Tink In the Parks: A Quick Studios Visit

Goooooood afternoon, Tinkers!

     I have to admit, I'm still reeling a little bit after all the big news that came out of Day Two of the D23 Expo yesterday! (Read all about it in my last post!) All of the love FINALLY being showed to The Studios made me a bit nostalgic for the days of yore, when the old Disney MGM Studios was all about movie making, and going behind the scenes to see how things are done. Though I am thrilled to have the spotlight being shown on this park once again, and for the focus to change from movie making to one where the movies come to life around you, I will miss the old attractions and theming of the park. Most of what I will miss is already gone, though, like my beloved Backlot Tour, the Magic of Disney Animation and the long gone Hunchback of Notre Dame live show.

     Because I was feeling a little nostalgic, and because "Summer of Frozen Taking Over Your Life" (not the official name), is almost over, I figured I'd take K and D over to The Hollywood Studios this morning, for a little visit. Really my only goals for this visit were to let the kiddos see the Frozen Royal Welcome parade, which we had not made it to yet this summer, and to get The Hubs, who was stuck working, a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake from Starring Rolls, since it's one of his favorite things one Earth.

     Looked like I wasn't the only one who was trying to squeeze in some last minute summer fun, since the parking lot was pretty packed at 9:30am. Which got me thinking... are they adding parking with all of this expansion happening? I hope so!

     We got into the park, and saw an open bench on Hollywood Boulevard, in the shade, so I basically threw the kids at the bench, to make sure we nabbed it for the parade. A bench in the shade is like the Holy Grail of parade viewing! Gotta grab it when you can, even if it means waiting  while longer. The wait wasn't bad. There was actually a light breeze, (don't tease me, Fall!), and I had brought some apples for the Littles, so they were happy. The parade was due to start at 10:30am, and around 10:10am some performers came out to Hollywood Boulevard to organize a "Flash Mob" dance. It really was more just some dance steps that they taught in the street, but the kids liked it and were happy to be up moving around while we waited.

     At 10:30am, the Frozen music queued up and K started yelling, "Elsa-Anna! Elsa-Anna!" What can I say? He's a big fan. The parade was adorable! Ok, it's more of a "welcome procession" than a parade, since there are only four floats and it only last about 15 minutes, but still.... cute.

There are Royal Flagsmen,
 

 followed by Princess Anna in a sleigh.




Behind her there were skating (rollerblading) couples,


then Olaf's float, with a little cottage on it.


Behind that there we guys on roller-skiis, which were pretty cool. They did all kind of tricks.
 

Ice Cutters lead the way for Kristoff, who was in front of Wandering Oaken's.


 



























Then there were rollerskating snow maidens. Those with good memories may recognize them from the Very Merry Christmas Parade.
 

And then, finally, like a grand and miraculous Queen, the Beyoncé of Disney, Elsa appeared, in her icy castle.
 

 

The kids loved the part when they stopped the parade for a musical interlude, and asked all of the "Citizens of Hollywoodland" to join in the singing of a tune you may be familiar with, "Let It Go". You could audibly hear the parents groan. BUT, is was pretty magical. They made it snow on Hollywood Boulevard, and those sisters of Arendelle both came off of their floats and walked along the street, singing along. Watching Elsa's cape blow behind her as she struts really makes me want a cape. I have a feeling the effect would not be the same for me. Oh well.

     I was really glad we had made the special trip to see the procession, since the kids loved it and it was very cute. It did, however, cause a bit of a cluster bleep, since during the whole time the parade was stopped, Guests were coming into the park and gathering behind Elsa's float, then following it down the street, as a slow herd. We cut across the street, and down in front of the Brown Derby, so we could hit Disney Junior over in the Animation Courtyard. I guess I can't call it that anymore, since there is no more Magic of Disney Animation. See??

    

     They also seem to have moved the entrance of Disney Junior a little further down from where it was. Not sure what the reasoning is for that, but I'm sure someone here will let me know.

Old entrance

New entrance

     D really enjoys Disney Junior Live on Stage, since she knows all the songs and is a big fan or Doc and Sofia. K usually loves it too, but today he was a cranky-butt and decided to whine for a lollipop throughout the majority of the show. If you have not seen it before and you have little kids, it really is worth doing. Don't worry about a Fastpass, since you can typically sneak in right as they finish loading the queue, with no problem. It's a fun, puppet-based show, which incorporates Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. The kids get to sing along, dance, pop bubbles, get snowed on, and catch gold doubloons. The only bummer? You have to sit on the floor. But don't feel bad when you struggle to get back up. Most parents can be seen asking their kids for a hand, or dragging a leg that has fallen asleep behind them.

 

   

     After the show, I gave the kids a choice of either waiting in line for Voyage of the Little Mermaid, or grabbing a treat from Sweet Spells and heading out. They went with the treat, (thank God! I was too hot and tired to stand in a queue line with two Littles), and we went over to Sunset Boulevard. I went into Starring Rolls to grab The Hubs his favorite Disney snack, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake. It is a delicious chocolate cake, topped with a fudgy, peanut buttery frosting, and shaved chocolate swirls. And they don't sell it anywhere that I have found, other than Starring Rolls, and occasionally in the Trolley Car Café Starbucks location. At Sweet Spells, the kiddos each picked out a treat. A Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Kabob for D and an M&M Rice Krispie Treat for K. Of course, they are both mammoth sized and the kids could only eat a couple of bites before they either melted or they decided they were done, but they were both behaving really well, (as well as can be expected in 90 degree heat and a large, sweaty crowd), so I didn't mind treating them.

     I also have some really exciting news. The somewhat dated and dull Studios was buzzing. There was excitement and life in the air again. Even though nothing has really changed yet, other than some attraction closures, the Guests were excited. I heard several people talking about the announcements about Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land. I saw many Guests gesturing and speculating on locations of things. I heard several morons telling their families not-so-accurate rumors and information, all with supreme confidence. "Yeah, Disney had to do Star Wars because they are loosing so much money." (Wrong.) "They are putting in the same dumb Toy Story rides they have at Disneyland Paris." (Wrong.) "Disney wants to erase the memory of all that Michael Eisner built at MGM." (Probably wrong? Haha.) There are bound to be tons of silly statements made and plenty of "Disney purists", who are devastated that yet again, something else is changing. There's someone who would LOVE this though... Walt. Above all else, Walt Disney loved the idea of changing and evolving the parks, in order to give the people what they want and to try new technologies and new techniques. It was Walt that said that the parks will continue to grow, "as long as there is imagination left in the world." Lucky, lucky us.

     Well, after snacks, we were ready to go home, have a late lunch, and swim. I did consider staying on the parking tram for two laps, since the breeze felt so nice, but K was falling asleep, so we hopped off at our stop instead. Big bummer for The Hubs, though... In my struggle to get two kids, one of which has depth perception issues, and a stroller off of the tram, I left his cupcake on the seat. Boooooo. I didn't realize it until we were in the car, and I think all parents would agree, almost nothing is worth unbuckling a toddler from a car seat once they are buckled. $6 cupcake on the tram? Leave it! Umbrella left behind? Leave it! Wallet? Leave it! Other child? Someone will take them to Guest Relations and get them back to me somehow. (I jest, of course.)

     Too bad we realized the tolerability and downright cuteness of the Frozen Royal Welcome a week before it ends. Then again, my guess is it'll be back next year. Or maybe not. But probably. Talk to ya later, Tinkers!!!