It's the Spirit of the Season! You Can Feel it in the Air!

[BDL]

Jumping on...

Awesome pictures. I've always wanted to see what the Swan & Dolphin look like. I wondered how different they were becasue they weren't technically Disney properties. And I have yet to make it to the Boardwalk, os those pictures were a real treat for me.

I went to WDW in Dec in 2010 and am heading there again this Dec. Might have to take a launch from the International Gate to check them out 1st hand.

 

[disney<333]

Happy Easter everybody! Hope you all have a great day!! We went to the beach yesterday, which was nice. I'll have a separate post about that with pictures and a couple of good stories about how we almost got into road rage in a parking lot, but first I think Christmas Day in Disney World is in order.
Christmas Day was the day I was afraid of most while planning this trip. I decided that we would do EMH at 7 at MK, Animal Kingdom, and then some late night MK. That, of course did not happen. The kids wanted to go to Epcot and I remembered reading about Christmas morning at Epcot is always empty. We decided we would go to Epcot for a little while and see where the rest of the day took us. Mitch was sleeping in from the pain medicine and we would meet up with him later.
We got to the boat dock a few minutes after 8. The weather was gorgeous.

We went in through the secret entrance and casually strolled our way to FW.

'Twas the day of Christmas and all through the international world not a soul was in sight. Not a soul at all. I could go on with the cheesy-ness, but I'll stop here. You're welcome.

We stopped to take pictures of the flowers.

I checked my phone and everything was walk-on. It was about 8:30 at this point.

I saw this and decided I was going to try to be first.

We had about half an hour to go, but there was a woman in front of me. I decided to stay and the kids went to go to Sum of All Thrills-- one of Amy's favorite attractions. I took the time to call some family and wish them a Merry Christmas. I even got wi-fi, so I was able to Facetime. Then I was talking to the woman in front of me, who was first in line. She told me I can go in front of her that her family is riding the rides and don't want to meet the characters. I asked if she was sure and told her that she would be getting a pic with the fab 5 together, but she still insisted I go in front of her. I was so excited. I was beginning to worry if the girls were going to make it back in time because it was 10 till. They showed up with a minute to spare. A CM came out and asked who was first. I pointed at the woman and she pointed at me and insisted I go first. (Her family came about 2 minutes later and they met the characters.) Mickey came out of nowhere and grabbed my hand for the second time this trip and walked me and the girls to his spot. He signed the autograph books and we were posing for our picture with the main cheese when the rest of the characters started piling in behind us.

Next, we met Pluto. The rest of the characters were dancing with each other while they waited for us. That's a first-- having characters wait for us.

Next we met Minnie. The CM captured a sweet moment between her and Amy. She was handing everybody a little card that read "Merry Christmas, love Mickey and Minnie".

 

[disney<333]

Amy was always the first at each character and made Emily and I move our stuff. Usually, she thinks she's too old for the characters, but she was really into them today.

Emily joined in on the fun.

She insisted on getting an individual with Minnie because she had her Minnie shirt on.

I could not pass up the opportunity to have my picture taken with Donald.

Last, but not least, was Goofy.

I thanked the woman again on our way out.
Soarin' was still really low, so we went over there. We rode first and then got FPs.

This is where we noticed something was wrong with Amy's AP. It allowed her to get into the park with out a problem, but when she went to go get a FP, it allowed her to get another one a minute later. (Insert some kind of shocked smiley face here). For example, if we got FPs at 9:00, Amy's ticket would say you can get another one at 9:01, while the others said 10:20. We got a FP for Mitch for later.
We must of done TT next.

The park was starting to get crowded. Spaceship Earth got an extended queue. We needed to make a plan to evacuate soon. We could either leave the park or get to WS as it opened.

We were sitting on a bench brainstorming options when we noticed Daisy was lonely. We can't have that.
Hello!

It was only about 10:15 and we had the whole day in front of us after a successful morning in Epcot. What shall we do?

 

[disney<333]

Loving the TR!! We are going in December (first time for the holidays) and I can't wait! I can't believe how low the crowds were during your stay with it being so close to Christmas. Wow!! Can't wait to see how you scored that pic with the Fab 5!!!

Thank you! I see you're staying at BC-- you're going to love the decorations there. Sorry for the wait. I just posted an update. Lately, I've been using my late night free time to read the Hunger Games. I'm so addicted!!

Jumping on...

Awesome pictures. I've always wanted to see what the Swan & Dolphin look like. I wondered how different they were becasue they weren't technically Disney properties. And I have yet to make it to the Boardwalk, os those pictures were a real treat for me.

I went to WDW in Dec in 2010 and am heading there again this Dec. Might have to take a launch from the International Gate to check them out 1st hand.

Thanks for coming over! We are huge Swolphin fans. They work out well for us and we've been staying there since it opened. We've stayed at a lot of the Disney resorts, but we really like the Dolphin. The location can't be beat. Seeing pics of it always makes me home sick and really miss WDW.
I love December, but we'll be taking out holiday trip Thanksgiving week again this year, just because of when our APs expire and school breaks. You could also take a boat ride from DHS-- you can get to the BW in 10 minutes.

 

[disney<333]

Almost forgot about the Pooh pics from the night before.

 

[MeMom]

'Twas the day of Christmas and all through the international world not a soul was in sight. Not a soul at all.

You mean nobody else wanted to stick their heads through this totem pole/wall thing in Canada on Christmas morning? Unbelievable!

Glad you got the good Fab Five pictures. It was nice of the other lady to give you her spot, since it really wasn't a big thing to her group.

 

[disney<333]

You mean nobody else wanted to stick their heads through this totem pole/wall thing in Canada on Christmas morning? Unbelievable!

Glad you got the good Fab Five pictures. It was nice of the other lady to give you her spot, since it really wasn't a big thing to her group.

You're just too funny, MeMom!
It really was empty. Nobody wanted to soar over California until almost 2 hours after the park opened either.
We were happy to get the Fab Five picture! I've been wanting to do it for a while.

 

[disney<333]

We paid Daisy a visit.

Epcot was starting to get crowded and it was time to evacuate. We debated about where to go and decided that we'd like some pool time at some point in the day because it was supposed to get colder the next day.
We slowly started to make our way out of the park.

We were almost at the turnstile, (so we're not going back to the resort) when Amy noticed a blue friend.

This could make a good maze attraction.

We boarded a monorail.

Any guesses as to where we're going?

 

[MHTeacher]

I can't believe how "UN"crowded Christmas morning was! Y'all really got a lot done in those few morning hours.

Love all the pics from the Character Spot. It was nice of that lady to give up her spot to you guys.

I think y'all were headed to MK!

 

[disney<333]

I can't believe how "UN"crowded Christmas morning was! Y'all really got a lot done in those few morning hours.

Love all the pics from the Character Spot. It was nice of that lady to give up her spot to you guys.

I think y'all were headed to MK!

That is why I love early mornings in the parks. You can always get so much done. The day we were leaving MK had a crowd at 7:30. I knew it was time to get the heck out of Disney.
MK on Christmas Day?! I'm not that crazy.

 

[disney<333]

We took the monorail to the TTC and were greeted by utter crazy-ness.
It wasn't a slight crowd. No,no, no. It was bad. The line for the express monorail had an extended queue and it went on for niles, and niles, and niles. And if you don't believe me, you're in denial. Same with the boat. Disney also had cruise and ME buses taking people to the MK. They always had at least 5 of them waiting at a time. Disney was prepared. Barbara was not. I was thinking of going to the MK at 12 for the parade, but quickly changed my mind. We got in the resort monorail line, which only had 5 people in it. I guess no one knows that the resort line stops at the MK eventually?
We got off here.

Whoever got a wreath around these guys deserves a raise.

The Poly really goes all out for Christmas. We had lunch at Caption Cooks and it was out first time eating here. Split a few things and it was all good.

We quickly got leid.

A CM in the lobby was handing out Snickerdoodle cookies and lemonade in the lobby. All of the deluxes were doing this on Christmas Day. A CM even wrapped them up for people. I lost count of how many I had through out the day. We visited a lot of resorts. The CMs had way too many cookies and chased you to take them. They're working on Christmas Day. How can you not help them out? It was bad. That's why I exercised later-- Disney style.

I bet there's a HM or two here.

One day, I will follow this sign to check in.

This place has amazing food.

We didn't have time to go outside. We wanted to tour the rest of the mono line and make it back for plenty of pool time.
We boarded another monorail

to

 

[MeMom]

Love the Poly pictures! It is one of my very favorite places to be in Disney World. We always visit to eat and sit out on the beach for a little while. It is heavenly, and I have plans to stay there one of these days, as well.

 

[disney<333]

Love the Poly pictures! It is one of my very favorite places to be in Disney World. We always visit to eat and sit out on the beach for a little while. It is heavenly, and I have plans to stay there one of these days, as well.

I used to like the GF more, but now I like the POLY. Emily wants to get married at the Poly and talks about it often. I guess I'm not retiring for a while.
When we stay at the Poly, it'll be during off season and it would just be for a night or two with no parks, but maybe a MK party.

 

[MeMom]

I used to like the GF more, but now I like the POLY. Emily wants to get married at the Poly and talks about it often. I guess I'm not retiring for a while.
When we stay at the Poly, it'll be during off season and it would just be for a night or two with no parks, but maybe a MK party.

Something simple out on the beach sounds lovely - and not pricey.

Do you have to have permission to walk out there and get married, or is it okay to get married wherever - just grab your preacher and go? I really don't know, but I've seen weddings out on the Poly beach. From all the money I have seen spent on weddings in the past, I am all for simple and cheap for the wedding and then spending saved money on the honeymoon, which lasts so much longer that the wedding itself.

 

[disney<333]

I last left off at the Grand Floridian on Christmas Day.

We spent some time in the gift shop, where we were invaded by an army of princesses and their entourages. A bunch of little girls had dolls that looked like them and they were having some kind of ceremony where a CM was presenting the girls with certificates. I've never heard about this before.
We bought a few kitchens and I think Amy got her charm bracelet here.
We then got back on the monorail and took it to the MK. I knew better than to go inside. A Yacht/Beach Club was waiting, so took that back to the resort. The line to get into the MK toll booth went out just a few yards short to the turn for the Epcot resorts. It was insane!
At Yacht Club a CM packaged up cookies for everybody that walked in. It was virtually empty in there.
It was about 1 when we got back to the room. We went swimming and took naps. I was mad at myself for all the junk I ate so I decided I was going to exercise. At first, I was going to go the gym, but then decided to go to the WS. This was my first time going to a park by myself.
I did my usual of getting off at the BC and walking to the rest. If you're coming from Hollywood or the Swolphin, it's quicker to get off at BC and walk the rest because the bus stops at the Boardwalk before going to Epcot.

Once through the secret entrance, I took a right and went to France.

I usually never go past China in the WS. It had been years since I've been back here.

Aurora was out and about greeting guests.

It was crowded, but by no means insane.

The Beast's line is always insane. Who's excited for his castle to open? I heard that it will be cs during the day. Maybe we'll have Thanksgiving dinner in there, if it's open then. There's rumors that Disney wants Test Track and Fantasyland open November 12th.

Across the lake.

 

[disney<333]

The train area was decked out for Christmas.

Snow White had a huge line and when she was having an adorable interaction with these little girls, a mother sent her daughter in there to get a picture. Snow White ignored the girl. I always wonder why people think they're better than everyone else and think they don't have to wait in line like the rest of the world. The little girl now has a bad memory of Snow ignoring her and the family was video taping the interaction when the girl cut in.

This was the only Stories in the World I saw going on.

Maelstorm had a filled extended queue. I picked up some FPs for later that night.
I went to Mexico to buscar para Donald. Excuse my Spanish abilities or lack of. It had an extended queue, but it moved fast. I was on in a few minutes.
Warning: I went snappy crazy here.

 

[disney<333]

 

[disney<333]

Something simple out on the beach sounds lovely - and not pricey.

Do you have to have permission to walk out there and get married, or is it okay to get married wherever - just grab your preacher and go? I really don't know, but I've seen weddings out on the Poly beach. From all the money I have seen spent on weddings in the past, I am all for simple and cheap for the wedding and then spending saved money on the honeymoon, which lasts so much longer that the wedding itself.

Hmm, I never thought about that. I have time to look in it. They're 16 and 13.
Did you know it costs about $1200 to have Mickey and Minnie make an appearance at a wedding?! I could buy a Minnie costume myself and make a fortune doing that.

 

[disney<333]

I browsed for a few minutes in a gift shop.

Is Duffy still greeting? He's too cute!!

I got some popcorn and sat on a bench for a little while to people watch. Disney popcorn is AMAZING!
I didn't do the Canada part of the WS because we did it our first night. Also, it was the third full day and my legs were tired. I took a boat to the IG and then took another one back to the hotel.
When I got back to the hotel, we were supposed to be getting ready for our ADR at Yak and Yeti. Mitch told me that there was an ADR at Il Muluno in the Swan, so we took that and canceled Yak and Yeti. We've been wanting to eat there for a while and it didn't disappoint. It might of been a mission to close the trunk, but I was glad we had nice clothes to wear to dinner.
After dinner, we went back to the room, changed, and then went down to the boat dock.
We had to do the campfire at the Beach Club again!

It was nice to be sitting on the beach, roasting s'mores on Christmas Night.
We got a snack at the BC and sat outside at the tables by the villas and just took in all the sights.
Finally, we made our way into Epcot.
WS was super crowded, but once we got to FW it was normal.
I don't remember the order we did things, but we did Soarin', Figment X3 (WHY?!), and Test Track.
I know we waited a while for Soarin'. We befriended a family and they were showing us all the cool junk they had just bought in Japan. The mom then tried to set her son up with Emily. I think they exchanged FB names maybe, but he never added her.

Emily was happy to model some Mickey Ears.

We saw Christmas Illuminations again from Italy. It was crazy getting back to the resort! Stupid me didn't think about how everyone and their mother would be park hopping to DHS for EMH. We debated about going, but we were just too tired. Amy had a meltdown over this. She really wanted to go ride RNRC. She chickened out the day before. I told her we were going in the morning, but she claimed it would be too crowded. I said we'll take naps first and then maybe go. She mentally wanted to keep going, but was just done physically. When Emily got up in the middle of the night, a heavy water bottle fell on her foot.
It was a scary looking purple and she complained about it a little the next day, but didn't want to go to the doctor when we got home. She couldn't wear flip flops for two weeks because it cut into the bruise too much.
The next morning I had plans for a 7 AM rope drop and DIS Meet!

 

[disney<333]

12/26/11- Our last full day!
The plans for this morning were Hollywood EMH at 7 AM and a Dis Meet. I set my alarm accordingly and when I woke up, I realized I was not going to be at Hollywood by 7. I was SO tired and my whole body was sore. We had been raiding the parks for 4 days. I messaged Jill the news and we decided we would try to meet up later. They would be there until lunch. I went back to bed.
We were in Hollywood by 8:30. Not bad for 'sleeping in'. 9 AM RD is not going to be a problem at all next trip. Mitch had a phone call at 8 and he was going to come join us as soon as he was done, which was about half an hour.
It was cold on this day! I was glad we had gone swimming prior.
First matter of business: Meet Piglet. The girls had been wanting to meet him for a while, but his line had just closed. O.k. Scratch that.
I went to go look at the tip boards and I saw the tips of MeMom and her crew's heads leaving Starring Rolls.
Amy got a hot chocolate-- her favorite drink in Disney.

We picked up FPs for TSM. I have no idea what time they were for, but it wasn't bad. The crowds were very low and it was super foggy.

We had to do the drawing class for the third time this trip and that's normal for us.

We were drawing the Genie. It was pretty hard to draw because he was at an angle. Emily was not pleased at all at how her's was coming out and Mitch texted us that he had just gotten here, so she left the class early. Her seat was the last one, closest to the door. First, she saw Mickey had a very short line, so she got in.

Turns out she was right behind MeMom.
Mitch and Emily went to go get a TSM FP and I think they did standby twice. Amy was talking to the Animator and she complimented her work and insisted we do another class right then. Yay.
Some of Emily's pics. You can see just how foggy it really is.

We all met back up for some ice cream and then went to go see Muppet Vision 3D for the second time this trip. Out of our four full days, this was our second day at DHS. We NEVER spend 2 full days at the same park, but I love DHS and Mitch had not been here yet due to his knee. AK would pay the price later.

We decided we needed Amy's scarf for our pic.