Disney Bells and Pixie Dust! Our Practically Perfect Vacation!*Thanks for reading!

[Poohtigeey]

Loved the updates. Your incident wasn't so bad. Your a great mom and no should judge us just because were not perfect every minute. I had one of those incidents at Pop and people are probably still laughing. I had it with Thomas and him just being a pain and not cooperating. I will include it in trippie. BTW Le Cellier is excellent, we love it! Love the Chocolate mouse I have never been able to find the Brother bears in Canada. Cute pics of the kids and Santa. Looking forward to hearing all about your magical moment.

My First Concert was Madonna when I was 13, don't laugh .

Thanks for the kind words. The older couple glaring at me do not share your sentiments! Can't wait to hear about your "incident" with Thomas. It's nice to have a reminder that it happens to everyone! I might post my magical moment tonight.

Wow, this is the part I was hopping you'd get to soon. Can you give me some more details on the Candle light Processional dinner package that you did. I honestly have never heard of it. (never researched this time of year before). What would you do differently if anything?

The dinner package is based on tiers (If you're not on the dining plan). Most if not all of the table services are on it. The lesser expensive ones or less popular? are on tier 1, the more expensive on tier 3. The prices are set according to tiers. It includes app, entree, drink and desert I think and it prob comes out to about the same or a little more than what your normal meal would be. (It's just like the Fantasmic package.) If you're on the dining plan it doesn't matter what tier you restaurant of choice is on. It covers all of them! You'll have to find out when they start taking ADR's for it because you can not make them at the 6mos mark w/ your other ADRs. It's more like 90 days. You need to call the 1st day you can because they are limited. You have to tell them what show you want to see 5, 6, or 7. If you pick the 5:00 you'll be eating lunch because you must dine before the show time. Our ADR's were for 2:10. After your meal you get a "nametag" that gets you in first as preferred. You'll need to get in the preferred line about 30-45 minutes early, but that's not bad considering some people wait in the other one for hours. I highly recommend the 5:00 show becase who wants to stand in line and listen to the show, then sit for 45 min to hear it again? My advice would be take things for the kids to do. The orchastra, etc is only facinating to them for so long. Try to get an aisle seat in case you need to make a quick exit w/ a child. Most of the theater is not covered so it would not be pleasant in the rain. I would not attempt to see this show w/out the package. I've read horror stories about people waiting in standby for 2 hours and not getting into the show. This probably wouldn't apply to you beacause of the time you're going, but I wouldn't want to take the chance. It is very good! If you have anymore questions let me know!

 

[MickeyCrazedMom]

Love the pics & hearing about the candlelight processional. We have been at Christmas for the last 2 years but haven't done it. There is just so much to do!

My first concert was Barry Manilow! I was about 7 and I think that my parents didn't have a babysitter, so I went with. I distinctly remember Copacabana!!! My most recent was , last summer we took the kids to Hi5! Sad but true!

Looking forward to more...

 

[Tat2ddisneymom]

Love the pics & hearing about the candlelight processional. We have been at Christmas for the last 2 years but haven't done it. There is just so much to do!

My first concert was Barry Manilow! I was about 7 and I think that my parents didn't have a babysitter, so I went with. I distinctly remember Copacabana!!! My most recent was , last summer we took the kids to Hi5! Sad but true!

Looking forward to more...

at Barry Manilow! My mom loves him! I'm surprised she never dragged me along to see him.

 

[Poohtigeey]

at Barry Manilow! My mom loves him! I'm surprised she never dragged me along to see him.

I used to sing "Mandy" to Megan, and just change the name! Yeah Tat, you don't seem like a Barry Manilow kind of gal!

 

[Poohtigeey]

We say goodbye to “Ho Ho” and decide that we need to backtrack because we missed some stuff trying to hustle to the Candlelight Processional. The Candy lady in Japan was doing a presentation so we stopped for a moment. Dave insisted that she was carving wood! Dave needs to hop on the DIS and get some Disney education! Honestly, I couldn’t understand a word she said, so we moved on to Morocco. Mo’Rockin was playing and I had to restrain myself doing a Moroccan jig! They were really good, and I was very proud of myself when I figured out what their name meant! How this did not don on me the many, many times I read about them is beyond me! So I zig zag my family through Morocco in search of some characters. I soon see Genie and Aladdin through the window. Megan was not sure about this big blue guy and put a death grip on Aladdin! She held onto him and wouldn’t even turn around for the picture. I think she left Aladdin speechless!

I love this fountain.

Onto France. I was so bummed because Belle and Beast were supposed to be coming out when we passed by the first time, but we couldn’t wait because we needed to get in line. Now, there wasn’t much going on in France. Just a cutie in a beret! I decided next time I was going to start collecting the Minnie’s around the world.

Next up was the UK. I say, “Yay, it’s Winnie, Tigger and Eeyore!” Then I have to explain that even though we did the character breakfast with them we don’t have a group picture with all of them. So we get in line and we’re told that they would be leaving for a honey break. We would be first in line when they came back. A group comes up and gets in line behind us. I didn’t like them. They were snobby and crowding us. The Cm was telling the kids about Pooh going on a honey break and Megan kept pointing at the wall. We finally figured out she was pointing at all of the honey jars on the wall. Why was Pooh leaving? There’s honey right there! Smart girl. Then my kids sit down on the floor and start chanting, “WE WANT POOH!, WE WANT POOH!” (I don’t know why the people behind us didn’t like us!) The door opens and out comes Alice. She walked past us and took her greeting place on the steps. I thought we should wait, but Megan started yelling, “Alice!” and no one else was getting in line for her so the kids took turns meeting her.
Alice looking at Hunter's pins

The kids waiting semi-patiently! Megan's got Pakey hair!

As we waited British Invasion started playing out in the garden. Finally out comes The Gang. They were so fun. Eeyore hid behind the curtain, Pooh and Tigger goofed off. We took some pictures and while I was standing next to Pooh I swayed a bit to the music. The next thing I knew, I WAS DANCING WITH WINNIE THE POOH!!! “I get by with a little help from my friends” played in the background as I danced around the room with my Disney idol. As the song ends I turn around to see Eeyore with his arm around Dave swaying back and forth to the music. We were all having a great time and I was on cloud 9! Then the CM breaks in and says, “Um guys, there are other people waiting.” We snap back to reality and say our goodbyes. This was better than any dream the Dream Team could have given us! Our best character encounter ever!!

They almost knocked my mom over!

This is me when I saw Eeyore hitting on my husband!!

We exit into the garden and find a spot to watch the end of the show. Being from the Beatles era my mom loved British Invasion. They are a must see on our next trip.
Of course my kids had to dance!

World Showcase was hopping with people and I thought a lot of locals must come there. It would make a nice date spot. It was 7:30 and we were felling pretty tired and my feet were really hurting. The thought of staying for another 1 ½ hrs for Illuminations seemed like torture! So, as much as we love this show we decided to head out. We walked through the light tunnel. It was crowded in there and the Photopass Cms were very busy so we kept moving. Hunter had to go potty so my mom and I sat down to wait. As we were waiting a lady was walking around calling out, “Hamilton!” She was so casual about it I thought she must have lost her husband. Eventually, she got a little more vocal. Finally she told a CM that her son was lost and that he is 3!! The CM told her that he couldn’t leave his cart! Some more people started yelling for Hamilton and some Cms on segways show up. Then the CM that couldn’t leave his cart opens up a little door on the side of the cart and picks up a phone! I couldn’t believe that he hadn’t used it to call for help! Eventually they found Hamilton, but it was an interesting scene from the non chalant mom to the unhelpful CM.

When we get back to the resort we were really hungry so we decided to eat at the Riverside Mill. I got the bacon cheeseburger (some more yucky bacon), Dave got a burger, and mom got chicken fingers. I have no idea what Hunter ate or what we gave Megan! I was really tired! Afterwards we shopped a little before heading back to the room to have sweet dreams of our magical night.

Next up: Our princess turns two!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

the Pooh and friend pics look great.

 

[MickeyCrazedMom]

Great update! I am glad you had such a magical moment. That is how I feel when I see Mickey!

Those were some great pictures. Love Megan in the Beret!

I didn't realize that there were Minnies around the world!?

 

[mom2mek]

Monica, great update! I love that picture of the kids dancing in the UK!

And of course, your picture with Winnie (dancing with Pooh just sounds wrong ) is terrific! What a great story!

Your pictures in front of SE are fantastic too! I love the one of Hunter alone-what a little poser!

I have to mention about the CP too... I agree that the 5:00 show is nice. It's what we did on the day after T-giving (haven't gotten to that in my TR yet ). Prior to going, I had read a lot of things about only going to see the later shows because it's not quite dark yet, yada, yada, yada and then when we were there, I thought I'm so glad we did this earlier show, because I wouldn't have wanted to stand in line and hear the whole thing before "wanting" to hear it!

Can't wait to hear about your next day...

Sara

 

[princessjv]

Nice update. What is the light tunnel in Epcot? I really didn't know that there were so many characters in the countries. I have seen only a few. You guys really scored!


Back to the Candlelight package. We are not planning on doing the dining plan this time (at least as of today). Are the tiers you wrote of, based on price? Do they determine the area which you get to sit?

 

[stagemomx3]

What a great time with Pooh and the Gang!

 

[Pakey]

Monica, this is my favorite update so far. Maybe because Megan has Pakey hair and she wore some of my favorite hats.

I'm really glad all of you had such a magical encounter with Pooh and gang. When some non-Disney person asks me why I like going there so much, how can you explain to them the magic of having those impromtu Disney moments that make you believe you are still a kid in a world full of wonder. Cmon, who doesn't want to dance with Pooh?

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

I don't know what the light tunnel is
I'm so glad you had fun with pooh bear. Those guys are always on! Melissa and I went and hung out with them for a while last week. We had a blast! I love the Megan and Alice have the same hair color, that picture of them is priceless! I also love the picture of Hunter by himself in front of Spaceship Earth. When we were there last week, we also left early. That park really kicked our butt. That was the first time I have ever left before Illuminations.

Great update!

 

[caa1277]

Great update!!! Wonderful pictures!! You guys sure did get some great ones.

One question......how do you get all those images of Tinkerbell, character names and so forth on your pictures?

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update! What is the light tunnel?? I love the pictures with Pooh and friends especially the dancing one, so cute. The pics with Megan and Aladdin are so cute too. Well your night ended great!!

 

[mom2mek]

I don't know what the light tunnel is
I'm so glad you had fun with pooh bear. Those guys are always on! Melissa and I went and hung out with them for a while last week. We had a blast! I love the Megan and Alice have the same hair color, that picture of them is priceless! I also love the picture of Hunter by himself in front of Spaceship Earth. When we were there last week, we also left early. That park really kicked our butt. That was the first time I have ever left before Illuminations.

Great update!

The light tunnel:
I believe Monica is talking about the bridge from Future World to the World Showcase - the International Gateway. At Christmas it's all lit up.

I think Epcot is just one of those parks where a "break" is really necessary. Even if it's just leaving for a while (to the Boardwalk possibly ) and relaxing away from the "largeness" that is Epcot!

Sara

 

[Poohtigeey]

great update and pics.

the Pooh and friend pics look great.

You tell it was the end of the day because we all look frazzled!

Great update! I am glad you had such a magical moment. That is how I feel when I see Mickey!

I didn't realize that there were Minnies around the world!?

You'll have to dance with Mickey on your next trip! They are little stuffed Minnie's (Megan's holding one in the beret picture, but you can't see it very well) and Minnie is dressed up for that country. They are very cute. My mom bought the Japanese Minnie. She's wearing a kimono. They are under $10.

And of course, your picture with Winnie (dancing with Pooh just sounds wrong ) is terrific! What a great story!

Your pictures in front of SE are fantastic too! I love the one of Hunter alone-what a little poser!
Sara

Hey Sara! I'm such a dork! I couldn't stop thinking about that encounter with Pooh and the gang! It made my week! Is this wrong for a grown adult to have such an obsession?!

Yes, my kids have never met a camera they didn't like!

Nice update. What is the light tunnel in Epcot? I really didn't know that there were so many characters in the countries. I have seen only a few. You guys really scored!


Back to the Candlelight package. We are not planning on doing the dining plan this time (at least as of today). Are the tiers you wrote of, based on price? Do they determine the area which you get to sit?

I think most countries have characters at one time or another. We saw even more on our last day. You just have to look around. I think the tiers range from $36-$45, but that's a rough estimate from my memory. It'll be posted on allearsnet.com The tiers are determined by restaurant food prices. Once you are in line you can sit where ever. It's not like Fantasmic. For the CP they let all of the priority seating in first, then standby gets whatever seats are leftover. It's not a huge theater either.

What a great time with Pooh and the Gang!

Hi Chel! We had a blast! And it really ticked off the snobby family behind us!!

Monica, this is my favorite update so far. Maybe because Megan has Pakey hair and she wore some of my favorite hats.

I'm really glad all of you had such a magical encounter with Pooh and gang. When some non-Disney person asks me why I like going there so much, how can you explain to them the magic of having those impromtu Disney moments that make you believe you are still a kid in a world full of wonder. Cmon, who doesn't want to dance with Pooh?

Pakey, you always say that! I thought of you the whole time I was posting this!

I think its because any other "amusement park" you are just a number or a small speck in a huge crowd. Disney makes you feel special. Like there's no one else around. We felt like this so many times on this trip especially. I was totally oblivious to the other people. We were the only ones in UK that night, or so Disney made us feel!

I don't know what the light tunnel is
Great update!

Hey Kimmy! Sorry, when I don't know what something is called I make up a name! I knew you all would know what I meant!
**For those of you who haven't been at Christmastime it's a big "tunnel of lights" between WS and Future World. It's very pretty. We were so exhausted I forgot to take a picture!

Great update!!! Wonderful pictures!! You guys sure did get some great ones.

One question......how do you get all those images of Tinkerbell, character names and so forth on your pictures?

Thanks! The pictures w/ captions, etc are the Photopass pictures. We pre ordered the CD ($99). Then we had the Photopass CMs take pictures whenever we saw them. You'll be given a card that they scan. When you get home you get online to view your pics. On the Photopass website you can add boarders, etc. Then they send you the CD w/ copyright to the pictures so you can print them out or take them anywhere to develop them. We had over 400 pictures when we were done. (You get the original and the ones you add the boarder to). I'm a big fan of Photopass. If you have any more questions let me know. It sounds like alot of $$, but if it is actually a great deal.

 

[Poohtigeey]

Great update! What is the light tunnel?? I love the pictures with Pooh and friends especially the dancing one, so cute. The pics with Megan and Aladdin are so cute too. Well your night ended great!!

I'm sorry, I really confused people with the light tunnel! It's a Christmas thing near the main Christmas tree.

Yes, our day got better!

I think Epcot is just one of those parks where a "break" is really necessary. Even if it's just leaving for a while (to the Boardwalk possibly ) and relaxing away from the "largeness" that is Epcot!

Sara

Oh no! Sara's become OBSESSED with conquering the kitchen sink at Beaches n Cream!!!

 

[mom2mek]

Oh no! Sara's become OBSESSED with conquering the kitchen sink at Beaches n Cream!!!

Who? Me? Obsessed? Naaa!

Actually, when I wrote that response, I was thinking of our own day at Epcot and how better off we would have been if we had taken a break. And then (and only then) did it actually dawn on me that the Boardwalk is right there! Nice spot for a break, don't ya think?

Seriously, I am setting myself up here, aren't I? I won't ever be able to get out of this!


Sara

 

[Poohtigeey]

Seriously, I am setting myself up here, aren't I? I won't ever be able to get out of this!
Sara

Don't worry. I'm sure you'll have PLENTY of volunteers to help you eat that thing!! $25 split 6 ways? That'll be the cheapest meal we eat all week!

 

[caa1277]

Thanks! The pictures w/ captions, etc are the Photopass pictures. We pre ordered the CD ($99). Then we had the Photopass CMs take pictures whenever we saw them. You'll be given a card that they scan. When you get home you get online to view your pics. On the Photopass website you can add boarders, etc. Then they send you the CD w/ copyright to the pictures so you can print them out or take them anywhere to develop them. We had over 400 pictures when we were done. (You get the original and the ones you add the boarder to). I'm a big fan of Photopass. If you have any more questions let me know. It sounds like alot of $$, but if it is actually a great deal.

We did the Photopass last year and then looked at our pics when we got home and did not know that you could add all those neat little things to them. We ended up not purchasing the CD, but now I wish we would have. Oh well, there's always next time. We also had the Photopass photog take the same pictures they were taking with our camera as well so we basically got the same pics, but not as cute!