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

[TigerKat]

Great pics, I adore the EPCOT resort area!

 

[Lady Lallie]

You took some really great pictures. I love the garland with all of the ornaments, it looks really pretty.

 

[Jennifer48]

At the end of the archway was the Christmas tree.

Great update! I love this tree photo. The blurriness makes it kinda magical!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Awesome update! Ya know I missed Illuminations again!?

Thanks!

Love the TR! & your pics are awesome!

Hi! Glad you are enjoying my TR...thanks for reading!

Really enjoying your TR! You were in MK the same morning I was! I had arrived on 12/13 by myself and went to MK that night but on 12/17 I went in the morning to go on some rides and take pics b4 my DD, DDF and DGS arrived that afternoon. We went to ESPN for lunch around 1:30 (it was pretty empty when we were eating lunch too) and headed back to BWV so they could rest while waiting for ME to deliver their luggage (they had to wait 5 1/2 hrs b4 it got there). Then we went to MK that night (which was their only night at MK).

Can't wait to read more!

I'm glad you're enjoying my TR! That is cool you were at the MK the same day we were. Maybe we crossed paths and didn't know it. haha

Girl, bring on the BC pictures! I could look at them alllll day they're just beautiful. Glad that you got to end your night with Illuminations, its such a lovely show

Ohhh, I have a bunch more, so stay tuned...

I'm loving your TR so far. It's very detailed, and you have so many good pictures. I can't wait to read about Day 3!

Hi sister! You finally decided to post again. And thanks for the compliment on the pictures.

Great pics, I adore the EPCOT resort area!

So do I...I would love to be able to stay there again sometime.

You took some really great pictures. I love the garland with all of the ornaments, it looks really pretty.

Thank you. The garlands were really neat...they had tons of ornaments on them! So festive.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great update! I love this tree photo. The blurriness makes it kinda magical!

haha, thanks. It's definitely not the best picture but it does look kind of cool. I think I need to get myself a tripod (or atleast figure out how to use my camera at night!).

 

[kathleen27]

More great pictures.
The nutcrackers are cute! And so is the gingerbread house.

I love the topiaries at Epcot.

The photo of the Boardwalk at night looks beautiful.
The Beach club look so nice. Would love to try Stormalong Bay, but I don't think I'd ever get Hannah out of the pool.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Really enjoyed the updates - I've always loved Y&BC, hopefully one day I'll get a chance to stay there! So keep those photos coming!!
I can't believe how empty MK looked - and yet some people thought it was busier than usual! If that was it busier I'd hate to see it quiet!
Disney do Christmas better than anywhere else - I could just stand and look at them for hours and see something new all the time!

Di x

 

[wdwgirl03]

More great pictures.
The nutcrackers are cute! And so is the gingerbread house.

I love the topiaries at Epcot.

The photo of the Boardwalk at night looks beautiful.
The Beach club look so nice. Would love to try Stormalong Bay, but I don't think I'd ever get Hannah out of the pool.

Thanks. All the decorations were so cool.

Yeah, I love all the topiaries too. There's something about them that just screams Disney to me!

haha yeah, SAB was really fun...the best part was the slide!

Really enjoyed the updates - I've always loved Y&BC, hopefully one day I'll get a chance to stay there! So keep those photos coming!!
I can't believe how empty MK looked - and yet some people thought it was busier than usual! If that was it busier I'd hate to see it quiet!
Disney do Christmas better than anywhere else - I could just stand and look at them for hours and see something new all the time!

Di x

I hope you get to stay there sometime too, it's such a neat area. And trust me, there are plenty more photos to come!

Yeah, if that was busy to some people then they must be there when it's like a ghost town! I'm not a fan of HUGE crowds but I don't think I'd like it when it's so empty either.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Thursday, December 18, 2008 (part 1)

So today was the day of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! The plan for the morning was to go over to Hollywood Studios again and then take a break so we'd be ready for the party. It looked like it was going to be another beautiful day. Here's the view from our room...Emma must have taken this picture before we left.

We got up, ate some breakfast, and were out the door shortly after 8:00 to get to DHS for its opening. On the walk over to the boat dock Emma and I couldn't help ourselves from taking more pictures. I saw this little guy enjoying the early morning.

Near the Yacht Club some grounds crew members were getting ready for the day.

As we were on the dock I turned around and saw "home". I told you there were more Beach Club pictures!

And one of the Yacht Club...

Here's a couple of Emma's from the whole area. Can I just live here?!

After about 15 minutes a boat arrived and we were on our way to the Studios.

We stopped at the Swan and Dolphin before we were treated to that spectacular view of DHS that I mentioned from the first day. It really gets you excited for what you're about to experience. I wish I had a picture of it.

The entrance had a few trees decorated for the holidays.

Once we were through bag check we got in line. There was already quite a few people there but not too bad. Because it was starting to get pretty crowded outside the gates Dad thought they'd start letting us in soon. So we got our tickets out and ready to go! I think the YOAMD tickets are so cute.

Sure enough they started letting people through the turnstiles and onto Hollywood Boulevard. Then the opening show began. The director came out and informed us we were about to be extras in a brand-new movie.

I took some pictures of our "set." haha

Soon it was time to start filming and we were ready to go.

Hollywood, here we come!

 

[kathleen27]

The resort looks so peaceful in the early morning photos!

We haven't made it to the morning show at DHS. I think we just missed it last Feb.

 

[Lady Lallie]

What beautiful, peaceful pictures of the resort area. You are really making me want to stay there!

I love the DHS opening show, I thought it was cute when we saw it.

 

[wdwgirl03]

The resort looks so peaceful in the early morning photos!

We haven't made it to the morning show at DHS. I think we just missed it last Feb.

I know, doesn't it?!

The DHS opening show is cute but the MK one is my favorite.

What beautiful, peaceful pictures of the resort area. You are really making me want to stay there!

I love the DHS opening show, I thought it was cute when we saw it.

haha, and I am really wanting to go back looking at them!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Nice resort pics. I like the one of the bird too.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Great updates!!! I love all the resort shots and the decorations look beautiful.

I wish the arch way and lights of winter were set up when I was there in November it looks so amazing. But I love looking at all your pictures of them! Can't wait for more...Hollywood here you come!

 

[Jennifer48]

I've never seen the DHS opening ceremony show. I'll have to make that a next time.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Wow it has been so long since I stopped by to catch up. I am so glad you had a wonderful trip and I can not wait to read more!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Nice resort pics. I like the one of the bird too.

Thanks. The bird just seemed to go along with the whole beach theme too. haha

Great updates!!! I love all the resort shots and the decorations look beautiful.

I wish the arch way and lights of winter were set up when I was there in November it looks so amazing. But I love looking at all your pictures of them! Can't wait for more...Hollywood here you come!

Thanks Cheryl!

That is a bummer all the decorations weren't up when you went. I'm glad you're enjoying the pictures though. And I'm about to start the next update so stay tuned...

I've never seen the DHS opening ceremony show. I'll have to make that a next time.

Yeah, all of the morning shows are worth seeing atleast once. They're a fun way to get the day started!

Wow it has been so long since I stopped by to catch up. I am so glad you had a wonderful trip and I can not wait to read more!!

Hi Michelle!!! I'm glad you are back! How is your trip planning coming along?!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Thursday, December 18, 2008 cont'd (part 2)

Once the opening show was over we made our way over to Pixar Place. Not shockingly, that seemed to be where everyone was going too. Dad used to joke about the park tilting toward one side with Tower of Terror and Rock 'N Roller Coaster so close to each other, so now with Toy Story Mania the crowd was maybe a little more spread out...maybe. With the cast members leading the way, we slowly but surely arrived in Pixar Place.

The plan was to get fastpasses and then ride right away but apparently everyone thought that getting a FP first was the way to go. So instead we went to ride and on the way out we'd pick up our fastpasses for a second spin later on.

I just love the entrance to this ride! Actually, I love the theming of the whole area. It really kind of puts you right in the middle of Toy Story! And I think it's so cute how they have all the toys/board games...so much to look at.

Because everyone was getting their fastpasses, the stand-by line was moving pretty quickly. So we grabbed our 3D glasses and were ready to ride. I have to say that this is one of the best Disney attractions ever but I do have one minor complaint: why do they have stairs in the queue?! Not that it's a big problem but it just seems really strange. Anyway, we got to the top of the stairs and could finally see into Andy's room.


We were lucky enough to ride TSM on our trip in May during previews (I am still kicking myself for not going on it more...we only did it twice!) but it was Emma's first time on the ride. I couldn't wait to see what she thought of it. So we got in our vehicles and were ready to play. Such a fun ride, though it does make your arm tired...especially the bonus round at the end. And Emma's opinion? She loved it too and wanted to go back and ride again. Is there anyone who doesn't like this ride?

When we got out it Dad grabbed the fastpasses while Emma and I took pictures of the area. I enjoyed seeing the area completed with the little shop and the photo spot.

Emma found a giant cookie jar.

And I found a giant Barrel of Monkeys.

This scrabble board is probably my favorite detail...

Once we had our fastpasses we backtracked to Tower of Terror and RNRC to see if we could get on either of those. The TOT line seemed pretty long so instead we did RNRC which had about a 20-minute wait. We got a kick out of the ride pictures...I'm sitting there screaming and Emma looks so calm.
(I'm in the front row, right side)

(Emma and Dad are in the back row)

And on the way out Emma and I tried to be cool and posed for a picture.

Next up was the Great Movie Ride.

We just missed getting in the cars so we had to wait a little longer but it wasn't bad. We had to joke about our trip last January when the wait was 45 minutes...when is the wait for GMR ever that long?! It was insane. Our guide was pretty good...I noticed that when she wasn't delivering her spiel she was talking to the little boys in the front row which I thought was kind of cute.

I had been wanting to see the Prince Caspian exhibit so that was where we headed next. Some images from along the way courtesy of Emma...

We got in line and only had to wait a couple minutes before they started letting people in. Of course right as we get to the front the CM tells us we have to wait. Grrrrr. But then I saw some Dream Squad members and it looked like they were coming toward the Prince Caspian exhibit! I was thinking maybe it was a good thing we didn't get into that show...we might win a dream! Then I realized they were waiting at the exit. So if we had gotten in we probably would've caught them on the way out. Second time we came thisclose to getting a dream. Oh well. As for the exhibit itself, we were let into a preshow area where they had a short video of the director talking about the movie and then we went into another room that I think was supposed to resemble part of the Pevensies' castle from the movie (I am not exactly sure...I should go back and rewatch it!). There we saw some more video clips and when that was over there was a small gallery featuring some of the costumes and models of movie scenes. I don't really know what I was expecting but I was kind of disappointed. I guess I thought there would be more to it.

My memory is really bad...I can't remember when we did it but somewhere along the line we obviously went back to use our TSM fastpasses. All I remember was that I was riding with some guy and I was determined to get a better score than him...after the first game I was pretty far behind but at some point I went ahead. SCORE! Then at the end in the bonus round we were both furiously pulling on our spring action shooters so I had to check to see what this guy's score was. He beat me. Even though I had no idea who he was I was kind of mad I lost. LOL!

We thought about going on the backlot tour but since it opened later the line was pretty long with people waiting to get in so instead we went to get some lunch. We ended up going to the Backlot Express near Star Tours. Normally we don't eat at DHS (and if we do it's at Pizza Planet!) so I never knew this place existed! It was a typical counter service restaurant with burgers, sandwiches, etc. Since it was so nice we found a spot to eat outside. As we were eating, the Jedi Training Academy was about to start so that provided some entertainment.

Basically they chose a bunch of kids and trained them to be Jedis...it was actually pretty cute because they gave them little robes to wear and they all got a light saber to complete their training. Now, we are not a Star Wars buffs, but Emma and I both started talking about the light sabers and how we thought it would be cool if they were real, like the ones in the movies. haha! Once all the kids completed their training, they were able to put their new moves to the test...they'd get to face Darth Vader!

Since we were done eating we went to get a closer look. Each "young Jedi" got a chance to defeat him. It was pretty funny watching some of the kids because one of the things they had to do was go for Darth Vader's head...well, some of the kids were so short they couldn't reach so they'd be jumping to try to reach his head. It was adorable.

I also noticed they had a Photopass photographer right in front so each kid would be a souvenir picture of them battling Darth Vader. How neat would that be?!

When the show was over Emma wanted to go see the Beauty and the Beast show but Dad mentioned something about going mini golfing. Since we hadn't been mini golfing on our last couple of trips we decided to head over to Fantasia Gardens!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Okay now I had to come over and check out your report since you posted on mine that we were there at the same time, and I am loving reading your report! On Tuesday night and Thursday morning we apparently followed each other and were doing all the same things, too funny! And lucky you- the Beach club was really beautiful when visited there. I can't wait to read more.

P.S. I am totally jealous that you went to the gymnastics tour show, I am a huge gymnastics nut and it looks like it was lots of fun

 

[lmillercrew]

Another great update. I love looking at pictures of the Beach Club and Yacht Club pictures. I think that's the only way I'll ever get there. haha I can't wait to ride Toy Story in June. I'm hoping the hype will be almost over and we won't have to wait so long for a fast pass.
I love watching the kids do the Jedi thing because they really get into it. Like they're really fighting the REAL Darth Vader.