The Tale of the Grow Walk ….Hunh? DCL Magic and WDW Review

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We decided to head towards the Back Lot Tour as that was also in the plans of being closed (and is now ).

 

 

 

Remember the old days when they had people participate in this? Not so anymore. It was just a brief run through of what happens and then we were on our way. I am actually happy about that as this was my least favorite part of the tour.

 

 

 

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We were moved to the prop room and it was actually quite full. I tried to take pictures as we walked through but I didn’t get many good ones.

 

 

 

 

I believe this was Mary Poppin’s bag.

 

 

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Soon we were lined up for our tram. Rememeber!!!! No Dancing on the tram!

 

 

Our tram soon arrived and I tried to take a picture as the doors were lifting open.

 

 

I took pictures along the way.

 

 

 

It has been several years since I have ridden this and I think this was Claire’s first time. Glad we got it in before it closed.

 

And the first “icon” of Hollywood Studios, back when it was MGM. And it is now going to be the icon once again from what I have read.

 

 

I love seeing this stuff and we whizzed by way to fast to see much.

 

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A look over at Lights, Motor, Action, which I believe is going bye bye too.

 

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And then we entered Catastrophe Canyon. The last time I rode this it was not working and we got routed around the back and our tour guide was making stuff up as we went along. It was kind of funny, but it felt like I was stuck on the ride for way too long. One thing that was different this time as well….most of this was told to us by an automated voice and not much by a live actual person.

 

 

Claire was intrigued by all of the happenings.

 

 

 

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Claire squealed with glee as we got a few drops on us.

 

 

 

This did not seem as impressive to me as it did 15 years or so ago. I am glad we rode it one last time, but I am not sad it’s closed.

 

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This is the backside of the canyon. Not very pretty is it? They told us how many gallons of water is pumped for that scene, which I no long remember but I do remember it was a lot. And of course they recycle the water over and over.

 

 

 

 

 

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We finished up and exited the ride. I took a shot of LMA as we passed by. I have only seen the show once and I wasn’t a fan.

 

 

We moved on. Claire was dead set that we would do the drawing class once I told her about it so we headed back that way to see if we could get in.

 

 

 

 

We shuffled our way there. It really was so hard to get anywhere in the parks with the crowds.

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We found where the class was and was told one was going to start in about 20 minutes or so but it was full, but we could stand in the standby line for now and most likely we could get a spot without a desk. Claire said yes and I figured we better give it a try now. As we stood there the large family in front of us left. YAY! We pretty much were guaranteed to get in now. Then some people from the inside roped off waiting area left and Claire and I were let in.

 

 

We talked with people as we waited which made the time go faster. We were standing as it was pretty full in there, but actually close to the door as that was the only area for us to be comfortably.

 

One family was telling us that a store at MK had the next generation of Disney Infinity packets. They told us they were hidden behind the current ones so to look further back. Of course that was all Claire could think about now. I told her we would try to get back there, but it was no guarantee on that one.

 

We also saw a family playing a game with their phones. It was basically a version of Headbanz. One person held the phone to their forehead and everyone would give him clues of what the word was and that person would have to guess. Claire and I played silently along. We ended up seeing lots of people playing this for the rest of the trip. What a good idea to help waste the time.

 

Finally it was time to go in and we actually got front and center.

 

 

 

 

Claire was excited and ready!

 

 

We were drawing Tigger today.

 

 

We really enjoyed doing this and Claire was watching the instructor like he was God. I think this might be something we have to do every trip now.

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This is Claire’s finished drawing.

 

 

I thought she did an EXCELLENT job.

 

And here is mine…I actually forgot to add his whiskers, but I did add them later.

 

 

When we left we had to browse the gift shop as Claire had lots of money still burning a hole in her pocket. She ended up choosing 2 drawing books and has really enjoyed them and it was a very good purchase.

 

We headed out and took a small break and I took a picture of her with her picture.

 

 

She also had to look through her new books to see what she wanted to draw first.

 

We moved on. We were getting hungry and went looking for lunch. I was still mad at myself for scheduling the Toy Story FP’s for later than I thought. I had planned to head to MK later today and this was going to make us go even later than planned…Oh well.

 

We found a photopass photographer and got a few shots.

 

 

You may notice I am wearing a jacket. Today was a bit cooler than it had been earlier in our trip, but by the end of the day I had wished I had worn shorts.

 

 

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I like this one of Claire.

 

 

 

I asked if she could do any magic shots and she took Claire off to the side.

 

 

I always love the balloon shot.

 

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I took one of Claire posing.

 

 

We looked her for lunch but the line was long and Claire didn’t see anything to her liking.

 

 

I keep hearing the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground is going to close for good….but it is still there.

 

 

Claire wanted pizza….such a shocker…I know. I have never been to Pizza Planet and I couldn’t even picture where is was in my mind and the map wasn’t helping me and I asked a CM…and I was about 10 steps away from it…of course!

 

 

The line was out the door, but it moved pretty fast and we were soon inside.

 

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We decided what we wanted and we planned to share again.

 

 

We got the pepperoni pizza and a salad. We looked for a seat but it was packed in there so we headed up the steps. There was a boy waiting on the steps, I assume was waiting for his family who maybe were in line?....and he was sitting smack dab in the middle and didn’t want to move so we basically climbed over him. LOL.

 

 

I started with the salad and Claire dug into the pizza.

 

 

Claire ended up eating 3 of the pieces of pizza and I got one and she complained about that. She told me the salad should’ve filled me. It didn’t! It used to be that we could easily share meals and be full, but she is getting bigger and I think those days have passed now.

 

While sitting there I was playing with my phone and looking at the app…..the app that was not working. Our Toy Story FP was to open up very soon. I think started looking through my phone pictures and realized I had made a screen shot a few days earlier of all my FP’s and guess what? My TSM FP was for earlier in the day. I KNEW I had planned it earlier. I was raging mad! I had now missed the FP time….though the app showed it as opening soon.

 

We headed out and made our way over to TSM. If they denied me my entrance I was going to raise some holy heck. So from what I can figure, this FP time changed at least 3 possibly FOUR times on its own on the app today. NOT GOOD Disney!

 

 

We headed out and rushed over to see if they would let us in.

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We arrived at Toy Story Mania and I think it was actually a little before the FP was to open on according to the app, but later than my scheduled time.

I told the CM that my time had jumped several times today and I am not sure if it is going to let us in. She had no expression at all and told us to scan and see. I suppose she was used to seeing issues with this all day long and tired of people telling her about them.

We scanned and it turned green! YAY! We were in!

 

 

I think we still had a 15-20 minute wait in the FP line but much faster than standby.

 

 

 

 

We had a great time as always. Neither of us are very good at it, but I usually beat Claire and then she complains about it.

 

 

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She would ride this over and over if the line wasn’t so dang long. I really hope when they add the 3rd track, which I have heard will be used exclusively for Fastpasses, that it really makes it much easier to get on in a timely fashion.

 

 

We decided we had done all we wanted to at DHS and headed towards the front of the park.

 

 

Stopping for a few photopass pictures along the way.

 

 

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OOPS…I blinked.

 

 

 

I love you baby!!!!

 

 

Magic shot time.

 

 

 

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We made our way to the parking tram.

 

 

Again I really hate driving to the parks. I love how the bus drops me off and picks me up much better.

 

Good bye Hollywood Studios…..Little did I know at that moment that I would be back there in Aug.

 

 

We then headed out to the POC car and programmed Siri to get us to the Magic Kingdom.

 

We headed out and towards the Magic Kingdom…with Siri leading the way. Boy…what a back-up. Slow going to get to the MK.

We work our way to the gate and are told there is no parking at MK left and we need to head to Epcot. I had later heard that the park was at full capacity and not letting anyone in, so even if we did go over to Epcot they would’ve not let us in at MK. I wish they just would’ve said that to begin with. If I had taken the monorail over to MK only to be refused I would’ve been quite mad.

We decided that since we couldn’t park at MK we would head over towards the Yacht and Beach Club and maybe get a bite to eat and then decide what to do after that.

I drove over and entered the YC. When asked what I was planning I told them we were going to Beaches and Cream and then walking around to explore the resorts. He scanned my band and told me that I didn’t have a resort reservation currently showing up…I went to tell him no, we were staying offsite…when he goes “Oh you are one of our annual pass holders, well thank you so much, come on in”. LOL! I wasn’t about to say no for fear he would tell me I couldn’t go in and park. LOL.

 

We did have to park a little ways out, but it wasn’t too bad, and we then headed towards the YC.

 

 

 

 

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I was a bit hungry…after all sharing that pizza meal didn’t fill me up. Claire was not and she did not want to go to Beaches and Cream now. I am not sure why as just a few minutes ago she had wanted to. I didn’t feel like arguing though so we decided to head towards Epcot and I would find something to eat there.

 

 

 

And it was CROWDED!!!!! Shuffle shuffle shuffle……

 

 

We would try to pass people but it was a no go. Claire kept saying they were doing the grow walk. Hunh? What’s the grow walk? Well she explained it perfectly. It’s when you try to pass people or a party of people and they suddenly expand in size and you can no longer get around them. Made perfect since and this whole trip we had been following a lot of Grow Walkers. We also went on to include others in the Grow Walk Category. Those who stop in front of you all of a sudden. Those who stop and turn right around and walk into you. Those with strollers who ram into the back of you. You do NOT want to be a grow walker!

 

Since they have added booths to the Flower and Garden Festival I decided I might try some food from one of those. Claire however decided she needed popcorn. I told her once we got near a popcorn stand I would get her some, but first I was looking for something for me in the meantime. She was pretty close to dying as you can see in the next picture.

 

 

I thought this was a neat picture of Peter Pan.

 

 

I got something in the UK booth. I don’t remember what it was but I know the description did not describe it like this and basically I had no clue what I was ordering but it sounded good. I was really surprised when this came out.

 

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I have to say taste wise it was just ok, but it did fill an empty spot in my stomach.

 

 

We moved on and found popcorn in Canada. Of course the line was long and slow, but Claire was willing to wait.

 

A happy girl now.

 

 

Typically we just walk by Canada and never explore. Today, since it was so crowded, we decided to dive in deeper and take a look around. I don’t think I have ever gone back here before…..or if I have it’s been many many years ago.

 

 

 

 

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We really didn’t have a desire to go see the movie so we just stood around and took in the scenery, with me taking pictures and Claire eating her snack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got her to pose…sort of.

 

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I must say it was kind of peaceful back there and it was a happy memory for us. We didn’t do anything, but it was neat to see the area and just chill without 5 zillion other people around us.

 

 

 

 

 

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We headed up towards the front. We were going to have to ride Spaceship Earth eventually as Claire just loves it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We spotted Phineas and Ferb topiaries. Our first time seeing those I believe.

 

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As we walked towards the front we saw this very cute topiary display that we had missed on our first day here. And today they had a photopass photographer there to take pictures. I told Claire we were stopping and she said she did not want her picture taken….and I told her if she didn’t then we weren’t riding spaceship earth!

We got in line…..

 

 

 

 

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When it was our turn I told the photographer that I had a resistor with me. He was super nice and tried to make Claire smile….she really was fighting it though.

 

 

 

 

 

I tried to call out to her encouraging words but it wasn’t working.