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

[jenseib]

...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.

I think for alot o US restuarants you can actually make ADR's that day. BUT who know with HP coming how that wil lbe then. I want to see that too. It looks so cool.

 

[kswm30b]

This looks amazing! Kind of wish we signed up for D23 to do this!

I'm probably one of the few people to say this, but we were a bit underwhelmed by the Osbourne lights. It might be because they didn't dance when we were there (they said because of the rain, but it rained earlier that night, not when we were there) & I know that's a big part of the the show. It also didn't snow.

Too bad the 2 parties didn't meet up at TSM, lol. We were at the podcast DAP TSM party & had a blast.

 

[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!

and

There are hidden mickeys everywhere! as you'll see as you read this TR.

I think for alot o US restuarants you can actually make ADR's that day. know with HP coming how that wil lbe then. I want to see that too. It looks so cool.

I have it scheduled. I have one more day of ADRs to make, then I can concentrate on figuring out universal studios. I haven't been there since the opening of the Simpsons ride.

This looks amazing! Kind of wish we signed up for D23 to do this!

I'm probably one of the few people to say this, but we were a bit underwhelmed by the Osbourne lights. It might be because they didn't dance when we were there (they said because of the rain, but it rained earlier that night, not when we were there) & I know that's a big part of the the show. It also didn't snow.

Too bad the 2 parties didn't meet up at TSM, lol. We were at the podcast DAP TSM party & had a blast.

It was so very cool!!

The dancing makes it. Other than light, it's just christmas lights. Alot of of them, but still christmas lights. I'm not sure whethter I would have made it over to see them, ordinarily. I knew with D23 that I would, so I didn't bother.

 

[MyMuse]

Day 2 of Magic & Merriment!

Up & ready to head to Magic Kingdom to continue D23's MAGIC & MERRIMENT! hope monorails r running.
7:35 AM Dec 13th

Yesterday was a fab day, so I’m really excited for this day. I’m up at 6:30am and on the bus by 8am (since the MK bus was waiting! Cool!). I got to Mk around 8:15am and waited for rope drop ceremony; not too crowded! And I’m all decked out again in holiday gear, well sort of; red sweater, santa mickey hat and my fab earrings.

riding bus at 8am to MK! have good bus karma in mornings. waiting for RD ceremony!
8:32 AM Dec 13th

Since I was so early, no crowds whilst taking pics

I watched rope drop and it’s just the most magical of the rope drop ceremonies; I can’t believe I’ve missed it in the past! No more!

a good way to start the day: Magic Kingdom Rope Drop Ceremony
8:56 AM Dec 13th

I walked through and missed the trolley down Main St, but I’ll catch it some other time. I then shopped for the MK Holiday tin vinylmation using my 20% off coupon that I got previously at Emporium. It was really cold in there & my cashier CM annoyed the daylights out of me. But I didn’t say anything because I don’t think she meant it, so I shook it off. This is no place to be annoyed! LOL!

did you ever notice this cool Emporium emblem?

After getting my precious MK holiday tin vinylmation, I went to Main Street Bakery to order a cinnamon bun & coffee. Another “want” knocked off my list! This bun was HUGE. And, Disney karma must have come back to me, since the lady next to me, gave me her 20% off coupon! So, now I had 2 more!! After I finished breakfast, I went back to Emporium and bought another MK vinylmation for my friend and another regular holiday vinylmation (I'll have pics later! sorry! editosted the pics a couple of posts down due to space limitations)

it's only 9:15 & line for Main St Bakery is out the door! but i got my vinylmation!
9:14 AM Dec 13th

Main St Bakery pics

my breakfast! wow!

and cool window

After my purchases, I walked down Main Street and encountered the Mayor!!! Disney karma again!! I took his pic and he said “good magical morning” or something like that. I thanked him, by saying “thank you Mr Mayor!”. It was awesome. I didn’t even think to get my pic with him. A disadvantage to being solo.

and continued up Main Street to this awesome duo

Of course, I stopped for some PP photos. These came out great! It doesn’t even look look like me!!! I even used it for my merry after-christmas card.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love all the pics of the Osborne lights. It was one of my favorite things from my Dec. trip. I loved all the hidden Mickeys. I couldn't find the cat though, no matter how long I looked.

 

[dawnbu40]

Magic Kingdom rope drop is one of my very favorite things! It is magical and I tear up everytime

Love the PP pics! You look so cute in your Santa hat and it does so look like you!

Looking forward to more!

 

[MyMuse]

I love all the pics of the Osborne lights. It was one of my favorite things from my Dec. trip. I loved all the hidden Mickeys. I couldn't find the cat though, no matter how long I looked.

I totally forgot about the cat! No why wouldn't they tell us that, while we were there? But then again, I couldn't find the HM in the flames in the fireplace.

Magic Kingdom rope drop is one of my very favorite things! It is magical and I tear up everytime

Love the PP pics! You look so cute in your Santa hat and it does so look like you!

Looking forward to more!

I'll have some vids of the rope drop as soon as I can upload them later.

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad I got good pics in my festive wardrobe.

 

[MyMuse]

Since I didn't have any room left in the previous post, I'll post the pics here.

There was just the 3 Holiday Tin Vinylmations from Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. For some reason or another, one for Animal Kingdom was not made.

And the MK version is......the gingerbread man!!!

closer look

 

[MyMuse]

Here are the video update of my day so far!


Rope Drop ceremony at Magic Kingdom; broken up into 3 different videos. Enjoy!!!

 

[MyMuse]

Well, I was visiting my mailbox when a table was set up outside my local Hallmark store and wouldn't you know it, they were STILL selling christmas ornaments!





I thought it was appripo to still place it in this TR......






That I spent another $4 on this coolness (75% off!)....

One of my fav rides at MK! How Disney Karma was it that I was writing about the start of my day in MK!

 

[creativeamanda]

That vinylmation is absolutely too cute! I love it!

I also love the MK ropedrop ceremony, even if it does tend to make me teary-eyed.

 

[jenseib]

Claire and I jsut watched the videos. How fun. Sadly Claire can't get her rear end out of bed that early to ever make rope drop

 

[MyMuse]

That vinylmation is absolutely too cute! I love it!

I also love the MK ropedrop ceremony, even if it does tend to make me teary-eyed.

Isn't darling? It's my new collectable.

It's a great RD; much better than the other ones combined!

Claire and I jsut watched the videos. How fun. Sadly Claire can't get her rear end out of bed that early to ever make rope drop

Oh well, I guess you just have to leave her behind with daddy!

It really is a nice experience. And you don't have to rush dwn Main St afterwards; take the trolley. ahhhhh....

 

[MyMuse]

I seem to have forgotten a number of photos from my morning at MK. Without further ado, the rest of the visual feast:

closer look at decor

top of railroad station

and just because there's no people! here's another!

Cleaning up after RD

how could I forget the christmas tree photo!!

..and I think this is I stopped.....much more to come!

 

[dawnbu40]

Love the gingerbread vinylmation! Too cute!

The pre-rope drop pics are great! I really like the ones of Walt's railroad office window

Can't wait to hearall about your MK day!

 

[MyMuse]

The last I left you, I completed a few PP pictures and headed to the 2 VIPs in front of the Castle.

love that Mickey is gold-hued!

did you ever notice walt's mickey ring?? (hidden mickey?)

I alo took pictures of the little statues. I finally got them! The things I never noticed.

After this, I headed over to Fantasyland for Mickey’s PhilharMagic. My fav show in MK! I only had 2 hours free, before the D23 lunch.

free morning at mk is only 2 hrs. gotta meet d23 at 11am.
9:16 AM Dec 13th

On the way there, I passed the Fairy Godmother by the Castle, tucked in a corner.

I also wanted to check Sir Mickey’s for an HM; it was supposed to be in the sign…but I couldn’t find it…recently I found out that I had the wrong Sir mickey sign! LOL

But I really liked this window!

and just because....love the crown!

I rushed over to Mickey's PhilharMagic because I must do this before anything else in MK!

at mickey's philharmagic - love love love this! saw the mayor & fairy godmother
10:21 AM Dec 13th

Next up....D23 lunch!

 

[MyMuse]

Love the gingerbread vinylmation! Too cute!

The pre-rope drop pics are great! I really like the ones of Walt's railroad office window

Can't wait to hearall about your MK day!

I love the gingerbread man!

More Day 2 coming up!!!

 

[MyMuse]

After the greatness of PhilharMagic, I headed off to meet D23 at Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, since it was 10:45am already. The line was super long! Who knew people would line up so early for a buffet lunch?

Since I have no pics of PhilharMagic this time (see previous in trip report), here is a video of the last funny moments!




Heading to Diamond Horseshoe Saloon...

from KTTK tour, shows where sewerage would be...only place where ground it is different in MK

Lunchtime!

It was very good! But the food line was exhausting. There wasn’t a lot of room to walk and I was all the way upstairs since I was far back in line. Another disadvantage to solo; I had to find a seat, mark it with my sweater, then run back downstairs and get food and then run back upstairs. Whew! It makes me tired writing about it again! But the food was great and the atmosphere very festive.

My lunch! finally!

My fav dessert!

looking down from second floor

After the stampede for the food was died down, we were entertained by the Dapper Dans

Video of Dapper Dans


I as lucky enough to see Dapper Dans twice this trip. They were so entertaining! We also got our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets and a table near me were picked to be Grand Marshals in the parade!

Up Next: Exploring until time to see Cinderella Suite!!!

 

[MyMuse]

So, lunch is over and we get our MVMCP tickets in hand (another perk of this D23 event), so we can stay in the park all day. LOL!

I decided that I need to do something I have never done and that was to visit Tom Sawyer Island. Before this however, since I don’t know if we are getting anymore gifts (I know, shame on me for thinking it), but I decide to buy a MVMCP pin to remember this day by. It was 50% off too! The CM said, it was a good thing I was buying it now, since they sell out! I figure if we get one from D23 that I’d just give this one away.

So, off to Tom Sawyer Island I go. I got so lost! They need a map to wander around there, so I just went wherever the trails went. I don’t even know if I saw everything. I climbed up stuff, on stuff, through stuff...but didn't go through the mine.

all aboard!

Saw Riverboat with Princess & the Frog go by...

To Be Continued.....

 

[MyMuse]

Tom Sawyer Island Exploration con'd....

finished tom sawyer's island..will brave splash mtn..i think....
1:13 PM Dec 13th


Next up: Do I brave Splash Mountain?