A Disney Christmas Fix - four days of fun! 1/28 Summer/Cruising PTR started!!

[Native NYer]

It is imminent!! I told myself I needed to tackle all of my Christmas take down this weekend, and so my update is 90% done! Lots to share, so I should be able to get it posted this afternoon sometime! I have taken to listening to the Disney podcast while I fold laundry, so that is also on the agenda! I hit the grocery store yesterday, had to take my car in to the dealer for a scheduled brake job, and try to deal with the decorations.... it has been a busy weekend! I am looking forward to some DIS time later on!!! Just catching up on Subscriptions right now!! Hoping for snow Tuesday.... enough to cancel school... SORRY Jackie, but we'll keep it above the VA state line!!!

Can't wait for the next update

I hope we get a snow day in NYC. I really could use a day off

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Looking forward to an update! Hope those of you praying for a snow day get what you are wishing for. In CT the snow has come perfectly timed for the weekend.

 

[Happydog]

So if you remember from my last post, we had finished a late breakfast at the Grand Floridian, and had headed back to Kidani to enjoy some fun in the sun -- with the temps nearing 80, it was a no brainer to spend this afternoon poolside!!! It was again the nicest day weather wise, and I was really looking forward to spending the day enjoying the fabulous sun before it all went away! Even at WDW it was due to get cold, for a cold snap came through and lasted for the next few days.

We lingered at the pool until around 3:30pm. Our last round of drinks in hand, we headed back to the room to shower and get ready for MVMCP!

We got to the gates somewhere around 5:30pm, and collected our wristbands. I wanted to get there earlier, but again being at the pool won out.... The sign as you come into the park....

The front entrance!!!!

We first meandered around Mainstreet, and went into all the stores we normally couldn’t go into with our kids. You know, namely the stores with anything breakable!!! I had never seen the glass blower demonstration, or the art shops. It was fun!!! I took photos, and we saw the parade come through... These are just my random snaps, a few blury ones I am sorry to say!

And I also wanted to see the fabulous window display, which I was DELIGHTED to see was entirely different from last year! Last year they had the princess scenes I think it was, which were beautiful, but these were Mickey's Christmas Carol.. SO neat! I tried to get photos, realizing that the pictures were a bit of a glare, but here are the best I could get…

So of course what I was really waiting to see, was this…

I know I took this just after it had gotten dark enough, b/c it is in order of the shots in my camera, but we missed the "official" castle lighting...

Now I had seen the castle from Cali Grill our first night. It was beautiful, of course, but standing there on main street, gazing at it then and there, I realized that this view was the real reason why I was so excited to be back at Disneyworld over the holidays. It just made my night. It really reminded me how much I love the Holiday season, and I just got giddy like a kid. Well, who am I kidding, I was giddy from the moment we got to WDW three days earlier, and I was walking on air as soon as we walked into the Magic Kingdom, but I cant say enough how much I love that castle when it is lit up for the Holidays...

More in the next post!!!!

 

[gallmcduck]

The castle looks amazing wow would love to go in december and see it like that

 

[Happydog]

We decided that tonight would be one big snack fest!!! I think we both agreed that eating junk food in the Magic Kingdom would be a fun night, so it was a pretty easy decision to bag dinner, and just snack around the kingdom!!!

So we started with corn dog nuggets… now I am not a “food porn” taker…. But to really get the effect here, I have to include photos, so all the food photos here are borrowed from other DISers and picture takers braver than I! Except one I did take…

Really, I realized that I could totally have asked Lady Lallie to help me with some of these, b/c I know two of my snacks are her favorites, the nuggets AND the cream cheese pretzel! I know she has pics of those!!!!

So after we walked out of Casey’s we started towards Tomorrowland and Space Mountain… somewhere right around this point DH tells me not to eat too many sweets… I was thinking “huh”? What is the problem with “sweet”? But then again, he was already walking towards tomorrow land for Space Mountain and a cream cheese pretzel, so I couldn’t imagine WHY he was saying “no more sweets”!!

The requisite cream cheese pretzel in hand, we looked at the shops, and then headed onto Space. NEXT up I FINALLY went on the Carousel of Progress, which was all decked out for the Holidays!!!! After we left the“2th” century… we meandered back across the wagon wheel to Adventureland and Agrabah Bazaar … I was looking for the tiger pillow pet! It was starting to get dark, now, and they had started the announcements that the park was closing for the event… the castle was lit up and beautiful. At the shop , they only had the panda and the giraffe so I consoled myself with a orange juice slushie, which we split, and we went to see Johnny Depp on POC… I couldn't find a photo of the slushie...

We continued over to Frontierland, where DH got his prized turkey leg… and we walked over to Sleepy Hollow snacks where I got my Capucino float!

Here is a GREAT black mail picture of my DH.... I told him stick your stomach out as far as you can and give me a good profile.. here you go!

We were being TOTAL oikners at this point, but hey, this was dinner!!!!! We then sat on the rail, examining the map for MVMCP, and watched the parade goers gather and grow for the first parade that evening.

This was the photo spot for Princess Tiana I suspect… it looked very New Orleans!!! They had the photo op spots everywhere. I just couldn't keep up with the feast for the eyes that this event was! I fell short with pictures I think, but I know two DISers who have plenty to share!!! I think I took this one because my hands were temporarily relieved of my float!!!

We had the plan to see the evening show, so we headed back towards Frontierland, where we rode Splash Mountain AND promptly got seriously wet! To “dry” off we rode BTMRR… The sun down now, and the park officially closed to day guests, the cookies and hot chocolate stands were coming to life. We sampled three different stations! One was at the Golden Horse Shoe, and check out this dance party!

Woody was really pulling out the moves, dancing with a bunch of ladies, it was HIGHlarious!!!

Again, DH reminded me, don’t eat too many of those cookies… I was more interested in the hot chocolate to be honest, but again I didn’t get what he was all about with the “sweets”!

I realize I didn't share what that was like, so here is one of the balloons signaling the masses to come collect cookies and cocoa!!! "YO! Yeah You, get your treats HERE!!"

Here the CMs are giving it away (I liked the station near the Dole Whip place best, but this was one picture I found... ) I bet Marc and Anita have TONS of great MVMCP picks!!! fun to see the CMs in their party outfits!!!

And the cookies and treats themselves... way good!

I found some great Disney food blogs and other blogs in my search for these random food pics!!!

Well, after walking through Fantasyland, and riding It’s a Small World, and Peter Pan, DH told me we should go to the Laugh Floor. But he insisted that we walk back through the hub vs. around through to Tomorrowland. It was at this point it became clear we had a destination.

Namely....



The Dessert Party!


This was just a little surprise he came up with, thinking it would be fun to enjoy the fireworks from that spot while have fun sampling all the desserts they had. He liked the idea of seeing the fireworks with elbow room! So that was where we were, a table was reserved for us, right out front, front and center, and though he said we would have to get up to see the fireworks, it was nice to sit at that table and enjoy the view! And of course the goodies!!!

The table that they reserved for us had castle confetti all over it and a table tag with our name on it. That was fun. The desserts, well, some were decent, some not so much, but there were plenty to choose from and plenty to go back for! Someone may have put a handful of chocolate chip cookies in her purse since she preferred those over the sugar cookies they had for the MVMCP…. Needless to say we ate those the next few days.

Anyhow, here is my photo of our table,

Fireworks coming up NEXT!!!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I love how festive the MK is for the holidays.
And snacking around the Magic Kingdom sounds perfect!
The dessert party is such a great surprise. Do you recommend it?

 

[Happydog]

I love how festive the MK is for the holidays.
And snacking around the Magic Kingdom sounds perfect!
The dessert party is such a great surprise. Do you recommend it?

Hi ya! Well, obviously I didn't expect this, and secretly, I will confess, I don't know that it was necessary on a Party night, b/c after all there were free goodies! BUT, there were still lots of people at the Dessert Party venue, so obviously it is done.... in fact, my DH tells me that he had to call every day for a week and a half b/c they initially were sold out. Probably people prebooking then canceling. At any rate I would not have done it for the fact that we had already spent the ticket money, but on a regular night at the MK, especially in the summer, I would certainly consider it... I actually had for the 4th of July two years ago, when they first started them, but got cold feet.

DH did it for something fun and as a surprise, so I can't dismiss that. However, if you are thinking this summer, I would say why not. There were SOME desserts I liked some not so much... BUT I would still do it again sometime... the view was great -- though not straight on, so if you like that keep this in mind... I love watching on Main Street, but I also liked seeing them from here, b/c you really do have a nice vantage point.

 

[Happydog]

Yes, we do have a Best Buy -- I may try that or look online. I am not in any rush since she brought this on herself, and she won't die without her cell phone.

Chelsea is infamous for plugging in her phone to charge and then texting on it -- this is the second time she has ruined the little silver piece by bending it in unnatural ways. The first time, we were due for an upgrade anyway, so I didn't have to deal with finding a new charger.

Yeay for an update coming soon! I don't blame you for keeping up that tree as long as possible.

Really, at this point, I could deal with a snowstorm -- after all, it is hard to resist the temptation of wanting a day off.

Ah yes, I get that! My new phone sucks up the battery so I am constantly charging... good luck finding it!

RE the tree, yes, well, everything else is put away...

I saw your FB post! WOOT! three day weekend! We may get some Tuesday into Wed. not probably that much though. BOOOO ....

Can't wait for the next update

I hope we get a snow day in NYC. I really could use a day off

Sounds like they are gearing up for another big one up by you!

Updates on!

Looking forward to an update! Hope those of you praying for a snow day get what you are wishing for. In CT the snow has come perfectly timed for the weekend.

Oh HOW I hate the snow on the weekend! What a waste! Updates posted!!! One more coming...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

What a great guy DH is planning the dessert party as a surprise. He gets major points for that. ALMOST enough to forgive him for being a fan of the turkey leg.

Shopping and snacking around the MK sounds like a great evening for me. Isn't the castle just gorgeous with those lights?! So magical. I'm hoping to see it in person again in 2011.

 

[Happydog]

What a great guy DH is planning the dessert party as a surprise. He gets major points for that. ALMOST enough to forgive him for being a fan of the turkey leg.

Shopping and snacking around the MK sounds like a great evening for me. Isn't the castle just gorgeous with those lights?! So magical. I'm hoping to see it in person again in 2011.

Yes, I know those dang Turkey legs!!!! I think it tastes weird. I can't even bite into it. AND then I inevitably get some stuck between my teeth, drives me nuts!

Shopping and snacking, Yep, that about describes it! it is beautiful! Good! GO see it! Just seeing these photos makes me want to do the same thing!

Going to post fireworks now!

 

[Happydog]

So here I am taking a few photos waiting for the fireworks to start, just so you can see where we are.... Some castle views, too!

This one a little blury... I was playing around with my camera a few times, do I use flash, don't I, etc...

here are my firework shots!!!! I just included a few, I have more, but I am sure Becky, Ladybugmom, and WidgD & Shocker will have LOTS of awesome photos! I took more, but I focused on what was happening to the castle in most of them... Becky's husband took some AWESOME shots of the Main Street area at the end of the party so I am sure those of the fireworks and parade are amazing!! I am sure she will post on her TR when she starts it! I can't wait to see those!!!

Tink flew right over our heads and waved!

These I took because of the green "Christmas Tree" motif complete with sparkling twinkling lights! So pretty. My favorite effect.

These show you some of the images they were projecting onto the castle, the wooden soldiers, the snow flakes, and other images. SO fun! So festive!

Of course the end when the castle magically lights up! SIGH! LOVE it.

After the fireworks, which were breathtaking, we stopped for some more hot chocolate Hey, it is free, and it is tasty! Don't need to ask me twice!! And then we made our way to the Laugh Floor. We had time before the parade and the castle show. I texted a joke and wrote “pick me it’s my Birthday” (which this was somewhat a celebration of) and guess what?! THEY DID!! I wasn’t on the camera of course, but they said “Happy Birthday” when they read it!!!

I think the Laugh Floor late at night gets more impromptu… like they tend to have more “fun” with the audience later in the evenings… has this been anyone else’s experience? It is always silly, I know, but even more so I think late in the evening….

Photos will continue this week!! I still have the parade and final photos.... Just a few more, and then I will be wrapping this short TR up!!

Ready to get CRUISING.... LOL!!!

 

[MeMom]

And I also wanted to see the fabulous window display, which I was DELIGHTED to see was entirely different from last year! Last year they had the princess scenes I think it was, which were beautiful, but these were Mickey's Christmas Carol.. SO neat!

The wreaths and garland are so pretty hung up along Main Street.

The Christmas Carol stuff was up in the Emporium windows last year, so I guess maybe they plan to move them around to different. Maybe they were new last year to go along with the Christmas Carol movie with Jim Carrey that had just been released? (Which I have not seen, by the way, but I want to.)

I will delight in all of your Christmas pictures, as we missed it very much this past holiday season. We are already looking forward to 11 months from now when we can see it again.

Your castle pictures are awesome!

 

[Native NYer]

The castle is so beautiful!
I wish I could transport myself to Main Street right now.

I think I may add the dessert party to our plans for next summer. Hopefully, it'll be offered again.

I can't wait for your cruise PTR. We're looking into a 2012 cruise along with our Disney trip. It'll be my dad's 60th birthday and we're doing a huge family vacation. The one problem is my brother would rather spend a week at Atlantis, then time at Disney. I'm going to use your PTR/TR to convince him that a cruise is best

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Happydog! If you get snow like we did last night, you may get your snow day tomorrow. Pixie dust and snowflakes headed your way!

Yeay for a fun update to read this morning!

Love all the Christmas decorations around the Magic Kingdom! The window displays are so neat! I think I would like having a job as a Disney window dresser.

Ah, the Castle is just so pretty with all those lights, and it really just makes a stunning background for the fireworks!

What a great idea to just snack for dinner! You got a lot of tasty treats! What a picture of your DH and his turkey leg! Blackmail for sure! I had to laugh about how you "consoled" yourself with an orange slushie when you couldn't find the pillow pet.

How sweet of your DH to book the dessert party!

I have to confess I always like seeing pictures of the cookies and hot chocolate from the party!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love the updates from the party HD! I just love how festive the MK is at Christmas, it really does get you into that holiday mood

What a great idea to snack for dinner, I truely wish we had skipped dinner the night we did the dessert party - I think I rolled out of the MK that night, I felt like a giant porker! I agree that not all the desserts were great, but for me the creme brulee and the chocolate covered strawberries made it worth the cost - yum!!

Your pic of Tink is one of the best I've seen! Mine have always been just a blur.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Great update! Snacking around MK is a wonderful idea. And how fun that your husband surpised you with the dessert party. Does he love WDW as much as you?

 

[nowellsl]

I love your castle pictures!

(I've bought a couple of cell phone chargers from Walgreens, but I think Target sells them as well.)

 

[jenjolt]

What a great update on MVMCP!!! I would love to go to that party some day!!

Isn't the castle just lovely!!! You had some great pictures!!

What a great shot of Tink and of the fireworks!!

Glad you had such a great time!!

 

[Happydog]

Hi, Happydog! If you get snow like we did last night, you may get your snow day tomorrow. Pixie dust and snowflakes headed your way!

Well they now say this afternoon/evening, which does bode well for Wednesday morning! TWO days off for you?!!!

Yeay for a fun update to read this morning!

Love all the Christmas decorations around the Magic Kingdom! The window displays are so neat! I think I would like having a job as a Disney window dresser.

Ah, the Castle is just so pretty with all those lights, and it really just makes a stunning background for the fireworks!

I agree! I just love all the decorations... so pretty... seasonal decorations at the MK especially are so fun, and Halloween too!

What a great idea to just snack for dinner! You got a lot of tasty treats! What a picture of your DH and his turkey leg! Blackmail for sure! I had to laugh about how you "consoled" yourself with an orange slushie when you couldn't find the pillow pet.

How sweet of your DH to book the dessert party!

I have to confess I always like seeing pictures of the cookies and hot chocolate from the party!

I know! Well I made my reason for needing that slushie! I wanted my cappuccino float, otherwise I'd be all over that Dole whip!!!

It was not nececssarily the best idea for dinner, but if you are only going to get your Disney snacks in on one day, it made the most sense!!! I didn't get an ice cream sandwich, but I got to do the dessert party, so that was a good exchange! DH didn't get his jalepeno pretzel, but that just means the AK has to come up with a special ticketed event!!!

I thought the cookies and such all arranged are nice to see, too... of course I was too busy eating them and drinking my cocoa to take photos...
I think Anita got a cute one in a Mickey head image!

Love the updates from the party HD! I just love how festive the MK is at Christmas, it really does get you into that holiday mood

What a great idea to snack for dinner, I truely wish we had skipped dinner the night we did the dessert party - I think I rolled out of the MK that night, I felt like a giant porker! I agree that not all the desserts were great, but for me the creme brulee and the chocolate covered strawberries made it worth the cost - yum!!

Your pic of Tink is one of the best I've seen! Mine have always been just a blur.

Oh yes, those strawberries and the creme brulee were great! I liked something chocolate.. and then something else chocolate.... best I didn't like the fruit tarts but the banana cream one ... It was great fun, and that is part of the cost to begin with, so I was very happy to participate! DH was being really thoughtful, I agree.

I wish I had zoomed in on her better but I couldn't see in the dark to find her if I zoomed.... May crop the photo to see how close I can get without it being a blur...

Great update! Snacking around MK is a wonderful idea. And how fun that your husband surpised you with the dessert party. Does he love WDW as much as you?

It was a nice surprise, for sure! He doesn't "love" Disney... I think he tolerates it for a variety of reasons, but also is intrigued by Disney for those things that are so appealing -- sure the food, and the service, but I think he likes the package, their level of presentation and attention to detail, etc. He also is amused about how much I enjoy it, and sees how much our kids enjoy it... We likely wont be getting APs again, but I think we may be getting APs for Universal next, but staying on Disney property, and going to the water parks and such next summer... At least that is his declaration... I say we'll squeeze in a day or two somehow..

I love your castle pictures!

(I've bought a couple of cell phone chargers from Walgreens, but I think Target sells them as well.)

Thanks! I had so many, but I chose to focus on the castle displays... I dont have a high tech camera, it is a new one, but doesn't take the night shots as well.... I know ladybugmom's pics and WigD's pics will be fabulous ... when they start their TRs!!!!!

What a great update on MVMCP!!! I would love to go to that party some day!!

Isn't the castle just lovely!!! You had some great pictures!!

What a great shot of Tink and of the fireworks!!

Glad you had such a great time!!

I am glad I got to go, would like to take the kids some time. Though, I will say you can experience everything less the cocoa and cookies after the final party, so in many ways, I think the MNSSHP is more unique... HOWEVER seeing the parade at night with the snow falling was the best part of that night!!!!! Those are coming up next!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Well they now say this afternoon/evening, which does bode well for Wednesday morning! TWO days off for you?!!!

I hope you get your snow day tomorrow. If not, I will gladly donate one of ours. The temps are not getting above freezing, so now we are wondering if there will be more snow days this week. Craziness!

I think Anita got a cute one in a Mickey head image!

She did -- that was one of my favorite pics she posted on Facebook!