07/16

Our first destination today was at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and after arriving we checked the app for wait times to decide where to head first. Jayden and I ended up heading down Sunset Boulevard to take our first ride on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. This was our first time on the newly re-themed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and though I missed the music from the original Aerosmith version, I think they did a great job with this new take on a classic ride. I am going to miss the Muppet«Vision 3D show however!

Grandma Terry and Aunt Erica had done some shopping while we waited for our ride, and when we met up it was time for lunch. We couldn't really agree on a place to eat, so we ended up settling on the Backlot Express, where they have a little bit of something for everyone.

Since we were on that side of the park, we headed in to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge to get in line for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It wasn't a short line, but we hadn't been on it in a long time, and we weren't sure when Jay would be back next, so we decided to give it a go. It was an enjoyable ride as always on a ride I wish I could ride more often.

We decided at this point to go watch the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show, which is one of our favorites. We all love the mix of storytelling and humor (some of which thankfully goes way over the head of the intended audience!). Always a great experience here.

After the show was over we decided that we would head over to Disney's Magic Kingdom, but we had to make a detour to Disney Springs and Gideon's Bakehouse for their cookie of the month first. This month they did three separate cookies, and the final one - the Key Lime Pie Chocolate Chip Cookie - was released today. After securing my cookie, it was time to head off to the Magic Kingdom!

Disney's Hollywood Studios
		Mickey Mouse atop the Crossroads of the World at the entrance to Hollywood Studios.
		I spotted this Mortimer & Co. Contractors stamp in the concrete during our walk.
		Hitting the entrance to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets...
		...checking out the newly repainted limo hanging overhead.
		Some of the posters hanging at the entrance of the...
		...Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets queue.
		Some Muppets memorabilia spotted in the queue...
		...such as Miss Piggy's polka dot dress, Kermit's banjo...
		...other band members musical instruments...
		...and Animal's drums!
		The new preshow...
		...features an actual muppet!
		This little mouse Squeakeasy is visible in the loading area.
		One of the limos leaving the loading area.
		Gonzo's gear piled up in the queue.
		A Muppet Labs Automotive Division test car in the loading area of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
		Some of the scenery of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge from the outside portion of the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance queue...

		...and some of the sights inside the queue...
		...and preshow sights...











		Here are some pictures from our time on the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride...










		The Hyperion Theater sign, home of...
		...the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show.
		Aunt Erica, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Rodney enjoying the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show.
		A couple shots of the "snow" falling during the...
		...For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show.
		A look at an ominous looking sky over Echo Lake with the Hyperion Theater and the Dockside Diner in the background.

Here are a few PhotoPass pictures from the ride that Jayden and Rodney took on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets...


		Rodney and Jayden...
		...riding on...
		...Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

Once we left Disney Springs we made the drive over to the Transportation and Ticket Center. We always debate the monorail versus the ferry boat, but the boat usually wins out because the line is shorter. That was the case today, so we took the boat and enjoy the peaceful, scenic ride over to Disney's Magic Kingdom.

It was dinner time when we made it into the park, so we headed down Main Street, U.S.A. to grab a bite at Casey's Corner, as this is one of Grandma Terry's favorites. Mini corn dogs and hot dogs all around!

Today was a very hot day, so we decided that it was a good day to wait out the line for Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Although it wasn't a quick wait, it was worth it to get we early and have time to dry off in the heat (and it didn't take long after our ride to be dry!). Unfortunately, as seems to be the case for most of our experiences on this ride, a lot of the animatronics weren't working, which definitely takes away from the overall enjoyment.

While we were close, Jayden wanted to check out the recently completed refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. During the closure of this ride they completely replaced all the track, and updated the queue and scenery. The track change resulted in a very smooth ride, though I didn't really notice any major queue changes. Regardless, this is always a fun ride, plus the views of the new Cars land are worthwhile too!

Jay really wanted to get on one more ride, and it would turn out to be our last one for the night - Tron Lightcycle / Run. This one had a pretty decent line as well, but we waited it out - even getting so see some fireworks from the queue. We made it through the line and enjoyed our ride, as always!

After the ride we made our way towards the front of the park and through the massive end-of-the-night crowds. We wanted to ride the monorail out tonight, but with our late departure we opted for the faster moving line of the ferry boat. We were glad that we did, as we got to see the Electrical Water Pageant while waiting in line.

Although it was a long day, it was a great day spent with my family, and that makes it all worthwhile! I can't wait to do it again!

Disney's Magic Kingdom
		A view of Cinderella Castle from the ferry boat coming from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
		Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica on the boat.
		Disney's Contemporary Resort undergoing some maintenance.
		Some of the sights from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue...


		A view of one of the hills on Tiana's Bayou Adventure...
		Rodney, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica on Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
		Some sights from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride...





		A look at the upcoming Piston Peak National Park from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad area.
		Cinderella Castle is visible across the upcoming Piston Peak National Park area of Magic Kingdom.
		A couple more shots of the upcoming Piston Peak National Park area...

		A couple of shots from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue...

		One more view of Piston Peak National Park.
		A few more pictures from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue...





		..and a few pictures from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride...




		Rodney, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
		Jayden and Aunt Erica making their way towards Tomorrowland.
		A look at Space Mountain from the Tron Lightcycle / Run queue.
		We got to see some of the Happily Ever After fireworks from the Tron Lightcycle / Run queue...



		A look at Cinderella Castle lit up at night.
		The crowds making their way out of the park at night.
		The Electrical Water Pageant was taking place on the Seven Seas Lagoon...



		Jayden and Rodney taking a picture together.
		A couple more photos of the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon...

Here are a few PhotoPass pictures of us from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride and of us on Tron Lightcycle / Run...


		Jayden, Aunt Erica, Grandma Terry, and Rodney posing for photos in front of Tiana's Bayou Adventure...



		...and one of Rodney, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica.
		Jayden and Rodney...
		...on TRON Lightcycle / Run.
		Grandma Terry and Aunt Erica...
		...on TRON Lightcycle / Run.

I-75 Drive

A wrecked semi on the shoulder after a crash in the southbound lanes. I later found an article stating that the driver survived.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Mickey Mouse atop the Crossroads of the World at the entrance to Hollywood Studios.

I spotted this Mortimer & Co. Contractors stamp in the concrete during our walk.

Hitting the entrance to the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets...

...checking out the newly repainted limo hanging overhead.

Some of the posters hanging at the entrance of the...

...Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets queue.

Some Muppets memorabilia spotted in the queue...

...such as Miss Piggy's polka dot dress, Kermit's banjo...

...other band members musical instruments...

...and Animal's drums!

The new preshow...

...features an actual muppet!

This little mouse Squeakeasy is visible in the loading area.

One of the limos leaving the loading area.

Gonzo's gear piled up in the queue.

A Muppet Labs Automotive Division test car in the loading area of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

Some of the scenery of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge from the outside portion of the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance queue...

...and some of the sights inside the queue...

...and preshow sights...

Here are some pictures from our time on the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride...

The Hyperion Theater sign, home of...

...the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show.

Aunt Erica, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Rodney enjoying the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show.

A couple shots of the "snow" falling during the...

...For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration show.

A look at an ominous looking sky over Echo Lake with the Hyperion Theater and the Dockside Diner in the background.

Rodney and Jayden...

...riding on...

...Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

Disney's Magic Kingdom

A view of Cinderella Castle from the ferry boat coming from the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica on the boat.

Disney's Contemporary Resort undergoing some maintenance.

Some of the sights from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue...

A view of one of the hills on Tiana's Bayou Adventure...

Rodney, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica on Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Some sights from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride...

A look at the upcoming Piston Peak National Park from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad area.

Cinderella Castle is visible across the upcoming Piston Peak National Park area of Magic Kingdom.

A couple more shots of the upcoming Piston Peak National Park area...

A couple of shots from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue...

One more view of Piston Peak National Park.

A few more pictures from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue...

..and a few pictures from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride...

Rodney, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Jayden and Aunt Erica making their way towards Tomorrowland.

A look at Space Mountain from the Tron Lightcycle / Run queue.

We got to see some of the Happily Ever After fireworks from the Tron Lightcycle / Run queue...

A look at Cinderella Castle lit up at night.

The crowds making their way out of the park at night.

The Electrical Water Pageant was taking place on the Seven Seas Lagoon...

Jayden and Rodney taking a picture together.

A couple more photos of the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon...

Jayden, Aunt Erica, Grandma Terry, and Rodney posing for photos in front of Tiana's Bayou Adventure...

...and one of Rodney, Jayden, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica.

Jayden and Rodney...

...on TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Grandma Terry and Aunt Erica...

...on TRON Lightcycle / Run.