Parker had his Canon strapped across his chest as he and Gma walked into the park hand-in-hand. As with the other parks, we paused at the entrance so he could take in the atmosphere and line up some shots. Heading into the day, we had a better plan of action on how to navigate the park with a two and four-year-old. That plan included scouting toddler-friendly activities, a mid-day break, and smoother hand-offs for rides.
We walked through Toy Story Land first. Parker did not enjoy Brian saying we were going to shrink down to the size of toys. The boys didn’t seem interested in any of the rides we saw so we kept going on to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This recent addition to the park was designed to make the guest feel as though they were in the fictional Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. As we entered Black Spire Outpost we passed a couple of droids beep-boop-beeping and those brought a smile to Parker’s face. Making our way further into Black Spire Outpost, Kylo Ren was announcing I don’t know what so we stopped to hear what he was talking about. I don’t think Parker remembered Kylo Ren, he’s just now showing an interest in the movies, but we also didn’t know what he was talking about so we made our way to a life-sized Millennium Falcon and browsed what the Outpost had to offer. We didn’t have a set agenda for the day, which was nice, so we continued on out of Black Spire Outpost with a plan to come back. This allowed us to catch two impromptu parades down Grand Avenue; the first featuring Mickey and Friends, the second featuring Pixar characters. Lincoln seemed to enjoy waving at the characters in general but he was most excited for the Toy Story characters as they passed Echo Lake. He may have had a bit of a sugar rush thanks to the sweet treat PaPa got for the boys. As I mentioned before, you can always count on PaPa to show up with sweet treats.
Since Parker told us that morning that he didn’t like rides that moved we looked for more kid-friendly attractions. We decided to try Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at the very end of Sunset Boulevard. I’m wondering if its location may be why there wasn’t much of a wait. Either that or it just isn’t a popular attraction. It’s an animatronic car show that doesn’t get dark or move. You’re seated on stationary benches while you “learn” to become an all-star race car driver. Parker didn’t seem impressed but he also didn’t get upset so that was a win. While on Sunset, we did some more pin trading as we headed toward Animation Courtyard.
Animation Courtyard never received more than a quick glance from me. It’s always crawling with toddlers lined up to take pictures with Disney Jr. characters. and looked like land-of-the-strollers. Perfect! I saw Doc McStuffins and gave her a #BlackGirlMagic shout-out and then we saw Vamparina. I was sure this would get Parker out of his funk. He went through a phase of watching her show at home. I stood in line with Lincoln, he seemed excited, and when it was our turn for a picture, Brian ushered Parker up to the front with us. The most we got out of him was a partial scowl.
While there, we heard something about a dance party. A Disney Jr. Dance Party! I had no idea anything like that existed but why wouldn’t it? We shuffled in just as it began to see Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Timon, and Mickey all make solo appearances on stage. It was 30 minutes of high-energy music and dance moves taught by the aforementioned characters. The concert ended with bubbles raining down on all the little ones. That was a hit. As much as Parker likes to dance around at home, he sat against the wall with his notebook sketching. The entire time.
After the dance party, we cut through Commissary Lane to have lunch at PizzeRizzo. It was being built during our last Disney visit in 2018 and is located in Grand Avenue. It’s a quick-serve restaurant that has seating inside and outside. The boys had pizza because kids seem to never tire of pizza and I had a salad because I was tired of eating junk food. It was nice. This wrapped the first half of our day at Hollywood Studios.
::Taking a BREAK At DISNEY SPRINGS ::
Our second visit to the park that day started much like our first with a pass-through of Toy Story Land to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Brian and I got in line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Link and Park left with Gma and Papa to go back to Toy Story Land to ride Toy Story Mania!. I didn’t know anything about this ride so I was a little nervous and then we get a call from Gma. Parker decided he wanted to get on the grown-up ride with Daddy. The line was long but was moving quickly. So while Brian made his way past all the people behind us so he could get Parker, I had to get my nerves in check. I told the people directly behind me that my husband was going to be coming back with our four year old who was going to be brave and get on this ride. His first big ride. I asked them all to cheer, “Go Parker!” and give out high-fives when Brian and Parker got back. They happily obliged and it seemed to give Parker that boost of confidence he needed. I needed him to be pumped because at that point we were closer to the front of the line than the end. He was so nervous; I could feel his little body shaking in my arms. I zipped him in my sweatshirt and rocked him in my arms a little bit to calm his nerves.
Then came the moment of truth. We boarded the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. Parker and Brian were gunners, in charge of shooting down TIE fighters. I was the repair person and the two pilots were randos we didn’t know. It. Looked. Real. Parker’s eyes were wide open. Occasionally he would look over at Brian and I making sure we were still there but our little guy braved it out and had a good time.
After that display of courage, we treated Parker to building his own custom lightsaber at Tatooine Traders. Tatooine Traders is located in Grand Avenue. There, you can customize and purchase a telescopic, illuminated plastic lightsaber that makes clashing sounds. They run about $30 and are best for children. The custom lightsabers there are different than the lightsabers you can customize at Savi’s Workshop. Savi’s Workshop is located in Black Spire Outpost. Their lightsabers are built with a 31” blade made of polycarbonate tubing and the hilts are made of metal. These lightsabers start in the low $200s and are not eligible for the Annual Passholder discount. I wouldn’t recommend these for children.
After this important father/son experience, we made our way to Hollywood Boulevard to get on the new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. We were reuniting with Gma, PaPa, and Lincoln and held their spot in line until they could get over there and park the stroller. Remember when I told you we were better coordinated today? Look at us! As soon as Lincoln saw Parker’s new blue lightsaber, he said, “Where is MY green lightsaber?” Seriously kid? Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway was a unique ride that had us gliding through the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. It featured the new “2 and 1/2 D” technology which basically, makes 2D images appear to be 3D without the use of glasses. It was neat.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first ride at any Disney park that stars Mickey Mouse and friends?
Wikipedia.org
After Runaway Railway, we asked Gma and PaPa to meet us at Tatooine Traders while we literally ran ahead of them to get there. We had to get Lincoln his green lightsaber but we also were tight on time as we saved the best ride for last: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance back in Galaxy’s Edge. We had about 15 minutes to wait for my in-laws to catch up to and run, again, to make it to the ride before the park closed. As we headed out Brian stopped. He said he couldn’t miss an important moment such as his son getting his first lightsaber….so we went back into the store and watched Parker guide Lincoln through the lightsaber-making process. Thankfully it didn’t take long and Brian and I booked it over to Galaxy’s Edge.When we got there it was unorganized. No one was standing in a defined line. To secure our rightful place in line without offending anyone, I began asking who was in line and who wasn’t. Surprisingly, no one seemed to know what they were doing. Since we were pressed for time and Brian wanted to get on this ride badly I asked one of the cast members what was going on. It was then that I was informed that the ride was closed down and anyone who didn’t have a Lightning Lane reservation (which costs an extra $11) should find something else to do for the evening because the ride would not be opening up to them. That was followed up with an announcement for the Lightening Lane reservation holders that the ride would not be opening back up to them either. Great.
The park would be closing in just a few minutes so we ran as fast as we could through Galaxy’s Edge and back to Toy Story Land. We met up with Gma, PaPa, and the boys with just enough time to get on Toy Story Mania as a family. This might’ve been one of Lincoln’s favorite rides. I think Gma scored the highest of us all. On the way out, we recreated a picture of Parker on a domino bench we snapped during his first trip, this time with his younger brother joining him. After the ride, we attempted to get back to Galaxy’s Edge so we could snap pictures of the boys in front of the Millennium Falcon with their lightsabers but we were turned around. Despite not getting those photos we had a good day and the boys were happy.
Read about our first day in the parks at Animal Kingdom
Read about our second day in the parks at EPCOT
Read about our fourth day in the parks at Magic Kingdom
L. Bradley 