Trip of a lifetime.....Disney Christmas, Birthday, Food * BIG & final update!

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Ok, so it was still a little while until we had to our booking for our Holiday Tour, so the more rides we could get in the better!

The Storybook Land boats line was the smallest we had seen it for quite a while, so we jumped in the queue. This was the one and only time we rode this for the whole trip. I actually wouldn't have minded going on again, just to capture some more pics. Here are the ones I managed to snap on the way around!



You could say we had a "whale" of a time!!!!









It is very well done and so much attention to detail for all th beloved Disney stories, this one from the Little Mermaid.



We ended up on the train and happened to get off at Main Street just as the parade was coming down the road. A very nice American lady offered to take apic of us!



A couple of pics from the parade in the day time





So it was time to go and get lined up to do our Holiday tour of Disneyland . Our tour guides name was Eddie and he was very knowledgable. He carried a candle which he held up so we could follow along. We were all given headsets to wear so we could hear what he was saying. Now I must admit, this was one of the best things we did.
We found out about all the traditions and the behind the scenes things that go on in the park over the holiday period. We got special entries into Haunted Mansion Holiday and It's A Small World. We also all rode the train and sang Christmas carols on the way. BUT, the best part, THE very best part, was the VIP seating right out the front of Small World where we got to sit and watch the night time parade. We were fortunate enough to get front row which was just amazing. The tour also included fudge tasting whilst on main Street and we were all given some more special treats when we got to our seats to watch the parade..........a gingerbread man, a hot chocolate in our very own take home mug, and a wonderful collectable pin.

Here are just some of the pics from the parade.....















DD enjoying her hot chocolate!



The gingerbread man



And our wonderful tour guide



Front and back of our mugs!





And our pin!



Now I was feeling quite wonderful as I had so many wonderful moments and special memories made throughout the day, but there was just one more very important stop we had to make............

[MAGICFOR2]

Good Morning (here)! What a fun birthday celebration! I just saw storybookland for the first time a couple of years ago. It is a nice little break - you got some really great pics!

I love the Christmas parade at DL! Hot chocolate and gingerbread men while watching all that Christmas go by - what could be better?

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Originally Posted by MAGICFOR2

Good Morning (here)! What a fun birthday celebration! I just saw storybookland for the first time a couple of years ago. It is a nice little break - you got some really great pics!

I love the Christmas parade at DL! Hot chocolate and gingerbread men while watching all that Christmas go by - what could be better?

Hi Tammie and good morning to you too ( well it is here now!!! )

I was really pleased with most of the pics I took and I am sure some could be evn better with a touch up!

The parade was just marvellous and now that we have done the Holiday tour and hd the most magical experience, I would not not hesitate to do it again.

And, yes I did get somewhat spoilt on my birthday and it aint over yet!!!!!

[princesszelda]

cant wait for more! Love your report and all the pics.

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Originally Posted by LizfromOz

Thanks for updating Sue, I am loving reading all about your adventures! I am busy planning our 2nd trip of a lifetime, lol, as well in September this year. Can't wait to see and do eveything we missed in 2009 and of course all of the new stuff.

I'm looking forward to reading more.......

Liz

Hi there Liz and I am so glad you are enjoying the report!

Seems like we will both be planning for a magical end to 2012!!! It won't take long to get around to September as the time just seems to fly these days! We don't leave until the very end of October,so have a little bit longer to wait but it sure will be worth it!

Are you doing a pre trip report by any chance? I am going to start one as soon as I have completed this trip report. I just love doing the report and it makes it so much more fun and exciting to share it with other Disney folk

Take care

Sue

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Originally Posted by princesszelda

cant wait for more! Love your report and all the pics.

Thank you so much for coming along and I am glad you are enjoying the report!

Lots more pics to come!!!

Take care

Sue

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Originally Posted by zanzibar138

So glad you decided to finish your TR I was so disappointed when it stopped! Now that you're here again I will continue stalking

We're planning our next Disney trip too - HK Disneyland as part of our honeymoon

Feel free to continue stalking!!!

Wow, Hong Kong Disneyland for your honeymoon sounds just so wonderful! The new Toy Story land that has just opened there looks fantastic so you will have to take lots of pics to share with us!

[zanzibar138]

Originally Posted by Minnie Sue Oz

Feel free to continue stalking!!!

Wow, Hong Kong Disneyland for your honeymoon sounds just so wonderful! The new Toy Story land that has just opened there looks fantastic so you will have to take lots of pics to share with us!

Oh yes, there will be many many pics and a detailed TR... I've struggled to find much info for HK Disneyland so I intend to do my part for future HK travellers

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Originally Posted by zanzibar138

Oh yes, there will be many many pics and a detailed TR... I've struggled to find much info for HK Disneyland so I intend to do my part for future HK travellers

And I will be one of your first subscribers!!!

[Shelby Disney]

Wow, what a fantastic TR, and insight into your fabulous holiday Minnie Sue, it has been great fun reading all your exciting adventures, and seeing all your photos, which I might say are quite impressive! Love the food porn!

I can't wait till we head over to the old US of A for our holiday!
It would appear I still have much to learn before we go!

Cheers, Shelley

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Continuing on our way around, DD and I thought we would check out Tarzans treehouse.









I love the detail, especially the books that are placed throughout that tell the story.



Mrs Potts



We were a tad hungry, so ended up eating at the Village Haus restaurant. It really was one of our favourites!



And the food!



Snapped this shot on the way round




Now you would think I had been pretty well ruined all day..............I mean I got the most wonderful present, I had breakfast with Minnie, I was allowed to choose what we did for the day, I did the holiday tour of Disneyland, so what more could a girl do??????

Well, I'm glad you asked!!! The Fantasmic priority seting, that's what! It really was a magical end to a truly magical day. To sit and enjoy the spectacle that is Fantasmic with my family and have a snack box and an uninterrupted view, was just, well, Magical!!!!

As I really wanted to enjoy the show, the only pic I took was of the yummy box of goodies that you get.





None of us finished it all but it was yummy. I know I have read peoples posts where they cannot justify the cost, and yes it was expensive ( and no AP discount applies either ), but it truly was a wonderful way to finish the day. Would I do it again..................yes!!!!

As I mentioned, I did not take one pic of the show itself as I did not want to view it through the back of my camera. I fully intended to take pics when we viewed it again, but due to the massive crowds, we never did get to see it again But, the DD and I have it on the list of things we are going to film in October!

After the show finished, we wandered around just taking it all in and jumping on any rides that were not too long to wait.

So all up, I had the most memorable birthday ever.............and it wouldn't have been possible without my beautiful DD and my ever patient wonderful DH!!!

Coming up, Christmas Eve at the happiest place on earth

[LizfromOz]

Originally Posted by Minnie Sue Oz

Hi there Liz and I am so glad you are enjoying the report!

Seems like we will both be planning for a magical end to 2012!!! It won't take long to get around to September as the time just seems to fly these days! We don't leave until the very end of October,so have a little bit longer to wait but it sure will be worth it!

Are you doing a pre trip report by any chance? I am going to start one as soon as I have completed this trip report. I just love doing the report and it makes it so much more fun and exciting to share it with other Disney folk

Take care

Sue

I've never writen a PTR before, but now I think I just might. We are planning on a cruise before DL, so once I figure out what we're actually doing I'll get started. I just love planning our trips. My poor DH and DDs just roll their eyes and nod whenever I start talking about our holidays, but they are all grateful for the great times we have. At the moment I'm on the lookout for some airfare deals.

I'm looking forward to your next installment, I'm loving your reports.

Liz

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Originally Posted by LizfromOz

I've never writen a PTR before, but now I think I just might. We are planning on a cruise before DL, so once I figure out what we're actually doing I'll get started. I just love planning our trips. My poor DH and DDs just roll their eyes and nod whenever I start talking about our holidays, but they are all grateful for the great times we have. At the moment I'm on the lookout for some airfare deals.

I'm looking forward to your next installment, I'm loving your reports.

Liz

Ooh ooh, I will one of the first signed up to your PTR!!!!

We can compare as we go! I too am on the look out for good airfare deals. The accomodation ( well the first bit anyway ) is booked and I am just waiting to book the last 4 nights at a hotel on property.......not too sure which one yet as it will depend on what deal I can get!

Let me tell you, the next instalment is a very special one and we may even have a guest writer!!!!

Take care

Sue

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm so glad you enjoyed your birthday.

[LizfromOz]

Originally Posted by Minnie Sue Oz

Ooh ooh, I will one of the first signed up to your PTR!!!!

We can compare as we go! I too am on the look out for good airfare deals. The accomodation ( well the first bit anyway ) is booked and I am just waiting to book the last 4 nights at a hotel on property.......not too sure which one yet as it will depend on what deal I can get!

Let me tell you, the next instalment is a very special one and we may even have a guest writer!!!!

Take care

Sue

can't wait to hear more !!