Disney at Christmas... perfect, Disney with friends...priceless! A December 2024 Susan and Caroline adventure! updated x 3 and complete 07/01!

[pkondz]

Lookin' pretty happy about going "home" again.

Rush hour traffic in the Toronto area is no joke

Totally agree. Hard pass.

so we took the toll highway.

Never done that. How much time do you think you saved?

My security clearance and customs luck held up once again being through both in 15 minutes.

That's... I'm a bit flabbergasted, actually.

My flight was originally scheduled to leave at 8:55 pm but I had received my first delay notification before I even left for the airport.

You did mention it was snowy.

Our table mates were another story as they were getting well into their duty free purchases and their conversation was taking a turn for the worse.

We finally left Pearson at 11:55 pm!!

Oh, geez. Bet you were relieved to have not had it canceled!

Finally had feet on the ground at 2:53 am!

I was up and raring to go at 7:44 am

I was shocked by this at first then realized you got about 4 hours. At Disney, that's often enough!

 

[pkondz]

I was excited to see Susan in the morning and I knew she did not get much sleep arriving in the wee hours.

It's just so beautiful done up for the holidays.

Been a long time, though. Need to get back, someday.

Nice photo of you both.

We had splurged on LLMP for this day but were limited in selections. We had picked Tiana, Winnie the Pooh and Haunted Mansion and hoped for the best with other attractions as it was a party day.

You paid extra to have limited selections...

Really like this shot of you both.

We did standby for the Jungle Cruise and waited about 20 minutes which wasn't too bad.

That's not bad at all!

The speaker wasn't working well and it was really hard to hear the skipper. I felt really bad for people further back as I don't think they would have been able to hear anything at all.

Without the banter, there's almost no point in going on this ride at all.

We were up for Tiana next and it was fabulous! I love how bright and beautiful everything is in the queue. The level of detailed theming is amazing.

So a thumbsup for this ride.

We hopped into the Country bears show next as we had some till to kill before our Haunted Mansion FP. It's cute but give me the original version any day.

Hearing mixed reviews on this one, though.

HM was perfection as always. Still my #1 ride in the park.

Susan is such a fun Disney partner and this lady walks fast!

zoom!!!!

I walk a ton but she power walks like no other! My little legs worked overtime to keep up with her!

Andi and Kait always say I look like Tiana’s best friend Charlotte so I had to get a picture of her and of course Mama Odie.

You do look like her!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

What a lovely morning in MK! Haunted Mansion is a favorite of mine, too. And the Christmas decor looks so fun.

I’m excited to hear about your lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe! I’ve never been for lunch or dinner, but I’ve really enjoyed my breakfasts there.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm here and caught up!

Susan I'm so sorry your flight was delayed so much, but happy you finally made it. You're right, who needs sleep in Disney?

MK is always my favorite. I'm so sad I missed the decorations this passed Christmas.

You two look so cute! Love the outfits and ears.

I'm looking forward to your lunch. I've never eaten at the Grand Floridian Café but Danielle loves it.

 

[suse66]

There is always a long line for those spring rolls. They must be good.

I see that you were in the last seat. It is the driest one. We had that seat in August and hardly got wet at all.

They are right about that.

The spring rolls are fantastic! I like the last seat on Tiana too…..no need to go around soaked all day.

 

[suse66]

Lookin' pretty happy about going "home" again.

I sure was! Looking back I am so glad I had three trips in 2024. US travel is off the table now.

Never done that. How much time do you think you saved?

At least 30 minutes.

That's... I'm a bit flabbergasted, actually.

Me too!

I was shocked by this at first then realized you got about 4 hours. At Disney, that's often enough!

Right??

Been a long time, though. Need to get back, someday.

2029 anyone?

Nice photo of you both.

Thanks!

Without the banter, there's almost no point in going on this ride at all

Exactly!

What a lovely morning in MK! Haunted Mansion is a favorite of mine, too. And the Christmas decor looks so fun.

It was really great!

I’m excited to hear about your lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe! I’ve never been for lunch or dinner, but I’ve really enjoyed my breakfasts there.

It was so delicious!

Susan I'm so sorry your flight was delayed so much, but happy you finally made it. You're right, who needs sleep in Disney?

Sleep is not required!

You two look so cute! Love the outfits and ears.

Thanks!

I'm looking forward to your lunch. I've never eaten at the Grand

It was so great!

 

[pkondz]

I sure was! Looking back I am so glad I had three trips in 2024. US travel is off the table now.

Yeahhh.......

At least 30 minutes.

That much! Huh! Might have to look into that next time I'm there.

2029 anyone?

 

[disneyAndi14]

You do look like her!

Thank you! It’s my curly hair

What a lovely morning in MK! Haunted Mansion is a favorite of mine, too. And the Christmas decor looks so fun.

It really was a fun morning! It did seem a little busier than last year on our MK party day!

I’m excited to hear about your lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe! I’ve never been for lunch or dinner, but I’ve really enjoyed my breakfasts there.

Coming up next! I can’t believe I had never eaten there with all the times Andi and I stayed here!

I'm here and caught up!

Yay

MK is always my favorite. I'm so sad I missed the decorations this passed Christmas.

I love it at Christmas time!

You two look so cute! Love the outfits and ears.

Thank you! I didn’t realize I would need all my warm clothes this trip!

I'm looking forward to your lunch. I've never eaten at the Grand Floridian Café but Danielle loves it.

Coming up soon. I agree with Danielle!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Lunch at The Grand!

When we left off, we were running late for our lunch at the Grand.

We made it over to the Grand Floridian Cafe about 20 minutes past our reservation. The staff said they could likely seat us and would check.

I did not realize the restaurant closed at 2pm and reopened later for dinner.

Luckily, we did get seated fairly quickly. The restaurant was still quite busy for closing in about 30 minutes.

I did not take notes and I don’t have a picture but I am pretty sure we had the delicious biscuits with the flavored butter. I know the waitress said they were out but she did find some for us!

I had the Eggs Benedict

Traditional Eggs Benedict*
Two-poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, and Hollandaise on a Toasted English Muffin served with Marinated Tomato Salad.

This was delicious. I can’t remember when I last had eggs benedict! Yummy.

Susan had the Cobb salad

Cobb Salad
Iceberg and Romaine, House-roasted Turkey, Bacon, Avocado, Tomato, Egg, and Blue Cheese with Signature Cobb Dressing

I know she enjoyed her delicious salad.

We both gave our late lunch two thumbs up

Once we finished our meal, we went to the lobby to check out the Christmas Tree and the Gingerbread House.



The place was crazy busy! People were swarming around the gingerbread house. It was hard to get some decent pictures.

One lady was rather salty and rudely told Susan she was in her way for picture taking! Yikes!

We decided to go upstairs and check out Basin! I needed to get some stocking stuffers for Andi, Amanda (Jack’s girlfriend), and Kait. Andi loves the lip gloss. I also bought the shower bath bombs, and the body butter.

Once we did our little retail therapy, it was time to head back to the tower.

Our wonderful TA sent us a mini charcuterie box to enjoy at the resort. We stopped and picked this up at Bell Service.

It was very thoughtful of her. She is also a good friend of ours from the Dis and we have met up with her numerous times at WDW!

Here are a few pictures of the tower. Lobby area and the outside in daylight and at night! Such a lovely place!



We took a little rest before our evening festivities.

Our plans included LwtL at night and a meet up with some of our Epic ladies! Dis meets are the best!

We did a mini Skyliner crawl with Kelly and Su-Lynn.

Stay tuned for our fun evening!

Susan will be back soon to add in some more details. She is visiting with family at this time in PEI!

 

[pkondz]

When we left off, we were running late for our lunch at the Grand.

Hurry! Hurrrrryyyy!!!!

I did not realize the restaurant closed at 2pm and reopened later for dinner.

Close call!
Bet you would've been even more worried if you'd known.

I am pretty sure we had the delicious biscuits with the flavored butter. I know the waitress said they were out but she did find some for us!

Nice of her.

I had the Eggs Benedict

Yes please!

Susan had the Cobb salad

Looks so good. I wonder how it compares to the one at HBD?

We both gave our late lunch two thumbs up

Not surprised. Looked so good!

Stunning, as usual.

One lady was rather salty and rudely told Susan she was in her way for picture taking! Yikes!

How dare you stand in a public space!

Our wonderful TA sent us a mini charcuterie box to enjoy at the resort.

Very nice!

Gorgeous.

Stay tuned for our fun evening!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Our wonderful TA sent us a mini charcuterie box to enjoy at the resort. We stopped and picked this up at Bell Service.

That is a really nice treat from your TA. I always prefer something like that over something sweet.

Here are a few pictures of the tower. Lobby area and the outside in daylight and at night! Such a lovely place!

I didn't realize that the tower was so huge. I could see it needing its own park bus.

 

[suse66]

I did not take notes and I don’t have a picture but I am pretty sure we had the delicious biscuits with the flavored butter. I know the waitress said they were out but she did find some for us!

She did manage to track some down and they were so good! The citrus butter puts them over the top.

I know she enjoyed her delicious salad.

I sure did! Everything was so fresh and flavourful!

One lady was rather salty and rudely told Susan she was in her way for picture taking! Yikes!

Just a little bit of entitlement....

We decided to go upstairs and check out Basin! I needed to get some stocking stuffers for Andi, Amanda (Jack’s girlfriend), and Kait. Andi loves the lip gloss. I also bought the shower bath bombs, and the body butter.

Basin is the best! I bought three of their tinted lip balms. They are so moisturizing with just a nice sheer pigment.

Our wonderful TA sent us a mini charcuterie box to enjoy at the resort. We stopped and picked this up at Bell Service.

This was such a nice treat!

Susan will be back soon to add in some more details. She is visiting with family at this time in PEI!

Thanks for getting this update up, Caroline! I am at my Dad's house in PEI and am visiting my Mom who is in a nursing home with end stage Alzheimers. I feel so lucky to be 58 and still have both my parents.

February has been a lot so far. I was in Halifax earlier in the month as one of my cousins passed away unexpectedly at age 62. So I wanted to be there with the other family members to say our final goodbyes. As well, my beloved 13 year old cat, Dusty, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. She had blood work and an ultrasound by an internal medicine vet. She is now on daily prednisolone, an appetite stimulant and weekly vitamin B12 shots. While this is a palliative approach, we are hoping to keep her happy and comfortable for as much time as she has left.

Looks so good. I wonder how it compares to the one at HBD?

Even better! I find the salad at HBD isn't quite as generous a serving as it used to be.

 

[pkondz]

Even better! I find the salad at HBD isn't quite as generous a serving as it used to be.

That’s unfortunate.

 

[eliseisawkward]

That gingerbread house

Putting Grand Floridian Cafe on my list of potential lunches for whenever we return!

And @suse66 I’m so sorry to hear about the tough month you’ve been having. Fingers crossed you’ve gotten all the bad stuff over with early this year.

 

[vamassey1]

I did not take notes and I don’t have a picture but I am pretty sure we had the delicious biscuits with the flavored butter. I know the waitress said they were out but she did find some for us!

I really want to try these biscuits and butter.

I had the Eggs Benedict

This looks good!

Susan had the Cobb salad

This does too, except for the blue cheese. I'm just not a fan.

One lady was rather salty and rudely told Susan she was in her way for picture taking! Yikes!

So rude!

Our wonderful TA sent us a mini charcuterie box to enjoy at the resort. We stopped and picked this up at Bell Service.

What a wonderful treat!

February has been a lot so far. I was in Halifax earlier in the month as one of my cousins passed away unexpectedly at age 62. So I wanted to be there with the other family members to say our final goodbyes. As well, my beloved 13 year old cat, Dusty, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. She had blood work and an ultrasound by an internal medicine vet. She is now on daily prednisolone, an appetite stimulant and weekly vitamin B12 shots. While this is a palliative approach, we are hoping to keep her happy and comfortable for as much time as she has left.

Susan I'm so sorry your February has been so trying. I do hope March is much better.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Your lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe looks so good! I’ve only been for breakfast but it seems this place is a hidden gem for all meals. Also, citrus butter?! That sounds incredible!

I’m sorry you ran into the rude lady at the gingerbread house but happy you enjoyed the rest of your afternoon. The charcuterie box (I assume from Ariane?) looks delicious!

I’m excited to hear about your skyliner crawl with Kelly and Su-Lynn!

 

[suse66]

Putting Grand Floridian Cafe on my list of potential lunches for whenever we return!

Always a good choice!

And @suse66 I’m so sorry to hear about the tough month you’ve been having. Fingers crossed you’ve gotten all the bad stuff over with early this year.

Thank you for your kind words, that's really thoughtful.

I really want to try these biscuits and butter.

They are so yummy!

Susan I'm so sorry your February has been so trying. I do hope March is much better.

Thanks Vanessa. It's not been the best start to 2025. I am very happy I had last week in PEI with my parents though.

Your lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe looks so good! I’ve only been for breakfast but it seems this place is a hidden gem for all meals. Also, citrus butter?! That sounds incredible!

It's very tasty!

I’m sorry you ran into the rude lady at the gingerbread house but happy you enjoyed the rest of your afternoon. The charcuterie box (I assume from Ariane?) looks delicious!

I was oblivious to her. Caroline noticed her and told me. The charcuterie (yes from Ariane) was super yummy!

I’m excited to hear about your skyliner crawl with Kelly and Su-Lynn!

Coming up!

 

[suse66]

Good! Then we get more info, where do Canadians stand on mattresses? In general do they prefer soft or firm mattresses?

Oh gosh, I have no idea. I know I prefer a firmer mattress but I don't know if that's a Canadian thing or not.

 

[suse66]

Hi friends! Long time, no update but life has been bananas. Plus the shenanigans happening with our "special friend" have left me feeling stressed and worried. So much so that I not only cancelled my trip to Aulani and Hawaii in August but also my planned Christmas trip next December. I am watching carefully to see when travel to US will be advisable again. BUT in happy news, we replaced Hawaii with a beautiful trip to France! We are doing 2 days in Paris, then 8 days on a Seine river cruise followed by 3 days in Disneyland Paris! So that should be a really lovely experience.

Back to last December when we met up with Kelly ( @buzzrelly ) at the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge. Kelly is such a warm and lovely human and we easily chatted away as we enjoyed our beverages and took in the festive decor of Hollywood Studios.


I went for the delicious Pomengranate Whisky Sour (Crown Royal Whisky, Pomegranate Juice, Simple Syrup, and a splash of Sweet-and-Sour) which went down really well. Kelly enjoyed a seltzer and Caroline went for an Espresso martini. Am I right on that, Caroline?




We didn't do food here as we were heading to Bar Riva next. So we paid our bill and headed for the Skyliner. Su-Lynn was chilling at the Bar Riva bar area when we walked up. It was so lovely to finally meet her in person and she is another fantastic human. We enjoyed some snacks here including the fabulous chicken tenders (Choice of Parmesan-Garlic Sauce or Chipotle-Agrodolce Sauce with Truffle Aïoli) and the baked brie (Topped with Confit Tomatoes served with Crostini).

I went for an Aperol Spritz here but no pictures of our drinks exist. We were having too much fun chatting and laughing. We did a few pictures of the four of us though!



Once we finished up at Bar Riva, we headed back on the Skyliner to head to Yacht Club. Sadly the kitchen closed at 10:00 so the onion pull apart rolls were not going to be in my belly that night. However the absolutely delicious Key Lime martinis that Caroline recommended were on point. They're not listed on the menu but you can request them from the bartender. It's basically dessert in a glass!

One last shot of the beautiful Yacht Club tree before we left! It was a fabulous evening with great friends.
​

 

[eliseisawkward]

*takes notes of all the drinks for next trip*

Sounds like a lovely evening with lovely people and delicious drinks!!