(Christmas) Lights, Decorations, Action ..A Post-Christmas PTR (update 12/22-page 42)

[marvali]

No worries Marv! I know how crazy it has been not to mention you LEAVE IN 8 DAYS !!!

I have bascially finished trip #1 so I am moving on to the second trip which like I said was the same time last year.

Hope we will be on the road one week and three hours from now! (if we get to head out on schedule...) Yes, it is crazy for everyone! There were times I would check your TR and wonder how you found the time to put me so far behind!!! Maybe you'll be updating the second trip while I am there and I can see if there is anything I might have missed.... I hope to find the time to at least check in and give a quick update throughout the trip.

Hi Marv, I really am enjoying your posts about your plans for the trip! It will be fun to compare your plans with your actual trip afterwards! And picture are always great to see!

Sorry that I haven't been around much, but I think we all are in the same situation at the moment... Just not enough hours in each day...

Glad you are liking the updates and I know what you mean about living trips over again through other people's pictures! I do that all the time myself!!!

Comparison should be interesting. I know I am leaving out a whole lot of the time I will just be strolling through the parks and resorts, taking pictures of all the decorations. I don't have many holiday pictures that I haven't already shared earlier in the thread, except for a lot with DS13 and his BFF which I don't want to post since someone else's child is in them. I plan to have lots and lots of pics I can post after this trip, so there are rides and shows we may not do this time but that is the main plan anyway!

And don't worry about the "around much." This is the time of year when so much is going on for everyone. Lots of family time (instead of DISfamily time).

If we all get too busy and don't get another chance I just want to say Frohe Weihnachten to you and your family!!! (hope that's right....) I'll be thinking of my German friends when we are listening to the Storyteller in the German Pavilion at Epcot!

 

[onescgirl]

Day 4 looks like it's going to be so much fun! I wish I was going with you to see the Osborne lights!!!!!
Didn't you say that you would be posting live updates here?

 

[mom3sonstt]

8 days - well, probably only 7 now! I feel like this is my trip....I'm going to be really disappointed in a week when leaving day gets here and I'm still stuck in Illinois in the cold and snow.

Your trip sounds so much like my last years trip - I can't wait until you get back and share pics. I haven't gotten all of mine tracked down and loaded up yet - so maybe I'll be seeing yours before I see mine

 

[marvali]

Day 4 looks like it's going to be so much fun! I wish I was going with you to see the Osborne lights!!!!!
Didn't you say that you would be posting live updates here?

Well come on along! What's holding you back??? I'm sure your kids would love a Christmas trip. What is that "elf" good for, anyway???

If you haven't experienced the Osborne lights you are missing a real treat! Last time we were there it was a little warmer, so a little strange to be getting snowed on with pleasant temps. This time I am expecting much cooler nights, so it will feel even more like Christmas!!!

Plan to do some live "updates" which will be checking in with some feedback about what our day has been like, but will probably do that in my PTR and save the main highlights for a TR when I get back. Won't have as much free time like I did when we had the longer stay at OKW. (Plus it will allow me to keep an eye on Kathy and Rosie and make sure they aren't getting into too much trouble!)

8 days - well, probably only 7 now! I feel like this is my trip....I'm going to be really disappointed in a week when leaving day gets here and I'm still stuck in Illinois in the cold and snow.

Your trip sounds so much like my last years trip - I can't wait until you get back and share pics. I haven't gotten all of mine tracked down and loaded up yet - so maybe I'll be seeing yours before I see mine

Yep, only 7 more sleeps! This time next week we should be well on our way; hopefully at least in Florida by now! It is getting really close, and the excitement is really building! (and the "have I thought of everything" anxiety)

Should be fun seeing how our two trips compare. Sorry you will be stuck there in the snow, but it should give you plenty of time to enjoy the holidays and family! Hope you have a wonderful and Very Merry Christmas!!!

 

[marvali]

Day 5

New Years Day and our first in the parks in 2011!!! Wow, where did 2010 go???

So today we are headed for.....

With two full park days remaining, and still not taking full days at Epcot (close on Day 2, but since we will miss rope drop and probably some of the more popular rides...) and AK, I contemplated which order I should do each of them??? Figuring we will probably be out late the night before for NYE and less likely to want to get up early, I decided that AK would be the easiest of the two to get everything done without the benefit of RD! Plus it is a very short travel time from Kidani, so we don't have to leave so early to make an early park entry.

We really like this park. There is so much we enjoy doing here. Our first goal, though, will be like so many others who head directly to.....

This is one of my favorite Disney coasters and even on a trip when relaxing and getting lots of pictures of the holiday decorations is the main priority, this is a must do!!! After collecting our first set of FPs for later, hopefully we can hop on in SB and take a quick ride to start our day! Can do single rider if necessary, but miss so many good photo ops when you do that!

The requisite broken track picture (right Glenn!?!)

After escaping the grasp of the Yeti we will probably see if we can catch a ride back in time on Dinosaur....

I love this ride too. They use this same type ride vehicle at DL for the Indiana Jones ride which is the first time I experienced it; a rolling ride simulator! I think this is a great ride invention for creating a realistic feel!

While walking around I'm sure we will pass this many times!!!

I need to take that "hidden" trail so I can get some additional up close shots of the many works of animal art the imagineers created!

At some point during the day we might experience some of our fine feathered friends at Flights of Wonder such as

Or maybe we will encounter some bugs or some of the many other creatures you can experience at AK! Of course, no trip is complete without a visit to see some of these guys.....

Or these

Glenn might be right.......now even some of the giraffes are headless!!!

Wonder how many new animals we will see, like this

Timon, is that YOU???

For lunch we plan to head by one of our favorite CS restaurants at WDW, Flame Tree BBQ, before taking in the rest of the day's sights! Will we head by FotLK? Maybe a stop to see if we can find Nemo (since Judy probably won't be there...).

As afternoon passes, it will soon be time for the Jingle Jungle Parade. I'm sure we will take this parade in so we can see things like

and

And I wonder if at some point in the day we will happen to catch this elusive creature???

After the parade we will hopefully have time to run back by and ride EE again before heading for our dinner ADR at Yak & Yeti. This will be another first for us and I booked it right before park closing. We will be able to head out of an empty park by the time we're done, so I should be able to get some final pictures of decorations. By this time it should be completely dark outside, and everything will be all lit up.

As we exit the park I can get some final pictures of

I love some of the decorations that use on this tree...

After a late night the night before, we can make an early evening of it so we are ready for our final day in the parks (wow, it goes by so fast doesn't it???) when we head to

Coming up - Day 6 Epcot Day!!!

 

[KatMark]

Marv, what a great Day 5. You are doing so many of our favorites -- Flame Tree, Yak & Yeti, Safari, Dinosaur (well, Mark doesn't like it all that much--but I LOVE it), Lion King, etc.

I love how the tree is decorated at the AK; I don't think I've ever seen a picture of that before.

 

[marvali]

Marv, what a great Day 5. You are doing so many of our favorites -- Flame Tree, Yak & Yeti, Safari, Dinosaur (well, Mark doesn't like it all that much--but I LOVE it), Lion King, etc.

I love how the tree is decorated at the AK; I don't think I've ever seen a picture of that before.

Yes, looking forward to our AK day! But then, I'm looking forward to ALL of them!!!

Sadly, that is one of the few pictures I actually took on our previous trip that I can post! Took so many of DS13 and his friend that went with us so his family would get to see them. Going to do something about that this time for sure. Told Santa I need a new zoom lens for my camera, so if he comes through, should be able to get some really great shots for my TR!!!

 

[that's nice]

Marv... love all the plans. Sorry I missed your single digit dance. 8 more sleeps??????

Your AK day looks great. we've eaten at Y&Y CS before but never the restaurant before. I am curious to see your take on it. Great AK pics.. love that Christmas tree too!

 

[glennbo123]

Hey, nice broken track picture! Wish I had one of those.

 

[Flossbolna]

If we all get too busy and don't get another chance I just want to say Frohe Weihnachten to you and your family!!! (hope that's right....) I'll be thinking of my German friends when we are listening to the Storyteller in the German Pavilion at Epcot!

Thank you! Your German is flawless!! Merry Christmas to you as well! It's nice of you that you will think of us when you meet the German storyteller, it will feel like we are going to be at WDW then as well!

I like your AK day - but I don't agree on Dinosaur with you. It is way too scary for me!!!

I read on another TR from last year that AK had christmas trees themed for different characters in Camp Minnie Mickey. Perhaps that might be another nice photo opportunity for you?

 

[marvali]

Marv... love all the plans. Sorry I missed your single digit dance. 8 more sleeps??????

Your AK day looks great. we've eaten at Y&Y CS before but never the restaurant before. I am curious to see your take on it. Great AK pics.. love that Christmas tree too!

Actually only 7 more sleeps! The countdown clock in my sig is off by a day since it only includes our original Kidani stay, and not the extra day I was able to add at an off-site hotel.

Will make sure I get plenty of food porn and do a good dinner review just for you!

Hey, nice broken track picture! Wish I had one of those.

Jealousy will get you nowhere!!!

Thank you! Your German is flawless!! Merry Christmas to you as well! It's nice of you that you will think of us when you meet the German storyteller, it will feel like we are going to be at WDW then as well!

I like your AK day - but I don't agree on Dinosaur with you. It is way too scary for me!!!

I read on another TR from last year that AK had christmas trees themed for different characters in Camp Minnie Mickey. Perhaps that might be another nice photo opportunity for you?

I will have all of my DISfriends close in my thoughts while I am there. It will be just like having you all there with me!

Dinosaur? Scary? Really? Those imagineers actually do a really good job don't they......

Had not heard that about the trees. We didn't visit Camp Minnie Mickey last time we were there at New Years! I will definitely have to check that out! Thanks!

 

[englishrose47]

Evening Marv !!I fell asleep last night and didn't do much Dissing at all!!You might say Rosie was Dosie !!!

Kathy we have to connect to plan our stratergy for writing Marv's TR while he is gone !!I mean isn't that what friendsare for to help you out

Any who I found this very appropriate Christmas Greeting

 

[marvali]

You sure it wasn't that Rosie was Cozie??? I don't get to do much DISing when I fall asleep either!

Just remember Rosie, I will be checking in while I'm gone, so I'll be watching you, always watching!!! And if you two aren't doing a good job, I'll just have to take back over!!!!

Great Pic! I love it!

Hope you have a wonderful, Merry Christmas Rosie!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hey Marv, and all the other party goers who seem to be on this thread tonight, just wanting to wish you all the VERY merriest of merriment and celebration in the coming few days!! Marv, I want to wish you A super duper megalooper trip in case I get too tied up with family to get back on before you go!!! I hope your trip is every minute of what you've dreamed of and more.

Have a great time, and behave yourself while armed with your spoon.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Marv, just caught up on your last couple of days! What a fabulous way to start the New Year!!

We loved Cape May! I hope you do, too! I got the bucket o' clams with my dinner - I was

If I don't see you here again in the next couple of days, Have a Merry Merry Christmas Everyone!

P.S. Dosie Rosie - Loved the Holiday pic!

 

[marvali]

Hey Marv, and all the other party goers who seem to be on this thread tonight, just wanting to wish you all the VERY merriest of merriment and celebration in the coming few days!! Marv, I want to wish you A super duper megalooper trip in case I get too tied up with family to get back on before you go!!! I hope your trip is every minute of what you've dreamed of and more.

Have a great time, and behave yourself while armed with your spoon.

Thanks so very much Liesa! And I ALWAYS behave myself, whether armed or not!!!

Marv, just caught up on your last couple of days! What a fabulous way to start the New Year!!

We loved Cape May! I hope you do, too! I got the bucket o' clams with my dinner - I was

If I don't see you here again in the next couple of days, Have a Merry Merry Christmas Everyone!

P.S. Dosie Rosie - Loved the Holiday pic!

Hmm, bucket of clams huh? Sounds very interesting! I'm sure we will find plenty to enjoy at Cape May. Hopefully they have the crab legs. The boys love those!!!

And I hope you and your family have a wonderful and Very Merry Christmas too!!!

 

[marvali]

Day 6 - Our Final Park Day

For our final day in the parks, the ultimate goal is to make rope drop at...

Of all the parks, this is the one that needs two days to adequately tour! Even though we were here earlier in the trip, we probably won't make rope drop due to our check-in at Kidani that morning. That first day was originally planned for a late afternoon arrival and a tour of the World Showcase to see the storytellers, make our ADR at Tutto Italia, and hopefully get to enjoy the Candlelight Processional. Maybe we can catch Illuminations then too. With the extra time in the park, we should be able to get a lot more done, but will probably be lucky to get any FPs for the more popular rides.

But this final day will be more about getting that early set of FPs for Soarin' and hopefully a ride in Standby without too much of a wait. From there we will probably head over to visit Nemo at The Seas and try to catch an early Turtle Talk with Crush before the crowds begin to grow. This is a really great show with the interaction! After that, we will head over to Test Track and Mission Space to try and get more FPs or ride if the wait isn't too long.

We will probably stay in FW until lunchtime. Depending on the time we may visit Spaceship Earth, tour The Land, or catch Captain EO for its return engagement! I never saw this show when it was originally at Epcot, so it would be good to take in once at least, even though I'm not the biggest Michael Jackson fan. For lunch we will go to Sunshine Seasons. We really like this counter service location because there are so many choices for everyone!

After lunch we will head into the WS. DS13 did one of the Kim Possible missions with his older brothers last time and they all thought it was pretty cool! I have read so much about this on the DIS that I'm interested in seeing it for myself this time. While we are touring the WS we will check out more of what the countries have to offer for entertainment and character greets. Unfortunately the Holiday offerings will be gone by now, so hopefully we were able to catch most of the Storytellers earlier in the week!

As we tour the different countries we might take in some of the following...
Maybe a tour here

To visit some troublemakers like this....

Or a chance to meet him in person.

From South America we can travel faster than if we were on Amazing Race and reach our Asian destination of...

Where we just might catch this show, which we think is very entertaining!

Or maybe a chance to meet

Dragon? Lizard? Dragon? Lizard?

Or maybe some "Princesses" from around the world like

or

As we make our way around the WS our goal is to make it back to the North American continent in time for our dinner ADR at Le Cellier!!! This is another first time dining experience for us, and after trying so many times to get a reservation here, we finally made it! What a wonderful final dining destination for our trip. Maybe while I'm there I'll ask if any of the CMs know Bubba???

What we do after dinner will depend on what we have accomplished already at Epcot. If we saw Illuminations earlier in the week we will probably use up any FPs we have left, and then head out of the park! I'm sure the boys will take the opportunity to head off to enjoy any and every ride they can possibly make before the parks close. They are pretty good at keeping up with park closings, and how to make the single rider line work in their favor, so I'm sure they will find a way to take one last ride on EE if AK isn't already closed, and RnR, ToT, Space Mountain, BTMRR and another visit to the HM and PotC, which are all favorites.

It is hard to believe this adventure will already be over and we will be heading home the next day! If we get packed and loaded in time, I'm thinking we might do the breakfast buffet at Boma before we start out on that long, long drive home!

I hope every one of you and your families have a Very Merriest Christmas and a fantastic New Year! Watch out for occasional live updates while we are gone. After all, I have to check in and make sure Kathy and Rosie aren't up to no good!!!

I will hopefully see you all here when we return!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

weve always found that if you get the fastpasses and then ride soarin when they open...you have a good chance of getting to test track and riding it standby before the line gets long.

normally we have done that and were able to do both in about 45 minutes tops.

and i know you didnt mean to forget going on living with the land ride?

one of the best rides there.

 

[englishrose47]

You sure it wasn't that Rosie was Cozie??? I don't get to do much DISing when I fall asleep either!

Just remember Rosie, I will be checking in while I'm gone, so I'll be watching you, always watching!!! And if you two aren't doing a good job, I'll just have to take back over!!!!

Great Pic! I love it!

Hope you have a wonderful, Merry Christmas Rosie!!!

Kathy hasn't contacted me about her plan of attack!!! I am sure we will be looking for those live updates , not for any particular reason

Day 6 - Our Final Park Day

For our final day in the parks, the ultimate goal is to make rope drop at...

Of all the parks, this is the one that needs two days to adequately tour! Even though we were here earlier in the trip, we probably won't make rope drop due to our check-in at Kidani that morning. That first day was originally planned for a late afternoon arrival and a tour of the World Showcase to see the storytellers, make our ADR at Tutto Italia, and hopefully get to enjoy the Candlelight Processional. Maybe we can catch Illuminations then too. With the extra time in the park, we should be able to get a lot more done, but will probably be lucky to get any FPs for the more popular rides.

But this final day will be more about getting that early set of FPs for Soarin' and hopefully a ride in Standby without too much of a wait. From there we will probably head over to visit Nemo at The Seas and try to catch an early Turtle Talk with Crush before the crowds begin to grow. This is a really great show with the interaction! After that, we will head over to Test Track and Mission Space to try and get more FPs or ride if the wait isn't too long.

We will probably stay in FW until lunchtime. Depending on the time we may visit Spaceship Earth, tour The Land, or catch Captain EO for its return engagement! I never saw this show when it was originally at Epcot, so it would be good to take in once at least, even though I'm not the biggest Michael Jackson fan. For lunch we will go to Sunshine Seasons. We really like this counter service location because there are so many choices for everyone!

After lunch we will head into the WS. DS13 did one of the Kim Possible missions with his older brothers last time and they all thought it was pretty cool! I have read so much about this on the DIS that I'm interested in seeing it for myself this time. While we are touring the WS we will check out more of what the countries have to offer for entertainment and character greets. Unfortunately the Holiday offerings will be gone by now, so hopefully we were able to catch most of the Storytellers earlier in the week!

As we tour the different countries we might take in some of the following...
Maybe a tour here

To visit some troublemakers like this....
we think is very entertaining!
[IMG]http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll297/marvali_photos/2009%20Vacation%20Kidani/Epcot/013.jpg
Or maybe a chance to meet

Dragon? Lizard? Dragon? Lizard?

Or maybe some "Princesses" from around the world like

or

As we make our way around the WS our goal is to make it back to the North American continent in time for our dinner ADR at Le Cellier!!! This is another first time dining experience for us, and after trying so many times to get a reservation here, we finally made it! What a wonderful final dining destination for our trip. Maybe while I'm there I'll ask if any of the CMs know Bubba???

What we do after dinner will depend on what we have accomplished already at Epcot. If we saw Illuminations earlier in the week we will probably use up any FPs we have left, and then head out of the park! I'm sure the boys will take the opportunity to head off to enjoy any and every ride they can possibly make before the parks close. They are pretty good at keeping up with park closings, and how to make the single rider line work in their favor, so I'm sure they will find a way to take one last ride on EE if AK isn't already closed, and RnR, ToT, Space Mountain, BTMRR and another visit to the HM and PotC, which are all favorites.

It is hard to believe this adventure will already be over and we will be heading home the next day! If we get packed and loaded in time, I'm thinking we might do the breakfast buffet at Boma before we start out on that long, long drive home!

I hope every one of you and your families have a Very Merriest Christmas and a fantastic New Year! Watch out for occasional live updates while we are gone. After all, I have to check in and make sure Kathy and Rosie aren't up to no good!!!

I will hopefully see you all here when we return!

Great Last day !!Epcot is my favorite park while DHS is the families !!!

By the way Dosie Rosie got cozie again last night !!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sounds like the perfect last day! Looking forward to the live updates, hope you and yours have a Very Merry Christmas!