The Craziness of WDW between Christmas & New Years-Wilderness Lodge, Merry Mixer

[tksbaskets]

Cold Indy, hot lunch!

After two pretty terrific spins on the RRC we headed over for the 10 am show of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Donald loves this show. We've seen the show probably 15 times and are never disappointed...well maybe this morning.

Like Donald's new hat? We bought it at the pin trading station under the hat on the way over.

We were told by the cast member at the entrance that the show would be 'abbreviated' this morning due to a technical issue. We were happy to sit and see what we could. Well it was explained to us that they had a hydrolic leak and since the fluid was practically frozen they couldn't fix it yet that morning. This meant that they couldn't move from one scene to the other.

We enjoyed the first 10 minutes and were appreciative of the flames for warmth!

Don't blink, the show was just about this long.

Now off to Grumpy's favorite show. Can you guess where we are going?

Funny, no one is playing in the fountain this morning....hmm....

For my DL DISers this show is exactly alike in both parks. So fun! "we surrender, we surrender" How can you not smile!

Since we had thawed out in the Muppets we headed over for some more indoor fun at The Great Movie Ride. The ride is really fun with the automatronics and my lack of ability to take a picture without a flash is very apparent. Sing along! "Ho-ray for Hollywood...."

We were a bit early for our lunch reservations but were seated promptly. If you haven't tried Mama Melrose's I think you are missing out on one of the best dining experiences at DHS.

*WARNING* If you are hungry you might want to avert your eyes!

Think Donald is happy with his selection? Grumpy got the same and started eating before I snapped a pic!

It's a toss up which of the two is better lookin' :

My dessert...DE-lish!

Next up:
The FP Return of TSM and a bit of DTD

 

[tksbaskets]

Whatever happened to "More coming tonight." ?

I was too busy reading your trip report!! Just kidding, cleaning up after drywall repair trumped DIS. Sigh.

I'll try to post faster now.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I feel like I need to put a coat on while I'm reading your TR! It looks like it was freezing! That food looks so good.

PS -- Just posted calendar pics on the ol' TR.

 

[tksbaskets]

I feel like I need to put a coat on while I'm reading your TR! It looks like it was freezing! That food looks so good.

PS -- Just posted calendar pics on the ol' TR.

I still feel cold thinking about our trip! Poor Donald with his light weight fleece - changing in the next installment.

LOVE your calendar pages~

 

[tksbaskets]

December 27 afternoon and evening

Off to use our FP from the first one pulled this morning:

I may have mentioned that you miss quite a bit of the Toy Story Mania theming if you enter the ride through the fastpass entrance. Now you do see a few other things PLUS you avoid a long line.

Here are the guys on the back side of the Lincoln Log building where you'll find your 3-D glasses.

After our spin we went to the 2:15 pm show of Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. The stadium is HUGE but you still need to get seated a tad early so you have a good seat. We huddled together for warmth We think the show is well worth the wait!

After getting our motors all revved up at the show we doubled back to see Indy (the full show). The 4:15 show was SRO which really didn't appeal to us. We decided to use our last FP for TSMM and head down to DTD for a hoody and a little shopping.

Do you notice the 180 minute wait in the stand-by line?

Some more FB theming - LOVE the details:

You can tell a bit of the theming on the long-wait side:

You may have been able to tell but we are a bit competitive....Here is the score from me and my partner:

Couldn't really tell you which son rode with me this time. I can tell you when we moved to this screen we knew either my DH had the game of his life of my partner was bested by his brother!

Downtown Disney
One of the challenging things about WDW is getting from a park to a resort different than your home resort or DTD. We ended up getting on a bus for Saratoga Springs and then getting off at bus stop #5 and walking over to DTD.

Our mission was to look for Tron pins for Donald and a hoodie that would suit his sense of style and need for warmth. After enough shopping (for my family about an hour is plenty) we were all feeling a tad hungry. DH, Donald, and Grumpy got smoked turkey legs from a cart. With our CS credit they got chips and a drink. Donald went into World of Disney and got a big bag to carry them on the bus. We then boarded a bus back to Wilderness Lodge.

I waited to get my dinner from the Whispering Pines Cafe. Delish tuna salad on multi grain bread and home made chips that were GREAT. Many a snack credit were used on these chips on the following days.

Early to bed for my crew. We took a vote and ....

We're sleeping in till when????

 

[smb6]

I'm enjoying your TR! We are planning to go during the same "crazy" time of year this year also

 

[tksbaskets]

I'm enjoying your TR! We are planning to go during the same "crazy" time of year this year also

Thanks! It is a really fun time to go! If you plan and are realistic about crowds and lines you will have a wonderful time. More coming tomorrow.

I'm glad you are following along.

TK

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Hi TK! I didn't realize you started your TR! Great start. I love the pictures!

WLV look nice, I love the theming!

DH and I were totally at MK on the same night. Brrr. It was cold! Yik!

The Mama Melrose looks yummy. It's one of those places I always want to try, but we never get to. You may have convinced me.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi TK! I didn't realize you started your TR! Great start. I love the pictures!

WLV look nice, I love the theming!

DH and I were totally at MK on the same night. Brrr. It was cold! Yik!

The Mama Melrose looks yummy. It's one of those places I always want to try, but we never get to. You may have convinced me.

Hi! Yes BURRR indeed! You won't be disappointed at Mama's. We discovered it a couple of trips ago and not it is a 'must do' at DHS. It even trumps 50's Prime Time Cafe.

Thanks for reading!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Great update! Cute picture of your guys with their FPs. I LOVED seeing all the different TSMM theming. Very cute! I really liked the little Lincoln Log house and the old Candy Land board. I think my boys would love that stunt show. Looks like there are a lot more "shows" to be had in WDW.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great update! Cute picture of your guys with their FPs. I LOVED seeing all the different TSMM theming. Very cute! I really liked the little Lincoln Log house and the old Candy Land board. I think my boys would love that stunt show. Looks like there are a lot more "shows" to be had in WDW.

Thanks Deej! Your boys would LOVE the stunt show. It has fast car chases, motorcycle chases, people and things bursting into flames, and when it isn't FREEZING a little stunt with a wave runner.

I hadn't really thought about the shows but you are right. Many more opportunities at WDW.

More tonight....

 

[deejdigsdis]

Still here

 

[tksbaskets]

Pros and Cons of being lazy slugs....Tuesday 12/28/10

DH and I got up at the crack of 0900. DH had a pot of coffee brewing in the room and I wandered down to Roaring Fork for muffins, milk, and a mug full of Diet Coke.

Our reservations were for 11:30 am at Tony's Town Square Restaurant so working back we got Donald and Grumpy out of their 'rock' bed at 10 am and were out the door to the bus stop at 10:30 am.

A couple of my favorite DISers have me trained to seek out unique light fixtures around Disney. Here is the morning view from the Wilderness Lodge bus stop.

This is the first full day of vacation EVER that our family wasn't at the gate before or very near when the park opens. This is what you are presented with when you get to MK at a bit before 11 am. Keep thinking of the lovely sleep we had and the happy young men.... Oh the mass of humanity.

Beautiful flowers outside the park entrance:

MK Christmas tree:

The photo doesn't do it justice! Here is a little detail. I saw a special on Disney Holiday Decorations on the travel channel right before our trip. The popcorn is molded/sculpted by the Disney Immagineers and each one individually painted!

Main street all decked out for the holidays!

That light thing again

Knowing that the lines would be nuts we hurried back to Tomorrowland where DH grabbed a FP for Buzz and the three remaining DISers grabbed a FP for Space Mountain. We just had time to head back to Main Street, USA for our lunch reservation.

Next up.... Lunch at Tony's Town Square

 

[tksbaskets]

We had never eaten at Tony's but wanted to try it out because Disney character artist Don 'Ducky' Williams did all the artwork and theming in the restaurant. I have several (understatement) of his lithographs.

Tony's entrance is shared with the Town Square Exposition Hall. After checking in at the podium the guys shopped in the photo store and we enjoyed a little entertainment:

Our reservation time was the earliest available so I was able to take a few photos without a lot of other guests in the picture.

There is a main room (where we were) and a room that overlooks Main Street. If you like Lady and the Tramp you'll like this place!

Here is the main room:

Fountain in the middle:

I had read mixed reviews over the quality of the food here. The menu is Italian. While our entrees were 'good' they did not compare to Mama Melrose's the day before at DHS.

Those of you who are actually reading my trip report may appreciate that my men-folk indulged me by letting me take pics before they dove in

We were very satisfied with the portion sizes.

Now the desserts were superb!

One more stop before we leave Tony's.

We enjoyed our lunch but don't think that we'll make Tony's a 'must do' stop on a trip to WDW in the future.

Next up...what to do at the MK when the lines are long and you slept in!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Pros and Cons of being lazy slugs....Tuesday 12/28/10

DH and I got up at the crack of 0900. DH had a pot of coffee brewing in the room and I wandered down to Roaring Fork for muffins, milk, and a mug full of Diet Coke.

Our reservations were for 11:30 am at Tony's Town Square Restaurant so working back we got Donald and Grumpy out of their 'rock' bed at 10 am and were out the door to the bus stop at 10:30 am.

A couple of my favorite DISers have me trained to seek out unique light fixtures around Disney. Here is the morning view from the Wilderness Lodge bus stop.

This is the first full day of vacation EVER that our family wasn't at the gate before or very near when the park opens. This is what you are presented with when you get to MK at a bit before 11 am. Keep thinking of the lovely sleep we had and the happy young men.... Oh the mass of humanity.

Beautiful flowers outside the park entrance:

MK Christmas tree:

The photo doesn't do it justice! Here is a little detail. I saw a special on Disney Holiday Decorations on the travel channel right before our trip. The popcorn is molded/sculpted by the Disney Immagineers and each one individually painted!

Main street all decked out for the holidays!

That light thing again

Knowing that the lines would be nuts we hurried back to Tomorrowland where DH grabbed a FP for Buzz and the three remaining DISers grabbed a FP for Space Mountain. We just had time to head back to Main Street, USA for our lunch reservation.

Next up.... Lunch at Tony's Town Square

Great update! So much to comment on...

When you mentioned the time you got up and wandering around to get muffins, etc. I thought, "Hmmm. That doesn't sound like TK's family to still be milling around the room at that hour." And then further down you mentioned that it was the first full vacation day ever for you to do that. Too funny!

Yay for light pictures! I hope there are more to come.

I love that tree. The popcorn looks amazing!

I loved those poinsettia trees. So pretty.

Especially love the picture of the garlands going across Main Street with the castle in the background. Did you put that one in your calendar? Love it!

Yikes, that's a lot of people!

 

[deejdigsdis]

We had never eaten at Tony's but wanted to try it out because Disney character artist Don 'Ducky' Williams did all the artwork and theming in the restaurant. I have several (understatement) of his lithographs.

Tony's entrance is shared with the Town Square Exposition Hall. After checking in at the podium the guys shopped in the photo store and we enjoyed a little entertainment:

Our reservation time was the earliest available so I was able to take a few photos without a lot of other guests in the picture.

There is a main room (where we were) and a room that overlooks Main Street. If you like Lady and the Tramp you'll like this place!

Here is the main room:

Fountain in the middle:

I had read mixed reviews over the quality of the food here. The menu is Italian. While our entrees were 'good' they did not compare to Mama Melrose's the day before at DHS.

Those of you who are actually reading my trip report may appreciate that my men-folk indulged me by letting me take pics before they dove in

We were very satisfied with the portion sizes.

Now the desserts were superb!

One more stop before we leave Tony's.

We enjoyed our lunch but don't think that we'll make Tony's a 'must do' stop on a trip to WDW in the future.

Next up...what to do at the MK when the lines are long and you slept in!

That restaurant looks really fun. Apparently I didn't eat enough dinner tonight...I feel hungry after seeing those pics.

Loved your "One more stop before we leave Tony's."

 

[tksbaskets]

Great update! So much to comment on...

When you mentioned the time you got up and wandering around to get muffins, etc. I thought, "Hmmm. That doesn't sound like TK's family to still be milling around the room at that hour." And then further down you mentioned that it was the first full vacation day ever for you to do that. Too funny!

Yay for light pictures! I hope there are more to come.

I love that tree. The popcorn looks amazing!

I loved those poinsettia trees. So pretty.

Especially love the picture of the garlands going across Main Street with the castle in the background. Did you put that one in your calendar? Love it!

Yikes, that's a lot of people!

Can you believe we SLEPT IN?? DH and I were kind of looking at each other like 'what the heck are we doing watching ESPN at 10 am?'

The garland picture and the light pic with the Mickey wreath both made the calendar.

So many people but we are used to going this time of year and not surprised when you have to trudge single file down Main Street.

That restaurant looks really fun. Apparently I didn't eat enough dinner tonight...I feel hungry after seeing those pics.

Loved your "One more stop before we leave Tony's."

I got a tad big peckish doing my trip report last night. Didn't have any of that yummy creme brule at home....that little cup thing filled with toasted
nuts was delish too.

 

[tksbaskets]

Chock full of pasta we headed back to Tomorrowland.


We rode one of our favorite rides: The Carousel of Progress. I remember this ride from my first visit in 1976 with my family. My brother and I were out of 'A' tickets and this ride was 'free'. We must have gone 10 times that trip. We always ride a couple of times while on vacation at WDW. Sing with me...."It's a great big beautiful tomorrow....shining at the end of every day...."

We exited Tomorrowland through Fantasyland (talk about people - YIKES 90 minute waits for Peter Pan.) on our way to Liberty Square for another look at the Hall of Presidents.

Off to fight the crowds at Pirates. No FP for this ride so we bucked up and waited the 45 minutes proclaimed outside. What to do while you meander in line? Take a few photos of course!

SOOOooo happy it wasn't me carrying a child for 45 minutes!

Getting closer!

Worth the wait! This ride at MK is shorter than the one at DL but we still exit smiling and singing 'Yo Ho Yo Ho!'

WAIT....right after we exited the gift shop.... Is this a line for a character greeting???? I was again indulged by my men.

My favorite picture of the trip and my current computer wallpaper. This may be in next year's Christmas letter:

Next up - a few pics around MK and how we spent our evening at MK

 

[rndmr2]

Just found your TR and I am enjoying reading about your trip. I love WDW at christmas time! I have been a couple of times and I hope to be able to go again sometime soon.

 

[franandaj]

I'm loving your TR and if you had checked out my PTR you would notice that we are all similar it is nice that you know what I mean. I'm glad that we do not have to be svelt to post TR/PTRs, but I'm glad that we all enjoy WDW. Keep the updates coming!