Merry Christmas to Crowded Ney Year

[ilandrazdsw]

Dates: Dec 23-Jan 2

Travel: Bahamasair. 1 1/2 hours late arriving and 2 hours late leaving. If you have time to spare...fly Bahamasair!

Resort: All Star Sports, Surf's Up # 6 away from the pool. Check-in was a breeze and room was ready (thanks to a late flight). With a little rearranging of the table we had more than enough space for all our luggage and a blow-up single air mattress (for DD). The resort and room were clean. Would definately stay there in the future (bonus of being the first bus stop). Thefront dest staff was wonderful when I lost my camera in the back of the taxi when we wnet to Midevil Times. Within 1 hour of it falling out of my pocket, the camera was located (driver had turned it in at another resort), and back in DH's hands before 7 the next morning!

23rd: Check-in. Took the bus to DTD and walked around (had to stop at Goofys Candy Co), but only made it about 1/2 way before having to leave for ARDs at Chef Mickeys. This was our DS & DD's first meeting with characters...IT WAS WONDERFUL! After eating dinner we took a ride on the Monorail, then back to ASSP for an early night.

24th: Up at 6 AM! Bus to MK and Monorail to the Poly. Breakfat at O'Hana with Stitch (yummy). DD3 got to hold Mickey's had during the parade...I think that made her day. Then off to AK. We had a minimal to no wait for everything thanks to TGM and FastPasses. Kail RR was the first WDW ride...luckily we didn't get very wet. We used Rider Swap for EE...DS5 wasn't too sure and wouldn't ride again with DH, but at least he went (the first of many). According to the law of nature Just before we were to get on Dinosaur DD had to use the ladies room so DH and DS had the pleasure...or the fright! DD and DS also enjoyed the Dinospin ride. Lunch was at Rainforest Cafe. The Lion King show was terrific and I had to see the parade. A ride on the safari left us with 2 tired children so we headed back to the room to get cleaned up for dinner at Boma...the food was very good for the adult, DD is pickey anyway, and DS fell asleep in his dinner plate.

More to come....

 

[ilandrazdsw]

The wake-up call came at 5:15 AM!!

DH and I got up and dressed...then we took on the task of waking and dressing the children. By 6 AM dad, mom, Jack Sparrow & Snow White were waiting at the bus stop. We were at the turnstyle by 6:30, saw the rope drop show, and were on Dumbo's first flight of the day. By our 9:15 CRT ressies we were finished with all the kids MUST DO rides, had FastPasses in the bank, AND had seen Ariel at her Grotto. We were able to get prime prade "seats" (within the ropes) AND caught the show while waiting for the parade to start (nice bonus). Then we headed to a late lunch at Tonys. Following lunch we headed to POTC (10 min wait) and were just in time for Jack sparrow's Tutorial. Aladdin's Magic Carpets and the Tiki Birds led way to Splash Mountain and BTHMRR (both FastPassed). Unfortunately our late ressies at LTT made for tired children and parents...we were really too tired to enjoy the meal. Trying to make it out of LTT and to the busses was a chore in itself...never try to move during the fireworks as you won't get anywhere
I do have to comment that people's attitudes were very pleasant despite the crowds. Others tired to move out of the way and words like excuse me and sorry were said and heard.
Despite the horror stories, Christmas in the MK was AWESOME!!!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

After a few hours of sleep we awoke at 6 AM to get ready for our Chef Mickey's ressies. DD was Princess Ariel for the day...well, 1/2 the day. After Breakfast we jumped to Monorail to Epcot and were able to ride up front (the captain was from Crown Point, IN where we will be moving to this spring).
Now I will be honest that I DO NOT care for EPCOT! It is my least favorite park and in 13 years this has not changed. Sorin was a fun ride, but not worth afternoon wait times (IMO)...good thing we used FastPasses. Test track had a minimal wait and was totally fun for all. Thank goodness for a short green MS line. DD was too small to ride, so DS and I rode green getting a RiderSwap ticket and DH then rode Orange. We FPed test track again to ride at night. Short wait times allowed us to ride Nemo, do Turtle Talk (Crush talked to DS and then to us...SO embarassing!!!), Honey I Shrunk the Audience, and Figment (I love that little guy!). Lunch ressies were at Askershaus...the food was good and DD was thrilled to see Ariel in her dress. I did run out between princesses to FP Malestrom.
When it cooled down we headed around the world. DD was able to meet Mary Poppins and Alice, and Aladdin and Jasmine (Genie had an unfortunate Sharpie incident and was trying to be cleaned off). We missed Beauty and the Beast, and Mulan.
Dinner at 9 dragons was fantastic. They were able to seat us nearly an hour early. Portions were generous and it was hillarious to watch kids try to eat with chop stix.
We didn't stay around for Illuninations...just too exhausted to wait, but we did do a final ride on Test Track.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We got to sleep in...til 6:30...WooHoo

Breakfast was simple at the ASSp Food Court, then we headed to the bus for DHS for rope drop. FPed TSM (our 1 and only ride on it) and rushed to TOT. Thanks to single rider there was no real wait for Rock N Roller Coaster. The kids were too small, so after I rode I took them to Little Mermaid (expecting to FP it) while DH rode single rider. Fortunately we arrived at Little Mermaid a few minutes before the first show so we took advantage...DD and I love the LM so we really enjoyed the show!!! We met up with DH and headed to Star Tours, but the line was longish and we FPed it and went to LMA instead.
Ressies were at Hollywood and Vine at 11 AM...wonderful interaction with characters and good food for hungry people. The afternoon was filled with TSM, Power Rangers, Backlot Tour, the parade, and Star Wars show.
By dinner we were beyond exhausted AND Sci-FI was running behind...UGH! When we were finally seated we just wanted to eat and leave. The Onion Rings were soggy, and the steak and ribs were tough. The movie clips just became annoying. After all this we skipped the lights, passed on our Little Mermaid FPs, and went back to the resort.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Mickey called at 5:30 AM!

Today Tita arrived. She put her bags in our room and checked in. After a quick breakfast at the food court we were off to AK.
We FPed Dinosaur. The kids rode Dinospin with DH while Tita and I rode the one across from it (no wait, but it was boring) then we switched and rode with the kids while DH rode the boring one. We RiderSwaped EE with DH and DS riding first and Tita and me riding second. Then it was on to Kali RR...we got soaked...and had to hear about it the rest of the day from Tita!!! We FPed the Safari and headed to Lion King (yes, for a second time). After the show we decided to ride dinosaur and pass on our FPs for the safari to another family.
We hopped to EPCOT. IT WAS TOO CROWDED!!! We grabbed lunch at the Electric Umbrella (good for fast food) and went back to the resort for a nap.
We returned later before ressies at Coral Reef. Without a long wait we saw Figment, Nemo, and Turtle Talk. Crush talked to both DD and DS...DS asked him if he tasted like chicken!!! I was in tears laughing!
Coral Reef was running a 1/2 hour behind, but the food was completely worth it. The shrimp appetizers were a little fishey. The steak was fork-cutting tender. The Carmel cremebrulet was FANTASTIC! Beware...the alcohol in the mousse settles at the bottom.
Due to the delay for ressies we finished just after Illuminations finished, so the busses were beyond crowded. We only had to wait for 1 bus I think.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We got to sleep in...til 6 AM! The kids slept in Tita's room so SHE had to joy of getting up at 5:30 to get them ready.

By 6:40 we were at the bus and on our way to MK. We were able to ride and FP everything that was a MUST DO before 9:15 ressies at CP. The food was good, but it took for what seemed like forever for the characters to come around (we had to ask to take a quick pic with Eeyore so we could leave).
Before noon we were hopping to DHS. Of course TSM was not going to happen, but we FPed TOT. The single rider line was closed for RNR. We walked around and headed to 50s PT for our lunch ressies. No one was in the mood for the "acting" but once we got some drinks and the appetizers our moods improved greatly and we were able to enjoy all aspects of lunch...excpet our sleeping DD.
We managed to accomplish back lot tours, TOT, pictures with Characters, the annimation show, and Little Mermaid. DH was able to do single rider on RNR, but that took FOREVER!!!
The lights were amazing and beautiful!!!
Then it was back to the hotel for a good nights' sleep!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Once again it was an early morning!

We were slightly later arriving at AK this morning. The bus seemed to take its sweet old time showing up at the resort.
Regardless were able to get all the Must Dos done. DD and DS asked to NOT go on Dinosaur again, so that was one less. We headed directly to EE for a ride with RiderSwap and FPs. DD was able to meet some characters and we had a very YUMMY breakfast at TH. During Breakfast I ran out to FP safari...good thing too because not 2 hours later FPs were gone! We caught the 10:30 show of Nemo...enjoyed the show!
By noon we were finished with AK and returned to the resort for lunch in the food court figuring everyone would be in the parks...WRONG! All the "kids" staying at ASSp to preform at the Capital Bowl were there.
After lunch we napped and dressed for dinner at Midevil Times.
Within 5 minutes of arriving at Midevil times I realized my camera was missing...it had fallen out of my jacket pocket...UGH! Thanks to an honest driver and the CMs at the front desk it was located and in DH's hand before 7 the next morning!!!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Up again by 5:30...at this point I was starting to wake up before the call.

The busses to MK seemed to take forever this morning and we arrived after rope drop...UGH!

We headed to Space Mountain for DH and DS to ride and get a Swap card. I took DD (aka Cinderella) and we raced through tea Cups, Pooh, Snow White, and the Carousel. DH and DD met up with us after SM and Buzz to do Its a Small World...ONLY because Peter Pan wasn't working. DH ran to FP BTMRR while I took DD and DS to the Carousel and we met at CP for breakfast. After breakfast was POTC and the Magic Carpets. DH and DS went for BTMRR FPs again and I took DD to see Ariel (AGAIN).
Lunch was at CRT. We had to take 3 pictures of DD & DS before getting one with open eyes.
After lunch DS and I did Space Mountain and we walked through the shops. We walked up and down Swiss Family Tree House and saw Country Bears Jamboree (much to the objection of DS) and rode the train.
Getting to dinner at LTT was a chore. People were just down right RUDE! We were trying to get to the designated cross walk and people were actually seated/standing in the crosswalks waiting for the parade. They really needed 2 CMs at each cross walk and on the bridges!!! And whomever decided to ditribute the horns in the middle of the afternoon should be destine to hear that noise every minute of every day for the rest of thier life!!! 10 PM and later would have given plenty of time to annoy those around them.
LTT was great and we were seated immediately.
After dinner we headed to BTMRR to use our FPs, but it was closed down and no one knew when it would be reopened. The kids were falling asleep (at only 8 pm) so 8 FPs were given to the first lucky person that said they would take them.
We were alseep by 10:30...what a way to ring in the new year!!!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

This morning we ate at Chef Mickeys. We were at the MK 15 minutes after rope drop and it was CROWDED! OK, you expect NYE to be jammed packed, but for the park to be crowded early on NYD was surprising...and it wasn't just the families with small children that you would expect!

We had a few Must Dos...Peter Pan and Dumbo. We didn't get to do Dumbo because I would not wait in the line. DH went for BTMRR FPs and the kids and I waited in a 20+ minute Peter Pan line. DH and I refused to do IASW again. We accomplished Snow White, Pooh, and Tea Cups, then ventured to the Fairies. We refused to wait 75 minutes!!! We rode Goofy's Barnstorm Rollercoaster instead. Then we took the railroad over to BTMRR. DH took DD and DS to the Haunted Mantion while I pickup up the CRT photo from yesterday and got the stroller. We then made our way to lunch at CP.
After lunch we headed back to the resort to nap and pack.
Ending the trip with dinner at 1900 Park Fare was NOT a disappointment! Not only was the food very good, but the interaction between Cinderella's step-mother and sisters was fantastic.
After a final ride on the monorail to the MK we took the bus back to the resort for stage 2 of packing and bed.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Despite being able to sleep in til 7 AM I was up by 6:30...UGH!

DH and I got up and dressed. I deflated the air mattress under DD and dressed DS while he was still sleeping. DD finally got up from the floor to get dressed and I packed up the air mattress. DH went to the lobby in search of a luggage cart, but all were in use. We decided to leave the luggage in the room and eat breakfast before we had to be to the DME. Luckily between the stroller (aka luggage cart) and wheeling bags we made it to the DME with a few minutes to spare. We then boarded the bus for the depressing ride back to MCO.

Disney plans plenty of time for passengers traveling internationally to check-in for the flight...UNFORTUNATELY Bahamasair doesn't seem to think that even with the holiday travel employees should be there earlier than 2 hours before the flight. This set me off! I called the 800 # to complain and find out why no one was there to work...the woman on the other end of the phon said there was nothing she could do to complain at the desk...ummm, hello, the 800 # is whatyou call for help and complaints...and how am I supposed to complain when there is no one there!!!
Next strike was taking the bags to the x-ray machine. We were just supposed to slide the bags under the ropes for "security" to take and put through the machine. I insisted on staying with the bags until "security" took all 4 bags into their possession. It was too easy and too crowded for someone to reach under the ropes and take a bag for themself.
Then we got to "security"! OK I will probably be flammed for this, but I don't care. The terrorists from 9-11 did more than anyone realized...it was not onlly the loss of life but the loss of any and all commom sense for anyone with a "badge." we packed the portable pump for the airmattress in our carryon luggage. Now traveling to the US from the Bahamas we had to go through 2 security checks and US customs baggage check...the pump passed just fine! Well this time all the bells and whistles went off! I was already pissed and was not in the mood for the "we're only trying to protect you" line. Well, before the pump was swabbed one agent turned it on. Then when it was swabbed it showed for chemical explosives. Then the supervisor came over and asked for my passport and bording passes...I made the mistake of handing over my passport whick I will never do again!!! We do not have to surrender our passport and I was stupid to. In the end they retested the pump and it was fine...if they would have tried to keep it I would have gone over the edge! I have never flown out of an airport that was so anal!
To top it off our flight was 2 hours late arriving and then had to be cleaned and refueled.
What startedout as a great trip ended on a "O not again" note!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

TGM...totally worth it!

No ride is worth waiting over 30 minutes!

I would go again for Christmas, but leave by the 28th!

Although the DDP was nice, it was too much food and took too much time away from the parks. One table service, one counter service and one snack would have been more than enough.

Next time we will skip CRT and just do Akershaus and 1900 Park Fare.

Go to CP only if you have the time to spare.

Take the time to take an afternoon break...it makes the night with kids much more pleasant.

So many people think that you have to use the FPs in that hour window.

Don't FP is you need a Rider Swap and the line is short.

ASSp is a great resort and had plenty of room for our family of 4 (DH in 1 bed, DS & I in 1 bed, DD on mattress on the floor).

Don't bother with park hopping at Christmas with little children.

Pass on the FP magic if you are leaving the park for an extended period of time.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask! We really did have a great time!!!