Your ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE to Disney World at Christmas Time! UPDATE x2 10/21

[cocofifi]

Enjoyed the new installments. BTW - I almost lost my mind over the iPhone case you tweeted! Of course I've already ordered one!

 

[RooRach0906]

Wow, the Osborne lights look amazing just 193 days... I love getting excited by reading along!!!!!!

 

[Laffites Landing]

Two things:

1) The Osbourne Lights and the resort are both very beautiful. Also, as usual Jess, you have an incredible ability to convey your feelings through your pictures. Excellent job.

2) As much as I hate to admit it, as a 40 something year old man, I kind of suck at games like Toy Story Midway Mania. At least the California Adventure version. I look forward to the day I crack 100K! Congrats if you got to 200K!

 

[BobbleClank]

Osbourne Lights I am coming to see you in 7 months. Hey Jess, thanks for the tip on the Toy Story game, it is mentally transcribed into my brain. Also, have you ever done the wishes dessert party or La Nouba? If so, I would love to know what your thoughts on them are?

 

[Ariel484]

Love the report so far! Thanks for all of the French Quarter pictures...it looks so pretty, except that I have to admit I'm a bit creeped out by some of those jesters...

I read back through a few updates and it was definitely a mistake to look at those T-Rex pictures when I'm not eating lunch for another 30 minutes or so. SO HUNGRY now!

 

[princess_momma]

Yay an update!!

DHS is so wonderful!! It's honestly probably my favorite park!! How did that kid not want to go in? I don't get it! It's just so fabulous.

And TSM is amazing. Did you know I have never made the mad run to fp's but I have ridden it every single trip due to a little pixie dust?! So magical. I love it. I am bad at it though. I wish I knew where the special, higher point targets are.

Those pics of the Osbourne lights...be still my heart! So beautiful. I can only imagine how perfect it is. I hope I get so see that magical festival one day!!

My guess the place with the hottest waiters is in Italy. Because that's where they are.

 

[LifeIsDis]

Oh my goodness, French Quarter. I need to stay there.

The pavilion with the hottest waiters…hmmm…that can only mean one thing. ITALY!!!

Toy Story Mania is just too incredible.

I love the TSM Ride Count.

The Osborne Spectacle of Lights looks AMAZING!!!!

It looks so beautiful. ohmygodohmygod.

 

[Bethislucy]

Oh I love the Osborne Spectacle of Lights the last trip we were there we just found us a spot of the way and sat there for like a hour watching them.

 

[marDgreen88]

Seriously with the French Quarter pics. That place looks amazing. I can just feel the atmosphere by looking at the pics and it's just awesome!

OMG TOY STORY MANIA. I'm in love with that ride too! And I didn't get to ride it on my last trip because I was lame and got sick and my heart was broken into a million pieces. But I GET IT. That ride just sucks you in from the start and transports you straight to childhood. Good Lord it's phenomenal. AHHH I cannot wait to ride it again!!!!

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Enough said. I agree, NOTHING beats seeing it in person. But your pictures are wonderful!

 

[IheartDDuck]

The Osborne Lights are really a beautiful thing to see. I didn't know it was your first time! I'm glad that you enjoyed them. The first time I saw them was completely by accident, and I was like "wow!"

 

[havingadisneyday]

I got my first look at the Osborne Lights. All I can say is that my jaw DROPPED. Oh my Lord.


No matter how many pictures or videos you see of this, absolutely nothing can capture it. It is probably one of the most beautiful, joyful, and festive environments on the entire planet. I wish my pictures could transport you there!

​

Your pictures certainly do transport us there, thank you SO much! We are going the first week of December and I simply cannot wait! Thanks to your "Survival Guide" tips, we have lots of ideas of things not to miss, and things to EAT. Love, love your trip reports!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Awesome pictures of POFQ! Did you like yall's location in Building 1?

OSBORNE LIGHTS! It's seriously the epitome of what Christmas lights should look like everywhere. THEY ARE SO PRETTY! Actually, they are more than pretty. They are GORGEOUS!

Did you get to see them dancing to the music?

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I cant wait to see Osborne lights in Dec!!

 

[Missyrose]

Still loving all the POFQ photos! Seeing Osbourne Lights has to be No. 1 on my Disney to-do list. My last Disney trip during the holiday season was when I was a little kid and that was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before they started doing OL.

I love TSM too, but my enthusiasm is dimmed by the fact that I can never beat DBF on it. Also, every trip we swear we're going to memorize more easter eggs for the game, but we only ever seem to remember the alien ring toss one.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Ah I've been majorly slacking with my commenting- but I have been reading along and thoroughly enjoying the whole time
The resort looks so amazing!! I really want to stay there one day!
It looks like it is decorated soooo beautifully! And with an ample amount of palm trees aka happy disney trees.

Oh screaming children. I understand kids have tantrums and are sometimes uncontrollable but some things you witness at WDW are a bit of a worry.

TSM is the best! It's so easy to start yelling and screaming with excitement... and then leave barely being able to move your arm due to all the vigorous flinging? pulling?? haha I am not too sure of what the action would be called....

Osborne Lights are hands down my favourite thing about Christmas at Disney. It's just so magical and once all the music starts.... Your heart just melts and goes to the happy place! Soooo goood! And sooo magical And I love the story behind them! Just makes them even more special!

Don't even worry! I'm just glad you're here and enjoying!
I'm glad you like the pictures of POFQ! I hope you get to stay there someday, too!
Oh my God my arm always KILLS after Toy Story. It's seriously painful. I think I probably built up muscle on this trip because of Toy Story Mania!!
I completely agree! It's amazing!

Enjoyed the new installments. BTW - I almost lost my mind over the iPhone case you tweeted! Of course I've already ordered one!

Thank you so much! And ahh oh my gosh, isn't it amazing!? I didn't order one but I want to! Kristen already did It's AWESOME! Do you know how much it cost?

Wow, the Osborne lights look amazing just 193 days... I love getting excited by reading along!!!!!!

Aww I'm so glad! Just wait until you see them in person!

Two things:

1) The Osbourne Lights and the resort are both very beautiful. Also, as usual Jess, you have an incredible ability to convey your feelings through your pictures. Excellent job.

2) As much as I hate to admit it, as a 40 something year old man, I kind of suck at games like Toy Story Midway Mania. At least the California Adventure version. I look forward to the day I crack 100K! Congrats if you got to 200K!

1) I agree! And aww thank you so much for those kind words! I'm glad that I can give you all a glimpse of how I view Disney!

2) Hahaha don't even worry! The only reason I can do pretty well is because I make it a priority to ride that thing constantly! But thank you! I'm sure you'll get to 100,000 one day! Just aim for the 1,000 and 2,000 and 5,000 targets!

Osbourne Lights I am coming to see you in 7 months. Hey Jess, thanks for the tip on the Toy Story game, it is mentally transcribed into my brain. Also, have you ever done the wishes dessert party or La Nouba? If so, I would love to know what your thoughts on them are?

Woohoo! You're going to love it! You are SO welcome... that seriously saved my life! I love going up that special little gate!

Yes and yes, I have done both! I actually did the Wishes dessert part on this Christmas trip... on December 26th! So eventually at some point I will get to that update. (however at this rate, it's gonna be a while until we get there.) But I have to say that the Wishes dessert party is a WONDERFUL experience! Unlimited desserts and priority seating for MM&Y and the fireworks... you can't get much better! My family absolutely loved it!

And La Nouba is MIND BLOWING. Absolutely out-of-this-world entertainment. If you are willing to spend the money, that show is absolutely phenomenal. You literally will be absorbed in the show and be so amazed. I was young when I saw it... probably around 13 or so. I don't remember the specifics, but I still remember the awe and excitement I felt when I saw it. Absolutely unbelievable!!! It's definitely worth doing if you have never seen it before!

Love the report so far! Thanks for all of the French Quarter pictures...it looks so pretty, except that I have to admit I'm a bit creeped out by some of those jesters...

I read back through a few updates and it was definitely a mistake to look at those T-Rex pictures when I'm not eating lunch for another 30 minutes or so. SO HUNGRY now!

Thank you so much! You're very welcome! And haha yeah they're a little creepy... but I guess it's part of the theme!

Hahaha I'm sorry those pictures made you hungry! T-Rex is DELICIOUS!

Yay an update!!

DHS is so wonderful!! It's honestly probably my favorite park!! How did that kid not want to go in? I don't get it! It's just so fabulous.

And TSM is amazing. Did you know I have never made the mad run to fp's but I have ridden it every single trip due to a little pixie dust?! So magical. I love it. I am bad at it though. I wish I knew where the special, higher point targets are.

Those pics of the Osbourne lights...be still my heart! So beautiful. I can only imagine how perfect it is. I hope I get so see that magical festival one day!!

My guess the place with the hottest waiters is in Italy. Because that's where they are.

I agree. DHS has beaten out Epcot for my second favorite park. I seriously can not get enough! But yeah, I don't know what was wrong with that kid! It was just meltdown time, I suppose.

Haha seriously? Wow, that's really awesome! Hmm well if you shoot at the barn in the upper left hand corner in the first round, it will flip around and a bunch of 2,000 targets with little mice will come out.

Then if you shoot in the back of the ring toss one, there are 5,000 point aliens back there. Those help A LOT.

Hitting the flying plates makes the point values increase, and if you hit enough of them, soon a bunch of 2,000 point plates come flying up.

And then if you hit all of the mine carts, they keep increasing in point value all the way up to 5,000. As well as the little bat that hangs up on top!

That's all I can think of off of the top of my head. I'm still learning, too!

I hope you get to see the Osborne lights someday, too! It is truly amazing.

.....Good guess! You will have to wait and see!

Oh my goodness, French Quarter. I need to stay there.

The pavilion with the hottest waiters…hmmm…that can only mean one thing. ITALY!!!

Toy Story Mania is just too incredible.

I love the TSM Ride Count.

The Osborne Spectacle of Lights looks AMAZING!!!!

It looks so beautiful. ohmygodohmygod.

It's BEAUTIFUL!

Hahaha very good guess! You will find out shortly....

I agree! And thanks! I'm glad you like that idea!

And hahaha I KNOW. I was blown away. I still can't comprehend how phenomenal it is.

Oh I love the Osborne Spectacle of Lights the last trip we were there we just found us a spot of the way and sat there for like a hour watching them.

That's so wonderful! I hope you had a very magical time. I'm sure you did!

Seriously with the French Quarter pics. That place looks amazing. I can just feel the atmosphere by looking at the pics and it's just awesome!

OMG TOY STORY MANIA. I'm in love with that ride too! And I didn't get to ride it on my last trip because I was lame and got sick and my heart was broken into a million pieces. But I GET IT. That ride just sucks you in from the start and transports you straight to childhood. Good Lord it's phenomenal. AHHH I cannot wait to ride it again!!!!

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Enough said. I agree, NOTHING beats seeing it in person. But your pictures are wonderful!

Hahaha I'm glad you like it! And I'm glad my pictures can convey the environment for you!

Gahh I have been reading your trip report but I haven't commented. I'm so sorry you were sick for so long - that must have been AWFUL! Blah. But I'm so glad you understand! The whole interactive aspect of that ride is pure brilliance.

Seriously, I know!! But thank you!

The Osborne Lights are really a beautiful thing to see. I didn't know it was your first time! I'm glad that you enjoyed them. The first time I saw them was completely by accident, and I was like "wow!"

I agree! And yes, it was! This whole Christmas trip was a bunch of firsts, so it was really special. Aww that's exactly how my Dad was when he found them... he didn't know they existed and then he was just blown away!

Your pictures certainly do transport us there, thank you SO much! We are going the first week of December and I simply cannot wait! Thanks to your "Survival Guide" tips, we have lots of ideas of things not to miss, and things to EAT. Love, love your trip reports!

Aww thank YOU for those kind words! I'm glad they can do a justice!
You are going to have an AMAZING trip! And I'm sure I'll have lots more tips coming your way! I'm so glad that they are helpful so far!
Thank you so much! Have a magical day!

Awesome pictures of POFQ! Did you like yall's location in Building 1?

OSBORNE LIGHTS! It's seriously the epitome of what Christmas lights should look like everywhere. THEY ARE SO PRETTY! Actually, they are more than pretty. They are GORGEOUS!

Did you get to see them dancing to the music?

I did like Building 1! It was not far at all! But Building 5 is actually much closer, and Building 2 isn't bad either.

Haha if the whole world looked like the Osborne Spectacle of lights, you would probably be able to see shining Christmas lights from outer space. hahaha I LOVE them!

Yes, I did! There is music playing every few minutes or so. It's so beautiful!

I cant wait to see Osborne lights in Dec!!

You're gonna love them!! Have a magical trip!

Still loving all the POFQ photos! Seeing Osbourne Lights has to be No. 1 on my Disney to-do list. My last Disney trip during the holiday season was when I was a little kid and that was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before they started doing OL.

I love TSM too, but my enthusiasm is dimmed by the fact that I can never beat DBF on it. Also, every trip we swear we're going to memorize more easter eggs for the game, but we only ever seem to remember the alien ring toss one.

Thank you! YES it definitely should be... it's so amazing!! You're going to have to get there someday!

Aww really?! Well, if you keep practicing I'm sure you'll get better!​

 

[__disneygirl]

Someone get a tranquilizer gun and fill it with pixie dust and Mickey Bars. LMAO

OMG I am so happy my TSM addiction, which I should really be institutionalized for, inspired you to become obsessed too! It really is one of the most fun things in life! I rode it so many times I don't think I will ever get the songs Potato Head sings out of my mind. Ever. YOU'RE GONNA SCORE!

I agree that seeing the Osborne Lights was an extremely remarkable experience, so much more so than I had imagined. I mean, I thought it would be cool, but I was honestly speechless.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Someone get a tranquilizer gun and fill it with pixie dust and Mickey Bars. LMAO

OMG I am so happy my TSM addiction, which I should really be institutionalized for, inspired you to become obsessed too! It really is one of the most fun things in life! I rode it so many times I don't think I will ever get the songs Potato Head sings out of my mind. Ever. YOU'RE GONNA SCORE!

I agree that seeing the Osborne Lights was an extremely remarkable experience, so much more so than I had imagined. I mean, I thought it would be cool, but I was honestly speechless.

Hahaha I'm glad you found that humerous. That pretty much sounds like a sentence that would come out of your trip report

LOL let's be honest Lia, we both need some SERIOUS Toy Story Mania rehab. I swear, your first trip report like renewed my love for everything in Disney World. I just read your update about how much you loved TSM and then when I rode the ride on this trip I was just like "...this ride is SERIOUSLY the best ride ON THIS PLANET" and lsajdfhslkahgailusdhvdk it became my new obsession.

Yeah, I completely agree with you! It's so amazing! I can't believe something that remarkable actually exists.​

 

[antnyh]

I have to say that I can't agree with you more about the Osborne Festival of Lights at HS. My jaw dropped upon seeing it. It really is a surreal feeling...like it just ain't real...but it is because you're looking at it. Ahhhh just thinking about it makes me smile. Everyone was dancing in the streets to the music. I don't dance at all....but I did that night! Amazing! Loving your TR thus far! POFQ does look very nice, especially with the Christmas decorations up. Anxiously waiting for more...

 

[snowwhite325]

I loved all your POFQ pictures! We stayed there for our first two trips (when I was 4 and 6) so it holds a special place in my heart But, I had to laugh because I remember thinking the dragon slide was SO high up and now looking at your pictures it seems so much smaller

 

[CAStevens218]

Hi! I had to pop in and tell you that I have recently spent an unhealthy amount of time reading all of your trip reports! I'm all caught up on this one now, so hopefully I'll be able to stay current.

Your love and excitement for Disney is contagious!