Disney 2012 - Part 4

Wow... so I didn't intend on leaving you hanging for that long.  Sorry about that.
(The blog thing.  It's a love/hate deal these days.)

So, back to our Hoodenpyle vacation updates.  We visited Disney's Hollywood Studios on Day 4 of our trip to Orlando.  Day 5 was a return trip to the Magic Kingdom, but we've discussed that.  And it was just more of the same... Emma obsessing over Dopey.  :)

Hollywood Studios is one of my favorites.  Thrill rides a'plenty, and our favorite movie themed attractions around every corner.  There's something for everyone.

Mickey's gigantic wizard hat at the entrance to the park.

 Emma flirts with one of the soldier figurines (come to life) from Toy Story.

 These guys were sprinkled throughout a certain section of the park.  They never said a word and sometimes would stand frozen in place for the longest time.  Initially, you weren't sure if they were people or just very lifelike statues.  It was a kick to watch people poke them and try to make them move.  And every time they did, was a big startle from the surrounding crowd.  Good candid camera material. 

This guy here grabbed us and decided it was time for a group nap.

 

Later, we met up with Sully and Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.  Mike is sort of creepy, but he provided one of my favorite shots of Jack.  Makes me laugh every time I look at it.

 Sully is furry and lovable.  And he and Emma hit it off really well,
 as you'll see below...

 My absolute favorite ride of any of the days, hands down, was the Toy Story Mania!  It's a new one, and if any part of you remembers and is still in love with the video game "Duck Hunt"... then you'll be smitten with this ride too.  We rode it twice, but I could've spent all day there.

 

 One of Jim's favorites is actually not a ride, but the car stunt show.  The show features drivers spinning really fast little sports cars this way and that in super tight spaces.... all in an attempt to show the audience how action movies (with those crazy car chases) are actually filmed.  We learned all the trick shots and "magic" behind the scenes.  Packs of cars moving in very tight choreographed wheelies, jumps, burn-outs, and spins.  It's like synchronized swimming... only... um.. cars and stuff.

The show was much the same as when we visited five years ago, but Jim smiled like it was the very first time.  Special guest appearance by Lightning McQueen... That was fun for the kids!

If you ever get to Hollywood Studies, be sure and stay until dark to see "Fantasmic"-- a special light/music/water show down in the amphitheater.  Whoa!  A-maz-ing!

I can't even begin to do it justice with the camera.  Water on fire.  Fountains that turn into projection "screens" of every Disney movie you can likely name.  Fireworks.  Boats.  Live character action.  Music.  It was just incredible.

And I bet Emma spotted Dopey before you did.  I'm just sayin'.

Now... about that lingering question from Part 1, "Did Emma convince her dad to take her along with Jack to get on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror?"

  Although she tried with all her might... and maybe even added a little bit of foot stomping... 

We. Knew. Better.

She and I had a grand time sitting on the curb, eating a gigantic hot fudge sundae instead.  Life immediately became fair again, in her eyes.  No worries at all.

To wrap up the stories of our vacation, I'll leave you with a little clip of Emma.  While we waited for the nighttime light show, she got the crowd warmed up.

Girl's got fantasmic moves.