2belles'mom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2000
- Messages
- 406
The Cast for Christmas 02:
Me, Disney Junkie and Master Planner
DH David, likes Disney
DD Katja, 6, Disney Junkie-in-training
DD Annika, 3, Disney Junkie-in-training
My brother, Steve
His wife, Sarah
Their son, Riley, 9
Their son, Tallon, 15 months
My mother--Nana
My father--Poppa
December 24?Christmas Eve?Chef Mickey?s, Shopping and the Hoop Dee Doo
Okay, I overbooked the day. I admit I crammed just a wee bit too much in here. My troops complained, but I knew they would thank me in the end!
We awoke and had a lazy morning, dinking around until it was time to catch the boat for an 11:00 PS at Chef Mickey?s. We decided to head to the Contemporary a bit early in hopes we could have an earlier breakfast. As it turned out, we did get in a smidgen early and spent the waiting time shopping in the concourse shops (the Contemporary really has good shops!). We were seated in the back with windows that overlooked the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast was yummy and Chip, Dale and Minnie and Pluto were great. However, we had finished our meals and STILL NO MICKEY! Finally, he was on his way. When he got to our table he spent quite a bit of time with us. The brunch seating was over, so by this time there were not many folks left in the restaurant. On our way out, the kids spent some time with Goofy, who was in his Santa outfit. Fun!
Next on the agenda?shopping! We had a lot to do with the next day being Christmas. We did not have to return to the Lodge, as David had brought the van over. Nana and Poppa, however, headed back as they were already done with their shopping! We went to downtown Disney and it was packed, and raining to boot. Our shopping adventure was a bit rocky. Sarah and Steve got in a pretty serious spat, but eventually made-up. Loaded down with mass bags and packages, we finally left and returned to the Lodge.
Okay, this is where the complaining started. Everyone was tired and cranky after battling the shopping crowds and it was already time to get ready to head over to the Hoop Dee Doo. Honestly, if the show had not been pre-paid for I am sure we would have cancelled out. Since cancelling was not an option, we soldiered on. We went to the dock and caught a boat to Fort Wilderness, arriving at Pioneer Hall right before our 5:00 PS. I had to jump through some hoops?go here to get your seating assignments, go there to check in, then come on over here for your family picture (the family picture turned out great by the way!1). Finally, we were in! We had a good table, about middling from the stage but very much in the center (well, we actually were seated at two separate tables, but it worked).
The show itself was great. Riley laughed so hard at the corny jokes (it told us that the humor was definitely for 9 year olds!!!) that we were in tears over his reaction. The food was good too?corn-bread, ribs, ckicken, beans, served all you can eat family style in metal buckets. The entire experience, including the meal delivery, was quite a production. The price of dinner also includes all you can drink beer, wine or sangrias. We went through several pitchers of yummy sangria, and everyone was feeling fine!
The best part of the evening was the Davy Crockett show. They choose audience members to be part of this, two adults and one boy. Well, as serendipity would have it, Riley was chosen to play Davy Crockett! This was astonishing since the last time we had been at the Hoop Dee Doo, 26 years ago in 1976, my brother had been chosen as the boy to play Davy Crockett!!!!!! Of course, this just sent everyone, especially Nana, over the top. It was wonderful. So the evening that had begun reluctantly turned out to be one of highlights of the entire trip!
We got back to the Lodge in time for the kids to see Santa Clause, who was holding court in the lobby. The line was very short and everyone had a chance to sit on his lap and whisper last-minute wishes. Mickey and Minnie were also in the lobby, dressed in ?A Christmas Carol? finery. The kids waited in a short line to see them as well. There was a maniac thunderstorm going during this time (it was so bad that they barricaded the lobby doors shut, the ones that lead to the pool area?torrents of water would flood into the lobby if they were opened). We ducked outside from the doors by Roaring Forks to watch and take some video. The kids were amazed?living in the northwest, we see a lot of rain, but it never comes down hard in torrents and we rarely have thunder and lighting-when we do, it doesn?t come close to the booming show it front of us this Christmas Eve! David took a lot of video, then it was up to the rooms to unwind.
The kids, so excited!, watched some TV while the grown-ups chatted and visited. We finally got everyone in bed in asleep so Santa could do his work! Stockings were stuffed, presents were wrapped, and the grown-ups got to go down for the count themsevles.
Tomorrow?Christmas Day, Epcot!
Me, Disney Junkie and Master Planner
DH David, likes Disney
DD Katja, 6, Disney Junkie-in-training
DD Annika, 3, Disney Junkie-in-training
My brother, Steve
His wife, Sarah
Their son, Riley, 9
Their son, Tallon, 15 months
My mother--Nana
My father--Poppa
December 24?Christmas Eve?Chef Mickey?s, Shopping and the Hoop Dee Doo
Okay, I overbooked the day. I admit I crammed just a wee bit too much in here. My troops complained, but I knew they would thank me in the end!
We awoke and had a lazy morning, dinking around until it was time to catch the boat for an 11:00 PS at Chef Mickey?s. We decided to head to the Contemporary a bit early in hopes we could have an earlier breakfast. As it turned out, we did get in a smidgen early and spent the waiting time shopping in the concourse shops (the Contemporary really has good shops!). We were seated in the back with windows that overlooked the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast was yummy and Chip, Dale and Minnie and Pluto were great. However, we had finished our meals and STILL NO MICKEY! Finally, he was on his way. When he got to our table he spent quite a bit of time with us. The brunch seating was over, so by this time there were not many folks left in the restaurant. On our way out, the kids spent some time with Goofy, who was in his Santa outfit. Fun!
Next on the agenda?shopping! We had a lot to do with the next day being Christmas. We did not have to return to the Lodge, as David had brought the van over. Nana and Poppa, however, headed back as they were already done with their shopping! We went to downtown Disney and it was packed, and raining to boot. Our shopping adventure was a bit rocky. Sarah and Steve got in a pretty serious spat, but eventually made-up. Loaded down with mass bags and packages, we finally left and returned to the Lodge.
Okay, this is where the complaining started. Everyone was tired and cranky after battling the shopping crowds and it was already time to get ready to head over to the Hoop Dee Doo. Honestly, if the show had not been pre-paid for I am sure we would have cancelled out. Since cancelling was not an option, we soldiered on. We went to the dock and caught a boat to Fort Wilderness, arriving at Pioneer Hall right before our 5:00 PS. I had to jump through some hoops?go here to get your seating assignments, go there to check in, then come on over here for your family picture (the family picture turned out great by the way!1). Finally, we were in! We had a good table, about middling from the stage but very much in the center (well, we actually were seated at two separate tables, but it worked).
The show itself was great. Riley laughed so hard at the corny jokes (it told us that the humor was definitely for 9 year olds!!!) that we were in tears over his reaction. The food was good too?corn-bread, ribs, ckicken, beans, served all you can eat family style in metal buckets. The entire experience, including the meal delivery, was quite a production. The price of dinner also includes all you can drink beer, wine or sangrias. We went through several pitchers of yummy sangria, and everyone was feeling fine!
The best part of the evening was the Davy Crockett show. They choose audience members to be part of this, two adults and one boy. Well, as serendipity would have it, Riley was chosen to play Davy Crockett! This was astonishing since the last time we had been at the Hoop Dee Doo, 26 years ago in 1976, my brother had been chosen as the boy to play Davy Crockett!!!!!! Of course, this just sent everyone, especially Nana, over the top. It was wonderful. So the evening that had begun reluctantly turned out to be one of highlights of the entire trip!
We got back to the Lodge in time for the kids to see Santa Clause, who was holding court in the lobby. The line was very short and everyone had a chance to sit on his lap and whisper last-minute wishes. Mickey and Minnie were also in the lobby, dressed in ?A Christmas Carol? finery. The kids waited in a short line to see them as well. There was a maniac thunderstorm going during this time (it was so bad that they barricaded the lobby doors shut, the ones that lead to the pool area?torrents of water would flood into the lobby if they were opened). We ducked outside from the doors by Roaring Forks to watch and take some video. The kids were amazed?living in the northwest, we see a lot of rain, but it never comes down hard in torrents and we rarely have thunder and lighting-when we do, it doesn?t come close to the booming show it front of us this Christmas Eve! David took a lot of video, then it was up to the rooms to unwind.
The kids, so excited!, watched some TV while the grown-ups chatted and visited. We finally got everyone in bed in asleep so Santa could do his work! Stockings were stuffed, presents were wrapped, and the grown-ups got to go down for the count themsevles.
Tomorrow?Christmas Day, Epcot!
