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

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 12​

After MOUACP was over, we waited for Holiday Wishes fireworks. But first while we were waiting at our same spot after watching the parade. It was a nice night and still no rain so it was going to be a nice night. I took some more pics while we were waiting.

The Magic, the Memories, and You! started.

When the MMY is over, we waited until it was time for Holiday Wishes fireworks.

The next post will be up with pictures from Holiday Wishes fireworks.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 13​

Now it is finally time for Holiday Wishes fireworks. I have been looking forward to Holiday Wishes since last year which it was a disaster because of the windy weather which made my first experience of MVMCP a disaster. This time it was so perfect and barely any clouds in the sky. I have videotaped the show which you can see on my youtube. Holiday Wishes: Celebrate The Spirit of the Season Fireworks 12/14/11 I also have used my camera to take some pics of Holiday Wishes fireworks. So enjoy the pictures from Holiday Wishes fireworks.

That is it for this post and I will be back with more from Holiday Wishes fireworks.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great firework pictures!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great firework pictures!!

Thank you TK.

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 14​

More pics from Holiday Wishes fireworks during MVMCP.

When Holiday Wishes fireworks ended, I headed on over to the front of Cinderella Castle so I can watch "Celebrate the Season" show. But my group did not want to see it since they have seen it when we were waiting for the parade. So they just went on over to TL to do some of the rides while the wait time is short.

So I head on over to the Hub and get a nice spot right across the street from Cinderella. Luckily it wasn't that crowded when I got around the area. Just when it was about to start, it was still not that busy so it was going to be very nice to watch "Celebrate the Season" during the 2nd show at MVMCP.

But the pictures will be shown on the next post.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 15​

Now it is time for "Celebrate the Season". So I will let the pics talk about it. I was the only one seeing the show since the rest of my party went to TL to go on some rides. I didn't videotape it well last year and this time I was determine to get better video.

I will have more from "Celebrate the Season" shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 16​

Now back to Celebrate the Season

When Celebrate the Season was over, I head on over to TL to meet up with the rest of my group. I would guess that they must be around by SM or BLSRS. On the way, TL was light up with the MVMCP logos on the buildings including snow flakes on the rocks.

It wasn't that crowded at TL so going on any of the rides will be short.

SM also had the snow flakes projeciton on the mountain.

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

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 17​

When I got over to SM, part of my group was on the ride while my dad and his friend were waiting right by the entrance of SM. So we just waited for the girls and my DB to get off the ride and do some other rides.

After we all met up around SM, we head on over to FL. So on the way, I had to get some pics of the projections of MVMCP while we were walking and got some of them.

On the way, we did stop at some of the treat stations to get some cookies and hot chocolate.

We were now in FL and the projections of the snow flakes were pointing in the direction of the FL expansion walls which you can barley see in the background.

The girls wanted to ride PP so that is our next ride.

The wait time was only 5 minutes so we didn't have to wait that long.

PP at WDW is almost exactly like the one back at DL, but I still prefer the DL version over WDW MK.

When we got off PP, we head on over to Liberty Square.

Over at the former Skyway station and where the stroller parking is where the character meet and greet area is at.

Now at Liberty Square
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We head on over to the Christmas shops

There was also projections on the shops.

MVMCP logo on the street

So we decided to head on out of the park after doing most of the rides that night, but first we had to get a nice picture of Cinderella Castle at the entrance of Liberty Square.

We head on down MS and we had to stop at the shops to get some last minute items from MVMCP. It was really busy down MS while some of the guests are also planning on heading out of the park that night.

It was already 11:10pm and I had to get the signs during MVMCP

So we head on down MS and I had to get some pics of the window displays and the buildings during MVMCP.

On the way out, we stopped at the Emporium to get some last second items before we head on out of the park.

When we finished getting our merchandise at the Emporium, we were heading on out of the park. But that will be told on the next post.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 14, 2011 – Part 18​

When we finished buying our merchandise at the Emporium, we decided it was time to leave the park and head back to the resort. On the way out, there were quite a lot of people leaving at the same time as us. The Hub was busy while people are leaving and people taking pictures at the Christmas tree.

Snow flake projections on the street of MS TS.

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MS RR station

Another MVMCP banner

So we head on out of the park and we decided to ride the ferry since the monorail is only running the Resort line. The Express line was not running that night so that was an easy decision for us to ride the ferry since they are running two boats.

There were a lot of people waiting to get on the ferry after leaving the MK during MVMCP.

We rode the Admiral Joe Fowler ferry

When we got back to the T&TC, we head on over to the Villian Tram loading area since we have parked at that spot.

The Resort line is still running that night

We really walked very fast in order to get on the tram. My DB was walking so fast and samething with my dad.

We got on the tram and head on back to the car. We got back to the car and got back to the resort almost around midnight. So we called it for the night.

That day was quite exciting since I was at the MK during a regular day and during MVMCP. Luckily the MK was not that crowded that day. I got to see all three nighttime shows during MVMCP which was Holiday Wishes, Celebrate the Season and MOUACP. All the videos of the three shows were great and glad that it wasn't a windy day.

Now is the last full day at the resort and it is always sad to be on your last full day of your vacation.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 5 – December 15, 2011 – Part 1​

After a great day at the MK during MVMCP on Wednesday now is the last full day at WDW which is the saddest part of the trip. It was going to be a day where everyone is looking forward to the most at EPCOT. But first we plan on going to DTD to do some shopping before we head on over to EPCOT.

We didn't leave early like the other days since we are all exhausted from MVMCP on Wednesday night. Yeah, especially me since I was exhausted from that night. It was fun and glad that I got to spend a lot of time at the MK. So we didn't leave to DTD around 11am that morning.

When we got to DTD, we all headed our seperate ways and I told everyone that if they needed to buy anything, I would help them buy using my Premier AP since I can save them some money on their purchases.

It was a nice afternoon at DTD with not too many people. We all first head on over to the WoD store and most of my group bought a lot of stuff at the store.

My dad bought a lot of art at the Art of Disney store.

When it was around noon, we head on over to EPCOT after doing all that shopping. It was nice to be at EPCOT after being there a few days ago. It was nice to be with the group and doing a lot of things together. The first thing we did when we got to EPCOT was head on over to my DB and I Leave a Legacy picture to show everyone.

After seeing my picture, we head on over to Spaceship Earth and rode on it. That was the first ride we rode that day and everyone was excited to ride it.

We finished riding Spaceship Earth, now our next destination was Test Track. But all of a sudden my dad told us just as we were heading on over to Test Track that we are eating at Le Cellier at the Canada pavilion. I was completely shocked to hear from him that he actually got a reservation at Le Cellier. He said that our reservation was around 2:30pm. So I told everyone that they could go to the restaurant while I go and get FP for TT.

So I split up with the rest of my group as I head on over to TT and get the FPs. I knew that the FPs would be around after Le Cellier. On the way, it was kind of busy around Future World.

When I got to TT, the return time was around 3:30pm to 4:30pm which is what I have expected.

After I got the FPs, I head on over to the Canada pavilion to meet up with my group.

I got to Le Cellier and the rest of my group was waiting outside the restaurant. I will have the next update of my TR later on.

 

[tksbaskets]

The last day is always bitter sweet. I can't belive how empty DTD was this morning Nice for shopping.

Your afternoon at EPCOT is off to a great start! So nice that your dad was able to get reservations in Canada. We've never eaten there so I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Thanks for sharing!

TK

 

[tksbaskets]

The last day is always bitter sweet. I can't belive how empty DTD was this morning Nice for shopping.

Your afternoon at EPCOT is off to a great start! So nice that your dad was able to get reservations in Canada. We've never eaten there so I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Thanks for sharing!

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

The last day is always bitter sweet. I can't belive how empty DTD was this morning Nice for shopping.

Your afternoon at EPCOT is off to a great start! So nice that your dad was able to get reservations in Canada. We've never eaten there so I'm looking forward to hearing about your experience.

Thanks for sharing!

TK

You are right about that the last day is bitter sweet, but I was really looking forward to getting back home and look at my videos and pictures from the trip. It was really nice that morning at DTD. We must have bought a ton of merchandise and the bringing the bags home was hard enough with all that weight.

It was a nice start to go to Spaceship Earth and get FP for TT. I was really excited that my dad was able to get us in at Le Cellier. I will tell you on the later TR what else we got when we ate at Le Cellier. I did upload the pics on flickr and I will tell about it on the next post.

Your welcome TK.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 6 – December 15, 2011 – Part 2​

When I got to the Canada pavilion, my group was waiting outside so I just waited with them. I did ask my dad how he got the reservation at Le Cellier after I have been trying to get in since a half a year. He got the reservation by signing up for the Candlelight Processional dining package. I did read on the DIS boards that was another way to get a reservation at the restaurant, but it was really expensive and it doesn’t get a deal off with the TiW card. But he wanted to give me and the rest of the group a chance to eat at the popular restaurant. I was so stoked that he did that and I was looking forward to the restaurant the most since I have been trying for the last few years to get in this restaurant.

While we were waiting to get in the restaurant, I took some pics of the garden at the Canada Pavilion. We had to wait about 15 minutes until it was time for us to enter the restaurant.

Le Cellier Steakhouse restaurant sigh

Ducks diving in the pond

Victoria Gardens plaque

After we waited for 15 minutes the 7 of us finally headed on in the restaurant and finally got to eat. When I first entered the restaurant, it just looked like in the pictures that I have seen on previous TRs. When we ordered our food, we got an appetizer, entrée and desert which was a lot of food for a lunch. The restaurant was decorated with holiday decorations so at least the restaurant is in the holiday spirit.

With all the food that we ordered, we all shared with each other and tasted each other plates. I forgot to take pictures of the food while we were at the restaurant. But I did get my plate as well as my brothers.

My DB got the Filet Mignon

While I got the New York Strip Steak

Everyone got something different and the food was amazing. We also had dessert which was too much for all of us but it was amazing. When the bill came, I saw that it was about $59 a person which was a lot. I thought about it more and more and can see that it was worth it for an appetizer, entrée, and dessert as well as preferred seating for the CP and Illuminations right by the International Christmas tree right by the two stores.

Our ticket to the CP at the 5pm

We got our tickets to the CP, we head on out of the restaurant and on our way to TT. But first everyone needed to use the restroom so we head on over to United Kingdom since that was the closest restroom. While everyone used the restroom, I walked around Canada and United Kingdom until I met up with the others.

I head on over to United Kingdom

I met up with everyone around United Kingdom, we head on over to TT since our FPs are close to the end. So we walked really fast all the way back to Future World.

When we got to TT, we just got there just in time when our FPs was going to lapse.

We only had to wait about 15 minutes to get on the ride. After getting off the ride, everyone liked the ride. I told them that the newest ride at DCA Cars Land will have the same ride technology as TT. So everyone will know that Radiator Springs Racers will almost be the same as TT when it opens this summer. I can’t wait to see the newest land at DCA this summer and ride RSR.

When we got off the ride, it was almost time to do another ride. But I will get that on the next TR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 6 – December 15, 2011 – Part 3​

After we finished Test Track, we head on over to the American Pavilion and see the CP. We were a little late from Test Track, but it was going to be great to watch the CP. I have never seen the DL CP, but the one at EPCOT that I have seen last year was amazing. So I am looking forward to the CP. So we had to walk all the way around World Showcase lagoon to head on over to the American pavilion.

United Kingdom

LCD globe for Illuminations being in place

Now back in France

Tokyo

We got to the CP a few minutes late and were escorted to our seats. It was exciting to see the CP at the American pavilion. The guest narrator during that night was Lorraine Bracco. I wished we did the CP earlier since Neil Patrick Harris was the guest narrator on the 10th to 12th. It was a nice experience during the CP.

After the CP was over, we wanted to do some other rides at Future World. So we head on over back toFuture World. It was also a good time to go back to the car and get my video camera and tripod for Illuminations that night. So I walked with them all the way down to World Showcase to get the tripod. But on the way, we had to stop at Bistro de Paris to change our dinner reservation. Because my dad surprised us with Le Cellier for lunch for the CP package, we had to push it back since we were full that afternoon.

Tokyo pavilion

Back again at France pavilion

We waited for my dad to change the reservation and gladly there wasn't anyone for the 7:50pm reservation.

Christmas decorations window display at the France pavilion

Now we were walking on out of World Showcase to Future World.

They decided to head on over to Imagination building to see Captain EO while I head on out of the park and to the car to get my tripod.

That's it for this post and I will be back with more from that Thursday night.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 6 – December 15, 2011 – Part 4​

After I got my tripod and camera from the car, I head on over to Imagination becuase that is where the rest of my group is watching Captain EO. I didn't want to see Captain EO since I have seen it plenty of times at DL. So it was a short walk for me all the way towards Imagination. It wasn't a short walk but it did seemed like a short walk.

The park wasn't that crowded around Future World so I would guess that most of the people were around World Showcase.

I walked around the Seas since they were still in Captain EO.

I got to Imagination and I just waited right by the fountains until they got out of the show.

When I met up with everyone, we head on over to World Showcase to do one more ride until we head on over to Bistro de Paris. We head on over to the Mexico pavilion to ride Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.

Around Future World was a little busy that night.

A look back at Future World and Spaceship Earth

Now back at the International Christmas tree

We got to Mexico pavilion and head on over to the Gran Fiesta Tour.

It took quite awhile to get on the Gran Fiesta, but everyone thinks that it is a Mexico version of IASW.

After we left the Mexico pavilion, we rushed all the way towards the France pavilion for dinner so we head on over.

Outside the Mexico pavilion

Now passing Germany

We passed through the CP standby queue and it was really long while guests are waiting to get in the theater.

We got to the Bistro de Paris a little late, but we got to go in and be seated so this was my 2nd time as well as my dad eating at this restaurant while the others are here for the first time. They were really impressed with the restaurant and it is way smaller than Le Cellier.

A nice fold up napkin.

Beignet and leak soup as our starters

The Entrees

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

Seared Sea Scallops

Maine Lobster cassolette

Now Dessert

Warm Lemon Soufflé

After dinner at Bistro de Paris, we had to rush on over to the CP viewing area since we have participated at the CP and get preferred seating. While we checked around the viewing areas around the lagoon, they were all packed so we had to rush all the way towards the viewing area to see the show. Luckily, when we got there there were quite a lot of spaces around teh area so we waited for Illuminations.

That will be on another post so stay tuned for the next post.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 6 – December 15, 2011 – Part 5​

When we got to the viewing area at Illuminations, we got a decent spot. It wasn't great since we were not in the back or front. But getting there very late at the last second is not that bad to watch the show. Here are some pics that I have taken during Illuminations.

After the show was over, we head on over to Mouse Gear Store to do some last minute shopping before we head on out of the park. We went to the stores right by the International Christmas tree when the people are leaving the park that night.

Then we head on over to Mouse Gear store.

We did spend a quite a time at the store to buy a lot of merchandise. When we were done, we head on out of the park and back to the cars. Before we head on back to the cars, I had to get some last minute pictures of EPCOT before we left.

I like to take close up pictures of Spaceship Earth and its panels

You can see the Christmas flakes on the monorail

We head on out of the park and saw more flakes on the monorail station

We got back to the cars and head on back to the Sheraton Resort. When we got back, we had to pack most of our stuff since we have to leave to the airport around 5am in the morning. I really didn't like to leave that early just like we did on last Friday, but my dad wanted to get back home so we had to pack up that Thursday night.

The day was really great, we got to do a lot of shopping at DTD and got to do a lot at EPCOT. I was so excited to eat at Le Cellier during that day. We got to eat at Bistro de Paris which is always nice to eat at and got to do the CP that day was also exciting. It as a great trip and the last day during the trip is always the saddest.

On Friday morning, we left the Sheraton Vistana Resort around 5am and on our way to Orlando International airport. We didn't go with our other group since they have a flight later in the afternoon. It was nice for them to sleep in while we had to catch the first flight out of Orlando. But it was also good so we can get home early and upload my pictures from my trip. We left Orlando around 6am and our first stop was Denver International Airport. We stayed there for a few hours and catch a flight back home to Sacramento. We got back home around 1pm Pacific time and that concludes my trip during the Holiday season at WDW.

This trip was way better then the 2010 trip because the weather was so perfect unlike the other time when it was freezing. Got to do all four park during my visit including IoA to see WWoHP. MVMCP was great and not that windy, got to do Le Cellier and Bistro de Paris which were amazing restaurants, and get a TiW card. I know that it will be good until January 2013 so I hope that I might be able to do another trip later on this year, but it is highly unlikely since the DLR is having a lot of new attractions to do this year with Cars Land and Buena Vista Street at DCA. It was really fun to spend the Holiday season at WDW with my dad, DB and my dad friend family. It has been awhile since I have been with a big group and it was worth it.

Now that this trip is over, I'm only just a few days away till my relaxation trip to DL this Friday. I have been looking forward to this trip for quite some time since my basketball season a few weeks ago. The main goal of this trip is just to have a fun and relaxation time after so much work these last few months. It will be nice to be at a Disney park and what better place to be at is at DL.

This concludes my WDW TR. Thank you everyone for following along.

 

[tksbaskets]

WOW! I go away for the weekend and come back to such great posts

The meal in Canada sounded (and looked) wonderful. What a great day you had at EPCOT. I've never seen the CP but the lunch/CP package seemed to be well worth the price. CP is always crowded. I too would love to see Neil Patrick Harris be the narrator.

Dinner at the little Bistro looked wonderful too. Another place to put on our 'to do' list.

GREAT firework pictures.

Bret, you did a great job keeping two wonderful trip reports going. Thanks for sharing!

TK