Yo-Ho, Here We Go!

Well we started our tour of the Disney Parks with Hollywood Studios. Walking around the park is like walking through classic film sets, including the people working there. Street performers acted out classic gags and resembles extras from films like "Casablanca". Our 1st top was "Disney Junior: Live!". It was amazing! Not just for Claire, but it was Mandi's first taste of Disney magic as well. Claire got to dance and play along with Mickey and the gang as they tried to help make a surprise party for Minnie.

Next we watched Ariel retell her story of "The Little Mermaid" in person. After the show, we split up briefly. Grandma, Katie, Sean, and Dad went to the Tower of Terror (a Disney MUST), and Grandpa, Mandi, and Claire went to watch "Beauty & the Beast - Live". Claire expressed to us that when she grows bigger, her dresses will get bigger and bigger, then Belle will go away and she'll be on stage... Oh, and she'll have Belle's voice. (Dad has no objections to this game plan.)

We went to a diner for lunch that is set up like a 1950's home. With the cheesy couch patterns, classic table tops, and a waitress that refers to herself as "Aunt Deb". She even gives your kid grief if they don't eat their veggies.

After lunch we watched the Pixar Parade, which was an awesome celebration of our favorite Pixar Pals. We went to Muppets in 3-D after that, which is ALWAYS a favorite for Ben. After that we separated again. Katie and Sean went to check out the Indiana Jones experience and the Star Wars 3-D ride. The rest checked out some of the behind-the-scenes stuff from Narnia and then we saw...

WOODY AND BUZZ! The whole family got very amped up for Claire to get her first meet and greet and autographs. She was so excited until she got right there. Then she became smitten. Woody and Buzz were super friendly (of course) and the whole family got in on the action. Buzz was kinda flirty with the ladies, kissing their hands, but that's the kind of personality you expect from an A-lister.

After Claire got her autographs, we got on everybody's favorite ride for the day. Toy Story Mania was an awesome ride that incorporated a ride and 3D video gaming experience. We then stopped at Rock'n Roller Coaster, which was pretty intense. Grandpa got us 3rd row seats to Fantasmic while went, and we were able to get ready a magical light and water spectacular! It was... cancelled because while we waited for it to start it began to down pour. We scurried with the others back to our awesome rental van, and back to our hotel. Claire conked out almost immediately afterward. It was incredible first day, seriously, The Incredibles were there. I hope our next stop can keep up the momentum. Yo-Ho, here we go, EPCOT!