We got back late Friday from a Christmas trip at VWL. We were there from 12/5 - 12/10. We were in 4563, the studio at the end of the hall on the left. We checked in at 10:45, my parents room was ready in the Lodge, we could have had a room then, but wanted to wait for this room since it met our requests. Our room was ready by 2. Everything in the room was fine.
The trip was wonderful, I had never been there during the holidays, what a treat. Left DH home to work, we were to WDW in Aug/Sept, this was more of a trip for my parents. We got one of the Christmas trees that was being passed during our stay, thank you to whomever arranged it. On Sunday after getting groceries and everything into the room we headed over to MGM. It was more crowded than I expected, but our main reason for this trip was to see the decorations and special holiday events. Did a few rides and the Osborne Family Lights. We also ate at the 50's Prime Time, and had a fun meal. We had a seasoned waitress who was training someone (said it was his first day) and they both were great! My parents (75 and 78) loved the whole "show". Osborne was very good, all the lights seemed to be working along with the snow. The next day we spent going around to some of the resorts to see the decorations. We went to the Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Clubs, Poly. They were all very beautiful. Loved the gingerbread house at GF, but I agree with many here that the favorite is the WL. That day we also did some shopping at Disney Marketplace and ate at Earl of Sandwich (we were there in August and loved it) and it again was so tasty. My parents also really enjoyed it. For dinner that night my brother and sister-in-law had arrived, and we were at 6:30 able as walk-ins (eight of us) to get a table at O'Hana's! This was one Disney restaurant I still had not tried that I really wanted to. We all had so much fun, we thought the food was great, everyone had their favorites and dislikes, everyone was happy. My DD(8) did the coconut races and the hula.
The next day we were going to do the MVMCP, and since I wanted to just do the special holiday things there, I decided to take my kids in to the MK from 9-1 to let them get the rides in so they would not bug to do it in the evening. Smart idea, the park was not crowded, probably since it was closing by 6 to the general public. In those 4 hours we got on so many things and had lunch at Columbia Harbor House (sadly though, they have removed the bologna sandwiches from the menu, the only place there we know of that had them). We went back to VWL, got ready for the party (12/7) and headed back with my parents. We got there at 4. I had arranged back during our August/Sept. trip for my dad to be the Veteran of the Day at the Magic Kingdom flag retreat for 12/7 -- Pearl Harbor Day. He is a WW2 Navy Veteran. To make a very long story short, he was supposed to be at the WW2 Memorial Dedication down in Washington D.C. in May, but that very weekend my mom was released from a 2 month stay in the hospital, and he was understandably not going to leave her at that time. I felt really bad he had to miss that, that part of his life is so much of who he is. Anyway, the Vet of the Day at MK was so moving and emotional for him, and he was so surprised, I had not told him ahead of time. People were coming up to him and thanking him, wanting to get a picture with him (one woman named Pearl who was born on PH day and named for it), someone even gave him a Mickey flag pin. During the night at the party people were still coming up to him. The whole thing meant so much to him.
The MVMCP was way more crowded than I was expecting. It was not even a sold out one. I went to get the special pins for that evening, and they were already sold out -- we were so disappointed. We enjoyed everything, especially the parade, that was the best! We saw a couple of shows and the fireworks, all were really good, but it was way too crowded! I am so glad I had taken the kids in to the park earlier in the day.
The next day we got a later start since the previous evening was so late. We went to EPCOT for the CP. It was not crowded there, but we mainly did the CP and dinner. The CP was with Marlee Matlin (someone voiced her) and she was wonderful. She added a special dimension to it. I LOVED the CP. I think it was my favorite Christmas thing at Disney. The music was wonderful, I brought home a few CDs. After that we had dinner at Le Cellier, I had done the CP dinner package. That was the best dinner, everyone agreed. Most of us had the filet of beef with the mushroom risotto, it was heavenly. Service was great. We noticed this trip at the meals they are now very quick to immediately bring drink refills, and even offer more food to my DD (8) when she finishes her kids meal. Very attentive service everywhere. What a meal!
Thursday my dad knows someone high up at Cape Kennedy, so we spent the day there. I had not been there since I was a little kid, and my kids were all at a good age for it (14,11,8). It was not crowded at all. We had VIP treatment through my dad's friend, and really enjoyed the day, I am glad we spent the day there. Since that was our last night, I arranged for the 10:00 sleigh ride at the VWL. That was an enjoyable experience.
The next day since we had a late afternoon flight, we packed up, and went miniature golfing at Winter/Summerland and then over to the Marketplace for one more time at Earl of Sandwich. That day was showery, so it was so much more crowded than on Monday.
Our trip was wonderful. We were blessed with unbelievable weather while we were there. It was around 83 each day, and at night we did not need any jackets or sweatshirts. I see the high this week is 20 degrees cooler. The highlight was definitely the Veteran of the Day for my dad. A million dollars would not have made him happier.
Happy to answer any questions.
The trip was wonderful, I had never been there during the holidays, what a treat. Left DH home to work, we were to WDW in Aug/Sept, this was more of a trip for my parents. We got one of the Christmas trees that was being passed during our stay, thank you to whomever arranged it. On Sunday after getting groceries and everything into the room we headed over to MGM. It was more crowded than I expected, but our main reason for this trip was to see the decorations and special holiday events. Did a few rides and the Osborne Family Lights. We also ate at the 50's Prime Time, and had a fun meal. We had a seasoned waitress who was training someone (said it was his first day) and they both were great! My parents (75 and 78) loved the whole "show". Osborne was very good, all the lights seemed to be working along with the snow. The next day we spent going around to some of the resorts to see the decorations. We went to the Grand Floridian, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Clubs, Poly. They were all very beautiful. Loved the gingerbread house at GF, but I agree with many here that the favorite is the WL. That day we also did some shopping at Disney Marketplace and ate at Earl of Sandwich (we were there in August and loved it) and it again was so tasty. My parents also really enjoyed it. For dinner that night my brother and sister-in-law had arrived, and we were at 6:30 able as walk-ins (eight of us) to get a table at O'Hana's! This was one Disney restaurant I still had not tried that I really wanted to. We all had so much fun, we thought the food was great, everyone had their favorites and dislikes, everyone was happy. My DD(8) did the coconut races and the hula.
The next day we were going to do the MVMCP, and since I wanted to just do the special holiday things there, I decided to take my kids in to the MK from 9-1 to let them get the rides in so they would not bug to do it in the evening. Smart idea, the park was not crowded, probably since it was closing by 6 to the general public. In those 4 hours we got on so many things and had lunch at Columbia Harbor House (sadly though, they have removed the bologna sandwiches from the menu, the only place there we know of that had them). We went back to VWL, got ready for the party (12/7) and headed back with my parents. We got there at 4. I had arranged back during our August/Sept. trip for my dad to be the Veteran of the Day at the Magic Kingdom flag retreat for 12/7 -- Pearl Harbor Day. He is a WW2 Navy Veteran. To make a very long story short, he was supposed to be at the WW2 Memorial Dedication down in Washington D.C. in May, but that very weekend my mom was released from a 2 month stay in the hospital, and he was understandably not going to leave her at that time. I felt really bad he had to miss that, that part of his life is so much of who he is. Anyway, the Vet of the Day at MK was so moving and emotional for him, and he was so surprised, I had not told him ahead of time. People were coming up to him and thanking him, wanting to get a picture with him (one woman named Pearl who was born on PH day and named for it), someone even gave him a Mickey flag pin. During the night at the party people were still coming up to him. The whole thing meant so much to him.
The MVMCP was way more crowded than I was expecting. It was not even a sold out one. I went to get the special pins for that evening, and they were already sold out -- we were so disappointed. We enjoyed everything, especially the parade, that was the best! We saw a couple of shows and the fireworks, all were really good, but it was way too crowded! I am so glad I had taken the kids in to the park earlier in the day.
The next day we got a later start since the previous evening was so late. We went to EPCOT for the CP. It was not crowded there, but we mainly did the CP and dinner. The CP was with Marlee Matlin (someone voiced her) and she was wonderful. She added a special dimension to it. I LOVED the CP. I think it was my favorite Christmas thing at Disney. The music was wonderful, I brought home a few CDs. After that we had dinner at Le Cellier, I had done the CP dinner package. That was the best dinner, everyone agreed. Most of us had the filet of beef with the mushroom risotto, it was heavenly. Service was great. We noticed this trip at the meals they are now very quick to immediately bring drink refills, and even offer more food to my DD (8) when she finishes her kids meal. Very attentive service everywhere. What a meal!
Thursday my dad knows someone high up at Cape Kennedy, so we spent the day there. I had not been there since I was a little kid, and my kids were all at a good age for it (14,11,8). It was not crowded at all. We had VIP treatment through my dad's friend, and really enjoyed the day, I am glad we spent the day there. Since that was our last night, I arranged for the 10:00 sleigh ride at the VWL. That was an enjoyable experience.
The next day since we had a late afternoon flight, we packed up, and went miniature golfing at Winter/Summerland and then over to the Marketplace for one more time at Earl of Sandwich. That day was showery, so it was so much more crowded than on Monday.
Our trip was wonderful. We were blessed with unbelievable weather while we were there. It was around 83 each day, and at night we did not need any jackets or sweatshirts. I see the high this week is 20 degrees cooler. The highlight was definitely the Veteran of the Day for my dad. A million dollars would not have made him happier.
Happy to answer any questions.
) How did you sign your dad up? Can you tell me more about the sleigh ride too? Where did you get picked up, dropped off, etc. Thanks!
