Very Merry D23 Holidaze Dec 2009 TR - 7 magical park days! updt 7/1

[MyMuse]

After that wonderful Yak & Yeti lunch, I decided to stroll through Discovery Trails. I never really got the chance to really enjoy this part of the park.

I was also able to find the HM on the Tree of Life - Moss Mickey! See him?

He is located facing the Oasis about 1/3 up to the left of buffalo.

After Discovery Trails, I strolled through Beastly Bazaar & island Merchantile, then sat on the ledge outside to wait for the one thing I wanted to see at AK finally! – Mickey’s Jammin’ Jingle Parade! It was around 3pm when I sat for the 3:45pm start time.

As usual, people did their thing closer to the parade time of jostling around, squeezing in and generally being a little crazy.
For instance, I’m sitting on the ledge, granted it’s on the edge where it curves around, so this lovely French couple with their double stroller decides to park this thing next to me, whacking me in the knee while they are at it. Then get a little huffy, that I didn’t jump and give them my space, so they can sit directly next to their stroller. Well, my peoples, get here earlier. Oiy.


waiting for AK parade...people r a little crazy...or is it just me? hmmm.....
3:11 PM Dec 6th

I was quite close to the exit and normally, I would have tried to pick a spot further away, but I knew I had to leave shortly afterwards. On this day, I was not going to open & shut the park, though, I dearly loved to since I was only hitting AK once this trip.

Since I was close-ish to the entrance, it took the parade a little while to get here, but it was very cute and I took bunches of photos and video. Just right amount of AK & Christmas without it being over the top.

Entertaining the masses

Cute light fixture

The parade is here!

con'd due to space limitations...

 

[MyMuse]

Here are the videos of the parade









After, I followed the parade to the exit area and stopped by the tree to get my tree photo and you guessed it, more PP pics!

Close-ups

Video of AK Tree
I'm not exactly sure why I took a video, but I did. LOL


I did try to find the HMs right outside the turnstiles but failed. Maybe it was taken down? Moved?

Photopass! Stitch magic shot!
you may remember this one from Merry After-Christmas Card

I did have a wider shot of just me and tree but it came out icky. And I just realized that I have more than a passing resemblance to the lion ornament behind me!

Animal Kingdom Thoughts:
I did not ride Kali River Rapids, since it was cold and I didn’t want to rush any colds that I could feel coming on after freezing yesterday at Epcot. I also don’t do roller coasters, so Expedition Everest is always out, though, I wonder if I should just do the queue line and take the chicken exit? According to my book, there are 10 HMs in the queue line alone!

If I had time, then maybe I would have tried to see Festival of Lion King or head back to Dinoland to see about Primeval Whirl. Next time!

I was at the car at 4:51pm to head back to the resort and wait on the reason why I left so early. My BFF and goddaughter are coming to visit!

back at resort after animal kingdom. it was a little crazy in there. lol
5:08 PM Dec 6th

Yes, my peoples the day is not even CLOSE to being over! *wicked grin*

 

[dawnbu40]

Isn't the parade great?! I love it and you got great pictures! The PP with you and Stitch is so cute!

 

[jenseib]

you really got some cool photopass photos!

 

[KatGarcia]

Thanks!
I enjoyed the HM hunts; though, sometimes, it was a little frustrating trying to find them. I guess some are gone. I will invest in a new book next time around.

there is another version of the book I had, out already. I think its up to the 4th edition already. The website has SO many too its impossible to keep up. I think you and I in WDW searching for HM's would be a blast!!!!


I have yet to see any parade in AK, I never make it late enough, either that or I just miss it. You should DEF do the queue for Everest- its beautiful, even if you dont ride the ride.

 

[ladybugmom]

The parade looks like so much fun! Sorry you had to deal with rude people--that stinks! LOVE the PP pics by the AK tree--the Stitch one is too cute!!

 

[praisehisname]

The AK parade looks really fun! We were hoping to do it, but the timing didn't work out. Maybe next time!

I've never seen that Stitch magic shot before, only the one where he's coming out of the road. Cool!

Denise

 

[MyMuse]

Isn't the parade great?! I love it and you got great pictures! The PP with you and Stitch is so cute!

I liked it alot! Both the parade & PP pic.

you really got some cool photopass photos!

Thank you.
I tried my darndes tto get the most of it.

there is another version of the book I had, out already. I think its up to the 4th edition already. The website has SO many too its impossible to keep up. I think you and I in WDW searching for HM's would be a blast!!!!


I have yet to see any parade in AK, I never make it late enough, either that or I just miss it. You should DEF do the queue for Everest- its beautiful, even if you dont ride the ride.

I ave the 3rd edition, which is obviously pretty old at this point. It still has Pocahontas & her Friends in it! LOL!
I did't even try to get to the website, so I just ripped the book up instead.
Yes, let's meet up there someday! I'm probably going to F&W this October.

I definitely wanted to see the parade this time. I really tried to make an effort to see them all. I wished I had more time in AK.

I really really can't do the ride, but I'll see about the chicken exit.

The parade looks like so much fun! Sorry you had to deal with rude people--that stinks! LOVE the PP pics by the AK tree--the Stitch one is too cute!!

People do get weird. But it's Disney, so I'm trying not to add to the bad and/stupid vibes. LOL!

The AK parade looks really fun! We were hoping to do it, but the timing didn't work out. Maybe next time!

I've never seen that Stitch magic shot before, only the one where he's coming out of the road. Cool!

Denise

It was good! Hopefully, there's always a next time.

I think that is probably just a Christmas shot?



I will try to get another update up today.

 

[MyMuse]

I’m back at the condo, awaiting my BFF and goddaughter and thankfully, they arrive about 5:30pm.

I give Jennifer, Miranda and Maggie (international student from China living with BFF & hubby to help further Miranda’s understanding of her culture) a 5 minute tour of the condo. And I got to open a tiny Christmas gift, which was a picture of Miranda as an ornament. Cuteness!

Miranda is so cute! And only 30 pounds at nearly 4. Very talkative, friendly & happy to see me! What a change when she first came at 10 months old. I was there to visit her on her 2nd day here. It’s fitting this update includes her as TODAY is her 4th Birthday!

We are back on the road in Jennifer’s car (need car seat) by 6pm and continuing the Holiday Décor Resort Tour!

We decide to tackle the Grand Floridian (GF) again since we were not able to on Day 1 since ABC was taping. We parked fairly far away, but it’s not a problem since it was not raining this time! Whoo!

The GF is just elegant & gorgeous. I don't think I'm classy enough to stay here. LOL!

Supercool Gingerbread House!

My Little Miranda-panda

HM? on the gingerbread house

detail on the gingerbread house

Decor!

floor inlay...awww

how pretty is this??

going up?

Tree

Ornaments

smaller tree

do you think this will fit in my bag?

Between the Gingerbread House & the Tree, the GF lobby is certainly hopping!!!

And, you know I can't leave without.....

 

[MyMuse]

Yes, you guessed it! Photopass pics!!!

I know, it's a shocker. And again, I'm dressed very appro.

After the Photopass, we boarded the monorail for Miranda's first ride!!!

We pointed out the Magic Kingdom as we passed. There’s wasn’t a huge lot at the Contemporary but there was a huge wreath! Wowza! We walked through a couple of shops and took some pics.

Huge mickey wreath at contemporary resort
7:20 PM Dec 6th

I must not forget about their "It's a Small World" Gingerbread Tree!

HM in the gingerbread tree - such detail!

around the Contemporary...

see the dual mickey shapes?

from inside checking out the huge wreath

Such a big line at the monorail! Holy Buckets! We waited for quite some time and decided not to visit the Polynesian but to go back to the GF. I’m beginning to think the bus service is way better than the monorail service.

I think at this point, it’s about 8pm or so. We head back to the car and decide to go to ..... ????

 

[dawnbu40]

I just love all the decorations! Great pics! Miranda is such a cutie! It must have been fun experiencing it with her!

So they announced the D23 party details...are you thinking of going?

 

[MyMuse]

I just love all the decorations! Great pics! Miranda is such a cutie! It must have been fun experiencing it with her!

So they announced the D23 party details...are you thinking of going?

Thank you, thank you!

I just saw that it was announced! In fact, I logged back in to tell you.

I would dearly love to go to the 1st anniversary party and call it a birthday prezzie to myself. I'm reading all the details now. Tho, the Magic & Merriment was $195 for 2 days, 2 parks and this one is $140.....and the DL one is $65??

 

[dawnbu40]

It is more expensive than I had hoped BUT since we're in Michigan we'll get few chances to go to D23 events and since this just happened to overlap our trip we HAVE to go

We do hope you decide to go though! We'd love to hang out with you

 

[ladybugmom]

Miranda is ADORABLE!!! The GF and Contemporary at gorgeous all decorated for Christmas!!

 

[KatGarcia]

There are a bunch of HM's on the GF Gingerbread house every year. I loved searching them out. Miranda is a CUTIE!

Oh and BTW you need to find me on facebook!

 

[MyMuse]

It is more expensive than I had hoped BUT since we're in Michigan we'll get few chances to go to D23 events and since this just happened to overlap our trip we HAVE to go

We do hope you decide to go though! We'd love to hang out with you

I know! The price is a little steep-ish. But since a one-day ticket is pretty much $90, I guess not so much. The DL one is much cheaper but I found out it is only for 3 hours and that's it. At least,. WDw is the whole day.

Exactly why I would like to go too. Granted, there should be more things in NYC, since there's the Broadway theater and shortly to have the new store opening but nothing is going on as of yet. I do have to renew my membership, but mine is up May.

If I can get a ticket, I'll go. And I'm hoping the decent flight prices hold up until Thursday. I'm sure I can get the time off. Remember, I went the same time last year which kicked off the obession. LOL!

Miranda is ADORABLE!!! The GF and Contemporary at gorgeous all decorated for Christmas!!

Thank you so much!

She is currently at Disney Quest as I type. Her mom just called. They are using my tickets from Magic & Merriment.

There are a bunch of HM's on the GF Gingerbread house every year. I loved searching them out. Miranda is a CUTIE!

Oh and BTW you need to find me on facebook!

Yes, I know about the HMs, but it was a little hard to actually do the hunt with all of us. I did see quite a few just by glancing. I can also find signatures on Chiluly's if anyone needs to find one. LOL!

Oh sure, I'll send you a DM about Facebook. I keep forgetting we follow each other on Twitter.


Ok, off to post another update!!

 

[MyMuse]

Before I continue, I wanted to add this pic, taken by Jennifer while we were waiting for the monorail. Jennifer’s caption on this photo was “Thanks, Aunt Michele, now she wants an iPhone!”

When I left you we were on the way to the car, decided where to go next, since we were still up & going!

Heading down the GF stairs to the parking lot. How cute is this? They have matching coats!

view from 2nd floor (cause that's where the monorail is)

And I just realized that I don’t have a rug pic of either GF or the Contemporary. Do they not have rugs? The best I did was the Cinderella inlay at the GF.

on way out...so pretty!

But I digress…. we decided to go to ..…






THE BOARDWALK!

We arrive there by my wonderful custom Disney POI on my GPS with no problems whatsoever! We lucked out and got a great spot. We went to visit the lobby to see their awesome chocolate gazebo. Soooo cute! Such detail!

I love this resort, it’s so gorgeous and the theme does come from my neck of the woods.

yes, I have to have a pic of tree...

..and ornaments

very cool fireplace

ok, took this a little too close! pretty mural tho

then we headed outside to check things out via a very teeny tiny elevator....which was a little on the scary side. and we found it in an adorable little nook!

Up Next: we go on the actual Boardwalk!

 

[praisehisname]

Loved all the pictures of the decorations at the Grand Floridian and Contemporary! Your goddaughter is adorable!

Denise

 

[dawnbu40]

I love that marble floor at the GF! So pretty!

Donald stuck in the gazebo fireplace is too cute

Keep the updates coming, the pics are

 

[MyMuse]

We walked outside....

..and took some time waiting to get this sign all lit up! LOL

a decorated balcony

We found that we can walk on and around to the Beach & Yacht clubs. I know it would go to the Dolphin & Swan since that is how I went to play mini-golf last March. I didn't realize it would take you all the way around to Beach & Yacht clubs. It does take a bit of a walk, but I didn’t want to hang around for a boat, I always need to maximize Disney time. It was actually a pretty walk and Miranda enjoyed the view from her stroller that we took out for this portion.

We arrive at the Yacht Club, which has a gorgeous miniature train! I just cold not get enough of it. The level of detail was amazing.

however, let me not forget their very nautical tree

and some of their decor..

I did try to find their HMs, but I couldn't. There was supposed to be the names of the characters on drawers of a corner cabinet, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

However, I got my pic of the rug!

We walked on to the Beach club after finally getting some decent direction on exactly how to walk through the resorts. I guess this question does not come up often? Anyway, basically, you just walk down a halfway until you hit the Beach Club.

It is a very fun hallway...

Now, it's gets "beachy"...must be getting close!