Today (Friday) started really early – we had to be at the entrance to the Studios by 6:30 for the Toy Story Maniac Eat and Play Meet. What a fantastic event! A huge thank you to our sponsor, All Star Vacation Homes. I so wish that we had not had to limit it so much so that more of you could have shared it with us, but the very nature of the event meant that it had to be small.

Sarge from Toy Story met us outside the turnstiles and marched us all up Hollywood Blvd do the Sorcerer’s Hat, where we took a group photo (only our two official photographers were allowed photos because the park was not yet open, so I don’t have any photos of that).

We went back to the Prop Shop for a buffet breakfast. Just being in the Prop Shop was a treat – there were so many interesting things from all sorts of Disney movies displayed on shelves around the room and overhead.

We had a really nice breakfast – fresh fruit and pastries, hash browns, two kinds of “family omelet” skillets, turkey sausage, and bacon.

Deb spoke to us briefly, as did Steve and Sarah from All Star Vacation Homes.

Then Sarge came back. He posed for pictures with everyone, made some people do push-ups, sit-ups, or jumping jacks, and was really a hoot. “Sir, yes, sir!”

At the end he demonstrated some of his best “Green Army Man” poses – this one was my favorite.

At about 8:45 we walked over to Toy Story Mania and right onto the ride! Great fun riding it with so many friends.

The park had just opened as we exited the ride – and it was really amazing watching all the people come down the street and descend upon the ride entrance and the fastpass machines. The line stretched waaaay back past Little Mermaid. Wow.

It was a great morning – another moment to remember from this December to Remember.

But it didn’t end there! Tonight we were back in the Studios for Sweet Bites and Street Lights. We started with a dessert buffet in the Animation Building, where we were joined by a very dapper Mickey and a very glamorous Minnie!

And after the park had been cleared of guests we went back to the Streets of America, where Deb Wills flipped the switch to turn on the Osborne Lights!

They are just so beautiful, and we had the streets to ourselves.

The lights danced to several songs, but all too soon it was time to say goodbye.

Another fabulous event – thank you to our wonderful Mouse Fan Travel sponsors!

What a terrific day it was!

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