Today (May 17) we went to Hollywood Studios, which was unlike anything I have experienced before. There is something going on at every corner, there are characters singing and dancing, people acting out scenes, it was very busy. It was so busy, in fact, that I had completely forgotten to take a single picture until almost lunch time.
One ride that is housed at Hollywood Studios is "Tower of Terror". This ride KK waned to out due G. Mr H had told KK that G started crying when he went on this ride, so KK wanted to out due him and show him up. The wait wasn't too long and so we got fast passes and stood in line. The ride starts off bringing everyone into a run-down hotel and shows a video of "The Twilight Zone", and then they ushered everyone onto these elevators. The first time we went, I sat next to the wall, KK sat in the middle, and Mr H. was in the aisle. When the ride starts, you wind around then settle into a shaft that lifts to high into the air, then drops you. The sequence is totally random, up, down, UP, down, DOWN, etc. Every time you go on the ride it's different every time. KK LOVED the ride, as soon as he was strapped in his hands went high into the air. When the ride dropped, I was holding on for dear life and KK was over there hands high and legs up in the air...he was weightless and squealing with happiness. He is my adrenaline junky, loves the fast and crazy rides! After the line had gotten too long of a wait we decided to do some other things.
KK meeting Ferb, from Phineas and Ferb
I'm not quite sure about KK's face
We went to the "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show". I wasn't quite sure if KK would like it, but it was nice and cool and we were able to eat some food and enjoy the show. KK's favorite part was when Indiana Jones was crushed by the big boulder and how Indiana punched 2 guys off the roof. I was pleasantly surprised that KK enjoyed the show and now he wants to watch the movies...which we'll have to see about. I know Temple of Doom is a little dark for him
Mr H and KK were SO SUPER excited to wait in line to have pictures taken with McQueen and Mater
Look at KK's pose...he cracks me up
I GUESS I will be in the photo too!
I love my family
After lunch, there was some time before the next show we wanted to go to. While Mr H and KK went to "Tower of Terror" again I stayed in the shade of the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" set. I watched kids play and just enjoyed sitting. After I rested, I made my way over to the "Lights Motors Action" Cars Stunt Show. There was about an hour before the show, but I wanted good seats and I've heard that those seats fill up quickly. So I texted Mr H. to tell him where I was. Just before the gates opened there was a surge of people who started cutting and pushing their way to the front. It was kind of annoying...but I'm really good at ramming the stroller at people's ankles maneuvering around people. Mr H and KK found me about 15 mins before they opened the gates and once opened, they ushered us through and we found our seats...Mr H. picked them out...which was an awesome location!
The show was too cool, lots of racing, chasing, and explosions
The location of our seats was optimal for KK to be able to be a part of the show! They asked for volunteers to help them drive a car...instantly Mr H's hand rose into the air. Then they said their helper would need to be good with video games and less than 18 years old. KK jumped up on the bench with his hands flying around and the lady picked KK. Now I should mention is that this place was JAMMED packed with people, the place sits 5,000 people and there was no open area anywhere...so essentially out of 5,000 people, they had picked KK to help them with their show. He was so super duper shy and wanted me to come with him. Later, he told me if he's a little shy then he will pick dad to go with him, but if he is super shy he will pick mom. So he must has been super shy to have picked me. Mr H. got it caught on video. It was so cool to get this experience with him.
After the Stunt show we decided to go to the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" set which was a huge kids playground that squirted water every which way
At the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" set KK gave a scare. There were these stairs that lead to 3 slides. I watched one slide, Mr H watched the other, and I suppose that KK went down the other because for about 3 mins (felt like 10 mins) we couldn't find him. Remember I talked about the whistle we gave him? Well, he wasn't going to use it because he didn't think he was lost! My mind was going crazy. Luckily, there was only 1 way in and 1 way out. If I just stood by the entrance/exit, hopefully eventually I would find him. Mr H. finally found him and once I saw him, I couldn't even stand anymore. I had to sit down. I watched that boy like a hawk after that.
Anyone recognize this!?
From "Flight of the Navigator" I loved this movie growing up
While we were at Hollywood Studios, it was Star Wars weekend and a ton of Star Wars characters and a ton of Star Wars fans. We're not really Star Wars fans but KK was able to get a Storm Trooper's autograph.
Toy Soldier KK was able to meet
Waiting in the Toy Story line. This was the longest wait we experienced for a ride...70 mins!
Goofy Face
At least they had fun little things to look at. The whole area looked like Andy's Room, it was pretty neat
Waiting for Fantasmic to start...my lap is getting too small for both my belly and KK on it!
This was an awesome show!
All the characters waving to us
It was sad to know that our time in Florida was coming to an end. We have had a lot of fun. Only one more day at Disney. We can't wait to come back!
Today (May 16) we went to Animal Kingdom to eat breakfast with a bunch of the characters. I love how Disney is so accommodating with those with allergies. The chef came out and personally went through the menu with me...told me what to avoid, which things he wasn't quite sure of, and which food items were perfectly fine for me. For those curious minds out there...I am allergic to celery/celery seeds and sunflower seeds/oil. I have to read labels a lot...even on health and beauty items. Once I had a reaction and realized that there was sunflower oil in the lotion! I have to carry an epi-pen with me everywhere I go because I have gone into anaphylactic shock a couple times before so now I need to carry one around.
Actually, the first time I ate sunflower seeds, I was at a friends house and my throat started getting very itchy and I was having a hard time breathing so I went home (I was probably 10 or 11) thinking that I was having an asthma attack (which I also had as a child) and when I got home my mom made me mad about something...I don't even know what it was about, but I stomped into my room and curled up into a ball fighting to breath and just kept thinking "FINE, my mom can just find me here dead!" I really thought that I was going to die...it was a pretty bad reaction. I am VERY lucky, however, that I didn't die. My mom knows that story and feels bad for whatever it was that made me not want to tell her that I couldn't breathe and my throat was closing. Thank goodness kids are resilient. Anyway, back to Animal Kingdom....
Waiting to eat Breakfast
Donald Duck greeted us at the entrance
Mickey Mouse!
Daisy Duck
Mr H. wanted to get into the picture as well, since he was wearing a Goofy shirt
These were maracas that the kids shook while dancing with the characters. I had to take a picture with KK at least shaking it. He was in the bathroom while the dancing took place.
After breakfast we stood in line for a safari ride. KK was being goofy showing us what he would look like with a mustache
KK took this picture of Nugget, he wanted Nugget to be in the pictures too. Look how swollen my hands are getting...
KK said, "Strike a Pose"
Just before the ride
A Black Rhino, which are endangered
Hippos, KK enjoyed these animals
Did you know the reason crocs keep their mouths open like that is to regulate their temperature? I didn't, until this safari
Giraffes, they were so awesome
I love the elephants
My Boys!
Family Photo
KK loved beating the drums
That archway that I am about to go under was actually a person on stilts. It was pretty awesome!
We got soaked a couple times on Kali River Rapids. KK LOVED this ride...you never knew who was going to get the most wet and 2 out of 3 times we went...we got soaked!
My Goofy K's
So after we went on all the rides and saw everything we wanted to at Animal Kingdom we went to Blizzard Beach for a couple hours. We went on a couple water slides and spent the rest of the time in the wave pool. But before we went to the wave pool I needed to use the bathroom so while the boys were at the pool, I went to find a bathroom and on my way I happened upon a woman who had a seizure. I was able to use my nursing skills and got her on her side so she wouldn't aspirate. I stayed until the paramedics got there. I wasn't quite sure if they were medical staff....they looked like lifeguards, so I asked if they were Medics. I didn't want to "give up" what I was doing to someone who wasn't qualified. The whole time I was there, I kept thinking. I need my oxygen and mask and other medical supplies. It was a scary situation but I knew that I could handle it. I am grateful for my knowledge...that knowledge can be taken with me wherever I go! But after the excitement I was finally able to go to the bathroom, then spend a little time with my boys at the wave pool. After Blizzard Beach closed we decided to go back to our hotel and eat, rest, and get ready to go back to Magic Kingdom.
Look at my poor tired, swollen feet...
This was a nice slower train ride
Nugget picture
Buzz Lightyear...KK being so silly!
So we didn't think KK was tall enough to go on Space Mountain, and was surprised when he was! This ride freaked me out a little because he was sitting in a seat by himself and I couldn't hold onto him to make sure he was alright. I told him to hold onto the lap bar, or else he would've raised his arms in the air and this ride was pitch black...you never knew which way the coaster turned...it was quite an experience. And of course, KK LOVED it
He is ready for the night life!
We had a really fun time today. We were VERY busy, but it was a good day. I love spending time with my family!
Today (15 May) we went to Cocoa Beach, Florida. The beach was busy, but we found a nice area to set ourselves up at. We decided to rent a tent, 2 chairs, and a boogie board. It worked out great, we had a lot of fun with the boogie board, KK and Mr H caught some good waves, but I should say that I caught the best ones. The waves were rough and strong...I am SOOO thankful and grateful that Mr H and I decided to buy a life vest before our trip. Those waves could have easily knocked KK down and rattled him around, with the life vest he was able to float around close to us. I just felt a TON more comfortable.
KK wanted to be buried in the sand
Mr H's turn...I was buried too but I thought better of posting the picture once I saw my double chin
Mr H. wanted to try the boogie board by himself, without hauling a 6 year old along through the waves. I was dead tired from being in the ocean and KK saw two college kids digging up the sand. KK asked if he could help them and I told him to go and ask. The college guys were so nice and accommodating to KK, they didn't really know what they were building but let KK help. KK was in heaven...he LOVED it and I just watched him.
Hanging out
Pretty Proud of his creation
This is the moat that KK helped to build
Another side to it
This was KK's contribution
Once Mr H. was finished with the boogie board he came back and talked with the college boys and thanked them for letting KK play over there with them. And Mr H. got down and started digging up with them too. It was so tender to see my boys playing in the sand together. Mr H. is a WONDERFUL father...KK loves him so much.
Mr H. and KK playing
I love these Beach Boys!
Look at my freckles...my children are doomed!
Not only did we go to the beach to see the ocean today, but we went to the beach to see a launch of a Atlas 5 Rocket from Cape Canaveral, which was putting an Air Force GPS satellite in orbit. It was pretty cool, I had never seen a rocket being blasted into outer space before. KK wasn't too interested, he looked for about 2 seconds then went back to digging the moat. It was pretty neat...the rumble of the rocket was incredible, even being about 10 miles away.
We had a fun day at the beach
Today was a total success and KK asked when we could go back to the beach again...he LOVES the water. He's my little beach bum all the way! I'm so glad I got this experience with my family. I can't wait to come back!
OH! I almost forgot to mention that the next day, after the beach, Mr H. realized that his wedding ring was missing. He is pretty sure that the strength of the waves just took it right off his hand! Looks like we need to buy another one for him!
