There's no place like "home" for the holidays...*updated 3/18 p. 43 and 44*

[wdwgirl03]

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 cont'd (part 4)

As you may or may not know, my sisters and I love High School Musical (not going to lie...) so of course I had to see the new updated show. We staked out our space near the Sorcerer's Hat and waited for the show.

I also had to get a picture with me in it near the Snow White topiary.

And Emma took a picture of the American Idol building.

The CM who was kind of on "crowd control" told us that once the float was in position we could all move forward. So soon we could hear "Now or Never" and the Wildcats singing. When we were given the OK to move we got up a little closer. Let me tell you, for as fast as some of those people darted up you would've thought Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens were there! Emma and I on the other hand just sort of strolled up there. haha Just like the other HSM pep rallies, they perform a "concert" of some of the songs in the movie. I think they might've done about 5 of them.

This was from the song "A Night to Remember".

The guys doing "The Boys Are Back" (which is one of the best scenes in the whole movie in my opinion!)

During a couple of songs they brought kids out to dance with them which was cute.

They ended with "High School Musical." I love this song...it's so catchy! But then again, which song from HSM isn't?!

Overall it was a cute show. When it was over we went to see Muppet Vision 3D since Dad hadn't seen it in a while. On the way over there we saw the perfect photo opportunity by the American Idol attraction...

We're all ready for Hollywood now, haha. This will definitely be a must-do on our next trip. Emma loves her American Idol! When I saw this I could totally hear Ryan Seacrest at the beginning of a show...this...is aMERican Idol!

After Muppet Vision we were ready for some dinner so we went to one of our favorite restaurants at DHS...Pizza Planet! It's not the fanciest place but dang, that pizza is so good! We can't go a trip without eating there. When we were done enjoying our pizza there was just one last thing we wanted to see before calling it a night...

And with that, I'll leave you all hanging.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Fun update! Love that you and Emma have matching Vera's!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Hope you had a great New Years eve! Can you believe its 2009?!?!

Great update! I was so bummed I missed the HSM show in November. Have you seen all 3 versions at WDW?

The American Idol attraction sounds like its going to be a lot of fun! Can't wait for that to open!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love your poses in front of the American Idol attraction, too cute.

 

[xoktenox]

Hey, I'm joining in! I read your May TR right before Christmas so I'm excited that you've started another one! Great updates so far. You get some really good pictures and it sounds like your day at DHS has been very productive so far. I love the pics at BCV too, I might get the chance to stay there in April so it was great to see some good pictures of it. Can't wait to read more

 

[wdwgirl03]

Fun update! Love that you and Emma have matching Vera's!

Ohh yes, we love our Vera Bradley. Atleast I do...I'm so excited for the new spring colors to come out (even though I definitely do NOT need anymore VB).

Hope you had a great New Years eve! Can you believe its 2009?!?!

Great update! I was so bummed I missed the HSM show in November. Have you seen all 3 versions at WDW?

The American Idol attraction sounds like its going to be a lot of fun! Can't wait for that to open!

Thanks Cheryl! Hope you had a great NYE too. I can't believe it's 2009 already.

That stinks you didn't get to see HSM. I know that I've seen all 3 versions, I just can't remember if I saw the first one at Disneyland or Disney World. Maybe it was both. LOL.

I love your poses in front of the American Idol attraction, too cute.

Thanks! I think some people were laughing at us when we took that but whatever.

Hey, I'm joining in! I read your May TR right before Christmas so I'm excited that you've started another one! Great updates so far. You get some really good pictures and it sounds like your day at DHS has been very productive so far. I love the pics at BCV too, I might get the chance to stay there in April so it was great to see some good pictures of it. Can't wait to read more

Hi there! Glad to have another reader! Beach Club is great, so hopefully you do get a chance to stay there.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I figure since I'm getting near the end of our arrival day I might as well go ahead and finish.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 cont'd (part 5)

Obviously one of the best parts of taking a trip to Disney World in December is getting to see the parks all decorated. And what better way to kick off our trip than by seeing one of Disney's best displays with the Osborne Lights? I really wanted to see them actually turn the lights on so we hung around the Streets of America and that general area for a while. Here's a before shot I took of the lights:

We definitely weren't the only ones waiting for the lights. There were a lot of people sitting on the sidewalks and milling around the streets. While we were waiting we walked over to one of the gift shops and looked around for a bit. We didn't buy anything (after all, we still had our whole trip ahead of us) but I saw these cute little guys and had to take a picture. I love WALL-E!

So after browsing we decided to go back out onto the Streets of America. I saw the giant light switch that they use to turn them on so we found a spot close to that. About five minutes beforehand they made an announcement saying that the display would be going on soon and told some facts about the lights. It's just mind-boggling how almost all (if not all...I can't remember) of the lights were displayed at that guy's house. Can you imagine living near that?! They also picked a kid out of the crowd to turn on the switch.

And here's the result!

Pretty spectacular. I also liked how they had the "snow" falling...you can sort of see it in the picture in the little white spots.

Now, the pictures really don't do the lights justice. You have to see it to believe it. It's truly amazing. Also the big thing now is how the lights are set to the music. That's pretty crazy too. I took a short video of the dancing lights.


It's kind of funny because after we got home we were in the car and heard this song on the radio so of course Emma and I thought back to the Osborne Lights. Anyway, we stayed for a few more minutes to soak it all in before calling it a night.

So, we made our way out of the park and went to catch a boat back to the hotel. I tried to take a picture of the tree all lit up but unfortunately I do not know how to use my camera at night.

(I'll try to keep this next part short since I didn't take any pictures).

When we got back to the Beach Club we wanted to see if our luggage had been dropped off so we went back to the room for a bit. Even though we were up early we still weren't ready for bed. Emma said something about getting ice cream so we decided to go over to Beaches and Cream. It was such a nice night and people were taking advantage of it. Like I said in a previous post there's so much activity going on! You could tell things were starting to pick up at the Boardwalk, some people were still swimming, they were also playing the new Tinkerbell movie on the beach...AHH I love it. I wish I could magically transport myself there now. The walk over to Beaches and Cream gave us a nice opportunity to explore both the Yacht and Beach Club. We ordered our ice cream and found a table by the pool to enjoy the evening. We felt a little guilty when we called home and heard Mom and Claire were getting buried in snow. As we were sitting there, I saw some orange flashing lights go off inside Beaches and Cream. We all ran over to the door to see what was going on. Apparently a family ordered the infamous Kitchen Sink! I wish I had taken a picture somehow because that thing was HUGE. So that was kind of exciting. On the way back to our room we stopped in the lobby again and attempted to find all the hidden Mickeys on the gingerbread carousel and picked up some cereal for breakfast. Then it was time for bed so we'd be refreshed for the Magic Kingdom!!!

 

[xoktenox]

Wow the Osborne Lights are amazing! I loved the video too, seeing them with the music. You're very lucky that you got to see WDW at Christmas time.

 

[Lady Lallie]

You had a really amazing first day, you were able to accomplish so much!

I really dream of staying at Boardwalk/Beach/Yacht Club area, it really sounds like so much fun.

 

[lmillercrew]

I wish there was more of the Osborne Lights video. That looked so awesome! My family and I are definately ordering the Kitchen Sink when we go in June.
The resort pictures look great. Looks pretty crowded at night. Was it??

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow the Osborne Lights are amazing! I loved the video too, seeing them with the music. You're very lucky that you got to see WDW at Christmas time.

Yeah, they're really cool. Disney at Christmas is awesome.

You had a really amazing first day, you were able to accomplish so much!

I really dream of staying at Boardwalk/Beach/Yacht Club area, it really sounds like so much fun.

We did have a great start to our trip.

It is such a fun area...I'm hoping to stay at the Boardwalk next though it sounds like it's really hard to book if it's not your home resort. I think we were pretty lucky to even get BCV.

I wish there was more of the Osborne Lights video. That looked so awesome! My family and I are definately ordering the Kitchen Sink when we go in June.
The resort pictures look great. Looks pretty crowded at night. Was it??

haha yeah, I always seem to end my videos too soon. It actually was not too crowded at night. At DHS it just looked that way because everyone wanted to see the lights. It was nuts trying to get out of that area! But other than that it wasn't bad.

 

[Figment's Friend]

Great update! I love that you can pose in "the Hollywood spot" from the American Idol attraction, just like in the show, how cool! It must have been just amazing to watch all the lights go on at once! I love that you ended your night at Beaches and Cream and just enjoying the atmosphere, what a perfect way to kick off the vacation.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Ohhh the Osborne lights look fantastic! Great shots!!! Sounds like you guys had a perfect Disney night!!!

 

[hollyluvsdisney]

Hi! I've been reading along for a few days and thought I should come out of lurkdom and say hello!

Seeing your holiday pics brings back so mant great memories for me. My DH & I got married at WDW last December and honeymooned there and it was so amazing. I loved your Osborne Lights photos! (I'll have to watch the video later since I'm at work! ) Those lights are amazing and it was one of my favorite things about visiting Disney during Christmas.

I'm also enjoying your BC photos. We're staying there in May and I can't wait! It seems like such a great resort.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I'm really enjoying your report and I can't wait to read more!

 

[nts4wdw]

Great light pictures! I agree. It is even more awesome in person.

 

[kathleen27]

The Osborne lights look amazing!
My in laws went the week after Thanksgiving and they raved about the lights!
I really want to take a Christmas trip!!!!

Beaches & Cream sounds like a great way to end the day!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi there,

Enjoying all the updates - I just love all the lights! I'm with you - it's amazing to think 1 home had all those lights!!!???? I would've hated to see his electric bills!

I think I'll need to take a visit to Beaches and Cream and check out the kitchen sink our next trip! Sounds fab!!

Di x

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great update! I love that you can pose in "the Hollywood spot" from the American Idol attraction, just like in the show, how cool! It must have been just amazing to watch all the lights go on at once! I love that you ended your night at Beaches and Cream and just enjoying the atmosphere, what a perfect way to kick off the vacation.

Thanks! Yeah, I really wanted to see the lights go on this time. It was so cool! We definitely had a great first day and we were only getting started.

Ohhh the Osborne lights look fantastic! Great shots!!! Sounds like you guys had a perfect Disney night!!!

Did you get to see the lights when you were there? They are quite the spectacle.

Hi! I've been reading along for a few days and thought I should come out of lurkdom and say hello!

Seeing your holiday pics brings back so mant great memories for me. My DH & I got married at WDW last December and honeymooned there and it was so amazing. I loved your Osborne Lights photos! (I'll have to watch the video later since I'm at work! ) Those lights are amazing and it was one of my favorite things about visiting Disney during Christmas.

I'm also enjoying your BC photos. We're staying there in May and I can't wait! It seems like such a great resort.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I'm really enjoying your report and I can't wait to read more!

Hi there! I'm glad you decided to post. That is so cool you had a Disney honeymoon...I'd love to do that when I get married.

You are going to have a great time at the Beach Club! Thanks again for reading.

Great light pictures! I agree. It is even more awesome in person.

Thanks Lynn!

The Osborne lights look amazing!
My in laws went the week after Thanksgiving and they raved about the lights!
I really want to take a Christmas trip!!!!

Beaches & Cream sounds like a great way to end the day!

You should take a Christmas trip! It's so worth it.

Hi there,

Enjoying all the updates - I just love all the lights! I'm with you - it's amazing to think 1 home had all those lights!!!???? I would've hated to see his electric bills!

I think I'll need to take a visit to Beaches and Cream and check out the kitchen sink our next trip! Sounds fab!!

Di x

I'm glad you're enjoying my TR so far. And there's a lot more updates to come. Geez, I can't imagine what the electric bills were.

Beaches and Cream is fun. We just ordered from the take-out counter (I guess you could call it that) instead of actually sitting down. But from what I saw it looks like they have a lot more choices if you eat in there.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Before I begin the next update I found a couple extra pictures from our first night. I forgot that I took these.

Here's the tree that was in the Yacht Club lobby...again, I love how they are all themed to match the resort!

And a random shot I took of a wreath that was outside the Beach Club marketplace. I thought it was cute.

A new update should be up shortly!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 (part 1)

As is our tradition on the first full day of every trip, we were going to head to the Magic Kingdom!!! Emma and I were still kind of tired but got over that quickly. I guess I had thought there were EMH in the morning but it was still on regular park hours and opened at 9:00 (must be all those other holiday trips!). Once we were all ready to go we went to the bus stop. The problem with the buses is that if you go too early, a bus will come right away and you'll be at the park way too early OR you go later and a bus won't come and you're late. We'd rather be early so we left around 8:10. Of course a bus pulled up literally 30 seconds after we sat down. Good timing! So we were on our way to the "most magical place on earth!" That first bus ride is always exciting and now with the audio on the bus it's even more exciting. It certainly gets you in the mood for a fun-filled day.

Soon we saw that big pink sign leading into the MK parking lot. We were almost there! Oh yes, I should also mention that every trip we always play a little guessing game to see which color monorail we'll see first. It's kind of dorky but it's another one of our traditions.

When we got to the Magic Kingdom at around 8:30 they were already letting people through the turnstiles into front plaza. The entrance looked beautiful with all the Christmas decorations.

While we waited Emma and I did what else? Take pictures! We both got one in front of the railroad station.

Even the tunnels were decorated.

I just love mornings at the Magic Kingdom. It's so much fun to see families excited for the day and planning what they're going to do.

One of my goals I made before our trip was to spend some time enjoying all the little details that Disney World has. Unfortunately that didn't happen too much but I did spot this window on the railroad station. I had never seen it before!

Before letting us into the park the announcement came on saying that the welcome show would be starting shortly. Hooray! Honestly I never knew they did this until a couple years ago when I saw a video of it on youtube. I don't think I actually saw it until our trip in October of 2006. Let me just say that this show has quickly become one of my favorites. It's a great way to start the day. Then that magical song filled the air..."A kingdom full of endless dreams for every girl and boy...wonderous lands of make-believe will fill your heart with joy..."

A Main Street news reporter came out and welcomed everyone to the Magic Kingdom.

Then some other Main Street citizens welcomed us. "Good morning, good morning...!"

Finally Mickey was joined by some of his friends and the welcome family!

And the countdown began!

Everyone threw their "pixie dust" and the park was officially open. We were ready to begin our day!