Ho! Ho! Ho! Away we go - A Disney Christmas - 2/15 Dec TR final thoughts and FEB TR!

[Happydog]

Somehow....I became unsubscribed to this. It happened to like FIVE of the PTR/TRs I was reading while I was at Disney. Pffft! Please forgive me, but I'm finally caught up!

I think Christmas at Disney just sounds so magical.

My favorite from the parade are the reindeer, I just love them.

I can't remember what else I was going to say except that I really want to try Flying Fish!

Oh I am so glad you found me again!!! Well let me say I am loving your report!!! Well I hope you have enjoyed reading, it was magical to say the least!!!! FFish was very good!!!! I know you like seafood so you would appreciate it!

Wow. Iam totally loving your report so far. I can't wait to read more. I loved the Osbourne lights when we went at Thanksgiving. I think they would be a perfect finale to Christmas Day.

It was! I am glad we got them in a couple time!!!! They really are pretty. Thanks for reading along!!!

You got great pictures of the Christmas parade. I didn't get any because it was sprinkling the night we saw it. It looks totally different during the daytime.

I had planned to get back to Osborne Lights Christmas night too... we started out at DHS, but didn't make it back.

Stephanie

Well the plans never go exactly to order!!! YES I know that rain prevented me from using my camera some too! Ah well, I still have it in my mind

Those desserts you described sound soooo good! I LOVE Christmas flavors! Great pics of the lights. I wish I would have paid more attention to the details. I was so overwhelmed with the whole picture and the music and the snow! Sounds like you guys had a really good Christmas day!

Oh they were! Especially the peppermint cheesecake with chocolate crumb crust They were fun to see, easy to just walk around and gawk!!!!

 

[Happydog]

What a great idea to go to Osbourne lights to cap off Christmas Day! Your pictures were fabulous and so uncrowded! So much detail! I'll bet you all were so tired after going for so many hours!

I'll bet that afternoon relaxing after your AK morning was just what you needed and probably made your evening at Fort Wilderness that much better.
Can't wait for that update!

Yes, it really was what the Dr. ordered!!!! the lights made a nice end to the evening, and the nap after the AK was a good thing to keep us alert that evening!!

I like the blue bridge too; in fact am not sure I have ever seen it. Truth be told, I am not sure I am sold on AK period- let alone summer vs. winter. But perhaps I have not given it its due.

Flights of wonder. Most definitely not something I'll be seeing. Did I read it has been canceled or am I imagining it (e.g. wishful thinking)??

I say hurrah for recognizing you're tired and need to relax. I've seen families who didn't recognize the signs and plugged away... it always ends badly.

Your last lone Christmas cookie looks so sad.

I'm really looking forward to hearing about the Hoop De Doo and the sleigh ride!!

Well it isn't a bridge, actually, I just called it that, it kinda looks like one! I think this is the eating area off of Flame Tree, but I might be wrong. It just caught my eye with the blue!!! The show was really neat! I am glad we went, it was closed in the fall, so we missed it, but I am glad we were able to see it this time. I know that poor cookie


AK for us is totally fun in the summer, mostly because of Kali... we could ride that every hour!!!! And I think I like going in the afternoon, and in the summer the days are longer. Not enough to keep us going all day -- Only DS7 can do Everest right now.... We will go to see all the shows again this summer and to ride Kali, but after that, not much..... It is a pretty place, and there are things to explore, like the exhibits etc., so it is worth it, but not as an all day park for us... Ice Cream sandwiches and the pretzels and the Dawa bar, these do keep us coming back....

How thrilled your son must have been to be picked at the flights of wonder show.

Looking forward to hearing about the sleigh ride.

YES! He was. It was neat to see him up there. The sleigh ride was so cool!!!

What a great memory for your son! (And for you.)

I never noticed those Hidden Mickey's at FOW... thanks! I'll look for them next time.

Oh, the Hoop-Dee-Doo.... I just love it! Can't wait to read about that!


Kathy

Oh we loved it! The show was soooo funny! Food was okay, but I wasn't expecting anything great, so it was all fine. Really enjoyed the songs and dancing! The HMickeys were just sort of staring at me... I think they are, anyhow, don't you??!!

 

[Happydog]

We were starting to tire out by this point in our trip too, so I get where you're coming from!

We've never done Hoop Dee Doo, so I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys thought of it

Oh the guys really liked the show!! We all did! The food is just okay, not bad, nothing memorable, though. Which was fine, but just so you know. We were tired from the day before, no question. We got our energy back the next day... but yes, it had been a full vacation!

How cool that your son got to participate in the Flights of Wonder Show!!! I bet he LOVED that!!!

Can't wait to hear about HDDR and the sleigh ride!!

He was thrilled!!!

You have me thinking about the Flights of Wonder show. Then again, it is normally down during September from what I read. I will just file it away in the back of my mind for something to consider.

It was not running when we went that final week in September, so yes that is true (or makes sense now!) and I am glad we went, it was really fun to see! maybe you will get a chance t see it!

This must be a fun memory for him. He looks like he's very much enjoying himself.

We enjoy Flights of Wonder and everything else in Animal Kingdom. I guess it just comes down to different interests, but we love that park.

Sometimes just going to the room for some hanging out time is the best thing you can do for everyone. Disney naps are good ones.

We've never done Hoop-De-Doo, so I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures. We're thinking we'll do it in the summer of 2011, when the girls are a bit older.

Oh we love the AK too! Just when it is warmer! And yes, that nap was well timed!!! HDDR was fun, and we really enjoyed it. I liked some of the meal, but overall I don't think it was anything to write home about. BUT the experience was great fun!

I have to agree with Christine, I am just not a huge fan of AK period. I don't know, I enjoy it while I'm there but it's never a must do for me every trip.

I get really freaked out by birds so I'm glad to see your pictures and not have to see the actual show.

HA! Well enjoy the photos then!!!! BUT it is cool to see! And it is funny! Yet birds do fly overhead a lot, so no it might not be for you!!!!!

I think the AK has a lot to offer but it isn't a park I want to spend a whole day in... I like my 1/2 day visits!

Great update again! I can't believe we are already at your last full day!!! It went quick!

Yes, this was the last full day, but I really felt I had a special week!

 

[Happydog]

I'm learning more and more each trip to enjoy what AK has to offer!! It has some great details that are just nice to walk and really enjoy!! Have to love the Mickeys in the brick...that is too cool!

Flights of Wonder something I have never seen, but it looks quite fascinating!! Glad DS7 got to participate!

Poor lonely cookie...although it does look quite yummy LOL!!!!

Yes it was the last lonely cookie!!! It was funny, I just had to take a picture!!! AK is a fun park to wander through, and I certainly love the atmosphere! Great to take photos! It was a neat show, and interesting! Great humor along the way, too

I really love your AK photos! That Bald Eagle was HUGE!!!!! I like the AK tree, too.

There were great details and decorations at the AK!!!

What a great finish to your Christmas day!! Your meal at Flying Fish seemed great! We ate there last summer and LOVED it! You can't beat staying so close to where you are going to eat!!

YES I agree! Location was fabulous, and the FF was very very tasty!

Awesome updates!! Going back one to DHS...love all of your Osborne pictures! Especially the bikes and the dogs! So cute!
Dinner at FF sounds delish...I only ate there once but it was yummy...I have never seen scallops so big!
Awww one last little lonely cookie. He looks so sad!
I might check out Flights of Wonder in May....trying to do things I have never done before
Yay for your Mickey Mail and your documents for the cruise!
Can't wait for your Samantha Brown sleigh ride!

Tracy

Oh it wasn't exactly Samantha Brown but I did take photos!!! Yes that last little cookie, was quickly eaten up! I would totally try new things, and this show was really neat! FFish was a great pick for us!

Sniff. Sniff. I am so sad you are out of Christmas cookies AND on your last full day at Disney!

How cool for DS7 that he got to throw the grape for the bird!!! (I would have been afraid Connor's aim would be off, too. )

The day after Christmas is always a lazy day for us even at home, so I am not surprised you were dragging a bit at Disney. Lunch and a nap sounds like the perfect way to rejuvenate so you were ready for your sleigh ride!

Oh I know it was sad... OH well the Magic cant last forever, even the day after Christmas... Yes I was worried that grape was going in someone's eye, too, so at least they all had a warning!!!!

Lunch and a nap did do us all good

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow! That's the first time I ever saw pictures of the FW Sleigh Ride! That looked like so much fun... I am definitely booking one for our December, 2011 trip!

HDDR is just plain, old, wacky fun!

You had energy enough for the MK after all you did that day?? Whew!


Kathy

 

[pmama]

We saw the mini castle light show too. Wasn't it impressive? In fact I changed around the evening we planned to go to Ft. Wilderness because I saw on the boards that he would not be set up yet. We opted to rent a golf cart so that we could see what we wanted and explore more. However, if I could do it again I would do the sleigh ride. We were not real familiar with where we were, it was dark, and we probably would have enjoyed being pulled in a sleigh with Christmas music more.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow! I can't get over the decorations at all the camps! They really go all out!! Sleigh ride definitely going on my to-do list! How cool!!

I haven't been to the Hoop de Doo since I was probably your boys' age. I remember having a great time and laughing a lot too. Your boys (all 3 of them!) have big 'ol smiles on their faces-- looks like it was a great night!

 

[Happydog]

A sleigh ride at Ft. Wilderness is on my list for sure whenever I get to Disney in December! Simply amazing!

I love the pictures of you all in the sleigh, so cute.

Thanks! It really is hard to put words too! My DH couldnt get his head around it -- he was speechless by the level of attention some of these sites had!!!!

Great update! The sleigh ride looks amazing - The campers really go all out! Can't wait to hear about your solo adventure!

They really do! IT was a great evening activity!!!!

Oh my... that sleighride sounds fantastic. For sure something I hope we experience someday!

Oh yes, if you go at Christmas you must! It really made the trip!

Fear of the food at HDDR is what has kept me from booking it in the past - I'm sure the show is entertaining, but I'm not sure it would be enough for us to get past the meal!

I loved looking at your pics from the sleigh ride! We took one too, but it was at dusk, not dark yet so a lot of the lights weren't turned on. And we totally missed the castle set up, the guy was getting it ready when we went by - it sounds so cool!

You have to go with it, I guess. The food wasn't awful, it was just so-so... I have had better BBQ, etc. at WDW, right across the water at Wilderness! So I somehow thought it would be the same... the chicken was tasty, as was the salad and bread, but the sides and the dessert not so much. Though the drinks and tip included made it nice...

His set up was really neat! LOVED the lights!

Great update! What a wonderful last full day at Disney!

Looks like you had many of the same actors as we did last June in HDDR. We loved that show and for the most part, actually liked the food. We thought the fried chicken was good, potatoes, salad and bread pretty good too. They brought mac-n-cheese for my picky girl child. Only thing we didn't like was the ribs. I don't like them for the most part and DH thought these were just plain icky. But, we got a refill bucket of chicken and she brought us all breasts and legs like we asked. Did you try the sangria?? I loved that it was included!

Oh you know it was a great last day, and I am very glad we did the HDDR! I wasn't disappointed with the food really, just I guess after being at the WCC I was thinking the BBQ would be more like that -- I agree that chicken was good, and we did have sangria! I too am glad tip and drinks were included so that made it more worthwhile for sure!

Next year, the sleigh ride for sure! Not missing it!
It's snowing like crazy here tonight, I don't dare hope....

OH I have been really behind, had a cold this week, and a lot going on at work, so I imagine you had a snow day??!!! Gotta go check! YES you go on that sleigh ride WigD -- you guys will LOVE it!

I am so glad you guys did the sleigh ride!!! Great pix!

Thanks! We really enjoyed ourselves!!!

Sorry that the food at HDDR was less than desirable--that's a shame. Glad that you enjoyed the show, though!

Oh wow! The sleigh ride looks like fun!! We're staying at the WL on our Nov/Dec trip and we cannot wait! I need to put the sleigh ride on our list!! How much do they charge?

OH yes the show was wonderfully funny, and that made it worth while -- re WL WHAT fun! The best time to be there then!!! Great -- yes, get that on your list! IT is so fun!!!

 

[Happydog]

Oh I love the sleigh ride pictures! I have heard about how the Fort goes all out and would just love to see it.

Blurry and all they are fun to see and you guys are adorable in the sleigh.

For me, the sheer fun the kids had at HDDR outweighed the food. I didn't think it was bad mind you, it was...fine. Nothing spectacular but nothing bad either. But to me the 4 kids enjoyed the show so much that it was worth the 2 credits.

The kids liked the food quite a bit but I would agree, it was...adequate. I will say it met my expectations so I was ok with it, I wasn't expecting it to be fabulous and so I wasn't disappointed at all.

I am glad you enjoyed the show!

Oh they really go all out... good grief!!! I was amazed! Speechless, really! And sitting in the sled listening to Disney Christmas music made it perfect!!! Totally agree -- the guys really enjoyed the show, and this gal too! AND right, it was fine! I just really liked WCC BBQ, so maybe that is what I was hoping for! Anyhow that is being rectified this summer!

I love the sleigh ride photos. I want one of those Cinderella Castle miniatures, too!

Thanks! It was really cute! I can't believe he took the time to orchestrate all that with the lights flashing colors changing, etc. Really really neat!

The Christmas decorations were amazing! I think it's so great that people share their love of Disney and Christmas with all of us at FW.

It is fun, my DH wants to stay there next time we go, if you can believe it... I ALMOST thought I would agree, but not at the sacrifice of a resort near a park! It is very festive -- MAYBE a cabin for a few nights

Love the pic of the LAST Christmas cookie

It's so special when our kids get to participate like that. Your son looks like he had a great time.

The picture of the blue bridge - I'm not sure it's a bridge. It looks like the place we sat to eat. Beautiful view of Everest!

Can't wait to hear about HDD and the sleigh ride!
I really wish we had booked one!

Oh yes! He was very pleased with himself!!! NO it isn't a bridge, you are right, it just reminds me of one I call it that It is the covered table area... I love the color

If you go to Disney for Christmas again, I HIGHLY recommend the sleigh. Worth the $ for the experience for sure!

We walked around the campers at Fort Wilderness on our Christmas trip. Some of those guys really do it big. At home, that would be deemed 'gaudy', but it is fun and it works there. It's just fun to do it for the kids... and for big kids who like to see people in the holiday spirit, too. We talked to one lady there, and she said they stay down there about 7 months of the year!

Oh it isn't gaudy at Disney! I agree! FUN! I love festive lights and the silly staging that some campers had... if not at Disney where else could you??!! They had fun, you could totally tell!!!! I tell DH, that is where I am going to work when I retire!!! I would LOVE it....

 

[Happydog]

Wow! That's the first time I ever saw pictures of the FW Sleigh Ride! That looked like so much fun... I am definitely booking one for our December, 2011 trip!

HDDR is just plain, old, wacky fun!

You had energy enough for the MK after all you did that day?? Whew!


Kathy

I ALWAYS have energy to get that last bit in before I have to go!! I had to see that castle (not the mini one!! ) one last time!!!!

We had a delightful evening and were back at the BCV before 9pm. We put the boys to bed and DH watched a movie and I went to the MK!!!!

We saw the mini castle light show too. Wasn't it impressive? In fact I changed around the evening we planned to go to Ft. Wilderness because I saw on the boards that he would not be set up yet. We opted to rent a golf cart so that we could see what we wanted and explore more. However, if I could do it again I would do the sleigh ride. We were not real familiar with where we were, it was dark, and we probably would have enjoyed being pulled in a sleigh with Christmas music more.

It was amazing, I agree!!! A golf cart would have been fun! Even those carts were decorated... I thought that was fun too!!!! The sleigh ride really made a nice way to enjoy the lights and the magic around the fort without worrying about getting lost!!!

Wow! I can't get over the decorations at all the camps! They really go all out!! Sleigh ride definitely going on my to-do list! How cool!!

I haven't been to the Hoop de Doo since I was probably your boys' age. I remember having a great time and laughing a lot too. Your boys (all 3 of them!) have big 'ol smiles on their faces-- looks like it was a great night!

Oh it was CRAZY yes! And yes all three of them totally enjoyed it, and I did too! the Sleigh Ride was a great experience. I just enjoyed sitting back and listening to the horse clip on the pavement and the Disney christmas carols

It was one of the best things we did that week. And a perfect last night event.... THAT and my peppermint ICECREAM... but that is in the next post!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Hi all! Well I have been buried with school stuff this week, and have had a head cold as well, so my DIS time was seriously curtailed this week! I was in bed by 8:30 most nights!!! I tried to get in a few updates because I want to finish this TR this weekend! I am neglecting all my reading, so I am going to catch up on that today, while I watch the snow FALLLLLLLLLLL from our windows!!!! I am sure those of you in the midwest and south already got it and are getting it! SO I am curious if any of you were home celebrating yesterday!!! I will catch up on reading and then get my final posts on my TR rolling this evening....

Hope to see you back for the end of the Happy Dog CHRISTMAS TRIP!

Ho! HO! Ho!

 

[dddisrunner]

WOW, that sleigh ride looked AMAZING!!! I hope we get to experience that someday! Sorry the food was only OK at HDDR but I am glad you enjoyed the show!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[shannn]

I'm sitting here, still wearing my pajamas, watching the snow fall, and catching up on my TRs!!! What a great long weekend this has been.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hope you feel better soon! Holy cow-- 24 days til your cruise!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hope to see you back for the end of the Happy Dog CHRISTMAS TRIP!

I'll be here!

Feel better soon!


Kathy

 

[Happydog]

So after we got back to the resort and got the guys in bed, I went down to take my first Disney bus this trip! I had great luck, just as I walked to the stop a bus was waiting for the MK, and I got on it and seconds later it took off for the MK! I was there in a short ride, and arrived just as things were gearing up for Wishes! I took a little time to snap some photos of Candy Cane Garden -- the Christmas count down had already started there, and I was sorry I didn't get a photo on Christmas day when it said "0"!!!! I enjoyed milling around waiting for the fire works... It was wonderful and I am so glad that I was able to see this park one last time, and really I just stood there snapped a few photos, and smiled! I was so happy to see those fireworks and the lights up Main Street.

So after the show, as many many people were leaving the park, I walked over the the Main Street Ice Cream shop… I had a date with a scoop of Peppermint ice cream.. a double scoop if I am completely honest!!! Hey, it’s only one snack credit! They had a Hot Chocolate Float, which I thought was odd, but it was in a holiday mug, and was essentially Hot Chocolate with a scoop of ice cream. It did sound good, but I was excited for my mega scoop! So with my ice cream I slowly made my way to Tomorrowland – I actually had a mission and a few errands to complete! Earlier we had bought our boys the Buzz light year target lasers…. Well one wasn’t working quite right, so I figured I would see if they would exchange it. SO I took it to the shopping area near the store, and with the laser and the receipt they accepted it back and gave me another one. I kept walking, around towards Fantasy Land. Enjoying the stroll, my ice cream, and the people… I paused at the Carousel (which I love) for some photos… and then I continued through into Adventure Land and Liberty Square. The Carousel at night is one of my favorite sights at WDW...

I also was able to go inside a few shops, namely the Ye Old Christmas Shoppe! (isn't that what they call it??!!) and look at ornaments… I could kick myself for not buying one of the ornaments that night. I had been looking at some that were personalized with the year painted on them (they had them already finished for a few extra dollars) and I looked at them for a while, but I just didn’t grab one! There was a really cute one of Tink on a peppermint, and I really wish I had. I will have to make this a priority this summer. Anyhow, I had never been to these shops so I just enjoyed the walk around and continued over to Adventure land. We had another defective toy concern that I had hoped to fix! We bought these wood and metal revolvers for the boys when they did the Pirate’s League. They were nice, not the cheap ones, and a screw had worked its way loose on one; we had the piece, just not the screw. DH thought we could find a replacement screw at Home Depot or something, but then I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask the POTC shop CMs… so I took it with me too, and when I got there I explained that the screw had come out (we did only have these toys for a day or two at best anyhow) and he immediately gave me a new one. So I was two for two, replacement toys in hand, I happily continued on my way. I noticed a cute Pirate’s hoodie, but again I resisted buying more stuff… so I made it over the bridge and back to the hub in front of the castle, and I finally realized what we were waiting for: Spectro! Well I love this parade of course, but I also took the time to just gaze at the castle which kept changing colors…

Spectro came along, and as it moved off over the bridge, I returned towards Main Street. I enjoyed the window shopping I could do, and made my way over to the photopass studio, so I could get some images transferred to my Photopass card.

After a few more glimpses of the Christmas lights I called it a night, and left the park for the busses.

With this last one I hope you can see that the display in front of the MK is supposed to look like a big RED mickey head ornament! TOO cute. Again I was pleased to grab a bus with little wait, and a short return. I made it back over to the villa with little trouble, put the toys back under the tree, and finished packing some clean clothes into the suitcases. I did a bit more preliminary packing, and then DH and I headed to sleep. It had certainly been a full Disney day for us!

NEXT up, with our car packed we meet a few friends at Epcot!

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a lovely night, just hanging out by yourself and enjoying one final stroll through the MK!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Just absolutely beautiful. What a great idea to get some solo time in MK at night. You have some wonderful photos.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

While it is nice to share WDW with the kids I'm sure it was lovely to have some alone time at the magic kingdom too. I love having time to browse through the shops.

We loved HDDR but then it we did it the first evening of our first family trip. We were tired, hot (it was August) and extremely thirsty. Since it was our first meal at WDW we had nothing to compare it too and thought it just fine. Not great but fine. We all thought the show was a riot. That being said I am not in a big hurry to go back again.