RobDoc
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 14, 1998
- Messages
- 34,195
We left home yesterday with rain and 45 degrees and it was 76 upon arrival at MCO at 7:45pm. We rode DME and OKW was the first stop - arriving about 8:30pm. Check-in was uneventful and our Owners Lockers were already waiting for us in our villa. The Bell staff assited with our luggage and groceries from Garden Grocer. We are celebrating our 39th Anniversary and were given Celebration pins at arrival. Every CM we walked near today wished us a Happy Anniversary and it was nice. I still don't know how DW has put up with me for this many years! 
We are in an upper floor 1BR in Building 14 across from HH and the villa was in great shape.
We had a lazy morning and then headed over to the MK where we were surprised at the crowds. We later found out that they were taping the WDW Chrsitmas Parade today which accounted for the increased crowds from our usual experience in early December. Temps today were mid-70's with a beautiful sunny sky.
We rode the recently rehabbed Space Mountain and were pleased with the improvements in the queue and also liked the comfort of the new ride vehicles. Afterwards we grabbed lunch at Columbia House and then headed to the bus stop to catch a bus to BWV.
From BWV, we walked over to International Gateway and arrived right at 3pm for the Merry Member Mixer where the line was pretty long but they opened at that time and we were inside the event tent within about 15 minutes. Deevy Cee greeted members upon arrival and everyone recieved a raffle card and also a ticket for a free Holiday treat ( a rice krispy "delicacy"). There was cider and ice water available as well as a cash bar for more adult beverages.
I did get to finally meet CarolMN and her DH. It was great to get to talk with her. We have a wonderful group of DVC moderators here on the DIS!
When leaving the event, each family received a pewter 2009 DVC ornament. We have a nice collection of these from over the years now and they adorn our Disney decorated tree each year.
After leaving the Mixer, we entered Epcot thru International Gateway and headed back to listen to our favorite Disney performers, the Voices of Liberty at the AA. They performed today as the Dickens Carolers and did a wonderful selection of Christmas favorites in typical VoL a'cappella style.
After the performance we enjoyed a drink from a nearby kiosk while waiting for the Candlelight Processional to begin and then found a good spot just outside the theater. The stand-by queue extended beyond Germany but most all did get a seat even with the reserved seating for those in the dinner program. As always the CP was wonderful with narration this year by Stephen Curtis Chapman. Our favorite narrator over the years is Rita Moreno, but Stephen did a great job tonight. Even with the same music and narration script each year, the narrator has an opportunity to bring his/her own flair and this year was no different. CP was a moving experience again this year.
We walked back around WS and stopped at the Art of Disney store and rode Spaceship Earth before catching a bus back to OKW.
Tomorrow we have a late lunch planned at Coral Reef and will probably go over the DHS prior to that. Rain is predicted for tomorrow into Saturday so we'll try to plan around that, but would like to attend the DVC/AP event at DD early on Sat (DW has her eye on a necklace there
).
I plan to attend the DVC Annual Meeting next Wednesday as well as dinner with DIS friends that evening. I also hope to make next week's Mixer since there are so many DISers planning to be there next Thursday. We will also be at the DIS seminar with Lee Cockerell and Marty Sklar next week and the podcast Toy Story Mania event on Sat. evening.
Busy week!
We are in an upper floor 1BR in Building 14 across from HH and the villa was in great shape.
We had a lazy morning and then headed over to the MK where we were surprised at the crowds. We later found out that they were taping the WDW Chrsitmas Parade today which accounted for the increased crowds from our usual experience in early December. Temps today were mid-70's with a beautiful sunny sky.
We rode the recently rehabbed Space Mountain and were pleased with the improvements in the queue and also liked the comfort of the new ride vehicles. Afterwards we grabbed lunch at Columbia House and then headed to the bus stop to catch a bus to BWV.
From BWV, we walked over to International Gateway and arrived right at 3pm for the Merry Member Mixer where the line was pretty long but they opened at that time and we were inside the event tent within about 15 minutes. Deevy Cee greeted members upon arrival and everyone recieved a raffle card and also a ticket for a free Holiday treat ( a rice krispy "delicacy"). There was cider and ice water available as well as a cash bar for more adult beverages.
I did get to finally meet CarolMN and her DH. It was great to get to talk with her. We have a wonderful group of DVC moderators here on the DIS!
When leaving the event, each family received a pewter 2009 DVC ornament. We have a nice collection of these from over the years now and they adorn our Disney decorated tree each year.
After leaving the Mixer, we entered Epcot thru International Gateway and headed back to listen to our favorite Disney performers, the Voices of Liberty at the AA. They performed today as the Dickens Carolers and did a wonderful selection of Christmas favorites in typical VoL a'cappella style.
After the performance we enjoyed a drink from a nearby kiosk while waiting for the Candlelight Processional to begin and then found a good spot just outside the theater. The stand-by queue extended beyond Germany but most all did get a seat even with the reserved seating for those in the dinner program. As always the CP was wonderful with narration this year by Stephen Curtis Chapman. Our favorite narrator over the years is Rita Moreno, but Stephen did a great job tonight. Even with the same music and narration script each year, the narrator has an opportunity to bring his/her own flair and this year was no different. CP was a moving experience again this year.
We walked back around WS and stopped at the Art of Disney store and rode Spaceship Earth before catching a bus back to OKW.
Tomorrow we have a late lunch planned at Coral Reef and will probably go over the DHS prior to that. Rain is predicted for tomorrow into Saturday so we'll try to plan around that, but would like to attend the DVC/AP event at DD early on Sat (DW has her eye on a necklace there
).I plan to attend the DVC Annual Meeting next Wednesday as well as dinner with DIS friends that evening. I also hope to make next week's Mixer since there are so many DISers planning to be there next Thursday. We will also be at the DIS seminar with Lee Cockerell and Marty Sklar next week and the podcast Toy Story Mania event on Sat. evening.
Busy week!
What a milestone for you - Congratulations!!!
Happy Anniversary to you and the Mrs! 
!
