The Three Mousekateers | Midway Maniacs

Moments after finishing up Jedi Training and giving the training instructor their thank you notes, we hastened across the park to Toy Story Midway Mania. Our window on our 10:25 FastPass+ slid shut just after we arrived at 11:25.



Doesn't Duffy need glasses too?

As we wound through the queue, Kylee noticed something a bit...unsettling. Duffy ran around all morning with us in his bear-thday suit!
I assured her this could be quickly rectified after our trip through the midway.



High above the Midway Games

The Midway held the top spot on my list of "I Have Never" attractions, so I was a bit intrigued to try my hand at it. I STINK at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, so I figured I wouldn't have a prayer at a high (or even non=embarrassing score) on this ride, so I decided to help Kylee aim while she did the pulling.



Three to a seat at Toy Story Midway Mania

I think this game was easier to play in many ways than Buzz, and certainly more fun. The kids laughed and squealed and pulled until their arms hurt.
So how did the kids end up doing?



High scores? Maybe not, but they're happy with them!

Kylee was thrilled that with my help she was able to outscore her brother.
We wandered outside and past the green army guys. (Kylee waved and launched into a dramatic reenactment of her last training aboard the Fantasy in Toy Story Boot Camp. Suddenly a smashed penny machine was spotted, so out came her roll of pennies and quarters. Being a bit overzealous in their cranking, Kylee managed to get beaned in the head. She wasn't just sad. You would've though this was a tragedy. After Chris showed her the new awesome penny though, she relented. We'd been doing the must do thing since rope drop. Clearly we needed a break of epic proportions.


That'll do.

Chris and Kylee climbed over and under and through the Szalinski's backyard. I tried to let them go a little bit farther, but frankly trying to keep an eye on two kids in this enormous playground is nearly impossible unless they stick together. Tired and happy, the kids made their way out of the spider web and we decided to hitch another ride on the Starspeeder 1000 before lunch.
Since last time Chris starred as the Rebel Spy and the time before Kylee was discovered to be the Rebel Spy, they assumed it was my turn. I assured them, more than once that that is not how it works.



Kylee and Duffy go for a speed bike joy ride.

Kylee hugged Duffy tightly for a moment before unceremoniously shoving him into the storage under her seat and they we were off to Coruscant again!
After their first experience where a member of their family was not the Rebel spy, they hopped in line for a turn with the speeder bike.


Chris takes his speeder bike very seriously.

They would sit on it all day if there wasn't a line.
And they didn't get hungry, that is.
It started drizzling, so we headed over to our lunch reservation.



Blast from the past!

We squeezed together into the front row of our reserved car and watched Plan 9 From Outer Space, The Blob and other awesomely retro B-movies. Our server fetched us shakes and burgers (dairy free and vegan!) quickly. Kylee and Chris relaxed in the cool dark environment and slowly ate away at their meals.



A classic chocolate milkshake

Christopher's nearly finished shake was clipped by a passing carhop, so he ended up drinking almost two whole shakes when they replaced it. (I'd said they really didn't have to, but our carhop was such a sweet lady, that she wouldn't take no for an answer. Chris didn't object.)



Old Sci-Fi cartoons and classic cars.

The cool air conditioning, the house made "tomato jam" and sweet potato fries and the stillness combined to quiet and cool all of us. The slightly grey skies when we emerged from lunch seemed to fit in with the mellowness that washed over the kids.
After a quick restroom stop, we walked over just minutes before the start of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. We still got front row seats all the way on the left side only minutes before the stunt show!  #OffSeasonWDW


Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Chris watched the movie for the first time a week before our trip, but Kylee hadn't and knew nothing more than that Ben and I got to volunteer in the show during our honeymoon. Frankly, while sitting before the show, Kylee seemed intrigued while Chris seemed bordering on bored.
Then Indy made his entrance and everything changed.
The highlight for me was listening to Chris yell in terror, "Look out, Indy!" when the boulder made it's appearance. Chris loved every second of the show.
As for Kylee?
She made her way over to the sound booth following the show, a girl on a mission. Would it be possible to meet Marion Ravenwood? The technical staff told her to wait to the right of the booth until they'd gotten their notes.
Five minutes passed as the stunt doubles for Marion and Indy got their notes, drank water and talked to the coordinator. Marion began to dig around behind a pillar and came out with a red scarf and headed over to say hi to Kylee.



A gift from Marion Ravenwood.

Good things do come to those who wait! Both stunt doubles were so kind to talk to Kylee and offered to let her and Chris down onto the stage floor to chat. Chris couldn't imagine approaching real Indy out by the dangerous floor, but loved talking over the barrier. Kylee had no such qualms and introduced Duffy to the pair of them.
Is there still Magic in Disney's Hollywood Studios?
Most definitely.
We headed over to the animation courtyard for a little more magic.



Making friends in the Big Hero 6 queue.

After the longest queue of the entire trip (topping out over an hour) Kylee and Chris met Hiro and BayMax.



He is inflatable and huggably soft!

After an hour in line, I forgot to get in the picture.
#DisneyMomProblems
After that, it was time to drop in on the scariest ride at Walt Disney World.



If your kid has a tendency to get creeped out (like one of mine) I highly recommend the FastPass. It lets you enjoy the ride with a lot less time for the spooky environment to get to them. Halfway through the service area, Chris and Kylee were good and spooked, but the good kind.
Not the "where's the chicken exit" kind.

Chris even puts his hands up for part of the first drop.
Much to my amazement.

With Duffy clutched in Kylee's lap and Christopher firmly gripping his lightsaber, we entered the elevator for our trip to the twilight zone. Kylee explained afterwards that she would've held up both her hands except she didn't want to lose her Duffy.



Photo by Kylee

Wanting something mellow after all that excitement, we trotted over to MuppetVision 3D. As we neared a net full of Jello, Kylee and Chris looked at me and said they were done and wanted to go to the hotel.
Do you want to stay up for Fantasmic?
Nope.
Do you want to go on MuppetVision?
Nope.

A good day at Disney is any day you all leave the park still smiling.

So back to the hotel for dinner (an allergy free pizza) and journaling.

Duffy helps Kylee fill out her journal.

And of course bedtime.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Day 1 by the Numbers Characters Met and Greeted- Four
Attractions- Seven
Snacks - None
Naps- None
Stormtrooper Sightings - Nine
 Hours in Park- Eight
Rain Showers- Three
Reading the mood and getting back to the resort for dinner and an early night rather than melting down- Priceless.

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This is Part 8 of an Ongoing Trip Report "The Three Mousekateers."
Additional sections will be found on the Trip Reports page after they are posted!