April 2018, Day 5: Hollywood Studios

 We were so excited for this day, because we had decided this was the trip LittleCJC was finally going to take part in the Jedi Training.  So, upon park opening, we headed straight to the Jedi training sign-ups.

9:00

The line moved quickly and we were able to sign up for the time slot we wanted.  With our first goal of the day already accomplished, we made our way to Toy Story Mania, attraction #1.

We then decided to split up.  Grandma and Patrick made their way to use their first fastpass at Rock-n Rollercoaster, and LittleCJC and I decided to meet some Disney Jr characters.  First up, Princess Sofia, character #1.

Next, Jake, character #2.

10:00

Moving right along, we met Pluto, character #3.

By this time, Patrick and Grandma made it onto Rock 'N' Roller Coaster, attraction #2.

We definitely didn't want to be late to check in for Jedi training, so we headed that way.  We checked LittleCJC in and grabbed some Starbucks while we waited.  When the time came, they lined up all the little Jedis and they marched off towards the stage.

11:00

She may have still been a little timid, but she was adorable.  So, sorry for the picture overload.

Here she is fighting the dark side.

It only made sense that after the Jedi training, those that could rode Star Tours, attraction #3.

12:00

While here, we decided to go ahead and eat lunch at Backlot.  When we finished eating, we met Olaf, character #4.

We continued the character tour, and visited with Minnie, character #5 next.

1:00

Of course, you can't visit Minnie without a visit with Mickey, character #6 as well.

After meeting with Mickey, LittleCJC made my Disney heart happy by noticing that the car outside of the Sci-Fi diner was missing.  She decided she could still get her picture even without the car.

By now, it was time to use another fastpass.  This time, it was Tower of Terror, attraction #4.  LittleCJC wasn't sure she really wanted to ride this, but Daddy persuaded her by promising to buy her a light saber of her own.  LittleCJC was a big girl, but Grandma was too worried about her to enjoy the ride herself.

Not that we don't always take a picture on Sunset Blvd, but we felt the need even more so this day since LittleCJC was such a big girl.

We continued to work our way around the park and headed to the Star Wars Launch Bay where we met Chewbacca, character #7.

2:00

We also had to introduce Grandma to BB8, character #8.

Since we are Disney Visa card holders, we also stopped at their special meet and greet to see Kylo Ren, character #9.

When we left the Launch Bay, we decided headed to Disney Jr. Live, attraction #5.

LittleCJC was really into the show this trip.  Before crossing the park again, we watched The Little Mermaid, attraction #6.

3:00

With everything in the Animation Courtyard done, it was time for Daddy to make good on his promise of a light saber.  We traveled back to the Star Tours gift shop and let LittleCJC pick out her light saber.  We also stopped for a picture with the speeder.

With her new light saber in hand, we walked down to the future entrance of the new Galaxy's Edge and took this picture in front of the construction barrier.

4:00

While down here, we also found Chip and Dale, characters #10 and #11.

Chip and Dale had fun playing with LittleCJC's light saber, but when we were done we headed back to Toy Story Mania, attraction #7.

LittleCJC also took some time to tell us all about the Toy Story Land and the Slinky dog coaster.

5:00

We decided to grab some ice cream and watch Beauty and the Beast, attraction #8

LittleCJC was really into the show this time around, but she also didn't want to share any of her ice cream.

After the show, we stumbled upon another, the Star Wars, attraction #9.  Sorry, I can't keep all the Star Wars show names straight, but this was the one just in front of the Chinese theater that seemed to always be going on throughout the day.

We also thought we'd get a picture of LittleCJC with her new light saber in front of the Star Wars Launch Bay.

We were lucky and found some storm troopers out willing to take photos. So not an official meet and greet, but we'll count it.  Storm Trooper, character #12

6:00

Hollywood Studios is full of characters, and we had a couple more that we chose to meet at this time.  Star Lord and Baby Groot, characters #13 and #14.

At some point during the day, we were able to pick up one last fastpass for the day at Toy Story Mania, attraction #10.

A lot of people were saying at this time that Hollywood Studios is only a half day park, but we kept busy all day and it was definitely a full day for LittleCJC.

April 2018, Day 4: Animal Kingdom

Our fourth day of this trip was spent at Animal Kingdom.  This was Grandma's first time to see the world of Pandora, and we were excited to share it with her.  The park opened at 9:00, so of course we were there before park opening, and on Na'Vi River Journey, attraction #1 by 8:55.  

9:00

We had early fastpasses for Flight of Passage, but I don't remember exactly what time.  However, they were early enough that we didn't want to leave the area.  This worked well, since we were able to show Grandma the drum show that we enjoy so much. 

Of course, Grandma is all about hands on experiences, so she had to test out the drums with Littlecjc after the show.

At some point, it was time for our fastpasses so Patrick and Grandma rode Flight of Passage, attraction #2.  This is one of the rides that Disney suggests not riding if pregnant, so I sat this one out.  In the meantime, Littlecjc and I decided to take a few pictures after we spotted a photopass photographer.

While we waited, we also visited the giftshop and I let Littlecjc play at the bead table.

10:00

When Patrick and Grandma got off the ride, we stopped for a picture in front of the Pandora floating rocks.

After we finished exploring the world of Pandora, it was time for everyone but me to use their next fastpass to ride Kilamanjaro Safari, attraction #3.  

If you go to Disney while pregnant, Animal Kingdom is probably the loneliest park since many of the rides there are not suitable if pregnant.  However, this also allows for more rest and opportunity to put your feet up which is also needed if pregnant at Disney.  On this particular occassion, I also needed to take cover as it started raining while they were on the ride.

11:00

By 11:00, they were off the safari and we decided to jump on the Wildlife Express Train, attraction #4.

While aboard, the rain really started to come down heavily and we all got drenched after exiting the train and running to Rafiki's Planet Watch.  While here, we explored the building and visited with Doc McStuffins, character #1.

We also visited with Rafiki, character #2.

I had to include this next picture to share how the Disney ponchos aren't suited for tall people.  Poor Patrick and his shorts demonstrate just exactly how heavy it was raining.

Although the rain hadn't stopped, we were already soaked, so we decided to head back to Africa.  Upon our arrival, we decided to go through the standby line for The Festival of the Lion King.

12:00

Our timing worked out nicely, and we made it into the 12:00 show making Festival of the Lion King, attraction #5.

It looks like we were seated in the giraffe section.

1:00

After the show, we trekked back to Pandora to grab some lunch at the Satu'li Canteen.  Of course, we weren't going to leave Pandora without another picture.

2:00

With picture done, we hurried off to use another fastpass, this time at Finding Nemo the Musical, attraction #6.  Before the show actually started, we were able to secure our next faspass.

3:00

When the show ended, we made our way to Dinosaur, attraction #7, where everyone but me made the journey back in time.

I guess no one in their car wanted to get too close to the dino this time around.  Before leaving Dinoland, we decided to ride Triceratop Spin, attraction #8.   After their ride, we traveled to Asia.

Littlecjc always seems entertained here, which is good since we had to wait a while for Patrick and Grandma to make it through the line to ride Expedition Everest, attraction #9.

Although the rain had come back, there was only one ride we hadn't yet ridden.  Since they were already wet, Littlecjc was able to talk her dad and grandma into a ride on Kali River Rapids, attraction #10.

Littlecjc was too cute wearing Daddy's hat to protect her from the rain, even as she insists on riding a water ride.

4:00

As the rain continued to get heavier again, Littlecjc decided to ride in the stroller, and she passed out almost immediately.

Since the rain seemed to be here to stay and we had already ridden everything, we decided to call it a day.  I think we were all ready to get back to the room and put on some dry clothes.