It's all smooth sailing from here... right? ALL DONE AND NEW TR LINK UP

[teekathepony]

I'm sorry your meet didn't work out, poor meMom!
What beautiful pictures of beautiful christmas decorations though. I love them all!
Yikes, that looks like a lot of rain, good call on the water proof camera!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MeMom]

I'm sorry that MeMom was so sick, but it's good to see a post from her right after yours...so in DIS-time she made quite a rapid recovery!

And in real time, every hour (that I was awake, that is) seemed like a week! Sleeping through much of it was the saving grace.

The good news is I will be back in WDW in fourteen weeks and will probably stay awake 24/7 to make up for lost time.

 

[Poolrat]

I love the flowers at Grand Floridian. They are absolutely beautiful all the time.

It was disappointing to miss out on the meeting of Disney friends and dinner with the Steps. On that evening, I could barely sit up, so GF and Park Fare fun was not in the plan for me. The basic details of the illness in a nutshell - some kind of serious pneumonia and every symptom related to the flu combined with an extremely high temperature. Not pretty, not fun, and not anything I ever care to do again. I am glad Jill and the others went on, though. They had some wonderful character interactions and got some cute pictures.

I was bummed to miss out on the Jingle Cruise. I hope they keep doing it until I am able to go again at Christmas - maybe in 2016.

The mine train is close to opening now. We are looking so forward to riding it in July!

Oh goodness we were all so worried about you. You didn't miss too much on the Jingle Cruise- It was different for the holidays and that part was good but not all the hype.

I keep watching for soft opening dates for Mine train.

Ugh - I remember when meMom was so sick. I bet she wants that to be a distant memory. I can't imagine being that ill.

At least you got to find out what was wrong when you ran into Jill and Anita. Still in all a nice trip to the GF.

OMG - those little soaps are SO cute. The 5 legged goat is so cool.

Sorry your shoulder was hurting - it sounds like a lot of the evening was a blur for you too.

The tree in front of the contempt is so cute.

Yay for an early arrival to MK. Boo for crappy cold weather. Good view of the Mine Train. Please, oh please let it be running for Cynthia and I in May!

I know she is glad it is a distant memory.
The monorail and 5 legged goat were crispy treats.... They do like soap and cannot vouch for how they tasted...

The weather was just dry and cold or humid and rainy but warm.

I am stalking waiting for an announcement to when that mine train will be running. I know it should be soon.

Oh - and I think the Christmas overlay at JC is cute. But you are definitely right. It shouldn't have been announced as something special because there really is only so much you can do. It's cute though.

Beautiful pictures around the GF, Pat. Although not a favorite resort, it really is beautiful at Christmas.

I'm sorry you didn't get to see MeMom. I remember reading all the updates and my heart just hurt for her that she spent most of the trip in the hospital so ill. I'm glad they have another trip coming up to make up for it.

Oh, that weather is frightful. I'm sorry it rained on your day. Great photos anyway and you got some good attractions in despite the weather. I can't wait to see the Mine train next month/June.

We totally missed the Jingle Cruise while we were there.

GF is beautiful at Christmastime. The more I go in the more comfortable I feel. Now that DVC is there I will stay there just to check it off the list. Maybe it will grow on me more- the grand villa was HUGE.

The weather was a bit of a beast this trip.

I am eagerly awaiting a release date for the Mine train. I know so many of you will be there soon and hopefully enjoy it.

 

[Poolrat]

Trying to get caught up with all my subscriptions now I'm back to harsh reality. Went to Florida for five wonderful weeks, but no wifi access.

Love the pictures of the Christmas decor, I'll never get to see them in person, so with TRs like yours I won't miss them. DH won't go when there are heavy crowds as we served our time during Spring breaks when the kids were small.

You really get around when you are alone, I know I would like to roll that way at least once. Maybe I'll get DH to nap then I can slip out on my own! LOL!

For me work is taking up so much of my time that I struggle to stay caught up.
I am glad I can show some Christmas decor, especially if you think you will never get down there. The decorations go up right after Halloween so there are some lower crowd weeks to see them.

GF is so pretty all decorated! They always have such beautiful flowers!

I like the idea of the jingle cruise - I agree that they hyped it a bit much for what it is, but cute - maybe would have been better as a little surprise!

Too bad about the rain - I hope when we go next December it's good weather!

I enjoy looking at how all the different resorts decorate. The jingle cruise wasn't horrible but the hype raised the expectations too high I think.


I hope you have better weather.

Sorry MeMom was so sick and you couldn't meet up. That's a bummer. The weather looks like a bummer too, but I'm glad we get to see the Christmas decorations!

MeMom was so sick but I will spoil that I was able to see her for a little bit.
Still hard to see a good friend so sick and sick on vacation .

on the Christmas decorations.

 

[Poolrat]

I'm sorry that MeMom was so sick, but it's good to see a post from her right after yours...so in DIS-time she made quite a rapid recovery!

Ew, what a dreary day at the MK!

In DIS time yes - but it is terrible to spend your whole vacation in the hospital or in your room.

Dreary sums it up for that day.

I'm sorry your meet didn't work out, poor meMom!
What beautiful pictures of beautiful christmas decorations though. I love them all!
Yikes, that looks like a lot of rain, good call on the water proof camera!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Oh it held off most of the day but when it opened up WOW.

I am just glad MeMom made a full recovery.

And in real time, every hour (that I was awake, that is) seemed like a week! Sleeping through much of it was the saving grace.

The good news is I will be back in WDW in fourteen weeks and will probably stay awake 24/7 to make up for lost time.

I am so glad you had the time to recover even if it was during vacation.

I am sure you will make up for any lost time.

 

[Poolrat]

Goodness I really meant to get back here sooner but hey - life and work right now is getting really busy.


After riding LM, it was time for SM. The only shot I got.



Then the back path to the train to take it around. A rare moment of sunshine. And humidity.



A stop up front and I can check out how the crowds are starting to come in.


Okay- think it is not too bad…. Close up.



I am guessing a boat just dropped off.

Back around to Frontierland station. I heard you could get FP with AP and room keys- both new and old. I was going to test this theory.


I was successful- AP, current room key and Oct key. Of course now it does not matter but I was pretty darn proud of myself.

Of course now there was some time to kill so where to?
First to the Bathroom. The secret bathroom by Pirates. Well it was a secret to me but it does have signs all over the place.











A 5 min wait for Pirates.



What a happy pirate with his rum and hairy leg.



And Jack



Now pirates has a drop. Not a huge one but it is a boat in water. Who is a magnet for water?

This girl.



How the heck did I get so wet ?

Next Up a new for me Adventure.

Well feeling Pirate like and still damp from my voyage I figured I should have an Adventure.

A Pirates Adventure.



You go in the kiosk they have set up and tap your band. It asks how many in your group and then you are assigned a map. There are maybe 5 different ones.



You stay in Adventureland and go follow the clues and map to the different spots in search of treasure.


Here you are looking the Pirate’s League area at that map up high.



You tap your band on the symbol to activate.











Spoiler










It was easy to do, even for Adults and different and fun. Since I had time, I did a couple to see how varied the experiences were. I did encounter a couple of stations that did not activate and I probably got 3 maps. But if you are in Adventureland waiting for your FP+ window to open, try it out, it does not take too long and you don’t wander too far.

 

[englishrose47]

Sounds like fun Pat!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

three FP for one person!!! No wonder they closed that loophole by taking the machines away!

I know why you got wet on Pirates: they have new boats which are troublesome. They don't float like the old ones and suddenly there is is more water coming into the boats on the drop. Avoid last and first row!

 

[jenseib]

I debated doing the pirate adventure, but my fear was if Claire found out about it, that is all she would want to do.

 

[jedijill]

Score on the FP's! Looks like fun day. I got soaked on POTC last trip too. My entire right shoe was full of water...that was not fun.

Jill in CO

 

[glennbo123]

Impressive Fastpass collection skills.

Thanks for the look at Pirates Adventure. I think it's great that they're adding these fun, interactive things throughout the parks...helps to make every visit different.

With a moniker of "Poolrat" you thought that you wouldn't attract water?

 

[Poolrat]

Sounds like fun Pat!!!

The Pirates Adventure is fun- you need to try it.

three FP for one person!!! No wonder they closed that loophole by taking the machines away!

I know why you got wet on Pirates: they have new boats which are troublesome. They don't float like the old ones and suddenly there is is more water coming into the boats on the drop. Avoid last and first row!

I guess since they knew they were going away fast they just left the loophole. I still think they should have waited until all guest could book FP+ before discontinuing the FP.

New Boats ?!?!?!? Well that explains it. I am going to have to wear a poncho on Pirates now???
I usually end up in the very front or the very back.

I debated doing the pirate adventure, but my fear was if Claire found out about it, that is all she would want to do.

There are about 5 and they do go pretty fast.

Score on the FP's! Looks like fun day. I got soaked on POTC last trip too. My entire right shoe was full of water...that was not fun.

Jill in CO

Magalene says there are new boats that are causing this. What next a poncho on IASW?

Impressive Fastpass collection skills.

Thanks for the look at Pirates Adventure. I think it's great that they're adding these fun, interactive things throughout the parks...helps to make every visit different.

With a moniker of "Poolrat" you thought that you wouldn't attract water?

I think Tim may have mentioned it so I gave it a try. I was certainly able to get the "extra" passes there to make up for the ones that were no longer available in another park.

I still need to do P & F at EPCOT but did the Kim possible missions. I like the new things like that- you get to explore areas you might not venture over to.

You would think the Poolrat likes getting wet. Yeah not so much, especially nasty Pirate water and having to walk around wet.
If anyone gets wet it is ALWAYS me. Kali or GRR..... SOAKED remember?

 

[teekathepony]

Cool that you were able to get three FPs! Man, I'll be missing that option next trip.
I got splashed on Pirates last time too! I think I'm also a water magnet -- you should see me after a ride on Kali.
The Pirates Adventure sounds really cool! I'd like to try that, thanks for the run through.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I had fun catching up this afternoon. Wow!! I would so like to visit at holiday time and explore the story tellers and decorations. Looks so magical!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Let's not tell Carol about Pirates getting you wet and I will put her in the front row

 

[englishrose47]

Pat explain how you can get the 3 passes , I thought they used magic bands as room keys ????

 

[nowellsl]

Pat explain how you can get the 3 passes , I thought they used magic bands as room keys ????

Before they did away with the paper fast passes you could use your traditional room key and an annual pass (if you had one) in addition to your band. This was during the testing phase for the magic bands!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I would have been proud obtaining that many FP's too! I know it was due to the conversion not being complete, but that was a good time to be there.

My favorite secret bathroom by Pirates! I always go in there.

 

[MeMom]

It was easy to do, even for Adults and different and fun. Since I had time, I did a couple to see how varied the experiences were. I did encounter a couple of stations that did not activate and I probably got 3 maps. But if you are in Adventureland waiting for your FP+ window to open, try it out, it does not take too long and you don’t wander too far.

This might be something for Brooklynn, Bella, and I to try out this summer on our 'MeMom and Us' days before Jill arrives.

I wish we were walking around Adventureland this morning. Only 12 weeks from Wednesday, though, so we are getting closer and closer.

 

[MEK]

Well, look at you testing out your theory and ending up with 3 FP's. I wish I had tried that in October, but it never even occurred to me or maybe I just didn't need the FP's that much.

I will admit - you must have to WORK to get that wet on pirates. What the heck???????

That adventure looks really cool. I love games like that where you find hidden details in the bigger details of the park. It's so cool. I am a "big picture" person and I am terrible at details, so games like that allow me to use a different part of my brain. Love the spoiler - that is too cute!