Christmas Trip Report and Photos

[mickeyspal]

Day 5 - DHS:

Sebastian - Our 'Greeter of the Day':


As we approached DHS we were greeted by a gihugeic Christmas tree.

DHS Tree:


The decor here was fun, but very appropriate. There weren't a lot of garlands with pretty little colored lights like in MK and DTD. I noticed that the decor on Sunset Blvd, for example, were tinsel garland stars like they may have really had back in 1930 and 40's Hollywood. There seemed to be a ton of street performers all over the studios the day we visited. On Hollywood Blvd, I saw these cute, giant, 'Minnie Mouse' ornaments dancing in line in the window of the Five and Dime Store.

Dancing Minnie Ornaments:


We got some cute character photos and went on to Muppet 3D, checked out Pixar Place, the Christmas Shop 'It's a Wonderful Shop', and then went to lunch., me at Starring Roles Cafe and everyone else at Mama Melrose's., where they got the Fantasmic package. Just then we saw that the PM parade was coming so we watched the parade and I got a photo of Mr. Potato Head.



After the parade, I went back to AoA to put all of my warm clothes on for the evening. I was really having a problem with being cold and I wanted to see the Osborne Lights tonight; I took my polar fleece jacket with me. Every day that we were there we had nice sunny warm days; I had no idea was I was cold all of time. Back at the park I hit some shops then met up with my friends. We looked in shops and I got some (TIP) Cappuccino cupcakes at Pizza Planet. They are the best cupcakes I have ever had, hands down. We went to Fantasmic and my friends went to there reserved section, but I went to the top where the WC go and it was freezing up there. This time it wasn't just me. I saw that some other guests appeared cold, also. The wind was really blowing up there and I couldn't take it as I was shivering. I called my friends to tell them to enjoy the show, but I had to leave. We decided to meet up at the AoA later. I went back to see the Osborne Lights. I had to see them and getting out of the wind, I felt better right away. On the way to the lights I saw Santa sneaking up the side of a building!

Santa's on the Fire Escape!


As I made my way towards the lights, the closer I got, I couldn't believe my eyes. What a sight! I hope every Christmas loving 'Level 5er' get's to visit and see this display sometime. I was just overwhelmed by it; I loved it and I took a lot of photos with my little 'point and shoot' just hoping that some would come out okay. I haven't shown you many DHS photos because I wanted to share these light photos with you. Enjoy! I'm starting with the beautiful life size Nativity; I was so happy to see that they had a Nativity in the display.

The real Meaning of Christmas:


Angels in the Sky:


Hidden Mickey and Minnie:


Lights everywhere You Look:


Even on the Bicycles!


Horse and Sleigh:




Santa over NYC: He's going to Sox's home in Brooklyn!

Of all of the photos, this simple little one stands out to me, Santa over NYC.



On the way out I took a photo of the tinsel garland stars on Sunset Blvd. It was understated, but very appropriate decor.

Sunset Blvd:


On Hollywood Blvd. they had Shooting Star Decor.

Hollywood Blvd:


Back at AOA I took some photos of the resort, but not too many as I wanted to get warm. Here are a couple from Nemo and Cars.

Car's Sheriff Car:


Squirt:


Tomorrow we go back to EPCOT. - MP

[debi]

Glad you got to see the Osbourne Family Lights, its hard to describe the sheer scale of them all, but they are definitely something you have to see.
Your photos of them came out great

[mickeyspal]

Glad you got to see the Osbourne Family Lights, its hard to describe the sheer scale of them all, but they are definitely something you have to see.
Your photos of them came out great

Yes, they did; I was very lucky. That light display was beyond words. It was def. one of the highlights of my trip. - MP

[DisneyRoxMyTubeSox]

Santa over NYC: He's going to Sox's home in Brooklyn!

Thanks for that, MP! He arrived safely to my home Christmas Eve.

It looks like you had an awesome trip! I've always wanted to be at the parks during the Christmas season. Thanks to your report, it's like I was there.

[mickeyspal]

It was an awesome trip, Sox. I hope that you get to go some year for the Christmas festivities. I thought that it would be my only holiday trip, but I want to go again sometime to do each and every country around WS and enjoy all of the decorations again. It was wonderful.

Day 6 - EPCOT:
We had breakfast at AoA as usual. I was finally out of cinnamon roll from the Main St. Bakery at MVMCP so I had the other half of my sandwich from the BOG restaurant! The mini fridges are great for leftovers!
Another full day at EPCOT was next on our schedule.



We had 2 ressies today and both were new places for all of us. Nobody knew where they were as I was keeping them as surprises. In FW we enjoyed the Seas with Nemo and Friends and then just strolled around doing pin trading and photography, until WS opened up.

Mine! Mine! Mine!:


A Sunny SSE:


We took some time to hear 'Off Kilter' and 'The British Invasion', and then my British friend enjoyed some serious shopping in the United Kingdom. Then we went on through to the German Pavilion where we did an in depth study of the heavenly Werther's Caramel Kitchen.

Heavenly Caramel Kitchen:


Finally it was time for lunch and I told my friends that we were already there. On another trip my one friend (who is German American) wanted to eat here, but I can't eat wursty foods so we didn't. Since then I've seen a menu (plus Unc told me) and found out that they also have normal food, so I booked us at the last minute. I realized that we still had a TS credit when our trip was almost here and apparently you can book the Biergarten almost anytime and get in. As I passed the interior I had a fleeting thought and vision of Reinhard Heydrich, but I shook that off and enjoyed the decorations. They were really nice with lights, and wreaths and garlands with gingerbread men.



We had a big laugh when the entertainment got going. The Oom Pah band was playing away and I knew about the 'Prosit' song, again because of Unc. I was already with stein in hand and yelled out, "Tickey Tockey, Tickey Tockey, Hoi, Hoi, Hoi!" Well, all of my friends eyes flew open and they jumped off of their seats while staring at me. I said to my German friend, "Get with the program; raise your stein and sing!" They wanted to know how I knew that since we had never been there before and I'm not German. The other people at the table were laughing at us. All in all of our 6 TS meals everyone gave the Biergarten 6th place for the food; it was good, but nothing special. We all, however, enjoyed the entertainment very much. They did the traditional German songs and then they did a Christmas segment which was very nice. The decorations and the entertainers made the meal very enjoyable.

Oom Pah Band:


Alpine Horns:



After lunch we visited the Teddy Bear, Christmas and Glass shops and then got take home treats from the Caramel Kitchen (their caramel covered shortbread is pure bliss).
In Norway we saw their Santa and heard their traditions.

Norwegian Santa and Helper:



Looking out of Norway:




Finally we circled around and left by the International Gate. Dinner tonight was at the Cape May Cafe in the Beach Club, so we spent the late afternoon and evening there. It was a new restaurant that would allow us to enjoy their decorations and we could see their gingerbread carousel.

The Beach Club:


We had dinner at the Cape May Clam Bake and feasted on snow crab legs, shrimp, chowder and all kinds of good things. Next we enjoyed the GB carousel and took photos of the chocolate Minnie and her all chocolate castle. Then we hit their shops.

GB Carousel:


Minnie' Castle:


After this I wanted to do what is a dream for people who live in the north in the Winter, hit an outdoor pool. I had no problem getting into Storm Along Bay at all and I didn't pretend that I was staying at the Beach Club, probably because it was off season. The guards were very accommodating and the water was lovely. The entire area is smaller than you might think; forced perspective is used for publicity shots, too! But, it was beautiful and I loved it.

Storm Along Bay:


We really enjoyed the Beach Club. The GF, by comparison, was not as comfortable in a vacation way. The GF is nice, but it's like hotels that I've been to for medical conferences or conventions, where as the Beach Club was warm and welcoming, comfortable and inviting. We liked it very much and we met a lot of nice people there. Of the two, I'd definitely choose the BC for a relaxing vacation trip; it's also so close to EPCOT that to me it's a win-win choice. After enjoying all the BC & YC had to offer, we returned to EPCOT and went and saw the Processional with Neil Patrick Harris, saw the Mr. & Mrs. Santa and GB house in the AA pavilion and strolled back through the WS taking in all of the sights. I watched the FON for a while and listened to the music and then said goodbye to EPCOT until my next trip. I had to get back to pack my bags so I would have an almost full day at the MK tomorrow. There was another full moon tonight.

The Moon over the FON:


Goodbye to EPCOT:


The full moon seemed to be out the entire week we were there! It was cool to see it over the Lion King characters.

Moon over the Savannah:


Tomorrow is the MK and they will be filming the big parade for Christmas Day. Uh Oh! LOL - MP

[debi]

We visited the Karamell-Küche shop on our last trip, the hand made popcorn with the caramel coating (not the pre-packaged stuff) was excellent

Way to go!, I'm so proud of you for getting into the Beach Club's pool.
I know it upsets a lot of people (feel free to challenge me as I'm a shameless pool-hopper ) and I do understand why they have to keep out the riff-raff at busy times, but there is nothing that pleases me more than sneaking into that heavenly sandy-bottomed pool.
If its a quiet time of year and you are not keeping out legitimate guests (lets face it I'm never going to be one of those), then its hardly the crime of the century to use the pool is it?
(Pool Hopping tip from my good friend DD, if you can't get into the Y&B Clubs pool, head over to the Boardwalk - its usually a lot quieter and they don't seem to have the same restrictions as they do at Stormalong Bay)

I have already got a pool raiding excursion planned for the Poly for my next trip.
During a break from the MK on our last visit we did a recce on the washroom changing facilities and towel provision, and I figure that as long as you look confident and know what you are doing, no one will know the difference.

[mickeyspal]

We visited the Karamell-Küche shop on our last trip, the hand made popcorn with the caramel coating (not the pre-packaged stuff) was excellent
Way to go!, I'm so proud of you for getting into the Beach Club's pool.
I know it upsets a lot of people (feel free to challenge me as I'm a shameless pool-hopper ) and I do understand why they have to keep out the riff-raff at busy times, but there is nothing that pleases me more than sneaking into that heavenly sandy-bottomed pool.
If its a quiet time of year and you are not keeping out legitimate guests (lets face it I'm never going to be one of those), then its hardly the crime of the century to use the pool is it?
(Pool Hopping tip from my good friend DD, if you can't get into the Y&B Clubs pool, head over to the Boardwalk - its usually a lot quieter and they don't seem to have the same restrictions as they do at Stormalong Bay) I have already got a pool raiding excursion planned for the Poly for my next trip.
During a break from the MK on our last visit we did a recce on the washroom changing facilities and towel provision, and I figure that as long as you look confident and know what you are doing, no one will know the difference.

I love the Caramel Kitchen; it's the best thing in the Germany pavilion! I don't pool hop when I'm in WDW, but I used the CR's pool in 2010 as my cousins were afraid that I was going from heat exhaustion to heat stroke when we went to rent the Sea Raycer boats and I got really weak and dizzy; they got me to the pool and we cooled off there. It was the hottest weather I had ever experienced in WDW. Heat is especially dangerous to certain neuromuscular diseases. I've always been very happy with the CBR pools (and the AOA pools were wonderful!). Like I said I didn't have to sneak in at the BC; you can see from the photo that hardly anyone was there. If you're polite and it's an unbusy off season, sometimes the CMs are more than happy to let you use a pool. I know that it's not allowed, but I don't think it's my business to tell other members, "You're not allowed to do that." If you want to pool hop on your vaca, then I say, "Have fun; that's your business." - MP

[mickeyspal]

Day 7 - MK:
Our last day started with a Monorail ride and a breakfast at Chef Mickey's.



We had a great breakfast, lots of good food fun and photos with the characters and then we enjoyed looking at the giant GB tree and the CR's shops. We then Monorailed it back to the MK; it was PANDEMONIUM!!!!! They were filming the big parade for Christmas day and there were squeaky, squealy, little people flipping and jumping everywhere. WDW must really like cheerleaders. The crowds kept yelling and clapping on cue. It was really comical; there was little enthusiasm one second and then there was riotous applause and cheers the next second when cued. It wasn't too hard getting around; you just couldn't cross Main St. while they were filming. We cut through the Emporium.

An Emporium Window showing a 'Mickey's Christmas Carol' scene:


We wanted to shop there anyway since we had gotten more of the 20% off coupons in the restaurants we had eaten in the days before.

Emporium Window Displays:




After shopping, we went over to the HM and asked if we could please have 'Caretaker Cards' for our scrapbooks. I guess the 'Please' was appreciated because, geeze, they gave us all kinds of goodies: the Caretaker cards, funny 'safety cards' with Pumba and Timmon and all kinds of stickers of different characters. They'll all look great in our scrapbooks. I swear it was just because I said 'please'; think about it, to me that might mean that the CM that gave them to us doesn't maybe hear manners from a lot of guests???? That's really sad if it's true. We went into the Frontierlandland and did the good old Country Bears.

Sun Bonnet Gals:


Then we saw some Rootin' Tootin' Chip Monks:


WE went to Adventureland and out to Town Square where the filming had broken up for the day. I got a Minnie Mouse Caramel Apple to take home for my Mom and we all lingered in the Candy shop and picked up candy to take home. I loved this tray of goodies on display from the bakery.



We walked around TS and did some photos of the decorations.




I like this shot because it looks like the sun is the flame in the lantern:


It was starting to sink in that it was getting close to leaving time. So we went into the Photography hall and saw the Princesses and Mickey and then left to get the bus to AoA.

Leaving the MK...'The Arch to the Magic':


It was time for the ME to wisk us off to the airport for our 7PM flight home :( , but I was so filled with Christmas Magic inside of me. I thought that this would be my only Christmas trip, but now I know that this was just my first Christmas trip. I want to go back again some year and and really explore each and every country's traditions and stories and take in all of the decorations, music and festivities again. In the meantime, I'm planning my next trip.....MNSSHP and The Seven Dwarf's Cottage and Diamond Cart Ride!

I'm sorry that this report took me so long to complete. It has never taken me so long to do so little, but I certainly had fun doing all of it. It was so enjoyable going through the trip all over again. - MP

[debi]

Thanks for completing your trip report, it doesn't matter how long it took you, it only made the report last longer

The the funny things about Disney is, you might only ever plan to do things once but I swear they put something in the water that makes you keep coming back for more.
We planned the 'trip of a lifetime' a 'one off' for the millennium celebrations and 13 years later we are still coming back for more.
We said 'never again' after one visit over Christmas, but seeing your trip report has got me wishing that I was doing that all over again instead of being home.
And I can't tell you how many times we have looked back on both our first child free trip and our visit to the Food & Wine Festival without wondering when we can do it all again (much to the disgust of our children).

You'll go back again at Christmas - you got bitten! (and I'm hoping that 'he who earns the money' will get bitten by the cruise bug too )

[athenna]

Awesome trip report, MP! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!