Chapter 2: Hollywood Studios – The Magic Begins
A Day We’d Been Waiting Months For
After months of planning, countless phone calls, restaurant reservations, FastPass selections, and more Disney conversations than I could possibly count…
The day had finally arrived.
Our first full day at Walt Disney World.
Hollywood Studios was calling.
Since Chris, Rachel, and the girls wanted to be inside the park before rope drop, they left first, determined to catch the Stormtrooper march at 9:00 a.m.
Scott and Kerri had one quick stop to make at the military base to pick up their Disney tickets, along with tickets they had generously purchased for Aubrey and Jonathon.
The rest of us loaded into the fifteen-passenger van and eagerly followed behind.
The adventure was officially underway.
Preferred Parking… and Free Water
Once we reached Hollywood Studios, we decided to splurge on preferred parking.
Best decision of the morning.
Well…
Maybe second best.
As we parked, a Disney cast member greeted us with a smile and handed each of us a complimentary bottle of water.
Caitlynn politely asked,
“Are these free?”
The cast member laughed.
“Well…you paid for preferred parking, so technically you already bought them.”
Fair enough.
Hydrated and excited, we made our way toward the entrance.
Although I have to admit…
Walking into Disney with an empty stroller felt just a little strange.
At least until the granddaughters claimed it later.
Disney Does Customer Service Right
Before entering the park, Robert stopped by Guest Services to register Janet for Disney’s Disability Access Service.
Because of her cancer treatments, standing in long attraction lines simply wasn’t realistic.
The Disney cast member couldn’t have been kinder.
She patiently connected everyone’s park tickets, explained how everything worked, and made sure Janet would be able to enjoy the parks with far less waiting.
Moments like that remind you why Disney is known for exceptional customer service.
They don’t just solve problems.
They help create memories.
Cold? In Florida?
By the time everyone had arrived, we were finally together.
There was just one problem.
It was freezing.
At least…
Freezing by Arizona standards.
The Florida wind seemed to cut right through us, and I immediately began searching every gift shop I could find for something warm for Janet.
Blankets.
Throws.
Anything.
After checking several stores, I finally spotted what looked like the perfect solution.
A Snuggie.
I almost bought it.
Then I hesitated.
Surely Janet would think I had completely lost my mind if I showed up carrying a Snuggie.
So I kept looking.
A few minutes later, we found Janet…
Already wrapped in…
You guessed it.
The exact same Snuggie.
We laughed so hard.
Sometimes the best purchases are the ones you almost don’t make.
Splitting Up… and Finding Each Other Again
With everyone bundled up as best we could manage, we split into smaller groups to explore Hollywood Studios.
One of the nice things about traveling with a large family is that nobody feels pressured to do everything together.
Some chased thrill rides.
Others wandered through shops.
Some simply enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere.
Throughout the day we’d meet back up for FastPass reservations before heading our separate ways again.
It worked surprisingly well.
Lunch with Disney Friends
One reservation everyone was excited about was lunch at Hollywood & Vine.
The little girls couldn’t wait to meet Minnie, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.
Neither could a few of the adults…
The food was delicious.
The service was outstanding.
The character interactions were everything we’d hoped for.
The price?
Let’s just say Disney certainly knows how to charge for magical experiences.
Still…
Watching Lilah and Norah light up every time another character walked into the room made every dollar worthwhile.
Toy Story Mania Competition
After lunch we headed over to Toy Story Mania.
If you’ve ever ridden it…
You know it isn’t really a ride.
It’s a family competition disguised as a ride.
The girls spent almost as much time deciding who they’d ride with as they did actually playing the game.
Trying to explain why one grandparent was chosen over another—without hurting anyone’s feelings—was entertaining all by itself.
Then came the scores.
Norah somehow beat me on accuracy.
Jonathon posted the highest score.
Which meant both Tracey and Robert each owed him a dollar.
He proudly collected his winnings with a grin that said it all.
Some victories are priceless.
Others are worth exactly one dollar.
A Little Girl Meets Chewbacca
Without question…
This became my favorite moment of the day.
Norah met Chewbacca.
She didn’t simply meet him.
She was completely captivated.
They shared what felt like the world’s longest handshake.
They stared into each other’s eyes.
She looked absolutely starstruck.
The photos captured everything words struggle to describe.
Pure wonder.
Pure joy.
I honestly think that’s the moment she decided what her Disney souvenir would be.
Not a stuffed animal.
Not Mickey ears.
A lightsaber.
And not just any lightsaber.
She wanted to build her own.
Watching her proudly walk out of the workshop holding that lightsaber—with the biggest smile imaginable—is a memory I’ll treasure forever.
Joining the Dark Side
Later that afternoon, Chris loaned Tracey his Disney Visa card so we could experience one of Disney’s exclusive character meet-and-greets.
That led us to Kylo Ren.
There wasn’t another guest in sight.
As we approached, a cast member asked,
“How many are in your party?”
I looked around the completely empty hallway, then back at him.
“Two?”
He smiled and motioned us forward.
As I rounded the corner…
I nearly walked straight into Kylo Ren.
He seemed seven feet tall.
Dressed completely in black.
Speaking in that deep, intimidating voice.
Honestly…
He startled me.
When he asked whether I was ready to join the dark side, I immediately pointed at Tracey.
“He is.”
Without missing a beat, Kylo stepped over beside Tracey for our pictures.
Definitely one of the funniest interactions of the day.
Ending the Day Warm and Happy
By late afternoon, little legs were getting tired.
The girls were cold.
We searched several shops looking for warm sweatpants and finally found the perfect Mickey Mouse pair.
Mission accomplished.
Tracey and I grabbed a bench near the front of the park while waiting for Robert and Janet’s family to finish one last ride.
Unfortunately, their final attraction didn’t end quite the way anyone expected.
Janet had returned her scooter before the family entered the FastPass queue, only to discover Disney required her to be physically present in order for everyone to use the disability return time.
That meant walking all the way back to Tower of Terror…
Then all the way back to the front of the park again.
By the time they reached the van, Janet was exhausted.
Thankfully, once everyone climbed aboard, something wonderful happened.
The nighttime fireworks began.
From our seats inside the warm van, we had a perfect view.
No crowds.
No standing.
Just colorful fireworks filling the Florida sky while nineteen people quietly reflected on an unforgettable first day.
Tomorrow…
Another Disney adventure awaited.
Continue the Journey…
Hollywood Studios gave us laughter, unforgettable character encounters, and memories we’ll treasure forever.
But tomorrow…
We’re heading somewhere even more magical.
Next Chapter: Magic Kingdom – Where Dreams Really Do Come True.