5 Day Family Trip - Day 1-5

[dw123]

Cast: Me, my wife, and DD age 8

Nov 28 - We had spent the Thanksgiving holiday at New Smyrna Beach, and left there around 10:30am for WDW! We were all very excited (this was our 4th trip over the past few years). We decided to start off at Downtown Disney, and arrived a little after 12. We ate a quick lunch at the Earl of Sandwich - which was outstanding, but very busy. We then went shopping at the World of Disney and walked around. We then headed over to our hotel - the Coronado Springs. We checked in, got our tickets for MVMCP that night, and unpacked. We stayed in the Cabanas 9B - and they were great. We unpacked and got ready for the party.

We got on the bus to the MK around 4:00, and got into the park about 4:30. It was fantastic! We know that most people want to go for the shows, but we were mostly interested in the rides - and the lines were very low. We started off in Adventureland and did the Tiki Room, Magic Carpets, the Jungle Cruise, and Pirates. Did a little shopping and got some dinner at Pecos Bills. We then went to the CBJ (to digest), and then rode BTMRR twice and then Splash Mountain twice - BTMRR with 2 minute waits and the CM at Splash just let us stay on.

We then walked over and did the HM, and stopped in at the Columbia Harbor House for some hot chocolate, cookies, and apples. We then did Small World and then Philharmagic. It was about 9:15, so we headed over to the Tomorrowland bridge for the special Wishes show. It was great - and we got to see Tink go by which was a first for us!

After the show, we hit Space Mountain - and then our daughter started to hit the wall. We did Winnie the Pooh and then started to head out. When we got to Main St, she remembered about missing the parade, and wanted to stay and see the 10:45 parade. We did - and it was fun. We then headed out and got back to our room about midnight.

Busy, tiring day - but great! More fun tomorrow!

 

[dw123]

Wednesday, Nov 29.

Even though we had a late first night, I woke up around 5:30am and hit the Jacuzzi and then the pool. I got some breakfast for the family - left it in the room - and drove around the world a bit. I stopped in at the Boardwalk Inn and checked out the hotels there and the decorations they had. I then went into EPCOT and hit the easier version of Mission Space - one of my favorite rides - to see if my daughter would like it. Walking out, my feeling was it would not go over well. As I got off the ride, it was raining - so I got drenched!

Got back in our room just before 10:00am - and the family had just gotten going. My wife was not feeling well, so my daughter and I got on the bus and hit Epcot. We got a fast pass for Soarin (in the rain), and then went to the new Nemo ride - which was pretty cute. The ride queue is cute - and there was no line. We checked out the fish (primarily the dolphin, sharks and manatees), got a souvenier, and the went to Soarin'. We then got a fastpass for Test Track, and got a hot dog from a vendor. We hit Test Track and decided to go back to the room - in the rain once again!

The rain stopped, and we hit the pool for just about 2 hours. I got dinner from the Pepper Market for everyone, and then my daughter and I decided to hit Extra Magic Hour at the AK. We got there about 5:15 - and it was great! Once again, no one was there. We stayed until closing at 8:00, and ended up doing Everest 7 times, Primevil Whirl twice, Kali, and It's Tough to be a Bug. All were great - and it was a wonderful experience being in the park in the evening - a first for us.

Head back to the hotel, and hit the sack early. Back to MK tomorrow!

 

[dw123]

Thursday, Nov 30.

Once again, I got up early and hit the pool, got breakfast for the crew, and this time drove up to the Contemporary - one of my favorite hotels. Walked around the hotel and property, and then walked over to MK for the morning Extra Magic hour. I did Peter Pan and then Snow White, and then went back to the hotel. My wife was still feeling a little under the weather, so my daughter and I hopped on the bus and went back to the MK.

We were able to do a lot, hitting Peter Pan, doing Snow White 3 times, the Teacups, TTA, and Space Mountain 3 times. We also got autographs from Stitch, Buzz, and the Queen of Hearts. We then went back to the room.

We ate some lunch in the room, and then all headed over to Epcot. We did Nemo again, and got passes for Soarin', then walked through part of the World Showcase to go see the Candlelight Processional (got Genie's autograph on the way). We saw the 5:00 show with Rita Moreno as the narrator - fantastic! We then hopped the boat back to Canada - got a hat for my daughter - looked at the Christmas tree and light displays, and then went on Soarin. I had made reservations at the Garden Grill - a first for us - and we enjoyed it and the characters.

We then went to Mouseworks for a bunch of shopping, saw some of Illuminations, and left the park with the crowds - getting back to the hotel around 10:20. Another great day!

 

[dw123]

Friday, Dec 1

Once again, I got up early and got breakfast for the crew, and then went driving. I went to the Wilderness Lodge and spent some time there - and got a couple Christmas gift souvenirs.

Went back to the room, and we all headed to the MK - because today was supposed to be the first day of taping for the Christmas Day TV parade. WE got there about 10:00, but nothing was going on. While my wife waited in the train station, we got Pinnochio, Geppetos, and the bad guy Fox (from that movie) autographs. Since nothing was still happening, hopped the train to Frontierland and did BTMRR and Splash, and then headed back to Main St. We got lunch at Casey's and went to the Castle to see the end of Michael Bolton and hopefully be in some crowd shots on TV for that (my daughter will be the only one wearing and light blue cap!).

Went back to the room and rested, then drove to MGM. We say LMA, Indy, and then Star Tours - and a little shopping. We then walked through the Spectacle of Lights - which was awesome! I stopped at the Sci-Fi Theatre to get a soda and the electric ice cubes, and then we headed over to the Contemporary for a Chef Mickey's reservation.

My daughter loves Chef Mickey's, and we go every time. Had a great meal, did a bunch of shopping, and got back to the hotel around 10:15. Passed out, and got ready for our last day tomorrow.

 

[dw123]

Saturday, Dec 2

Once again, got up early - hit the hot tub and got breakfast for the crew - and drove back up to the Contemporary to grab some pins for presents. Walked over by the MK - heard the parade taping festivities going on - and went back to the hotel.

My daughter and I hopped the bus back to the MK with hopes of seeing some of the parade - and we did! We saw Regis and Kelly, and the High School Musical kids doing their show on Main St. Very cool - and busy!

We to Adventureland and got Peter Pan, Wendy, Aladdin and Jasmine's autographs. We did the Tiki room, got a fast pass for BTMRR, hopped the train to Toontown and did the Barnstormer. We went back to Frontierland for the BTMRR, and headed back to the hotel.

Did lunch in the room (from the Pepper Market),went swimming for a while, ate some snacks, and then we all went back to the MK (which was open until 11:00).

The place was packed! We decided to get my daughter's silhouette and portrait done at the place on Main St - and both came out great. I had gotten some fast passes for Peter Pan while this was being done, so when it was complete, we got some ice cream, did some shopping, went to Fantasyland and did Snow White, Philharmagic and then Peter Pan. We got out of the park just before Wishes was about to start.

Got back to the room and got a late night dinner from the Pepper Market (and some souvenirs from the gift shop), packed up, and hit the sack.

We got up early and left for our 9:20am flight. A great trip!

 

[DenverVal]

Did you by chance happen to see the parade? Maybe took photos of the Grand Marshalls? That was us! It was very exciting, but we have no photos to show for it, other than the ones the cast member took behind the scenes. We'd love to have any that any disboarder may have taken!

 

[barbnbrian]

They let you in to MK with just the MVMCP ticket at 4:30 p.m.? You did not need to use your Park Pass? We are arriving tomorrow, and have tickets to the party tomorrow night. I want to go into MK early, without having to use a day of my Park Hopper passes. Will they let us in with just the party ticket after 4:00 p.m.?

 

[HMHunters]

Wow, you got a lot done! Glad the crowds were light for you. Nothing better than being able to do a favorite ride 2 times in a row!