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

[franandaj]

OK, all caught up! Thanks for covering IOA in depthly with photos. We were supposed to go last fall before our WDW trip, but everything got canceled due to severe illness. I've rebooked the trip for next October. All we really want to see is WWoHP as well, but we might do Poseidon's Fury. I'm really looking forward to a Butterbeer and lunch at the Three Broomsticks!

 

[kaoden39]

Wow what ugly weather. I love the all of the photos Bret and I enjoy your trip reports. I may not always comment but I am always here.

 

[mvf-m11c]

OK, all caught up! Thanks for covering IOA in depthly with photos. We were supposed to go last fall before our WDW trip, but everything got canceled due to severe illness. I've rebooked the trip for next October. All we really want to see is WWoHP as well, but we might do Poseidon's Fury. I'm really looking forward to a Butterbeer and lunch at the Three Broomsticks!

Thanks Allison. I'm sorry to hear that, but you will like WWoHP when you go in October. I have never done Poseidon's Fury during my visit this year or last year since our group was concentrating on WWoHP. But if I go back to IoA one day, maybe never until WWoHP is complete at Universal Hollywood. There isn't much to do at Universal. Maybe because I am a Disney guy and enjoyed all the landscape and decorated buildings at the Disney Resorts.

The next update will be up shortly.

Wow what ugly weather. I love the all of the photos Bret and I enjoy your trip reports. I may not always comment but I am always here.

It was ugly on Sunday and Monday morning. But it turned out well with a nice birthday dinner at the GF Cafe and getting in Ollivanders Wand shop in a short time instead of waiting in the queue for hours. Thank you Michele. I know that you will be checking out my TRs. I am looking forward to your TR to DL next month.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 5​

Now all of us were heading on over to WWoHP through the long way. I have left off around Toon Lagoon Land. It wasn’t that bad that afternoon while it was raining that morning.

Now passing Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

Now we are heading on in Jurassic Park Land. Walking through Jurassic Park is a very long time.

We finally back at the WWoHP from the west side instead of coming from the south side. There were quite a number of people around the area so it was going to be a busy time at WWoHP.

After looking around the town, we head on back to Hogwarts castle to do some shopping again. But while the rest of them went back in the store, I got some more pics of the castle. HPatFJ wait time was only at 10 minutes which was way short during that afternoon.

When everyone finished shopping at the Hogwarts store, we head on over to Three Broomsticks to have lunch. On the way over to the restaurant, I got more pics of the land.

It started to get busy around WWoHP that afternoon. Before we went in, the rest of my group wanted to do some shopping at the stores. So we just waited around the area until it was time.

While we were waiting, I had to get a butterbeer so badly. I just can’t wait after all day today to have one.

Hogwarts Express Steam Engine

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

 

[kaoden39]

That's true rain shortens the lines. I figure that because it has been so dry that we are due rain when Scotty and I go next month. That's alright, we have rain gear.

 

[mvf-m11c]

That's true rain shortens the lines. I figure that because it has been so dry that we are due rain when Scotty and I go next month. That's alright, we have rain gear.

It has been dry here as well in Sacramento. There have been days when it was so cold and some warm days. But there hasn't been much raining lately. Its always a good idea to be prepare for anything when you go on a trip.

 

[kaoden39]

It has been dry here as well in Sacramento. There have been days when it was so cold and some warm days. But there hasn't been much raining lately. Its always a good idea to be prepare for anything when you go on a trip.

It really worries me that we are going to have a drought. The snow pack is non existent. We really need some wet weather.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It really worries me that we are going to have a drought. The snow pack is non existent. We really need some wet weather.

Hopefully in these next few weeks, we will have some days when it is raining.

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 6​

While we were still in WWoHP, my group was going back to the shops to look for more merchandise. I was still outside taking more pics of the buildings. The park crowd level around WWoHP is getting more and more busy. We were lucky that we did HPatFJ plus Ollivanders Wand shop.

We sat down right by wand shop store until we met up with each other.

When we all met up with each other, we head on over to Three Broomsticks restaurant to have lunch. This was really exciting to eat at the restaurant. There was a lot of choices to eat at Three Broomsticks, but the main plate we got was “The Great Feast”. It was really expensive for the 7 of us, but it was great.

On the Great Feast there was rotisserie chicken, corn, potatoes, vegetables and ribs which was amazing. We also had butterbeer, salads and Cornish pastries as our other choices to eat at the restaurant.

After we left the restaurant, we head on back towards Hogwarts castle to do more shopping again since one of the girls wanted to get something. Also it was a great opportunity to get some more pics of the castle. They also asked me to take some pictures of them for their Christmas pictures.

We got back to HPatFJ ride and everyone headed on over to the store, I waited outside to get some pics.

When everyone was done shopping at Hogwarts castle store, we head on out of the park. On the way out, I had to get some last second pics of WWoHP before we left. It started to sprinkle just a little so we didn’t have to use our umbrellas or ponchos.

Some of the girls had to go in the candy store and we waited again while they were shopping. So I took some more pics until they got out of the store.

They finally got out of the store and we were on our way out of the park. I will be back with more from that Monday afternoon.

 

[skiingfast]

Seeing Hogsmead with snowy roofs is much more fitting when the sky is dark gray. It was really lucky to have that morning rain, and extra luck the FJ line was still tiny when you came back. That place looks unreconizeable in the early morning, not enough people.

Did you take a videoo of the queue?

 

[Moodyzblu]

I hope WWoHP isn't as crowded when we go .. but seeing it's in April, I won't be surprised. Oh well .. it still looks amazing and I can't wait to try a Butterbeer !

 

[mvf-m11c]

Seeing Hogsmead with snowy roofs is much more fitting when the sky is dark gray. It was really lucky to have that morning rain, and extra luck the FJ line was still tiny when you came back. That place looks unreconizeable in the early morning, not enough people.

Did you take a videoo of the queue?

It was nice that morning. Even though it was raining, it was great to have no one there and have to wait only 10 minutes to get in Ollivanders Wand shop.

I didn't upload the queue of HPatFJ, but I did tooks the video and made into pics of the queue. Since I was moving a lot in the queue and with barely any light, I only had to use these pics only.

I hope WWoHP isn't as crowded when we go .. but seeing it's in April, I won't be surprised. Oh well .. it still looks amazing and I can't wait to try a Butterbeer !

It would be nice if WWoHP isn't crowded when you go in April. But don't be surprised if you go on a rainy day and there will be no one at the park.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 7​

We were about to leave WWoHP after just a few hours in the park. It was a very interesting afternoon when it was raining that Monday morning and sprinkling. WWoHP crowd level was picking up when we left the land. It was a good thing that we left around that time since we did everything that day. Here are a few more pics of WWoHP until we left the land.

We just left WWoHP and now back at the Lost Continent and heading out of the park.

Now back at Seuss Landing. I had to get some pics of the Christmas decorations before we left.

The High in the Sky Trolley Train Ride

Now back at Port Entry and doing some last minute shopping. We stopped at the Port of Entry Christmas Shoppe.

After looking around Port of Entry, we head on out of IoA. But at that time, it started to sprinkle again so we had to get out our ponchos and umbrellas. Talk about a good time to get out of IoA and head back to the hotel.

Back at Universal City Walk and heading to the parking structure.

We left Universal Orlando and head on back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort.It was a good day to go to Universal especially since it was raining that morning. But it turned out so well by doing HPatFJ and Ollivanders Wand shop.

But the day isn’t over just yet, we still have the nighttime and I thought it was a great idea to go to the MK that Monday night. I know that was one of the worst days to visit the park, but that is the only night that we can see Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes fireworks during our visit. Tuesday and Wednesday was MVMCP and Thursday was EPCOT day and we have reservation at Bistro de Paris. But my group wanted to see the MSEP so badly after DCA had the DEP back in the summer of 2009. So we decided to go to the MK that night. Since it is a shorten day, so we had to leave the resort early so we can get good spots for the 7:00pm parade which is the only one running that night.

We left the resort around 5pm which was really late to get to the MK and get good spots for the parade.

Got at the MK parking lot and head on over to the tram so we can get to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

When we got to the T&TC, we were deciding on what transportation we should take. But we found out when we got closer to the MK Express monorail line, it was down. I was wondering why it was down, but then we just head on over to the dock to ride the Ferry Boat. It is always fun to ride the ferry across Seven Seas Lagoon.

We rode the Richard F Irvine all the way towards the MK. It was a nice night which wasn’t raining and glad that the rainy day was that morning instead of night when we were about to watch MSEP and Wishes fireworks.

GF from the ferry

Another ferry just left the MK dock and I believe that was the Admiral Joe Potter Ferry

Now we are approaching the MK dock station and a nice night at the MK.

We just got off the ferry and head on over to the main entrance of the MK. It was really busy at first with a lot of people, but I knew that it was going to be busy.

I am out of posts right now and I will try to comeback tonight with more.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 8​

Now we are heading on in the MK after a long day at Universal Orlando Island of Adventure. Now it was time to go in the MK and see the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes fireworks that night.

When we got passed through the turnstile, we can tell that the park was really crowded right in front of the MS station. But it was a nice night to be at the park while it wasn’t raining.

When we went through the tunnel over the MS station, there were a lot of people staking out spots around 5:55pm. But we did get a nice spot close to the Emporium store. It was perfect seeing the parade come from MS Town Square. I have told everyone that I would volunteer and stay at the spot with the blanket to save the spot. But my dad friend will stay with me. So my dad, DB, my dad friend family decided to go around the park until it was time for the MSEP. It is so magical when you see the MK at night with the Holiday decorations. While I was waiting, I had to get some pics of the Christmas decorations while I was waiting for the parade.

Around 6:20pm, more and more spots around MS were being taken from the guests who are waiting for the parade. My dad and my DB came back from the stores and said that they might want something before we leave that night.

When it was around 6:30pm, the girls came back and brought some food and treats back. They went to the Casey’s Corner and brought back Corn Dog Nuggets and French Fries. Not only that, they also went to Aloha Isle and brought back some Dole Whips. It was really nice that the girls brought back some food while we were waiting. When we were all back, we all waited until it was time for the 7:00pm MSEP. While we were waiting, we got some more pics of MS.

The curb and sidewalk close to the stores are already filled up with about less then half an hour until the 7pm parade.

One touch blue color of Cinderella Castle

My group was very excited to see the MSEP again after all those years at DL. So it was almost time for the parade and part of the lights around MS Town Square are turning off. So the MSEP have already started right around City Hall MS TS so we had to wait awhile until it reached us. The parade circled around MS TS until it went up towards MS to the Hub.

It already started and waiting until it come up.

That’s it for this post, I will be back with more pics of the MSEP.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 9​

Finally the MSEP have came our way and when the first float came by which is Tinkerbell. These are the same floats from the back in 2009 which is the same and as last year when my DA and I seen MSEP. Everyone in my group was very excited to see the MSEP again. I’ll let the pictures talk about my time watching the parade.

Tinkerbell float

Casey Jr. Circus Train with Mickey, Minnie and Goofy

Alice in Wonderland units

Turtle unit

Mushroom with Butterfly and Ladybug

Firefly unit

Mushroom with Alice and Cheshire Cat

Snail unit

Mushroom with the Caterpillar with Frog

Green Firefly unit

That’s it for this post and I will have the next update up later.

 

[skiingfast]

That is great you are seeing MSEP. Did you take a movie of it?

 

[mvf-m11c]

That is great you are seeing MSEP. Did you take a movie of it?

Yes, I did videotape MSEP. I haven't upload it yet and I might not until later.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 10​

More from MSEP on that Monday night.

Cinderella’s Ball units and characters

Pumpkin Coach with Cinderella and Fairy god Mother

Peter Pan units

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs units and characters

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

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 11​

More from MSEP on that Monday night.

Pinocchio units and characters

Pete’s Dragon

To Honor America Units

After the parade past us around the Emporium, we head on over towards around Casey Corner area so we can watch Wishes fireworks that night. It was really hard to get through all those people when the parade was over. It was just a mess going forward towards the center of the MK. But first we were waiting for The Magic, The Memories, and You!. I was really looking forward to MMY ever since I have been seeing DL IASW MMY. I like to compare both MMY and which is better.

We were around Casey Corner right next to the information board on the left hand side and we waited for the 8pm Wishes fireworks. It was so busy at MS that night and glad we got a nice spot to watch the fireworks.

We waited until Magic Memories and you, but first we had to wait around 7:45pm until it started.

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

 

[mvf-m11c]

I haven't been updating my TR lately since I been working at an Anime Convention this past weekend. So it's now time to get back to the TR.

Day 3 – December 12, 2011 – Part 12​

I have left off waiting for the 7:45pm of “The Magic, The Memories, & You!”. It was very neat to watch this show at the MK. I like to compare both MMY shows at DL and WDW. I didn’t upload it or add any pictures to the 7:45pm show because there were a lot of people in my way so no pictures for the 7:45pm MMY.

We waited only 5 minutes until it was time for the 8pm Wishes firework show. I like to compare this firework show to RDCT at DL. Both fireworks use the same music at the beginning and ending, but with different voices. I like Wishes fireworks a lot but my favorite out of the two are RDCT over Wishes. I like RDCT with the ride soundtracks and I still like Wishes with all those different character voices. Now here is Wishes firework from that Monday night.

Here is my video that I took on that day: Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World 12/13/11

After Wishes was over, we head on over to the Hub and get closer for the 8:35pm MMY show. This time we would get a better spot to see it after waiting for the fireworks. It was hard at first to watch it when you are in front of a lot of people for the MMY show. So this time, we would get closer in front of Cinderella castle to watch it.

Here is my video of MMY on my youtube: "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" with the Holiday Segment 12/12/11

Here are some pics that my DB took while I was videotaping with my video camera.

After MMY was over, we decided it was time to head on out of the park after watching three nighttime shows that night. Everyone in my group enjoyed all the three nighttime shows at the MK and they were all glad that we spent it that night. Since that day was EMH that night, we had to leave the park. We waited around MS until the walkway was walk able.

More pics around Town Square

We exited the park after 8:50pm and we saw that the monorail stations were so long, we decided to ride the ferry back to the T&TC.

Got back to the T&TC and took the tram back to the parking lot. When we got back in the cars and head on out of WDW. But before we went back to the hotel, we stopped at Steak ’N Shake. This time we stopped at the one right at the east exit of WDW.

We all had different choices after we ate at another Steak ‘N Shake on Friday night. It was late that night and we did had some food at the MK, but that was only snack foods so this time we had a real meal at Steak ‘N Shake.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and called it for the night.

It was an interesting day for all of us, we got to do WWoHP and MK that night. It was bad that morning when it was raining, we got to do Ollivander’s Wand shop after I didn’t do it on my trip back in 2010. I was happy of going to the MK that night and get to see MSEP, Wishes fireworks and MMY. That is it for this post and that Monday night. I will be back later for more pics of MMY from my video camera. So stay tune for the pictures and the next update during my trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Here are the pictures of MMY from that Monday night. I like to compare both MMY at MK and IASW at DL. Both of them have very unique video images on each part of the building. MK is more spectacular and taller then DL. I like DL more because of the design of IASW that matches with MMY then MK. That is my opinion of both shows. Now let us get to the images of MMY at the MK.

Holiday segment of MMY.

Here are some pics of IASWH with the MMY Holiday segment. These were taken when I went to DL back in November.