The November 2015 Open Pre and Live Trip Reports

[G719]

Christmas tree is up!

 

[G719]

and the grand floridian gingerbread house is open

 

[garneska]

The dogs behave about the same. Unfortunately Yeti is guardian dog so he barks at everything at the fort and at home. Mal actually barks a bit more since she can't get up, especially when other dogs go by.

Good news i am feeling a little better. I still changed my FP for today, original FP was Safaria, Everest and Dinosaur. Now it is Festival, Nemo, and Tough to be a Bug. Though we had to work some today so we have not left yet. I did do some laundry though. Weather tonight is supposed to be rain.

This morning Yeti staked out mal's daytime spot while she was still in bed.

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

Last night we did the Merry and Bright Dessert Party. I almost cancelled as it did not get great reviews, but i am glad we did not. First i thought the desserts were good. While most people thought you did not have a good view of the lights, i thought it was decent. Sure walking on the streets would be better, but the streets had a zillion people. I wa sitting listening to music and able to see the lights dance. Normally we spend about 20 min watching but we sat down in the party area at 6:30 and stayed there till 8:20. The park officially closed at 8. Then we left and wandered the streets. Very few people were there. You could stand and see all the neat homages they paid to charachters. we leaft about 8:45. Then we came home and walked dogs. It was a long day. We spent the dat at MK, riding kid's rides since i was not doing any mountains. We rode Little mermaid, Peter Pan, and Dumbo.

We will either head to AK or go to the store. We need to pick up a few things again.

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

Ha you can really see the twigs in Yeti's tail. It is so horrible.

 

[garneska]

I fogrgot to mention, the pool is empty because the parks are packed. I was not expecting this many people here this week. I can only imagine the nuttiness that will be next week.

 

[ruthies12]

I fogrgot to mention, the pool is empty because the parks are packed. I was not expecting this many people here this week. I can only imagine the nuttiness that will be next week.

Don't say that!!

I feel ya on the tail issues. My St. Bernard has a very fluffy tail as well and I've spent many a camping trip cleaning out leaves and twigs.

 

[Chickp]

So glad the tree is up! I'm hoping to take a decent family picture in front of it while we're there.

We leave TOMORROW! I packed most of the day yesterday and made sure we had our food and such, since I am at work today. We head to Art of Animation and then to the Fort on Sat a.m.! No parks for us, so maybe my crazy kids will enjoy having the pool all to themselves (til they have to get out, it looks like it will cool off a bit). So glad we booked this nutty trip.

 

[G719]

The contemporary also has a gingerbread display.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Glad your doing better @garneska. Looks like your neighbor gets a kick out of Mallory's wheels.

Thanks for sharing the gingerbread houses @G719.

Any idea how long the gingerbread house and Christmas decor stay up after the new year? Hoping to catch a few things on our arrival (jan 4).

 

[garneska]

Melissa, the resorts tend to have stuff up till the marathon weekend, so you might get a shot but I would do it early in your trip. Typically the Christmas stuff comes down at the parks first. I expect this year for marathon not to have any Christmas decor in the park but the castle lights should still be up. They tend to leave those for the marathon.

 

[ruthies12]

I think I'm ready for the fort, packed my payment to the mafia......

 

[bama_ed]

Glad your doing better @garneska. Looks like your neighbor gets a kick out of Mallory's wheels.

Thanks for sharing the gingerbread houses @G719.

Any idea how long the gingerbread house and Christmas decor stay up after the new year? Hoping to catch a few things on our arrival (jan 4).

Melissa,

I will piggyback off Kris' answer.

This past year when we ran the Marathon weekend in January the tree in the front of Main Street USA where the flagpole is was still up as was most of the decorations in the MK (I only ran the Half so didn't see the other parks). When I checked in on the Thursday before the race, the lobby staff said the lobby decorations came down that night and there was still Christmas background loop music playing at the Outpost. There were no decorations around the Fort and besides the MK the only place I saw decorations was at DTD (or Disney Springs, I should say).

My advice coupled with garneska's answer is if you want to see the Christmas decorations you should probably do it in the first few days of your visit.

Bama Ed

PS - Kris, I have pretty much talked myself into doing the Whole Marathon again in Jan 2017 (did it in 2004 LOL). I have two brothers who I am going to try to talk into the other races (5k, 10k, Half). Hope to see you and Bert there then!

 

[JETS70]

View attachment 136119 Christmas tree is up!

Thanks for posting the picture of the Fort Christmas tree. The DW and I were hoping to see it before we left on Sunday morning. Had the opportunity to see the tree and decorations 2 years ago and really enjoyed them. Do they have the tree on the Porch?

 

[garneska]

Bama Ed, we will be there but that is an anniversary year for Donald so probably running the half. 2018 is the 25 year anniversary so I hope a really cool medal. We will be there. FYI last year for the marathon the tree was down at epcot.

 

[pluto67]

We went to Trails End for dinner this dark and rainy night
When we arrived we saw such a disappointing site on the porch that night
No Rocking Chairs in site
Only a bench and two tables on the right
The Fort is all decorated for Christmas now. The loop decorations are very few and far between. We are heading home in the morning for Thanksgiving and Christmas with the family. Then back on the road again next year. Wishing you all a safe travels and happy holidays.

 

[tiggerdad]

Ken, what do you mean no chairs!? I'm following along all enjoying this and then you throw the curve on me there.

Seriously, hate we missed you guys this year. Be careful on your ride back home.

 

[bama_ed]

Ken, what do you mean no chairs!? I'm following along all enjoying this and then you throw the curve on me there.

tltay2005 had a picture of the no-chair porch on the side in the Kickin' It thread. Makes me kinda suspicious.

Maybe somebody can ask the TE Manager.

Bama Ed

 

[garneska]

I can confirm Pluto67 statement. We had Trail's End Saturday, not a rocking chair to be seen.

Yesterday was a complete change of plans. We went to Epcot for lunch, ate at Tutto Gusto. Hey it's vacation i am allowed wine with lunch. Then we went to Super Target. Exciting times we lead. It just started raining when we got back to the Fort. We had dinner at La Luce, which is at the Hilton at Bonnet Creek. Prior to us camping we used to stay at the Waldorf a lot. One i had status from traveling for work so we always got a free room upgrade. We typically got a suite for a super great price from Disney standards. We were expecting rain so we wanted an easy dinner. For those at the Party it was not a down pour just a pretty steady rain. Got home and watched tv, could not even sit outside, it was wet and it was HUMID. At 10 when i wanted to go to bed we did take the dogs for a walk. I really did not want to but i feel so bad for them as they only got one walk in the morning and no outside time. After the walk it was time for bed. You can see how happy mal was to get a walk.

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

At Target i bought some icey hot. My back is sore from trying to care that front still. I am feeling better but i did laugh last night as Bert kicked the chair and stubbed his toe. It cracked me up and my chest hurt so much. I am also suffering from a knotted calf. Not sure what i did there, it started bothering me on Wed and is not getting better, no i have not run. I might go soak it in a pool today. Today we really are going to AK. We have dinner tonight at CA Grill so we can watch holiday wishes. Just need to stretch dinner our ressie is for 7:40. The bigger problem is i rarely eat that late.

 

[jbrostek]

Officially per Disney "Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort" is from November 6th through January 3rd 2016.

Last year I think it was till the 5th and quickly saw the decorations coming down and loop music changing back after that. MK was definitely last to see them come down.

 

[PaHunter]

Ken, what do you mean no chairs!? I'm following along all enjoying this and then you throw the curve on me there.

Seriously, hate we missed you guys this year. Be careful on your ride back home.

Alright which one of you decided to use the chairs as sleds behind your tow vehicle. Quit playing in the snow and put the chairs back.
Guess I will just have to slide the picnic table over for my "kickin it" picture.

 

[pluto67]

If you can figure out where the checker boards, the stackable blocks games, the high tables and chairs, and the other picnic tables went too you would probably find the magical disappearing rockers. Maybe we could form something like a Spin and Marty Snipe hunt. Just Say'in.