Everyone was excited for our day in Hollywood Studios aswe hadn't visited properly for some years. We were on the move by 8.15am and I even handed over the $25 parking fee with a big smile. Today also apparently the first day the new entrance for the car park had been opened so we were trail blazers.
After going through security which did seem tighter today after the overnight shootings in California we were let straight into the park some 15 minutes before the official opening. We headed at pace to the new Toy Story Land and the Slinky Dog Coaster. Even though it was not actually open until 9am there was already a 60 minute wait. As we had been unable to get fast passes for this, the fact we were all really keen to ride it and that the queue would only get longer (and we were right), we joined the end of the queue. It wasn't until they started to let the queue actually enter the proper queuing area that we started to find some shade. Even at that early hour the sun was burning hot. The forecast was for 31c today and it seemed as though it was going to hit that peak early. Karen had to keep leaving the queue to find shade to cool down. The predicted wait time was amazingly accurate but the time seemed to pass quickly as we all chatted amiably and played some games together on our phones.
We then criss crossed back and went and joined a 20 minute queue for Star Tours. This is one I normally come off thinking hmmm, that was OK I suppose. This time it all seemed newer to me and the film much sharper and better quality. I really enjoyed despite still not having watched a whole Star Wars film or understanding the underlying story.
Our next fast pass was back across the park at Rock n Roller Coaster which enabled us to walk straight on. I love this ride and it never lets me down. I think though if I saw the ride with the lights on I might feel different about riding it, but this is Disney and they do it well coupled with the Aerosmith loud music. I do think it maybe time they rested Aerosmith and replaced the theming in some other way.
We both enjoyed the Frozen show as it seemed to aimed at two levels - adults & children. Karen sang loudly doing the singing parts. As this was the first day of Christmas in this park, it also had a Christmas ending which was nice. It also snowed on the audience but that probably happens all year round.
As arranged we met the boys at the park exit as we had all agreed to go back to the Villa for a couple of hours to get out of the sun and chill by the pool. The beauty of the location of the villa is that it took us less than 20 minutes from leaving the park until we were back poolside.
Driving back Karen made Neil check that we still had the parking pass to get us back in later. He found it and put in the passenger door side pocket. At the villa we all sat outside having several drinks, fruit and frozen bananas.
As I drove up to the car parking booth I had the cash ready in my hand. Very politely I explained the situation to the attendant called Dieter. He just smiled and asked if he could scan my magic band which he did. He then said he could see we had been in the park earlier and waved us through! Result was that we felt we had been sprinkled with Pixie Dust and were all very happy with the outcome. Even more so as we were not trying to get something for nothing and were prepared to pay again. (I have since written to Disney to ask them to thank Dieter for his help).
We bounced back into the park, rejuvenated from our poolside rest. It felt like the start of a whole new visit to the park. As we arrived the sun started to set and the park took on a whole new feel with the usual lighting complimented by the Christmas lights and decorations twinkling. It looked and felt magical.
Our first stop was back in Toy Story Land where Neil had chosen for us to eat. It was a great choice where I had the best Theme Park food I had been served for a while. It may have been a simple grilled cheese sandwich, but it was delicious. Karen & Barry had Totnos which was some Chilli concoction to which they both added Grown Up Lemonade as their drink. This made Karen quite talkative. Neil had Braised Beef.
Then we used our final fast pass for Toy Story Mania, another of my favourites. I was convinced I had won with a score of 120k as I could see I had beaten Neil, but Barry surpassed that with 127k. Not so competitive Neil let that pass with a wry smile. This is another ride I would like to build in the garage at home.
We then went and watched in awe the Christmas Light show down Sunset Boulevard and projected onto Tower of Terror. It was terrific. It was great being snowed upon whilst in the dark with still sweltering temperatures. The lasers cutting across the snow gave a beautiful effect. The light show was stunning.
The boys then decided that they fancied riding Tower of Terror again, this time in the dark and so went off to do that whilst Karen & I had a relax outside Starbucks with a drink listening to the Christmas music. The boys were back with us after about 20 minutes which was perfect timing for us to get our places for the first of the shows that was taking place around and on the Chinese Theatre.
Neil knew where the prime spots were and we had just a 10 minute wait for the first show which was called Disney Delight. This was good but was really just a pre show for tonights main event 20 minutes later which was the first showing of the Christmas Show 'Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam'. This started really well with Christmas Music, projections and lots of fireworks. It lost its way with a contrived story in the middle but ended with a real bang and more snow. Karen & I felt it was a great start to Christmas.
Tired but all very happy we made our way slowly out of the park, under more Disney Snow and ended up all having a glass of wine/beer back in the Villa.
Another exciting day ended.