Girls Trip Take 2 - Labor Day Weekend 2021, Christmas 2021 and July 2024 Trips

[pkondz]

We don't have one in Louisiana yet. They are building one right inside Mississippi on 1-10 right not. We'll soon have to pick which one to go to when we drive to Disney.

Decisions, decisions

Gabriel loved Buc-ee but kept his distance from the Disney characters at first. Dominic did not want to get near Buc-ee but really well with the Disney characters.

Funny how that worked out.
Never can tell how kids will react.

 

[vamassey1]

Love all those AoA pics! My Mom and I are staying there just for 2 nights in a Little Mermaid room before our cruise in May, but I am SO excited to finally stay there. We're Pop people normally, but wanted to take the opportunity to finally check out those mermaid rooms. I'm ridiculously looking forward to the shower LOL!

We've always been Pop people too so we were excited to get to stay at AOA again. I've always wanted to try out the Little Mermaid rooms too. Can't wait to see your pictures.

The picture of JP with the balloons is so perfect!

Thanks! He really enjoyed doing it too.

 

[vamassey1]

Decisions, decisions

I just read a rumor that they may put one out side of Ocala on I-75. That would be a great location too.

Funny how that worked out.
Never can tell how kids will react.

They definitely keep surprising us.

 

[vamassey1]

Thursday, December 2, 2021-Celebrating Christmas in Epcot
Once upon a time, a very long time ago we went to Disney to visit Danielle and enjoy some Holiday fun in Disney. I finally started a trip report 3 years later and then got side tracked, but now I'm going to finish this.
When I left off we had just finished our very over-priced Candlelight Processional package meal at Coral Reef. It was still early so we had some time to catch some more of the Holiday Happenings before the CP.
We had a Boarding Pass for Remy and it was getting time to head to France to use it. You know this was a long time ago if Remy's was still doing boarding passes. We entered World Showcase and went right. As we passed through the UK I snapped this photo of the Christmas Tea Set. I just think it's so cute.

We kept going until we made it to France and entered the new area where Ratatouille is. It really is a beautiful addition to the park.





This was Dennis' first ride on Remy's. I had ridden it in September when we came for the Cast Previews. I was excited to get a chance to really look at everything this time around.

When I rode it the first time it didn't bother me at all, but this time I got off feeling a little dizzy. I've pretty much stayed away from riding since then. We tried it again in December 2023 since JP wanted to ride and I didn't get dizzy but it could be because we did most of the ride backwards not seeing the screens. That was a really different experience.
After Remy's I made a point of trying to find some more Olafs. We found Olaf in the maze in France.

He was on top of the L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen near Morocco.

We stopped here for the Black and White Cookie from the Cookie Stroll. It was pretty good and big enough to share.

It was starting to get dark as we made it back to the UK. I found the Oaf in the back near where Father Christmas told his story. It was almost time for his next presentation so we stayed to catch it. I really enjoyed it and would love to see it again some day.



Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

Father Christmas in all his glory.



We stopped for bit in Canada to listen to Christmas carols from The Holiday Voyageurs. They were upbeat and fun. Dennis has always enjoyed the music groups in Canada going back to Off Kilter, man I really miss them.



It was getting close to time to line up for our 7:00 CP so we sent Danielle and N to grab a spot in line. We all had stickers we had to wear to get in the special package line. I went onto Japan so I could find another Olaf. It's much harder to find him once it gets dark.




After finding Olaf in Japan we rushed to meet back up with Danielle and N. The line was moving and we were soon entering the theater and finding seats. We sat on the right side of the stage not too far back.

I was so excited for this. I have always wanted to do this but when you only come every 2 years or so it's hard to carve out time for this when there is so much to see and do. It's also hard to do with little kids. The only other time we had been in DW during a time when there was a CP was in 2019 and we had JP with us. He was only 2 and there was no way he was going to sit for this. Now that we go more often and have adult trips it has made it so much easier to enjoy special shows like this.

When the first notes were played, I had chills.


When the choirs came in it was so moving.



Voices of Liberty are in the red robes and the CM choir is in the gold robes.


Our narrator was the fabulous Jodi Benson. She had such joy as she told the Christmas story. We were truly blessed to have her as our narrator.



I can not tell you how much our family enjoyed this performance and now want to do it over and over. It wasn't as much of a hit with N, he fell asleep. We loved the music, the hymns and the whole magical presentation of the birth of Christ. This will truly bring the spirit of Christmas to your soul.

After the CP, we joined the crowds dispersing. We hit the bathrooms in American Adventure before heading back out. I was able to grab a photo of the tree and find Olaf under the tree.





We continued going around World Showcase so I could finish looking for Olaf. I found him in Italy, He seems to like hanging around the food.


He was playing with the toys in Germany.


Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

We found the last Olaf in Mexico. I feel like he has been in the area before or maybe we saw him here in 2022 or 2023.



The hunt for Olafs had ended and it was getting late. We all felt a little hungry but only wanted a little something.

We decided on trying some items at Las Posadas Holiday kitchen. Dennis got the Tamal de Barbacoa: shredded Barbacoa Beef in a corn masa topped with Ranchera Salsa, queso cotija and crema Mexicana.


I got the Giant Tostada de Chorizo: Chorizo served on a Giant Tostada with chipotle black bean puree, salsa Verde, queso cotija, crema Mexicana and pickled onions.




I'm pretty sure we got some drinks too. We took all of this back to the Odyssey so we could sit and eat. Danielle ended up getting a Pepperoni flatbread inside the Odyssey. I do not have a photo of that. N knew some of the CPs working there so he was gifted a donut.


I didn't try what Dennis had so I don't know how good it was. I loved what I had and would get it again. This was just the right amount of snack to feed us.

Before heading towards the front of the park I stopped for more photos of the 50th statues. I got Figment, Miguel and Dante, Rocket and Groot and last but not least, Olaf with Bruni.










We stopped for some photo pass pictures as we made our way to the front of the park.





We said our goodbyes to Danielle as we made our way out of the park. She and N went to the right to the parking lot and we went left to catch a bus. We planned on leaving early the next morning to start the drive home and she had work the next day.

We really enjoyed spending some Christmas time with her. It's always hard to leave her because we usually don't know when we will see her again. It hard to believe she has now been working in Disney for over 3 years. At least right now I know I'll see her in less than 3 weeks since she's coming home for Thanksgiving.

I can now say that I have finished this trip report.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love the CP, it is truly magical and heart warming!
The Olaf statues throughout are really fun to see! I was also there in 2021 with Andi! We spent some time with a few Disers who aren’t on the boards anymore. I miss them, Karamie and Leslie!
I’m getting excited for my upcoming Christmas trip!

 

[missjackiemcg]

The Candlelight Processional is one of our favorites, too! My favorite narrator we've ever had was John Stamos. It was so incredible!! My friend, Zach, is part of the CM choir for the last few years, so I love being able to see him perform, too.

I just booked Christmas at WDW 2025 for our family, and I am SO excited! We were last there for Christmas in 2021, so I I definitely want to see CP again while we're there.

 

[vamassey1]

I love the CP, it is truly magical and heart warming!

It really is! We had plans to do in in 2022 too but had to cancel that day so we could go to Atlanta for The SEC Championship. We made up for it by going in 2023.

The Olaf statues throughout are really fun to see! I was also there in 2021 with Andi! We spent some time with a few Disers who aren’t on the boards anymore. I miss them, Karamie and Leslie!

We have had so many Disers who have left the boards. It helps that most are on Facebook.

I’m getting excited for my upcoming Christmas trip!

I bet you are! I'm excited for you and Jelly.

 

[vamassey1]

The Candlelight Processional is one of our favorites, too! My favorite narrator we've ever had was John Stamos.

I would love to see him too.

It was so incredible!! My friend, Zach, is part of the CM choir for the last few years, so I love being able to see him perform, too.

That really is special. One of Danielle's roommates preformed in the CP choir in 2022. They all made a point to go see her together.

I just booked Christmas at WDW 2025 for our family, and I am SO excited! We were last there for Christmas in 2021, so I I definitely want to see CP again while we're there.

I'm excited for you. What are your dates? I'm hoping to make it back there for Christmas time next year if Danielle is still there.

 

[pkondz]

now I'm going to finish this.

You can do it!

(And you did)

You know this was a long time ago if Remy's was still doing boarding passes.

Then it’s been a long time since I’ve been. I didn’t know that was over.

As we passed through the UK I snapped this photo of the Christmas Tea Set. I just think it's so cute.

When I rode it the first time it didn't bother me at all, but this time I got off feeling a little dizzy. I've pretty much stayed away from riding since then.

Sorry to hear that.

we did most of the ride backwards not seeing the screens.

You did? Is that normal??

We stopped here for the Black and White Cookie from the Cookie Stroll. It was pretty good and big enough to share.

That looks good

Father Christmas told his story.

Would like to hear that some day.

We stopped for bit in Canada to listen to Christmas carols from The Holiday Voyageurs.

That sounds fun.

was so excited for this. I have always wanted to do this

Me too!!

When the first notes were played, I had chills.

Oooohhhh… goosebumps.

When the choirs came in it was so moving.

Our narrator was the fabulous Jodi Benson. She had such joy as she told the Christmas story. We were truly blessed to have her as our narrator.

Wow!

We said our goodbyes to Danielle as we made our way out of the park. She and N went to the right to the parking lot and we went left to catch a bus. We planned on leaving early the next morning to start the drive home and she had work the next day.

<sigh>
Goodbyes…

We stopped for some photo pass pictures as we made our way to the front of the park.

Nice pics.

I can now say that I have finished this trip report.

You did it!!

And thanks free sharing.

 

[vamassey1]

You can do it!

(And you did)

I'm pretty proud of myself.

Then it’s been a long time since I’ve been. I didn’t know that was over.

I think it ended when the virtual queue for Guardians started.

You did? Is that normal??

Not at ll. It was a malfunction. The CM offered to let us ride and again but we had to be at our dinner and we didn't wanted to try and ride back to back. If we had been offered a LL to ride later maybe, but that didn't happen.

That looks good

It was!

Would like to hear that some day.

So far I've enjoyed Father Christmas, Pere Noel and the Barn Santa the most.

Me too!!

Do it!

Nice pics.

Thank you!

You did it!!

And thanks free sharing.

Thank you for joining in!

 

[missjackiemcg]

I'm excited for you. What are your dates? I'm hoping to make it back there for Christmas time next year if Danielle is still there.

We might have to adjust if our school calendars come out and we need to be in school longer than I'm anticipating BUT we hope to be there 12/21/25 to 1/1/26. We'll be at Pop for this one!

 

[pkondz]

I think it ended when the virtual queue for Guardians started.

D’oh. Of course.

Not at ll. It was a malfunction. The CM offered to let us ride and again but we had to be at our dinner and we didn't wanted to try and ride back to back. If we had been offered a LL to ride later maybe, but that didn't happen.

Too bad. Probably a good call not to ride it immediately afterward anyway. Increased chance of feeling sick I’d think.

So far I've enjoyed Father Christmas, Pere Noel and the Barn Santa the most.

Where is Barn Santa?

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Thanks for sharing your trips with us. Love all the festive photos. It’s making me feel Christmassy this morning.
Maybe one day I will get to visit at Christmastime

 

[vamassey1]

We might have to adjust if our school calendars come out and we need to be in school longer than I'm anticipating BUT we hope to be there 12/21/25 to 1/1/26. We'll be at Pop for this one!

How exciting to be there for Christmas!

 

[vamassey1]

Too bad. Probably a good call not to ride it immediately afterward anyway. Increased chance of feeling sick I’d think.

I was not willing to risk it right before going to eat.

Where is Barn Santa?

Norway. This was so cute.

 

[vamassey1]

Thanks for sharing your trips with us. Love all the festive photos. It’s making me feel Christmassy this morning.
Maybe one day I will get to visit at Christmastime

Thank you for sticking with us.

It has helped me get into the Christmas mood too.

You're due another trip.

 

[pkondz]

I was not willing to risk it right before going to eat.

Definitely

Norway. This was so cute.

Ah!

 

[amazingact21]

Got back to the DIS just in time to be here for the end of your Christmas report! It was fun seeing all the spots Olaf was hanging out. Your photos are the only way I would see him, because I'm terrible at spotting stuff like that.
I'm so happy you were able to experience the CP! It's such an incredible show and one of the highlights of the holidays at WDW.