DisneyaHolic23
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2000
- Messages
- 1,020
Who's there?: Ron (DH-38), Eryn (DD - 18), and me (37).
Park(s): Magic Kingdom & Epcot
Date: December 27
We were all ready to leave for the airport on Christmas night, when we received the dreaded phone call: Our flight had been cancelled (we were flying through Dallas). After almost two hours, we were rescheduled for the next afternoon, meaning we would arrive in Orlando after midnight (the 27th). We have officially missed our only evening in MK, and our PS at Liberty Tree Tavern.
Making the best of the situation, we arrived at our hotel at about 2:00 A.M. on the 27th. We slept until 7:15, and then rushed to MK - we had PS at Tony's at 8:30. We ate, and then took in the amazing atmosphere (since my first trip to Disneyland at 10, I still can never get over the magic that envelopes me when I look down Main Street!). We just marveled, oohed, ahhhed, and were glad to finally be here! Then, we headed to the Tour Gardens for our Keys to the Kingdom Tour. When we got there, we had to laugh at a woman who was trying to convince the guide (I think it was Blue Plaid, who had posted about the tour earlier) that her son was more than 16. It seems that he "accidentally" gave them her daughter's birthdate, instead of his own, making him only 14!! Good grief.
The tour was GREAT! Clay was our tour guide, and he had so much information. My daughter is a Disney expert, having read everything she can find since she was little, and she learned tons. (On a side note, she is planning to attempt the college program in DisneyWorld this coming summer- hope I can go visit her...
I was disappointed that the tour only went on one ride, but I guess the park was just too crowded. The Utilidors were just streaming with people - Clay told us that when the park is really crowded, the Utilidors also become more crowded, since they need more cast members. I won't spoil the tour for anyone, but feel free to email me personally with questions. I do want to say that having done both the Backstage Magic Tour previously, and now the Keys to the Kingdom, I just don't believe that the tours ruin the magic. They definitely enhanced our enjoyment of the parks!
We finished the tour just in time to see the Christmas Parade; however, we were probably six layers from the street. We could see the floats well, but the dancing characters were pretty much lost!
After letting the crowds thin, we headed to Epcot. Since tonight was our Candlelight Processional package, we picked up our stuff, and did some shopping. Eryn did most of her souvenir purchases at Mouse Gears, and I was able to pick up some cute salt & pepper shakers without her knowing, for her next birthday (she and her college roommate collect them). We did a little strolling through the lands, heading towards the American Pavillion. Although we had dinner reservations at 8:00, my husband couldn't wait - you'd never know he can put away so much in his compact body! - so we had to get him a turkey leg. Then, we got in line for the CP. Gary Sinise was our reader. We thought he was fabulous (we saw him on his 11th of 12 readings). I love how a part of the Christmas story was read, and then the phenomenal music to match the passage... The show was longer than I expected - I am not sure if Gary spoke at the end longer than usual - but we didn't leave the theater until after 7:30.
I HURRIED to Rose & Crown, while Ron & Eryn went to buy pastries for breakfast tomorrow at France (I waited until after Illuminations once, and they were closed!). Well, at Rose & Crown, I sadly looked at the receptionist, and asked if we were too late for patio seating. She was sooo nice, and said she would do what she could. Supposedly, we had a 20-25 minute wait, so I ran to the restroom. No sooner did I get in a stall, than the pager beckoned. Just as I emerged from the restroom, Ron & Eryn came hurrying up, feeling victorious, with some of our favorite pastries.
We were seated in an AMAZING location against the rail for the show!! Dinner was fabulous (I had the sauteed mushrooms, salmon, and Millenium dessert - yum! Eryn had a delicious salad, salmon, and berries and cream. Ron had fruit and cheese (he is PICKY - nothing creamy for him!), Prime Rib, and chocolate cake. Oh, and I had a Bailey's and Hot Chocolate - mmmmmm!!)
By now, we were exhausted. The emotional let-down of losing a day, two short nights lacking sleep, and over twelve hours of airport time and flying had caught up to us! We were ready to sleep.
Tomorrow, we do MGM (we'll be there at opening!), and we have a little surprise visit from Jane and the Pixies coming tomorrow.
Park(s): Magic Kingdom & Epcot
Date: December 27
We were all ready to leave for the airport on Christmas night, when we received the dreaded phone call: Our flight had been cancelled (we were flying through Dallas). After almost two hours, we were rescheduled for the next afternoon, meaning we would arrive in Orlando after midnight (the 27th). We have officially missed our only evening in MK, and our PS at Liberty Tree Tavern.
Making the best of the situation, we arrived at our hotel at about 2:00 A.M. on the 27th. We slept until 7:15, and then rushed to MK - we had PS at Tony's at 8:30. We ate, and then took in the amazing atmosphere (since my first trip to Disneyland at 10, I still can never get over the magic that envelopes me when I look down Main Street!). We just marveled, oohed, ahhhed, and were glad to finally be here! Then, we headed to the Tour Gardens for our Keys to the Kingdom Tour. When we got there, we had to laugh at a woman who was trying to convince the guide (I think it was Blue Plaid, who had posted about the tour earlier) that her son was more than 16. It seems that he "accidentally" gave them her daughter's birthdate, instead of his own, making him only 14!! Good grief.
The tour was GREAT! Clay was our tour guide, and he had so much information. My daughter is a Disney expert, having read everything she can find since she was little, and she learned tons. (On a side note, she is planning to attempt the college program in DisneyWorld this coming summer- hope I can go visit her...
I was disappointed that the tour only went on one ride, but I guess the park was just too crowded. The Utilidors were just streaming with people - Clay told us that when the park is really crowded, the Utilidors also become more crowded, since they need more cast members. I won't spoil the tour for anyone, but feel free to email me personally with questions. I do want to say that having done both the Backstage Magic Tour previously, and now the Keys to the Kingdom, I just don't believe that the tours ruin the magic. They definitely enhanced our enjoyment of the parks!
We finished the tour just in time to see the Christmas Parade; however, we were probably six layers from the street. We could see the floats well, but the dancing characters were pretty much lost!
After letting the crowds thin, we headed to Epcot. Since tonight was our Candlelight Processional package, we picked up our stuff, and did some shopping. Eryn did most of her souvenir purchases at Mouse Gears, and I was able to pick up some cute salt & pepper shakers without her knowing, for her next birthday (she and her college roommate collect them). We did a little strolling through the lands, heading towards the American Pavillion. Although we had dinner reservations at 8:00, my husband couldn't wait - you'd never know he can put away so much in his compact body! - so we had to get him a turkey leg. Then, we got in line for the CP. Gary Sinise was our reader. We thought he was fabulous (we saw him on his 11th of 12 readings). I love how a part of the Christmas story was read, and then the phenomenal music to match the passage... The show was longer than I expected - I am not sure if Gary spoke at the end longer than usual - but we didn't leave the theater until after 7:30.
I HURRIED to Rose & Crown, while Ron & Eryn went to buy pastries for breakfast tomorrow at France (I waited until after Illuminations once, and they were closed!). Well, at Rose & Crown, I sadly looked at the receptionist, and asked if we were too late for patio seating. She was sooo nice, and said she would do what she could. Supposedly, we had a 20-25 minute wait, so I ran to the restroom. No sooner did I get in a stall, than the pager beckoned. Just as I emerged from the restroom, Ron & Eryn came hurrying up, feeling victorious, with some of our favorite pastries.
We were seated in an AMAZING location against the rail for the show!! Dinner was fabulous (I had the sauteed mushrooms, salmon, and Millenium dessert - yum! Eryn had a delicious salad, salmon, and berries and cream. Ron had fruit and cheese (he is PICKY - nothing creamy for him!), Prime Rib, and chocolate cake. Oh, and I had a Bailey's and Hot Chocolate - mmmmmm!!)
By now, we were exhausted. The emotional let-down of losing a day, two short nights lacking sleep, and over twelve hours of airport time and flying had caught up to us! We were ready to sleep.
Tomorrow, we do MGM (we'll be there at opening!), and we have a little surprise visit from Jane and the Pixies coming tomorrow.
