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

[MyMuse]

I finished a bit earlier than most and took some time to wander around.

And then…Santa Mickey came out! YEAH!

dinner at LMA set is awesome! & Santa Mickey is here!!
7:15 PM Dec 12th

Thankfully, there was a CM there who took photos.

I was so excited to have a pic with Santa Mickey. The poor CM has no idea how to work my camera. I hope next time there are Photopass CMs there! But I was grateful to have my pic taken.

After I continued roaming...

A very nice CM took a pic of me here; she got a CM thank you I made and we had a lovely convo

Thankfully we also had use of the bathrooms; view from there of the set

Making my way back into the set...

We were allowed to get up close with the set, which can never happen while watching the show..

if you look closely above....HM!

During this, I was able to meet fellow DISer lurkyloo & her hubby. Shortly afterwards, we were led out of the LMA set and to.....

 

[MyMuse]

And when I say led, I mean LED. As in, CM lining each side of us with flashlights to guide our way to…


Toy Story Mania!!!

Since I was solo, I got a single seat with a pack of 3. Very nice kids, thankfully. I did ok on this ride. Now I did it twice for the first time earlier in this TR. My score was decent and after we got off, we wondered if we can go back on. The CM there said go ahead and we went ahead in a big circle and I ended up pairing with the same pack of kids.

Inside TSM - look ma, no lines!

Round 1

Round 2

After riding TSM twice, then we were led (yes, LED), to Studio Catering Co for our dessert party.

passing the super-sized coke bottles...

I sat with lurkyloo & her hubby, which was nice of them! My hair was just going nuts. LOL!

stuff closed up for the night..

I had some decaf coffee, bread pudding, tried the butterfinger thing but I didn’t like it at all. I had my favorite of all favorites – pumpkin mousse! in white chocolate! I was in total heaven.

Color me surprised that I didn't take more photos of dessert!

But I did find more LMA! dinner set photos; I must have my pics here misnumbered...

After our dessert party, we await....

 

[BippityBoo]

WOW! What an amazing experience!!! I would love to walk under ground

Your dinner looked sooo good! How neat to be on set AND to ride Toy Story! You signed up through D23? I just became a member, so hoping to enjoy the benefits soon

I joined in a little late on your TR, so I need to go back through and read it. Thanks so much for letting me know that you would go to the 5pm showing of CP. I know that my kids would get a little anxious going from the CP right to Illuminations. My inlaws usually eat a late lunch anyway, so thinking Le Cellier around 2:30-3:00 then right to CP with our passes! We can walk around and enjoy all of the wonderful things they have set up that your reported on like VOL and the live Nutcracker.

 

[dawnbu40]

That dinner looks awesome! Our D23 dinner paled in comparison!

Santa Mickey is so adorable! Can't wait for more!

 

[praisehisname]

We were kept pretty separate from the general population. I think by the time we got to DHS it was already closing/closed. The rest of our night was all private stuff & there was one other party going on, but it didn't impact us. The twine shall never meet.

The other party was the one we were part of (although at the last minute, we ditched it ). It was the Toy Story party, part of the Podcast event. Did you see any of them when you were riding? Or maybe that party hadn't started yet. It wasn't supposed to start until 9:30.

Oh, well...love your pictures! Looks like an awesome meal!

 

[If U Had Wings]

What a fun night! I love Santa Mickey.

 

[MyMuse]

WOW! What an amazing experience!!! I would love to walk under ground

Your dinner looked sooo good! How neat to be on set AND to ride Toy Story! You signed up through D23? I just became a member, so hoping to enjoy the benefits soon

I joined in a little late on your TR, so I need to go back through and read it. Thanks so much for letting me know that you would go to the 5pm showing of CP. I know that my kids would get a little anxious going from the CP right to Illuminations. My inlaws usually eat a late lunch anyway, so thinking Le Cellier around 2:30-3:00 then right to CP with our passes! We can walk around and enjoy all of the wonderful things they have set up that your reported on like VOL and the live Nutcracker.

Walk underground? You lost me a bit there. We drive underneath the tracks at Test Track...

Yes, this weekend was D23's Magic & Merriment weekend. this was definitely a great benefit! I have no faith for this December to top it!

If you want to book LeCellier for CP package, you need to get to the phones very quickly!!! We did Garden Grill since we couldn't get LeCelier, but GG was awesome!!!

That dinner looks awesome! Our D23 dinner paled in comparison!

Santa Mickey is so adorable! Can't wait for more!

I know! The M&M weekend really set the bar high. Not that I didn't enjoy First anniversary, I wa sjust underwhelmed. Even the Flowers & Fireworks weekend doesn't even look interesting. I have high hope for Sip & Stroll.

I was so excited for Santa Mickey!!!

The other party was the one we were part of (although at the last minute, we ditched it ). It was the Toy Story party, part of the Podcast event. Did you see any of them when you were riding? Or maybe that party hadn't started yet. It wasn't supposed to start until 9:30.

Oh, well...love your pictures! Looks like an awesome meal!

Oh, yeah! That's right!!! that was the party. There was some people in our party who wanted to go to both, so they have to be walked over by CMs.

The two parties never met. The twine shall never meet, type of thing.

What a fun night! I love Santa Mickey.

Thank you! And it didn't end yet!

 

[MyMuse]

Sorry for the no updates yesterday!

I took a day off and went into NYC to see the Flower Show, ate breakfast at Herald Square, saw a lecture at Times Center, met up with a bunch of friends and finally had dinner in Times Square.

I'll download my pics and post them at some point over the weekend.

 

[MyMuse]

Apologies for getting no updates done!

I went on a hike over the weekend too and took a bit of a tumble.

So, I've been nursing a bit of a limp, but I'm better now. I'm hoping to get another few updates in today!

 

[dawnbu40]

Glad to hear you're feeling better!

 

[MyMuse]

I last left you at eating at Studio Catering Company, which happens to be adjacent to Streets of America where the Osborne Lights are situated.

When we arrived at our dessert party, the lights were shut down, so it was completely dark. The announcement came for everyone to finish dessert and come to the barrier they put up to enter Osborne Lights. And to my great surprise, we were indeed a private showing as we were the only people in there! Well, all 200 of us or so.

We were led to the roped off switch area at the stage and we had a very long talk from the manager of how Osborne Lights came to be. It would have been nice if we didn’t hear about his entire resume of working with Disney. I was in front of the rope and I must have shifted too many times because he asked the crowd if he was going too long and he ignored the D23/park people on the side giving him the wrap up sign. LOL! While it was wonderful to know how much he enjoys working for Disney, I’d rather he just told us about the beginning of Osborne Lights and kept on schedule.

Our talk before the Lights turned on - 2 vids




This should be the Q&A



We finally got to “switch on“ the lights and was able to hear one full song with the dancing lights. It was just AWESOME!!! Then we had a quick Q&A (probably to get us back on schedule), maybe 4 questions, then we had some walking time amongst the lights to take it all in.


waiting for the osborne lights to be switched on!
9:25 PM Dec 12th

Lights On!


I found some more HMs and wondered around, loving every minute of it. It was so nice to look around and see the details without a million other people. Even though we were 200 strong, it did not seem packed as everyone went in separate directions.

Welcome to the Osborne Lights!

D23 crowd whilst waiting for talk to finish

There's supposed to be an HM in the flames, but I totally could not see it!

and off...still can't see it

..and closer shot of it on...oh well. Note: thanks to dawnbu40, it is on the lower left! yay!

top of fireplace mantle

if you look closely...

.there is a HM!

you see what I see?

closer shot of the HM!

More coming.....

 

[MyMuse]

Glad to hear you're feeling better!

Thank you!

It was a dumb rookie move and I should ahve known better. But it was a lovely hike! 4 hours & 6 miles - my personal best so far. I guess it was better than all day.

 

[MyMuse]

more pictures of the Osborne Lights! Enjoy!!!

And, yes, it did indeed snow!!

yea, I see this all the time in NYC! LOL!

Does Lady GaGa know about this?

wait, what's that on top?

yes, I think it's a HM!

How beautiful is this?? makes me want to bow my head & say a prayer

look closely now...

you see it? hehe!

behind the sign

can it be?

why, yes, it can!

and it multiplies!

There might be a coooouple more.....

 

[MyMuse]

..and a few more....

one Last Look!


a few D23 housekeeping warnings...errr...mentions


Alas, the Osborne Lights had to be shut down and I stayed until they did.

..and powee! down it goes!

I went to our waiting buses which were waiting on Streets of America! How cool was that?! As we got on, we got a D23 ornament as another present. It should be around 10:30pm.


waiting bus

Our neato gift

private osborne viewing was indeed private! it was AMAZING!!
10:21 PM Dec 12th

we boarded a cruise bus right in osborne lot! & off we go!
10:30 PM Dec 12th



Then, came the transportation confusion. Oiy. Put a damper on a great night, I can tell you. Our bus took the scenic route back to Epcot parking lot for people to get their cars; then the off-siters were then bussed to Downtown Disney to pick up a resort bus. Apparently, this part was not too well-planned. Our driver was more confused than we were. I would think it would make more sense to out off-siters for cars in one bus and take the on-siters to DTD.

Luckily, my bus to POR came up almost immediately since I’m sure they radioed ahead. It did have to stop at Pleasure Island, then circled around again, then went to POR. At POR, it did all the stops, though no one got off. Why he didn’t ask which stops to make, I don't know. Everyone got off at South Depot. It wasn’t like it was a super-packed bus.

I stopped at the front desk for a “do not disturb” sign and the answer was to call Housekeeping. Nice. I got to the room around 11:30pm. So, it was basically an hour worth of riding around in a bus to get back to POR.

All in all, it was a great day!!!

I hope you enjoyed Day 1 of D23's Magic & Merriment weekend. Day 2 at Magic Kingdom!

 

[MyMuse]

...for my October trip. At least, I'm pretty sure I'm going on it. All bets are off, until I actually book airfare. If my storm damage to my home is more extensive, then, obviously it will be canceled. Happy Wishes that it's not!!!


Day 1: Wolfgang Puck 3:30pm, Cali Grill 9:25pm
will cancel Cali if I can get into the Pirates & Pal cruise (it doesn't open at 180 days)

Day 2: Liberty Tree Tavern 11:30pm, Tony's Town Square 7:05pm

We'll see what the next days bring

At some point earlier, than Day 1, I should be booking Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian, but my BFF in FL will not nail down a day for it yet. The 180 day thing really throws her off. I'm trying not to be insistent since it is not a high priority ADR, but there can only be 1 of 3 days. How hard is it?

Now, my niece and sister say they want to go too. Oiy. Which means I have to make a totally different schedule if they do - so I need to make 2 sets of plans for the last 4 days. Obviously, they both do not get the concept of 180 day ADRs and don't understand why they have to tell me if they are definitely going or not.

I do plan to go to Universal for Harry World, but I have no ideas yet if I need to make reservations. There doesn't seem to be much information out there about it.

And according to a CM I spoke with MNSSP tickets are on sale on April 29th.

 

[dawnbu40]

Great updates!
The Osborne Lights are amazing! When we were there I felt it was almost overwhelming with the crowds and all the lights. Seeing them in a relatively small group must have been nice!

I did see the HM in the flame. It's on the left side near the bottom.

Your October plans seem to be shaping up nicely even if they are not all that concrete at the moment

Universal restaurants don't do the far in advance reservations that the Disney parks do. When we went before I think it was maybe 30 days? I believe there is going to be a cs and ts in Harry Potter though. I recently completed some online training with Universal so I'd be happy to pass along any updates I get from them and any ticket deals.

 

[MyMuse]

Great updates!
The Osborne Lights are amazing! When we were there I felt it was almost overwhelming with the crowds and all the lights. Seeing them in a relatively small group must have been nice!

I did see the HM in the flame. It's on the left side near the bottom.

Your October plans seem to be shaping up nicely even if they are not all that concrete at the moment

Universal restaurants don't do the far in advance reservations that the Disney parks do. When we went before I think it was maybe 30 days? I believe there is going to be a cs and ts in Harry Potter though. I recently completed some online training with Universal so I'd be happy to pass along any updates I get from them and any ticket deals.

It was really a great highlight because I thought for sure it would not be private just for us, but for all groups having an event that day. Happily, it was indeed just us! I am so grateful I got to go.

Thank you for seeing the HM in the flame! I totally could not see it. I'll edit the above.

October will be what it will be. Currently, my claim is being processed and goodness knows how long that is going to take. The storm was 4.5 weeks ago. There is issue with finding the siding I have and rebuilding a portion where the gutter is, etc and so forth. Total Headache.

Thank you for passing on any info for Universal. I just don't want to do anything wrong or late.

 

[MyMuse]

..for October trip. I know I should make a PTR, but until I know the October trip is super-official (read: home claim processed), I don't want to press my luck.

Here's the somewhat of plans so far:

Day 1: non-park day, driving in from BFF's home 40 minutes away
Wolfgang Puck Cafe 3:30pm, Cali Grill 9:25pm
will cancel Cali if I can get into the Pirates & Pal cruise (it doesn't open at 180 days)

Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Liberty Tree Tavern 11:30pm, Tony's Town Square 7:05pm
Hopefully, will be able to get MNSSP ticket for this day

Day 3: Hollywood Studios
Brown Derby Fantasmic! package 3pm / 7:30pm show
I opted for this since I can't work in Dining with a Imagineer

This is also the night when my sis and niece said they will be flying in, so I'm going to make 2 sets of plans, in case they don't. Who knows what can happen? I'm also going to make a 3rd set for them on my D23 days (if I get a tix to that! ), so they don't have to wander around Epcot for 2 days.

Day 4: Universal Studios/Harry Potter
Universal doesn't have a crazy 180 day ADRs!
I'll read up more on this park to make sure one I have a good day planned

Day 5: Animal Kingdom
Thinking Donald's Safari Breakfast, if they come
I'm not totally sure what my ADR will be if I'm solo.... but I better make up my mind fast since ADR day for this is tomorrow!

So, tomorrow AM is this all over again and for the next couple o' days.

And I think I got BFF to nail down a day prior to Day 1 for Tea at Grand Floridian! YAY!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm here from the crashed systems thread on the restaurant board.

I can't even believe that I did not look for hidden Mickey's in the Osborne lights! I did one film of the lights and one on Expedition Everest, but they take so long to upload!

Thanks for those pictures, though. Backing up to read more!

And subscribing!

 

[MyMuse]

I'm here from the crashed systems thread on the restaurant board.

I can't even believe that I did not look for hidden Mickey's in the Osborne lights! I did one film of the lights and one on Expedition Everest, but they take so long to upload!

Thanks for those pictures, though. Backing up to read more!

And subscribing!

don't back up to read more! The ADR system is UP!!!