Today was Day 4 - time to head off to our fourth theme park - Hollywood Studios! The girls have really been whining for pool time, so we've decided to let them play at the pool for an hour or two in the morning, before we head off. This is good, because it lets them do what they want - but this is also bad, because they are already semi-tired by the time we arrive at the park.
Looks like it was a beautiful day, doesn't it? Well, guess again!
Within 10 minutes of arriving at the park, thunder began rumbling and within another 10 minutes, the skies opened up and rain poured down. Good thing we had already brought our ponchos (Disney is great - they have let us exchange two ripped ponchos for brand-new ones. Although, we did buy some new (cheaper) ponchos at Walgreens as well, just in case)!
However, nothing put a damper on the girls meeting their favorite characters, Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater. Obviously, they couldn't get an autograph but it was a great to get a photo with them!
Obviously, I couldn't resist a picture of Daddy Dude on the speeder... ;)
As some of you may know, Star Wars is big at Hollywood Studios. They have the Star Tours ride (which Daddy Dude went on - and I'll have you know, while we were waiting for him to return, we were stuck in a downpour) and a big AT-AT in front of it. We're planning to return to this theme park on Friday, for the very first day of STAR WARS WEEKEND. We hear it's supposed to be a madhouse when they first open, what with people camping out overnight to get celebrity autographs and collectibles. So, we'll be arriving well after they open.
Some of the rides were closed, due to the bad weather. The girls really enjoyed the shows (Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast), of course. They were horrified, however, by the Muppets 3D movie, exhibiting the same reaction as to "It's Tough To Be a Bug." Apparently, they find 3D movies to be terrifying and can't look. Who knew?
And finally... I know Daddy Dude really loves me, because he took me out for Chinese food for dinner... I can only take so much of burger & fries or salad before my body starts craving some rice... *sigh* I feel so much better now. Thanks, honey! ;) And I couldn't believe that the girls actually ate some hot & sour soup - who knew they couldn't tell it was spicy?
And here's a second batch... these costumes were amazing!
And like I said, it rained - A LOT - the whole time we were there. The worst thunderstorm we experienced was on the final day (for Star Wars weekend) at Hollywood Studios. The lightning flashed and literally, less than half a second later, the thunder KABOOMED. Marika ended up hiding under my poncho most of the time, looking miserable. Here she is, looking disgruntled. It got worse later!
But the girls did love the parade. I was sorry we didn't get to see more of the Star Wars characters throughout the park, but the rain was so bad, it would have been impossible to photograph them anyway. 
