A Very Lurkyloo Christmas is FINISHED! New 3/16: Last Day of the Trip!

[lurkyloo]

At this point, the shreddin' Trans Siberian Orchestra head-banger came on, so we saluted accordingly…

By then we were totally carried away….

But why should WE have all the fun? We insisted that Nate & Jensey pose for a few shots of their own, secretly hoping that it would be one of our photos that made that year's Christmas card.

So remember that cast member I pointed out earlier? Well he'd been kinda lurking around where we were shooting pictures, and all of a sudden he decided that we wanted him and his co-worker in a photo. So…

"OK, pal—you're not the only one who can hog the camera around here!"

Oh, wait—I get it. I'll bet he thought it would be a cute picture because the three of them were all wearing striped scarves. Well who has egg on her face NOW?!


Me and Jensey in our traditional supermodel pose. Well, OK, I'm trying to make it a tradition—it's the only time we ever get to not smile in a picture!

Must not… smile… D'OH!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yay! Excited to see you back and on duty, Miss Reporter! Sorry you had to run the marathon to get to the lights. Looking beautiful so far! And, yes, thank you we did enjoy our cruise, but not as much as a DCL. The link is in my siggie, if you want to take a peek. I'm just thankful it didn't turn out like the Carnival Splendor cruise, so I guess it was fabulous!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

"Ooohhhh!"

"Aaahhhh!"

"Oh!"

"Derrr…"

"Arrrr!"

"Heeee!"

"OK, so act like we like each other? Got it!"

Me: "Wait—is this the one when I pose like the Baroness from G.I. Joe?"

Patrick: "Uh… no?"

Me: "Sshhhhh… Don't speak, Destro, don't speak..."

Nate: 'OK, totally creeped out… Looking away….'

Carriatrick: "Shmoopsie-poo!"

Nate:"GAAAaaaaaahh!"

Me: "Can we open our eyes now?"
Patrick: "My eyes ARE open—what are you talking about?"

"CHEESE!!!"

 

[lurkyloo]

I found the Hidden Mickeys! Wait… whaddya mean there are more?!

Pin trading again…

Looky! It's another postcard!

Oh wait—now I can't decide which version I like better

We pretty much shut down America Street, or whatever it's called, and then headed back out to keep our late late dinner reservation at Yachtsman Steakhouse.

On the way out, Jensey stopped in at Guest Services to surprise a pal of hers with whom she worked the mean streets of Fantasyland for 2 years. Not only did Erik graciously pose as Classic Old-Skool St. Nick to Jensey's Rudolph, he also graciously whipped out a huge book of pins to trade with Patrick—awesome!

Looks like some kind of Cast Member secret handshake!

As we boarded the tram, I commanded, "Take us to the Yacht Club!" I guess the driver didn't speak the King's English, because instead he drove a few hundred yards and dumped us in the middle of a parking lot, of all places! Fortunately, Nathensey had a car there, so off we went to Yachtsman Steakhouse

WARNING: If you are a vegetarian, start scrolling!

Behold… MEAT!

We were excited to introduce Nate and Jensey to Yachtsman Steakhouse. It's one of the most consistently good Signature Restaurants we've found at Walt Disney World, and we always enjoy ourselves there. Unfortunately, we were having such a good time that we forgot to ask them to shoot the food. Here's our shot:


24-oz Center-cut Porterhouse with Roasted Garlic Butter and White Cheddar Potato Gratin (instead of Smoked Paprika Fries)

Even better, IllumiNations started while we were eating—and you can kinda see it from inside the restaurant!

I wonder if Yachtman sells fewer desserts than the other Signature Restaurants due to its proximity to Beaches & Cream. Because that night, as we do every time, we passed on the usual Disney dessert suspects (molten chocolate cake, crème brulee, Zzzzzzzz….) so we could waddle over to Beaches & Cream for sundaes.

If you get to Beaches & Cream late enough, they might be out of sundae glasses!

We were all pretty stuffed from dinner, but Patrick was determined to finish the last bite of his ice cream…

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey Wait! I didn't see the next installment of the Lurkyloo couple! Great pics! Some of those could definately be your Christmas Card - I suggest the one where you are strangling Patrick with his scarf! I love the Beach Club at night - so beautiful! Gotta love Beaches N Cream. I haven't tried Yachtsman yet. It's on the bucket list for sure!

 

[lurkyloo]

As a special Christmas treat, Nate & Jensey were spending a couple nights at the Yacht Club for a mini Disney vacation. I was dying to see what the rooms looked like cuz it's the only Deluxe hotel we haven't stayed in. So while they checked in, we waited for them in the lobby like a couple of tuckered out little kids.

Then we all trudged down a looooooooooong, twisty-turney hall, found their room somewhere on the other side of Hollywood Studios, and then stood crammed out of sight behind Nate as he kindly shot a few pictures for me.

Oblivious to Nathensey's politely stifled yawns and discreet glances at their wristwatches, I prodded Patrick to take a few more shots of the room for PassPorter.

I'm so glad they let us peek in their room because now I know I would *never* want to stay there!


Eventually we noticed Nathan propped up in a corner with his hat over his eyes and realized Jensey was actually sleeping with her eyes open as she smiled and nodded at everything we said, so we bid them goodnight and photographed our way back to the Beach Club.

The Yacht Club's halls just feel expensive!

We paused to document the holiday splendor of the Beach Club's lobby.

The famed gingerbread carousel

Sorry the horses are blurry—they were really bookin'!

Last shot of the night—the nook where we met with our officiant the night before our wedding, otherwise known as the place where exuberant families in DVC ads while away perfectly good theme park time playing board games!

Up Next: Who knows? It's been 11 months since we went on this vacation—I'm just glad I remember where it was!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I've always wondered about the Yacht Club too! Thanks for sharing.

 

[MEK]

What an awesome time to check my CP and I find THIS update. There is nothing I like better than you and Patrick and Root photography. Awesome, awesome, awesome. I could look at those pictures for hours!!!!!! Nathan is my idol!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Amazing, fantastic pictures. I adore Roots WDW pictures, they are just wonderful . You and Patrick are just so cute together. He cracked me up at the phone booth .

We have never been to the Yacht Club, we need to try that restaurant, Bill loves steak. I can't wait to see that carousel in the Beach Club. Thanks for starting this report up again, it is getting us excited for our trip.

 

[Sleeping*Beauty]

I love all the Christmassy pictures. I offically got in the Christmas spirit a couple of days ago when I went to the store and there was a salvation army bell ringer, I was super excitied for the first one of the year. So now I am totally in the Christmas spirit and I can't wait for more Christmas pics.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm very late, but I'm joining your report. The Yacht Club is also the only deluxe resort I've never stayed in, so it actually was nice to see the pictures.

Beaches and Cream just makes me drool. I'm so hungry right now.....

 

[Happydog]

We spent Christmas week (leading up to Christmas) at Disney last year. It was the first time I had ever seen the decorations, and to spend a week there was one of the most memorable Disney experiences I have had to date. Christmas morning at the MK was so much fun! The photos of the Osbourne lights take me right back!! You all look like you are having a blast. Thanks so much for sharing those! I liked seeing Christmas all over again!!! The photos are just amazing!
My husband and I are heading to FL for work the week after Thanksgiving, spending three nights in Disney before we go to St. Pete's for the training. Your posts just put me in the holiday spirit!!!! I can't wait!!! We are also going to scope out Universal -- so I am anxiously awaiting your posts about that! No pressure...

 

[Princess_K]

The Osborne Lights photos are great! How awesome that you have the Roots photos. I know mine from a few years ago didn't turn out quite so well

The Yachtsman looks really good. That is definitely on my must-do list!

 

[norybell]

Hooray, lurkyloo's Christmas report is back!

Awesome, awesome pictures. I particularly love the b&w ones. And you and Patrick are just too cute!

 

[A-T-G]

I love all the lights! It's made waiting to bust out my Christmas decorations that much harder! Seriously, I'm hanging by a (tinsel) thread so, what do I do? Look at all these GORGEOUS pics of WDW in all it's Holiday glory!

Must.Not.Bring.Up.Decorations!!

 

[Aburns8]

So glad that you decided to finish this report! The pics from the Osborne lights make me want to go back now to see them! I should hire the Roots to take some pics of us sometime since your pics are gorgeous!

 

[Curiouser&curiouser!]

Yippee! Your back to finish up the Christmas fun! I think the timing is perfect! It will put all of us who aren't going to Disney this Christmas in the Christmas Spirit!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Sigh...come on, lady!! I'm in the home stretch of our December trip, and I'm jonesin' real bad!! I need this stuff!!!

P.S. Can we hire the Roots to be our friends? And also take pictures of our vaca?

 

[aharbin88]

Those Roots photos make me want to grab the nearest photography/photoshop guru and shake them 'til they give up all their secrets. I wish I could photograph like that! Or afford to hire a personal photographer to follow my every move. Hey..... that's the ticket!

 

[Disneybuckeye]

OK I am waaaay late to this party, but I really like it. We were there between Christmas and New Years last year and this really brought back great memories. Looking forward to reading more.