After the show we began to look around for what we wanted to do next. Space Mountain had about a 60 minute wait. Buzz Lightyear was just as bad, and we didnt even look toward Stitchs Great Escape. Neither DW nor I were the least bit interested in spending our little bit of time standing in a long line, so we headed back towards the end of Main Street and Cinderellas Castle. As we came across the bridge we wanted to get a Photopass picture, but the line was too long. It was a great opportunity for this shot though
.
We walked a little farther and realized that it was almost time for Wishes to begin, and we were able to grab a good spot right near the cable where I knew Tinkerbelle would pass during her flight. While we waited I took the chance to get a few more pictures of the castle in all of its lighted splendor.
The music came on, and Wishes began. I always love Wishes and really enjoy the fireworks and the pageantry. I had the camera ready in anticipation of Tinkerbelle's flight. As Tinkerbelle soared towards us I snapped a picture.....and nothing happened! The camera put one of those stupid errors up that always frustrate me. My opportunity was passing and finally the error cleared. I quickly pressed the button again, and again.....nothing! The one time I am right near the cable, prepared for an excellent chance to get the shot, and I come up empty!!! Not even a single blurry picture; and Tinkerbelle was gone........
Even so, Wishes was still as wonderful and enjoyable as it always is. I love watching the fireworks and how they highlight the castle, with its ever changing colors.
After the show, we head towards Main Street to enjoy the decorations we bypassed on our backstage trip to Tomorrowland when we entered the park. We were hoping to make it to the area near City Hall to find a good spot to enjoy the second MSEP, and be ready to leave shortly thereafter. I realized that the boys would probably find it difficult to meet us at the assigned time since they would probably run into the crowds watching the parade, so I sent them a text message adjusting our meeting time slightly, and telling them to take the parade into account.
As we wandered back up Main Street, USA, I tried to get a lot of pictures of decorations, since I did very little of this on our previous trip during the Christmas season. Disney does a great job of transforming the parks and resorts during the different holidays!!!
About this time we arrived outside of the Main Street Bakery and DW decided she wanted some hot chocolate. As she went inside to get our drinks, I wandered around the area taking more pictures. One of the first things that got my attention was that it had begun to snow on Main Street USA.
Main Street USA is beautifully decorated!!!
DW finally got our hot chocolates and rejoined me. Hot was definitely a misnomer on this night, so I hurriedly finished mine. There were a number of Photopass CMs taking pictures on Main Street. We never took enough PP pictures on the trip to make it worthwhile getting the CD, but I have learned on the DIS boards that you can get the photographer to also take pictures with your own camera when they take the PP pictures.
As we strolled down MS, USA, we also saw these sights
And
They were starting to rope off areas in anticipation of the MSEP starting. DW and I found a great spot near the beginning of the parade and staked our claim. I really wanted to see this parade again since we had first seen it 25 years ago on a trip to Disneyland, and it was quite a spectacle to us since it was our first nighttime electrical parade.
Captain Hook and Smee
Minnie Mouse
Matt hates this picture because he knows the girl is making an incorrect salute. To show the palm of your hand when you salute is a major faux pas!!! He knows they probably aren't aware of this, and he really wants to contact Disney and inform them in hopes they will correct it.
When the parade ended, DW and I walked over to the flagpole where we were meeting DS's.
They were there soon after the parade ended and we headed out of the park. The boys had endured lines to ride Space Mountain, HM, BTMRR and PotC, so their evening wasn't a total waste, but none of us really wanted to go so quickly after arriving. We knew this night was a bonus, and we needed to get back to our hotel and get some sleep so we could get checked into Kidani the next morning and begin the main part of our Disney stay!
On the way out I took one of those pictures you are always in too much of a hurry to take when you enter the park, so it always seems to get taken when you are leaving, which is bittersweet.
We headed towards the monorail station so we could get back to the TTC and find our car. As we were walking that way with a huge number of people, one of the boys noticed how many people were already waiting on the ramp. As I rolled my eyes and thought about how long we were about to wait, I suddenly remembered a nice little tidbit of information. I subscribe to the "Your BEST WDW theme park secret!" thread on the DIS. Not long before our trip someone posted a tip that most people head for the monorail platform that says it is to the TTC and parking. However, most don't realize or think about the fact that the Resort Monorail makes its first stop at the Contemporary, and the second stop is none other than the TTC! I quickly redirected the family towards the Resort Monorail side of the platform while getting quizzical looks as to why we were going there. I hurriedly whispered this great little tidbit of information to them and we headed up to an almost empty platform!!!
Within about a minute our monorail arrived, appropriately Lime Green since I got this wonderful little tip from the DIS.
We quickly boarded and were on our way, exiting off at the TTC after a short stop at the Contemporary, just like the tip said!!!
Knowing the mistake we had made before with our parking spot being so close, we started walking towards the car. I guess being pent up all day, and not having a whole lot of time to expend energy in the park, Matt and Drew decided they needed to race to the car. When we finally spotted the car, with both boys leaning on it, I used the key fob to unlock the car so they could get in. When DW, Jon and I finally arrived, I started the car and we had to wait for the windows to clear. It was starting to get quite cold for a Florida evening at Disney.
We got back to the hotel, and everyone got ready for bed. In spite of a very long day, it took a while for us to turn off the lights and finally get to sleep. We were laughing and having a good time just chatting.
I decided to set the alarm for a later time than originally planned so we could get some rest before our move to Kidani. After all, this was vacation and we were on extra time anyway.........
Coming up - Chapter 9 Move to Kidani and Epcot Day!

We walked a little farther and realized that it was almost time for Wishes to begin, and we were able to grab a good spot right near the cable where I knew Tinkerbelle would pass during her flight. While we waited I took the chance to get a few more pictures of the castle in all of its lighted splendor.



The music came on, and Wishes began. I always love Wishes and really enjoy the fireworks and the pageantry. I had the camera ready in anticipation of Tinkerbelle's flight. As Tinkerbelle soared towards us I snapped a picture.....and nothing happened! The camera put one of those stupid errors up that always frustrate me. My opportunity was passing and finally the error cleared. I quickly pressed the button again, and again.....nothing! The one time I am right near the cable, prepared for an excellent chance to get the shot, and I come up empty!!! Not even a single blurry picture; and Tinkerbelle was gone........
Even so, Wishes was still as wonderful and enjoyable as it always is. I love watching the fireworks and how they highlight the castle, with its ever changing colors.



After the show, we head towards Main Street to enjoy the decorations we bypassed on our backstage trip to Tomorrowland when we entered the park. We were hoping to make it to the area near City Hall to find a good spot to enjoy the second MSEP, and be ready to leave shortly thereafter. I realized that the boys would probably find it difficult to meet us at the assigned time since they would probably run into the crowds watching the parade, so I sent them a text message adjusting our meeting time slightly, and telling them to take the parade into account.
As we wandered back up Main Street, USA, I tried to get a lot of pictures of decorations, since I did very little of this on our previous trip during the Christmas season. Disney does a great job of transforming the parks and resorts during the different holidays!!!



About this time we arrived outside of the Main Street Bakery and DW decided she wanted some hot chocolate. As she went inside to get our drinks, I wandered around the area taking more pictures. One of the first things that got my attention was that it had begun to snow on Main Street USA.

Main Street USA is beautifully decorated!!!

DW finally got our hot chocolates and rejoined me. Hot was definitely a misnomer on this night, so I hurriedly finished mine. There were a number of Photopass CMs taking pictures on Main Street. We never took enough PP pictures on the trip to make it worthwhile getting the CD, but I have learned on the DIS boards that you can get the photographer to also take pictures with your own camera when they take the PP pictures.

As we strolled down MS, USA, we also saw these sights


And

They were starting to rope off areas in anticipation of the MSEP starting. DW and I found a great spot near the beginning of the parade and staked our claim. I really wanted to see this parade again since we had first seen it 25 years ago on a trip to Disneyland, and it was quite a spectacle to us since it was our first nighttime electrical parade.

Captain Hook and Smee

Minnie Mouse

Matt hates this picture because he knows the girl is making an incorrect salute. To show the palm of your hand when you salute is a major faux pas!!! He knows they probably aren't aware of this, and he really wants to contact Disney and inform them in hopes they will correct it.

When the parade ended, DW and I walked over to the flagpole where we were meeting DS's.

They were there soon after the parade ended and we headed out of the park. The boys had endured lines to ride Space Mountain, HM, BTMRR and PotC, so their evening wasn't a total waste, but none of us really wanted to go so quickly after arriving. We knew this night was a bonus, and we needed to get back to our hotel and get some sleep so we could get checked into Kidani the next morning and begin the main part of our Disney stay!
On the way out I took one of those pictures you are always in too much of a hurry to take when you enter the park, so it always seems to get taken when you are leaving, which is bittersweet.

We headed towards the monorail station so we could get back to the TTC and find our car. As we were walking that way with a huge number of people, one of the boys noticed how many people were already waiting on the ramp. As I rolled my eyes and thought about how long we were about to wait, I suddenly remembered a nice little tidbit of information. I subscribe to the "Your BEST WDW theme park secret!" thread on the DIS. Not long before our trip someone posted a tip that most people head for the monorail platform that says it is to the TTC and parking. However, most don't realize or think about the fact that the Resort Monorail makes its first stop at the Contemporary, and the second stop is none other than the TTC! I quickly redirected the family towards the Resort Monorail side of the platform while getting quizzical looks as to why we were going there. I hurriedly whispered this great little tidbit of information to them and we headed up to an almost empty platform!!!
Within about a minute our monorail arrived, appropriately Lime Green since I got this wonderful little tip from the DIS.

We quickly boarded and were on our way, exiting off at the TTC after a short stop at the Contemporary, just like the tip said!!!
Knowing the mistake we had made before with our parking spot being so close, we started walking towards the car. I guess being pent up all day, and not having a whole lot of time to expend energy in the park, Matt and Drew decided they needed to race to the car. When we finally spotted the car, with both boys leaning on it, I used the key fob to unlock the car so they could get in. When DW, Jon and I finally arrived, I started the car and we had to wait for the windows to clear. It was starting to get quite cold for a Florida evening at Disney.
We got back to the hotel, and everyone got ready for bed. In spite of a very long day, it took a while for us to turn off the lights and finally get to sleep. We were laughing and having a good time just chatting.

Coming up - Chapter 9 Move to Kidani and Epcot Day!