Our last minute Christmas trip did not have the best start. This trip was booked about a month in advance, very last minute for me. After stalking the website, we finalized four nights in a Polynesian longhouse. I found an incredibly cheap direct flight, which will turn out to be a horrible mistake, leaving Christmas Eve late night after work on Spirit. Then flighting home, also direct, on Southwest.
So we were scheduled to fly out on Spirit on Christmas Eve, landing in Orlando around midnight, going straight to the Polynesian, sleeping in Christmas morning, brunch at the Cake Bake Shop, then Epcot. Spirit left us stranded at the airport on Christmas Eve, canceling our flight about 3 hours before take off. They instructed us to chat online, where they left us hanging for a good 2 hours. Meanwhile DH booked us a new flight on Southwest leaving the next morning but getting us to Orlando around 11 am. Eventually Spirit offered to rebook our flight to December 30, which I declined.
Christmas Day, we woke up at our airport hotel at 3 am to catch our flight. Thankfully, there were no delays, and we were soon at MCO.
We caught an Uber to the Polynesian, dropped our bags, and headed to Epcot. Since I intended to enter through the back after our Cake Bake brunch, our first lightning lane was Remy. To save our feet for later, we caught a bus to Hollywood Studios, then took the Skyliner to Epcot.
This was our first time riding Remy 2D. It was disappointing, and I didn't like it, much prefer the 3D version. We got a couple pastries at the bakery, and ice cream next door. We headed to Guardians, waited for 20 minutes, then it went down. Got an anytime pass. Headed to Test Track for our lightning lane, but there was a huge back log. They told us to go to our dining reservation, then come back and explain what happened.
We headed to Via Napoli. But side tracked to see the Voices of Liberty sing Christmas carols. Wow, they were impressive.
Back to Via Napoli, this was our first time at this restaurant. The food was good. I got the chicken parmesan, DH got the filet. We both thought it meals were good, but after seeing everyone order the pizza, we kind of wish we had tried that. The chocolate tart for dessert was amazing!! We want to go back to get pizza and the tart.
After that, we got some photos, coffee, then got in line for the 6:45 Candlelight Processional. We had the package, but it was pretty funny that we overheard a cast member tell some other people they could get in the standby line and were guaranteed a seat because it was a "slow day." I have to say, it did not feel crowded at all at Epcot. I was really happily surprised at how normal the crowds felt.
This was our first time seeing the Candlelight Processional. We were blown away. I think we both said it was the best show we have ever seen anywhere at Disney World. Best experience of the trip.
After the show, we went back to Test Track to use our lightning lane, then our anytime pass at Guardians, then Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses, then Soarin. Monorail back to the Transporation and Ticket Center, and walked back to our room. A really great first day.
The next day, DH had to work from the room. I had plans, but I felt so tired from our early morning flight, I ended up sleeping and reading. Felt really relaxing. When DH finished working, we went to Disney Springs, ate at Earl of Sandwich, got ice cream at Salt and Straw, a cookie at Summerhouse, then took a bus to Fort Wilderness. We had a sleigh ride booked, another first. Very fun to see all the decorations at the camp ground.
Afterwards, we ate at Trail's End. Their smoked chicken is really good! Boat to Magic Kingdom and monorail back to the Polynesian.
Saturday, we had a late breakfast at Kona Cafe. Another first, first time having Tonga Toast. It was delicious! We took the boat to Magic Kingdom. It felt busier than Epcot, but with lightning lanes we managed to do: Jingle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Haunted Mansion, Tiana’s, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Tron, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We got a curb seat for the Christmas Parade, saw the fireworks, and ate at Be Our Guest for the first time! I had been avoiding it because of conflicting reviews, but we both enjoyed our meal. Had to get a Nutella waffle from Sleepy Hollow, then headed out.
Today, we picked up a rental car from the Car Care Center. Had brunch at Cafe Tutu Tango, then headed to Hollywood Studios. This park felt the busiest to us. We had lightning lanes for Slinky Dog, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania and Rise. I managed to get lightning lanes for Rock n Rollercoaster and Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway, but the times were too late and we had to leave around 5. We stopped to get dinner at Fresh Kitchen, then headed to the airport where I am now sitting. Our flight has been delayed, and there pretty bad weather further north. We are crossing our fingers that both our flights on this trip don't get canceled.
DH and I have now been to Disney World more than ten times since we first visited in 2021. Every trip, we are amazed at how many firsts we still have, and how each trip feels even better than the last.
This was our first time going during the Festival of Holidays. I think Christmas is now my favorite time for Disney World. The decorations and festivities everywhere really made me feel warm and fuzzy. This trip actually checked a bucket list off for me, we attended every Epcot festival this year!
We stayed in the Tower in July of this year and the longhouse back in 2023. After staying in the longhouse again, I have to say I really prefer it. I like the size, I like that the mini fridge actually has a separate freezer section, I like the split bathroom, and I like the location close to the TTC. I have a duo studio booked for next year but now I'm going to see if I can modify to a longhouse studio.
So we were scheduled to fly out on Spirit on Christmas Eve, landing in Orlando around midnight, going straight to the Polynesian, sleeping in Christmas morning, brunch at the Cake Bake Shop, then Epcot. Spirit left us stranded at the airport on Christmas Eve, canceling our flight about 3 hours before take off. They instructed us to chat online, where they left us hanging for a good 2 hours. Meanwhile DH booked us a new flight on Southwest leaving the next morning but getting us to Orlando around 11 am. Eventually Spirit offered to rebook our flight to December 30, which I declined.
Christmas Day, we woke up at our airport hotel at 3 am to catch our flight. Thankfully, there were no delays, and we were soon at MCO.
We caught an Uber to the Polynesian, dropped our bags, and headed to Epcot. Since I intended to enter through the back after our Cake Bake brunch, our first lightning lane was Remy. To save our feet for later, we caught a bus to Hollywood Studios, then took the Skyliner to Epcot.
This was our first time riding Remy 2D. It was disappointing, and I didn't like it, much prefer the 3D version. We got a couple pastries at the bakery, and ice cream next door. We headed to Guardians, waited for 20 minutes, then it went down. Got an anytime pass. Headed to Test Track for our lightning lane, but there was a huge back log. They told us to go to our dining reservation, then come back and explain what happened.
We headed to Via Napoli. But side tracked to see the Voices of Liberty sing Christmas carols. Wow, they were impressive.
Back to Via Napoli, this was our first time at this restaurant. The food was good. I got the chicken parmesan, DH got the filet. We both thought it meals were good, but after seeing everyone order the pizza, we kind of wish we had tried that. The chocolate tart for dessert was amazing!! We want to go back to get pizza and the tart.
After that, we got some photos, coffee, then got in line for the 6:45 Candlelight Processional. We had the package, but it was pretty funny that we overheard a cast member tell some other people they could get in the standby line and were guaranteed a seat because it was a "slow day." I have to say, it did not feel crowded at all at Epcot. I was really happily surprised at how normal the crowds felt.
This was our first time seeing the Candlelight Processional. We were blown away. I think we both said it was the best show we have ever seen anywhere at Disney World. Best experience of the trip.
After the show, we went back to Test Track to use our lightning lane, then our anytime pass at Guardians, then Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses, then Soarin. Monorail back to the Transporation and Ticket Center, and walked back to our room. A really great first day.
The next day, DH had to work from the room. I had plans, but I felt so tired from our early morning flight, I ended up sleeping and reading. Felt really relaxing. When DH finished working, we went to Disney Springs, ate at Earl of Sandwich, got ice cream at Salt and Straw, a cookie at Summerhouse, then took a bus to Fort Wilderness. We had a sleigh ride booked, another first. Very fun to see all the decorations at the camp ground.
Afterwards, we ate at Trail's End. Their smoked chicken is really good! Boat to Magic Kingdom and monorail back to the Polynesian.
Saturday, we had a late breakfast at Kona Cafe. Another first, first time having Tonga Toast. It was delicious! We took the boat to Magic Kingdom. It felt busier than Epcot, but with lightning lanes we managed to do: Jingle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Haunted Mansion, Tiana’s, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Tron, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We got a curb seat for the Christmas Parade, saw the fireworks, and ate at Be Our Guest for the first time! I had been avoiding it because of conflicting reviews, but we both enjoyed our meal. Had to get a Nutella waffle from Sleepy Hollow, then headed out.
Today, we picked up a rental car from the Car Care Center. Had brunch at Cafe Tutu Tango, then headed to Hollywood Studios. This park felt the busiest to us. We had lightning lanes for Slinky Dog, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania and Rise. I managed to get lightning lanes for Rock n Rollercoaster and Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway, but the times were too late and we had to leave around 5. We stopped to get dinner at Fresh Kitchen, then headed to the airport where I am now sitting. Our flight has been delayed, and there pretty bad weather further north. We are crossing our fingers that both our flights on this trip don't get canceled.
DH and I have now been to Disney World more than ten times since we first visited in 2021. Every trip, we are amazed at how many firsts we still have, and how each trip feels even better than the last.
This was our first time going during the Festival of Holidays. I think Christmas is now my favorite time for Disney World. The decorations and festivities everywhere really made me feel warm and fuzzy. This trip actually checked a bucket list off for me, we attended every Epcot festival this year!
We stayed in the Tower in July of this year and the longhouse back in 2023. After staying in the longhouse again, I have to say I really prefer it. I like the size, I like that the mini fridge actually has a separate freezer section, I like the split bathroom, and I like the location close to the TTC. I have a duo studio booked for next year but now I'm going to see if I can modify to a longhouse studio.
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