My, What an Interesting Carpet Bag~A Dec. 2013 TR!*Remember Me?!*PTR for May 2015 Link, pg 23!*

[Nermel9]

I think most people who visit Disney have now discovered that Guest Relations building by Spaceship Earth.

Beautiful evening shots of the WS. Love the ones of the Christmas tree in the American Pavilion.

Oh, the crowds....I know how that story is going to go. It was pretty nuts. We tend to have a knack at going during unexpected times.
May of 2012 it was unbearably hot, this past month every person on the planet decided to go to Disney....we really have to stop that.

Haha, yeah, probably! I just never have problems so I never have to go there!

Thanks! I love that Christmas tree, it's one of my favorites!

Haha, I know right? My next trip is going to be a totally random time for me I think, time to try something new! I don't want crowds, I can't deal!

You know me, slacking on the DIS, so what do I discover? Your TR is done and you started a new one! Crazy, but crazy good!

Waiting for the luggage is the worst. When we take short trips, we just pack two carry-ons and deal, just to avoid the wait. I hate dealing with the rental car people, I always get so much anxiety about it. We have Alamo booked for February (Disney Cruise/Clearwater beach vacation. Kyle is sticking to his no WDW trip in 2014, but DCL is OK ) so maybe we will just head outside.

That's funny about the razors! Did he forget to pack them or does he just prefer shopping in Florida? LOL

Love Epcot! MK is still number one to me, but Epcot is at a very close second. We had trouble with our Magic Bands and Fastpass+ in October, I hope it is better for you.

Haha, don't worry, I'm slacking on the DIS too! I barely have time to update my own TR, never mind read everyone else's! Hopefully things will get back to normal after New Year's!

I wish I could just take a carry on...but I pack way too much, I Just can't do it! We usually never have to wait that long, but of course, when I'm in a hurry, it takes forever! And if you're not getting an additional driver, you should just be able to use the kiosk at Alamo and you will go right through! I'm jealous, a DCL/Clearwater vacation? I'm obsessed with Clearwater beach, I want to go there SO bad!!!

Haha, no, he just forgot! We always have to stop somewhere, but we usually do it after we check in...I guess we just did things out of order this time!

I'm just not a fan of the magic bands. Well it's not the bands so much, but I do not like the new FP+.

great update and beautiful pics.

Sorry you had troubles with the band.

Thanks!

That was the only time we had problems with the band, and it got fixed pretty quickly! I'm just not a fan of the new FP+. Oh well, looks like it's here to stay I guess!

 

[Nermel9]

Glad you got Brandon 's magic band fixed!

Great update!!!
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your night!!

Me too, it was so annoying but it got fixed quickly!

Thanks! I'm going to update right now!

Beautiful pictures, Jen. I'm sorry it was so crowded; we had crowds too and decided if we go again next December to go a week later.

So glad to hear you didn't get a single migraine this trip.

Thanks! Ugh yeah, the crowds were crazy! I just don't think December is a great time to go anymore, sadly. Everyone caught on! If I ever go again for Christmas, I'll go in November like I always have. I think next year we're skipping it though, who knows!

Me too! It was a Disney miracle!

It's always just so nice to be in a park on arrival day, I have found I really don't care if we don't even get to do anything. Taking it all in and realizing you are FINALLY THERE is just so exciting all in itself! I'm glad you got through your whole trip migraine free. Just too bad you had to miss out on all those delicious sounding things for fear of one.

Looking forward to your MK night!

That's pretty much how I feel, I just need to be in a park! I could seriously just sit in Epcot for hours and not do anything and be content, but Brandon isn't a fan of that...ugh, see, this is why I need to move there!

It was annoying not being able to drink but I didn't want to ruin my night, and I also didn't want to get tired...and that was hard, since I was up since what, 2?

 

[Nermel9]

I totally understand how crowds can bum a person out. On the very first day of my trip in September, the crowds were nonexistent and I was so excited because I thought the rest of my week would be the same. I was wrong - they weren't super bad, as it was September, but I kept thinking "this isn't supposed to happen!"

Can't wait to read about your next segment of the trip!

Yeah, I'm not a fan of crowds! When did you go in September, that's strange that there were crowds! I'm thinking of doing September again, so you have to tell me what week to avoid!

I had to go to Guest Relations in Epcot once. They were wonderful then too!
What a gorgeous tree. I'm so sad that it wasn't up when I was there!
(And what an awesome spoiler, no migraines!! )
3 hours to meet Anna and Elsa??? Whoa! That's craziness!

They really are great, I would love to be a Guest Relations CM! Although I bet they get a lot of unhappy people in there, so maybe not!

I was so happy to finally experience Disney migraine free!

I know, I can't believe the wait for them gets so long! But that movie is so good, I guess I can understand! They need Fast Passes!

You can never have too many pictures of the same thing in WDW! I take like 20 shots of everything just in case! You never know when one will be blurry, or someone will blink...or a bird will fly through the frame just as you click the shutter. Yes, it's happened to me! And your pics from around Epcot came out great! Sometimes, it's nice to just wander around Epcot and NOT do anything! It's a good park for that! I'm the same way with AK...I could easily spend hours there just walking around and taking pictures without riding a single thing.

Can't wait to see pictures from The Poly!

Haha, I don't think I've ever had a bird ruin a picture...usually it's just some random person walking in front of me like I don't exist!

That's weird, I can't just wander around AK! I need to get in and get out! Unless it's at night, then it's a totally different vibe...I don't know, AK will just always be my least favorite I guess! I mean, I like it but I don't need to spend a lot of time there! Epcot, however, I could live in!

You know...I'm not sure I even took pictures at the Poly...I think we were too concerned with eating!

 

[Nermel9]

Ain't Life Grand?


Saturday 11/30 Part 3

By the time we left Epcot and got to our car, we were starving! I didn't really notice it in the park, and since we had that pretzel I guess that was good enough, but now I really felt like we should eat! Especially if we were planning to stay in the Magic Kingdom until 1, which of course, I was hoping for...

We drove over to the Magic Kingdom parking lot and parked in the Scar lot. We hopped on the tram and went to the Transportation and Ticket Center, but instead of going to MK, or on a monorail, we decided to walk to the Poly since it's so close.

The Poly looked beautiful, all decorated for Christmas, but guess what? I didn't take any pictures! Can you believe that? Except here's the thing about the Poly...it is beautiful, of course, and the decorations are amazing, but it's not like the Grand, where they have the huge tree, and the Gingerbread House...it's kind of crazy actually, I feel like the Poly needs something more, considering it might be the most beautiful Disney resort (I mean, next to the Grand, of course!)

The whole time I was thinking I'd eat at Captain Cooks and get the adult grilled cheese, but now I didn't really want it. I didn't know what I wanted. But I knew Brandon wanted sushi at Kona Island, so we headed up there to see if there were any seats. Kona Island is basically just an island, right next to Kona Cafe where you can get sushi, and they have limited seating.

Luckily, when we went up there, there were a few seats left, so we grabbed them. And apparently, you can order anything off the Kona Cafe menu! Someone had wings that looked amazing, so I ordered those, they might be the same ones they have at 'Ohana...if they aren't, they are very similar!

Brandon agonized over what sushi to get, and finally he decided and ordered. I figured since I made it through most of the day migraine free, and I was about to eat, it was safe to have one drink, so I got a lovely chocolate martini.



When the server brought us the drinks, I asked if there was any way we could get bread pudding from 'Ohana, only half serious, and he got all weird and was like "no...no, we're not allowed to do that...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." It was strange, it was like he thought he was going to get in trouble for telling us no, or maybe he gets asked that a lot and people get mad? We told him it was ok, and I didn't really expect him to say yes anyway, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask, right? It is my favorite Disney dessert, after all!

After we scared the server away, he came back with our dinner, a lava roll for Brandon, which, even though I'm not a huge sushi fan, looked awesome



and the sticky wings from Kona Cafe for me!



OMG these wings are amazing! They have to be the same ones 'Ohana has, they are so good! Brandon had a couple and I tried his sushi, which was good, but way too spicy for me! I can't handle anything spicy, my mouth just burns!

After a little while, our server came back to see how we were doing, and he started talking to us really quietly...he basically said, since Brandon was wearing a Red Sox hat, and he himself was a Sox fan, he was able to talk to some people at 'Ohana and get us bread pudding BUT there was a catch-we had to take it to go and eat it somewhere else, because if other people saw, they would want it too, and they're really not supposed to do that, and were we ok with taking it somewhere else to eat it?

UM, YEAH!!!

So he brought us our check, and our illegal bread pudding, in a bag, complete with bananas foster sauce and ice cream on the side...and guess what? It only cost $6! So of course, we had to leave him a huge tip for doing that, and then we grabbed the goods and ran out of Kona Island!

We were going to go to Captain Cooks to eat, and the whole way there, we felt like we were smuggling this bread pudding through the Poly...we were so afraid that someone would figure it out and we would get in trouble, which is so ridiculous, but trust me, that's what they server made it seem like!

We made it to Captain Cook's, found a table in the corner, and took everything out, and had our beautiful bread pudding for dessert!



OMG it was so good! I think it was even better than normal since we had to smuggle it!

Once we ate every last crumb, we had to drag ourselves upstairs and catch the monorail to the Grand. We were so stuffed from that bread pudding, I could have easily taken a nap, but there was still so much more Disney to do!

The monorail had a huge line, and when we got on, it was packed! The crowds that night...wow! Just insane!

We made it to the Grand, and when we walked it, I seriously almost cried! It just looked so beautiful! I have been to the Grand for Christmas before, but I don't think we stayed very long, so walking in and seeing it again was amazing! It's just so perfect! It really is my dream to stay there someday, the Poly has been my dream for a long time, but I think now I'm back to the Grand being my #1 dream resort!

I mean, look at this perfection:



Even the smaller Christmas trees are gorgeous:



I did not want to move from that spot, but I felt bad because other people wanted to take pictures, and not only that, the band was playing! And they were playing Christmas music! I mean, could life have been any more perfect at that moment? I just had my favorite dessert in the world, now I'm at the most beautiful Disney resort, and the band is playing Christmas music! I was so happy, I could have seriously skipped MK that night and hung out there for hours!





We watched the band for a few minutes, and then they had to take a break, so we went downstairs...and I noticed that even the staircase is decorated beautifully!



Could this resort BE any more perfect?



I mean, I love my Wilderness Lodge, it's like home, and the Beach Club and Port Orleans are 2 of my favorite places, but...the Grand is just another level.

They even have a photopass photograhpher to take pictures in front of the tree! I kind of wanted to, but I looked awful and tired that night so I didn't bother...now I kind of wish I did, just to remember that night!

Random close up of the tree:



Have to continue this in the next post, used too many images, so hold on...

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[Nermel9]

Ain't Life Grand, Part 2!

And then there's the Gingerbread House...I mean, I know other resorts have gingerbread "thing"s, the Contemporary has the tree and the Beach Club has the merry go round, and they are all beautiful, but this house is just insane! I don't even understand how you build something like this...the magic of Disney I guess!







Ah, see, I was right! Disney magic and pixie dust!









I mean, can you believe the detail they put into this house???



I had to go back to the tree and take a million more pictures, of course!



And stalk people who were getting photopass pictures taken, I guess!



While we were at the Grand, I wanted to check out the villas...but I had no idea how to get there. So we went outside and just wandered until we found the walkway over to the villas and noticed that not many people were going over there...I was wondering if it was even ok if we walked in, but whatever, we made it there so why not just go in for a second...

We went in and the lobby was completely empty and quiet, and had this lovely background music playing. Then out of nowhere, some important DVC guy at a very important looking desk said "good evening" to us and that freaked me out...we clearly did not belong there and I felt like we were trespassing or something, so I took a few pictures and got out of there!





It really is pretty in there. If I can ever rent DVC points, it will be from there! I'm guessing that won't happen for a while though! But it's nice to know it's at least an option!

We walked back to the Grand and went to Basin for a little while, because I wanted to get some bath bombs while we were there.



I love that store, but the one in the Grand is so small! However, it is pretty cool that they even have that store IN the actual resort! It was super crowded though, so I had to grab what I wanted, pay, and get out!

As much as I didn't want to leave my lovely Grand Floridian, we were there for a while and figured we should probably get to the Magic Kingdom! I was ready to see my Castle all lit up!

Up next...the Magic Kingdom!

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[IheartDDuck]

Yeah, Thanksgiving weekend can be oppressive. Early in the day it's not too bad, but later on the crowds continue to grow. It doesn't tend to taper off until about Tuesday or Wednesday the following week.

I LOVE taking pictures directly into light, because they always turn out the coolest. I love the ones you took!

I don't think they were anticipating that Anna and Elsa would become so popular so fast.

"Lietenant Dan.......ice cream....."

I'm totally with you on the spicy front. I can't take any spice at all. I get made fun of constantly because of it.

Wow, awesome! Illegal bread pudding! That's some Disney magic there.

 

[Missyrose]

I'm here and loving the start of the TR! All the pictures of Epcot were beautiful and there's nothing better than just wandering the WS!

Um, score on the smuggled bread pudding. I am so envious! I'm eating at 'Ohana during the solo part of my May trip and I'm thinking of requesting I get the courses backward because I never have room for more than a few bites of the dessert.

The Grand looks gorgeous at Christmas. We're booking our early December trip in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see all the decorations myself. And your pictures of the fountain in the villas building were great. We have our first trip "home" to VGF planned for August and I cannot wait. We were lucky enough to get a pre-opening preview of the building in October and we can't wait to spend some real time there?

 

[Simba22]

OK, Illegal Bread Pudding!? How freaking cool is that!? Definitely worth a GREAT tip! I can't believe you didn't take any pics at The Poly! I know how it is though...so hungry you can't think about anything but eating and then something exciting happens and you just totally don't even think about it! It happens!

The Grand looks really pretty but I'm still just "eh" about it! Your pics are great, BTW! Although we will probably stay there on DVC points... Lumar loves penguins so that fountain basically cemented that plan!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Is Kona Island where they sell coffee at during the day? I think that's what it is. OMG! I love the bread pudding story. I probably would have ran outside for fear of getting the server in trouble. Thanks for the laugh tonight! I still think WL is the prettiest at Christmas, sorry.

So back to my DCL/Clearwater trip, have you been to Clearwater? I have never been but we were trying to think of where to go after the cruise and we have already been to Cocoa Beach twice. Apparently Clearwater is 3 hours from the cruise port, not too happy about that, but it will be nice to be somewhere different for a change.

 

[Dugette]

Oops, I guess I forgot to comment on the previous update!

So glad that you had a migraine-free trip! I always feel so bad for you when you have to deal with one.

Also, I wish your Epcot post had been up before our trip, as I had no idea there were new bathrooms or vodka on the ice cream and probably would have checked out both of them!

I agree on the Poly lack of big decorations. There's no big "must see" thing like the rest of the resorts. It's just pretty and pleasant, in general.

That's an awesome story about the bread pudding. Only at Disney!

Nice pictures of the gingerbread house. And cool fountain at the Villas!

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[scottny]

We have never eaten at the Island part of Kona. Next time we will try it.
WOW! That was really nice of him to do that.
You should have just walked out the door at Captain Cooks and walked over. You could have walked off the bread pudding. LOL
Nice pics of the gingerbread house.
Look into renting points, it isn’t that expensive but tickets and food make it pricey.
Love Basin.

 

[Tracy161]

I was in Disney September 16 through 23 - it really wasn't badly crowded, but with free dining, I think it was more than I was expecting it'd be.

Mmmmm bread pudding! I make that recipe all the time... Thank you Allears! Just made it for Christmas actually I literally cannot eat it often enough

Yay! I forgot you guys are Sox fans... Me too! I'm kinda devastated over Ellsbury, how about you?

Can't wait to read more!

 

[MissPrice]

Joining In. Loving the TR so far. Great pictures. OMG, I can't believe you guys scored some illegal bread pudding. I could so go for some of that right now! lol -Amanda

 

[JulieODC]

Your photo are beautiful!!

HOLY YUM! Your Kona food looks delish!

So glad you made it through the trip migraine free --- those are no joke! I get them sometimes, and I'd hate for one to hit at Disney (I'm down for the count when they come on!)

 

[kittylady1972]

Finally back to read your latest updates. I *LOVE* the sticky wings...and how AWESOME that you got some "illegal" bread pudding as well. Disney Magic...LOVE it!!

Our next trip will be Thanksgiving week of 2014 and I can't wait to see some of these same sights....the Gingerbread House, the parks all decorated...just awesome.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Smuggled bread pudding!!! haha LOVE IT!!!

I love the grand looking so magical for Christmas!!!! I need to go to disney at Christmas time some day!!!!

OMG I love the penguin fountain in the villas!!!!

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Jen. Joining late but joining in! Our December dates almost coincided. We arrived on 12/5.

That was too funny about the covert bread pudding. Glad you scored. I have never thought to ask which I should since I don't like any of the Kona desserts.

The gingerbread house at GF is awesome. Did you find the "hidden Mickey's" and gingerbread men?

 

[MEK]

We looked around in Japan a little





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This is a beautiful picture with great perspective!

I have to agree that the Christmas trees in Epcot are the BEST and the American Pavilion gives me the warm fuzzies. I did not KNOW there were new bathrooms there. How did I miss that? Oh well, next time.

I am shocked at the crowds you are reporting. It doesn't bother me at F&W because there is drinking involved, but still.

What a lovely evening.

I've got to read your newest update later.

 

[teekathepony]

Too funny smuggling bread pudding through the resort! That's so nice that the server brought it to you, even if it did come with a catch!
They sure do make the GF gorgeous at Christmas time. I'm sure you weren't the only ones to walk over to see the villas! Hehehe I totally get that feeling of not supposed to be somewhere though!

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