A Merry Mickey Christmas ~ Day 2

[Ware Bears]

Friday December 18th 2009
Weather ~ wet, wet, wet 74*F

A Merry Mickey Christmas INDEX

After breakfast we set off for Animal Kingdom. This is my favourite park at WDW and the AK Christmas tree was also my favourite.

We headed straight to Expedition Everest

and, as it was a walk-on, rode it four times in a row.

We just enjoyed ourselves wandering around

until we decided to head over to Magic Kingdom, stopping on the way out for some Photopass photos by the tree, although I see we've lost Danielle in this one I think she must have been buying a drink or something from the kiosk.

We arrived at TTC about 2pm ~ it is tradition that we always have to travel on the ferry to Magic Kingdom for the first time each trip.

We stopped to admire MK's Christmas tree

then, as the girls were peckish, we stopped at Casey's for them to have fries and a coke before watching Celebrate! A Dream Come True parade.

 

[Ware Bears]

After the parade, Bryan headed straight for Ye Old Christmas Shoppe to suss out what decorations he wanted to buy then we went over to Adventureland to buy some pirate gear for pirate night on our cruise.

Bryan and I were feeling hungry by now so we decided to eat at Cosmic Ray's. I like it here because not only is there a great choice but I LOVE the toppings bar. You can kid yourself the food is an healthy option with a bit of salad chucked on top!

We chose various burger and chicken options with fries and enjoyed listening to Sonny Eclipse

We had bought MVMCP tickets for tonight to buy us extra time in the parks before our cruise so we went to collect our wristbands. It was the last MVMCP night so I was expecting it to be very crowded but I didn't think it was too bad ~ probably the rain kept everyone away!

The poor castmembers trying in vain to dry the stage ready for the show.

I had always wanted to try Stitch's Great Escape so Bryan and I went to do this whilst the girls looked round the shops. It was OK but I don't think I'd bother again!

We watched the Castle lights being turned on

then had some hot chocolate whilst we waited for Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime parade. Many years ago I had bought a sing-a-long video of the Disneyland Christmas parade when my DDs were very small and ever since then have longed to see the gingerbread men, wooden soldiers and dancing reindeer for real.

I LOVE Horace Horsecollar so it was great to see him!

]

I loved this parade so much that I not only watched it on its second run tonight but also on Christmas Day morning!

It rained constantly but there was still a great atmosphere. We watched Holiday Wishes

then Bryan and I got some more hot chocolate and watched the parade again whilst the girls rode Big Thunder and Splash Mountains countless times.

We all met up again for the last showing of Celebrate the Season show in front of the Castle but unfortunately it was still too slippery for it to go ahead. It was disappointing but just one of those things and it was a nice touch that the cast came out for a photoshoot instead.

After riding Big Thunder Mountain a couple more times (it must have been the hundredth for the girls) we decided to head for home, just stopping for one last time for hot chocolate and cookies and to have a photo taken in front of that beautiful Castle.

Tomorrow ~ Epcot

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Lovely photos at MVMCP At least the rain didn't seem to stop you.

 

[Pegasus928]

A great report and some fantastic pics. There has been a lot of talk lately on the planning boards about the pros and cons of MVMCP, and I am sure your report will give everyone food for thought.

And respect to you all for riding EE 4 times in a row. Once is enough for me

 

[Muscateer]

What a lovely day, your photos are fantastic, I love the parades.

 

[buzz for boys]

Fab Day !!! Love the report of MVMCP gave me goosebumps !

 

[strawberry blonde]

Another good day Elaine even if the sky looked really black over Everest. Well done for sticking it out in the rain.

You're tempting me more than ever to go at Xmas. Now which is more important......Uni exams in the Jan plus mock GCSE'S or my big birthday Guess I lose

 

[fav_is_tink]

what a lovely day, great pics of the parade

 

[mandymouse]

What a fab day and I love your MVMCP photos. We're big fans of Cosmic Rays too, especially for the rotisserie chicken

 

[jjk]

Lovely day

 

[natalielongstaff]

thats a lovely pic in front of the castle

 

[jockey]

Lovely day, we like cosmic rays too

 

[PJB71]

Looks like you had a lovely day Elaine despite the weather.

It rained for our MVMCP on 13th also

 

[PJB71]

Looks like you had a lovely day Elaine despite the weather.

It rained for our MVMCP on 13th also

Sorry got the date mixed up we went on 11th

 

[florida sun]

Lovely day Elaine, lovely photos, really Christmassy

 

[suzycute]

Great day! I loved the pics of the castle! However, not sure I could manage 4 EE's in a row!

 

[Ware Bears]

You're tempting me more than ever to go at Xmas.

Go on, book it ...... you know you want to!! Or go the following Christmas!

I think I may be having my 'big birthday' celebration a year late ......... hey, I can be 49 for another year!!

 

[Chilly]

Wish I was in front of the castle again!

 

[Cyrano]

Agree Animal Kingdom is a truely beautiful park

Loved the photograph of the Tin Soldiers. Reminded me of our first Christmas at Disneyland Paris where they match and scuff their feet