Wrote this a long time ago and forgot to post :
Im excited to write about our wonderful vacation! FYI, this post will be a update on our vacation as well as a reference guide for me to go back to if we ever have the chance to return someday.
Our trip started out a little stressful with a flight delay and the fact that the early bird check in we paid for to auto check us in didn't go through. Because we were flying Southwest and they have open seating we were put in a later boarding group which was give us less of a chance to sit together. With it being Owen's first flight we were really looking forward to all being together. We ended up putting up a bit of a stink at the gate and one of the gate agents was kind enough to let our whole family pre-board.
We arrived into Orlando about an hour late at 9:30. We took Disney's Magical Express Bus to our hotel. It was a nice service, we didn't wait long for a bus but did stop at a few other hotels since it was late at night. We had ordered some groceries from a delivery service and they were waiting for us in the refridgerator at Bell service. Our bellhop loaded us up along with our groceries and luggage and shuttled us to our room. I have to say the grocery service was really nice even though I think I over ordered. We didn't end up eating as many breakfasts in our room as I had planned. One thing I would change is to arrive a bit earlier in the day. The kids even though tired were really excited and then there is unpacking. Needless to say it was a short nights sleep as we hit the pavement running early on Wednesday.
Wednesday morning was Hollywood studios. We were to the bus stop just after 8am and at the park before 8:30. Gates opened at 9am. As soon as the gates opened was when it started to rain. Our plan was to spit up right away. Owen wanted to do the Jedi training and I knew we had to get in line right away to sign up since there were only so many spots. I sent Grace and Aaron to Rockin Rollercoaster beacuse I knew that would have a long line later in the day and that was one ride Owen and I wouldn't ride. By this time it was pouring rain so we broke out the ponchos. Note: buy nicer ponchos We got Owen signed up for Jedi training only to be told that if it was raining they wouldn't be able to complete the training but would do something special for them. Owen was signed up for 10:40 and we prayed the rain would lift by then. Of course it hadn't but they took the kids in to meet Darth Vader which was still special because Darth no longer does meet and greets! Hollywood Studios was a good park for a rainy day. Alot of the attractions were inside. Rain did let up a little early around 11:30. The rest of the day was beautful. Owen loved all the Star Wars attractions and was so excited seeing the storm troopers roaming around the park. It was a very light day for crowds we didn't wait long at all in any of the lines. We had a few fast passes to skip a few lines. Aaron and Grace had Tower of Terror while Owen and I did Muppets 3D, we all had Star Tours and Toy Story. I got to meet John Stamos in the Star Wars Launch bay as he was walking through!!! I really liked Hollywood Studios. Its a smaller more manageable park. We got to meet alot of characters including Minnie, Chewbaca, Kylo Ren, Green Army Men, Buzz and Woody from Toy Story. We had a good lunch at Dockside Diner and our Darth Vader cupcakes for our dinner dessert at ABC Commisary were amazing. We purchased the quick service dining plan for the week. This included 2 quick service meals and 1 snack per day per person. Each Quick Service meal included a drink, entree, side and dessert. It was a lot of food. At the resort we had refillable mugs that we could use anytime we wanted coffe, tea, or soda unlimited. That meant when we ate at the resort we had the option of two beverages! We thought the meal plan was pretty worth the price. Each of our meals seemed to total up to over $70 before they took off for our meal plan. Quick service is basically fast food Disney style. The food was good for fast food. We even had steak at Hollywood Studios. We had one sit down meal we paid out of pocket for and the was Chef Mickey's.
