Disney Halloween Trip, Day 8

We skipped a breakfast reservation again today in favor of a later start. By the end of the trip, I am feeling tired from all of the vacationing! We had no plans aside from a dinner reservation, and Casey wanted to go to Hollywood Studios so off we went!. We got a FastPass for the Toy Story Mania ride as soon as we arrived at 9:30 - our return time was 1:30 PM so you really have to grab these Fast Passes right away. They were all gone within the first hour of the park opening.

We saw Playhouse Disney Live on Stage and then hung around the area waiting for the different characters to come out for autographs. We saw the Little Einsteins and Handy Manny, and were able to snack on some treats from the Starring Rolls Bakery while we were waiting. All-in-all one of the more enjoyable light breakfasts we had during our trip.

There is a Broadway-style show of Beauty & the Beast that I had always wanted to see and it didn't disappoint. Then I got talked in to riding Tower of Terror - I was so scared! The ride takes you through a haunted hotel in an elevator car, and then DROPS you suddenly, and over and over, from great heights. When the doors open, you can see across the whole park - terrifying! But it was fun, I will admit. Just not something I was ready to rush onto right away again!

We saw a few new characters in Hollywood Studios that I hadn't seen before - Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc., and Mr. & Mrs. Incredible. We also saw Lotso from Toy Story - very cute! We let Casey play in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground area. It is very safe for her age (5 years old) with only one entrance/exit so she cannot escape while we watch her play.

Hollywood Studios offers a great afternoon parade as well. The floats drive up Hollywood Blvd and stop to let the characters get off and interact with the kids. Then it moves onto the next street and performs the show all over again. If it gets too crowded along Hollywood Blvd, definitely take the time to grab an ice cream or cold drink and wait for the second showing - you'll appreciate the break!

We headed out of the park and took a bus to the Wilderness Lodge for our dinner reservation and Whispering Canyon Cafe. This beautiful lodge is crafted entirely of wood, with soaring views inside the main lobby to balconies above. It is a unique resort with a very rustic feel, yet it is a deluxe properties with all of the included amenities. Whispering Canyon Cafe was a riot to eat at. More about that in my restaurant section, but this is a do not miss for anyone with a great sense of humor.

It was late, but we opted to head to Downtown Disney to shop a bit. We really didn't do much except walk around and enjoy the evening, before taking the water taxi back to our resort. Such a beautiful ride along the Sasagoula River up to our resort. It is definitely something I would repeat in the daytime next time, although the views of Downtown Disney at night were stunning.