We are back for Day 2 of Star Wars weekends! We realized last year that there is just too much to do, too many characters to meet, and rides to enjoy to do it all in one day. So, we divided everything up that we wanted to experience and spread it out over two days to Hollywood Studios....much better plan!
Only during Star Wars weekends does Holly Studios have a parade. And what we learned last year is that this is a VERY popular event! If you want a front row spot for viewing, you must be here an hour before start time. If you want a front row spot on the shaded side of the street, you must arrive at least TWO hours early! Ridiculous, but I wanted a good spot. So, when we got here at 9am, Grant and I found the shade, laid out our ponchos to reserve real estate space for the five of us, and hung out enjoying snacks. And see that man holding an orange hat standing next to Jon, he and his boyfriend became our friends. When Grant needed to go to the bathroom or needed to walk around, they guarded our space and vice versa. Then when parade time was nearing and people tried to crowd in on the spots we had "reserved" for two hours, they boldly let people know that we had been sitting for two hours while they were enjoying rides and attractions...next time they can skip that and sit on the street for a front row like us! They were great! If only they could accompany us to all Disney parades... I do get very irritated with the rude people who come up minutes before parade time and try to squeeze in to the available INCH that I purposefully left for my sweat to drip.
After battling parade watchers, our spots were secure and it was showtime!
Of course, Jedi Mickey led the Star Wars brigade.
The characters in the parade looked amazing...so I took lots of pictures!
The parade was everything we hoped it would be.
The kids enjoyed all the characters and the interaction they got with several along the route.
Afterwards, it was time to meet Darth Maul!
I don't remember the name of this Cast Member, but he was awesome!
He saw Grant pushing his siblings and messing with the ropes after being told to stop. He then came up to Grant and had a very adult-like one on one conversation with him about good vs. evil. he told Grant the force was strong with him but it would ultimately be up to Grant to decide if he would use that for good or evil....amazing!!! Grant hung on to every word!
Because we were almost to the front of the line when that conversation happened, Darth Maul had overheard a bit of it. He then took special interest in Grant, I think trying to pull him over to the Dark Side! What he doesn't know is that Grant has lots of people praying for him who won't let him ever join that team!
Kate with a Storm Trooper
This playground is slated to be torn down with all the renovations next year,
so we wanted to make sure and get in one last time here in case it's gone before we get back.
Guess who is finally tall enough to ride Aerosmith's Rocking Roller Coaster....Gabe!!!
And what that means is that he is now tall enough to ride every single ride at Disney!
Finally 48"!!!
He smiled the whole way in!
We were about 3 minutes from the front of the line when guess what...the ride broke down!
Within seconds they were filing us out through a back hallway....and I was so upset!
This stationary car was in the hall so the kids hoped in to at least pretend we were about to ride. :(
Sometimes God surprises us. The kids and I were audibly upset since this would have been Gabe's first time to ride, and we had not planned to come back to this park again this trip. We walked out and were headed away from the ride when a lady came running up to us. She was apparently in the line with us and knew how frustrated we were and felt sorry for the kids. They were headed home and somehow had this amazing fastpass for any ride in the park for up to 5 people! What in the world?!? I had never seen a pass like this before and "rider's swap" passes are only good for 3. So for this to be for 5 people and for any ride and given by a total stranger was incredible! Thank you to the very generous stranger!!!
So, where did we head, Toy Story Midway Mania....with a 2 hour wait!
We weren't able to get fastpasses for this ride and of course had no intentions of waiting in line for 2 hours. The kids and Jon all love this ride.....amazing gift from a stranger!
Loved randomly running in to characters on the street!
I wish I knew the names of all of these "people," but of course I am not actually a fan of Star Wars.
That said, my family loves the movies and I love them, so I enjoy seeing them have fun!
I don't think this creature knew what it was getting itself into when it began a battle with Grant!
Just before leaving for the night we checked the Disney app and guess what?!?
The Rocking Roller Coaster had re-opened!!!! We had fastpasses from when the ride broke earlier and this time we kept our fingers crossed....and we made it on! Gabe LOVED it!!!
