We Turned Her Into A Disney Lovin', Character Huggin', Thrill Ridin' Girl! COMPLETED 7/11 About This Page:

[dutchdisneyfamily]

What is she looking at?? More please!

[Cam22]

We've had Mousekeeping forget to take the envelope and Stefanie is always dismayed. Love the pictures and can't wait to find out what has Selah's attention.

[queen2]

Originally Posted by lauriep

I don't know what Selah is looking at in the teaser picture, but what a beautiful photo! She has such a peaceful and happy look on her lovely face.

I agree, priceless

[Tabitha34]

Day 2 Hollywood Studios Part 1. A Character Breakfast and A Battle? 1/30

This morning I am up at 6am because we have an ADR at Hollywood and Vine at 8:05. Asher is excited about this first character breakfast of the trip. He loves characters, he loves breakfast and LOVES buffets. He is not into the Disney Jr. characters much any more but he is really excited to see what Selah thinks of the characters. She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and we think she might also recognize the other Disney Jr. characters. We knew there would be no Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters but we figured the music and parade might get her attention.

After I am up, showered and dressed I get everyone else moving. We make it to DHS by 7:45 and have to wait at the turnstiles. We are probably around the 20th people in line and a CM starts coming down the line checking to see if we have reservations and getting our names to check us in. I was watching the time and it was getting to be 8 and they were not letting anyone in yet. I had hoped to be able to stroll slowly down Hollywood Boulevard taking pictures along the way but they didn't let us in until 8:05. We still managed to stop for a picture or two before going in.



We were seated to the left of the entrance and up against the wall. This was an ok seat but I felt like the tables right there were on top of each other. The 2 other tables right by us had families at them also and one was right behind us. Every time a character went to that table Jamie had to get up so they could get by. A guy at the other table had to do the same. Other than that we really enjoyed the restaurant. It wasn't the best breakfast we have had at WDW but it was good. Our favorite breakfast based only on food is still Crystal Palace. We have only eaten at a few places for breakfast though. The characters we saw there were Handy Manny, Agent Oso, June, and Jake the Never Land Pirate. The character interactions seemed to be fairly quick here and we would have liked for them not to move so fast. It would have been nice for Selah to have a little more time to interact with them. We all enjoyed our food and were stuffed when we left… all of us but Selah. She decided she was not eating that morning. She just wanted to play with her stickers. I was not going to force the issue, she would eat when she was hungry. At least she was not fussy. Here are some pics from our breakfast. Sorry no food pics… again.









After breakfast I headed over to Baby Care to change Selah while everyone else took a bathroom break too. From there we headed over to get Asher's name on the list for the Jedi Training Academy. Jamie and Asher walked ahead and when Selah, Wanda and I got there we found out that all the spots were taken for the day. The park had only been open a few minutes! Jamie and Asher stayed in line and got his name on the wait list in hopes that he would be able to get in to one.
Asher wanted to take this picture when we left the Jedi Training Academy sign ups.



Then we decided to head over to Toy Story to check out the new ride. I had read all about the long lines for this and that with a wheel chair we would go in the fast pass line and then to a different line. I also read that it could still be a wait in this line. We get over to the ride and the wait was somewhere around 90 minutes. We went through the fast pass line with Selahs GAC and into the wheelchair line. We had two groups ahead of us and I think we waiting around 15 minutes or so. We were very happy with that! Selah, Wanda and I rode together and Asher and Jamie rode together. We all loved it! Selah was a little fussy at first because she didn't want to stop playing with her iPad but once the ride started she settled right in for it. She didn't wear the glasses or play the game but she loved it when we would spin around. After we got off the ride Jamie decided to grab fast passes for it for later in the day. By that time the fast pass time was at 6pm.




She is happy here but she was very much not happy shortly after this picture.

See


After this we decide to go see Disney Jr. Live on Stage and see if this would make Selah happy. She was really not in the wonderful mood that she had been in the day before. She just wanted to sit in her stroller and play her iPad. She was really stuck in her own little world. Not that this is unusual but we wanted her to have fun like she did the day before. So off to Disney Jr. we went.

Up Next: Will Disney Jr. Pull Selah Back Out? A Battle is Still to Come

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by KMB733

Cute pictures with the Princesses!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by shnewell

Great photos! The picture of Asher with Zurg is hilarious. I love the look on Selah's face in the Cinderella photo -- she looks quite pleased to share her sticker!

Thanks! He loves the silly poses. She was so cute when she gave it to her and waited expectantly for her to open that stuck sticker. It was very crumpled up.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great pictures!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by mcc0313

What a great first park day - glad Selah enjoyed the rides so much, sounds like you are going to have a little ride junkie on your hands. Her meeting with Mickey and Minnie - I had tears in my eyes as you described it. What an amazing moment for all of you....

I think we do have a ride junkie. Her meeting with them was so incredible!

Originally Posted by m.mouse

What a great first day! I your description of the Minne and Mickey interaction with Selah, how precious!! Can't wait for more!

Thanks! It was so incredible!

Originally Posted by lauriep

I don't know what Selah is looking at in the teaser picture, but what a beautiful photo! She has such a peaceful and happy look on her lovely face.

We love this picture of her. I actually took it with my phone and I was reaching around to take it and could not see what I was taking a picture of. I was just hoping I was getting her expression. It was another awesome moment that I will tell you all about... later.

Originally Posted by Aspen

Awesome trip report! I'm really enjoying it.

Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily

What is she looking at?? More please!

Can't wait to tell you! It was another magical moment.

Originally Posted by Cam22

We've had Mousekeeping forget to take the envelope and Stefanie is always dismayed. Love the pictures and can't wait to find out what has Selah's attention.

I think Mousekeeping did not realize it was for them because it was small and not a typical envelope. More on that later though.
I can't wait to share with you what she is looking at but... I will have to.

Originally Posted by queen2

I agree, priceless

[alexsmommy0412]

I hope Selah's day gets better but from the sound of what's to come that's not the case. I know what you mean about the character pace at Hollywood and Vine they seemed to be rushed. Looking forward to more!

[chezp]

I hope the day improves for Selah, but I'm not holding my breath from the teaser to the next installment...

[queen2]

loving your report & pictures

[cindybelle]

The teaser pic of Selah is precious, as is Asher's Zurg pic. Thinking about your crowded breakfast, I wonder if you've been to Akershus at Norway (Epcot). The princesses take their time interacting with the guests, and the tables are nicely spaced. I think Asher would enjoy it too.

More, please!

[Colexis Mom]

Sorry Selah doesn't seem to be enjoying herself as much as yesterday! Great picctures!

[2Peanuts]

I love how magical everything is for your family so far! It's so great to read about all the wonderful memories you're making there. You & Jamie do a great job of balancing between helping Selah and Asher each have the best vacation possible!

Can Wanda come with my family on our next vacation?

[stardust190]

Sorry Selah is having a bit of a rough day. Hopefully something sparks her interest and she has a wonderful time for the rest of the day. I also hope the wait list works out and your son is able to have some Jedi fun!

[2Peanuts]

Ack! When I posted my earlier comment, I hadn't yet seen the DHS installment!

Hope the day improves and that you find something that brings a smile back to Selah's face. Despite her tears, it looks like your family is still having a great time!

Carol

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by alexsmommy0412

I hope Selah's day gets better but from the sound of what's to come that's not the case. I know what you mean about the character pace at Hollywood and Vine they seemed to be rushed. Looking forward to more!

Selah's day does get better! More coming right up!

Originally Posted by chezp

I hope the day improves for Selah, but I'm not holding my breath from the teaser to the next installment...

It gets better! That teaser was a little misleading .

Originally Posted by queen2

loving your report & pictures

Thanks!

Originally Posted by cindybelle

The teaser pic of Selah is precious, as is Asher's Zurg pic. Thinking about your crowded breakfast, I wonder if you've been to Akershus at Norway (Epcot). The princesses take their time interacting with the guests, and the tables are nicely spaced. I think Asher would enjoy it too.

More, please!

Thanks! We love that pic of her! Asher's pic with Zurg is one that he does every trip. He loves that pic! We have not done the breakfast at Akershus but after seeing it in so many TR's we might have to try it. It wasn't on my radar for this trip because Selah doesn't know anything about the Princesses and Asher... well. You know, boys. We will definitely have to consider it for the next trip though. Asher will be more than happy to go if it's for Selah. He would do anything for her. I think Selah would enjoy the interaction with the Princess now that we have seen how she does with Disney in general but when planning this trip I just didn't know what to expect.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry Selah doesn't seem to be enjoying herself as much as yesterday! Great picctures!

Things start improving!

Originally Posted by 2Peanuts

I love how magical everything is for your family so far! It's so great to read about all the wonderful memories you're making there. You & Jamie do a great job of balancing between helping Selah and Asher each have the best vacation possible!

Can Wanda come with my family on our next vacation?

Thanks! We did make some great memories! It's not easy to find that balance all the time but it something we have always tried to do. It would be very easy to get caught up in everything Selah has going on and not give Asher the attention he deserves but we set our minds to not doing that when things started happening with Selah.

Wanda would probably love to come since the next time we go we told my mom she could go with us!

Originally Posted by stardust190

Sorry Selah is having a bit of a rough day. Hopefully something sparks her interest and she has a wonderful time for the rest of the day. I also hope the wait list works out and your son is able to have some Jedi fun!

Things start looking up for all of us!

Originally Posted by 2Peanuts

Ack! When I posted my earlier comment, I hadn't yet seen the DHS installment!

Hope the day improves and that you find something that brings a smile back to Selah's face. Despite her tears, it looks like your family is still having a great time!

Carol

I knew from your comments that you had not read the latest update yet. Things do get better.

[Tabitha34]

Hollywood Studios Part 2. Will Disney Jr. Pull Selah Back Out? A Battle is Still to Come.

As luck would have it, or as I like to say, our awesome timing would have it, we arrive just in time for the next show. It was starting in 5 minutes! We decided to keep Selah in her stroller. Two reasons, 1) she was not in a good mood and I knew that she would be happiest there and 2) if she was not strapped into her stroller then she would probably try to run away and then she would scream when we didn't let her. Stroller it is. For those of you who have not done this attraction. It is a Disney Jr. show and there are no seats. Everyone sits on the floor. There are a few benches around the back wall and side wall for some adults. Because everyone sits on the floor the wheelchair spots are in the very back which for the most part is fine but during the show bubbles fall from the ceiling. They didn't quite make it to us. Selah loves bubbles so she probably would have responded to them if they were falling around her. Now back to the story. We take our spot in the back and get settled in for the show. This was a favorite of Asher's when he was little. It is all different now with the new Disney Jr. shows. Asher, even though he is 9, still liked the show. Not loved but liked. Selah sat and played with her iPad. When the show started and she heard familiar music she looked up and smiled but was then right back in her game. I would tell her to look at different things and she would look up briefly and smile but went right back to her game. She just was not into yet that day.





We finish there and decide to take in The Great Movie Ride. This is a favorite of Mine, Jamie's and Asher. Wanda has not been on it and Selah went on it when she was little so she wouldn't remember it. We thought this would be a ride that Wanda would enjoy since we loved it so much. As we were heading over there we found Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet (no Pooh ). Their lines were short so we hopped in line. Selah still was not interested in anything other than her iPad. She did acknowledge them and smile but she was quickly back in her own little world. Side note. Several times while we were in line for them the CM with them kept trying to get us to park the stroller. I'm not sure why. The lines were not roped off and there was not a lot of people in them. I kept trying to tell him we needed her to stay in the stroller but he would immediately walk off as soon as he told us to park the stroller. He wouldn't stick around for an explanation. We didn't park the stroller and he eventually either saw our wheelchair tag or he gave up. Not sure which.






Sharing a sticker with Eeyore



Next up was The Great Movie Ride! We got in line and we were directed to our row. We ended up on the second row and Wanda and I were right behind the driver! We were excited. The ride starts. Selah is doing stickers now. She seems happy to be on a ride and she starts pointing at things and grinning. Yay! Hopefully she is getting in a better mood! We had a great driver and everything was wonderful until we were hijacked. Selah is loving the scenery and the noises. She thinks its pretty funny. We had the gangster hijacking. She really liked all the sound from the guns. Where is the problem? Wanda didn't like it! She liked the ride itself fine but she did not like the gangster. She said he was very rude and she was glad to have our driver back. I explained to her that he was suppose to act that way but she just said he was rude and he could be nicer. The rest of us had a great time though. Selah laughed at the gangster and he said to her (not knowing she has special needs), "what are you laughing at?" Then she laughs some more. If you say, laugh, silly or funny to Selah she will laugh. So he kept saying it and she kept laughing. It was funny. I don't know why Wanda didn't like him. Oh well.




Selah, look at the camera! What daddy? I'm trying to do my stickers.

We finish at TGMR and Selah is in a pretty good mood so we decide to go see about taking a ride on Star Tours. We are thinking that because Selah loved rides yesterday so much that maybe she will like this ride and help her mood even more. We get over there and again there is really no line. We were quickly led onto the ride and we had the front row! I'm on the very end and Selah is next to me, then Jamie, Asher and Wanda. Selah starts getting a little fussy waiting for the ride to start but once it starts she is all . Then she is giggling and squealing! We have a winner with Star Tours. There was a part where we go into light speed. From her reaction you would have thought we were really going into light speed. She was so funny! We all loved that ride. This was the first time that Asher, Jamie and I had done it since the refurb. We love the new ride! After we get off Jamie said it was almost time to check in for one of the Jedi Training Academy shows so he and Asher go on ahead to see if Asher can get in while Wanda and I get the stroller. When we get out to the stroller and start out to the store I start looking for my sunglasses. There is a parent console on the stroller and I had been putting them in one of the slots. They were not hidden and it was a good place to put them if I wanted them stolen. I thought they would be fine because the stroller was going to be right outside the door. When I look in the pocket they are not there. Great. I tried to remember if I had put them in there or did I take them on the ride with me? If I took them on the ride, did I accidentally throw them in the 3D glasses bucket? I don't know. I search the stroller and our bags with no luck. We are standing at the top of the ramp that leads into the store. I tell Wanda to wait there and I go to ask a CM if they found any. Maybe I left them in the storage under my seat in the ride? I don't know. The CM checks the storage under the seat just before another tour group leaves on their flight but they were not there. Then we check in the bucket I dropped my 3D glasses in but still nothing. Now I am thinking they were stollen. I go back out to Wanda and tell her they were not there and lets just go find Asher and Jamie. My cell rings and its Jamie. I tell him I can't find my sunglasses and that is what is taking us so long. He tells me they are in the parent console UNDER the flap. There are 2 parts to the console. I know this but I forgot to check that part! Yay! I have my sunglasses. Then he tells me Asher is in!! Yay! Wanda and I head over to get a spot at the stage for the show. So excited! We knew Asher really wanted to do this but when he didn't get in he didn't complain at all. We were really hoping he would be able to do it though. He had been so great on the trip. Usually he is our complainer and arguer. He is a great big brother and never complains about anything with Selah but everything else is fair game in his mind. He had not complained this whole trip. He also had not asked for anything this whole trip. What he had got was because we knew he wanted it and we encouraged him to get it. So we really wanted this for him. The kids come marching up to the stage area and get their robes on. I can tell Asher is excited . He gets to battle (this is where the battle comes in ) Darth Vader.







I didn't get great pictures of this but I will be posting more pics of everything once our photopass CD comes in.

He had a great time! We had a great time watching him! Selah had a great time playing her iPad. That was fine though because we were all able to watch Asher and take some pictures. When it was his turn to fight Darth Vader. All the kids were told to do the exact same thing. They all did their thing in slow motion but Asher got up there and he did exactly what he was suppose to do but he showed off his skills. The Jedi Master commended him on his abilities. He was really impressed. The secret to Asher skills you ask? Lots of Light saber duels on Wii. Of course, him being in Karate for 5 years might have a little something to do with it too. The Bo is his best weapon. Not the same as the sword but it still helps.

After the battle is over we all decide it is time for a snack and to find a spot for the parade. I know what I want for a snack! Jamie decides my idea for a snack sounds pretty good and he goes over to get it. Asher goes with him because there is an ice cream cart on the way and he wants a Mickey Ice Cream bar. I find a spot close by and once Asher has his ice cream he comes and sits with me while Jamie and Wanda go for the other snacks. You want to know what we got?



Mine was chocolate and peanut butter and Jamie's was redvelvet cake with cheesecake on top. I actually liked Jamie's a little better. It was a little lighter. They were both so yummy though.
Wanda wasn't hungry and she wanted to shop a little so it was just the 4 of us having a snack while waiting for the parade. While sitting there a camera crew comes up!? They come start talking to Asher and tell him they are shooting for a promo. He has just finished his Mickey bar and they start asking him questions. The only one I can remember is something about the Tower Of Terror. What show was it fashioned after? Or something like that. Asher answers Twilight Zone. They talked to him a little while longer. Then they tell him that when they ask for people to come out in the street that they want him to do exactly that. Hmm… What are they doing? A Flash Mob!! Asher loved it! Jamie and I stayed with Selah on the curb and held our spots while Asher had fun doing the flash mob.
Did I take pictures?? NO!! What was I thinking?! Well, I was enjoying watching Asher have so much fun dancing and I was also trying to keep our spots secure and not totally get crowded like the day before. Jamie was doing the same. Oh well.

Up Next: A Parade, A Fire, An Elevator and Two Crazy Guys