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

[mvf-m11c]

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

Thank you Allison. Glad that my TR is getting you and Fran excited for your WDW trip in May. Can't wait to read from your trip in May.

Day 2 – December 11, 2011 – Part 3​

Now back to the TR. I left off heading on over to Dinosaur to get Fps for my group since they are at Expedition Everest. I had all of their tickets and used them all to get FPs for Dinosaur. When I saw the wait time, it was already at 15 minutes so this will be fast when we use the FPs.

After getting all 7 FPs, I head on back to Asia with the rest of my group. On the way, I got some more pics around DinoLand USA.

I got back to everyone waiting right by EE. I gave them all their tickets and FPs to them and we head on EE. But my dad didn’t wanted to go on so the six of us headed on over to EE. I was really excited to ride EE after when it first opened back in 2006. I rode it the first month of its operation and have been so fun to ride. I didn’t ride it last year since my DA didn’t like to ride fast roller coasters.

Here are some pics from my video camera that I have videotaped. Some are blurry from the video since we were moving fast.

After we got off EE, we head on over to DinoLand USA to get on Dinosaur since we have the FPs to use. Some of my group wanted to get some pics of EE when we left. Everyone really enjoyed EE so much.

Back at DinoLand USA

We head on over to Dinosaur and use our FP. But when we got there, the wait time was now at 5 minutes. What good timing when it was 15 minutes ago when I got the FPs and now only a 5 minute wait. So we didn’t have to use our FPs to get in a fast line.

Sorry no pictures from Dinosaur the ride since there was no videotaping.

After Dinosaur, our next activity was Finding Nemo The Musical but first we head on over to Primeval Whirl to get FPs.

When we got the FPs, some of our group has to use the restroom and I just took some more random pics while I was waiting.

When everyone have used the restroom, we all head on over to the Finding Nemo the Musical. We made it just in time for the 2pm show. We got some good seats

Here are some pics from the Finding Nemo the Musical.

After the Finding Nemo the Musical was over, we head on back to DinoLand USA. But that will be another post since I am out of pictures. I will be back tomorrow with more.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – December 11, 2011 – Part 4​

After we watch the Finding Nemo the Musical, we head on back to DinoLand USA to use our FPs for Preimeval Whirl. There were quite a lot of people that were exiting the Finding Nemo the Musical so it did take awhile for all of us to head on back to DinoLand USA.

Now we were back in DinoLand USA and get on Primeval Whirl. I had to get some pics of the Christmas decorations.

Now in the queue of PW. Trying out the one touch in the queue.

The adults were together while the kids were all together that includes me, my DB and the girls.

There was my dad, his friend and wife

When we got of PW, some of our group wanted to ride TriceraTop Spin. I didn’t want to ride it so I waited on the side.

After they got off TriceraTop Spin, we head on over to Camp Minnie-Mickey to see the Festival of the Lion King.

Now at Camp Minnie-Mickey

When we were in Camp Minnie-Mickey, there were a lot of Christmas trees that I had to get. Each of the Christmas trees around the area are based on a Disney movie from Finding Nemo, Lion King, etc.

We head on over to the Festival of the Lion King, but that will be another post.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret. Your pics of Finding Nemo were top notch Expedition Everest is one of our favorite rides at AK. Were you able to see Flights of Wonder?

The pictures you got on Safari were great too. The giraffes were really close.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret. Your pics of Finding Nemo were top notch Expedition Everest is one of our favorite rides at AK. Were you able to see Flights of Wonder?

The pictures you got on Safari were great too. The giraffes were really close.

TK

Thank you TK. EE is an excellent ride and I like it how it goes forward, back and forward by switching tracks. I didn't see Flights of Wonder since we were short on time that day.

KS was nice.

 

[skiingfast]

After reviewing the first section of OSDL found another HM and then two more in the newer photo sections 5 total that I found in your photos so just over 10%, not bad.

 

[mvf-m11c]

After reviewing the first section of OSDL found another HM and then two more in the newer photo sections 5 total that I found in your photos so just over 10%, not bad.

Very nice Matt. I didn't post all my photos from the Osborne Light so I am very impress that you found 10% of the Hidden Mickey's from my pictures.

Day 2 – December 11, 2011 – Part 5​

Now we were on our way towards the Festival of the Lion King which my dad likes the most at AK. It is a very nice show and everyone really enjoyed the show a lot.

After the show was over, it was really busy leaving the FotLK, so we just waited awhile until it was easy to leave Camp Minnie-Mickey. Got some more pics of the Christmas trees around the area.

We left Camp Minnie-Mickey and were on our way back to Africa so we can get on the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. But on the way, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade was going on so we had to wait around Discovery Island until the parade was over.

The parade was over and we had to walk through all those people to the Wildlife Express Train station. The girls wanted to go to the Habitat Habit! Area so see the and pet the animals so that was our next stop. At that time, it started to get more and more cloudy so I knew that it was going to rain but when.

It took us quite awhile to get to the Wildlife Express Train station and took it all the way towards Rafiki’s Planet Watch area. No picture of the train since we were at the back of the station.

We got off and head on over to the Conversation Station

When we got to the Conservation Station and towards the Habitat Habit!, it started to rain quite a bit and harder in a few minutes. I knew that it was coming but later that afternoon. Luckily for us we all brought ponchos in my dad friend back pack as well as mine. Mostly everyone didn’t bring a bag so it was a good thing that the two of us brought our bags just in case for something like this would happen.

The girls went to the HH while the rest of us went inside the Conservation Station. After we all met up back in the building, we head on back to the station and get back to Africa.

When we got back to the station, it was pouring so we had to walk very fast to the store right by the station.

After we were at the store in Africa, we were about to head on out of the park. But before we do that, we had to stop at the Island Mercantile Store on the way out since some of my group wanted to get some merchandise before we left.

We got to the store and now looking at the merchandise. That’s it for now and I will be back with more.

 

[skiingfast]

Ah rain, nothing like rain to complete a trip to Florida.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Bummer about the rain ! I normally avoid the MJJP .. I can't stand trying to fight the crowds afterwards.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Ah rain, nothing like rain to complete a trip to Florida.

You are right about that Matt. The trip cannot be completed without a rainy day at WDW. I was first bummed about it but I this post will tell more about it. So stay tuned in just a awhile.

Bummer about the rain ! I normally avoid the MJJP .. I can't stand trying to fight the crowds afterwards.

It was a bummer that it was raining very hard at AK, but it was fine. MJJP is nice, but just like you said that i would try to avoid it. But it was bad timing when we were around the area after watching FotLK.


Here is the next update of my TR.

Day 2 – December 11, 2011 – Part 6​

I left off at AK while it was pouring that afternoon and we had to run all the way towards the Island Mercantile store which my group wanted to do some shopping before we left. They did find a few items while I was taking some pics of the Christmas trees inside the store.

I didn’t get much since I was also looking around the store for some merchandise. After they were done shopping, we head on out of the park and back to the cars.

But before we head on back to our cars, I had to stop at guest relations to pick up the Tables in Wonderland card. Since we are eating at Bistro de Paris on our last day of our trip, it would be a good idea to get it since we know that we will spend a lot of money at that restaurant. It cost $75 since I am an AP holder. It did seemed a lot at the beginning, but in the end of the trip it did saved us a lot of money.

After leaving guest relations, we head on over to the train station. But we had to wait awhile at the tram station to get on board.

When we got back to the cars, we head on back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort. Since it was raining that Sunday night our plans of going to DHS that night was out of the question, we decided to have dinner at the Grand Floridian Café. This will be my first time eating at the Grand Floridian. I was really excited to be eating at the GF as well as my group.

It was around 8pm when our reservation was so we all head back to our cars and on our way to the GF for dinner.

When we got to the GF, the first thing we saw way the lobby so we had to get some pictures of the Christmas tree as well as the gingerbread house which is actually a coffee stand.

After taking some pics of the lobby at the GF, we head on over to the GF Café and have dinner. It was exciting to eat at this restaurant and the food was really nice.

Menu of the GF Cafe

Everyone had something different at the GF Café, I had the Bone-in New York Strip Steak, my DB had the Shrimp and Orecchiette Pasta. I forgot what everyone else had but one of the girls had the Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi. We all got to take a part of their meal and see what it tastes likes.

When we were done with dinner one of the CMs brought out a birthday cupcake for me and it was nice to have a cupcake to end a nice meal.

When my dad paid the bill including the TiW card, we have saved around $40 that night which was a good start to use the TiW card.

After we finished eating, we used the restroom. Some of us wanted to browse around the GF and we did that. I got to go outside with my dad and my dad’s friend wife to see the pool.

While we were outside, it was around 9:30pm and Wishes Holiday fireworks was going on at the MK. I remember that it was a MVMCP night so it was nice to see the fireworks at the GF.

When we all met back up inside the GF, we decided to ride on the monorail around the resort. So we head on back to the lobby and went upstairs to ride the monorail.

We got on the monorail and rode it around the resort. But the only problem about riding the resort monorail line was that the express monorail line was not running that night, so the monorail was full when we left the MK station.

MK Monorail station

Contemporary Resort

We rode the monorail around back to the GF and it was late so we called it for the night. So we got back to the cars and head on back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort to call it for the night.

This was a nice birthday since we got to do most of the activities at AK and got to eat at the GF Café for my birthday which was really nice. I was a little bummed that we didn’t get to go DHS that night to see the Osborne Family lights, but I did get them to see it which they will be very impressed.

That concludes my birthday day at WDW and can’t wait to get to the next part of my TR.

 

[skiingfast]

Sounds like a good dinner, and nice you wandered around the GF as well.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Sounds like a good dinner, and nice you wandered around the GF as well.

The Grand Floridian Cafe was really nice and glad that we had dinner that night. Good thing I wandered outside the GF pool area to hear Holiday Wishes fireworks go on at the MK.

The only hotel that I have stayed at WDW after staying off-site the last 5 years was the Contemporary three times. I was considering staying at this hotel back in the 90s but I just love the monorail going through the hotel. If I ever have a honeymoon one day, this is where I would like to stay. But for now, I would prefer to stay off-site like the Sheraton Vistana Resort.

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 1​

After a good birthday on Sunday which turned out to be a very nice dinner at the GF Café, it was time to enjoy another great day at Orlando. This time we will be going to Universal Orlando Island of Adventure to see the Wizardy World of Harry Potter. My dad and my DB are looking forward to WWoHP that day after my dad’s friend family enjoyed it on Saturday. I knew it was going to be a bad morning since we have seen on the TV that is was going to rain that morning. Just my dad, DB and I went to Universal Orlando since the others wanted to sleep in.

So it was just the three of us that headed on over to Universal Orlando. On the way over to Universal Orlando, it was just cloudy and didn’t rain yet. But when we parked our car, it was pouring outside. So on the way towards Island of Adventure, we had to walk through all that rain. Luckily, we brought our ponchos and umbrellas so it was easy to walk trough IoA.

Now walking through Universal CityWalk. It was really wet that day while you barely see some people walked through the streets that morning.

Now we are at IoA

Before the three of us head on in, my dad had to go to guest relations to get the tickets since he ordered the phone. I told him that we should have done it online, but he wanted to do the old fashion way. While we wait, it was still raining while we wait for my dad.

When we got our tickets we head on over to the turnstiles. When my DB got through the turnstile, I had trouble with the bio-metric scan of my finger. I almost had to wait around one minute until it finally accepted my finger. I was so frustrated that it took that long to go through the turnstile. WDW goes way faster then IoA.

So we head on in and the first thing we did was head on over to WWoHP, we started from Port of Entry where most of the stores are right by the entrance and exit. The park was not that crowded since it was raining that day and most of the people are at WWoHP then going on the other lands.

We just left Port of Entry and turned right towards Seuss Landing. It was all decorated with a lot of Christmas decorations. Just like last year when it was all decked out with the Christmas decorations.

Just left Seuss Landing and now in the Lost Continent land.

We are almost towards WWoHP

Still in the Lost Continent land and heading on over to WWoHP. But that will be another time.

 

[tksbaskets]

What a great place to spend your birthday! The dinner looked yummy. I remember the impressive gingerbread house from past years.

WOW did you have some rain on your trip! It was nice to see the IOA pictures. I have only been there once before the Harry Potter ride was built.

TK
(PS having fun at DL and thought of you when we rode Buzz!)

 

[mvf-m11c]

What a great place to spend your birthday! The dinner looked yummy. I remember the impressive gingerbread house from past years.

WOW did you have some rain on your trip! It was nice to see the IOA pictures. I have only been there once before the Harry Potter ride was built.

TK
(PS having fun at DL and thought of you when we rode Buzz!)

Thank you TK. I can't believe after all those years I have been to WDW, I have not eaten at the Grand Floridian. It was a nice last second dinner night and glad that my group spend it at the GF. The gingerbread house is so amazing in person then seeing it in pictures.

Just Sunday night, Monday morning, and part Tuesday night when it was raining like crazy. After that, it did sprinkle a few times during my visit, but not that bad. That is only the beginning and more pics from WWoHP will be up later tonight. when you and your family go back to Florida, you should go there for a day.

Thank You TK

Glad to hear that you are enjoying DL and have fun the rest of your days at DL.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 2​

Just left off around the Lost Continent and heading on over to Wizardy World of Harry Potter. It was still raining that day which is a good thing because there wouldn’t be too many people that morning. We were hoping that Ollivanders Wand Shop was not that crowded that day because of the rain. For you people wondering why I took pictures while it was raining, but I used my umbrella to keep my camera and myself from getting wet.

The three of us walked on the way over to WWoHP while it was still raining and not stopping.

Finally we got to WWoHP. It was not that crowded since it was raining that day so it will be easy to get on over to Ollivanders Wand Shop. I have been looking forward to the Ollivanders Wand Shop since last year.

Hogwarts Express Steam Engine

There were just a few people outside while most of them were under the buldings or in the shops.

We got to the queue for Ollivanders Wand Shop and saw that it wasn’t long. We heard from the wizard by the queue that it was only a 10 minute wait. I was so glad to see that it wasn’t a long wait. I’m glad that it was raining so we can get in the shop faster then a nice sunny day. I wanted to do the Wand Shop last year, but the wait time was almost 2 hours when my DA and I were there. So this year, we only had to wait 10 minutes to get in.

We entered the Wand Shop and so amazed by all the different wands. I knew that it only takes about 20 people for each show. My dad was not impressed with the shop and in his opinion it was not worth waiting for 2 hours last year.

After the Wand Shop show was over, we head on over to the store and looked around. It mostly had wands and some HP merchandise. This store was nice and was not as busy at the store at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.

We left the store and on our way to look around WWoHP. But that will be another time so I will be back with more tomorrow.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm still here, Bret! (Just wanted to make sure you knew I didn't abandon your TR!)

I just love any and all photos of the GF during the holidays. That enormous tree is just magnificent and I love the white and cream colors of the GF lobby. It looks so elegant.

Then, the gingerbread house/coffee bar thingy...I had seen it before in TV specials but had never actually seen any photos of it. I WISH we had one of those houses at DLR somewhere. I love it. Don't they also sell miniature versions of the gingerbread house there?

That steak looks delicious and that is exactly what I would have ordered! I only eat steak once every few years or so, but that one looks juicy and yummy!

I was thinking about how it's odd that no matter if you visit Orlando or Anaheim, you always seem to encounter rain on your holiday trips! Isn't that weird?

I hope Laurie/DizNee Luver spends a good chunk of time going through your WDW holiday trip reports (both this one and your last one) - you have shown us some wonderful pictures of holiday decorations and details that I think she will want to see if and when she makes the WDW holiday trip she is trying to arrange!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm still here, Bret! (Just wanted to make sure you knew I didn't abandon your TR!)

I just love any and all photos of the GF during the holidays. That enormous tree is just magnificent and I love the white and cream colors of the GF lobby. It looks so elegant.

Then, the gingerbread house/coffee bar thingy...I had seen it before in TV specials but had never actually seen any photos of it. I WISH we had one of those houses at DLR somewhere. I love it. Don't they also sell miniature versions of the gingerbread house there?

That steak looks delicious and that is exactly what I would have ordered! I only eat steak once every few years or so, but that one looks juicy and yummy!

I was thinking about how it's odd that no matter if you visit Orlando or Anaheim, you always seem to encounter rain on your holiday trips! Isn't that weird?

I hope Laurie/DizNee Luver spends a good chunk of time going through your WDW holiday trip reports (both this one and your last one) - you have shown us some wonderful pictures of holiday decorations and details that I think she will want to see if and when she makes the WDW holiday trip she is trying to arrange!

I knew that you were still here Sherry. Thank You.

The GF is so amazing during the Holiday season and the big Christmas tree is great just like the GCH.

It would be nice if we got a similar giant gingerbread house at the DLR. I didn't see the menu closely since we had reservation at the GF Cafe. It was really nice to see it. I was also bummed that I didn't see the gingerbread house at the Boardwalk resort. It is not as big as the GF, but it has a Disney character with it.

The steak was nice and it was great that we got to share with each other entrees so we can find out what it taste like.

You are exactly right Sherry that I do encounter rain at least once during my visits. The only times that I will not encounter rain at DL is during the summer. I have no problem with the rain since the parks will be less crowded and it is neat to get some pictures of the parks, rides and buildings while it was raining. It is part of nature and you can be unlucky when you go to the parks when it is raining. Some people like the rain and some don't

She will like to get a glimpse of WDW during the Holiday season. But no matter what, DLR will always be my favorite during the Holiday season. WDW has way more Christmas decorations then DL, but DL is so magical during the Holiday season.

Thanks Sherry.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 3​

After we left the Wand store right by Ollivander's Wand Shop, we head on over to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. My DB was looking forward to this ride since I told about it to him last year. He looked at Hogwarts castle and looks so amazing. It was still raining outside, but it wasn't that bad when we got in the park that morning. More and more people started to walk around the area.

When we got to the line, I told my dad and my DB that we had to drop off my bag since there aren't any bag holders on the ride. So I had to put my bag in the locker. The area where you can put your lockers was so full that we couldn't get through to the lockers. I put my bag in, but I brought my video camera so we can get some pics of the queue before we got on the ride. I don't have the pics from the camera up yet, but I will upload them later on this weekend. My dad and my DB were so amazed on the littlest details of Hogwarts castle queue and the wait time was only 5 minutes. That was about the time that we walked from the entrance to the ride.

My DB loved the ride, but my dad was dizzy after the ride. I told him about the ride which has some video screens and some hidden surprises to the ride. We head on over to the gift shop after the ride and my brother just went crazy spending about over $100 worth of merchandise. I didn't spend any money at the gift shop since everything is almost exactly the same from last year. I was a little disappointed that Universal didn't add more new merchandise to the store.

We left the gift shop at Hogwarts castle and now just roamed around WWoHP so I can get some pics as well as my DB. It started to rain harder again and as you can tell that my picture was a little wet. I saw that Ollivanders Wand Shop wait time was long when we got closer to the shop.

There were more people around WWoHP, but we got to do HPatFJ and Ollivanders Wand Shop that morning.

I wanted to get a butterbeer that morning, but I forced myself to wait later that afternoon when we came back.

Before we left WWoHP, my DB had to stop at the Honeydukes store which is a candy store. He bought Chocolate Frogs for his GF.

We left the store and now it was time to leave the park and join up with the rest of our party. We could have stayed at Universal, but we were all soaked and had to change. WWoHP is getting more and more people in that area and while it was still raining, it wasn't that bad like that morning. On the way, I got more pics from the different lands that we past.

Now back in Seuss Landing. Getting more pics of the Christmas decorations. Once again, it started to rain hard.

We exited Seuss Landing and heading out of the park. I will be back with more from that Monday afternoon.

 

[jc040404]

Birthday dinner looks great! All the holiday pics are excellent. Loved that you saw the fireworks from the beach, too. Sounds like a perfect ending, even if it wasn't the lights. That tree is gorgeous.

Loved all the Seuss Landing pics, despite the icky weather you had, too. I forgot how cute everything is there, and wish I could get out of this Disney bubble to get back there again. Not being into Harry Potter, it's been tough to find enough desire for it.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Birthday dinner looks great! All the holiday pics are excellent. Loved that you saw the fireworks from the beach, too. Sounds like a perfect ending, even if it wasn't the lights. That tree is gorgeous.

Loved all the Seuss Landing pics, despite the icky weather you had, too. I forgot how cute everything is there, and wish I could get out of this Disney bubble to get back there again. Not being into Harry Potter, it's been tough to find enough desire for it.

Thank you Jessica. We got to watch the fireworks from the GF docks where they store the rental boats and it was nice to watch the fireworks from that spot. It was a perfect ending on a birthday night. It was disappointing that we didn't go to DHS to see the Osborne Family lights that night, but we did get to see it during the trip so stay tune for that part of the TR.

Seuss Landing had some great Christmas decorations. The weather does suck, but it also works really well with short wait times. I was glad that the wait time for Ollivanders Wand shop was only 10 minute wait instead of waiting in the queue for 2 hours. If you take WWoHP out of IoA, there isn't much for us to do. I don't want to be disrespectful to the people who like Universal Orlando, our group didn't want to do much at IoA instead of WWoHP.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 4​

We left off with my dad, my DB and I leaving IoA and heading back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort to meet up with the rest of our party. On the way out of IoA, it was still raining that time and there were a few people around Seuss Landing.

Now back at Port of Entry where we were leaving the park.

The turnstile to enter IoA

So we were out of the park and now walking back towards the parking lot. When we got out of the park, it started to only sprinkle which was good for all three of us.

We head on back to the parking garage and got in our car. We went back to the hotel. We got back around 11am and met up with the rest of our group and head on back to Universal Orlando and IoA.

We took both cars since we can’t fit 7 people in one car. Got back to the parking structure around 11:45 and walking on back to IoA. When we got back to Universal Orlando City Walk, it was not raining and it already cleared up with barely few wet spots on the walkway.

We got close to the entrance, but my dad headed on over to GR to get some discounts. I don’t know what he was talking about so we waited until he was finished.

When I put my finger on the scanner, it wouldn’t let me in. I almost had to wait at the turnstile for about 2 minutes until they just let me in. I can’t believe it happened again with the bio-metric scan ticket. Now I know why I get so annoyed from bio-metric scan at Florida then DL where you just your ticket in and see your picture on the AP.

When we got back to Port of Entry, the walkway was still wet. At least it wasn’t raining that afternoon. The park was a little bit more crowded coming in from this morning.

Instead of going through Seuss Landing, we went towards the long way to WWoHP. We head on over to Marvel Super Hero Island.

Now passing Toon Lagoon Land

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