Trip Report 12/14-12/18 with Pics

[Pat817]

My DH and I just returned from our Christmas Trip to WDW. We are empty nesters and we live about 40 minutes from "the World". Our trip may seem sedate to many people but we had a great time playing golf, enjoying wonderful food, listening to music and taking in the holiday decorations.

Here we are... my DH

and me.

Day 1--Monday 12/14

(The photos get better on Day 2.) We arrived about 9:30 AM at Saratoga Springs. We requested a room in Congress Park and were told we had a room assigned there but it was not ready. That was fine as we had a 10:50 tee time at Lake Buena Vista golf course. We went to the golf course and we were paired with a man from Georgia. It was a beautiful 85 degree day and we all enjoyed the round. My DH beat the pants off of me, I lost $18 dollars to him. Oh well, I will get another chance on Friday to win some money back.

We finished the round, dashed to Publix to pick up a few breakfast items and received a text message that our room was ready. The view from our SSR room was terrific.

After settling in we walked over to DTD and caught a boat to Port Orleans, Riverside. We had a wonderful dinner at Boatwright's. The restaurant is of particular interest to my woodworker husband. He enjoys the hand tools that are displayed throughout the restaurant. My tenderloin was excellent but his jambalaya was only fair. The cornbread and greens however were very good.

After dinner, we took a boat back to DTD and walked around taking in the sights. We stopped into Ghiardelli's for a chocolate sample and a cup of coffee.

Here is a photo of the toy themed tree in DTD.

After walking off dinner, we returned to our room.

Day 2-- Tuesday, 12/15

My DH and I love to walk and whenever we visit the world we like to start our day with a 3-4 mile walk. Today we walked along the lake in SSR to the golf course, crossed the bridge and took the nature trail to OKW. We walked through OKW to the Hospitality House. The tree in the lobby was beautiful but I forgot my camera. We walked back along the nature trail enjoying the wildlife and through DTD and back to our SSR room.

When we visit WDW we like to use Disney Transportation even though we have a car in the parking lot. Somehow it feels more like a vacation when we don't drive around. After we ate breakfast and got dressed for the day we walked back over to DTD and caught a bus to The Swan. We wanted to check out the holiday decorations in each hotel. Here is what we found in The Swan.

The Dolphin Christmas Tree

Next we walked to the Boardwalk to see the decorations in the lobby. I loved the gingerbread and chocolate fireplace scene. Note Donald Duck stuck in the chimney!

More to follow shortly...

 

[nickspace]

Nice photos!

 

[Tony-NJ]

Loving the pictures! Glad you had good weather - we were there the 10 days prior with unsettled weather!

 

[figmentfan0724]

beautiful pics so far, can't wait to see more and hear more about your trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We made the rounds of the BW hotels, and I'm so glad we included the Dolphin. Their tree was especially nice, and unique.

I'm glad you had such a great visit and I enjoy seeing your pictures. You sure do a lot of walking!!!!

We enjoy eating at Boatwrights too!

Bobbi

 

[Pat817]

After we left the Boardwalk we walked to Epcot. We wanted to design our own ride on the new Sum of All Thrills located in Innoventions. On our way, we saw a gospel group called "Joyful" who sang Christmas songs. They put on a 20-25 minute show and were fabulous. If you go this season, check them out.

Here are some Christmas photos around Epcot.

Sorry about the Beach Club photos, the camera was acting up.

After walking around the Beach Club lobby we decided to return to SSR. We took a bus back to DTD. We naturally had to stop by Ghiradelli for a chocolate sample. This time we bought the $25 combination bag. I'll have to do a lot of walking to make up for all of this chocolate!

Next... DHS and Fantasmic

After we watched "Joyful's" performance we headed over to The Sum of all Thrills where we designed a jet aircraft which we were able to fly in the new "Kuka" robots. It is a great ride. The line was only about 20 minutes. I don't think many people know about it yet and it is bound to be popular. It is sponsored by Raytheon.

Next we wandered over to China and people watched until the acrobats came out and entertained us. We have seen their show many times but we are always amazed by their abilities.

Once the acrobats had completed their performance, we had to dash to Chef de France for our Candlelight Processional dinner package. We had a wonderful table and an excellent dinner. Chef de France and Paris Bistro are two of our favorite restaurants and tonight was not exception. After dinner we had some time before our seating for the 6:45 Candlelight Processional. We decided to wander over to Italy for coffee and some more people watching. Here are some photos of Italy.

We arrived back at the American stage about 1/2 hour before the CP was to begin and found that package ticket holders were already being seated. We took a seat and chatted with the people around us. The show was spectacular. Abigail Breslin did a wonderful job of reading the Christmas story and the choirs and orchestra brought tears to my eyes.

After the Processional ended, we walked over to the Beach Club to see their decorations. The gingerbread and chocolate carousel were something else. The carousel actually turned.

 

[arthur06]

Great TR and photos!

 

[justloveit]

Thanks for the wonderful pics.

 

[Pat817]

Sorry about the BC photos. I'm not sure what happened to the camera.

After we walked around the BC lobby we decided to return to SSR and caught a bus back to DTD. We naturally had to stop by Ghiardelli and sample some chocolate. This time we bought the $25 sampler bag. Boy, I will have to do alot of walking to walk off all this chocolate.

Wednesday, 12/15

Today we took our morning walk again through SSR and OKW and DTD and back to SSR. We returned to our studio for breakfast and a little reading time and enjoying the view from the balcony. Next we walked over to DTD and caught a bus to the Yacht Club to check out their decorations...

Next we walked over to DHS to ride Toy Story Mania. My DH beat me this time. I am having a heck of time...first he beat me at golf and now at Toy Story Mania.

Here are some photos of the Christmas Decorations we saw.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Brown Derby as part of the Fantasmic Dinner package. It was our first time at Fantasmic and we both really enjoyed it.

Next, Spectacle of Lights photos.

 

[Pat817]

After we watched Fantasmic we was fantastic we walked over to see the Spectacle of Lights. Wow is all I can say. I could post a thousand pictures but here are a few.

After enjoying the lights, we caught a bus back to DTD and you guessed it had chocolate and coffee. We joined in the Dance Party on the live stage. We had a blast dancing and laughing.

By this time we were tired and walked back to SSR and called it a night.

 

[rentayenta]

Loving your report!!!!

 

[El&Asmom]

Wonderful TR and pictures. Dh and I were just talking tonight about how one day we will be empty nesters, but will still enjoy Disney together. Granted it will be a few years since dd3 just turned a year old! Your trip report reminds me of why we bought DVC. Many future trips and memories to make. Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[podsnel]

Great report! You are really adding to my Christmas Spirit with all your festive posts. Thank-you!!

 

[AnnaS]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful report and pictures with us.

 

[Arthur27]

Great report from a fellow Central Florida DVC'er.

 

[Pat817]

Thanks so much for your kind comments about our Trip Report. I always enjoy seeing everyone's photos and I'm happy to share ours.

Thursday, 12/16

This morning we decided to change our walking direction. We walked all of the sidewalks throughout SSR and then walked over to see the THV's. It was the first time we had seen them since the renovation. It is like another world, quiet and secluded. Here is a photo of the road we walked along.

We continued back over the bridge that connects to the OKW nature trail and walked back to DTD and then back to our studio at SSR. Again, we ate breakfast in our studio and spent time admiring the view and reading.

Then we headed out to see the monorail resorts. We walked over to DTD and caught a bus to the CR to check out their decorations and then walked over to see BLT. These resorts just aren't my thing, I guess I'm just more traditionally minded. That's why there are 31 flavors in the ice cream store; everyone likes a different flavor.

Bay Lake Towers Christmas Tree

We hopped back on the monorail and rode over to the MK to check out Main Street. We have visited the MK many, many times so we just wanted to enjoy the holiday decorations.

We strolled along Main Street and stopped in all the shops. The weather was becoming more threatening and chilly. We Floridians get cold very easily. We hopped on a boat to go relax by the fire at Wilderness Lodge. ( The common theme of this trip seems to be relaxing!) We caught the boat just in time as it began to rain as we disembarked. Here are some photos of the lodge. We sat in front of the fire for about an hour enjoying the atmosphere and the other guests.

Next, back on the monorail and a visit to the Polynesian.

 

[Pat817]

Since it was raining, we took a bus from Wilderness Lodge back to the MK where we took the monorail to the Polynesian. We walked around the lobby taking in the sights and checking out the employee (I think) gingerbread creations. I especially liked this re-creation of UP!

These are lobby photos of the Poly.

Then we got back on the monorail to visit my favorite resort, the GF. We toured around the lobby, taking in the gingerbread house and the beautiful trees while we awaited our dinner reservation at the Floridian Cafe. Our dinner was excellent and we particularly enjoyed our waiter, Geoff. The GF lobby is a great place to sit anytime but Christmas is the best. The grand piano music as terrific. We watched families being photographed in front of the tree. Next year, I think we will get dressed up to get a photo in front of the tree. Here are some photos.

Outside the GF

The Lobby

The Gingerbread House

After our wonderful dinner, we traveled by bus back to DTD and walked back to our studio at SSR.

Friday, 12/18

We awoke to a drizzling rain and an even worse weather report. We had planned to play golf that day but the weather was not going to cooperate. We decided that given the weather and that it was only a week before Christmas (and we have plenty to do) we would return home. We have a philosophy that there are too many good days in FL to waste a bad one in the rain. We are so fortunate to live so close to the world that we can visit any time. We play golf at WDW at least once a month. If any of you would like another couple to play with when you visit, send me a PM.

Why didn't we visit the AKL while we were there? Well, we are spending three days at AKL at the end of January. We look forward to catching up with the animals and playing some golf then. Thanks for looking at my photos and Merry Christmas.

 

[eporter66]

Thanks for all the great pics - I will have to come back later and take a closer look at them all

 

[DenLo]

Thanks for the trip report and photos. Really nice to see you can have an enjoyable trip with less scheduled park time.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Loved all your photos and your report! I am hoping to catch some of the decorations when we arrive on Jan 2. Hopefully they will still be up.