There's a First Time for Everything! A Christmas In November TR

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Being filled with the spirit of the season, we head on towards the castle. The Dream Along With Mickey show had just begun. DD LOVED this show last year so we stopped to watch it.

Some adjustable seating was needed for the shortest one in our group.

Look it's the same Peter Pan from our cruise!

And just WHO invited HER to the party? Oh that's right, no one did. She's just a party crasher!

And good triumphs over evil yet again!

She was sooooo into this show!

Cont. in next post............

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Goodbye everyone!

Now didn't I tell you there were NO lines, crowds, or waiting today? Aren't the strollers, scooters, and tourist at a minimum? So what are we waiting for? There are empty rides awaiting us!!! Let's go!

We passed by a queen with a fondness for beheadings on our way to Tomorrowland.

Our first ride of the day was the Speedway! We never rode this last year. DD was sooooo excited that she got to drive. When the CM handed her a driver's license, she said in the most serious voice, "But I'm not old enough to drive!" She laughed hysterically the whole time. What great moment!

And how long did we wait? Oh yeah............... WE DIDN'T!

Up next was a Buzz Lightyear marathon!

This was my score. I don't know much about the scoring, but I'm pretty sure this is bad!

Look, it's Indiana Jones on the Buzz Lightyear ride!

So what did we ride next? Buzz Lightyear! And after that? Buzz Lightyear! And then what? Yeah, Buzz Lightyear! Why? Because we could! We walked on this ride time and time again until we just didn't want to ride anymore.

Once we had thoroughly defeated Zurg, it was time for a tour of Tomorrowland on the TTA.

Cont. in next post.............

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We also rode the Carousel of Progress for the first time. DH and I really enjoyed it. Again, no waiting.

We watched Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor also. When the show was getting started, they were putting random pictures of people in the audience up on the big screen. We always sit on the very back row to try to avoid being singled out. Well, that strategy didn't work this time! DD was sitting in the middle of us and her picture popped up on the screen with the caption, "Sitting between two monsters"! We all got a good laugh out of it. DH was just thankful that he wasn't chosen as "that guy"!

Space Mountain was closed for refurbishment, so the monsters and the one on the middle decided that it was time to leave Tomorrowland for something more "adventurous".

On our way out we could see Santa's elves getting the park ready for the Christmas party. I wondered if it would start to get crowded as it got closer to 7:00.

Firsts tally: 34 (More new Street Performers, Tomorrowland Speedway, Carousel of Progress)

Up Next: Can we ride it again, Mama? And a hootin', hollerin' good time at dinner!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

First - my kids were those babies that had more hair at birth than most do by age 2. All of it was really dark too!

Second - YAY for a second MK day and no crowds!! I will have to go back and figure out your dates. We went on a non party day and it was nice until around noon and it got crowded after that.

Great pictures!! My DD8 got to drive on the speedway (our first time too) and we were cracking up the whole time. Mostly because she was such a BAD driver!! Banging into that rail the whole time!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think a day at Magic Kingdom with no crowds would be just about perfect!!!

Thanks for the walk down Main Street -- balloons, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon, and the sounds of caroling all add up to a magical walk towards the castle!

 

[khertz]

Man, nothing beats an empty MK! We tried that theory a couple of times while we were there (going on a MVMCP day), and it didn't work. I guess once you get into December, there's no such thing as empty parks! But we had fun anyway. Looks like y'all did too! The pics of your dd driving the car are just too cute. Great post!

 

[VAisforDisneyLvrs]

Since you asked so nicely.............

Thank you! We have never ridden the Speedway. It has always seemed to have a long line. Loved the picture of your daughter driving, but I especially loved the picture of her on her Daddy's shoulders!

Maleficent is my sister's favorite character-You got a great picture of her!

 

[MeMom]

A Memom inspired photo! Notice how it is crooked and half cut off? I had a feeling the people walking by me might think I was nutty for taking a picture of a drink machine, so I never stopped walking as I took the picture. No offense Memom. I really do understand, but sometimes "others" don't get it!

I have tears in my eyes as I look at these pictures and miss my home, Pop, and my happiest of happy places, which is all of Disney World! I've seen your pictures and Brook's this morning. Yeah, you guys are reeeeeeally helping me fight off a spring break trip that I can't afford. Thanks a lot!

I am sure that many people all over the U.S. and various countries have given me strange looks as I have stopped for a picture of a Coke machine or a crack in the sidewalk. I couldn't care less. It's their loss that they didn't get that coveted picture of talking corn dog nuggets or a row of stuffed Nemos or a gigantic chocolate, caramel, and peanut covered apple. Yep, their loss. I have those pictures to enjoy forever!

I should get a WILL MAKE SUDDEN STOPS FOR PICTURES shirt made.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love that you had no crowds. I religiously followed the UG plans my trip, and hit nothing but crowds everywhere. You really had a pixie sprinkled day didn't you?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I should get a WILL MAKE SUDDEN STOPS FOR PICTURES shirt made.

I'd bet you could sell them to a lot of us!!! I'd buy one!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

First - my kids were those babies that had more hair at birth than most do by age 2. All of it was really dark too!

Second - YAY for a second MK day and no crowds!! I will have to go back and figure out your dates. We went on a non party day and it was nice until around noon and it got crowded after that.

Great pictures!! My DD8 got to drive on the speedway (our first time too) and we were cracking up the whole time. Mostly because she was such a BAD driver!! Banging into that rail the whole time!!!

I think the parks are more crowded in general after Thanksgiving. The week that we went is light on crowds according to most sources I've read. Maybe that was the difference. But that Monday at MK was even more crowded than the parks had been over the weekend, which was Jersey Week. So that made Tuesday seem empty to us.

That speedway is pretty funny with a little one driving! My DD did pretty good for a five year old, but I know what you mean about banging the rail! Really makes you nervous about them turning 16, doesn't it?!

I think a day at Magic Kingdom with no crowds would be just about perfect!!!

Thanks for the walk down Main Street -- balloons, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon, and the sounds of caroling all add up to a magical walk towards the castle!

I can't think of anything more perfect than that either!

You're welcome for the stroll. Too bad it was virtual reality and not true reality!

Man, nothing beats an empty MK! We tried that theory a couple of times while we were there (going on a MVMCP day), and it didn't work. I guess once you get into December, there's no such thing as empty parks! But we had fun anyway. Looks like y'all did too! The pics of your dd driving the car are just too cute. Great post!

Yeah, I think December is going to be kind of crowded no matter what. That's why we like to go in early November so we can still get all the Christmas cheer without the huge crowds. But I don't know if it was empty because of the party or not. Who knows. There are probably lots of things that factor into crowd levels.

We have a good laugh on the speedway for sure!

Thank you! We have never ridden the Speedway. It has always seemed to have a long line. Loved the picture of your daughter driving, but I especially loved the picture of her on her Daddy's shoulders!

Maleficent is my sister's favorite character-You got a great picture of her!

I think the speedway is more for the little ones. The cars are just way too slow. But it was perfect for DD. She couldn't hardly drive it slow, so I know we would have crashed if it had gone any faster. I don't think adults would like it though.

I love that picture of her on DH's shoulders. So sweet. I don't think he will be able to do that much longer.

Maleficent is your sister's favorite? That's pretty funny! I can't imagine her having a big fan club! Just kidding. I know every story has to have a good villian!

I have tears in my eyes as I look at these pictures and miss my home, Pop, and my happiest of happy places, which is all of Disney World! I've seen your pictures and Brook's this morning. Yeah, you guys are reeeeeeally helping me fight off a spring break trip that I can't afford. Thanks a lot!

I am sure that many people all over the U.S. and various countries have given me strange looks as I have stopped for a picture of a Coke machine or a crack in the sidewalk. I couldn't care less. It's their loss that they didn't get that coveted picture of talking corn dog nuggets or a row of stuffed Nemos or a gigantic chocolate, caramel, and peanut covered apple. Yep, their loss. I have those pictures to enjoy forever!

I should get a WILL MAKE SUDDEN STOPS FOR PICTURES shirt made.

I feel for you on the homesickness. But you are still so lucky to get to go often! And what a blessing it is that your grown children enjoy having your company and want you to travel with them. So many kids nowadays move away and just forget their parents for the most part. You really are blessed to be so involved with your kids and grandkids.

And so sorry if I am being an enabler for you on a spring break trip! Believe me, I want one too!!!!!

I am totally with you on the pictures! I take some odd ones too, but I like to remember the little details. My memory is so bad that if I didn't take tons of pictures, I wouldn't remember a thing about my trips in 10 years. So keep snapping away! I love your creative photography!

You absolutely need to make that shirt at the new design your own t-shirt place at DTD! Sorry! I just encouraged you spend more money, didn't I?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I love that you had no crowds. I religiously followed the UG plans my trip, and hit nothing but crowds everywhere. You really had a pixie sprinkled day didn't you?

Yes we certainly did! You know, as much as I want to believe in Touring Plans and all the other stuff I use, I really think it is just being in the right place at the right time. There doesn't really seem to be a pattern to the crowds. Just when you think you have it figured out, then it gets crowded again and you are back to square one.

I'd bet you could sell them to a lot of us!!! I'd buy one!

I'd take one too!

 

[DaisyLynn]

Just found your TR and I'm all caught up! You have an adorable family...your DD is such a doll. Can't wait for the next installment!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Just found your TR and I'm all caught up! You have an adorable family...your DD is such a doll. Can't wait for the next installment!

Aw, thank you very much and Glad you are enjoying it. Doing a TR is helping me with my Disney withdrawals! We still have 6 1/2 more days of this trip though, so stick around for the rest of the ride!

 

[DisneyJo]

How fantastic to have MK so empty and to ride everything as many times as you want. We've been in MK when it's been very empty too but it was in the middle of hurricane Faye so not quite so nice

What your DD said on the Indy Cars was so sweet

 

[praisehisname]

I'm working on getting caught up!

She looks adorable!

I had read so many positive reviews here on the Dis about Flame Tree BBQ that I really wanted to try it........Maybe it was just an off day, but I don’t think we would eat there again.

We weren't really that impressed, either. Someday I'd like to give it another try, but there are so many other places to try first!

Oh no! Poor thing!

One wrong move, and he'd be rolling off the edge!

Someone’s hungry! I bet this tasted about like our lunch!

Going back to catch up on the rest!

 

[praisehisname]

She looks so cute!

That's a lot of goop! How hard was it to wash out?

Love it!

By now it had gotten dark so I had the bright idea of thinking that maybe it wouldn't bother me so bad if I couldn't see the drop coming. HA! Yeah right!

I love it even more when it's dark!

Big Thunder Mountain was next. DD and I are crazy about this ride. DH says it isn't thrilling enough. What?!?!

I would have to agree with your DH, unless you're riding at night.

 

[praisehisname]

The Dream Along With Mickey show had just begun. DD LOVED this show last year so we stopped to watch it.

I loved all your pictures from the show; you got some good ones!

I can't believe how empty MK was! I've never seen the Speedway look so deserted!

What a beautiful picture!

I should get a WILL MAKE SUDDEN STOPS FOR PICTURES shirt made.

Do it! That would be awesome!

 

[Stasieki]

That was a great update. I loved that walk down Main Street. We went to the party that night so didn't go to MK during the day (I used all the touring guides theory to stay away on party nights - boy were they wrong). The rain started promplty at 7:00 PM when the party started.

I am going to try to post this picture of Abby right after we were in Tink's Treasure on Monday (after those guys sang).

Well, it worked, but sorry so big. If you saw the little Tiana in Tink Treasure on Monday, it may have been my DD. I still think it is so neat that we were so close even if we didn't see each other.

 

[Ellester]

Wow, I didn't even realize they would let a 2 year old on TOT. I haven't checked the height requirement for that one b/c we aren't riding it anyway. Good thing kids bounce back easily. And it is good that they don't remember stuff from early on when they are grown!

I would save the first haricut for MK if you can. It was really special to have it done there. Something you will never forget!

It's 40", we are tall people and he was just at 40" at 2 years and 10 months old when we were there. I'll have to try to hold my DH off with the haircut. He thinks she needs one now! She barely has any hair at all yet!

Yeah, I think December is going to be kind of crowded no matter what. That's why we like to go in early November so we can still get all the Christmas cheer without the huge crowds. But I don't know if it was empty because of the party or not. Who knows. There are probably lots of things that factor into crowd levels.

You have me rethinking our next trip. I was thinking the week AFTER Thanksgiving before the December crowds arrive, but now I'm thinking earlier in November might be better. Hmmm.....


Love all the pictures! They are great! The ones with Minnie with her eyes closed are a little creepy though. It's like she has Hello Kitty eyes or something!

Keep it comin'!