The Watsons Go to Disney! (Day One!)

We had so much fun in Disney last year, that we just had to do it again!  Tom Watson worked for months, practically, planning the trip for us, booking the resort, outlining our days, and making reservations for our meals.  And it all paid off- we had such a wonderful time!  

In a tram on the Studio Back-lot Tour. 

Our trip started unexpectedly on Thursday night when our first snow storm in two years rolled in, and we were worried about not making it to our early flight on Friday morning.  Thus, we hurried to pack up after school and drove to Stacy's to spend the night closer to the airport.  The next morning we woke up before 5:00 to have plenty of time to park and check in before our 7:00 AM flight.  On the way, Whitley asked if we were almost there, and we had to say not yet.  She pouted and said, "It takes a long time to get to Disney."  And on the shuttle bus from park-n-ride she said, "It takes a long time to get to Disney."  And she also said it on the airplane, waiting for our bus to the resort, on the bus to the resort, on the bus to the park... After that extended morning, I was thinking "It takes a long time to get to Disney," too!  But get there we did; we arrived at Hollywood Studies right at 11:00.  We headed to Star Tours first, and they were doing the Jedi training that Drew participated in last year.  Whitley was pumped to see Darth Vader, and squealed and laughed all through the ride.  (I was so happy for her!  She wasn't afraid of any of the "dark" rides this year, and rode so much!)  It rained off and on, but nothing heavy, and didn't really bother us a bit.  We rode a few  different things this year- we tried the Studio Backlot Tour and the Great Movie Ride.  Whitley played for a long time in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" area, a fun place to get out of rain.  We enjoyed the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast show, and the Toy Story Midway again, but probably the high-light of the day was our dinner!  Our first sit-down meal of the trip was at the Sci-Fi "drive-in,"  and we were  tickled to be seated in our own pink car to watch the show.  That night we poked around the hotel a bit before heading to bed early- 8:45!  But we all needed our rest; we were just getting started.  :) 

As small as an ant in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" playground.

Sliding down a roll of film.

Playing in a spider web.  

Not sure what that is supposed to be, actually.  

First character of the trip- Jake the Neverland Pirate!  There was no line so we just ran right up to him.  Fun! 

A snapshot in downtown NY.  

And then over to San Fran.  (Whitley's photography, of course.)

Stopped by to see Lightning McQueen and Mater again.  

Almost our turn for Star Tours!

At the drive-in.  Our waiter was so funny!  He wanted to take a ton of pictures.  

There was a special kids' menu for the meal plan holders.  Whitley ate all her favorites all weekend!  Hot dog and Goldfish crackers here.  

The waiter had me get in the back seat for the photos, instead of sitting by Whitley, and told  Tom and I to "have some fun," and to act like we mean it!  Goodness!