Disney 2008 - Day Four

I can’t really put my finger on why… but this was my least favorite day at Disney. We spent the day at Hollywood Studios. The newest Disney attraction is here at the Studios, Toy Story Mania… but the line was about 70 minutes all day. I didn’t know this going in… but fastpasses are usually completely gone by 11AM in the morning. So while I was off getting FP’s for Rock N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror… everything for Toy Story Mania was completely used up. I was really disappointed about this. I guess it’s something to look forward to next year.

I was able to take Emily on Star Tours… which, for obvious reasons, has been a long time favorite of mine. She smiled through the whole thing. I will say though that this ride is very dated now. An update needs to be made… perhaps a foray into the battle above Coruscant that is depicted in Episode III? That would be stellar. The rumor right now is that it is going to be a pod-racing theme. I really wouldn’t be as excited about that.



Indiana Jones Stunt Show. This too is getting tired. The opening sequence is good… but the rest of the show just needs to be refreshed. Change the storylines and sets. Use something from Last Crusade or Temple of Doom… or even the new one. Just rewrite portions of the show every three years or so… just to keep the audience on their toes. I think this show should stay… especially if they plan on making an Indy 5. But a freshening up would be in order.

We figured something out about Aaron. Explosions scare him. He can handle dark rides well. But put him in a stunt show with loud explosions and it terrifies him. It’s interesting to see how each kid handles and adapts to Disney entertainment.

Rock N Roller Coaster… good ride. Unfortunately, though, the Aerosmith soundtrack wasn’t working and it was kind of weird going through the ride without loud music pumping in your ears. I didn’t get to Tower of Terror or the Great Movie Ride… but those don’t concern me as much. I was able to take in the Auto Stunt Show… which is ok, but once you’ve seen it… it loses it’s pizzazz.

We went to the Sci-Fi Dine In for dinner. We went here last year too. I liked it a lot better last year, and probably wouldn’t try to go here again for a meal… maybe dessert… but not a meal. Food was not great… and the atmosphere that hooked me last year was not quite as cool to me this year. One minor annoyance… the same movie clips they showed last year were used this year. Again, let’s spend a little time freshening up things for the repeat visitors.



I think Hollywood Studios could be a great park again… but everything just felt so old, dated, and thrown together. Major work needs to be done here. The Animation tour; the Back Lot Tour; even the Beauty and the Beast show needs work. Oh well. We left the park early, so we skipped Fantasmic. After a long day at the Magic Kingdom… just about all of us were exhausted. The kids went to the pool for a little bit. I did some reading and relaxing. And we geared up for our final day at Epcot.

A Cardinal Fan in a Cub World

Emily is not afraid to speak her mind when it comes to bashing the Cubbies!! She does it to grandparents, church-people, friends, etc. So apparently her school was going to wear Cubs gear yesterday to cheer on the Cubs and the teacher asked them to write a reminder note to bring home that said "wear Cubs clothes tomorrow". When I opened Emily's backpack, this is what her note said...."Wear Cubs clothes tomorrow but we won't because we don't like them". It was killing her to have to bring home a note about the Cubs, so she just HAD to add an extra line about how we don't like them.

Josh and I got a pretty big kick out of this!! He's trained her right, I guess.

I have to admit that the Cardinals and fan situation is probably the thing I miss most about not living in St. Louis anymore. I used to love having Cards days at school and being able to wear my jeans and Cards shirt. I loved that the teachers' conversation in the lunchroom everyday had to do with the game the night before and what was going on with the team. I loved that my kids would talk about being at the game the night before or would share their excitement about going to the game that night. I loved that taking time off from school to go to a World Series game was not only approved by the principals, but cheered on by them!! It was just a great environment and I absolutely loved the excitement toward the Cardinals - everywhere I went. I am sad that as big as a Cardinal fan as Emily is...she won't grow up in it, but she's proved she can hold her own and definitely won't turn. Now we just have to work on Aaron!!