I'm Gonna Be A Princess This Time! ~Our Little-Before-Christmas Vacation! Updated!

[Caribbeanprincess]

Day 4 - Dec. 15th 2008

So after a completely tiring day at MK, we were ready for a slower day at Animal Kingdom and since the park closed at 5pm that day it was perfect. We had breakfast at Spoodle's for the first time that day. I was a bit worried because I'd heard not so flattering thing about Spoodles, but I thought the breakfast was delicious and we visited on various other ocassions. We got to the park a bit late because the bus took forever to get there, but once we were in we heade directly over to the tree of life and A Bug's Life like we usually do.

^ Because I'm a HUGE Twilight fan, that poster captured my attention immediately. If you know about Twilight, you know why.

Then we headed over to Dinoland USA to get on my favorite ride ever...DINOSAUR! I only got to ride once this time, but I would've loved to get on again. I was extremely excited to get on Expedition Everest, it's something I had always wanted to do but hadn't worked up the courage to. So we walked there, I got in the single rider line and...BAM! The ride breaks down. It just stopped and the CMs had no idea how long it would take before it was working again. People were stuck all over. After 15 minute of nothing I gave up and decided to go do other rides instead.
So we walked around some trails for a bit and then headed to the Tree Flame BBQ for these famous ribs we've been hearing about. They were good, but they weren't amazing like the ones at T-Rex. Mom didn't like them at all though.
After lunch we headed down to Africa to get Fast Passes for the Safari, since Stand-By was 45 minutes! We had to return at 2:15pm, so while we waited we headed down to Camp Minnie Mickey for some character hunting. We get there and the first person I see is...Pocahontas! I've never seen her out before, so I rush over to the line and get a pic!

Then we head over to the character with the less line, which were Donald:

And then to Santa Goofy!

Minnie and Mickey of course have the longest lines, so I decide to skip them since I got picks with them last year. Just as we're leaving Camp Minnie Mickey we see these guys!

I love Brother Bear! So I freak and get pics with them too.

We then head back to the Safari's for our fast pass. We get out just in time for the Jingle Jungle Parade, so we find a spot and sit down. Where I snag this lovely pic...

After the parade we decide if we want to see Festival of the Lion King or Finding Nemo. We decide we've seen Lion King twice and Nemo only once, so we head to the 4:45pm showing of Nemo and get seats next to the stage! I love that show, so it was amazing as always.
After the show we head out of the park, catch our bus and get back to the Boardlwalk for some sight seeing.

^Next to the famous sign!

That night we had dinner at the Big River restaurant on the Boardwalk, it was very good! I'd love to go there again. Then we headed back to our room for some much deserved rest!

More to come...

 

[letthewookiewin]

Yet another great review!! I can't wait to read more about the rest of your trip. Also, (and it's probably a strange question) are those low top Converse you are wearing in the pics? I love Cons, and they are the only shoes that I wear to WDW. However mine are green, not black.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Yet another great review!! I can't wait to read more about the rest of your trip. Also, (and it's probably a strange question) are those low top Converse you are wearing in the pics? I love Cons, and they are the only shoes that I wear to WDW. However mine are green, not black.

They are! I just got them before the trip, they're actually sequenced and they sparkle!

 

[TarzansKat]

I know this is a weird thing to comment on, but I can't get over how pretty Pocahontas is! WOW!

As usual, a great update, and I am lovin' the pictures!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I'll keep going 'cause I'm bored! lol!

Day 5 - Dec. 16th 2008

So, this was suppossed to be our day off. We got up late, had some breakfast and decided to head over to DTD for some shopping and lunch at Bongo's. But, then we found out we could add days to our MYW ticket for only $3!!! So of course, we did! Mom really wanted to see the lights at HS and so did I, so we decided to spend some time at DTD and then head down to HS.

Before heading down to DTD, we took some pics at the Boardwalk.

Then we went to the Sunset Breeze Point, another possible location for my Disney Wedding! I fell so in love with it...

We got to DTD and my Twilight fangirl once again took a hold of me!

We walked around for a bit and got our souvenir from Planet Hollywood.

Then headed to the shops and Virgin Megastore! Where my Twilight fangirl side once again came up!!!

By then it was already 12pm, so we headed back to Bongo's for some yummy lunch that reminded us of home!

We headed to the other side of DTD for some more shopping...

And at around 2pm we decided it was time to head to Hollywood Studios, so we hopped on our bus and got us at our first stop at the Swan & Dolphin to catch the boat to the studios!

More to come...

 

[letthewookiewin]

I was going back looking at your pics when my DH looked over. He thinks that you are way prettier than the princesses.
Something about the look on Cindy's face makes me think that she's thinking "I know everyone thinks that she is prettier than I am. In fact I am only letting her get close enough to take this picture so that I can kidnap her and lock her in a closet in the dungeon of the castle."

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I was going back looking at your pics when my DH looked over. He thinks that you are way prettier than the princesses.
Something about the look on Cindy's face makes me think that she's thinking "I know everyone thinks that she is prettier than I am. In fact I am only letting her get close enough to take this picture so that I can kidnap her and lock her in a closet in the dungeon of the castle."

Hahaha! I wouldn't mind if she kept me in a dungeon in the castle, at leas I'd be there.

And thanks so much!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Day 5 Cont.

Ok, so we got to Hollywood Studios at around 2:45 pm, the parade was about to start and since we didn't see it on our first HS day we decided to sit down right there on the sidewalk and watch. I LOVE Block Party Bash, it was so much fun and awesome, I even got to dance! It's one parade I'd love to see a few times.

Since we had a bit of time before sunset, we headed over to Great Movie Ride and rode that again and then headed out to Journey Into Narnia, since we hadn't seen the Prince Caspian version. Unfortunately we couldn't meet Prince Caspian because the line was too long. We decided to head the other way so I could ride Star Wars one more time befor catching a 4:45pm showing of Indiana Jones.

^ Yup, I almost bought it...


The sun was setting so we headed over to the Streets of America to catch the Osborne Lights. We got there just in time as they were just about to turn them on! I was so excited, I ADORE the lights. They're my favorite thing about WDW during Christmas time. I could stay there and watch the lights for hours. Then it was time to pull out the camera and take as many pics as possible...

After being there for about half an hour we headed to the place next to Star Tours for some dinner. It's was around 7:15pm and we hadn't seen Fantasmic since 2005, we kinda missed it. There was only one showing at 8pm and we were pretty late, so we quickly headed over there for the show. On the way, I took these:

We got to Fantasmic at about 7:30pm, the place was packed, but luckly we got some great seats. We got there just in time too, a few minutes later they closed the theater. The show was great as always.

When we headed out the park was already closed, so there was a pretty big line for the boat back to the Boardwalk. Luckly though, we got the best host! He did Disney trivia and I nailed almost every one!

We were pretty tired by the time we got back to our resort, so I got a Funnel Cake down at the Boardwalk, picked up some deliveries and headed to our room to crash.

Next, MK day 2!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Day 6 - Dec. 17th 2008

So this was our second day at Magic Kingdom. I was very excited because I wanted to ride a lot things and we wanted to do quite a few things. We had breakfast at Spoodles again and then headed out to catch the bus. We got to MK at around 10:00am. I wanted to get DBF one of those carved rings from next to Pirates, so we headed there. We managed to catch the end of the pirate show and while we waited for the ring to get carved we got on Pirates since the wait was only 5 minutes.

After that we headed to Frontier Land where I was on a mission to ride Splash Mountain. I've been to WDW five times and I've never gotten on SM. I was going to do it last year, but the ride was closed while we were there. So the stand-by was only 20 minutes and in I went. I must say, this is my new favorite Magic Kingdom ride. It was just soooo much fun! It wasn't even as scary as I thought it would be, but after ridding Jurassic Park at IOA, the fifty foot drop seems like child's play. After that I got on Thunder Mountain again. Mom wanted to head over to Tom Sawyer's Island, we hadn't been there since our 1999 trip. So that's where we went. It was pretty cool, I hardly remembered all the fun stuff that's on there. And I finally went in that cave I was to scared to go in when I was 9.

We had a ADR for the Crystal Palace at 1pm, so we did a quick ride of Haunted Mansion and headed over there. The place was packed as always and we had to wait around 10-15 minutes after checking in to be called. We've always wanted to eat there and it didn't dissapoint! The place was absolutely beautiful and big! And the Winnie the Pooh characters were so cute. Not only that, but the buffet was delicious! I ate and ate 'till I could eat no more. My favorites where the Salmon with the chilli sauce and the chicken breast nuggets. Yum!

^He kept leaning into the camera!

More to come!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Day 6 Cont.

So after lunch at the Crystal Palace we head back to Liberty Square and ride Haunted Mansion one more time before heading to Fantasyland.

BTW, I got bride ears as you can see in this picture!

The story behind those. Well, my dream is to marry DBF at WDW. So, thinking of the future, I got myself these and I got DBF the groom's ears. People kept looking at me and telling the kids I was getting married and I thought, sheesh, don't I look too young?

Anyway, we headed down to Dumbo because I hadn't gotten on that since my first trip in 1995 and mom really wanted to get on it again. The line was only 30 minutes, so we decided to go ahead and do it. I'd forgotten how much fun Dumbo was! And the great view you get too!

After that we did Phillar Magic again and then headed over to Tomorrowland which we hadn't had time to see on the first day at MK.

Walking towards Tomorrowland we saw the Indy Speedway and I hadn't been on that since 1999! Mom really wanted to go on, wait was only 20 minutes, so on we went! Now, let me say, I can't drive. I don't even have my license yet and I'm 19! So it was hillarious to see me try to drive this little car. Regardless, it made for a very funny video.

We finally got to Tomorrowland and I see this cute guy.

So, I was on a mission to do all the rides at Tomorrowland I had never done. So after a ride on the Transit Authority (which we LOVE) mom...wanted to go to the Caroussel of Progress. Not one of my favorite rides I may...
But, oh well, I did it. It was kinda cute to see it again after such a long time, though I could not tell if anything had changed at all...
Oh well, after that it was my turn and I headed to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin with only a 5 minute wait. So much fun! I really enjoyed this one. I saw Laugh Floor only had a 10 minute wait, so I pulled mom over there and saw it. I ADORE this show. The Monsters Inc. Crew made me laugh soooo much! I wish they would've gotten me on camera though!
I wanted to ride Space Mountain...but I'm still too scared. Someday, I promise. It was getting dark and we wanted to have dinner at Colombia Harbor before heading to Spectromagic. So I got a lemon slushy and we started heading back to Liberty Square. We love Colombia Harbor, the fish and chips are great. So we had that. By the time we got out it was almost time for Spectromagic to start, so we found a great spot right in front of the Christmas shop. We hadn't seen Spectromagic since 2005, so we were very excited about that. It was beautiful and magical as always. Sorry I have no pics of it, I was taking video.

When Spectromagic was done it was only 20 minutes until Wishes at 8pm. This is something I've always wanted to see live, but never had the opportunity to. So we started heading back towards the castle, but not before I took this pics at the bridge of the castle's reflection in the water.

Simply stunning.

We sat right in front of the castle, because it was tired and it was cold and we wanted to cuddle with our castle blanket. While waiting I took a few more pics.

And one of my faves.

Wishes was beautiful. It was really an experience to see it live with the Castle right there. Beautiful experience and the perfect ending of a perfect day.

We were stuck in getting out of the park traffic for like half an hour after Wishes, but we safely made it out to the CMs waving us goodbye from the train station. We got back to the BWI and straight to bed, because the next day we had Epcot and breakfast with the princesses!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Bump!

 

[TarzansKat]

Wow, girl! You take some beautiful, beautiful photographs. And it sounds like no matter what you and your mom are doing, you're having a great time! I love the picture with your mom and Tigger, it's just too cute.

And of course, I'm so grateful you threw in one of Jack Sparrow...I am rather fond of him, putting it mildly.

Can't wait to hear about more princess things the next day!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Wow, girl! You take some beautiful, beautiful photographs. And it sounds like no matter what you and your mom are doing, you're having a great time! I love the picture with your mom and Tigger, it's just too cute.

And of course, I'm so grateful you threw in one of Jack Sparrow...I am rather fond of him, putting it mildly.

Can't wait to hear about more princess things the next day!

Oh, Jack is amazing. I'd love to go to a P&P Party just to meet him. On my last day at MK (and WDW) he was walking out to do the Pirate Tutorial show and he walked right in front of me, pointed, and winked. Needless to say I almost died.

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, Jack is amazing. I'd love to go to a P&P Party just to meet him. On my last day at MK (and WDW) he was walking out to do the Pirate Tutorial show and he walked right in front of me, pointed, and winked. Needless to say I almost died.

So. Jealous. Right. Now.

Honestly, the only reason I want to go to a Pirate and Princess Party is to meet Jack Sparrow. My mom did last year on her May trip, and got a picture for me and everything, but man, would I love to have the pleasure myself.

 

[Villainess]

Another Jack obsessor, errr, fan here! LOL! We went to P&PP last year. My ONE must do was meet Jack, but we never made it So sad!!!!

Great TR so far! How did the carved ring for DBF turn out?

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Another Jack obsessor, errr, fan here! LOL! We went to P&PP last year. My ONE must do was meet Jack, but we never made it So sad!!!!

Great TR so far! How did the carved ring for DBF turn out?

Aw.

The ring turned out great! It was silver and had our innitials with a heart in the middle. DBF loved it.

 

[ArelysAdriana]

Oh, Jack is amazing. I'd love to go to a P&P Party just to meet him. On my last day at MK (and WDW) he was walking out to do the Pirate Tutorial show and he walked right in front of me, pointed, and winked. Needless to say I almost died.

Those Jack Sparrows are really big flirts! The one during the Halloween party parade pointed at me and winked too because I had on a birthday button. And then at the half marathon he was out and he blew me a kiss when I ran by!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Those Jack Sparrows are really big flirts! The one during the Halloween party parade pointed at me and winked too because I had on a birthday button. And then at the half marathon he was out and he blew me a kiss when I ran by!

Oh, wow!

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Day 7 - Dec. 18th 2008

Ok, so this was suppossed to be our last day at day at WDW and the last 2 days of vacation we were suppossed to be over at Universal. However, plans changed. More on that later.

We woke up early to get ready because this was a very exciting day. We were headed to Princess Breakfast at Arkeshus. We were going to go for lunch or dinner, but the food wasn't really something I liked... So we opted for breakfast. Before taking the boat to Epcot we stopped for a moment at the Boardwalk Bakery to have a cinnamon roll before heading off because we were starving!

We got to Epcot at about 10am via back entrance (which I didn't know existed...) and headed quickly over to the Norway pavillion. World Showcase was still closed, so we got to walk around it when it was completely empty. We had ADRs for 10:30am, so we headed over to Arkeshus to check in. While we waited to be called we looked around the only store open there. We got called back pretty quickly and got in line to meet Belle. She was the most beautiful Belle I've seen and so nice! I adore the picture I got as a present.

Breakfast was delicious! I loved it! I love the buffet with lots of goodies and the yummy plate of eggs, bacon, sausages and potatoes. We ate it all up! The Princess didn't dissapoint either! We had our fingers crossed for Snow White and Jasmine because mom and I love them and luckly we had them, plus Aurora and Mary Poppins. I was glad I met Mary too, but I was hoping for Ariel in her green dress. Oh well, maybe next time. Still Jasmine was great! She spoke spanish! Which was very suprising. She said Genie had taught her.

We made great memories at the restaurant and it was also beautiful inside. Plus, I loved the movie they played through the meal.

Oh yeah! I forgot! I was wearing my tiara and Mickey pin from the BBB. :

After breakfast we headed over to Future World to do something I've always wanted to do. Ride Test Track! The single riders line was only 20 minutes, but I got in in more like 10. It was an awesome experience. The curves, the bumpy road, the brakes, but best of all the AWESOME speed! I loved it! And I can't wait to get DBF on it since he loves cars.

After that we went over to The Land to get Fast Passes for Soarin'. As we were leaving I had amazing luck. I found my best friend who was also vacationing at WDW! It was utter luck, we didn't have a way to communicate with each other so it was a nice moment. After The Land we headed over and rode Nemo with a 10 minute wait and then saw Turtle Talk With Crush, which was also ADORABLE, with a 5 minute watch.

We were done with Future World, so we headed over to World Showcase, starting at Mexico like always.

We got on River of Time and then kept going through all the other pavillions. We did some shopping and looking around. By lunch time we were at the American pavillion, so we had lunch there. Next to the HUGE gingerbread house.

After that, we went outside to wait for Santa!

The Epcot Santa is defenetly the most beautiful Santa I've ever seen and so sweet! I asked him for a car.

Then we headed to my favorite Pavillion. Japan!

It has the most awesome store and I just like the atmosphere of it.

After that we walked around the Pavillions for a bit.

At around 5:30pm we went back to Future World so I could do my Soarin' Fast Pass. It was wonderful as always and I was happy I got first row!
After Soarin' we were both exhausted and decided to call it an early night and miss Illuminations which we've seen various times. We headed back to our room, ordered room service and called it an early night.

The next day we were getting picked up at 9am for Universal.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

Bump!