. Can’t believe I forgot to order a wake-up call from Mickey for the kids – but Saturday, Mickey and Minnie did call the room and leave a voice message for Christian, singing Happy Birthday to him – pretty special. He made me play it over and over J

We woke them at 7:00 a.m. They were a little groggy, but once we said, it’s time to go meet Jake, Sophia and Doc McStuffins, little eyes popped right open with big grins. Everyone ready by 7:30 and we left the room. I stopped by the resort gift store for the Fat Pens, but they didn’t open until 8:00. I dug through my bag and found three (3) regular pens and handed one to each child for their back pack – that would just have to do. Maybe I could find one before breakfast at the park. We walked to the bus stop and once we boarded, we completed their outfits with pirate bandana’s to match Jake and Izzy (Jake’s pirate friend). Sad admission here that I had no idea how to tie on a bandana (I quickly learned from everyone around me, to fold it into a triangle first and then it would fit) Ok – Christian’s is done J

Now, Izzy wears hers a little different and I had no idea on this one either. A sweet lady sitting across from me with her child and husband, offered to come fix Savannah’s Izzy bandana. What a lifesaver she was, and it looked great. I was so thankful (and so was Savannah). Kayna opted to not wear hers today. The three kids all sported their new tee shirts for the special breakfast this morning.

Christian – Jake and the Neverland Pirates

Savannah – Doc McStuffins

Kayna – Anna and Elsa

We arrived at Hollywood Studios Park about 8:30 and quickly got a place in line for pre-opening breakfast reservations (meaning, if you did not have a breakfast reservation, the park did not officially open to guest until 9:00 a.m.). While waiting in line, I spotted a sales stand with Fat Pens J “ Three, please “ tapped my Magic Band to pay, put pens in each bag and we were on our way!

Just a few steps from the entrance and to the left, I spotted our breakfast restaurant, “ Hollywood and Vine”. I checked in with the hostess on the large white porch, and she said it would only be a few minutes, and offered us a seat on the porch. The kids ran to the large windows and saw Handy Manny walking by. Christian had his nose pressed to the window, peering inside when he suddenly turned around to me with a huge smile and said, “ Nana, I saw Jake”!

Soon it was our turn, and we were seated in the first section near the back of the restaurant. As soon as we each were seated, Sophia the 1^st came by our table, with the usual routine, we pulled out autograph books (and our Fat Pens) for her to sign, and then snapped a picture. Kayna was especially excited to meet Sophia, one of her new favorites at this breakfast. Once she left the waiter took our drink order and we helped ourselves to the large and quite yummy buffet. Everyone ate good, even with all the excitement. The first trip through the line, I only got 1 piece of sausage (it was a big piece) for Christian – within five minutes, he was asking for more. He was hungry this morning, which was a good thing, because it was going to be a long day. Soon, Handy Manny came by, then Jake. Christian was so excited, and Kelsi had asked us to get her an autograph of her brother’s hero, too, so Bop turned another page in Christian’s book after the first autograph and he signed again for Kelsi. Since Christian can’t read yet, I will divulge a surprise here. I brought along a birthday card that I had bought at home with Jake and the Neverland Pirates on it, and had Jake sign it (without Christian seeing it). I am going to give it to him at his birthday party on May 18^th (his actual birthday).

Last, but not least, the character that Savannah had been waiting on, Doc McStuffins stopped by – great interaction with her as she signed autographs and posed for pictures. A successful breakfast with characters, one of the best, and food was good! Bop loved the pastries.

Sophia Signing Savannah's book

a pose with Sophia

uh oh Handy is quishing Christian :)

It's almost our turn for Jake

A pose with Jake

The Doc (McStuffins) is in!

As we left (and actually since we walked into the park), Kayna had her eye on Tower of Terror. I didn’t have a fast pass for it and knew the line would be terribly long and we were on a tight schedule in this park. Bop and I ride most rides, but not this one. She didn’t care, announcing that if we had time, she would surely ride it by herself. I kept telling her that once we finished the other two items on our schedule for Hollywood Studio’s, that we would check the line and see if we had time. We ran out of time, and I never even got to check…. guess I owe her another trip so she can ride. Of course, she kept making fun of the way I pronounced “Terror”. She said I pronounced it like the Gone with the Wind Mansion “ Tara “ , and she claims it is “ Terrer” – realistically, it is probably somewhere in between. I hear you all saying it under your breath out there – so how do you pronounce it?

Now, how do we get to Disney Jr Live On Stage? I got a map and we walked one direction, passing the American Idol Studio, but then decided it was in the other direction, Dennis said something like, “ it’s back where we just came from “. Soon, we found it, and were a little early, so Christian got his picture made with Jake again ( he waited a year for this visit – let’s get all we can out of it, right)?

Kayna on American Idol

Bop and his dream car

a hug for Jake

the Neverland boys

While waiting on Disney Jr Live On Stage, we parked the stroller and went to see Mickey Mouse, in the Animators building. Almost our turn, and once again Christian said…

Christian - “ Nana, I have to go…”

Me – “ Can you wait, we are almost to Mickey Mouse, then we’ll go” ?

Christian “ Ok “

One minute later, he looked distressed

Christian “ No, I have to go now”

So off we went, and yes, we missed the Mouse. The girls stayed and got their picture with him and autographs for them and one for Christian.

Mickey and the girls

Time now for Disney Live On Stage – A cute 22 minute puppet show, great for kids, but no real seats for adults L as seating is on the floor.

our spot on the floor

Savannah and Christian in the stroller

Kids with the man himself, Mr. Disney

Now, moving on, the last thing on our list is to see Lighting McQueen and Mater from “Cars”. They are located by the Muppet Vision Ride on Streets of America. Dennis had said earlier, it was “back where we came from” – so when he asked “where to next”, I said, “ back were we came from”… so off we went, except we didn’t end up on the right street.

Nana “ this is not right”

Bop “ let me see a map, ok – it’s is way on the other side of the park”

Nana “ but you said take me back to where we were”

Bop “what” ?

Nana “ earlier you said this was located where we were before”

Anyway, as usual, I speak Venus and he speaks Mars and I admit I am directionally challenged. We found it – that’s all that matters J

As we rounded the corner, Kayna spotted Phineas and Ferb, and then onto Lightening McQueen and Mater. It had gotten hot, so I got a couple of large cups of Free Ice Water from a stand nearby ( a very nice policy on Disney’s part – thank you). The cold water refreshed us as we stood in a short line. When Christian saw Mater, he grabbed his front tooth as he posed for the picture. Later he told us, he really wanted to grab his tongue – (ha – that boy is too funny).

He has been watching “CARS” since he was about two years old (maybe younger) and it was his first glimpse of the wonderful world of Disney.

Checking the time, it was noon – so time to HOP to the Magic Kingdom (we have lunch reservations there). Sorry, Kayna bug, no time to even check on Tower of Tara or Terrer or Terror. I felt bad, but had bet her two million dollars that the line would be too long anyway. I’ll get her back soon, and make it a priority for her to ride!

our bus stop for hopping to the MK