jaguar9748
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2001
- Messages
- 531
This was our 2nd Christmas Day trip and 4th trip during the Christmas season. This is our favorite time to visit Disney and we enjoy all of the special decorations, parades, music, etc.
The party included my DH (44), DS (19), DD (turned 18 during the trip), and me (43).
Let me preface this report by saying that we go to the parks in the morning for 3-4 hours and then again at night for another 3-4 hours. We go to Disney an average of 3 times per year. We try to do at least 1 new thing each time. We also bought a small refrigerator a couple of years ago so we take that with us and eat breakfast and lunch in the room. This saves us $$$ and allows us relaxing time away from the crowds. We also eat better by having less fried food, etc.
Our resort of choice was Port Orleans Riverside which is our favorite resort (Wilderness Lodge Villas is a very close 2nd). The price was right - we got the room for $94 with tax - who can beat that deal! We checked in 12/25 and checked out 12/30.
Day 1 - Christmas Day
Checked in with no lines. Assigned Room 3409 in the Alligator Bayou section. Room was clean so we unpacked, set up the refrigerator and prepared for our PS at Boatwrights. DH had the jambalaya, DS had the t-bone, DD and I had the prime rib. A delicious meal and a great start to our Disney vacation. After dinner it was off to MK where we arrived at 8:30. The first SpectroMagic show had just ended so folks were streaming out of the park. We found a great spot on Main Street close to the castle for the fireworks. After the fireworks we watched the Castle show (a Christmas show featuring Mickey and Minnie) and then settled down in front of the castle for a front row seat to the 10 PM SpectroMagic. The parade was great as always, but the cold snap had settled in and we were SO cold waiting and watching the parade!! After the parade the park cleared out so we took advantage and rode rides. Peter Pan was packed, but we walked on Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and Thunder Mountain. We left the park at midnight and there was no wait for the bus - bus was not full. It was great to be at MK until midnight - it had been a long time since MK was open until midnight!
Day 2 - 12/26
Today was DD's 18th birthday! After breakfast in our room she opened her gifts and was thrilled to find a family group gift - a camcorder! Needless to say, we all became guinea pigs for the camcorder over the next 4 days - tee hee! We headed to AK and had no wait at Riverside's West Depot for a bus. AK was not busy and we walked right onto the safari ride. Due to the cold lots of animals were out and about which was great! Then it was off to Rafiki's Planet Watch where we spent a good hour - what a neat area. After getting off the Planet Watch train, it was obvious AK was getting crowded and we had done what DD wanted to do. Back to the resort where we had lunch in our room and a yummy birthday cake that I had brought from home. The kids rented bikes at Riverside in the afternoon and then after a Disney nap, we rode the bus to MGM and then hopped on a boat to the Yacht Club. Our destination was a birthday dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. The Yachtsman was busy, but as always the service was excellent and the food was outstanding. DH had prime rib, DS had a t-bone, DD had a NY strip and I had the filet. We had told the Yachtsman staff about DD's birthday and they brought her a complimentary chocolate cake - it was yummy! After dinner we walked through the Beach Club to look at the decorations and then it was off to the International Gateway and Epcot. We arrived at the American Adventure at 8 PM and they were seating folks for the Candlelight Processional (it was not full this night) so we got a spot, enjoyed narrator Gary Sinese and the choir and immortalized it on video. After the show we grabbed a front row spot for Illuminations which we enjoyed, as always. We took our time walking through Epcot to the bus depot. POR's depot was packed, but 4 buses quickly came and everyone was ferried back to the resort. A great birthday for DD!
Day 3 - 12/27
Up at 7 AM for breakfast in the room. Wake up call is Mickey - "Up and at em". Had a short wait for the MK bus at Riverside's West Depot. Arrived at MK at 9 AM. Rode the jitney bus to the castle. Over to Tomorrowland. Got fast passes for Space Mountain. Walked onto Buzz Lightyear. Then on to the transit authority ride. COP opened at 9:30 and the Timekeeper was also open. After the transit authority we experienced Alien Encounter with the usual too small kids screaming their heads off while their moms tried to comfort them! The kids road Space Mountain and they were off very quickly. The weather had finally warmed up some with brilliant sunshine. We walked through Mickey's Toon Town which is an area we don't visit any more.
Road the train from Toon Town to Frontierland. Walked through Liberty Square and back down Main Street. The crowds were picking up so we grabbed a bus and headed back to the resort. After lunch we did laundry - that was a packed place! Ate dinner at the food court. DH had taco salad, DS had chicken caesar salad, DS was not feeling well so she just had grapes and soup, I had grilled cheese. Unfortunately we didn't realize how poorly DD was feeling because she threw up all over the table and floor in the food court! She was so embarrassed and so sick! Back to the room to change her clothes, wash her clothes and settle her down. Our plans to visit MGM went out the window. She did feel better after getting sick and by 7:45 PM DD wanted to go to Downtown Disney so DS, DD and I headed to the Marketplace. DD and DS had their silhouettes done - they are a very nice keepsake. DS and I enjoyed ice cream at Ghiradelli's (in the cold) and we made lists of items we would purchase the last day. Road the bus back to the resort from Pleasure Island at 11:10 PM.
Day 4 - 12/28
Up late at 8:15 - we were tired! After breakfast we decided to take the first bus to either Epcot or MGM. First bus was Epcot, so off we went. Had to stand on the bus - ugh! As we would soon find out, the crowds had started arriving! Arrived at Epcot with bunches of tour buses filled with teens. Car lines into Epcot were awful. Spaceship Earth wait was 35 minutes. We bypassed it and went to the Living Seas where we enjoyed the sharks, dolphin show and new manatees - Pine (1000 lbs) and Forest (825 lbs). Both manatees (females) are cold victims. Bypassed the rest of Future World and headed to the World Showcase. Saw a band from Ohio and then lucked into the Character Bus which stopped at the entrance to the World Showcase. The bus had Chip and Dale, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy. All of the characters had Christmas costumes - great picture taking! Walked to China to do a little shopping and then doubled back to Mexico where we road the Rio el de Tiempo with no wait. We walked around the plaza enjoying all of the colorful items. By this time it was time to head back to the resort. On our way out of Epcot, the parking lot was almost full! Back at the resort our room had not been made up so after lunch we called and the maid showed up within 15 minutes which was great! Took our beloved Disney nap and then headed to the food court for dinner. DH had another taco salad, DS had the double cheeseburger basket, DD had macaroni & cheese and I had grilled cheese again! Then it was off to MGM with the camcorder, a blanket (for the cold) and plans for Fantasmic at 10 PM. Arrived at MGM at 8 PM. Rode Star Tours and then walked through the Osborne Lights - fabulous as always! Then it was off to Fantasmic where the arena was 1/3 full. We had a front row seat which allowed us great video taping. It was cold, until the fire in the show!! Since the park was so "not" crowded, the bus ride back was good.
Day 5 - 12/29
Up at 7 AM and after breakfast it was off to MGM. Bus wait was 17 minutes - as we would find out today would get VERY crowded at MGM. Fortunately we were early enough that the kids road Star Tours again and got fast passes for the rock and roller coaster. We went to the 10:30 Beauty and the Beast show - good as always! After leaving the show we found out that the standby line for the R&RC was 2 hours and the fast pass line was 30 minutes! The park was PACKED!! We went to see Lilo and Stitch and the line to see them was 20 minutes. Decided to get out of MGM and had a nice bus ride back. After lunch in the room and laundry, DH and DD went off to the fishin' hole at Riverside. Had a great time, but no bites. Then DH, DS and DD went to the arcade to play air hockey, etc. After a short nap, it was off to the food court for dinner. DH and DS had double cheeseburger baskets, DD had the country chicken salad and I had a grilled cheese - yum! Then it was off to MK. We went to the South Depot at Riverside and it was PACKED!! Apparently the MK buses were slow. When the bus came, we let everyone get on - they were packed in like sardines and we waited 10 minutes for the next MK bus. There was no one on that bus which was great! Arrived at MK in time to see the fireworks again. Then we got a great seat up at the train station for SpectroMagic. I've always wanted to view SpectroMagic from on high - it was a great view!! After the parade we decided that we had ridden all of the rides we wanted to so we went back to the resort to pack
and enjoy a late night snack.
Day 6 - 12/30
Up at 8 AM to finish packing. Phone rang at 9 AM - no one on the other end. Obviously the housekeeping staff seeing if we were still there. Out of the room by 10 AM and on our way to Winter-Summerland miniature golf. Played the Summerland course (there was no one on this course) and had a blast. Then it was off to the Marketplace to do our shopping. Spent a small fortune
at the Marketplace. After lunch at McDonalds it was time to get on the road to get home by 6 PM and rescue the dog from his "vacation hotel" at the vet! The traffic going south on I-95 was bumper to bumper - lots of folks on their way to the "world" for the New Year celebrations!
We had a magical visit to Disney and so enjoy the Christmas season! We get an extra bonus by meeting my mother-in-law in Disney for MLK weekend so saying goodbye wasn't so painful!
The party included my DH (44), DS (19), DD (turned 18 during the trip), and me (43).
Let me preface this report by saying that we go to the parks in the morning for 3-4 hours and then again at night for another 3-4 hours. We go to Disney an average of 3 times per year. We try to do at least 1 new thing each time. We also bought a small refrigerator a couple of years ago so we take that with us and eat breakfast and lunch in the room. This saves us $$$ and allows us relaxing time away from the crowds. We also eat better by having less fried food, etc.
Our resort of choice was Port Orleans Riverside which is our favorite resort (Wilderness Lodge Villas is a very close 2nd). The price was right - we got the room for $94 with tax - who can beat that deal! We checked in 12/25 and checked out 12/30.
Day 1 - Christmas Day
Checked in with no lines. Assigned Room 3409 in the Alligator Bayou section. Room was clean so we unpacked, set up the refrigerator and prepared for our PS at Boatwrights. DH had the jambalaya, DS had the t-bone, DD and I had the prime rib. A delicious meal and a great start to our Disney vacation. After dinner it was off to MK where we arrived at 8:30. The first SpectroMagic show had just ended so folks were streaming out of the park. We found a great spot on Main Street close to the castle for the fireworks. After the fireworks we watched the Castle show (a Christmas show featuring Mickey and Minnie) and then settled down in front of the castle for a front row seat to the 10 PM SpectroMagic. The parade was great as always, but the cold snap had settled in and we were SO cold waiting and watching the parade!! After the parade the park cleared out so we took advantage and rode rides. Peter Pan was packed, but we walked on Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and Thunder Mountain. We left the park at midnight and there was no wait for the bus - bus was not full. It was great to be at MK until midnight - it had been a long time since MK was open until midnight!
Day 2 - 12/26
Today was DD's 18th birthday! After breakfast in our room she opened her gifts and was thrilled to find a family group gift - a camcorder! Needless to say, we all became guinea pigs for the camcorder over the next 4 days - tee hee! We headed to AK and had no wait at Riverside's West Depot for a bus. AK was not busy and we walked right onto the safari ride. Due to the cold lots of animals were out and about which was great! Then it was off to Rafiki's Planet Watch where we spent a good hour - what a neat area. After getting off the Planet Watch train, it was obvious AK was getting crowded and we had done what DD wanted to do. Back to the resort where we had lunch in our room and a yummy birthday cake that I had brought from home. The kids rented bikes at Riverside in the afternoon and then after a Disney nap, we rode the bus to MGM and then hopped on a boat to the Yacht Club. Our destination was a birthday dinner at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. The Yachtsman was busy, but as always the service was excellent and the food was outstanding. DH had prime rib, DS had a t-bone, DD had a NY strip and I had the filet. We had told the Yachtsman staff about DD's birthday and they brought her a complimentary chocolate cake - it was yummy! After dinner we walked through the Beach Club to look at the decorations and then it was off to the International Gateway and Epcot. We arrived at the American Adventure at 8 PM and they were seating folks for the Candlelight Processional (it was not full this night) so we got a spot, enjoyed narrator Gary Sinese and the choir and immortalized it on video. After the show we grabbed a front row spot for Illuminations which we enjoyed, as always. We took our time walking through Epcot to the bus depot. POR's depot was packed, but 4 buses quickly came and everyone was ferried back to the resort. A great birthday for DD!
Day 3 - 12/27
Up at 7 AM for breakfast in the room. Wake up call is Mickey - "Up and at em". Had a short wait for the MK bus at Riverside's West Depot. Arrived at MK at 9 AM. Rode the jitney bus to the castle. Over to Tomorrowland. Got fast passes for Space Mountain. Walked onto Buzz Lightyear. Then on to the transit authority ride. COP opened at 9:30 and the Timekeeper was also open. After the transit authority we experienced Alien Encounter with the usual too small kids screaming their heads off while their moms tried to comfort them! The kids road Space Mountain and they were off very quickly. The weather had finally warmed up some with brilliant sunshine. We walked through Mickey's Toon Town which is an area we don't visit any more.
Road the train from Toon Town to Frontierland. Walked through Liberty Square and back down Main Street. The crowds were picking up so we grabbed a bus and headed back to the resort. After lunch we did laundry - that was a packed place! Ate dinner at the food court. DH had taco salad, DS had chicken caesar salad, DS was not feeling well so she just had grapes and soup, I had grilled cheese. Unfortunately we didn't realize how poorly DD was feeling because she threw up all over the table and floor in the food court! She was so embarrassed and so sick! Back to the room to change her clothes, wash her clothes and settle her down. Our plans to visit MGM went out the window. She did feel better after getting sick and by 7:45 PM DD wanted to go to Downtown Disney so DS, DD and I headed to the Marketplace. DD and DS had their silhouettes done - they are a very nice keepsake. DS and I enjoyed ice cream at Ghiradelli's (in the cold) and we made lists of items we would purchase the last day. Road the bus back to the resort from Pleasure Island at 11:10 PM.Day 4 - 12/28
Up late at 8:15 - we were tired! After breakfast we decided to take the first bus to either Epcot or MGM. First bus was Epcot, so off we went. Had to stand on the bus - ugh! As we would soon find out, the crowds had started arriving! Arrived at Epcot with bunches of tour buses filled with teens. Car lines into Epcot were awful. Spaceship Earth wait was 35 minutes. We bypassed it and went to the Living Seas where we enjoyed the sharks, dolphin show and new manatees - Pine (1000 lbs) and Forest (825 lbs). Both manatees (females) are cold victims. Bypassed the rest of Future World and headed to the World Showcase. Saw a band from Ohio and then lucked into the Character Bus which stopped at the entrance to the World Showcase. The bus had Chip and Dale, Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy. All of the characters had Christmas costumes - great picture taking! Walked to China to do a little shopping and then doubled back to Mexico where we road the Rio el de Tiempo with no wait. We walked around the plaza enjoying all of the colorful items. By this time it was time to head back to the resort. On our way out of Epcot, the parking lot was almost full! Back at the resort our room had not been made up so after lunch we called and the maid showed up within 15 minutes which was great! Took our beloved Disney nap and then headed to the food court for dinner. DH had another taco salad, DS had the double cheeseburger basket, DD had macaroni & cheese and I had grilled cheese again! Then it was off to MGM with the camcorder, a blanket (for the cold) and plans for Fantasmic at 10 PM. Arrived at MGM at 8 PM. Rode Star Tours and then walked through the Osborne Lights - fabulous as always! Then it was off to Fantasmic where the arena was 1/3 full. We had a front row seat which allowed us great video taping. It was cold, until the fire in the show!!
Since the park was so "not" crowded, the bus ride back was good.Day 5 - 12/29
Up at 7 AM and after breakfast it was off to MGM. Bus wait was 17 minutes - as we would find out today would get VERY crowded at MGM. Fortunately we were early enough that the kids road Star Tours again and got fast passes for the rock and roller coaster. We went to the 10:30 Beauty and the Beast show - good as always! After leaving the show we found out that the standby line for the R&RC was 2 hours and the fast pass line was 30 minutes! The park was PACKED!! We went to see Lilo and Stitch and the line to see them was 20 minutes. Decided to get out of MGM and had a nice bus ride back. After lunch in the room and laundry, DH and DD went off to the fishin' hole at Riverside. Had a great time, but no bites. Then DH, DS and DD went to the arcade to play air hockey, etc. After a short nap, it was off to the food court for dinner. DH and DS had double cheeseburger baskets, DD had the country chicken salad and I had a grilled cheese - yum! Then it was off to MK. We went to the South Depot at Riverside and it was PACKED!! Apparently the MK buses were slow. When the bus came, we let everyone get on - they were packed in like sardines and we waited 10 minutes for the next MK bus. There was no one on that bus which was great! Arrived at MK in time to see the fireworks again. Then we got a great seat up at the train station for SpectroMagic. I've always wanted to view SpectroMagic from on high - it was a great view!! After the parade we decided that we had ridden all of the rides we wanted to so we went back to the resort to pack
and enjoy a late night snack. Day 6 - 12/30
Up at 8 AM to finish packing. Phone rang at 9 AM - no one on the other end. Obviously the housekeeping staff seeing if we were still there. Out of the room by 10 AM and on our way to Winter-Summerland miniature golf. Played the Summerland course (there was no one on this course) and had a blast. Then it was off to the Marketplace to do our shopping. Spent a small fortune
at the Marketplace. After lunch at McDonalds it was time to get on the road to get home by 6 PM and rescue the dog from his "vacation hotel" at the vet! The traffic going south on I-95 was bumper to bumper - lots of folks on their way to the "world" for the New Year celebrations!We had a magical visit to Disney and so enjoy the Christmas season! We get an extra bonus by meeting my mother-in-law in Disney for MLK weekend so saying goodbye wasn't so painful!
