Good morning all! Had another long day yesterday but definately a fun one.
Slept in a bit and then headed over to Epcot mid morning. Realized the night before that I forgot to bring my DDE card. So a stop at Epcot guest services, a quick 10 minute wait and I've got a temporary one to use.
We did Nemo which I think is cute then headed over to the Land food court for an early lunch. Soarin was at 110 minutes by this point so we didn't even bother. We walked around the world and just enjoyed browsing in the shops, seeing the exhibit in China (Tomb Warriors) and just generally enjoying the day.
After looping all through World Showcase we did some shopping back in Mouse Gear and then dropped off our goodies in our locker then headed back to the International Gateway.
It was now about 2:30 and the DVC Merry Member Mixer was slated to start at 3:00. Not long after we got there we met up with Webmaster Doc and his wife. Saw a line was starting to form (this is Disney after all - gather more than say 10 people and they start forming a line) so we got in it. Disney had a nice 4 piece choral group come out and entertain us while waiting. Soon it was time to head in. This event has gotten bigger since the first time we went after the 2004 Christmas Cruise.
We got our picture taken with Chip and Dale, got in a very short line to but a very special pin from the event (the line for this was huge later), then met up with a number of other DISers. The DIS had a very large contingent here which was nice and we got to meet a lot of people who we have talked to before on the boards or in chat but had never met before.
We could only stay until 4 as we were scheduled to be at Ft. Wilderness for dinner with Karen (Ohiominnie) and family for dinner at 5. On the way out we ran into Angie who was on the 10 day with us. Her and her DH are sailing on the 12/9 Magic Double Dip. Then we ran into Cheryl and Todd who had just gotten there. Saw Angie's DH Dennis and then we were out the door!
Got to the front of Epcot pretty quick and waiting for a monorail. Didn't have to wait too long but long enough. Back to our room to drop things off and then the plan was catch a boat to the Magic Kingdom then another to Ft. Wilderness. Got to the dock and it looked like we had just missed a boat. So I called Karen and informed her we would be late. After that it was a comedy of errors where we just couldn't catch a break. Went to the monorail for the ride to Magic Kingdom. It came fast but then sat. Pulled into Magic Kingdom and saw the boat was already there - we wouldn't make it. So stayed on to the Contemporary. A boat was coming and the skipper announced his boat was going first to Wilderness Lodge, then to the Campground. But another boat just coming on the other side was doing the campground first, then the lodge. Ok so the other boat pulls in, we get on and both boats sit there. Neither captain told us it was a shift change so we wait for the new captains to get on and we are off. Only problem is our new captain is heading for the lodge! We tell him we are supposed to be going to the campground first (since it was not only us that choose this option but there were also other people on the boat who had already been to the lodge) and it was finally straight! We were about 1/2 hour late!
Luckily Karen's family being as sweet as they are were fine with it. They had gotten seated and just started eating so it was easy to catch up (since it is a buffet). Got to meet Mike's dad and his step-mom.
Dinner over we headed over to
MVMCP. On Wednesday you would have hardly known it was Christmas time. The tree wasn't up an there were very few decorations. Well tonight everthing was ready and the park looked great. First up we saw Mary Poppins, Burt, and 3 cute penquins. Nick loves penquins as do we so we get in line. The woman tells us Burt and Mary are leaving in 5 minutes. We ask if the penquins are staying and she says yes. She must have thought we were nuts because we told her that's who we wanted the photo with!
Photo over we head to adventureland. We ride the flying carpets, splash mountain, big thunder, pirates, and the jungle cruise. Every ride switching off partners with whoever the kids wanted to sit with.
By now it is time for the fireworks and Mike finds us a great spot at the hub. Awesome fireworks though I miss that they don't do the 360 ones like they did for hallowwishes. We now find a spot along the parade route and Mike, Mark and KT go in search of cookies and hot cocoa. When they get back I go to get Mark and I t-shirts and the pin from the event and then we all settle in to wait for the 2nd parade.
After a very fun parade we call it a night and head back to our room. We took the ferry to T & T since it holds so many and then just walked back to our room. The beauty of staying close to the Magic Kingdom. So a late night (didn't get to bed until 1 am) but worth it.
We loved spending the night with Karen, Mike, KT and Nick!
- She's in charge of Christmas Cookie production - and that is definitely an easy one for her to make...
and cold.
Good morning cruisers 
Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated. 
Say "hi" to the OHIO family for us! 
