So I thought I would do some high and lows from our trip.
Had a really great trip. If it wasn't Christmas, and we hadn't already got one(or two) trips already booked, then I would be very depressed now!!!
Highs.
Meeting friends old and new. We both really enjoyed this, and I think it made this trip special. Monica, Connie, Chuck, Patrick, Cherie, Ann and Albert and Lisa and Darrell from our cruise, and eating with them a couple of times too.
We also met some friends from a UK board and had a Boma breakfast and a Wishes firework cruise with them. Also met one of the couples at
MVMCP and other times too. Great fun.
The special event at Toy Story Mania for Mousefest. This was such a great time. We could just have ridden TSM all night if we wished, but after 2 rides your right arm aches so you have to have a break!! The food was so good too. I think TSM is now our favourite ride.
Our Illuminations VIP viewing and dessert party courtesy of our TA as a Mousefest special. Really great view, sitting down looking over the water and nobody in front. Never going to be any better again. I love Christmas Illuminations. Makes me emotional!
Resorts. We really liked SSR which surprised me. So quiet and peaceful and very pretty. Buses were great apart from one time and that was no real problem. Stayed at RPR at Universal for one night. Now Disney should really learn from them how to do Deluxe resorts!! BC for our last 4 nights just confirmed our favourite location.
Virgin UC, yet again a great way to travel. I doubt we will be able to travel this way after our May trip.( )
Seasons 52. Our best by far dining experienc. We will go back for sure.
Table at the Cali Grill. Next to the window, and my seat was at an angle so I just looked directly at the castle. Magical. We hadn't intended staying for Wishes, but somehow we finished our meal about 10 mins before it began and our server said to stay. Lovely!
CP for our firt morning breakfast. I love this and it is such a great way to start the holiday.
Not doing the Dining Plan and not feeling we had to eat all the time and get the best value out of the menu. Felt so much better for it.
One of my favourite times. After our Illuminations viewing and desserts which was on EMH night, just wandering slowly round World Showcase soaking in the atmosphere and listening to the Christmas music.
Lows.
Delays flying both ways!!!!
Crowds. Such a shock after the last 2 years. It was so much busier. However apart from some exceptions we did well with rides.
MVMCP. Just too busy. It was horrible. I know it was a discounted day, but Disney's idea of limited ticketed event is not the same as mine. You just couldn't get around. Such a shame. Doubt we will do it again. We have been the last 2 years and they were wonderful evenings. Whilst we did occasionally have to show our wristbands I am sure there were plenty of folk there who hadn't paid. Disney must be rubbing their hands in glee at our discomfort!
WDW was not as Christmassy as before. I don't think there were as many decorations. Perhaps I am just used to it now. It is still lovely though.
Queuing for 10 minutes or more for fastpasses for TSM on our last morning and seeing the return time move on a whole hour. Poor John had to sit through Beauty and the Beast just to pass the time waiting for our slot..
Test Track and Space Mountain breaking down each time we were on. Test Track had huge queues because of this all the time. We waited in fastpass lines and single rider lines for ages! We had to sit in our space shuttles on Space Mountain for 15 mins while they tested the track!! Another time we had fastpasses for SM and went in a line that was already very long, but stood for 10 mins before someone came down the line to say they had closed one side down as they had a medical emergency. So we left and returned later.
Other bits.
Weather. Quite mixed with some very cold nights. I was soooo cold on our first Illuminations night, and there was a frost the next morning. The majority of the time it was great and just perfect for the parks, and on MVMP night and the Wishes cruise night it was just lovely. Rained our first full day but we were changing hotels, so happened to be trapped in the car as it came down in sheets. Bad rain on our first Universal day morning but we stayed in and relaxed.
Universal. We used to love here, and still enjoy a trip up, but even John said he felt it lacked something( ). We couldn't ride Hulk or DD as John has a sinus problem and I wouldn't go on my own.
California Grill. Not a low, but we had a so so server here and after having great ones our last twice we have been we were disappointed. For me it wasn't that special this time, but the view did make up for it. I don't think we will return.
Fantasmic. We had front row seats and we saw what we have missed the last twice!!! It was brilliant. We only had a little sprinkling too. Took so long to get out though. Apparently it holds 9,000 when full.
Oh well, you can see from the diminishing stack of filing how much I've done, so it's OK. 
I am sorry but this made me laugh so hard I cried. 
We are thrilled 
How come I can't just be one of the gang??? ok nevermind, don't answer that 
No matter what I tell MIL she just doesn't get it. Since Molly is 11 a size 14 will fit right 
We stripped the liner out and she crammed herself into it. We'll be coat shopping soon, maybe on our trip, any good coats in Florida 
Glad it was a good trip overall!
then out to dinner with friends
and back to DL for the evening. 
I really am liking this retirement thing!
