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

[wdwgirl03]

The AKL looks amazing all decked out for Christmas! I am so sad that your tr is almost over. I will miss sharing your family's expreiences. Since you guys are DVC owners are you planning another trip anytime in the near future? I hope you can start a pretrippie not long after this one ends.
It stinks you guys could not find the hot chocolate packs Emma wanted. Or did you? Haha. I will stop trying to predict the future and just wait for your next update.

As of right now we don't have any trips planned...we've thrown around a few dates for possible trips but like I said once before it's hard to plan anything (atleast if I want to go!) not knowing what my job situation will be next year. But I hope I can start another PTR soon too! *crosses fingers*

haha, yes, Emma did end up getting her hot chocolates. (I am not very good at being suspenseful!)

 

[wdwgirl03]

Good morning everyone!

Just wanted to say thanks for all of your comments. I had jury duty yesterday and again today but I am hoping to get the next update posted when I get home tonight. Stay tuned...

Have a great day!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Friday, December 19, 2008 cont'd (part 4)

After our visit to Downtown Disney we returned "home" to the Beach Club. However, we only took a short break because this was the day of the DVC Merry Mixer party. I was curious to see what it was all about and since it was just over at the International Gateway we decided to check it out. When we arrived we entered a large tent and were each given a raffle ticket and a voucher for a complimentary snack. I'm not sure what the prize was but needless to say we didn't win anyway. Oh well. So we just sort of hung out there for a while. There was a DJ playing music and a lot of the kids (and some adults!) were dancing. It looked like a lot of fun!

They also had some characters there dressed in holiday attire that you could get your picture taken with. Unfortunately the lines were really long so we didn't bother. We did get some apple cider and our treats which were these giant rice crispie treats. I had a bite of Emma's and they were sooo good (though I decided to save mine for later...I ended up not eating it until we got home, haha)

I also noticed that they had a pin trading area. That was the perfect opportunity for me to trade my pin! So I got in line and waited my turn to look at the board of trader pins. When I finally got up there I chose this Disneyland pin with Tinkerbell on it.

Later I realized that it was sort of a strange decision seeing as I hadn't been to Disneyland in 2008 but whatever, I liked it and I didn't really want to spend hours looking at the board finding the perfect pin. Plus there were other people in line behind me. Oh yeah, they also had a board showcasing some of the upcoming pins for this year...we spotted one for the American Idol attraction that I'm sure Emma and I both will be getting on our next trip. After trading my pin I don't think we did too much else because the party was almost over and we wanted to start heading over to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic. On the way out we received another free gift for the family...a DVC ornament. Let me tell you, DVC sure knows how to treat their members! So then we walked to the boat dock to take one of the Friendship boats to DHS.

A couple pictures we took while we were waiting for the boat:

Once we arrived at Hollywood Studios we pretty much went right to the Fantasmic stadium. We did stop in a few shops looking for those hot chocolates (with no luck...) and got some fries to eat since we hadn't eaten dinner yet. Then we went to find seats and waited for the show to begin. I always get a kick out of the wave when it gets started. It's so funny and I love how people just seem to be having a good time. Before long the lights were dimmed, the music started up, and we saw Mickey! We didn't really take too many pictures during the show because the lighting is not great. Emma took a couple videos that I'll have to post later (photobucket is being stupid right now )

Mickey taking charge of his dream!

And then the grand finale...the character boat! Am I the only one who thinks this part is so cute with all of them waving their little flags?!

All I can say about Fantasmic is that it is definitely a crowd pleaser! Everyone loves it when Mickey comes back out at the end (including me...so cute!). After the show we decided to go over to the Boardwalk since it was still early and we were getting kind of hungry. The line for the boat was really long so we took the walkway over there instead. I told you guys about that view you get of the studios a couple of times as you're on the boat and how you can see all of the signs, etc. of the park and I have to mention it again. I must've looked back a half a dozen times to see that view. It's even cooler at night with those spotlights over the park. Emma took a picture and unfortunately you don't get quite the same effect as seeing it in person. So if you're ever leaving DHS at night (and heading over to the Boardwalk/BC/YC) take the walkway! It's such a fun sight.

When we arrived at the Boardwalk the activity was starting to pick up again. Gotta love the hustle and bustle it gets in the evening. There's just so much to take in. So we got some dinner (I got a corndog, Dad got a hot dog, and Emma got chicken tenders I think), found a bench and just soaked up the atmosphere. I easily could've sat there all night because it's so fun to see what people are up to.

This is actually where we were sitting, right in front of the Boardwalk Christmas tree.

When we were done eating we slowly made our way back to the Beach Club. With each step our last full day was getting closer and closer.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I just adore Fantasmic, I also love the character boat too. Just awesome.

 

[TigerKat]

Thanks for posting the pics of the Boardwalk at night, we just love it!

 

[irky416]

The DVC mixer looks fun. You got a lot of stuff! I'm glad you got to trade your pin.

I love Fantasmic! Good pictures. I had a hard time getting any to turn out.

The boardwalk looks interesting. I might have to try to get over there to see it on the next trip.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Good luck with the jury duty. Hope it doesn't drag out for you.

The mixer sounds fun. Glad you got to trade your pin. Can't wait to see the AI pin and check out the attraction in May. I'm such an AI junkie!

 

[xoktenox]

That DVC Mixer looks so like it was cool, they definitely treat their members really well. I loved your pictures from the Boardwalk, I'm going to show them to my mom later so she can see what her and my dad can do when they go for their anniversary. So thank you for that!

 

[lmillercrew]

Awww You're almost done!!! I can't wait for this summer, so that I can get over the Boardwalk area and try a Kitchen Sink. I just want to see those resorts! I'll definately have to take the walkway and see what I can see!!

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

What a great update! The DVC mixer really does look great. I have been trying to convince Aaron to buy that. He keeps resisting but it really makes sense if you want to go as often as I do. We will see if he can resist again this summer.

 

[nts4wdw]

Great pictures of the mixer! I always wondered what goes on in that tent!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I just adore Fantasmic, I also love the character boat too. Just awesome.

Yeah, I especially love the Steamboat Willie...it would be awesome if he was a meet and greet!

Thanks for posting the pics of the Boardwalk at night, we just love it!

Glad you liked the Boardwalk pictures! I love it too.

The DVC mixer looks fun. You got a lot of stuff! I'm glad you got to trade your pin.

I love Fantasmic! Good pictures. I had a hard time getting any to turn out.

The boardwalk looks interesting. I might have to try to get over there to see it on the next trip.

The DVC mixer was fun and I'm glad we decided to check it out for a bit.

I usually have a hard time too which is why I don't bother. I was surprised they came out OK!

Ohhh the Boardwalk is so fun! I just love the atmosphere there.

Good luck with the jury duty. Hope it doesn't drag out for you.

The mixer sounds fun. Glad you got to trade your pin. Can't wait to see the AI pin and check out the attraction in May. I'm such an AI junkie!

Ugh, I had to go into jury duty until yesterday when I was only supposed to have it Mon. and Tuesday (of course I would be a lucky one to actually get put on a jury... ) But it's over now, thank goodness.

I can't wait to hear what you think of the AI show. I know we're all excited to try it. I love AI too...what do you think of the top 12 so far?

That DVC Mixer looks so like it was cool, they definitely treat their members really well. I loved your pictures from the Boardwalk, I'm going to show them to my mom later so she can see what her and my dad can do when they go for their anniversary. So thank you for that!

Oh yeah, I hope they like the pictures!

Awww You're almost done!!! I can't wait for this summer, so that I can get over the Boardwalk area and try a Kitchen Sink. I just want to see those resorts! I'll definately have to take the walkway and see what I can see!!

I know. You are brave to try a kitchen sink! And I'm sure you'll love all those resorts, they really are neat.

What a great update! The DVC mixer really does look great. I have been trying to convince Aaron to buy that. He keeps resisting but it really makes sense if you want to go as often as I do. We will see if he can resist again this summer.

It does make a lot of sense if you go a lot. I know my dad has said that if he had known we'd still like going even now that we're older he would've bought into it sooner. Hopefully you can convince Aaron to buy it!

Great pictures of the mixer! I always wondered what goes on in that tent!

Thanks!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Sarah

I'm so tempted by DVC!!! I'm thinking of buying in and then having to file for bankrupty - sound like a plan?

I LOVE the flag waving at Fantasmic - I end up waving and screaming like a loon at them!!!

Di x

 

[kathleen27]

MVMCP looks amazing. I'd never even heard of the Twas the Night before Christmas show. I love all your photos and video from the party. The castle lighting, the parade, and the fireworks are all amazing. Disney does a great job of creating atmosphere at the parties. I just need to make it to the Christmas one. Maybe in 2010.

We saw the same Disney on Ice in Jan. It was cute. I loved the small world part. We got so excited when we saw the clock!!!

Great AK & AKL photos too. Funny that the giraffe was in the road.

Love all the night time shots!

The snowman treat is cute!

 

[lmillercrew]

Well, I am not brave, but my 15 yr old son will be. He is like a bottemless pit!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi Sarah

I'm so tempted by DVC!!! I'm thinking of buying in and then having to file for bankrupty - sound like a plan?

I LOVE the flag waving at Fantasmic - I end up waving and screaming like a loon at them!!!

Di x

haha, well, DVC is great!

That's funny, so many people go crazy at the end of that show! I love it!

MVMCP looks amazing. I'd never even heard of the Twas the Night before Christmas show. I love all your photos and video from the party. The castle lighting, the parade, and the fireworks are all amazing. Disney does a great job of creating atmosphere at the parties. I just need to make it to the Christmas one. Maybe in 2010.

We saw the same Disney on Ice in Jan. It was cute. I loved the small world part. We got so excited when we saw the clock!!!

Great AK & AKL photos too. Funny that the giraffe was in the road.

Love all the night time shots!

The snowman treat is cute!

The Christmas party was really awesome. I'm glad you liked all the pictures/videos. Hopefully you'll get to go to one, I know you seem to enjoy the Halloween ones!

The small world part was really neat...it made me want to go to Disneyland right then.

It was funny the giraffe walked right in front of us. But so cool!

Glad you liked the nighttime pictures and that snowman was so good!

Well, I am not brave, but my 15 yr old son will be. He is like a bottemless pit!!

haha, that's funny! I'd like to try one of those kitchen sinks but I'd need about a hundred people to help me or else I'd have to not eat for a month.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy March everyone!

I can't believe how fast February flew by...and I also can't believe we are going to New York in 9 days, and my birthday is in 11 days! I have some exciting news about our trip to New York. Obviously one of the big things to do there is to go see a Broadway show. Well, yesterday Dad told me that he got tickets to see Mary Poppins! That'll be fun, and hey, it's a little bit of Disney too.

I'm going to hopefully have the next update ready later today. I can't believe I'm on the last day. Anyways, until the next update I'll leave you with another one of the Fantasmic videos Emma took.

The character boat!

 

[xoktenox]

You're going to have so much fun in NYC and Broadway shows are amazing, Disney or not. I live on Long Island so the city is only like an hr from us and we try and get in there every couple of months. Let us all know how great Mary Poppins is, I want to see it so bad!

 

[wdwgirl03]

You're going to have so much fun in NYC and Broadway shows are amazing, Disney or not. I live on Long Island so the city is only like an hr from us and we try and get in there every couple of months. Let us all know how great Mary Poppins is, I want to see it so bad!

I know, I'm really excited about going to NYC since I've never been there before. Any good suggestions on what to do there? There's so much to choose from!

I'll definitely let you know how Mary Poppins was...maybe I'll have to do a little mini trip report.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Our last full day in Disney World had arrived. We decided to spend the morning at Epcot since we had only been there the one evening for Illuminations. When we were done getting ready and eating breakfast we walked over to the International Gateway.

We got there about half an hour before official opening so we killed the time by talking to some of the other guests and sharing stories/tips with each other. We were also talking to the security guard who was pretty funny. She had some interesting stories of her own! She started telling us how she used to work at security at the Magic Kingdom. Well, this one lady put her bag down to be inspected and the security guard reached in and felt something move. It turns out this lady had a snake in her purse! And she was so insistent on bringing it into the park with her but obviously she couldn't. It was just so strange...can you imagine?! Then she joked with us that we better not have any snakes in our bags.

About ten minutes before the park opened they started to let us in. This was another one of the perks of staying at the Beach Club. You can avoid all the crowds at the main gate. There were maybe 30 people at the International Gateway entrance. Not many people at all. So we were let into World Showcase and could only go a certain distance before we had to stop. But the CM there was pretty nice and let us in a few minutes before everyone else. While we were heading into Future World the opening show was just finishing up. It was nice not having to fight the crowds...we were able to get to Future World a lot quicker.

Since we had ridden Soarin that other night we first headed over toward Mission:Space. I know in my PTR I said how I might try it but I just couldn't. So instead I waited outside while Emma and Dad went to ride. I did browse the gift shop for a little bit and ended up coming out with another pin. This is what it looked like as I was waiting outside. Can you tell nobody had made their way over from Soarin yet? haha!

As I was sitting there I tried to soak up every minute, all the sights and sounds since we'd be going home the next day. I was not ready for that at all. When they finally came out of Mission:Space we headed over to Test Track. Again, since most people were still by Soarin' the wait was only a few minutes. We rode with this older woman and her grandkids. They were pretty funny, I just remember the girl was SCREAMING when we were outside on the track. Not screaming because she was scared, though.

After Test Track we headed over to the Seas with Nemo and Friends. We did the ride (which I think is adorable, but then again I love Finding Nemo!) and Turtle Talk since Emma had never seen it before. We all got a kick out of it. It is a funny show even for adults. We also spent some time looking at the exhibits which I know killed Emma. For some reason she just hates it. There was going to be one of the dolpin demonstrations which Dad asked if we wanted to see. I would have but Emma immediately said no. Oh well...

I did try to take a picture of the dolphins but none of them turned out. Even this one of the fish is not so good.

Because we were right near the Land pavilion, we decided we'd go in to see if we could get fastpasses for Soarin. Luckily the times weren't too far out so we got the fastpasses and then went to ride Spaceship Earth. I took this picture along the way:

Sadly we never made it into Innoventions which I would have liked to. But there's always the next trip!

When we got to Spaceship Earth I was surprised at how long the line was. The entire outside queue was filled. I guess that was a sign that the Christmas crowds were starting to arrive. I think we ended up waiting 20-25 minutes before we got on.

On our May trip we rode SSE so we got to see the updates. I get a kick out of the personalized endings where you pick your future. What I didn't notice is that after the ride in those other exhibits (I have no idea what they call it...something Tomorrow? ) they have this big screen that says "Where are You From?" and you can see your picture briefly pinpointing your home location. It was kind of neat actually.

Then we went to use our Soarin fastpasses. I was glad we were able to ride this again since it's one of my favorites. After the ride we got a snack from one of the restaurants in the pavilion. We knew we'd be having a big dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe but we needed something to hold us over. We also called home to check in on the weather because there was supposed to be a lot of snow coming which meant there might be trouble getting out. Which honestly wouldn't have really bothered me.

I'm not sure how we ended up over by the Imagination Pavilion...it must've been on our way over to World Showcase (my memory is SO bad!) but I had to take a picture in front of that crazy fountain.

I think I read somewhere that the water, even though it kind of looks like it's flowing up, it's still really flowing down. It's like an optical illusion or something! Then we continued on our way to World Showcase.