Hollywood studios
We started with a bus trip from WL to HS via GF. This was our second trip to HS, we had gone on our first night at WDW. We arrived around 1050 so a bit of a late start. Seemed quite crowded. We had a FP+ for the Indy stunt show. Not sure what the FP gave us as aside from a separate entrance line, it didn't really do much. May have been different if we were there when they first let every one in at the beginning we may have gotten in before but there was no reserved or special area for FP holders. The show itself was quite good, they asked for some audience participants who got to go out an be part of the show.
Wandered around the Streets of America. All the lights are up for The Osbourne Family Lights , but not on of course.
Another ride on Star Tours using our second FP for the day and bypassing the 60m stand by line. great ride and intend to do it a few more times before the trip is over. We were told there are 50+ different scenarios. The two times we have ridden it were Both different in parts.
Lunch was at Mama Melrose Italian Restaurant. This is a table service venue. We actually booked the Fantasmic package. This gave us the meal as well as VIP entrance to the show with a reserved seating area, not reserved seating. They still recommend you line up 35min before the show.
While we didn't actually go to the show tonight, because we saw it on a FP on our first night, I would definitely do it with the dining package again. With the FP there was no reserved area, just a different line to get into with all the masses. When it came to the actual Hollywood Bowl where Fatasmic is performed, both FP and general admission all combine, only the Dinner package guests have a reserved area for seating.
The lunch it itself at Mama Melrose, was ok, not fantastic. Normally on the dining plan for lunch or dinner you get an Entree (Aussie Main) and a dessert and non alcoholic drinks . Unbeknownst to us for this package we actually got appetisers (Aussie entree) and Entree each and a Dessert sampler platter. Minestrone was very nice, Calamari was way too salty. For mains we had pork Osso bucco and roasted chicken and risotto. Both meals, the meat had little taste. Desserts where 3 samplers 2 were great 1 so so. Overall I'd have to say avg, from the start where they didn't have enough staff on the check in as the lines were out the door, to some avg service. Our experience may have been abnormal, it wasn't bad, just not great as it has been in most places we have been.
Bit more wandering around the park. Met Phineas and Ferb got photos and autographs then over the Lights Motors Action show.
Similar deal with the FP as with Indy Stunt show. Not sure what it did for us. No special seating. We weren't there when they started to let people in so maybe they did let the FP people in first. Anyway I'd recommend you sit somewhere in the lower section below the steel pillars as they really do obstruct the view. I think any seat along the bottom area would give a better view that on more in middle in the upper section. The show is a great show with some amazing driving. I thought the "host" or the director actually looked like one of the guys off full house, not bob saget or john stamos but the other guy can't remember his name!
Went into magic of Disney Animation and Animation Academy. Here there is a Disney animator who who's you how to draw a Disney character. There were these pushy and slightly obnoxious girls in the class who tried to get her to draw genie and stated that she wanted to do the genie and that was final to the Disney cast members credit she gave three options and the class voted. We ended up doing Karl Fredricksen from Up which was really good. They show you step by step with a camera and projector hooked up showing exactly how they are drawing it and you follow. You get to take away your drawing. A must do I think.
We walked straight into the 5pm session of American idol experience. I didn't know what to expect, but found this really enjoyable. Two singers who auditioned earlier in the day and were selected to perform auditioned in front of the crowd. Then the audience votes to choose a winner. The set looks great very much like what you see on tv. They have a number of shows during the day and each of the winners from each show goes into the grand finale show. I think the winner of that show gets a ticket to bypass all the crowds and audition at a real American idol show in a city of their choice.
After that we went over to toy story midway mania and used our third FP to bypass the 65min stand by wait. We all really love this ride, it is a lot of fun. Definitely one for FP.
By the time we came out it was 6:45. We went into some shops and bought a few things and left the park right on closing time. Hopped on bus for our trip back to WL.