8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED - Page 20 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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My husband and I stayed at AS Movies in 2012 for 8 days with our then 3 year old daughter. It was definitely a tight squeeze as we had a full-size stroller and my husband was using an electric scooter. Plus, being on the larger side, the double beds were a tight fit. I ended up bunking with our daughter the whole trip. We agreed that next time we need to upgrade to a moderate.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
All caught up. I have to totally agree with your meal choices. I think I like the same places and style you do and so love hearing your reviews. I have been debating about Be Our Guest for my next visit and now I'm thinking maybe it isn't really for me.
What a shock for the change in hotels. As a former travel agent that is one of the first things you learn, don't go from delux to budget, it makes the budget resort seem so much less than it is. I have to agree those rooms are small. I stayed there for one night back in the 90's and thought it then. I too complained about the lack of shade at the bus stops too - nice to see nothing has changed. I would agree just a basic motel. OK for one night for 2 adults but wouldn't want to stay with my whole family.
I am sure not fancy, so next summer we will plan for more counter service and buffet style. ASMusic was a shock. Not saying I would not do it again to squeeze in one more Disney day, but man it was basic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazy4monkeez
My husband and I stayed at AS Movies in 2012 for 8 days with our then 3 year old daughter. It was definitely a tight squeeze as we had a full-size stroller and my husband was using an electric scooter. Plus, being on the larger side, the double beds were a tight fit. I ended up bunking with our daughter the whole trip. We agreed that next time we need to upgrade to a moderate.
I can't imagine. Surprised someone did not have to sleep in the scooter or stroller. LOL. I know they are not that small, but it is small.
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Sunday, June 15: Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studio
Sunday, June 15: Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studio
We did survive the near heat stroke we had waiting on the busses outside of All Star Music. Finally arriving at the Hollywood Studios for our last park of the trip. I had prepared myself for the huge crowds that we would certainly encounter. There was actually a lot of discussion between my wife and I if we would actually go for Star Wars Weekend. I had read about the crowds, but we are both Star Wars fans, and decided it would be silly not to give it a try. In the end, we were so glad we did.
When we arrived we were starved. It was early afternoon, and had been a long time since our breakfast at CRT. We had no ADRs for today, so we headed to ABC Commissary for lunch. I ordered a kids hamburger meal and and adult chicken sandwich meal, plus a Dark Vader cupcake. Everything was good, but by this time we knew what to expect. It was nice to be able to get a hamburger as a kids meal to save a little money. The cupcake was good, but I would say it actually probably looked better that in tased. We enjoyed our lunch before heading out to explore.
We decided that today we would just wander, and do what struck our fancy. We had absolutely no agenda. As we were leaving there is a character spot right outside. Upon first glance we saw Princess Leia and R2D2, so we got in line. As soon as we got it line R2D2 left, but Luke joined her. The line was moving slowly and were told that Leia was leaving soon. With every picture we wondered if she would stay. We did get lucky as she stayed until we made it through the line. I think it was probably because there was a little girl in a wheelchair who really wanted to meet her. They were amazing with us, even taping a short message for our boys who were at home. I heard her mom talking to her handler. Whatever the reason, we snagged a good shot. As the day went on we did a couple additional meet-&-greets and had a blast with the characters. We even had them record a message for our sons who were not with us. This was a lot of fun and our kids loved the messages.
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Darth’s Mall was also a hoot. I could not believe that we waited in line for 30 minutes to get into a room to shop. The funny thing was, we did not buy anything. LOL. We did however get a picture with Star Wars Mickey & Minnie.
I do apologize. I know that the details of this day are very sparse. It has not been nearly 5-months since our trip and the details are getting fizzy. But I did want to mention some of the things we did do.
One thing we wanted to get to on this trip was Light Motors Action. We were in the back of the park when they started letting guests in, we did not have any problem finding seats, but the theatre was full by showtime. The show itself was so amazing. I am a horrible driver and can not even imagine how they do all of those things. The one issue was the extreme heat. There was no shade and the sun was blazing.
After a quick bathroom break and pit stop in the shade with some FREE ice water, we decided to go back to the animation building today. We started at the theatre there then got in line for the drawing class. We still did not get into a table seat, back on the front row. This time we drew Stitch. It was so much fun. Our kids will love this when we being then next summer.
Dinner was nothing special. Burgers and chicken strips from the counter service up the road for Tower of Terror. I do not remember the name. I do have to say, it was our last meal in WDW and a but of a letdown. I had originally planned to be in Epcot this night and had an ADR at Garden Grill. But when we decided mid-week to come here, I canceled the ADR. I should have tried ot get an ADR somewhere, but that just did not happen.
I know we did a few other things this day, but they are just not coming to my mind. I do know that about an hour before fireworks, we started our souvenir shopping. We waited to the very last minute, but that is just us. Just as we were finishing up, we could hear fireworks in the background.
We paid for our items and stepped out onto the main street, held hands and watched the amazing display in the sky. I do not know if there are more of them, but this fireworks display was every bit as big as the one at Magic Kingdom.
As the night wound down we talked about going to Fantasmic one more time, but decided that the fireworks would be a perfect end to our vacation. We just slowly headed out of the park, hand in had to wait for a bus back to All Star Music.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
I feel as if we barely slept, but the scratch of the alarm woke us up very early for a quick shower and a LONG trek all the way back to the bus stop at All Star Music to catch the ride of dread on the Magical Express. I think on the way home it should be “Un-Magical Depress.”
For the most part, the trip was uneventful. We did have breakfast at the airport as we were there very early. I did not take any pictures, just to sad. I think both of us did sleep for most of the flight back to Chicago. When we arrived we found our luggage and made our way to where my in-laws would pick us up.
The ride back to their house would take about an hour, but we would soon be in the arms of our dear little ones. Let me just say, we were excited. It was after lunch and we were hungry, but more excited to see our kiddos than hungry, so we were not going to say anything.
About 20 minutes from their house my mother in-law said they were getting hungry and going to get something to eat. Uggggg! Of course we were not going to say anything. They had kept our kids all week and we could wait a few extra minutes for McDonald drive through.
Then they pulled into a dinner. Candi and I both looked at each other and bit our tongue. Could we not just drive through somewhere. We did not want to take another hour to order and eat, we wanted to see our kids. Ugggggggg!
Then as we got out to head in, there they were. They had planned to surprise us. The whole family was there waiting on us. Hugs all around, as tight as they could stand, kisses showered everyone for many minutes.
I do so love my wife, more than anything. At the same time, our kids do complete us and the tears started to flow. This lunch was honestly the best meal of our week, because we were back with our family, where we belong.
We are making plans for Walt Disney World next summer (2015), but this time we will be all together. It will come come too soon!
Thanks for following along with my trip report. I hope that I was able to take you to that happy place along with us. Until next summer, happy travels & Disney dreams.
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What a great surprise organized by your family! Love the reunion pic, you all are just glowing with smiles all around Thanks for sharing your trip with us, it was a great read!
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The fireworks were probably the special ones for SWW. 
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