Snow to 80 in 8 days–A spoonful of Holiday Cheer (2/5 update Ch 36 - Final Thoughts)

[marvali]

No applause, just throw money! (and remember, the folding kind doesn't hurt as much.....but maybe I shouldn't have pointed that out!)

 

[PirateKate]

Dinner at Tutto Italia looks great! Which dessert did you think was the best? They all looked pretty good.

 

[mom3sonstt]

News flash on my trip planning - I have booked my flight for the Wednesday before the rest of the family arrives by car on Saturday. That means I have a few days solo and an opportunity to eat at some places that I probably couldn't coerce the rest of them into going to. AFter reading yours and Cynthia's (eandesmom - I hope I got her name right ) reviews of Tutto I am thinking that should be on my list. Is it a place that a person could enjoy a solo meal and not feel uncomfortable? I ate solo at Hollywood & Vine several years back and it was great - I don't think Prime Time solo would be so fun...

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Marv (sorry I'm so slow in responding). The food at Tutto looks really good -- we've never dined there; I'll have to put it on the lsit for a future visit.

 

[englishrose47]

No applause, just throw money! (and remember, the folding kind doesn't hurt as much.....but maybe I shouldn't have pointed that out!)

If I dig around in the attic I might find some old english pennies , they are half dollar size and would make great coins to throw at you!!!

 

[marvali]

Earlier in the day, when DW and I had made our first trek from Germany to Italy to catch the Story Teller la Befana, there was a long line along the WS lagoon in an area that was roped off. We reached the end of the line between the miniature trains as you leave Germany, and where you enter down into Italy. It all of a sudden hit me that this was likely the Standby line for the first showing of The Candlelight Processional, which was scheduled to begin at 5:00, just less than an hour away.

There was a CM at the end of the line, ready to extend the roped off area as the line grew longer. I walked up to the CM and verified that this was indeed the Standby line for CP. I think it is going to be a little tougher to get a seat than I was hoping. I knew our ADR at Tutto Italia was for 5:20. If we were going to be in the standby line that far in advance and make the 6:45 show, we would have approximately 30 minutes to order our food, eat, pay and get out.....at a sit down restaurant......in Disney!!! Well hopefully, like later showings of Fantasmic, the crowds get smaller for the later shows and everyone was in line so they could see the CP and leave the park........

We exited Tutto Italia stuffed and very relaxed after a wonderful meal. The boys weren’t sure where they were going yet, but they headed off to explore and have some more fun while DW and I headed towards the American Pavilion. After a short walk we found ourselves standing in a crowd of people dressed in robes and holding candles. The lights were already down inside the American Gardens Theatre and the orchestra was playing. The second showing of the Candlelight Processional had already begun.

As the choir members beside us began to sing, they all started to parade into the AGT to assemble on the stage. There was an area taped off near us, in the middle, to keep people clear so part of the choir could enter from that point. DW and I knew chances were good we would have to stand and watch anyway so we decided to stay for this show while we were here. As the choir finished marching by us the CMs pulled a rope across the entrance and we took the opportunity to be first behind the rope.

Here is a picture from where we were standing of the middle area of the choir, which is done to look like a Christmas tree.

And another section of the choir

Here is a picture of the Guest Narrator for the evening, Marlee Matlin.

She looked like she was having a good time interacting with the choir around her.

Marlee Matlin would sign the narration and an interpreter named Jack Jason would speak what Marlee was signing.

We were really enjoying everything until a Mother and daughter near us started talking with the Mom trying to tell her daughter her wealth of knowledge about what was going on. Then her cell phone rang and she answered it. This wouldn’t have been so bad, but do people not know how to whisper anymore? This woman was talking in a normal voice, like nobody else was anywhere around her. I think her daughter saw some of us making dirty looks in their direction because shortly after that they left.

For those of you familiar with the theater, there is a small brick building in the back, right in the middle and we were just to the right of the building. This was not a bad place to stand and experience the CP but there were four people just behind the back row of seats, standing while they recorded video of the show. Now I understand that choirs come from all over the country to perform, and families want to capture the moment, but how hard would it have been for this group to move to their left in front of the brick building, which was already blocking any potential view in that area???

Shortly after the talking Mother/daughter duo left, two couples who knew each other apparently ran into each other just behind the gathered crowd. You would think they hadn’t seen each other for years (and maybe they hadn’t) as they loudly laughed and talked to each other. It is sad that people are so unaware of their surroundings, and so wrapped up in themselves that they don’t notice this spectacular event going on right in front of them. One of the young ladies was the only one facing towards us and thankfully she caught on to our looks and they moved along.

Now don’t think that these two distractions ruined the whole show for us, because they didn’t. They didn’t last that long and we got to enjoy a huge majority of the show. Right after the second incident some of the crowd left and we were able to move almost beside the brick building, so we were right near the middle in front of the stage. The lighting, narration, and singing were all wonderful and we really enjoyed this very much.

Other than the two distractions, standing in the back was not bad at all, and we could easily see and hear everything! If we are going back that time of year sometime in the future I would probably try to get the Candlelight Processional Dining Package for DW and I so we could sit, relax and enjoy! It is a beautifully done show, and does a great job of telling the Christmas story in scripture and song!

As DW and I got ready to leave, I turned around and got a picture of the Christmas tree in front of the American Adventure.

There was not really anything else we wanted to try and do in Epcot that evening, knowing we would be back on our final day for rope drop where we could ride the popular thrill rides. It was still fairly early in the evening, so this seemed like a good time to visit some of the resorts that people talk about how pretty they are decorated for Christmas. As we walked towards the end of World Showcase I had time to get one more picture.

So far we had already accomplished a number of our goals for the day.

Next Up – Chapter 13 Touring Some of the Decorated Hotels.

 

[glennbo123]

Glad you liked it despite the couple of distractions.

Nuts, I think I said that you'd get a seat.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Marv. I love how the choir is situated to look like a Chrismtas tree--very cool. I'm glad that despite the distractions of a couple of "very rude" guests, that you and your wife enjoyed the CP.

 

[Poolrat]

It sure sound like you are slowing down and taking in the sights. I hope this does not translate into late vacation panic when you realize you may have slowed down but now you want to make sure you cram everything in over a couple of days. Not that I would know about that.


I remember those ropes and pretty much knew you would not get a seat but you were lucky to be standing right in the back. I may have picked the wrong side since we were standing on the other side but you were right up front.

Now I am assuning the boys told you where they went afterwards or are you just picking the answer you like the best from us to award points?


Oh yeah - the cell phone lady must go every year huh? First she talks by the Santas now by CP. Yeesh. Where's Santa now?? I still believe people turn off thier brain for vacation not realizing they need some of it to function.

 

[marvali]

Dinner at Tutto Italia looks great! Which dessert did you think was the best? They all looked pretty good.

Sorry PK but I can't answer that. Everyone thought what they had was very good, and I only had mine and some of the Tiramisu, which were both good, although I preferred mine. Based on each individual input I would say you can't go wrong with any of them, but the one DW and Matt had gives you a nice variety.

News flash on my trip planning - I have booked my flight for the Wednesday before the rest of the family arrives by car on Saturday. That means I have a few days solo and an opportunity to eat at some places that I probably couldn't coerce the rest of them into going to. AFter reading yours and Cynthia's (eandesmom - I hope I got her name right ) reviews of Tutto I am thinking that should be on my list. Is it a place that a person could enjoy a solo meal and not feel uncomfortable? I ate solo at Hollywood & Vine several years back and it was great - I don't think Prime Time solo would be so fun...

Tanya, on a solo part of your trip! You should have a great time setting your own schedule and itinerary! You could certainly do Tutto solo, but you might want to request the patio outside if the weather is nice. That might be a little more comfortable, but I don't think inside or outside would be a problem for a solo traveler.

Great update, Marv (sorry I'm so slow in responding). The food at Tutto looks really good -- we've never dined there; I'll have to put it on the lsit for a future visit.

We had a great first visit there, and will definitely keep it on our list for future dining. And congrats to the wrestlers from this weekend!

If I dig around in the attic I might find some old english pennies , they are half dollar size and would make great coins to throw at you!!!

Cool, after I wake back up and the goose egg goes down, I can add them to me collection of foreign coins!!!

 

[marvali]

Glad you liked it despite the couple of distractions.

Nuts, I think I said that you'd get a seat.

It is a wonderful presentation that is well worth the effort! Without the CP dining package it appears you are in a very long line if you want to get standby seating. It is a very popular show and I think most people do the dining package, so little chance of a seat unless you are in the very front of the line. I wasn't that worried about it really and wasn't really up for standing in line for a long time when I had read some reviews on the DIS that you can still see and hear just fine standing at the rope. (well, except for a few rude people).

Great update, Marv. I love how the choir is situated to look like a Chrismtas tree--very cool. I'm glad that despite the distractions of a couple of "very rude" guests, that you and your wife enjoyed the CP.

It is very moving, combining the Christmas story with appropriate carols. I was amazed at the number of school and church group choirs that provide the supporting voices on the various days! I'm sure it is quite an honor for them to be chosen!

It sure sound like you are slowing down and taking in the sights. I hope this does not translate into late vacation panic when you realize you may have slowed down but now you want to make sure you cram everything in over a couple of days. Not that I would know about that.

Thankfully one of those three main priorities was to relax and enjoy. We certainly didn't get everything done. The funny thing is that at the end of the trip I found myself saying "I can't believe we never did........" but there was nothing we can't do another time.

I remember those ropes and pretty much knew you would not get a seat but you were lucky to be standing right in the back. I may have picked the wrong side since we were standing on the other side but you were right up front.

I knew I was taking a chance when I didn't opt for the dining package, but wasn't overly concerned about it. It still worked out fine.

Now I am assuning the boys told you where they went afterwards or are you just picking the answer you like the best from us to award points?

Actually I can probably go ahead and spoil this question for everyone. Nobody got it correct but it was unintentionally a trick question. I thought they had left and gone to either MK or DHS when I wrote the question. When I asked for details about what they had done after they left us, they went back by the hotel room and ended up not going back out at all, so the correct answer would have been back to their room.

Nobody, including me, had much of a chance of getting that one right.

Oh yeah - the cell phone lady must go every year huh? First she talks by the Santas now by CP. Yeesh. Where's Santa now?? I still believe people turn off thier brain for vacation not realizing they need some of it to function.

It never ceases to amaze me how people act sometimes, and how easily their focus is only on themselves.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

The CP looks lovely and I'm glad that you got to enjoy it despite the distractions. I agree with you, it is amazing how some people lack common courtesy or don't realize how their behaviour is detracting from other people's experience.

 

[englishrose47]

Loved the update on the Candle Light Choir !!! I agree some people just don;t care !!!!I loved it back in 2007 on our first trip we were at AK and found a wall to sit on early in time for the parade !!We got chatting to a very nice CM who was a wealth of information, just before the parade started a family (Prolly Brazillians ) cane and stood in front of us !!Before Judy had a chance to LAMBAST them the CM told them they had to move and then they tried to get us to move so they could sit the CM told them NO these people have been here a while you will need to move out of the area !!They were not happy but they moved !!I was glad he did it rather than Judy cuz it wood have been UGLY!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Being REALLY, REALLY honest here, I came SUPER close to actually guessing that (they went back to the room and hung out). SHOOT! I should have gone with it.


I can't believe people turn on their idiot buttons when something so obviously meant to be a somber and serious, albeit lovely, occassion happens. I came across that at a theater stage production recently with the Portland orchestra. Ummm... excuse me.. SHUT UP!!!!

Being up front, ain't so bad! Even standing, I'd have taken it. Hey, just for my info. stash, how long was the CP?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I love how you just ended up walking in with the choir Perfect timing, even though you didn't get a seat. You should have knocked one of them out, stashed them behind a tree and wore the choir robe so you could be right up front!

Loved the update on the Candle Light Choir !!! I agree some people just don;t care !!!!I loved it back in 2007 on our first trip we were at AK and found a wall to sit on early in time for the parade !!We got chatting to a very nice CM who was a wealth of information, just before the parade started a family (Prolly Brazillians ) cane and stood in front of us !!Before Judy had a chance to LAMBAST them the CM told them they had to move and then they tried to get us to move so they could sit the CM told them NO these people have been here a while you will need to move out of the area !!They were not happy but they moved !!I was glad he did it rather than Judy cuz it wood have been UGLY!!!

We had the same thing at Calif. Adventure a few years ago. We arrived early for the Toy Story parade, had a corner spot with a wall to sit on and a mailbox to lean on. We had our little grandbabies with us, ages 3 and 11 mo. We had a fun visit with a CM, and just before the parade started, some people tried to stand right in front of the stroller! The CM quickly told them to move on, and they tried to argue with her. She wasn't having it, and they had to keep walking! I can't believe some people - Yah, buddy, we've been standing here for an hour, just so we could save you a spot to block the view of the children here! Here's your sign!

 

[Flossbolna]

I am glad that you got to see the CP from your position! I was very afraid that you would not make it because I had read about these extremely long lines...

 

[marvali]

The CP looks lovely and I'm glad that you got to enjoy it despite the distractions. I agree with you, it is amazing how some people lack common courtesy or don't realize how their behaviour is detracting from other people's experience.

And the bad part is you want to say "Hey stupid, do you not realize people are here for the CP and would like to hear IT, not YOU!!!" but that would make an even bigger distraction for everyone else. A lot of us tried to do it silently with some really nasty stares, but it still took a minute or so for them not to be oblivious.

Loved the update on the Candle Light Choir !!! I agree some people just don;t care !!!!I loved it back in 2007 on our first trip we were at AK and found a wall to sit on early in time for the parade !!We got chatting to a very nice CM who was a wealth of information, just before the parade started a family (Prolly Brazillians ) cane and stood in front of us !!Before Judy had a chance to LAMBAST them the CM told them they had to move and then they tried to get us to move so they could sit the CM told them NO these people have been here a while you will need to move out of the area !!They were not happy but they moved !!I was glad he did it rather than Judy cuz it wood have been UGLY!!!

It is funny how many times I've seen the "I don't care how long you've been standing there, MY children deserve to be in front of yours so THEY can see!" Then find yourself a spot a little earlier next time doombus!

There are some things I don't mind, like when we watched the MSEP the first night. An older couple came up behind us before the parade started and I noticed the man was on a motorized cart. I tried to get him to move in front of us since we were standing anyway. There weren't that many people in our area, but they wouldn't hear of it so I made sure we gave him a path to view the parade past us. They were polite about it all, and thanked us, which is a totally different kind of people you don't mind helping out.

Being REALLY, REALLY honest here, I came SUPER close to actually guessing that (they went back to the room and hung out). SHOOT! I should have gone with it.

Hmm, how many times already in this contest have people not gone with their first instinct and it cost them........

I can't believe people turn on their idiot buttons when something so obviously meant to be a somber and serious, albeit lovely, occassion happens. I came across that at a theater stage production recently with the Portland orchestra. Ummm... excuse me.. SHUT UP!!!!

It doesn't matter where or the occasion when it comes to rude people. I've seen it at school strings concerts (done by age group, so they think they can feel free to talk when it isn't their kids because they aren't there to watch the other kids....but the people around you are dingbat!) and even people behind me at church when they don't have kids performing up front. Amazing the things I have recorded on video tape instead of what I was trying to record!)

Being up front, ain't so bad! Even standing, I'd have taken it. Hey, just for my info. stash, how long was the CP?

I think it is somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes. I'll try to remember to check the time stamp on the AA Christmas tree pictures when I get home and let you know for sure.

I love how you just ended up walking in with the choir Perfect timing, even though you didn't get a seat. You should have knocked one of them out, stashed them behind a tree and wore the choir robe so you could be right up front!

You should have put that as one of your guesses in the contest.....I actually considered it but all the girls around us were small so I didn't think the robe would fit....

We had the same thing at Calif. Adventure a few years ago. We arrived early for the Toy Story parade, had a corner spot with a wall to sit on and a mailbox to lean on. We had our little grandbabies with us, ages 3 and 11 mo. We had a fun visit with a CM, and just before the parade started, some people tried to stand right in front of the stroller! The CM quickly told them to move on, and they tried to argue with her. She wasn't having it, and they had to keep walking! I can't believe some people - Yah, buddy, we've been standing here for an hour, just so we could save you a spot to block the view of the children here! Here's your sign!

Glad there was a CM handy to take care of it. The number of signs I could have passed out in the past would have put a huge dent in the vacation funds!!!

I am glad that you got to see the CP from your position! I was very afraid that you would not make it because I had read about these extremely long lines...

I figured that would probably be the case too after reading up on it, but you can still get a lot from the show if you are standing up close. Not sure how deep in the back you would have to be before diminishing returns kicked in, but there weren't that many people behind us plus quite a few drifted away as the show went on.

 

[that's nice]

The CP was something I really debated doing but I didn't know if Juliana would sit through it and I also couldn't fit it into our schedule. I guess this is a good reason to go back during the holidays sometime.

So sorry you had to deal with a few distractions. It seems like you guys had a great view from where you were standing.

I wonder what resorts you visited.

 

[englishrose47]

Morning Marv !!!!!!I agree ( this is getting scarey) I willing will allow a child infront of me and have done so many times asking my GKs to scoot over and a paerson in a wheelchair Oh Yea!!!
In October with my escortees .. my jiggly man was as much an attraction asthe Parade !!

 

[jenbear123]

Darn! I think I'm 0/3. I'm glad you got to see CP as it gets pretty busy sometimes. I can't wait to see all the hotel decorations