Birt Family Focus

Disney MGM Studios - New York Street -- 12/10/02

Howdy!!

Today we take our tour down New York Street. One of the first things we come to is a very familiar looking red building. Not exactly an attraction, none the less, it often has staggering lines. This is Al's Toy Barn. Straight out of Toy Story II, this is where to meet and get autographs from the Toy Story Characters. Any given day will find Woody, Buzz, a Toy Soldier, Jessie, or others here to interact with you in person. They are typically there from about 9:30 in the morning until 5PM and often change the characters throughout the day. If autograph hunting is your bag, get there early. By the way- they are all costumes characters- no faces- so they don't talk.

Just down from the barn, there is the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. This is nothing but a small playground, but what a hoot. Everything looks like the sets from when the kids were stuck in the yard and the size of ants. It is pretty fun for kids and grown-ups alike to go in here and make photos with some of the set items, like a giant Lego piece. Be careful when you get to the dog's nose- he mists when he sniffs! This area is located right next to the food court on this street, so it is a great place to let your kiddles run off steam while you relax in the shade with a coke. There is a map by the entrance so you can find them when you are ready to go. The grown-ups in my family enjoy a stroll through here as much as the kids- but we don't climb on stuff....as much. ;-) It's fairly interactive as well, since not only does the doggie nose mist, the ants chatter and there is a motion sensitive hose that drips water on the unsuspecting. There are no swings, but there is a giant spiderweb rope that can be swung on or climbed on as desired. Likewise, there is a slide, but it is disguised as an old Kodak film cannister.

Next week, we get silly and visit the Muppets at the Muppets 3-D attraction. I may be a bit late-expect it on Wednesday-I leave for WDW on Thursday morning and won't be back until Tuesday evening. YIPPEE- I just can't wait. Started packing yesterday and bought our passes this past weekend. Already have the hotel paid for and the assigner was only too happy to place us in the building I requested. WEEEE- We are so ready to go! Yesterday my DH was chanting 'two more days, two more days' in the car. Gotta love him!

Sla`inte~