Dancind
Tinkerbell's Mom
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2001
- Messages
- 7,730
Participants: Me (Diana), major planner of WDW vacations ; DH (Kevin) slowly becoming more Disneyfied; and the Dancerina aka Tinkerbell (Alicia, age 10).
This is our second trip to WDW this year, the first was the first week in September. I did not finish that long, detailed trip report because I ran out of steam after Sept. 11. We debated and worried about this trip, but then just went for it. This report wont be quite so detailed, I promise!
The trip officially started on Christmas Day, with the last present that Alicia opened. The Disney Christmas parade was on TV, and we were both bursting because she kept saying I wish we could see that. The present was some Disney dollars, assorted Disney items, and a certificate which read: DANCERINA/ This award presented to Alicia for her outstanding dance performance this year / Good for one trip to WDW / Redeemable in four days! She smiled at us sweetly and we asked Do you know what redeemable means? Yes, and then it hit her. It was a great moment, I cant believe we ran out of film.
So we left on Dec. 29, arriving at the airport 2 hours prior to our flight, and barely had time to potty before boarding. We joked that it was standing in line practice for WDW. Our flight made good time, landing 15 minutes early at 3:30. This was great, because we had to scramble. I had originally made reservations for the Candlelight Processional for the 30th, but the show was cancelled, so we were to see the 6:45 show that night! The Emerald Isle thing worked great, though the luggage took forever, and we made great time to the Dolphin. I think we have finally learned how to get to WDW without getting lost, we use a map! Long wait to check in, the hotel was full, but finally got a room and dumped our luggage there. No view, but at that point we didnt care. Mad dash to Epcot, trying to find out where to get our passes with all the misleading signs was fun. Finally through the gates at about 5:45. Well, with 15% off, we had to stop at the pin station and drop some money, so we wound up fighting our way through the parade crowds to get to the American Pavilion. Entering Epcot was a shocker, our previous two trips have been during slow times. There were so many people! The show was lovely, of course, Im glad we made it. We had some time before our 8:45 PS at Chefs de France, so we went shopping for something warm to wear. Alicia bought a Mickey sweatshirt that I think she has worn every day since! At Chefs, we had to wait about 45 minutes, and were starving. The childs menu was awful, and I asked the server if we could pay the difference so our daughter could order something off the adult menu. He said no, but she decided that chicken strips with French fries would do. The food was good, but the restaurant was freezing, and our waiter ignored us to lavish attention on the tables that didnt have the CP package. It was well after 10 when we finished, it felt as if we were the last ones out of Epcot. Amazingly, there were still people shopping in Mousegears, and we still had 15% off, so in we went. After that, I think we really were the last ones in Epcot!
The next day was to be busy, but we didnt get going until almost 11, I guess we were still on Mountain time. This is where the Dilletente part begins. Breakfast at Tubbis, loved the coffee and the 20% discount with our DVC card! We took the bus over to MK to see the 2 pm parade. This was the last day for the Christmas parade, and we wanted to see it live. Oh my! It was even more crowded at the MK, if thats possible. We decided that the only ride we would be able to do would be the train! This was actually a lot of fun, because there were a couple of two-year-old girls behind us that thought they were on a thrill ride. We stopped for a while right where the alligator is, and the little one behind us got very excited. She stood up and yelled at the alligator Do you want a piece of ME? It could have also been Do you want a piece of meat?, but we like the first line best. We grabbed a spot right in front of the Hall of Presidents right before the stanchions were put up, I went for snacks, and we waited. Of course, right before the parade started, a lady in the back sent her two boys up to sit on my husbands feet. He really wouldnt have minded if she had asked. This parade was fantastic, the best of the five we saw on our trip by far. Even better than TV!
Next stop, Epcot to see some Storytellers. We knew it would be foodhardy to try any rides. We took the Monorail, and got to sit up front from the TTC to Epcot. Wow! That was a terrific view! Alicia wants to ask every time now, even between the resorts! First stop in Epcot was for Beaver Tails, chocolate hazelnut specifically. We saw the Canadian Santa, the Japanese dollmaker, and the Chinese Monkey King. We also did some meandering around, saw the TOD parade, and hung out until our 8:30 PS at Alfredos. With the PS, we got in quickly (in spite of a huge line of people trying to get in without a PS), but then waited a while until our server noticed us. Very sweet assistant server, though, brought us some bread, and the waiter was very apologetic. We ordered glasses of wine, and shared the single portion of Calamari, which was huge, and we both had veal (very good). Alicia had her favorite, Fettucine Alfredo, which she declared delicious. The desserts looked wonderful, but we were much too full! We sort of rolled back to the Dolphin and bed. We did watch the news for the weather forecast, and learned that we had just spent the day out in The Big Freeze!
Next morning, New Years Eve day. Another day at Epcot, another late start. Breakfast at Tubbis again, Alicia liked their French toast. I think we got into Epcot about 10:30, on the boat ride they announced that MK was at capacity. We wondered by Test Track, the Fast Passes were for 11:45 pm! And Journey into Imagination was closed. But we stumbled upon the Jammitors, what fun! So we spent the day doing some pin trading, and catching some entertainment. The Living Statues were charming as ever, as was the juggler in Italy. We also saw the Chinese acrobats, a favorite. We had a PS at Biergarten at 7, but got in about a half hour early. The band was starting up, and Kevin and Alicia got to dance a fast waltz before the little kids took over the floor. She also joined in the Chicken dance and conga line during our dinner, so I think she had a great time, though she didnt eat much. Nor did I, didnt care much for the food. Our German waitress was adorable, though. After dinner, we caught a show by Johnny Ferreira and the Swing Machine at the American Pavilion. Great show, and we danced on stage! I should explain that Kevin and I were at one time a professional dance couple on the Country & Western and Swing dance circuit, and taught dance for many years. This was all one daughter and many pounds ago. But the band was playing some of our favorite slow swing tunes, and we snuck off the side to do a West Coast Swing. That started it. A couple of the CMs kept coming by, you guys should go up and dance on stage. No way! But then they played ANOTHER great slow swing, and our joints were already hurting from dancing on the bricks, so we went up. To the farthest right you could get. They put the spotlight on us, and I was ready to leave, but we finished the song. I think maybe a little bit of the applause was for us, but heres the best part. Our pre-teen daughter told us we were really good! What a sweet kid. Another year and shell be hiding under the bench if we do something like that. Of course, she got to swing onstage with Dad next, and lots of other people joined them. It was really, really fun.
We hit the dance parties at Japan and Italy, and danced with our kid some more. She loved it all. At one point, wide eyed, she said this is just like a teen party! We picked a spot near the band in Morocco with a bench to wait for the 11:45 fireworks. Alicia would go watch the belly dancer whenever they performed. We could also hear Off Kilter from across the water. Once the show started, we could see nothing on the water because of all the people in front of us, but the fire works were plenty to see. The most amazing fireworks weve ever seen, and we decided it had been worth the waiting and the cold. It was all a great memory. We walked back to the Dolphin and hit the sack. The next day, my madness would begin!
This is our second trip to WDW this year, the first was the first week in September. I did not finish that long, detailed trip report because I ran out of steam after Sept. 11. We debated and worried about this trip, but then just went for it. This report wont be quite so detailed, I promise!
The trip officially started on Christmas Day, with the last present that Alicia opened. The Disney Christmas parade was on TV, and we were both bursting because she kept saying I wish we could see that. The present was some Disney dollars, assorted Disney items, and a certificate which read: DANCERINA/ This award presented to Alicia for her outstanding dance performance this year / Good for one trip to WDW / Redeemable in four days! She smiled at us sweetly and we asked Do you know what redeemable means? Yes, and then it hit her. It was a great moment, I cant believe we ran out of film.
So we left on Dec. 29, arriving at the airport 2 hours prior to our flight, and barely had time to potty before boarding. We joked that it was standing in line practice for WDW. Our flight made good time, landing 15 minutes early at 3:30. This was great, because we had to scramble. I had originally made reservations for the Candlelight Processional for the 30th, but the show was cancelled, so we were to see the 6:45 show that night! The Emerald Isle thing worked great, though the luggage took forever, and we made great time to the Dolphin. I think we have finally learned how to get to WDW without getting lost, we use a map! Long wait to check in, the hotel was full, but finally got a room and dumped our luggage there. No view, but at that point we didnt care. Mad dash to Epcot, trying to find out where to get our passes with all the misleading signs was fun. Finally through the gates at about 5:45. Well, with 15% off, we had to stop at the pin station and drop some money, so we wound up fighting our way through the parade crowds to get to the American Pavilion. Entering Epcot was a shocker, our previous two trips have been during slow times. There were so many people! The show was lovely, of course, Im glad we made it. We had some time before our 8:45 PS at Chefs de France, so we went shopping for something warm to wear. Alicia bought a Mickey sweatshirt that I think she has worn every day since! At Chefs, we had to wait about 45 minutes, and were starving. The childs menu was awful, and I asked the server if we could pay the difference so our daughter could order something off the adult menu. He said no, but she decided that chicken strips with French fries would do. The food was good, but the restaurant was freezing, and our waiter ignored us to lavish attention on the tables that didnt have the CP package. It was well after 10 when we finished, it felt as if we were the last ones out of Epcot. Amazingly, there were still people shopping in Mousegears, and we still had 15% off, so in we went. After that, I think we really were the last ones in Epcot!
The next day was to be busy, but we didnt get going until almost 11, I guess we were still on Mountain time. This is where the Dilletente part begins. Breakfast at Tubbis, loved the coffee and the 20% discount with our DVC card! We took the bus over to MK to see the 2 pm parade. This was the last day for the Christmas parade, and we wanted to see it live. Oh my! It was even more crowded at the MK, if thats possible. We decided that the only ride we would be able to do would be the train! This was actually a lot of fun, because there were a couple of two-year-old girls behind us that thought they were on a thrill ride. We stopped for a while right where the alligator is, and the little one behind us got very excited. She stood up and yelled at the alligator Do you want a piece of ME? It could have also been Do you want a piece of meat?, but we like the first line best. We grabbed a spot right in front of the Hall of Presidents right before the stanchions were put up, I went for snacks, and we waited. Of course, right before the parade started, a lady in the back sent her two boys up to sit on my husbands feet. He really wouldnt have minded if she had asked. This parade was fantastic, the best of the five we saw on our trip by far. Even better than TV!
Next stop, Epcot to see some Storytellers. We knew it would be foodhardy to try any rides. We took the Monorail, and got to sit up front from the TTC to Epcot. Wow! That was a terrific view! Alicia wants to ask every time now, even between the resorts! First stop in Epcot was for Beaver Tails, chocolate hazelnut specifically. We saw the Canadian Santa, the Japanese dollmaker, and the Chinese Monkey King. We also did some meandering around, saw the TOD parade, and hung out until our 8:30 PS at Alfredos. With the PS, we got in quickly (in spite of a huge line of people trying to get in without a PS), but then waited a while until our server noticed us. Very sweet assistant server, though, brought us some bread, and the waiter was very apologetic. We ordered glasses of wine, and shared the single portion of Calamari, which was huge, and we both had veal (very good). Alicia had her favorite, Fettucine Alfredo, which she declared delicious. The desserts looked wonderful, but we were much too full! We sort of rolled back to the Dolphin and bed. We did watch the news for the weather forecast, and learned that we had just spent the day out in The Big Freeze!
Next morning, New Years Eve day. Another day at Epcot, another late start. Breakfast at Tubbis again, Alicia liked their French toast. I think we got into Epcot about 10:30, on the boat ride they announced that MK was at capacity. We wondered by Test Track, the Fast Passes were for 11:45 pm! And Journey into Imagination was closed. But we stumbled upon the Jammitors, what fun! So we spent the day doing some pin trading, and catching some entertainment. The Living Statues were charming as ever, as was the juggler in Italy. We also saw the Chinese acrobats, a favorite. We had a PS at Biergarten at 7, but got in about a half hour early. The band was starting up, and Kevin and Alicia got to dance a fast waltz before the little kids took over the floor. She also joined in the Chicken dance and conga line during our dinner, so I think she had a great time, though she didnt eat much. Nor did I, didnt care much for the food. Our German waitress was adorable, though. After dinner, we caught a show by Johnny Ferreira and the Swing Machine at the American Pavilion. Great show, and we danced on stage! I should explain that Kevin and I were at one time a professional dance couple on the Country & Western and Swing dance circuit, and taught dance for many years. This was all one daughter and many pounds ago. But the band was playing some of our favorite slow swing tunes, and we snuck off the side to do a West Coast Swing. That started it. A couple of the CMs kept coming by, you guys should go up and dance on stage. No way! But then they played ANOTHER great slow swing, and our joints were already hurting from dancing on the bricks, so we went up. To the farthest right you could get. They put the spotlight on us, and I was ready to leave, but we finished the song. I think maybe a little bit of the applause was for us, but heres the best part. Our pre-teen daughter told us we were really good! What a sweet kid. Another year and shell be hiding under the bench if we do something like that. Of course, she got to swing onstage with Dad next, and lots of other people joined them. It was really, really fun.
We hit the dance parties at Japan and Italy, and danced with our kid some more. She loved it all. At one point, wide eyed, she said this is just like a teen party! We picked a spot near the band in Morocco with a bench to wait for the 11:45 fireworks. Alicia would go watch the belly dancer whenever they performed. We could also hear Off Kilter from across the water. Once the show started, we could see nothing on the water because of all the people in front of us, but the fire works were plenty to see. The most amazing fireworks weve ever seen, and we decided it had been worth the waiting and the cold. It was all a great memory. We walked back to the Dolphin and hit the sack. The next day, my madness would begin!
