A Christmas Quickie...*COMPLETE PG 8*

[cdotla]

Too bad about the Party Christine! But hey, it's great to have something pulling you back, right?

Can't wait to hear what you did instead!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

How were the crowds at MK the day of the sold out party?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sorry for the extended absence. I've been in a funk. Maybe the DIS can lift me out of it!

-----------------

Awesome update Christine!!! That party sounded so fun.

Great that you had some Disfriends to join you, and of course, the lift home wasn't bad either! I heard the Dis arranged for bus transportation at the end of the event, but definitely not the same as driving. And of course, it must have been great being the last ones out!

Thanks. The party was super fun. They really do a great job planning it. Very cool experience to be among the only folks in the park... but a little creepy too. I don't think I would want to hide and be "trapped" in the park overnight. I'd freak myself out!

The mob scene at DHS sounds scary! Is there a less crowded time to go see the lights?

TSM Party looks like it was so much fun! The theming in Pixar Place is just great.

It was super scary- at least I thought so. I'm told that the lights stay on for an hour after park close so I think that may be the time to see them -- and during the week when there are fewer locals.

Here I am!

Now let's start at page 1 hehe

I love how you take time to read at WDW!! I do too.

I never thought about going in a lobby though. Hum... I'll think about that next time!

So happy to have you here. Sorry for the belated welcome. I think one of the luxuries of more frequent trips is you don't feel so much pressure to cram all the attractions in there. And there is nothing better than curling up with a good book. I think I may have been reading Julie and Julia but I'm not sure.

Wow Christine! That was a lot packed in!! The TSM party looks like a blast! Good tip for the Osborne lights.....that many people would have probably given me hives!
I'm with you on WS...I never get tired of anything there....your tostadas looked very appetizing as did the guacamole
Thankfully your weather turned around!
Yes you must try the raspberry lambic beer. Especially if you don't like beer because it doesn't taste like it

Tracy

Raspberry beer definitely on my list. So happy to have another WS fan. I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time there again in Oct for Food and Wine!

I'm ashamed to say I had never noticed Snow White's wishing well!

I never had either!

The dis party looks really cool. I'd love to go to one!

Super cool. Let's hope they are planning something (other than the podcast cruise ) for next year too!!

The TSM party looks like so much fun. I really want to go to one of those parties one day, they look AWESOME.

I'm so glad you took the boat to MK. I love that boat ride.

Arriving at MK by boat was very cool!

Loved your Johnny Depp comment!

so many wonderful updates, once again I love seeing all those beautiful pictures, makes the time until our trip in January pass much more pleasantly!

Ahh... Mr. Depp. But seriously, that looks so much like him as compared to some of the Presidents.

I have forgotten your dates you must already be there or very close to going!!

Is that a Mickey Waffle you got in Liberty Square?? Where??

Yes it is. SO yummy. Sleepy Hollow refreshments. Can get powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar or a mix.

Ahhhh Mickey waffles

I agree about Johnny Depp

Aren't the waffles the best??

Oh I think you have plenty of people who would be happy to wax poetic about the Beach Club... RIGHT CHRISTINE???!!! And WigD!!!!

Oh yes, I will wax poetic about that resort on command. Can't wait to go back!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Christine, how do you get to do these DIS parties?? That looks like so much fun!!!! Are they all the time? Certain times of the year? Very neat! LOVED the shots of DHS at night -- made me laugh because you have closed down the park a FEW times, haven't you??!!! LOL!

Also thought that the pics of WL were lovely. The MVMCP ended the day before we got to Disney, so we unfortunately couldn't go to the party but I would love to do that some time. I really enjoyed the Halloween party! Your pics are great! Such a nice clear blue sky!

Oh, and yes I did enjoy the BC very much. We originally planned for Boardwalk, but then a short conversation with WigD our final afternoon at Disney made me call to change it to Beach Club!!! That SAB is hard to beat and the sand bar was hugely popular with our kids last week, and with us, because we could drink by the pool and watch them without worry!!!!

I don't know how I do it! I'm just lucky with the date picking, I guess. Just found out there is going to be a special D23 event for Food and Wine while I'm there in Oct. The one they held last year sounds awesome so I think I may do it!!

So glad you liked BC. You know when you just adore something and really just want everyone else to appreciate it like you do? That's how I feel about BC. But I don't need an increase in crowds.

Holy Big Crowd at Osborne Lights!!! I don't blame you for skipping it -- I don't do large masses of barely moving people!

Love all the pictures of the Wilderness Lodge! So pretty!

The DIS TSM party sounds like so much fun! I think it is too cool that the Green Army Men came to escort everyone, and of course, all the carnival food is a great touch!

Mmmm, Mickey waffles in Liberty Square!

I can't believe that the party was sold out -- do you think it might have been because it was the weekend of the DISapalooza?

I don't know why it was sold out. There was also a D23 event that weekend that I didn't hear about until too late and was sold out. That is/was the traditional Mousefest weekend so think there were a lot of "super fans" there that weekend.

WL was very pretty, especially at Christmas!

Great updates! The TSM party looks so cool. I would love to do something like that some day. What fun to ride TSM with a bunch of Disers. I have never left HS after closing and it looks so cool. Too bad about the big crowds at the Osbourne lights. I wouldn't enjoy seeing them in that throng of people either.

I am enjoying your pics of WL and the boat launch. I am really looking forward to my stay there in May. to the turbo toilets. I don't think I'll hear them in the villa (thank goodness). I am looking forward to arriving at the MK by boat!

I love your MK pics, but I'm sorry the party was sold out. We went on a sold out party last year and it was pretty darn crowded. You'll just have to use that as an excuse for going next December!

Schedule a Brown Derby (or other TS) dinner for shortly before park close... that's the trick.

I think you'll like your stay there in May. The villas building is so cute and I loved the gym - way better than the one at Beach Club.

OOOH I didn't think about that Jackie with the way the calendar is we will most likely have that week off too and going before the Christmas crowds...great Jackie now you have my wheels turning....YOU ENABLER!

The DIS should come with a warning sticker...

I am leaning on Anita to go then, too, and LL said she wanted to go at Christmas in 2011. We could have a great time all being down there the week before Christmas...

Oh goodness, wouldn't that be a merry DIS Christmas!

I can't believe that I'm just finding this trip report! I'm all about a Christmas quickie......
oops, someone must be hacking into my account again....

Anita - you really must do something about this hacker!

I put my gloves on and enjoyed the slushie!

Good for you!




I wonder if we walked right by each other? I was shopping in the UK that night, too!

OMG. Maybe we did! What are the odds??




Isn't there a story to go with this, about some rowdy school trip?

They were quite rowdy. And apparently trying to ditch their chaperones. Finally a chaperone tracked one of them down by phone. The helpful teen told him/her that they could be found "by the torch on the side of the lake." Gee... that's helpful since there are oh, I don't know, two dozen of them?? And let's just say there was a fair bit of "lusty" behavior. Reminded me a bit of my own mis-spent youth and two high school trips we made to WDW...


We were in that crowd, and Oh. My. Gosh. I was so close to having a full-out meltdown. I do not like crowds and we were all squished together. It wasn't pretty.

I truly don't know how you did it. It looked dangerous to me!



So sorry you missed it. We bought our tickets for that night less than a week before the trip, and when they announced at the party that it was sold out I was really surprised.

Me too. But I'd been before so I didn't let it ruin my night!




I agree!

I missed out on so many good pictures while I was gone, but what a treat to see them all this morning! What I would give to be walking around Wilderness Lodge again right now!!!

We've done Osborne Lights with bumper to bumper shuffle step traffic, and we've done them when we've been able to stroll around easily. This trip (surprisingly, since we were there during an incredibly crowded time overall), it wasn't bad at all.

I'm glad you liked the pictures, MeMom. I have to get over to your TR to catch up with you and your clan and find out about your most recent trip!

I nearly spit my coffee out at that one!

I agree with you on the Presidents, several of them didn't look like their actual selves, but I was still way impressed with the show!

Loved all your updates, the TSM party looked incredible!!!!

Sorry for the near coffee spillage!

I've never done the Hall of Presidents.

I should do it once.

Agree, do it once.

Hey C! I'm here for the Christmas fun! Sorry the Xmas party was sold out! But I do love your pics of WS! I can't wait to get there again!

Hi Stacy! Thanks for popping over.

Great report Christine!

Thanks so much!

Too bad about the Party Christine! But hey, it's great to have something pulling you back, right?

Can't wait to hear what you did instead!

Always good to have a reason to go back! Like I need a reason!

How were the crowds at MK the day of the sold out party?

They didn't seem too crazy to me. Similar to what I'd seen in other parks on other days.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Sorry to hear about your funk. Hopefully the DIS will deliver for you.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So after I finished my delicious waffle and history lesson in the form of Hall of Presidents, I wandered around a bit aimlessly. Probably still astounded that the party was sold out! I don't spend a lot of time in this part of the park so I noticed quite a few things I hadn't seen in a while.

I haven't been on the Liberty Belle (that's what it is called, right??) in YEARS

Love this ride but for whatever reason wasn't feeling it that day

Headed over to Adventureland.

I thought about Pirates but didn't. I must have been out of sorts!

Swiss Family Treehouse is an "attraction" I remember fondly from my childood. I remember being astounded how they could turn a shell into a sink and make running water and all the other things they could do. So I told myself I'd take a nostalgic run through.

As I was walking up to the queue a bunch of teens (I think - so hard to gauge age now that I'm old!!) and this guy looks at his watch and deadpans "well that killed three minutes." He was totally serious. I think I laughed out loud!

Undeterred, I checked in with my Swiss friends. It was a quick walk-through as there were people behind me who seemed to be in quite a hurry. How does Disney get around this attraction not being handicapped accessible?

Some views from the top of the treehouse

At this point I think I decided to head out of the park. Inspiration had struck on how to spend the evening. A monorail tour of the resort decorations (and bars)!

Heading up to the resort monorail, I took some of my most favorite pictures ever. I think they exemplify why sunset/twilight at Disney is my absolute favorite!!

I especially like this one!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Sorry to hear about your funk. Hopefully the DIS will deliver for you.

Thanks! I have to check out your TR. That is almost sure to cure me!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

First stop? Well I wouldn't know until I got there! This was very unusual for me as I am rarely surprised by things at WDW but I am not usually on the monorail line so I had no idea where we'd stop first.

Well the Contemporary, of course. Home of the largest wreath on property!

These were taken later in the evening (obviously based on the darkness outside) but they seem to fit here. I think it was Happydog who said that photos just don't do this wreath justice and she is right. It is beautiful!

While at the Contemporary I thought about trying to get up to the Cali Grill bar but didn't quite have the "guts" so I sought out The Wave. I haven't eaten here yet but would like to check it out someday. Especially those dessert flights.

Had a glass of wine at the bar. Was a regular bar. Nothing terribly exciting to report. One family came in and two of the women took the bartender's recommendation on wine only to discover it was a ~$15 per glass variety! Then I saw something I've never seen... a mom and dad came in with two young kids -- both under 7, I'd say. And all four of them sat at the bar for dinner. And spread kids toys out all over the bar. It was early and it is Disney but I still thought it was unusual. I had the impression that perhaps Mom and Dad hadn't made ADR's and this was their way to get some food other than counterservice.

Next stop? The Poly!

I'm not sure that I'd ever been to the Poly before, if you can believe it. Other than the luau when I was 9 (or thereabouts). I was surprised with Kona. Somehow not what I was expecting. And the bar was full. I didn't feel like elbowing my way in there so the Lapu Lapu remains on my "bucket list."

I did like the gift shops!

I'd seen the Grand Flo last Christmas and while spectacular didn't feel like I "needed" to go back. And wasn't sure what their bar situation was. So it was off to Epcot I went.

 

[PopArtGal]

Nice pictures!

 

[MEK]

I like how you are adventurously exploring your way from bar to bar. Sounds fun, but I am working late tonight so I can't see your pictures. So glad you decided to update. Can't wait to reread with pictures!

For the record - I don't think I would have been loving the bar with two toddlers there!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

How much time can one person spend in Epcot?? Well apparently I was going to test that theory this trip!

On the monorail there was a nice "older" couple; the gentleman was wearing a Marines t-shirt. Someone else in the car asked if he had served (he had) and thanked him for his service. They seemed super nice.

As I was going through the turnstiles this super nice couple was stopped b/c Mr. Marine was wearing a knife clipped to his pants! I'm certain they didn't mean any harm and seemed very cooperative but perplexed they'd been stopped. I did at least feel better that the screeners saw it.

For the first time perhaps in forever, I bypassed Mexico and headed to Norway.

Loved this sweater but think it was >$500! Fuzzy Disney math only goes so far!!

Hi, honey... or should I say "bonsoir, mi amor" I'm home!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I headed over to England

Then it was time to head out. The big golf ball looks just as good on the exit as on the entrance!

Upon my return to WL (think I took the bus this time based on the planes/trains/automobile experience of getting home a previous evening via the monorail and boat) I experienced the very glorious site that greeted me on my first night there. I think I forgot to tell you. Picture this. You enter a darkened hotel room. The shades are still open and you're staring through your balcony. And you see this blue thing. What the heck is that??


Well it's the castle, silly! So I got to see Wishes twice from my balcony. Not by any stretch a perfect view but still pretty cool. The pictures don't do it justice so I won't even share them.

After wishes, low and behold, I turned toward the lagoon and was also able to see the water pageant!

 

[Happydog]

A tour on the monorail!!! Sounds great to me!!!! Hey I love your photos and you got great pics of the wreath, from the INSIDE!!! Great great idea! I had never thought about that! Certainly a clearer photo!!! Wow surprised the bar at the Poly was full... It is very retro, isn't it? Can't wait to see what trouble you get into while in the WS!!! The night is clearly still young!!!

Okay, I just read your other photo updates, and clearly you didn't get into any trouble, but what a treat! The water parade outside your window! So fun!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Nice pictures!

Thanks. I am torn over whether to get a new camera. I do like the one I have.

I like how you are adventurously exploring your way from bar to bar. Sounds fun, but I am working late tonight so I can't see your pictures. So glad you decided to update. Can't wait to reread with pictures!

For the record - I don't think I would have been loving the bar with two toddlers there!

Hi Mary Ellen. Yeah, thought toddlers and the bar were an odd choice. But can also commiserate that if for some reason I was so clueless that I didn't plan any ADRs I'd go crazy with all the counter service meals. But I probably would have made use of the sitters rather than bring the kids to the bar. I'm sure the bartenders didn't love them taking up space there. But they didn't see to bat an eyelash.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

A tour on the monorail!!! Sounds great to me!!!! Hey I love your photos and you got great pics of the wreath, from the INSIDE!!! Great great idea! I had never thought about that! Certainly a clearer photo!!! Wow surprised the bar at the Poly was full... It is very retro, isn't it? Can't wait to see what trouble you get into while in the WS!!! The night is clearly still young!!!

From the inside only b/c I was bumbling around and not fast enough to catch it from the outside!

Sorry to disappoint, not much trouble was had this evening. Now maybe if I had been traveling with a secret stash in a faux point and shoot camera flask...

Plan your solo trip for October and then we can seek out some trouble! Of the pure & innocent Disney variety, of course.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So my last day dawned all too quickly. Why is it that a regular week at work drags on interminably and a few days at Disney goes by at lightspeed?

I was counting on some pool time and Monday dawned VERY foggy. I thought I had some pictures but apparently not. It was alarmingly foggy.

So I packed up, called Delta and paid my baggage fees, went down and checked in my bag (37 lbs... not bad for someone who is frequently over 50!).

Still foggy.

Lunch in Roaring Forks. Meh. It's fine but nothing you should seek out.

So I read in the lobby until I saw sparks of sun. Then off to the Whispering Canyon ladies room to change into my bathing suit. While balancing on my flip flops not wanting to touch a bare foot to the floor and trying to change into my suit I overheard this poor girl blubbering away in the handicapped stall. She was on the phone with her boyfriend and apparently he'd called another girl but not her. And it was the end of the world.

I've so been there. Poor thing.

So off to the pool I went. I don't have any new photos. The pool was ok. I can't rave about it . I thought it was a little on the small side. And b/c of the wilderness setting (which was awesome) there were a lot of sticks, branches and berries on the pool deck. And ants. Lots of them. There were even ants swimming in the pool.

Along with the ducks. There are ducks in Stormalong Bay too but it still unnerves me a bit.

I heard a family near me say that they'd mentioned the ant situation to a lifeguard who seemed nonplussed. I thought it was kind of gross but not sure what you'd do about it. I suppose skimming the pool might be a start.

I did try a margarita from the pool bar -- very good! Before I knew it, it was time to get ready for the non-magical express. Why is it that is seems I am the last to be dropped off upon arrival and first to be picked up upon departure for the resut of maximum time on ME?

Some farewell shots of the Lodge.

I did make a wish (or two or three) remembering how well it has worked for MeMom!

All in all it was a great trip. Christmas is just a magical time to visit and couple that with the opportunity to hang out with DISer's and it is just awesome.

I am really glad that I tried Wilderness Lodge but I will have to say that it just didn't speak to me in the same way Beach Club does. I am excited to return to BC in Oct but certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend WL to others. And I think I have to return if not just for that pulled pork flatbread in Territory Lounge!

Thanks for reading along and having patience while I finished this "quickie." Now if I could just finish that October report... if it hasn't been closed yet.

 

[onelilspark]

I love those sweaters from Norway. They're gorgeous.

(And sadly, I didn't notice that you said you headed to Norway...I just knew where they were from!)

 

[manntra]

What beautiful sunset pictures C!! Wow!!
Weird happenings at The Wave As I recall it's not an overly large space and is rather dark...
What a wonderful ending

Tracy

 

[Happydog]

From the inside only b/c I was bumbling around and not fast enough to catch it from the outside!

Sorry to disappoint, not much trouble was had this evening. Now maybe if I had been traveling with a secret stash in a faux point and shoot camera flask...

Yes I hear you!!!!

Plan your solo trip for October and then we can seek out some trouble! Of the pure & innocent Disney variety, of course.

HA! Oh you know I so would love that !!! Your dates are my anniversary weekend! We go to Shennandoah every year, though, it is a tradition... I don't think I will be able to convince DH... The first weekend of November MAYBE... but I don't know if I would want to go then... I WAS thinking about May...

 

[cdotla]

Great end to your report Christine!

Too bad you couldn't attend MVMCP, but at least you did a monorail tour (can't believe you hadn't been to the Poly in so long!), and caught Wishes from WL.

I can't believe that couple with the toddlers at the bar at the Wave! What a way to scare off the paying adults! Seriously...who would want to sit down at a sophistocated bar for a few drinks with some toddlers and toys laid out beside you? LOL!

I am surprised that they wouldn't want to eat in the restaurant. Cause unless that nite was unlike any other time I have been there, they would have been able to get a table! Not that I don't like the Wave - it's just that I have never seen it more than 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Glad you caught a bit of sun on your final morning before heading home.

And I totally agree with you about the "Unmagical" express. Not only is it a downer going home in the 1st place, but when you have to go do the resort milk run, it's not a whole lot of fun. Especially if you are travelling to Canada, when they make your pick up time a whole 4 HOURS before your flight! (And that was before all the new security since the Detroit incident...I wouldn't want to hazzard a guess at what time they might be requiring pick-up now).

I think it must be some kind of special deal they made with the airport authority - get the tourists to the airport early so they will spend more money in the shops. It worked for me. I spent over $300 while killing the extra 3 hours Magical Express dropped me off at MCO back in 2007. And since then, I have rented a car every trip!

Again, great ending to your report, and looking forward to the next update on the October trip!

Followed by a PTR for May!