Part IV... Hollywood Studios and Stop Calling It MGM, Old Man

Oh yeah. I did the research.
Disney's MGM Theme Park opened in 1989.
A few years later, there were contract issues and some court rulings. Something about MGM studios and a now-dead theme park in Vegas...

So Disney announced the name change in the summer of 2008, and in January of 2009, it was official. Disney's MGM became Disney's Hollywood Studios.

You probably don't really care, but I wanted to know. I've told you several times that I am a bit nerdy.

The only problem with that name change is Dan/Daddy kept on (and keeps on) calling it MGM. We Disney fans are serious about this kind of stuff, so I couldn't let it rest. It's like calling Spaceship Earth the big golf ball.
Every time he said MGM, I corrected him.
That's what I'm here for.

After the Magic Kingdom, this is my 2nd favorite park.

It has some of the best rides...
The "Tower of Terror"...


And the most awesome roller coaster ever! The "Aerosmith Rock and Roller Coaster." This was the boy's first time on a big coaster. With upside down-ness. He LOVED it. And begged to go again. But standing in line until the next week wasn't an option.


There's also cool movie and TV stuff to see. From Star Wars to the golden oldies. We saw everything from the Indiana Jones stunt show to the Muppet Show. And we rode the Great Movie Ride, which takes you down movie memory lane.

This was the Munchkin Land part, from the Wizard of Oz. And yes, I screamed with delight. And I am sorry that some guy's balding head had to ruin my photo.


We had lunch at a really fun place... The 50's Prime Time Cafe.
All of the wait staff are dressed in 50's diner-type clothes, and each table area is set up to look like you're eating in a kitchen straight out of Happy Days.
The waitresses treat you like their children. Sounds twisted, I know. But it was a hoot! Our server made us set the table and eat our veggies. She told me 12 times to get my elbows off the table.


Wanna see the dessert that made up for all the mealtime discipline?



And then there is the happiness that is Pixar. The geniuses who made Nemo and Cars and the one movie that will forever have a special place in my heart... Toy Story.


The boy was only a toddler when the first 2 Toy Story movies came out, and he loved Buzz and Woody.

Loved. Them.

And so... I will always think of him as that chubby toddler carrying around a talking cowboy and a plastic spaceman. Be still my heart.

So THIS was the highlight of our (MY) day...


Oh yeah. That's the real deal.
The real life Buzz Lightyear and Woody. (And don't tell me it's not.)
When it was our turn to take pictures with them, Buzz took my arm in his, and Woody kissed my hand. Mercy.

Even standing in line to meet them was fun.
Dan/Daddy gets picked up by the CLAW!


Here's me and Stinky Pete! Sorry, I mean, the Prospector.


You may not want to know why they call him Stinky Pete!



Dear Dan/Daddy,
I really do love you, and I'm glad to be your wife. But if one of these guys ever comes a-callin'... Let's just say you've been warned.


And still yet to come... Part V... The Day We Died.