Disney World - Day 7

April 16, 2012 – Monday - Byron’s Birthday!!!!! He opened his presents from his parents and Melissa. I will be giving him his present after we get home. It was hard to know what to do as it is kind of hard to bring the gifts along especially since we have so much luggage as it is. We had fun singing Happy Birthday to his during breakfast. We left to head to Hollywood Studios at 8:00 a.m. arriving around 8:25 a.m. Before going through the gates, we saw Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck. We waited in line for about 10 minutes so we could get a picture with them. They are so cute – every time we see characters, there is always such a huge line and we usually don’t want to take the time to spend in those lines. So it was nice to see a short line, for a change, and really get a picture with them.

Byron ran to get FASTPASSES for Toy Story Mania as Mom Beck, Melissa, and the 5 oldest kids all went to ride “Rock n Roller Coaster.” It was pretty similar to California Screamer, but was mostly in the dark. The first part takes off really fast and does a couple of full circles and a corkscrew. It was quite exhilarating and fun! I don’t think Melissa and Mom thought it was very fun as the take off part threw them for a loop. Then Melissa and the 5 oldest kids went on Tower of Terror. I vowed after riding this ride last time we were at California Adventure I would never go on it again. It has too much drops for my liking.

They have an American Idol show that you can actually try out for. Camille ended up trying out and I was able to go in with her. We went into a small room with one man at a desk. He had Camille sing anything she wanted. After that he asked her if she could sing anything in the list they had provided. She ended up singing Reflections. I think if she would have thought about it more, she could have come up with a better song for her voice. The man was very nice, but said that she went flat a few times. Camille has such an amazing alto voice that I guess the other song was a little high (especially when she probably started on a higher note than she should have). She was bummed, but I thought it was great she at least tried out. She has so much confidence – it amazes me!!!

We enjoyed going on Star Tours next – It has been redone since I have ridden it last and boy has the improvements been awesome. It is in 3-D. Camille was picked to be the Rebel Spy on board and her picture showed up at one part on the screen. It was really fun to have her picked. During the day we ended up riding this ride about 5 times and each ride was totally different.

Some of our favorite rides were Toy Story Mania, Backlot Tour (like the tram ride at Universal Studios), the Lights Motor Action show, Muppet Vision 3D, Indiana Jones Stunt show, Star Tours, Beauty and the Beast show, Rock n Roller Coaster and the Great Movie Ride. The shows were top notch and so much fun to see. The Lights Motor Action show was a very high action car chase. It was amazing!!! We all were so glad we were able to see it.

We didn’t end up watching Fantasmic in the evening as the kids were anxious to continue riding some of their favorite rides again. Dad & Mom Beck along with Melissa ended up going to the show, though and said it was amazing.

Carter, Johnathan, Parker & Bradley on the tram ride in the parking lot.  Four very excited boys!

 Whose children are these anyways? 

 Waiting for Star Tours to start.

 Toy Story Mania - love, love, love this ride!

 

 Instead of standing in the ridiculous lines, we chose to take the picture from a distance. 

 Waiting outside of Rock N Roller Coaster for the older kids and Byron to come out.