First Christmas Trip to Disney 12/07

[pjstevens]

Sorry, for some reason, I'm not getting updates (thought I was, but didn't know you had been here). We walked to our spot right after the fireworks, so I figured about 30-45 minutes (but that was before the parade start time, it took a LOT longer for it to get to us). I did love that spot though, as soon as it was over, we were out of there!!!

Wow - your Parade pictures are fantastic!!!

How long did you have to wait there to get that spot?

 

[pjstevens]

Next up, Day Three (finally, sorry for the delay).

First, DD, Aubre is HOME!!!!! She got home last night after her four month college program at Walt Disney World. She’s already talking about going back there this summer for the Alumni program (YIPEEE another trip!!!!)

Day Three – Wednesday. This is graduation for DD from the cp (but it’s just for them, not us sorry parents who are here, lol). So we started our day in the same old fashion, struggling to get everyone up. Showers, eat breakfast in the room and finally we are off to MGM. The plan is to park, go into MGM, cause we need DD to enter with us for us to be able to get our ticket for the day. So we head off to MGM. You know how they direct everyone in the parking lot, well as we are getting closer, it looks like our row was just about full, and I’m thinking, oh great, we’ll get stuck all the way at the other end (and we are just walking to the gate, going in and leaving, lol). Well, we got lucky!!! We got like five spots up or something!!! Yea. So off we go to the park entrance and what do we see, but another beautiful tree

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We get to the gate, go through the cast member entrance and then say good-bye to DS1 and DS2 and DIL. (We noticed another person doing this exact same thing, lol). I tell them to get lots of pictures with the photo pass since I wouldn’t be there for a bit. Then it’s back to the car to take DD to her graduation. I’m glad we are getting pretty good at navigating our way around Disney and the area. We dropped DD off for her graduation. She got a lovely certificate of completion and she got her Mickey ears with graduation tassel. They had Mickey, Minnie and Donald there to share in the special occasion. Here are a couple pics of her graduation day.

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After dropping DD off at her graduation, it was back to MGM for us. Now, remember we had a GREAT parking spot and all I’m thinking is great, we’ll be way far away this time. But we got even a better spot when we returned!!! We were at the very end of the row, closest to the tram (or walkway). So we headed back to the gate and this would be our first time actually going in without DD. Of course we had to stop for our picture…

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Then off to the gate. When we went in, the cm asked us if we drove a car today, and we told her yes. She wanted to let us know that we could be reimbursed for parking, since we were on a cm ticket. Wow, that was good to know, but we were fortunate and didn’t have to pay for parking. Between being an on-site guest and our DD being a cm, we had free parking!!!

We tried to figure out where the other kids were when we came upon this…

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They were getting ready for a show, so there was hardly anyone in front of the hat!!! I love to see that. Caught up with the other kids and found out they did this.

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They did ToT and RNR a few times, stopping for just a couple photos.

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Up next, Lights, Motors, Action and lunch at Sci-Fi.

 

[scottny]

I loved the character graduation pics. very cute. great update once again.

 

[pjstevens]

I loved the character graduation pics. very cute. great update once again.

Scott,

They had a photo pass photographer there at the graduation, but for some reason, Aubre only had her picture taken with Minnie (and then I couldn't find that one to post) so those shown were with her camera. I was glad to see those since we couldn't be there to enjoy it. You have got to be so excited, you'll be in the World in not time.

 

[pjstevens]

Once again, the delays of life are causing me to get farther behind. I hate that, as my mind starts to forget what we did. Think I would have kept notes to help with this, but NO WAY!!! Why would I do that? I like to see how good my memory isn’t some days.

Advance warning not much in the way of photos this portion (not sure why), sorry.

After we met up with DS1, DIL and DS2, we got a quick snack and then were off to see what we would do.

As we walked by the bronze heads, DS1 decided to practice his MMA techniques on Walt himself.

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After playing around, we went to see the Muppets. Actually we walked towards Star Tours and saw a bit of Jedi training, but no one was in the mood for Star Tours (I get motion sick on that one, luckily, not to the point of getting sick, but that yucky feeling for some time). So off we went to the Muppets. We have seen this show many of times, but it’s still cute. We followed our TGM tips and got a perfect seat to maximize the effects.

After the Muppets show, it was time for our lunch. We had noon adr at Sci Fi Dine in and I have heard good and bad and was a little weary. We checked in with virtually no wait. We were seated into our car (there were only five of us since DD was at graduation). DS1 sat by himself as the driver, DH and I in the middle and DS2 and DIL in the back. We had a very good meal here. For appetizers we had onion rings and the mixed greens salad (for those that did get appetizers here). For lunch, DS2 had the Smoked Baby Back Ribs, DH had the Reuben. DS1 had the Shrimp Penne Pasta, DIL had the Smoked Turkey Sandwich and I had the Burger. I had heard they have great burgers here. The movie clips here are cute, but if you are there longer than one hour you will see them again (and AGAIN). We enjoyed our lunch and never felt rushed as it was so cool inside (and was HOT 80 outside). I don’t recall what everyone had for dessert, but it was good (I am sure of that). We left there STUFFED!!! It was time to head on over to see Lights, Motors, Action! (Boy is this a long walk). Along the way, we passed these cuties…

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Finally we worked our way up to the seats of LMA. I’ll tell you, it’s a LONG walk to anywhere in this place (I think I already said that, but just a warning for others)… but we got perfect center seats (a ways up, but great view). These guys amaze me. I can’t imagine having someone come right at you and just missing.

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As this show finished up we found that DD was back from her Graduation and was in the park. I knew I wanted to see the parade, so we set our a meeting place. When we first saw her, this is what she looked like (actually you got a sneak peek on the previous post).

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She looks so cute in her Mickey ears… but what do I see on her shirt???? A birthday pin???? It’s not her birthday!!! She wanted to enjoy some extra attention so you might notice in some photos she has a birthday pin on. She got ‘Just Married’ ones for DS1 and DIL (they did go to Disney on the honeymoon, but did not know anything about pins back there).

Well being I am at work, sneaking in an update, I will have to do more later on. UP next, the Hollywood Holly Day Parade and LOTS of pictures!!!

 

[pjstevens]

Hey look at this…. TWO UPDATES IN ONE DAY!!!! Woohoo I am on a roll. And this one has TONS of photos..

In August 2006, DH and I did a no kids trip. It was a anniversary trip and we got to see the MGM parade for the first time that year. For some reason we hadn’t done the parades much the previous trip. Having seen this one, but not the Christmas one, I HAD to see this. There is just something about Disney at Christmas time. I love how they incorporate it into many things around the park (mind my note early in my tr about lack of decorations at the entrance of MK). Guess it’s all in perspective.

Ok, sorry for the ramble. Now, lets get this tr on the road… After we met up with DD, DS1 and DIL decided to go back to resort to swim. DD and DS2 decided to go see if they could get on to ToT or RNR. We got a drink and scoped out our spot (in front of the bronze heads). This wall is great to sit on and you are out of the direct sun. We sat and people watched until it was time for the parade. Nice thing here, we are much closer to the starting point than the ending point (like we were at MK last night). Before the actual beginning of the parade, Disney was ‘showing off’ their new movie Enchanted and the newest Disney Princess Giselle.

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Then it’s time for the ‘official’ beginning of the parade…

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Up next, Osborne Family Spetacle of Lights!

 

[kaysmommie]

your Parade pics are awesome! I love the Mk ones the most. Sorry about the rude people. That always happens to me and they always have the nerve to try and push you back so they have a front row seat . That is my pet peeve.

The pictures of Aubre with mickey & Minnie are so cute! My DD loved your MGM parde photos. They didn't have Giselle from enchanted when we were there. Waiting for more .

 

[pjstevens]

your Parade pics are awesome! I love the Mk ones the most. Sorry about the rude people. That always happens to me and they always have the nerve to try and push you back so they have a front row seat . That is my pet peeve.

The pictures of Aubre with mickey & Minnie are so cute! My DD loved your MGM parde photos. They didn't have Giselle from enchanted when we were there. Waiting for more .

Thanks so much. I love seeing the parades and really try to get a good spot so I can get good photos (I tend to take WAY too many); but I'll be scrap booking this weekend and I am working on Disney!!! Can't wait.

 

[scottny]

WOW!!!
those parade pics are fantastic. great update.

 

[pjstevens]

WOW!!!
those parade pics are fantastic. great update.

Thanks Scott, Can always count on you to check in. Have a wonderful trip!!! I told DH today that MGM officially changed their name (saw the signs on allears) and told him we have to go back!!! He said YES!!!!

 

[scottny]

Thanks Scott, Can always count on you to check in. Have a wonderful trip!!! I told DH today that MGM officially changed their name (saw the signs on allears) and told him we have to go back!!! He said YES!!!!

I saw the pics on the theme park thread. it looks nice. that is good that he said yes, r u planning yet?

 

[KimAshton]

Cannot wait to read more. Congrats to your DD.

 

[KimAshton]

Cannot wait to read more. Congrats to your DD.

 

[KimAshton]

Cannot wait to read more. Congrats to your DD.

 

[pjstevens]

Cannot wait to read more. Congrats to your DD.

It's nice to have you join along. I'll won't be able to update until early next week. Sorry for how long it's taking.

 

[pjstevens]

I saw the pics on the theme park thread. it looks nice. that is good that he said yes, r u planning yet?

Scott,

Haven't started planning yet. It's our 25th anniversary this year and trying to decide what to do (maybe a deluxe finally, or maybe a disney cruise).

 

[mymainmouse]

Pat,
I am really enjoying your trip report. I am so glad I came across it. I had forgotten that you were going again at Christmas time. I absolutely love all of your pictures. I especially like the ones of the castle.
I am glad Aubre is safely home. I was just telling DH about the 40% discount and the 21.00 dining plan that you got because of Aubre being enrolled in the college program. He said that he thinks our daughters need to be in that program too. Unfortunately we are going to have to wait a year or 2 or 10.
Once again great trip report!

 

[pjstevens]

Thanks for coming by Kelly. I just got back from a scrap booking weekend where all i worked on was our trip from last month. It seesm like I'll never get caught up. I'll be posting an update tomorrow (unless I get some major energy tonight0.

Pat,
I am really enjoying your trip report. I am so glad I came across it. I had forgotten that you were going again at Christmas time. I absolutely love all of your pictures. I especially like the ones of the castle.
I am glad Aubre is safely home. I was just telling DH about the 40% discount and the 21.00 dining plan that you got because of Aubre being enrolled in the college program. He said that he thinks our daughters need to be in that program too. Unfortunately we are going to have to wait a year or 2 or 10.
Once again great trip report!

 

[pjstevens]

I was away scraping our trip from last month. I spent three days scraping and I am at the EXACT same spot as I am online. I finished up my last installment with MGM’s Hollywood Holly Days Parade. And that is exactly where I stopped after three days of scraping (didn’t even realize that until this moment when I sat down to start up again on my TR).

So without further ado, I will go on….

After the parade, we caught up with DS2 and DD. They had some fun with the photopass photographer before we found them.

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We then took a break and went back to ASMu for a swim and relax a little. Dale, Aubre and I headed back to MGM to see the LIGHTS!!!!!

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We headed towards the back to get a bite to eat, then it was off to see the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Up next, the LIGHTS!!!

 

[pjstevens]

I did take my tripod to hope to get some good shots. It was really crowded, but it was BEAUTIFUL!!!

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Finally, after enjoying the SNOW falling from the sky and the lights, it was time to call it a night. Up next Animal Kingdom!!!