How much Christmas can we squeeze into 3 days? Nov/Dec 2015 TR *NEW TR Link 5/18!*

[NJlauren]

WAY behind, i feel like lately all i am doing is playing catch up!

Your trip looks amazing! I remember those rain clouds well that day! But luckily the rain for the weekend wasn't horrible.

I love all your character pictures, the boys seem to really enjoy all the meets which is great! I love how you had such a fabulous interaction with Daisy at the Minnie's holiday dine! (see how far behind i was!!)

 

[hokieinpa]

Great pictures! Haha, laughing at Jake concentrating so hard on eating! Really, how many times have I told my kids to concentrate on their meals, and this is one time that you want to interrupt them but they just want to keep eating? Very nice that they also let Colin catch up and get his chance with Stitch.

We had a great meal at Ohana. And Jake really enjoyed the food, apparently! And you're so right about this being the one time I wanted him to actually STOP eating for a bit...and he wouldn't! He was way too hungry I guess!

And the CMs were really great about letting us squeeze in some time for Colin and Stitch!

YAAAY!

I know!

BOOO!

I know!

"Nope." That's what I would say, anyhow. But this is also probably part of why I stay single. I'm not big on compromise.

Compromise only happens when I'm trying to avoid the ugly fight that will ruin my perfect Disney bubble. Most of the time life is not so easy!

It IS really lovely! This is probably my next dream Deluxe hotel after I do my Beach Club stay in October!

I thought it was really beautiful - so open and light! Much different than the Value lobbies. And a stay at the Poly is a dream - so much fun!

Wow. You have GREAT luck with this kind of stuff!!!

I did! I think if it would have been something like CRT or BOG things would not have gone over so well.

His face, though... BAHAHA!

Isn't it just so happy to be there? But seriously, he does zero character meets unless it's a big group photo before a meal. His job is handling the autograph book and taking the top off the marker. And he likes it! So much discomfort here...

I LOVE THIS!!!

Sigh. I know. 14 more days till I can see my favorite guy again!

Unnnnghhhhhh. GET IN MY BELLY.

Those potatoes were AMAZING!

Jake's got priorities, yo.

He keeps it real. Food first, Mickey second.

WAY behind, i feel like lately all i am doing is playing catch up!

Story of my life. This TR feels in overdrive because I'm trying to wrap it up before my next trip!

Your trip looks amazing! I remember those rain clouds well that day! But luckily the rain for the weekend wasn't horrible.

We had really great luck because we were able to do things inside like Biergarten or the Mexico pyramid while it rained a bit. But really it wasn't too bad!

I love all your character pictures, the boys seem to really enjoy all the meets which is great! I love how you had such a fabulous interaction with Daisy at the Minnie's holiday dine! (see how far behind i was!!)

They do love the character meets! And Daisy was great - funny and sweet!

 

[missangelalexis]

Ugh added guests again! I don't think it would bother me so much for a meal, but for a party? I'd be totally freaking out!

I'm glad you were able to get to the ADR on time though, and that it wasn't an issue to add the guests to the reservation. I do find it funny though that both times they added your guests with no issue at all!

So many cute character pictures. I love that Colin was trying to get Jake to look at the camera! And the food here looks really yummy!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Adding on guests AGAIN?!!! I'd be like Anger from Inside Out--just picture the flames shooting my from my head!!!!!
Your boys are so darn cute! I cannot get enough of Jake stuffing his face with breakfast, like, yea I see you there characters...I just love waffles more than you!

 

[hokieinpa]

Ugh added guests again! I don't think it would bother me so much for a meal, but for a party? I'd be totally freaking out!

It was so frustrating! The meals turned out really well which was nice. There was slight drama over FP+ that I'll get too soon but it didn't turn out too bad really.

I'm glad you were able to get to the ADR on time though, and that it wasn't an issue to add the guests to the reservation. I do find it funny though that both times they added your guests with no issue at all!

I think it would have been a bigger deal at someplace like BOG or CRT. But I was surprised that it was so easy to change the party!

So many cute character pictures. I love that Colin was trying to get Jake to look at the camera! And the food here looks really yummy!

He was really trying to get Jake too look - Jake was just way more interested in those waffles! And the food was very food. I really liked the potatoes!

Adding on guests AGAIN?!!! I'd be like Anger from Inside Out--just picture the flames shooting my from my head!!!!!
Your boys are so darn cute! I cannot get enough of Jake stuffing his face with breakfast, like, yea I see you there characters...I just love waffles more than you!

Right? I was boiling on the inside but really was trying to keep the peace.

They had a great time at breakfast...especially Jake! Those waffles must have been pretty good!

 

[hokieinpa]

“It smells so good in here!”




After our breakfast at ‘Ohana, it was time to finish our morning at the monorail resorts and see some Christmas décor!


I got a picture of some of the outside décor at the Poly before we boarded the monorail.

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Our first stop was the Grand Floridian and as soon as we walked in, I was amazed! This was my first time inside this resort and it is really breathtaking. I got a picture of the tree from the second level before we made our way downstairs.

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We stopped to get some pictures in front of the tree and they turned out really well! I think they are my favorite family pictures from the trip and I used them for our Christmas cards.

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And then it was time to check out the gingerbread house!

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It was beautiful, smelled great, and I loved the detail!

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Like this Inside Out scene above one window. I did find it sad that someone put a Mickey sticker on the shutter here.

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And Mickey and friends in the snow! See the Mickey’s on the wreaths on the shutters? This is what they should look like!

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Finally, a golden Hidden Mickey!

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The ingredients list is pretty impressive too. My favorite part is “Disney Magic and Pixie Dust”!

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I tried to get a picture of Nate and Colin with Chip, but…we know how that goes!

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I think the boys found a little nook with chairs and a TV while I looked around some more. I'm also pretty sure my mom bought them a cookie at the little bakery shop behind the gingerbread house. But they were quiet for a minute, so live and let live, right?

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Sigh. Staying here would be amazing. But I also kind of think I would be nervous the boys would run crazy and we would be totally improper. I would be nervous they were on the verge of breaking something the entire stay!


We went back out to the monorail and rode all the way around to the Contemporary.


The theme of the gingerbread house here was Frozen. Colin liked the hidden Snowgies!

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Olaf even had a little summer sandcastle!

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And an Elsa cake!

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We also took a few minutes to look around at Fantasia Market. Jake really loved this guy. I think it’s a Rancor?

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He got a big “No!” even when my mom offered to buy it. That thing is way too creepy to bring into the house!


Nate tried to make a good case that he needed this R2D2 bag."For school, Mom"

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Once again, my mom offered to get it for him (because I’m not sure she has ever said no to them) but I put a stop to it.


After we looked around a bit, we walked back over to MK and I took this picture of Space Mountain. It would have been much better with a monorail going by but I’ll take it!

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We quickly caught a bus back to Pop and rested up for our MVMCP! Jake and Colin napped while Nate played on his Leap Pad. Soon it was time to get up and get ready for some Christmas magic!



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Christmas on Main Street[/URL][/URL]

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[hokieinpa]

Great pictures! You got a lot of things done with everyone - its been a long time, but I can't imagine having the energy to do all that when my girls were that age. But I guess your family is a great help to you, that's awesome!

Thanks! It was really nice seeing the resorts all decked out for the holidays.

And I think it really helps having my parents along! It's nice to have extra hands to help watch the boys, restroom breaks, etc. We have a partial day in Epcot without my parents so it will be interesting to see how it goes!

 

[missjackiemcg]

The Christmas tree is just to die for at the Grand Floridian isn't it?! I love your family picture there--all eyes on the camera!? WOO HOO!!!

I had the same feeling you do about staying at GF. I would be so nervous about doing/saying the wrong thing--it just feels too fancy for me and my crew!! I also felt really under dressed just being in the lobby!!!

 

[missangelalexis]

Love all your Grand Floridian pictures! The PP ones came out so nice. And the gingerbread house looks so beautiful, love all the little details!

When I saw the Frozen gingerbread display it was before the release of Frozen Fever, so there were no snowgies or the birthday cake- such cute additions!

 

[NJlauren]

Great morning! The gingerbread houses are so beautiful!

So nice to check out all the lobby's and different hotels! Love the family picture in front of the tree!!

One of my first memories of Disney is in the Grand Florida lobby, I must have been 7? Maybe? And my cousin maybe a year old she wasn't walking yet was crawling all over the lobby and my sister and I were chasing here everywhere.... I'm not sure if we caused a sense but I would think so.... But I think it's Disney so maybe people didn't care???

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Monorail resort hoping is so much fun - especially holiday time!

Those are some really nice family pictures by the GF tree!

Good job - that is a Rancor!

Well, I mean, if he needs it for school

 

[KathyM2]

Sigh. Staying here would be amazing.

I think that anytime I go near the monorail resorts...especially the GF though...heaven. Maybe when your kids are a bit older and you won't have to worry so much about the breakage factor lol

 

[hokieinpa]

The Christmas tree is just to die for at the Grand Floridian isn't it?! I love your family picture there--all eyes on the camera!? WOO HOO!!!

The tree was so beautiful! And I really like that family picture - I guess we did actually get a few good ones this trip!

I had the same feeling you do about staying at GF. I would be so nervous about doing/saying the wrong thing--it just feels too fancy for me and my crew!! I also felt really under dressed just being in the lobby!!!

I agree - I'm not nearly fancy enough for a stay at the GF, I think! I felt like we were invading with a wild pack of animals or something. I know families stay there but it just seems so grown up and reserved.

Love all your Grand Floridian pictures! The PP ones came out so nice. And the gingerbread house looks so beautiful, love all the little details!

That lobby and tree were just so beautiful! And the gingerbread house was amazing - so pretty and so many details that it was hard to believe it was all made out of gingerbread! And thanks - I really like that picture as well.

When I saw the Frozen gingerbread display it was before the release of Frozen Fever, so there were no snowgies or the birthday cake- such cute additions!

The Contemporary gingerbread house was much more fun and we all liked the Frozen touches!

Great morning! The gingerbread houses are so beautiful!

Yes it was the perfect way to start our party day! We loved looking at the house and decorations!

So nice to check out all the lobby's and different hotels! Love the family picture in front of the tree!!

I enjoyed exploring the resorts much more than I imagined I would! I think I'm going to head over to explore Beach Club/Yacht Club and Boardwalk when I'm there solo in October! And thanks - I love that picture!

One of my first memories of Disney is in the Grand Florida lobby, I must have been 7? Maybe? And my cousin maybe a year old she wasn't walking yet was crawling all over the lobby and my sister and I were chasing here everywhere.... I'm not sure if we caused a sense but I would think so.... But I think it's Disney so maybe people didn't care???

I know the families must stay at the GF but it just seems so calm and serene that I felt like we were intruding! But I think you're right - it's Disney!!

Monorail resort hoping is so much fun - especially holiday time!

Those are some really nice family pictures by the GF tree!

Good job - that is a Rancor!

Well, I mean, if he needs it for school

It was a great way to start off our party day. I'm glad we stopped for those pictures in front of the tree - I think they are my favorite from the trip.

Glad I got a bit of Star Wars trivia right! And school totally justifies an oversized droid!

I think that anytime I go near the monorail resorts...especially the GF though...heaven. Maybe when your kids are a bit older and you won't have to worry so much about the breakage factor lol

Staying in a monorail resort would be a dream! I think it might be something to consider in the future, especially as a split stay. And definitely when the boys are older!!

 

[hokieinpa]

Christmas on Main Street

It was time for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! We cleaned up some and headed out for Magic Kingdom. I had gotten the boys reindeer headbands before our trip.

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Spoiler Alert – Does that look like the face of a healthy person? Not really…more on that later.

Our party of 9 (SIL and BIL were joining us for MVMCP) got down to the bus stop shortly after 3 and we were the 4th or 5th group in line. I’m glad we got there when we did because the line behind us got very long!

We boarded one of the buses and were at MK at 3:40. They began letting party guests in at 3:45 so we made it through the turnstiles to see this beautiful sight! Magic Kingdom was all decked out for Christmas!

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The tree!

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A selfie was needed!

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Then we turned the corner and were greeted with the castle!

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I loved the wreaths on Main Street!

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We found a PhotoPass photographer to get a family picture. He wasn’t very patient and I didn’t love these photos but here is the best one.

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But more magic was coming! The Main Street Philharmonic! We stopped to listen for a few minutes and then continued down the street.

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Main Street balloons!

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And a close up shot of the light post wreaths.

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This was my first time seeing the Plaza Gardens. They are really pretty and make the whole Hub area feel very open!

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Finally we were front and center with the castle! Overload of pictures…

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I also spotted this pretty tree of poinsettias in the Plaza Gardens.

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After sighing over the castle for a bit, it was time to head back to Fantasyland!



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Fantasyland Favorites![/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url]

 

[DVCAshleyB]

This report makes Christmas at Disney really look like the best possible time to travel!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[hokieinpa]

This report makes Christmas at Disney really look like the best possible time to travel!

I absolutely loved Disney at Christmas! It was really special - the decorating, music, parade, fireworks - all just even more magical than ever!

I love the Christmas decorations too! The weather looks great and you have some lovely pictures. I hope to go again to the Christmas Party one day, I loved the special Christmas music and parade!

We did have really nice weather. Very warm for December but still pleasant. The Christmas party was great. I loved the whole atmosphere of MK that night!

 

[MissMaryQC]

The GF looks so pretty all decorated!! I agree with you the stay there though; I'd be terrified I might break something, let alone the toddler!!

I love the Frozen theme at Contemporary. And the Elsa cake from Frozen Fever was a nice Disney touch.

Ut-oh, not good to hear we have a sick boy in the party!

MVMCP looks great! Can't wait to see what the night brought you guys!

 

[hokieinpa]

The GF looks so pretty all decorated!! I agree with you the stay there though; I'd be terrified I might break something, let alone the toddler!!

The GF was really lovely! The tree was amazing. But I agree - it's far too fancy for me! I would love it but I would be nervous the whole time the boys would run and knock something over!

I love the Frozen theme at Contemporary. And the Elsa cake from Frozen Fever was a nice Disney touch.

It was a nice touch! The gingerbread display at the Contemporary was so different from the GF but both were really nice!

Ut-oh, not good to hear we have a sick boy in the party!

It was not a happy night for all.

MVMCP looks great! Can't wait to see what the night brought you guys!

We had a nice start on Main Street!! Loved MK all decked out for Christmas!