05/04 - DHS / Epcot / Magic Kingdom

While Samantha, Jayden, and I went in to Hollywood Studios, Tara rode the Skyliner over to Epcot to pass in before park-hopping back over to join us. She took a few photos

Epcot
		Some of the Epcot scenery after getting off the Skyliner.
		Tara trying to stay dry while making her way to the France pavilion.
		A couple more shots of the Epcot landscaping...

While the Samantha, Jayden, and I waited for Tara's arrival, we decided to go for a ride on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, as this is not one Tara cares to ride, and the wait wasn't too bad (and the outside part of the queue wasn't too full, key for standing outside in the rain!). As always, we enjoyed our time on this ride, and I would be happy to ride it more often - if only my park companions enjoyed it more!

After we got off The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, we headed over to the Sunset Ranch Market to pick up a couple of souvenirs and a snack for Sam. Our first stop was at Fairfax Fair, where I picked up the too cool Jawa Sipper that talks and has eyes that lights up! Samantha picked up a Barbecued Beef Brisket Bowl (which is braised beef tossed in barbecue sauce and topped with pickled jalapeños, red onion, bacon, and corn chips served on house-made queso sauce and mashed potatoes in a waffle bowl) that she was nice enough to share with us. I didn't think the brisket was too bad, but I'm not a huge BBQ lover, so I don't see myself ordering it again in the future. We also made a stop at Rosie's All-American Café to grab a couple more Star Wars day souvenirs, this time in the form of a "Sith Lord Libation" and a "Chosen One Cooler". The Sith Lord Libation is a cherry limeade with a Darth Vader lightsaber swizzle stick, while the Chosen One Cooler is a sweet-and-sour citrus limeade served with a Skywalker lightsaber swizzle stick. The part I was most interested in where the lightsaber swizzle sticks - they light up!

Once the rain began to let up, we headed back to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to pick up the two new popcorn buckets for today. One was the Salvaged Clone Trooper popcorn bucket, which was similar to the Salvaged Stormtrooper Helmet that I got last year. The other is a really cool Death Star popcorn bucket that lights up and makes sounds as it discharges its weapon!

While we were nearby, we headed over to Grand Avenue to take in the Muppet«Vision 3D show for the final time, as it will be closing soon. While I think the show could have used an update to keep it fresh, it is still a sad day indeed as a part of history is now lost. After the show we headed over to the the Backlot Express to pick up a "Battle of Hoth Macaroon" (which is a toasted coconut macaroon on a cookie decorated with buttercream, shredded coconut, and a white chocolate AT-AT). Very cool looking, but a lot too much coconut for me!

We headed over to the Echo Lake area of the park to take in the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. Lots of good laughs here, and as always it is a joy to see the reactions of the little oens in the audience!

One last stop in Hollywood Studios for today - the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to pick up one final Star Wars day souvenir - the Coaxium sipper! Another cool souvenir from our trip!

We decided to head over to Disney's Magic Kingdom next, so see below for the rest of our day...

Disney's Hollywood Studios
		A look up at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror from the queue.
		Jayden and Samantha trying to look happy in the rain...

		...before Rodney snuck into their photo shoot as well!
		Rod, Sam, and Jay in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror queue.
		A look at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror lobby.
		Here is the view from the tower before our first drop....
		...and some hands going up into the air as we descended for the first time.
		Although hard to see, it was pouring down rain at this point of our day.
		After completing our ride on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, we headed over to the Fairfax Fare on Sunset Boulevard to pick up this really cool Jawa Sipper that talks and lights up!
		Sam enjoying a taste of the "Sith Lord Libation"...
		...while Jay gives the "Chosen One Cooler" a sample.
		The Sith Lord Libation and Chosen One Cooler next to each other...
		...with their light-up Lightsaber sticks that were included.
		Jay showing off the lightsabers that were included with our drinks.
		Sam unprepared to have her photo taken!
		A look towards the entrance to Toy Story Land.
		A couple shots of the renovated seating area at Wood's Lunch Box...

		Jayden and Samantha making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge...
		...as Tara trails behind (and Rodney even further back, taking pictures).
		A view of the crowded Market in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
		Tara got a Cold Brew Black Caf from Kat Saka's Kettle.
		Samantha and Jayden waiting to take pictures in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
		A couple of shots of various sights from down near the Millennium Falcon...

		Jay taking pictures of Sam...
		...posing in front of the Millennium Falcon.
		A couple more shots of the Millennium Falcon...
		...and the surrounding views.
		Jayden checking out the "Battle of Hoth Macaroon" that we bought at the Backlot Express.
		Another view of the "Battle of Hoth Macaroon" from the Backlot Express.
		A collage of Samantha and Jayden that Sam sent me created by her phone.

We made a quick pass through Epcot on our way to Disney's Magic Kingdom this afternoon. Here are a couple of photos from our walk through...

Epcot
		Here are some looks at the landscaping during the Flower & Garden Festival that was going on while we were there...



		Jayden going for a big bite of the Uncrustable sandwich at the Playalong Bay playground area...

We found ourselves at the Magic Kingdom after riding the monorail over from Epcot, and once inside the park we headed towards Frontierland. We made a pit stop along the way, stopping off at the Spring Roll Snack Cart in Adventureland to pick up my favorite, the pizza spring rolls.

We made another stop once we arrived in Frontierland, this time for a popcorn refill, before heading off to see the Country Bear Musical Jamboree show, as not all of us had seen it yet. As always, the show was enjoyable for all of us, and the new song selection definitely adds some new energy to the proceedings.

After seeing the show, we headed back to go for a ride on Tiana's Bayou Adventure, fully knowing that we would be getting wet. This was the first time on the ride for Tara, and we all ended up having an enjoyable experience all around.

That was it for our time at the Magic Kingdom, as we wanted to check these two rides off of our to-do list. Our next stop was back at Epcot, where we wanted to see what was available to taste at the the Flower & Garden Festival...

Disney's Magic Kingdom
		Our first activity in the Magic Kingdom was to take in the Country Bear Musical Jamboree!


		We then headed over to Tiana's Bayou Adventure for a trip through the bayou.
		Here are some views from the queue of the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride...




		In front, Tara and Jayden...
		...with Rodney and Samantha in the second row.
		Another shot of Tara, Rod, Sam, and Jay.
		A few pictures during the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride...

Before heading home for the day, we headed back to Epcot to browse the Flower & Garden Festival to see if there were any treats that we wanted to try out. This was a good way to end a great day at Walt Disney World!

Epcot
		The topiaries of the movie Moana (or Moana 2), including Maui, Hei Hei, Pua, and of course, Moana!
		Samantha as Louisa and Jayden as Mirabel, recreating the topiaries from the movie Encanto.
		Jayden waiting while Tara orders some food from the Flower & Garden Festival...


		One last look across the lake at Spaceship Earth before we head out for the day.

I-4 - Osceola County

A look four lanes across I-4 as we near Walt Disney World.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

We spotted this bumper sticker on a car in the parking lot.

The driver of this vehicle is apparently a fan of one of the Fett's - Jango or Boba!

Samantha showing off her new Star Wars sweatshirt, which is keeping her warm in the rain this morning!

Epcot

Some of the Epcot scenery after getting off the Skyliner.

Tara trying to stay dry while making her way to the France pavilion.

A couple more shots of the Epcot landscaping...

Disney's Hollywood Studios

A look up at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror from the queue.

Jayden and Samantha trying to look happy in the rain...

...before Rodney snuck into their photo shoot as well!

Rod, Sam, and Jay in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror queue.

A look at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror lobby.

Here is the view from the tower before our first drop....

...and some hands going up into the air as we descended for the first time.

Although hard to see, it was pouring down rain at this point of our day.

After completing our ride on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, we headed over to the Fairfax Fare on Sunset Boulevard to pick up this really cool Jawa Sipper that talks and lights up!

Sam enjoying a taste of the "Sith Lord Libation"...

...while Jay gives the "Chosen One Cooler" a sample.

The Sith Lord Libation and Chosen One Cooler next to each other...

...with their light-up Lightsaber sticks that were included.

Jay showing off the lightsabers that were included with our drinks.

Sam unprepared to have her photo taken!

A look towards the entrance to Toy Story Land.

A couple shots of the renovated seating area at Wood's Lunch Box...

Jayden and Samantha making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge...

...as Tara trails behind (and Rodney even further back, taking pictures).

A view of the crowded Market in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Tara got a Cold Brew Black Caf from Kat Saka's Kettle.

Samantha and Jayden waiting to take pictures in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

A couple of shots of various sights from down near the Millennium Falcon...

Jay taking pictures of Sam...

...posing in front of the Millennium Falcon.

A couple more shots of the Millennium Falcon...

...and the surrounding views.

Jayden checking out the "Battle of Hoth Macaroon" that we bought at the Backlot Express.

Another view of the "Battle of Hoth Macaroon" from the Backlot Express.

A collage of Samantha and Jayden that Sam sent me created by her phone.

Epcot

Here are some looks at the landscaping during the Flower & Garden Festival that was going on while we were there...

Jayden going for a big bite of the Uncrustable sandwich at the Playalong Bay playground area...

Disney's Magic Kingdom

Our first activity in the Magic Kingdom was to take in the Country Bear Musical Jamboree!

We then headed over to Tiana's Bayou Adventure for a trip through the bayou.

Here are some views from the queue of the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride...

In front, Tara and Jayden...

...with Rodney and Samantha in the second row.

Another shot of Tara, Rod, Sam, and Jay.

A few pictures during the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride...

Epcot

The topiaries of the movie Moana (or Moana 2), including Maui, Hei Hei, Pua, and of course, Moana!

Samantha as Louisa and Jayden as Mirabel, recreating the topiaries from the movie Encanto.

Jayden waiting while Tara orders some food from the Flower & Garden Festival...

One last look across the lake at Spaceship Earth before we head out for the day.