Our Christmas Trip in PICTURES!!!! ~~Oh...and I'm obsessed with the Castle~~

[MeMom]

The lobbies everywhere were just beautiful at Christmas. The trees were huge and themed so nicely. I limited myself to a few pictures of each, but I could have taken many pictures of just trees, wreaths, and other decorations. We got to see decorations at GF, Poly, AKL, WL, Ft. Wilderness, POFQ, POR, Pop, ASMu, ASMo, ASSp, CSR...I think that's all the ones we saw, except for the outside tree at Contemporary as we rode by. I just loved the theming at every place. I did get sort of tired of the Christmas music toward the end of the trip, and I was ready to hear Disney music again, but I think everyone ought to go and experience Disney at Christmas at least once in their lives.

That basetball court looks very familiar. Trent went to several summer camps there, and we used to go to games, but haven't in a while. I'm glad they're doing so well. I was a pretty decent fan back in my younger days, but I just spend so much time on work and life stuff these days that I don't take the time to watch them. Trent just mentioned yesterday how well they were doing, so I guess he's keeping up with them. He grew up playing under the guidance of many ex-Commodores - Steve Reece, Will Perdue, Sam Howard, Drew Maddux, and others.

Someone earlier mentioned "back to school". Unfortunately, that's for me, too. Teachers go back today for meetings, and kids come tomorrow. I want a do-over!!! I want to go back to the part where we were walking by the pool at All-Star Music and there were kids and parents playing together in the water and "The Santa Clause" was playing on a huge screen. That was the start of a great trip! Oh well, I guess I just have to keep in mind that I must go to work in order to be able to pay to go back, right?

 

[Glendamax]

Thanks for posting pics of the Wilderness Lodge! I wasn't able to visit that resort

 

[Shmu]

Still enjoying. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pics. I really want to go at Christmas time now.

 

[2girlsmom]

Great pics!! And now I am wondering if we were on the same boat back from WL, as we had been there for dinner at WCC on the 11th, and came back during the ELP as well... ! Although I am still thinking I saw you when your hubby was wearing his orange!

 

[punkin413]

It is beautiful and worth every penny...but I understand the $$$ thing....that's why we didn't stay there this last time....it's much less than the other deluxe resorts I guess b/c it's off the monorail

I was wondering a/b the this year/next year thing....and your hubby will really let you go again in Sept???? That will be THREE trips for you missy!!! And also....if we do go I wouldn' be opposed to staying off-site (depending on the dining I guess)....but whatever works out $$$ wise to stay the LONGEST ....but with your AP we would have free parking right???

Bed?? It's EARLY for you

i have no idea what will happen as far as our christmas trip. it's just an idea i'm playing with. anna really wants to go then and me and ray have talked about it before.....it just depends on our money situation. as far as august/september goes, if it wasn't for me having an AP it would totally not be doable. the only thing is that i don't want to miss a whole lot of work. because i'm self-employed i don't get vacation time. in other words, if i don't work, i don't get paid. so i'm hoping we can work it out where we can go over a weekend and then add a couple of days around that. is 4 days enough or do you wanna do 5? LISTEN TO ME!!!!!! i'm acting like we've already gotten reservations! sorry bout that. i just get a little ahead of myself.

if we don't get free dining i'm totally okay with staying off site too....UNLESS they offer some killer AP rates during that time. if we stay at a value which one do you prefer? we stayed at pop last year and it was nice. i'm kinda curious about all star music though. thoughts?

sorry to hijack your thread with future hypothetical trip plans!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks for the pictures of the WL at Christmas. I am staying there next December and can't wait to see it all decked out. It was beautiful in July so I can only imagine what it will be like in December!

 

[VandyFan10]

I am in, only on page one, and hooked!
But too sleepy, I need to hit the hay, way passed my bed time!!

Back to school tomorrow, or should I say later on today (it's 12:34 here)...

.....glad you are here...hope you enjoy!

love the pix.

Thanks Jordan....your trip is soon....I saw you got your 'kit'

The lobbies everywhere were just beautiful at Christmas. The trees were huge and themed so nicely. I limited myself to a few pictures of each, but I could have taken many pictures of just trees, wreaths, and other decorations. We got to see decorations at GF, Poly, AKL, WL, Ft. Wilderness, POFQ, POR, Pop, ASMu, ASMo, ASSp, CSR...I think that's all the ones we saw, except for the outside tree at Contemporary as we rode by. I just loved the theming at every place. I did get sort of tired of the Christmas music toward the end of the trip, and I was ready to hear Disney music again, but I think everyone ought to go and experience Disney at Christmas at least once in their lives.

That basetball court looks very familiar. Trent went to several summer camps there, and we used to go to games, but haven't in a while. I'm glad they're doing so well. I was a pretty decent fan back in my younger days, but I just spend so much time on work and life stuff these days that I don't take the time to watch them. Trent just mentioned yesterday how well they were doing, so I guess he's keeping up with them. He grew up playing under the guidance of many ex-Commodores - Steve Reece, Will Perdue, Sam Howard, Drew Maddux, and others.

Someone earlier mentioned "back to school". Unfortunately, that's for me, too. Teachers go back today for meetings, and kids come tomorrow. I want a do-over!!! I want to go back to the part where we were walking by the pool at All-Star Music and there were kids and parents playing together in the water and "The Santa Clause" was playing on a huge screen. That was the start of a great trip! Oh well, I guess I just have to keep in mind that I must go to work in order to be able to pay to go back, right?

Hope you had a good first day back

Goodness you guys went to a LOT of resorts....that's great!!! I can't wait to see the pics!

GO DORES!!!! This is actually the first year they have sold out on season tickets since 92-93!!!

Thanks for posting pics of the Wilderness Lodge! I wasn't able to visit that resort

Well you can't do everything....I loved seeing your pics b/c we didnt' make it to the AKL....I really wanted to go there also

Still enjoying. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pics. I really want to go at Christmas time now.

Shmu it is wonderful!!!

Great pics!! And now I am wondering if we were on the same boat back from WL, as we had been there for dinner at WCC on the 11th, and came back during the ELP as well... ! Although I am still thinking I saw you when your hubby was wearing his orange!

Well I'm really not sure how we passed each other....maybe we had twins there

i have no idea what will happen as far as our christmas trip. it's just an idea i'm playing with. anna really wants to go then and me and ray have talked about it before.....it just depends on our money situation.

If you can go it is beautiful....just be sure and plan it sometime in the future

as far as august/september goes, if it wasn't for me having an AP it would totally not be doable. the only thing is that i don't want to miss a whole lot of work. because i'm self-employed i don't get vacation time. in other words, if i don't work, i don't get paid. so i'm hoping we can work it out where we can go over a weekend and then add a couple of days around that. is 4 days enough or do you wanna do 5? LISTEN TO ME!!!!!! i'm acting like we've already gotten reservations! sorry bout that. i just get a little ahead of myself.

if we don't get free dining i'm totally okay with staying off site too....UNLESS they offer some killer AP rates during that time. if we stay at a value which one do you prefer? we stayed at pop last year and it was nice. i'm kinda curious about all star music though. thoughts?

sorry to hijack your thread with future hypothetical trip plans!

I'll e-mail/call you soon and we can discuss it more....but I want as long as I can get!!!!! I've only stayed at Sports and Music....pop and Movies looks interesting to me...Hijack away though...I don't care!!

Thanks for the pictures of the WL at Christmas. I am staying there next December and can't wait to see it all decked out. It was beautiful in July so I can only imagine what it will be like in December!

OH I am SO Jealous

 

[DisneyMom14]

Just got through your TR so far --Loving the pics!

My husband and I went to DW on our honeymoon in '94 and we stayed at POFQ. Being an hour from N.O., I wanted to be there but feel like home. It was beautiful and I got beignets for breakfast!

 

[Spartangirl]

Yay...I'm all caught up! Thanks for the Christmas pics at the different resorts! The last few years we made a point to visit a lot of the different resorts to see the wonderful decorations. This year, we didn't. So, it was nice to see them through your pics! Wilderness Lodge is definitely tops on our list of resorts! We stayed there once (unfortunately not during X-mas with all the decorations) and loved it!!! Looking forward to your next post...

 

[punkin413]

GO 'DORES!!!!!!!!!!

1 OF 5 UNDEFEATED TEAMS IN THE NATION!!!!!!

 

[hlrababy]

Woo hoo!!! I am caught up now!! I am loving your report!

 

[VandyFan10]

Just got through your TR so far --Loving the pics!

My husband and I went to DW on our honeymoon in '94 and we stayed at POFQ. Being an hour from N.O., I wanted to be there but feel like home. It was beautiful and I got beignets for breakfast!

Yay...I'm all caught up! Thanks for the Christmas pics at the different resorts! The last few years we made a point to visit a lot of the different resorts to see the wonderful decorations. This year, we didn't. So, it was nice to see them through your pics! Wilderness Lodge is definitely tops on our list of resorts! We stayed there once (unfortunately not during X-mas with all the decorations) and loved it!!! Looking forward to your next post...

Woo hoo!!! I am caught up now!! I am loving your report!

Thanks guys ....I promise...update coming soon

GO 'DORES!!!!!!!!!!

1 OF 5 UNDEFEATED TEAMS IN THE NATION!!!!!!

YES!!!!!! 1 1/2 hrs til the UK game!!!

Oh, not like you guys can't tell, but like I said on MeMom's TR...over the next 3 months you'll get to see what my other obsession is besides Disney and the Castle

GO DORES!!! ​

 

[punkin413]

i'm wearing my favorite longsleeve vandy shirt today.

 

[VandyFan10]

Ok boys and girls.....today we are writing in gold for my 'Dores ....here's to them playing well today!!!!

Today we went to Epcot.....we and got FP's for the popular Soarin' and then headed to the other side

We did Test Track

And then to Mission Space....
I sent Matt in to do the Orange Version and get his opinion.....I don't know why I chickened out...but I just did NOT want to do this ride....I guess I read to many negative things about it....but I'm usually never scared and want to try EVERYTHING!! But it was a good break....I had fun snapping some more pics and chatting with a Daddy and his 3 year old, and the Dad worked at MK which was pretty cool

I waited for Matt to come out and then went in to do the Green version....it's a pretty cool ride and I'm glad I got to see how it looked inside....I was the engineer, along with 3 other very cute kids....the little boy kept telling me who I was going to be and what my job was ...I loved it

I can see where the orange version would be pretty intense....the green wasn't bad AT ALL....I think everyone should ride at least that, but just the small amount of G-force you get from that I can't imagine how the intense version would be

We had late lunch ressie's at the Coral Reef for the 5p Candlelight....so we headed back over to do Soarin' and then wandered around in the seas....it was very fun to go back there the day after my tour....and the dolphins were out too

First we did the nemo ride....it was cheesy but very cute
these pics didn't turn out well....but I thought the 3 windows at the end with the characters over the 'sea' wall were AWESOME!!
The jellyfish were the only ones that actually worked...

I had to take some pics of my friends from yesterday

I could have sat there and watched those guys ALL day....but there were things to do and hubby was getting antsy

So we headed to Turtle Talk....I LOVED this!!!!

I would have done this several times if we had the chance, b/c I'm sure it's a little different every time with the kiddos

We went and checked in at least 45mins early for lunch and they told me it would prob be at least that long before we were seated but we decided to wait anyway.....I bet it was 10mins and they called our name

We really enjoyed this dinner...and our waiter was prob one of the best

Here's why it's a good idea to take pics of your food....I'm struggling to remember what we had for appy's....but I think both of us got the sea and land....it was good but I do remember thinking I wish I had gotten the Lobster Bisque b/c I've heard it's dreamy!! Matt got the NY Strip and enjoyed...and I changed up my entree....I wanted the Mahi but I wanted the pepper jack cheese grits.....both were YUMMY but I don't think they are really supposed to be mixed together.....the waiter offered me to get the Mahi blackened (but I'm always a little worried about it being to spicy) and that's prob the road I should have gone....but I got exactly what I wanted and it was yummy....I promise I'm not complaining For dessert Matt got the Bailey's and Jack Daniels Mousse which I assume he liked b/c it was the most he had eaten of ANY dessert....he did everything but lick the cup and I ordered, from many recommendations, the Chocolate Wave....it was very good and the brandy soaked cherries were VERY strong so beware!!! It was a great place to eat and I would definitely go back

Next post.....wandering the world showcase before the CP

 

[jordanyosh]

When I rode MS for the first time, I was sick for about 1 1/2 hours after that. I swore I'd never ride it again....but I did. Now when you know what to expect it's not so bad. I'm just slightly disoriented for about a minute or two after the ride and then I'm fine.....It's a hoot...

Coral Reef looks wonderful...we axed our ADRs there...and now we wish we hadn't. Oh well...live and learn.

 

[VandyFan10]

Since we ate a little early we had a little more time in the WS....which I enjoyed.....we stopped by Canada and saw these guys

I didn't get to see the whole show but they are great.....that was one thing on my list to do but we couldn't seem to make the times....but at least I got to hear at least half of a set
We walked quickly through the UK....with Matt you walk 'quickly' through EVERYTHING!! He can see half of it and move on....is that just a man thing??? I didn't take any pics which I hate b/c the buildings there are so cute....but I guess I was being 'pressured' to MOVE on that I didn't get the camera back out
Then we made our way to France....and we got to see Pierre Noel....he was pretty....and France was very nice too...I don't know why in all my previous trips everything seemed to be on the Mexico side and we never made it to France, UK or Canada.....they are all really cool....and I plan on spending a lot more time in the WS next time I go!!
Here's France:

Beauty and the Beast!!!

We headed on down the trail....and stopped to notice ALL the peeps already in line for the CP....we wanted to do the American Adventure show but again the times didn't work with our CP time...but we did get to see these guys

The American tree was SO pretty

We made our way down to Italy and watched the show there....also in between most all of these stops we did the photopass guys....so that's why I have no pics with the 2 of us.....I'll try and post those later when I get the cd

This guy in Italy was fun

And there was the cutest little boy he called up for his show....he was a real trooper and was a lot of fun too

Here's some pics of the CP....

The CP is wonderful but it is a little long......I really enjoyed it but not sure that Matt was having a lot of fun after about 20-30mins

I will have to upload my video later...it takes FOREVER....sorry....but I will definitely try to get that done....maybe while I'm watching the game!!

Next post: Osborne lights....one of my faves!!

 

[VandyFan10]

We went to MGM via the Int. Gateway on the boat.....if I had realized it was only a little over a mile to walk to MGM we prob would have don't that...I had no idea it was that close...I think the guy on the boat said 1.3 miles...that's not bad at all

I took these on the way out....

We went to see the osborne lights at a perfect time I think.....we got there while everyone else was watching Fantasmic

It is amazing....pic's can even do it justice!!

See the SNOW!!!

I loved these guys....

Does Santa just always goto NYC???

 

[VandyFan10]

Supposedly the blue angels were the only original lights that Ozzy had

Pretty interesting Facts:

Here's a link to my video of the Osborne Lights
Click here!!!
You can tell I get REALLY excited when the lights start dancing....I got to see them again without taping....they are just amazing...if you can go during Christmas do NOT miss the Osborne lights!!!!!


Next - Photopass Pics Post 198

 

[scottny]

great updates and pics. I am going to try Mission Space but the green side. I don't think I could do the orange nor the kids I will have with me.

 

[VandyFan10]

When I rode MS for the first time, I was sick for about 1 1/2 hours after that. I swore I'd never ride it again....but I did. Now when you know what to expect it's not so bad. I'm just slightly disoriented for about a minute or two after the ride and then I'm fine.....It's a hoot...

Coral Reef looks wonderful...we axed our ADRs there...and now we wish we hadn't. Oh well...live and learn.

Glad to know it got better....I still think I might be ok just sticking with the 'green' side knowing what the ride is like and I'm good

Coral Reef was good but I know you have WONDERFUL places on your list!!

great updates and pics. I am going to try Mission Space but the green side. I don't think I could do the orange nor the kids I will have with me.

Definitely try the green side....it's a great ride....and the waiting area is really cool too

Ok guys.....my boys are SUCKING!!! 32-22 at the half....someone send us some good Juju PLEASE!!!!!! GO DORES!!!