The Surviving Deployment Trip Report, Updated 10/18 COMPLETE!! About This Page:

[mcc0313]

Just caught up on your posts. What an amazing time at the MNSSHP. You got so much done even before the party started. Sorry about the heat though, that humidity can really get to you. Glad the rain did not last too long and that you were able to enjoy the rest of your evening.

I love all the great character interaction and so glad that everyone enjoyed Victoria's drawings. They are really great and you have one talented girl on your hands. The PP meet sounded like great fun and how nice that Victoria was able to spend some more time with Amanda and you with Ann. The crowd levels sounded wonderful as you did so much and got to still stop and enjoy the fireworks and parade.

Sorry that the next ended up with you not feeling well, you are a trooper though and I had hoped that some sleep after your DTD day would have helped a bit but sorry that you were still feeling bad at DHS, not that you let that stop you. So much done even before your 11 am lunch at Sci-Fi. I love the Chicken Burchetta sandwich, it is so good, glad you both enjoyed your meals. Hope the medicine helped a bit...

[Meggera]

Originally Posted by Tiggerbelle

I love love love your TR!! You two just seem to have so much fun together! Hurry back with more, please!

Thank you! I am so blessed to have a wonderful teenage DD. We get along so well and never have cross words. I'll be back with more later today. I'm still taking medicine and got up to "redose." It's finally kicking in, and I'm going back to bed. Ug!

[disneydreamer33]

Great day at DHS. You got a lot accomplished before your lunch. Sorry you got sick. I know how you felt though. I had the same thing happen while we were there too.
We just loved Sci Fi too. I didn't expect much, but was pleasantly surprised. I thought the onion rings were delish. And so was my strawberry shake.
TSMM is now my favorite ride too. (Well, my classics are still my favs, but this is tied with them.) I could go over and over. We are going to get the girls a Wii for Christmas and that is the first game I told my DH we were going to buy! I know what the girls and I will be doing all day Christmas day!
Can't wait for more!

[PrincessSharon]

What a great day at the Studios! You can get so much done when you get there early. And your lunch at the Sci-Fi looks I am dying for a milkshake now. Hope you feel better soon!

[ArielsMomto2]

Great updates. The party sounds fabulous. You sure got a lot done and some great character interaction. I love shopping in DTD, I must learn to look up as I've never seen the pics you have. Sounds like a great day at DHS. We've never been down the Streets of America, looks like I'll need to add that to my list. Twice now I've had ADR's for Sci Fi and both times I've cancelled in favor of something better. I must try this one out. Sure hope you are feeling better soon. Hurry back with more.

[a_bernard]

I love all your pictures. You take so many, what a treat to us. Sorry that you were still feeling sick at DHS, but you accomplished quite a bit during your morning. I loved the Sci Fi too when we ate there during our trip last May. I had the chicken sandwich and cheesecake and it was delicious. I would like to go back again. Next time, i will make sure that i try the milkshakes. Hope you got to feel better for the rest of your trip.

[Meggera]

Day 4, Part 2
We decided to go to HISTK playground. We thought Michael might like it.


Ooops! Michael didn't slide well.


Victoria got a big kick out of the dog's nose and the sniffing noises he makes.




We needed to get out of the heat. It was killing me. We decided it was time for Muppet Vision 3D.


I had never noticed this before. I thought it was hilarious!




When I was a child and watched The Muppet Show every week on TV, I loved the Pigs in Space sketch. I always thought it was so funny. Before Victoria and I took this trip, I rented the three Muppet Show seasons to watch. I loved watching Pigs in Space again, and it was neat going back to Muppet Vision 3D and looking around. Victoria understood it more and recognized all of the characters, and then we noticed Pigs in Space stuff inside.


This is the Pigs in Space spaceship. Too funny!




We enjoyed being indoors for a while. The A/C felt good. We had cooled off a bit and decided to do the backlot tour. It had been years since we had done this attraction. Phew! It certainly was hot during the simulation stuff. It was brutal. I was thankful when we got on the tram so we'd get a little breeze. I'm not as fond of the recorded narration. Oh well.



We enjoyed our tour, and I think I like it better now than before. I really liked the fact that a LMA stunt show was taking place while we were on our tour, and we got to see the stunt guys backstage before they went on. They would wave to us, and it was really neat seeing behind the scenes of the stunt show.

We got some water at this point, and I was ready to be indoors again. We headed to Pixar Place and went inside to see Woody and Buzz.


"I squish your head!" (Do you remember that?)


I love all the photo ops in here.


I thought it was so cute that we were on Andy's bed.


After our meet and greet, we walked across the way to use our FPs to TSMM.


We both upped our scores. I got a cat this time, and Victoria got the beaver.


We knew we wanted to stay indoors as much as possible because it was so bloomin' hot, so we went to Narnia next. It was interesting that the line to just the exhibit was ten times longer than the line to see Caspian and the exhibits. We got in line to meet Prince Caspian.


What a cutie! He asked what land we were from. Victoria couldn't speak. She was smitten. I told him Texas. He asked about Michael the Bear, and I told him he represented my DH who was in Iraq. Caspian said, "Oh! So he's a warrior!" I said he was, and he liked that.


I tease Victoria about this picture. It looks like they're engaged.


Needless to say, Victoria didn't say much in there. She still talks about him.

UP NEXT: Staying indoors as much as possible.

[B.M.]

Glad ya'll found a few ways to stay out of the heat! Victoria does look a little smitten with Prince Caspianin her pic; love it!

[Meggera]

I forgot to include her drawings.
Buzz - Sorry it's blurry. I'm taking pictures of her pictures.


Woody


Prince Caspian - Victoria has not drawn many real life people, so she is not as confident drawing real people. She looked at the movie's version of Prince Caspian to draw this, and I think she did a fantastic job. I can't draw stick figures, so she simply amazes me with what she can do.


I'm working on my next update. I need to have this TR done before we leave for our next trip in nine days!!!

[Meggera]

Originally Posted by disneydreamer33

Great day at DHS. You got a lot accomplished before your lunch. Sorry you got sick. I know how you felt though. I had the same thing happen while we were there too.
We just loved Sci Fi too. I didn't expect much, but was pleasantly surprised. I thought the onion rings were delish. And so was my strawberry shake.
TSMM is now my favorite ride too. (Well, my classics are still my favs, but this is tied with them.) I could go over and over. We are going to get the girls a Wii for Christmas and that is the first game I told my DH we were going to buy! I know what the girls and I will be doing all day Christmas day!
Can't wait for more!

We eat at Sci Fi every trip. We have never had a bad experience there and always enjoy the food. I'm glad you liked it, too.

[BettyBeBop]

I am constantly blown away by Victoria's wonderful gift!!! She is an amazing artist!!!

[dsnytina]

Have to say, my 11yo DD would have been speechless with Caspian, too!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful memories!

[Meggera]

Day 4, Part 3
We left Prince Caspian and went to "One Man's Dream." I loved all the miniatures in here. Can you believe we have never done this attraction before? I know. It's a shame. We'll definitely come back when Michael is with us.


We then went to "Voyage of the Little Mermaid." It was so nice and cool, and the show was good, too.

I knew a time was coming up for Indiana Jones, and Victoria really wanted to see it since she had never been before. So, we made our way over there and took a couple of pictures along the way.


We enjoyed the show.


Victoria enjoyed the show, and now I look forward to taking Michael to see it as he has never seen it either.

Victoria followed the directions on the sign.


It was getting close to our ADR time at 50s PT. We ate here way back in 2002 and had a very boring brother serving us. We never went back, but we decided to give it another try.


We didn't get a table withh a TV but sat next to this one. So cute!


Our server came by and took our drink orders. She reminded us that there would be no elbows on the time. I was liking her already. We both ordered the raspberry lemonade. It was so good on such a hot day.


When our "aunt" returned, Victoria blew her straw paper at her. Needless to say, Victoria was sent to stand with her nose against the wall.


I ordered the fried chicken, and Victoria got the pot roast. We both enjoyed our dinner very much, but I was stunned by how much chicken they gave me. There was no way I could eat all of that!


I think our aunt could tell we were thirsty!


I went to the restroom, and while I was gone, Victoria said the man at the table behind us cleaned his plate and our aunt made a big fuss over it. Victoria took a picture.


For dessert, I knew I didn't want anything heavy or chocolatety. I ordered the angel food cake with fresh berries, and Victoria ordered the s'mores. The cake and berries was to die for. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely order it again.


I haven't really talked about the DDP yet. It was nice not having to worry about paying anything but the tip, but it was way too much food for us. We don't typically eat large meals. We eat several small meals a day. A meal for me might consist of a sandwich or a cup of soup. So, after every meal, I left feeling so stuffed I could hardly move. I don't like feeling that way. I told Michael that I don't think I have to go for free dining again. I know! Sacrilege! But, it was way too much food for us.

On with the TR...

We left there, and I really wanted to hit the Animation Studio.


We watched the show with Mushu and enjoyed a preview for The Princess and the Frog. It looks so good! I can't wait for it to come out. After the intro, we went inside and saw a lot of characters roaming around. Score!

First up was the Queen from Snow White.


This is one of Victoria's favorite pictures. I think it's one of mine, too.


Then Friar Tuck. He is so sweet!


Pocahontas and Meeko were out. Pocahontas showed Meeko the drawings, and Meeko saw his and went crazy! The handler told him to show everyone so he ran through the whole room holding up Victoria's drawing. It was so funny! I got it on video.


Up next was Foulfellow.


Then we got to see Frozone. He was great to see again. We haven't seen him in years. (She hasn't drawn him, yet.)


Then, we got in line for Pinocchio. What a cutie pie! He was precious! We fell in love with him. I videoed our interaction with him, and I am so glad I did. When he saw his drawing, he hugged it and jumped up and down and ran all over showing it off. He did a funny little dance. He was just fantastic! He gave Victoria a big kiss.


We told him who Michael the Bear was and he did a funny little dance with him. It was hilarious.


Then he wanted to pose with his portrait. It is one of the best character interactions we have ever had.


Up next was Sorcerer Mickey. I had high expectations after Pinocchio. At first we thought he was going to be boring. He took Victoria's book and signed it without a reaction. He gave the pen back to Victoria and kept her book and started flipping pages.


He looked and looked and looked. He looked for so long, his handler finally said, "Ummm, Mickey, four minutes. Four minutes, Mickey." Needless to say, Mickey loved Victoria's book.


When he finished looking, he carefully closed it back and held it like he was going to keep it. He finally gave it back to Victoria and asked about Michael the Bear. I told him, and he took Michael and saluted him. I almost cried. That was so precious to me.


I think we got pictures with him on our PP. I hope so!

As we were saying goodbye to Mickey, he held on to Michael and waved goodbye. He was going to keep Michael. Victoria asked nicely for the bear back. Mickey put little Michael on the floor and had Michael "walk" back to Victoria. It was so cute. We loved our time with Mickey.

It was about 7 p.m., and the park was closing. I was glad. I wasn't feeling well. We had planned to park hop to another park, but I didn't even bring it up. I wanted to go back to our room.

I took a picture of the hat.


Then we saw that the finale for AI was going on, and we could watch from outside. So, that's what we did. I blew my nose the whole time, and I was going downhill fast.


It ended, and we headed out. We easily caught a bus to Pop and got to sit on our ride home. Yay! When we got to our room, this is what we found.


Victoria's new plushies were having a little party. We let Michael join in.


I took Nyquil and went to bed. I think I fell asleep very quickly. Tomorrow, my cousin Jennifer was supposed to join us.

UP NEXT: A very sick mommie and a loving, understanding daughter

[B.M.]

Great rest of the day at DHS! Sorry you still aren't feeling well; cant wait to hear more......

[Meggera]

Here is the video of Pinocchio's reaction to her drawing.