Lights, Christmas tree's and FAKE snow nowhere else but Disney! New 1.22!

[Julie Mouse]

Oh wow Cheryl! That is such a long time to go without heat and electricity!! And water! Did your employer have power (did you have to go to work?) We were without power for a few days about 5 years ago, but it happened during the summer. It must have gotten so cold in your house. I'm glad you're back.

 

[pamouselover]

I love your people movie pics, those are great.
I am so exicted and your pics are making me even more.

 

[Jennifer48]

We were lucky enough to only be without power for about 8 hours last Friday. There are still many friends around without any. I hope they get it back soon in time for the 2 snowstorms this weekend!

Can't wait to hear more

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Wow! How long were you without power? I hope everything works out for all those without power and that the next storms on your way end up being not so bad!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Nov 14th

Mickey called my room around 7:30 to wake me up for my first full day! I was up and ready in no time and excited to head out to the busses. Now because on my last trip I skipped Animal Kingdom entirely last time I made it my first stop this day.

It didn't take long to get to the park and I had arrived just after park opening so I missed the mad rush at the front of the park. As I walked from the bus stop I could see that there was a HUGE tree outside the enterance and I was so excited to see that it was a Christmas tree! Now before I left I had heard that no other park (besides the MK) was decorated for Christmas yet and it was going to be after Thanksgiving. I went down with out high hopes so I was THRILLED to see decorations up!

Sideways closeup of the tree...

As I made my way through the oasis at the front of the park toward the Tree of life I enjoyed the Christmas touches on the different buildings.

My first order of buisness was to get in line for the first showing of Finding Nemo the musical. So I made my way through Dinoland...

Toward the Theater in the Wild.

When I arrived at the theater I was 3rd in line and the CM's told us we would be entering the theater soon.

So as I waited I of course took pictures!

Straight ahead was EE! It ended up being down. The ride stopped and they actually had to walk off. I just kept thinking about those poor people on the incline having to get out then walk down the stairs so high up!
To the left of where I was this beautiful senic area.

After about 15 minutes the CM's started to let us in the theater. I didn't have to wait too long before the show began and let me just say I love it! The music and puppetry are fantastic. Here are some of my pictures from the show...

After the musical I made my way out of the theater to find myself an Animal Kingdom adventure!

Up next...more Animal Kingdom!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

So beautiful!

It was truly magical!

Wow, you got some great pictures of the dream lights. It really is magical how they light up the castle. I can't wait to see it again! Great update!

Thanks! I hope I can make it down to see the lights another year in the future!

My trip was great, got engaged! I don't have a TR started yet but I'm thinking about it. Everyone wants to read about the engagement haha. I agree with you, pictures do NOT do the castle icicle lights justice. They are spectacular.

Oh my! Congratulations!!!!! I would love to hear about the proposal!!!!

Oh wow Cheryl! That is such a long time to go without heat and electricity!! And water! Did your employer have power (did you have to go to work?) We were without power for a few days about 5 years ago, but it happened during the summer. It must have gotten so cold in your house. I'm glad you're back.

Yup my job had power. They lost it on Friday and were closed (I was off anyway) but got it back that night.

I love your people movie pics, those are great.
I am so exicted and your pics are making me even more.

Thanks!!! You must be getting so excited now! So close!

We were lucky enough to only be without power for about 8 hours last Friday. There are still many friends around without any. I hope they get it back soon in time for the 2 snowstorms this weekend!

Can't wait to hear more

Oh you were lucky! Only 8 hrs! Some people in towns around here are being told after christmas. Up in New Ipswich they are being told they wont have power for 4-5 weeks! NUTS! Now with the storm that we are getting now I hope its not delayed more.

Wow! How long were you without power? I hope everything works out for all those without power and that the next storms on your way end up being not so bad!

It ended up being 6 days. The first couple days I roughed it out but by the end of it I was wayyyyyy too cold. So I stayed with some friends who had power. Thank goodness for them!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Wow. 6 days without power! Crazy! I'm glad you had friends that you could count on. I cannot imagine what it must have been like living back in the old days without heat or power... (Or Disney!)

Those were great pictures! It was a nice update.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I can't wait to read more! Great pics!!! We leave in 3 days, and seeing your first day experience post, is getting me even more eager to arrive!!!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

When I left the theater I noticed that EE was still down so I headed the other way over to Dinoland to ride Dinosaur. Now I'm gonna be honest this ride scares me to death but I always find the need to go on it every trip to the Animal Kingdom. Oh and I forgot to mention the wait was only 5 minutes!

After that I headed to Africa to take a ride on the safari.

The wait was posted at 15 minutes but I don't think I even waited that long. I love listening to this guy in the queue line.

Once on safari it was great. So many of the animals were out and active!
Momma and baby...

The queen of the savanah

Another momma and baby pic...

After the safari I decided to walk the trail. Sorry I can't remember the name but its the one right as you exit the safari.
Anyway it was a cool walk through the "jungle". At one point you come across an underwater view of the hippos and look who was there taking a little nap...

At another point on the trail you get to come face to face with gorilla's. They were behind glass of course but face to face none the less. So first this guy was up in the back.

Then down in front in the corner was this guy. He was actually pretending to sleep because every few minutes he would open his eyes and see who was still watching him.

All in all the trail was really cool. Something I had never done before. It was a cool expierence to come face to face with animals you wouldnt normally have a chance to.

After walking the trail I headed over to the tree of life and saw the "Tough to be a bug show" which was another complete walk on. It was around 1:45 at this point and I decided to make my way out of the park and over to Epcot for some lunch and fun around the world showcase.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Wow. 6 days without power! Crazy! I'm glad you had friends that you could count on. I cannot imagine what it must have been like living back in the old days without heat or power... (Or Disney!)

Those were great pictures! It was a nice update.

Yes I'm greatful to them. It was a rough 6 days let me just say. I wouldn't be able to survive like in the old days. There are still so many without power and it's going on day 10. We got a big storm friday were we got a foot of snow nd were getting another 10 inches today.

Haha and I was going crazy with out the Disboards!!!!

I can't wait to read more! Great pics!!! We leave in 3 days, and seeing your first day experience post, is getting me even more eager to arrive!!!

Thanks!!! You are going to have a great time!!! ENJOY!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Well, we're back home so now I need to get all caught up on everyone's trip reports! I love that picture of the giraffes on the safari. That is too cool. Oh, and I am totally with you about Dinosaur...it really freaks me out but I still have to go on it!

 

[luvfigment]

Just jumping on board...congrats on your promotion and I am glad you finally got your power back especially after all the snow NE got this weekend.

 

[Julie Mouse]

Merry Christmas Cheryl! I hope you had a wonderful day! I think I've asked you this before, but I don't remember what you said. What kind of camera do you have? I am thinking of buying one, and you really get some fantastic pics.

 

[pamouselover]

Hope you had a nice christmas. Yes I am very excited, and can not share it with anyone but DH and disers. I am bouncing like tigger. Only five more days till we tell the kiddos and leave.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Cheryl! I'm so sorry I haven't commented on your report since forever ago!

I'm so glad to hear that yall have power/electricity back! THANK GOODNESS!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I did. I can't believe it's already over and the new year is right around the corner. I wish you all a happy and healthy New year and on with the TR!

I decided to head out of AK and head over to Epcot to wander around the world showcase for the afternoon. When I got to the park I was excited to see that they had a Christmas display up!

As I walked through future world toward the world showcase I noticed the Lights of winter arch ways werent set up. But I did see that they did have the Epcot tree up so I was excited about that.

Now I don't have many pictures at all from this afternoon. I decided that I wanted just to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. I started in Mexico and worked my way around people watching and strolling along. I stopped in Japan for a quick lunch at their counter service place. I continued on through Morrocco and France and then I decided to take the International gateway boat and see where it went since I've never done that before.

Merry Christmas signs (in all different languages) hanging in the boat waiting area.

I didn't have to wait long before the boat came and I was off.

I didn't really know what my plan was at this point. It was a go with the flow kind of afternoon.
I rode the boat to the Yacht club, The boardwalk and the Swan resort. It was cool to actually see these resorts up close. I stayed on the boat and rode it to the end of the route to Hollywood studios. I decided to catch the bus back to Pop from the studios. When I got to Pop I just wanted to drop off some stuff I bought and grab a long sleeve tee since it was going to get cool once the sun set.

After a quick stop in the room I was off again to Downtown Disney. Tonight there was going to be a space shuttle launch and I heard people talking about it all day. From what I gathered Downtown Disney was the best place to see it. By the time I got to DTD I had about 30 minutes before the 7:55 launch. I saw a few people hanging around in the area where the water jets are. Over by Earl of Sandwich and Once upon a toy. I asked them if they knew where you could see the shuttle launch and turns out I was in the perfect place. Turns out the people I was talking to were locals who come to DTD for every shuttle launch. They called someone at home (who was watching the news) because I guess the launch may not of happened because it was very windy and I guess it was going to rain. Turns out the launch was still on. 7:55 came and there were a lot of people in that area waiting. All of a sudden the whole black sky line turned a bright orange and this huge orange fireball came shooting up. Everyone started cheering and clapping It was such a cool experience and thing to see. The shuttle dissapeared behind the clouds and that was it. Such a short thing but very cool to see! Sorry I didn't take any pictures of it but I did take a video so if I can figure out how to post that I will!

After the launch I headed over to The World of Disney to do some shopping.

Outside they had a cute area for where Santa was going to visit! They even had the reindeer.
Santa's house at DTD...

After some shopping I was getting pretty hungry so I headed over to Wolfgang Puck express for some dinner. Then over to Goofy's candy co for one of my favorite Disney snacks...build your own marshmallow treats.

I took my custom made snack and headed out to the boat docks to enjoy the atmosphere.

It was getting late at this point so I decided to head back to Pop. On the bus back there wasn't many people on the bus and the family I was sitting next to was talking about how bummed they were since they missed the launch. I told them it wasn't much but I had recorded it on my camera if they wanted to see that. The mother was so suprised that I offered and they were excited. When we arrived back to Pop the family wished me a good night, a magical trip and thanked me again. I headed back to my room and off to bed so I could be up early for rope drop. The next day was the first of Super Soap Weekend!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Well, we're back home so now I need to get all caught up on everyone's trip reports! I love that picture of the giraffes on the safari. That is too cool. Oh, and I am totally with you about Dinosaur...it really freaks me out but I still have to go on it!

Haha you can't break Disney tradition. I will say that's the only ride that scares me!

Just jumping on board...congrats on your promotion and I am glad you finally got your power back especially after all the snow NE got this weekend.

Thanks for joining in! I'm so glad to see some of that snow we got is going to melt this weekend!

Merry Christmas Cheryl! I hope you had a wonderful day! I think I've asked you this before, but I don't remember what you said. What kind of camera do you have? I am thinking of buying one, and you really get some fantastic pics.

How was your Christmas Julie? I had a great one!!! I have a Nikon s200 point and shoot. I love it. I'm finally learning how to use the different settings but I love the camera!!! Let me know what you decide to get!

Hope you had a nice christmas. Yes I am very excited, and can not share it with anyone but DH and disers. I am bouncing like tigger. Only five more days till we tell the kiddos and leave.

Mine was good. The whole family went down to my grandparents house in MA for the day. How was your Christmas?!

Only 4 more days now till the big day!!!!!

Cheryl! I'm so sorry I haven't commented on your report since forever ago!

I'm so glad to hear that yall have power/electricity back! THANK GOODNESS!

Hey girl!!!! Hope you had a great Christmas! Oh man I can't tell you how happy I was to have the power back!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I'm happy you had a good Christmas. It was busy as usual, what with my huge family and all.

I love that you took the boat just to see where it went! What a great way to spend a day at Disney, just relaxing and doing what you want. Maybe one day when I get to go more often, I'll be able to do that!

Can't wait to see the shuttle video.

 

[Hillary12.8.07]

Hey girl! Hope you had a good Christmas and enjoyed some time off!!

Great TR so far, I love reading people's reactions to all the decorations for the first time. yay! How cool that you got to see the shuttle launch! One time back in middle school we were at Disney when one was coming back, and we drove over to Port Canaveral for the day but it wasn't a big deal, it kinda just looked like an airplane in the sky. still a neat experience though, that's awesome you got to see something like that, from Disney!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[luvfigment]

That is really neat that you got to see the shuttle launch. I still have never been into Goofy's Candy Co. but want to so badly. That was on my list to do when I went in Oct. but we ran out of time and I was bummed...oh well I guess it will be there waiting for me.