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

[tksbaskets]

No Business Like Show Business!

We went from Pixar Palace towards the Streets of America and stopped into the Studio Backlot Tour. We enjoy this ride even though it has been scaled down a bit to accommodate the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.

We were the first to approach the queuing area and were greeted by a cast member. This is the second time we've been selected to be in the first segment. I quickly offered to hold all the valuables (read 4 cell phones and three wallets) and all our sweat shirts. My other job was to video the video and take pictures.

The first part of the attraction is filming a sequence that could be used in movies like Pearl Harbor. There is a director and there are air cannons for shots in the water and explosions. It really is fun. After the filming is done the clips are inserted into a movie video that is played on the screens above the people viewing.

Your first clue you're going to get wet are the suits you are given Here they are getting some last minute coaching from the director on set:

This fella will be manning the engine room.

Here he is communicating with the skipper on deck:

Little did he know they'd be taking on a little water....

Captain Donald and his swabbies Grumpy and Sarge busy doing sailor things:

OH NO We're under an air attack!

I think the underwater torpedo got Sarge!

I stood back a bit and took a video of the monitor for the movie with all the clips inserted. If you haven't ridden the Backlot Tour it's worth the time.

The second part of the attraction is to go through a studio storage room to the tram vehicles. By now it was 11 am and we were worried that we wouldn't make our 11:25 am lunch reservations if we stayed for part two. A nice Cast Member let us out the side entrance. We were the only ones going through the movie prop room (probably has a fancier name)

Making our way to the 50's Prime Time Cafe. Hi Minnie - no time to stop and chat.

Our cousin waited on us. We love this TS restaurant. It's like being in mom's 1950's kitchen. You are encourage to eat your vegetables and keep your elbows off the table. Our cousin gave us questions to answer. I was taking a picture with my Blackberry and she thought I was looking up answers and took my phone. SERIOUSLY. She kept it during the entire dinner too. I tried not to be too peeved and lived without it for 45 minutes.

How can you stay mad at someone who brings you this??

Shakes and malts count as your drink on the DDP! I had a strawberry malt. YUMMO!

What a filling lunch!

Next - how late will my family last on NYE????

 

[Monknmom]

I love your trip report! We are going for our first time soon and I just CAN'T WAIT! I love reading trip reports and want to start my own PTR, but alas we are not leaving until December and I think it's just too early! ha ha it's okay I'll read everyone elses until then!

 

[tksbaskets]

I love your trip report! We are going for our first time soon and I just CAN'T WAIT! I love reading trip reports and want to start my own PTR, but alas we are not leaving until December and I think it's just too early! ha ha it's okay I'll read everyone elses until then!

Thanks for joining my TR. You'll really enjoy seeing WDW at Christmas! LOL about starting your trip report. You can be as early as I was late starting mine!

 

[Monknmom]

Thanks for joining my TR. You'll really enjoy seeing WDW at Christmas! LOL about starting your trip report. You can be as early as I was late starting mine!

Oh my I am praying that this is one of many! It will be our 1st real family trip (we take day trips to upstate during the summer- nothing really away from home)!

 

[franandaj]

I love your trip report! We are going for our first time soon and I just CAN'T WAIT! I love reading trip reports and want to start my own PTR, but alas we are not leaving until December and I think it's just too early! ha ha it's okay I'll read everyone elses until then!

It's funny how differently people think! DVC members normally book their trips 11 months out so I started my PTR for Oct/Nov back in either September or October last year. It's not that I have lots of details to report, but I've reported on all my other silly trips inbetween to keep my readers entertained! I think you can can start a PTR at any point once you know you're going, the whole idea of a PTR is that it is a journey and a place to report your excitement of the various aspects of your trip and let others share in that journey when you can't share it with the people in your life who are interested in the whole planning of your vacation.

 

[MsHershey]

Hi, I don't think you'll have any issue with motion sickness on Soarin'. My DH and my sister both suffer from motion sickness and neither had ANY issue on Soarin'. It's more like a gentle swing as you glide through the air. NO abrupt jerks or changes in direction. Just confirmed with DH "tell her not to worry at all"

Thank you for replying. I am so looking forward to riding Soarin!

 

[tksbaskets]

NYE Afternoon

We took a left out of the 50's Prime Time Cafe and went right to the 12:45 show if Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Today it was warm enough that we saw the entire show much to Donald's delight.

Don't be frightened Indy and Marian get out just fine.

After a full showing of Indy we headed through the hat to the Animation Courtyard. There we attempted to draw Minnie Mouse. You do have to wait a bit to do the drawing but it really is fun!

They had a little salute to "Tangled"

Donald hard at work!

Grumpy showing why none of our family makes their living with art.

My masterpiece

This is a great character greeting spot too. Not that my family took advantage of that.

He may smell like strawberries but I didn't like his character in TS3. Did you?

It was REALLY sunny out. We weren't complaining in the least!

Next we went to Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. It is a self guided tour that ends with a 15 minute film. Very interesting. The only downer was the crying infant (we're talking seriously crying) during the film. The dad finally got up after about 5 minutes of crying and stood INSIDE the theater doors with the wailing child. UGH.

The famous Mr. Lincoln that blew a hydrolic hose at the World's Fair prompting the change from red to clear fluid.

It was around 3:30 pm and we headed to the front of the park to put our sweat shirts in a locker. Yes, it was warm enough that we didn't need them! Unfortunately enough other people had rented lockers so there were none available. Look who is uncovered today!!

Since it was time that we could pull another FP we went and obtained them for TOT. Our FP time was 6:50 pm. Off to our first FP for TSM!

The mass of humanity at Pixar Place.

Goodness do you see the 180 minute wait time at 3:45 pm??

Smiling we entered the FP line and enjoyed our spin. We wanted to savor our remaining TSM FP for the evening.

Next up, NYE evening...how long did we make it??

 

[tksbaskets]

We went back to the Backlot Tour to experience the entire attraction. We'll resume where we left off this morning...

After boarding your tram you tour the back lot (cleaver eh?) and see props from different movies and studio treasures.

Oh no, our tour tram has stopped at the canyon. What is that rumbling???

Whew! We survived the canyon disaster and then went around the back side and they talk about the hydrolics and water. A few more props then back to the tram stop.

Walt Disney's plane.

Next you walk through a really interesting building that has movie props, costumes, and explanations.

Donald - don't be swayed by the dark side!!

Davey Jones' organ:

I was really parched by this point in our day so we stopped by the Studio Catering Co. for a large fountain Diet Coke. Felt good to sit and people watch for a bit.

Now that we were refreshed (and I wasn't cranky because I was thirsty) we headed over to see the Osborn Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It really is spectacular and worth waiting for!

WARNING rant to follow: About 5 pm Disney starts passing out New Year's hats and noise makers. While this is fun and festive 5 thousand children blowing on their noise makers as hard and often as possible tends to become a tad bit annoying....End of rant.

Ready for NYE~

We had to wait for darkness to descend before the show.

Hidden Mickey's abound~

The lights are all set to music. Very cool!

Thinking of Deej...

As the 'snow' began to fall we headed over to enjoy the Muppets 3-D. Happy and humming the Muppet's finale music we headed back to Pixar Place to use our remaining FP.

NOoooo. No line at TSM..... What??? It's broken down on NYE?? The Cast Member had no ETA on when it might be back up. Slightly sad (understatement) we headed over to Sunset Boulevard to use our TOT FP.

It was 7:00 pm and the line for the 8:00 pm Fantasmic show was NUTS! I was so grateful that we didn't have small children who could have been easily lost in the throng of people.

We all enjoyed our TOT ride!

Did a spot of shopping. Nice of Disney to have every ride end in a gift shop.

We went back out to the hub and visited the information desk to find that Toy Story Midway Mania was back in business!! This would be our final ride of the evening.

By now it was 9 pm and my men folk were fading fast and becoming irritated by the incessant blowing of noise makers. The crowds were swelling as well. I had great plans of ringing in the New Year at my most happy of places. Sadly I was out voted and we headed back to Wilderness Lodge for a late dinner at Roaring Forks and an evening of packing.

I am filled with chagrin to say that although we've been at DL or WDW for many a NYE we have never been IN a park for the 'ball drop'. We did enjoy the sounds of fireworks from our hotel.

I'll finish NYE with our PP pic at the Osborn Lights.

Next and final installment. Cramming as much as possible into New Years Day at MK before our flight.

 

[tksbaskets]

My first attempt at video. A small sampling of the noise makers while we waited for the Osborn Family Dancing Lights.

Click here for my unlisted 15 second video. The speakers are DH and me.

 

[tksbaskets]

January 1, 2011 departure day

Up relatively early for a soda run and some last minute shopping at the hotel gift shop as we had to have our luggage at the WL airport check-in desk at 9:30 am. Tip: since they also print your bording passes you need your entire party with you with picture ID. Ask me why I tell you this....

We actually had our reservations through 1/2/2011 (that is another story) so we could leave our carry on luggage in our room. We were at the bus station by 10 am. What a nice morning. Look DISers - no sweat shirts!

We were at the park by 10:10. Here is the 10:12 am crowd at the Magic Kingdom.

Our first order of business was to collect FP for SM for three of us and Buzz Lightyear for DH. On our way there was a little holiday show on the horse-drawn street car. The men folk deserted me for Tomorrowland but I stopped for a picture or two.

Obviously my guys weren't missing me so I took another photo.

We rode Buzz in the stand-by line as it was only about a 20 minute wait.

I'll try and be a space ranger Buzz but you've seen my previous scores on this ride, right??

Rode the Carousel of Progress before heading over to Liberty Square. Once again there was activity at the hub. It was a little parade.

Not the best time of day to take a picture of our lunch spot at Liberty Tree Tavern but you get the picture:

We had changed our original plan of Chef Mickey for LTT so we could enjoy a bit of the park. LTT has always been one of our favorite places to dine. I'm sad they don't have the character meal anymore but the food and atmosphere stand on their own.

May we recommend the pot roast and roast turkey dinners?

If you are a photographer, please excuse the big bright window behind my family.

Continued in the next post...

 

[tksbaskets]

My very satisfied family next headed out to visit the Hall of Presidents.

There are some very interesting displays outside the theater.

Had to make a quick stop here on our way to Tomorrowland to use our FPs.

We were advised to 'Hurry back'!

We used our fast passes and then decided we'd better head back to Wilderness Lodge so we could make our 4:05 bus to the airport. We decided to take the boat. Fun way to travel. While on the boat I discovered (meaning I read the letter from magical express) our bus was at 3:35 not 4:05

Here is the boat dock at WL:

Many years ago Donald and Grumpy would be the ONLY kids in the pool when it was 60 out. This year someone else is enjoying that.

Back side of the lodge.

Our family did a bit of a Home Alone dash from our room to the front of the lodge to catch our Magical Express but made it!

Final thoughts:

We had just as much fun sleeping in a few days on this vacation as when we utilized every Extra Magic Hour. With a crafty use of the FP system we still packed in quite a bit

Some day I'll see the NYE fireworks at the park....maybe

Favorite ride/Counter Service Meal/Table Service Meal/Snack

Grumpy: TSMM/Morocco/Tutto Italia/Funnel Cake at MK
Donald: TSMM/Morocco/Tutto/Cream Cheese pretzel in Tomorrowland
DH: TSMM/Morocco/Tutto/breakfast muffin
Me: RRC/Colonial House/Mama Melrose/home made chips at Roaring Forks

Hope you enjoyed my trip report. It was fun to re-live the experience.

Next trip: DCL to Alaska!

 

[franandaj]

Great TR! Will you post a link here for your Alaska Trip so we know to catch back on the train?

 

[tksbaskets]

Great TR! Will you post a link here for your Alaska Trip so we know to catch back on the train?

Thanks I will post a link when I start the report. Hopefully not months after the actual trip like this one.

We've wanted to go to Alaska for quite some time and now to be able to combine Alaska with the Disney Wonder makes it doubly special!

 

[rndmr2]

Great TR! I really enjoyed reading about your trip! Can't wait to hear about your Alaska trip!

 

[horselover]

We love LTT! That is always our final lunch on departure day. It's tradition. I always get the pot roast. Yummy!

Really enjoyed your TR. Gave me some great tips for what to expect for our own Christmas trip this year. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Remember a while back I promised some pics of the queue for stand-by riders. Here they are!

I SOOOooo loved my viewfinder as a child. There are cells on these too. So detailed!

I have a lot to catch up on! Life got busy.

Anyway...I LOVE all this stuff from the Toy Story line! Love it! Especially that old Candy Land board and the old Tomorrowland view finder thing.

Off to read more...

 

[deejdigsdis]

Goodness do you see the 180 minute wait time at 3:45 pm??

I cannot imagine waiting that long! I will never complain about a 45 minute wait for TSMM in DCA ever again...

My kids would love that Indy show. They've never seen a stunt show like that.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Thinking of Deej...

Love it!

I am filled with chagrin to say that although we've been at DL or WDW for many a NYE we have never been IN a park for the 'ball drop'. We did enjoy the sounds of fireworks from our hotel.

That is so funny! Maybe this year? Or are you going after NYE?

I'll finish NYE with our PP pic at the Osborn Lights.

Another great family picture!

 

[tksbaskets]

We love LTT! That is always our final lunch on departure day. It's tradition. I always get the pot roast. Yummy!

Really enjoyed your TR. Gave me some great tips for what to expect for our own Christmas trip this year. Thanks for taking the time to share it.

You're most welcome!! Where will you be staying this Christmas? I see you are DVC members at some of our favorite places.

I have a lot to catch up on! Life got busy.

Anyway...I LOVE all this stuff from the Toy Story line! Love it! Especially that old Candy Land board and the old Tomorrowland view finder thing.

Off to read more...

I wondered where you were Isn't the line different than DCA?

I cannot imagine waiting that long! I will never complain about a 45 minute wait for TSMM in DCA ever again...

My kids would love that Indy show. They've never seen a stunt show like that.

I think your family would enjoy the Indy stunt show and the car stunt show. The wait times at WDW do put a new perspective on those at our beloved DCA don't they?

 

[deejdigsdis]

This is beautiful!

Your food at LTT looks so good. Apparently the broccoli salad I had for lunch just isn't cutting it...I'm hungry again.

ETA... OOPS! Not sure what I did. Meant to include your castle picture that was people-free (with the water). That's what I was referring to when I said "this is beautiful!" Ha ha! Also meant to include more food!