Friends and Family Holiday trip to WDW Dec 9 - 16, 2011 Update Post #156

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 6​

I left off around MS looking for any Christmas decorations. Now while I was walking down, I had to get the window displays which are great to find any Christmas decorations.

Some of the pics were bad since the glare from the sunlight really messed up the pictures.

I didn’t get all of them since most of the window displays were glary that morning. So I walked back down towards MS Town Square.

MS Town Square Theater

MS RR Station

After getting some pics around MS Town Square, I wanted to go on one of my favorite rides at the MK which is the Walt Disney World Railroad. I always have to ride the WDW RR since I am a big fan of trains. It was also going to be interesting to see what MTT Fair is like during the construction. So it was exciting to ride the train.

The train finally arrived at the station. The train was the Roy O. Disney #4 Steam engine along with Excursion Car set #3. I was surprise to see the Roy O. Disney with the yellow Excursion car set #3 which is actually the Roger E. Broggie #3 steam engine car set. The Roy O. Disney Excursion car set is #4 and blue. It didn’t matter since it was nice to see the Roy O. Disney.

I like watching at the Turnstiles and the monorail at the front of MS.

Now heading on over to Frontierland station.

When we got to Frontierland, I decided to stay on board the WDW RR and go back to MS station. MTT Fair station was closed due to the FL expansion. So it will be interesting to see what MTT is like with all those walls covers.

The train left the Frontierland station and on our way to MTT station

BTMRR side track where the barn to house the trains is across from the WDW RR tracks.

BTMRR

That’s it for now since I am out of posts, but I will be back later tonight with more from the WDW RR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 7​

I left off riding the WDW RR and we just passed the Indian village and still continuing on our destination towards the MTT Fair RR station.

You are wondering what this picture is, I was trying to get a picture of the backside of the new FL.

The side track where they put the engines after the park is closed. For my old readers that followed my last year WDW TR, my DA and I got to do the Steam Engine Tour. I really wanted to do that Tour again. Here is the link when we did the Tour last year. [post=39201717]Steam Engine Tour[/post]

We arrived at MTT Fair Station and there were a lot of covers. I barely see any of the construction, but it was nice to see something different at the MK.

We had to wait at the station since the Roy O. Disney was taking on water.

Here is another one touch color with only yellow

We left the station and back towards MS station. The walkway that connects TL and MTT Fair is closed due to the construction site.

Now back at MS station.

I got off the Roy O. Disney and now back at MS TS and taking more pictures of the Christmas decorations.

One touch color with red on the Toy Soldiers

It started to get cloudy that day and I can tell it can rain that day.

Window Displays of Mickey and Minnie by the Emporium store

It was already 10:08am and the crowd level is getting busier

Now here is a three touch picture with red, yellow and green

Back at the Hub.

That’s it for now and I will be back with more later.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 8​

After passing the MS stores, I was back in the Hub. The park is getting busier that day with more people coming in. I was thinking of leaving the MK that morning since it was picking up with more people, but I decided to just go around the park a little bit more until it was really busy.

Red and yellow color

Just color blue

I head on back to TL, but on the way I had to get a picture of the topiaries of Mickey and Minnie.

Just green color

It was getting busier at TL

The wait time at BLSR was already at 20+ minute wait

After going around TL, I head on over back to FL.

Topiary of Alice, Mad Matter and March Hare

Now back in FL and it is way busier then this morning.

Dumbo is crowded like always

PP was now at 30+ minute wait while IASW at 10 minute wait time

Now going in Liberty Square

Now I am on my way towards Frontierland

Splash Mountain

That’s it for now and I will be back with more on that Saturday morning.

 

[skiingfast]

That was a good shot to catch of the BTMRR maintanance line. I'm glad you got one ride in that morning.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Thanks for more great pictures !! I love seeing the World in all it's holiday splendor.

We'll actually be there for Easter weekend .. wonder if they do anything special as far as deco ? Guess we'll find out !

 

[mvf-m11c]

That was a good shot to catch of the BTMRR maintanance line. I'm glad you got one ride in that morning.

Thank you Matt. I could have easily used a lot of my time that morning to ride rides, but I wanted to get some pictures of each land without any people so it was nice to ride the WDW RR.

Thanks for more great pictures !! I love seeing the World in all it's holiday splendor.

We'll actually be there for Easter weekend .. wonder if they do anything special as far as deco ? Guess we'll find out !

Thank you Michelle and glad you enjoyed all the pictures from the MK that morning.

It will be nice to see some Easter decorations at WDW. I know that DL barely puts up some Easter decorations at the DLR. So I would assume that there will be some Easter decorations at WDW.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 9​

It was almost time for me to head on out of the park since it was getting busy. So I went back down towards Adventureland. Some of the rides at Adventureland are getting longer. POTC had a line outside the building.

While I was in Adventureland, I haven’t had any thing to eat so I head on over to the Aloha Isle to get a Dole Whip. I am so impressed of how many flavor choices they have here at the MK compared to DL Tiki Juice Bar stand where they only have pineapple. They had vanilla and orange flavors which is something I wanted to try. But I wanted to compare MK pineapple Dole whip to DL Tiki Juice Bar. It is just like the one back home at DL so good and glad I got one that Saturday afternoon.

After that, I decided to leave the park since it started to pick up with more and more people coming in.

When I was walking down MS by the stores, “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party” parade was going on. I remember seeing this parade the last few years and it is just like the former DL “A Street Party” parade. But the floats are way better design then DL versions.

After the mini parade was over, I head on over to the Emporium to look at the Holiday merchandise. Luckily it wasn’t that crowded that afternoon so I just peaked in and see what is there. Just like at DL, the merchandise is just like the same at DL. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t too many different Christmas merchandise at the MK. But I will do more shopping later on.

I left the store and got a few more pics around TS until I left the park.

One touch red color

I went on top of MS station facing MS and get some nice pics from the top.

There were long queues for the character meet and greets.

Christmas trees right by the entrance to the WDW RR. There were two but I only got one of them.

I’m out of pictures for this post so I will get back to the TR shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Merry Christmas to everyone, now is time to get back to the TR.

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 10​

After getting some pics of the Holiday decorations around MS, it was time to leave the park and head back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort. On the way out, it was getting busy so it was a perfect time to leave the MK.

On the way out of the MK, the turnstiles were picking up with more and more people so it was great to leave the park when it got worse.

I went back on the Express Monorail track to head back to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

Monorail Gold approaching the station

Monorail Teal approaching the station when I left

After getting off monorail gold at the T&TC, I head on back to my car and went back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort.

I got back around 1pm and my dad and my DB were at the room. So we decided to head on out for lunch. We went to the Orlando outlet mall to do some shopping. My dad and my DB went there earlier during that morning and decided to go back to do some last minute shopping.

So we head on over to the Orlando Outlet Mall which is right by Highway 4 just about one mile from our hotel and did some shopping and dining at the food court. We bought a lot of different stuff at the stores. I bought a few shoes and shorts since I didn’t pack too many of them. So it was nice to go to the Outlet Mall and get some items during my trip.

We got back around 4pm and my DB and dad decided to wait for my dad’s friend family to go and do some shopping around Orlando. I decided to go back to the park since I have the Premier AP.

So I parted ways with my dad and my DB that Saturday night and head on over to DHS. I knew that the MK would be really busy since the crowd levels were very high that morning. I really wanted to see Wishes and DEP, but the crowds made my decision easy to avoid the MK. So I chose DHS that night.

When I got to DHS that night, the parking lot was full, but I got a spot close to the bus stop.

I was here to see the Osborne Family Lights. I was very exciting to see the Osborne lights and spend more time then last year when my DA and I seen the Osborne Lights.

DHS Christmas tree outside the turnstile

When I went through DHS turnstile, it just looks like DCA new turnstile which opened this summer.

I entered the park and the first thing I did was head on over to Streets of America to see the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. I had to get some trees and different decorations around the area.

The park wasn’t that bad that night, but I knew at the Streets of America will be crowded

The CMs were not letting any guests to enter SoA right by the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant area since that area is a exit area. So I had to walk all the way towards the Muppet theme land area.

When I passed Star Tours, I was completely surprised to see the stand-by wait time only 20 minutes. At DL the wait time is almost to 30-50 minute wait time at night. So I was wondering why the wait time at DHS ST is shorter then DL.

More Christmas lights around Muppet theme area

I was almost close to the SoA and see the Osborne Lights

Now I can see the lights completely. They area so amazing just like last year, but this year was so special since I am paying more attention to them then last year. I couldn’t enter on this side since there was a rope off area and I had to go all the way towards the area of Light, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show area. It was so busy around the area and it was hard to walk through.

I was in this area for awhile since I was videotaping and taking pictures of the lights.

After videotaping and taking pictures of the side of the Osborne lights, I head on over towards the area close the LMAESS area where the giant light up earth is located

That’s it for this post and I will be back with more from DHS and the Osborne Family lights.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Wow .. the pics of Osborne lights came out fantastic ! It's been SO long since I've seen them .. I plan on getting there next Dec for sure !

Thanks for sharing !

 

[skiingfast]

I found a couple HMs in the lights. I wonder if I'll see more in the coming pictures.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Wow .. the pics of Osborne lights came out fantastic ! It's been SO long since I've seen them .. I plan on getting there next Dec for sure !

Thanks for sharing !

Thank you Michele. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is so amazing and the lights react to the music which makes it even more amazing. I hope that you have a great time at WDW next year during the Holiday season.

I found a couple HMs in the lights. I wonder if I'll see more in the coming pictures.

I heard that there were over 40 hidden Mickey's on the Osborne Lights. So keep your eye on the lights.

Thanks Matt.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 11​

Here are more pics from “The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights”. I will let the pics talk about my TR then my words on my TR.

I took some pics and videotape right by the track of the Studio Backlot Tour

After taking some picks at the end of the street, I went on inside through the menace crowds. Boy it was really crowded that night, but it was worth seeing it over and over during the Holiday season.

A basketball hoop with lights in the alley

Now I was on the other side of the Streets of America

One touch colors of green and blue

Blue only

That’s it for now and I will have more up later.

 

[jc040404]

Gorgeous pictures!! We did MK that same morning, with DHS for the lights in the evening. I thought it was a great park day, despite how the crowds picked up at MK. Wasn't the morning heavenly?

Loving your TR and can't wait to see more of these beautiful pictures.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Gorgeous pictures!! We did MK that same morning, with DHS for the lights in the evening. I thought it was a great park day, despite how the crowds picked up at MK. Wasn't the morning heavenly?

Loving your TR and can't wait to see more of these beautiful pictures.

Thank you Jessica. I agree with you that going to the MK during that Saturday morning was a good idea of getting some good pics and getting on rides while the crowds were low that morning. It was so great to have the MK quiet that morning and leave when it started to pick up. I really wanted to stay longer at the MK that afternoon, but I knew the MK would be really like a zoo that day.

Your welcome and thank you for coming along.

Day 1 – December 10, 2011 – Part 12​

Now back to more pics from the Osborne Family Lights. I must have taken about over 100 pics that night, but I only selected a few from my collection.

On the banners tells how many hidden Mickeys are on the Osborne Family Lights.

After getting some pics from the Osborne Lights I thought it was time to call it for the night since I must have spent almost 2 hours in the Streets of America. It was really fun to spend most of my time at the Streets of America during the Osborne Family Lights.

It was around the time when the park was about to close so I head on out of the park. On the way out of the park, I was still trying to find any trees or wreaths at DHS so I still have to get some. When the park was about to close around 10pm it was still busy that night and I was tired after a long day at the MK and DHS that night.

I got some nice pics of the window displays with some Holiday decorations.

When I was about to exit the park, it seemed like everyone is leaving the same time as me.

I got out of the park around 9:50pm and head on back to my car which is right by the bus loading area. Glad that my car was close to the turnstiles so I didn’t have to ride the tram.

I got out of DHS and back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort. I got back around 10:10pm that night and called it for the night.

It was fun to do the MK that morning and got to do DHS that night. I was so amazed at the Osborne Family Lights and spent a lot of my time that night. I believed I only rode one ride that whole day which is the WDW RR. I was hoping that my group would go with me at the parks that night, but they had other things to do. Glad I have the Premier AP so I can enter the park anytime I want to.

Can’t wait to get started on the next post tomorrow so I will be back tomorrow.

 

[tksbaskets]

Bret you got some wonderful photos of the Osborn Family Lights. What an action packed day.

My family is looking forward to seeing the changes to Star Tours. Too bad the wait is long at DL. We'll have to do that first thing in the morning!

Looking forward to Day 2 of your trip report!

TK

 

[Moodyzblu]

Really nice pics ! Love all the lights and music .. it really gets you in the spirit of the holidays.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret you got some wonderful photos of the Osborn Family Lights. What an action packed day.

My family is looking forward to seeing the changes to Star Tours. Too bad the wait is long at DL. We'll have to do that first thing in the morning!

Looking forward to Day 2 of your trip report!

TK

Thank you TK. It was really busy that day. That was the busiest day out of all the days I been to WDW that week. I'm glad that I got to do a lot of picture taking that day.

I was really surprise to see ST wait time at DHS way shorter then DL. I just don't know why DHS wait time was shorter then DL wait time. You will love ST that day and hope you don't have to wait in those long lines. Remember to get a FP runner to get the FPs that morning and if the wait time is short, you should go on first thing. I will look forward to reading your TR when you get back. Hopefully you can do a update during your trip.

Day 2 will be up shortly.

Really nice pics ! Love all the lights and music .. it really gets you in the spirit of the holidays.

Thank you Michelle. The Christmas season is a very special Holiday and makes the parks even more excited to visit.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – December 11, 2011 – Part 1​

Now it time to get to day three of our trip to WDW. I said that it is day 3 of being in Florida while being in day 2 at the parks. Not only this is going to be a fun day with everyone together, but it was my birthday. I have now turned 30 on December 11 and can’t wait to go to the parks and enjoy it with everyone. Let’s get started with the trip report on Sunday December 11, 2011.

We all got up around 9am since we were all tired from Saturday. I went to DHS that Saturday night while everyone went to dinner off-site. I told everyone that we should get to the park early since we can do a lot of rides and shows, but everyone was tired from the other night so we waited until 11am that Sunday morning. I didn’t like to leave that later in the morning, but I have to comply with everyone.

So we left around 11am and took our two rental cars to AK. I have chosen AK since my dad’s friend family have never been there and want to see what it is like. So we had on over to AK as our first day together.

We got at the AK parking lot around 11:15am and now on our way to the turnstiles. We took the tram to the front entrance since we were quite a long way to the turnstile.

We got to the front entrance and the first thing we saw was the big Christmas tree with all these different animals.

So we head on in the park, before we did that I had to get a few more pics of the Holiday decorations around the turnstiles.

Before we got inside the park, my dad’s friend wife and I had to go inside Guest Relations to get birthday pins. Here birthday was a few days ago while my birthday is today.

We enter the turnstiles and now in AK Oasis. The first thing we did was that everyone wanted to ride Expedition Everest. So we walked on over. But I had to get a few pics of the animals around the area. When I looked at touring plans app on my Android phone and saw that it was only a 15 minute wait I just couldn’t believe what I have saw. I thought it would be at least 30 minute wait at this time.

Now at Discovery Island and the first thing we saw was the Tree of Life. It is so amazing seeing the Tree of Life.

We stayed at Discovery Island until everyone got good pics of the Tree of Life.

After getting some pics we head on over towards the east side of AK that leads to DinoLand USA.

Dug and Russell meet and greet area

Instead of going towards DinoLand USA, we went the left side and towards Asia.

We got to Expedition Everest and the first thing we saw that the wait time was at 15 minutes. It was really short, but I told them that we should get FP for EE and come back later. So we got our FPs and the next land we head to on the way was Africa so we can ride Kilimanjaro Safari. Good thing that is KS was only 10 minute wait time.

Now on our way to Africa and KS

Did you see something moving?

That’s it for now and I will be back with more tomorrow from AK.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – December 11, 2011 – Part 2​

Now we were entering Africa and on our way towards Kilimanjaro Safari. It was a little busy around Africa since it was close to lunch time.

Over at KS, the ride wait time was only at 10 minutes so it was an easy walk on. It looks like that touring plans app was right again and glad that it wasn’t that bad that Sunday afternoon.

We walked through the queue of KS and it did take about 10 minutes to get on the ride.

My group talking about the ride that afternoon

Here are some pics from KS that I have videotaped with my camera.

After getting off KS, we head on back to Asia and towards Expedition Everest. But on the way back, I told them that I would go back towards DinoLand USA and get FPs for Dinosaur. I was volunteering to be the FP runner and get the FPs for Dinosaur since we could get new FPs that day. I got everyone FPs and walked all the way towards DinoLand USA while the others walked towards EE at Asia.

The walkway towards Asia was crowded so I expected the park crowd level to pick up even more.

Now I was in DinoLand USA heading towards Dinosaur. DinoLand USA had some nice Christmas decorations and I will show more later on.

That’s it for now and I will be back with more.

 

[franandaj]

Nice pictures! I'm starting to get excited about my trip in May.