chrisn
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2000
- Messages
- 1,273
December 16-23, 2006
This was our 6th trip to WDW, but the first time ever for the holidays in December. I was soooo worried about the weather before we left. I was afraid we would freeze or be rained out. Let me tell you...We are avid travelers. We've done a lot of different things and have been to a lot of different places a lot of defferent times of the year. I could not have asked for a more picture perfect weather week than what we just had at WDW the week before Christmas. I think it rates right up there with the some of the most perfect vacation weather we have ever had. 80 degrees everyday. Warm, sunny and well just absolutely perfect! Ii know some peeps think it's weird to have a warmm sunny X-mas, but I loved every minute. I left the cold and snow and had no qualms about being immersed in Christmas with 80 degree sunshine!
One great thing about going at this time of year is that everything was open and a bonus was that nothing broke down. Very happy about that!
Crowds were not an issue at all for us. I know there is conflicting information about this, but we had no problems. Because we were staying offsite in my dad's condo, we avoided EMH like the plague. We arrived 30-40 minutes before opening at each park and really had little to no wait for anything. Most waits were 5-10 minutes. The longest was about 20. We did utilize Fast Pass but not a lot at all. Only a couple of times was it even needed.
Dreams were not ours to be had. I only saw one official the whole time we were there and I saw very few DFP's. The most we saw were at MGM. In speaking with a few Dreamees, I found one common thread. They all said that they received their dreams at while they were on a ride at 9:30. We were never on a ride at 9:30. We were on one before and on one after but just an FYI, 9:30 might be a magic number! I never expected any dreams and really they weren't needed so we really were not disappointed in the least, although of course it would have been special. On another note, we did have two families give us their FP's at Magic Kingdom. They were for Splash Mountain and Peter Pan, so that was like an unofficial mini dream. It was nice.
After 6 trips, we finally made it to the elusive Chef Mickey's. I have tried every year to get in a meal here and something always happened to where we just couldn't make it. We finally made it to breakfast and I absolutely LOVED it! It's a happy feel good and the food was really good. Loved the Breakfast Pizza...yummy! Loved the characters, loved the atmosphere. I'm sure it's lame to some but I had to fight back the tears when Minnie came to the table. I was just so happy we finally go there. I can't imagine how some peeps hate it. We've been to tons of character meals and this was my favorite.
We ate mostly CS and we grazed a lot but there were a few sitdowns thrown in. A couple of them at the Universal parks which we dearly love and always do. OT: The Grinch at Christmas; you would have thought he was Jim Carrey. Amazing! Anyhoo, I'll post a thread on the restaurants board for those interested in food intake. I will say though, everyone is right when they say that MGM is seriously lacking in the CS department!
The police are out in force inside the world so be aware of the speed traps. Saw lots of peeps pulled over getting tickets. Go the speed limit!
Ok, now for the good stuff. No, we didn't do MVMCP. We are not parade people at all so I decided we could probably skip it and I'm totally ok with that decision as there was plenty of other holiday magic to go around at the parks. It was fun and lovely.
Decorations were beautiful and really just right I thought. I don't need Christmas shoved in my face at every step so I thought it was perfect. The tree lighting ceremony at Epcot was fun and adorable. Loved it! My favorite tree was the one at Animal Kingdom cause it's so untraditional and I LOVE african art! I wanted the animal print balls on the small shop trees but the CM told me Disney quit selling them. I was so bummed. I have lots of really earthy, old world, African influence in my deco and they would have gone perfect on my tree!
We had arrival night dinner at Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club and I LOVED that resort. Might have to put that on my short list! There are still a couple resorts we have not seen, but I'd have to rank this one right up there with the Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges. Just a whole different ambience.
Epcot - Definitely go to Soarin first! This was the first time we've experienced it since it opened and most of the hoards headed in that direction at opening. We absolutely loved it. TOT is still my fave ride at Disney, but Soarin is amazing! We waited 10 minutes for it then headed straight to Test Track for another 10 minute wait, then over to Mission Space for a 5 minute wait on the wimpy version. We rode the original last time and NEVER AGAIN IN LIFE will I do that ride. I hated it so bad that I almost worked myself up into skipping the wimpy version. LOVED IT! I can't believe that my feelings on these two different experiences can be like night and day but they are. A lot of peeps say if you can ride Star Tours then you can ride the wimpy MS but I do not agree with that. ST makes me a little nauseous, MS wimpy did not AT ALL. Ok, Nemo. I just don't get what some people expected. It was cute, short and sweet and that's it. I wasn't disappointed as I thought how can you work up a Nemo ride? It's not Thrilleville, it's Nemo and it was just that, Nemo. Crush is still adorable. My DS got picked for a question for the second consecutive visit and I love how watching the show makes you speak in Dude Crush tongue for the rest of the day. Did a few more things in future world and then hit the countries. The candy lady in Japan is amazing. Try to plan for her. It's a short demo and she picks 6 (I think) kids that get to choose a handcrafted treat to take home. We didn't get picked. Get there a few minutes early and stand right in front. Almost all the kids she chose were directly in front of her. We did some serious grazing at Epcot. Margarita's, School Bread, Egg Rolls, Kaki Gori, YUM! Ya gotta take extra money just to graze!
Magic Kingdom - Honestly, we didn't wait any longer than 20 minutes for anything. Ate at Casey's and Cosmic Rays. We also had one of the gynormous homemade icecream sandwiches at the Main Street Bakery. Not the prepackaged ones like you can get from the carts. This was deadly serious. it's a must do from now on. Just do yoursef a favor and get one. The line is worth it. Wishes remains my favorite fireworks show. If you can only see one, IMHO, this one is it. I liked the changes at Pirates. Honestly, and again, what do people expect. SPOILER: Barbosa, three Jacks and I really liked the Davy Jones misty vision thing. We saw the hot Jack at the Pirate Tutorial and loved it. My son got picked and he and my 18 year old DS both got the little scroll. Jack made fun of her but picked her anyway cause she was practically drooling over him. She wore her Jack T that day so I'm sure it didn't hurt. I HATE Space Mountain. I don't know why I torture myself and ride it every trip but I don't get how other peeps like it or the fact that it's even their favorite ride! It's jerky and just awful. Gives me a headache too. I think that was my last ride. I'll forfeit all future trips for the bench and a pretzel.
MGM - TOT still reigns! Practically perfect in every way! Always ride it at least twice. Still love RNRC! Always ride that one twice too! Same with lines here. Nothing longer than 10-20 and most walkin/on. We did have to FP Indiana Jones though. The new Stunt Show was cool. DS and DH especially liked that one. Still love the Great Movie Ride. It's just classic old hollywood and I love that. I think that's why MGM is my fave Disney park. I love the atomosphere there! Somebody needs to do something about CS choices in the park though. We ended up at the Commissary and Eeewww! We left Backlot Express for that!? Don't honestly know how much better that would have been anyway. Narnia was ok. I thought there was going to be more to it. Maybe another room. Ok, can skip that next time (if it's still there). Saw the Osborne Lights for the first time. LOVED THEM! They turned them on 15 minutes early while we were standing there and then the dancing lights started right away so I got pics while my sweet DS-9 danced in the street with a mentally handicapped girl/woman that was hanging on him and dragging him out there. It was so sweet I thought. We had plenty of time to get over to Fantasmic for the 1st of 2 shows that evening although the 2nd did not show on the calandar. We got in a ride on RNRC right after Fantasmic with a 20 minute wait!
Animal Kingdom - First time on Everest. It was really fun. I liked the second half of the ride better than the first. Loved the hill and the Yeti. The dark part was ok. DS loved it. We rode it twice. Everyone heads to Everest first. No waits longer than 10-15 minutes here either. We did FP the Safari and had a really great Safari experience this time. All the animals were active and it was awesome. Best one so far. Still love Dinosaur! Ok, Nemo. Very different. I liked it but I do have to say that the people did distract for me a little. I still liked it. Thought it was well done but if you can only see one show at Animal Kingdom, Lion King still rules. The best stage show in all of WDW IMHO. It's tough to be a bug remains my favorite 3-D show at Disney. Just adorable. We ate at Flame Tree. Very good but the sauce can be improved on I think. I LOVED the Christmas tree!
Downtown Disney - Just had a shopping and eating evening here this time. I have to tell you that no matter how big the WOD store is, if you see an item in the park that you cannot live without, get it cause you may be out of luck fidning it at DD. Some items are exclusive to the parks and some others are limited. We did the custom candy at Goofy's and all 4 of us had a different treat. My kids also got the bulk candy. It's $12 a pound and the dispensers POUR out so mom's and dad's you need to help with that unless you'd like a $50 bulk candy bill! We walked out of there for $30. Ate at Wolfgang Puck Express and YUMMY! OMG, the Mac & Cheese! I don't even do Mac & Cheese and guess what I'm having next trip? Got an ornament at the Christmas shop to commemerate our trip, bought a few gifts at Once Upon a Toy and spied the Bibbidi Bobbidy boutique. I wish I had a little girl. My little girl is almost 19! I guess I can always hope for a granddaughter! A must do for any little girl dreaming of being a princess. Saw so many of them and they were just adorable. $200 well spent I would say.
Well that's it. Hope you've enjoyed my ramblings. Any questions, I'd be glad to answer. I'll post a CS review on the Restaurant board later. Thanks for reading!
This was our 6th trip to WDW, but the first time ever for the holidays in December. I was soooo worried about the weather before we left. I was afraid we would freeze or be rained out. Let me tell you...We are avid travelers. We've done a lot of different things and have been to a lot of different places a lot of defferent times of the year. I could not have asked for a more picture perfect weather week than what we just had at WDW the week before Christmas. I think it rates right up there with the some of the most perfect vacation weather we have ever had. 80 degrees everyday. Warm, sunny and well just absolutely perfect! Ii know some peeps think it's weird to have a warmm sunny X-mas, but I loved every minute. I left the cold and snow and had no qualms about being immersed in Christmas with 80 degree sunshine!
One great thing about going at this time of year is that everything was open and a bonus was that nothing broke down. Very happy about that!
Crowds were not an issue at all for us. I know there is conflicting information about this, but we had no problems. Because we were staying offsite in my dad's condo, we avoided EMH like the plague. We arrived 30-40 minutes before opening at each park and really had little to no wait for anything. Most waits were 5-10 minutes. The longest was about 20. We did utilize Fast Pass but not a lot at all. Only a couple of times was it even needed.
Dreams were not ours to be had. I only saw one official the whole time we were there and I saw very few DFP's. The most we saw were at MGM. In speaking with a few Dreamees, I found one common thread. They all said that they received their dreams at while they were on a ride at 9:30. We were never on a ride at 9:30. We were on one before and on one after but just an FYI, 9:30 might be a magic number! I never expected any dreams and really they weren't needed so we really were not disappointed in the least, although of course it would have been special. On another note, we did have two families give us their FP's at Magic Kingdom. They were for Splash Mountain and Peter Pan, so that was like an unofficial mini dream. It was nice.
After 6 trips, we finally made it to the elusive Chef Mickey's. I have tried every year to get in a meal here and something always happened to where we just couldn't make it. We finally made it to breakfast and I absolutely LOVED it! It's a happy feel good and the food was really good. Loved the Breakfast Pizza...yummy! Loved the characters, loved the atmosphere. I'm sure it's lame to some but I had to fight back the tears when Minnie came to the table. I was just so happy we finally go there. I can't imagine how some peeps hate it. We've been to tons of character meals and this was my favorite.
We ate mostly CS and we grazed a lot but there were a few sitdowns thrown in. A couple of them at the Universal parks which we dearly love and always do. OT: The Grinch at Christmas; you would have thought he was Jim Carrey. Amazing! Anyhoo, I'll post a thread on the restaurants board for those interested in food intake. I will say though, everyone is right when they say that MGM is seriously lacking in the CS department!
The police are out in force inside the world so be aware of the speed traps. Saw lots of peeps pulled over getting tickets. Go the speed limit!
Ok, now for the good stuff. No, we didn't do MVMCP. We are not parade people at all so I decided we could probably skip it and I'm totally ok with that decision as there was plenty of other holiday magic to go around at the parks. It was fun and lovely.
Decorations were beautiful and really just right I thought. I don't need Christmas shoved in my face at every step so I thought it was perfect. The tree lighting ceremony at Epcot was fun and adorable. Loved it! My favorite tree was the one at Animal Kingdom cause it's so untraditional and I LOVE african art! I wanted the animal print balls on the small shop trees but the CM told me Disney quit selling them. I was so bummed. I have lots of really earthy, old world, African influence in my deco and they would have gone perfect on my tree!
We had arrival night dinner at Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club and I LOVED that resort. Might have to put that on my short list! There are still a couple resorts we have not seen, but I'd have to rank this one right up there with the Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges. Just a whole different ambience.
Epcot - Definitely go to Soarin first! This was the first time we've experienced it since it opened and most of the hoards headed in that direction at opening. We absolutely loved it. TOT is still my fave ride at Disney, but Soarin is amazing! We waited 10 minutes for it then headed straight to Test Track for another 10 minute wait, then over to Mission Space for a 5 minute wait on the wimpy version. We rode the original last time and NEVER AGAIN IN LIFE will I do that ride. I hated it so bad that I almost worked myself up into skipping the wimpy version. LOVED IT! I can't believe that my feelings on these two different experiences can be like night and day but they are. A lot of peeps say if you can ride Star Tours then you can ride the wimpy MS but I do not agree with that. ST makes me a little nauseous, MS wimpy did not AT ALL. Ok, Nemo. I just don't get what some people expected. It was cute, short and sweet and that's it. I wasn't disappointed as I thought how can you work up a Nemo ride? It's not Thrilleville, it's Nemo and it was just that, Nemo. Crush is still adorable. My DS got picked for a question for the second consecutive visit and I love how watching the show makes you speak in Dude Crush tongue for the rest of the day. Did a few more things in future world and then hit the countries. The candy lady in Japan is amazing. Try to plan for her. It's a short demo and she picks 6 (I think) kids that get to choose a handcrafted treat to take home. We didn't get picked. Get there a few minutes early and stand right in front. Almost all the kids she chose were directly in front of her. We did some serious grazing at Epcot. Margarita's, School Bread, Egg Rolls, Kaki Gori, YUM! Ya gotta take extra money just to graze!
Magic Kingdom - Honestly, we didn't wait any longer than 20 minutes for anything. Ate at Casey's and Cosmic Rays. We also had one of the gynormous homemade icecream sandwiches at the Main Street Bakery. Not the prepackaged ones like you can get from the carts. This was deadly serious. it's a must do from now on. Just do yoursef a favor and get one. The line is worth it. Wishes remains my favorite fireworks show. If you can only see one, IMHO, this one is it. I liked the changes at Pirates. Honestly, and again, what do people expect. SPOILER: Barbosa, three Jacks and I really liked the Davy Jones misty vision thing. We saw the hot Jack at the Pirate Tutorial and loved it. My son got picked and he and my 18 year old DS both got the little scroll. Jack made fun of her but picked her anyway cause she was practically drooling over him. She wore her Jack T that day so I'm sure it didn't hurt. I HATE Space Mountain. I don't know why I torture myself and ride it every trip but I don't get how other peeps like it or the fact that it's even their favorite ride! It's jerky and just awful. Gives me a headache too. I think that was my last ride. I'll forfeit all future trips for the bench and a pretzel.
MGM - TOT still reigns! Practically perfect in every way! Always ride it at least twice. Still love RNRC! Always ride that one twice too! Same with lines here. Nothing longer than 10-20 and most walkin/on. We did have to FP Indiana Jones though. The new Stunt Show was cool. DS and DH especially liked that one. Still love the Great Movie Ride. It's just classic old hollywood and I love that. I think that's why MGM is my fave Disney park. I love the atomosphere there! Somebody needs to do something about CS choices in the park though. We ended up at the Commissary and Eeewww! We left Backlot Express for that!? Don't honestly know how much better that would have been anyway. Narnia was ok. I thought there was going to be more to it. Maybe another room. Ok, can skip that next time (if it's still there). Saw the Osborne Lights for the first time. LOVED THEM! They turned them on 15 minutes early while we were standing there and then the dancing lights started right away so I got pics while my sweet DS-9 danced in the street with a mentally handicapped girl/woman that was hanging on him and dragging him out there. It was so sweet I thought. We had plenty of time to get over to Fantasmic for the 1st of 2 shows that evening although the 2nd did not show on the calandar. We got in a ride on RNRC right after Fantasmic with a 20 minute wait!
Animal Kingdom - First time on Everest. It was really fun. I liked the second half of the ride better than the first. Loved the hill and the Yeti. The dark part was ok. DS loved it. We rode it twice. Everyone heads to Everest first. No waits longer than 10-15 minutes here either. We did FP the Safari and had a really great Safari experience this time. All the animals were active and it was awesome. Best one so far. Still love Dinosaur! Ok, Nemo. Very different. I liked it but I do have to say that the people did distract for me a little. I still liked it. Thought it was well done but if you can only see one show at Animal Kingdom, Lion King still rules. The best stage show in all of WDW IMHO. It's tough to be a bug remains my favorite 3-D show at Disney. Just adorable. We ate at Flame Tree. Very good but the sauce can be improved on I think. I LOVED the Christmas tree!
Downtown Disney - Just had a shopping and eating evening here this time. I have to tell you that no matter how big the WOD store is, if you see an item in the park that you cannot live without, get it cause you may be out of luck fidning it at DD. Some items are exclusive to the parks and some others are limited. We did the custom candy at Goofy's and all 4 of us had a different treat. My kids also got the bulk candy. It's $12 a pound and the dispensers POUR out so mom's and dad's you need to help with that unless you'd like a $50 bulk candy bill! We walked out of there for $30. Ate at Wolfgang Puck Express and YUMMY! OMG, the Mac & Cheese! I don't even do Mac & Cheese and guess what I'm having next trip? Got an ornament at the Christmas shop to commemerate our trip, bought a few gifts at Once Upon a Toy and spied the Bibbidi Bobbidy boutique. I wish I had a little girl. My little girl is almost 19! I guess I can always hope for a granddaughter! A must do for any little girl dreaming of being a princess. Saw so many of them and they were just adorable. $200 well spent I would say.
Well that's it. Hope you've enjoyed my ramblings. Any questions, I'd be glad to answer. I'll post a CS review on the Restaurant board later. Thanks for reading!
