The rest of it!!
December 28th--Sunday
Our first day at the parks!! We awoke at 645 viewed a wedding in the gazebo as we got readied, had breakfast in the Yacht Club lobby, and marveled at the decorations. The lobby itself was very elegantly appointed, as was the room. They had a huge Christmas tree in the middle with many a white light on it, and a village underneath with a working train. The balconies were adorned with wreaths and were draped and decorated with greenery and lights.
We walked to MGM and got there a little after opening at 8. The park was nicely empty and we went on ToT and RnRC multiple times. The new seat belts added a great feel to the elevators. We went on each four times, and when the waits reached 25 mins, we FP'd ToT. We then explored other parts of the park, had a very funny encounter with Carlotta Diamond at the Tip Board, got my picture with her, then rode Star Tours and Great Movie Ride with little to no waits. Went back to the Tower, had a great ride, and left the park to go back to the pools for sunning as the weather was in the 70s again.
We had lunch at poolside at Hurricane Hanna's and laid around for a bit, swam, played tennis, and relaxed.
That night we went to Magic Kingdom by bus at 6ish and he park was more packed than we ever expected--we waited 30 mins for Pirates and decided that we had to leave. We took a monorail to Grand Floridian to take some Christmas pictures and it was beautiful. From there, we walked back over to Polynesian b/c this was the night of the surprise dinner me and my sis had for our parents at OHANAS for them being the best parents and thank yous for all the trips. The PS was for 810, we sat at 832, but did have the window seat I requested so it was okay. The food was delicious, entertainment fun, and we watched WISHES from our table. My mom got teary eyed and my dad said this whole evening was great. The turkey and pork were so tender, and the fresh pineapple with warm caramel for dessert was delectible. This was our best meal of the vacation!!
Afterwards, my parents went back to our room and me and my sis went back to MK, now 1015. It was snowing on Main Street and the park was like a different park--completely empty. We went on all the Mtn rides with waits under 30 mins, and walked on Haunted Mansion which previously had a 70 mins wait. We got back to the room by midnight and went to bed, but not before telling our parents they prolly missed the best night at MK b/c of the short waits and snowy skies.
December 29th--Monday
We slept in till 830 b/c we had a PS for Chef Mickey's at 945, which was our very first character breakfast. This was also the prearranged day it was decided that we would celebrate my birthday b/c a car ride all day on your birthday stinks, and if you turn the '6' around it makes a '9' so we celebrated my 21st bday on the 29th in lieu of the 26th. We got seated right away at the Contemp. and were in one of the smaller rooms with 5 tables in the back at the window overlooking the Castle and Space Mtn. The food was great and the characters paid very good attention to us. We got great pictures and our waitress had all the characters come over at once for my bday and we got a group shot. Chip even fed me my birthday muffin and Minnie motioned Mickey has yet to give her a wedding ring and she needed a guy, a tall guy like me. Very funny and cute.
Afterwards, we went to Caribbean Beach for the afternoon to check it out. It's a great place that we love, having staying there 11 times prior. As much as we loved it--and still do--we realized that the Yacht Club is much better, but we would stay at CB again if YC was not available. We shopped and had lunch there, and went to our old room we ALWAYS get, 5257!! I got all teary eyed b/c the memories there are so strong and it really is a beautiful place. Of course I was still wearing my birthday hat all day and living it up!! Back at Yacht Club, we saw another wedding with Mickey and Minnie in attendance and a live violinist.
At night, we walked to Epcot and saw CandleLight Processional with Gary Sinese. It was amazing and powerful and really made us think of the real meaning of Christmas and to stop rushing around and appreciate everything. We ate footlong hotdogs as a family--its a DisneyWorld Epcot tradition to do--as we waited in line, 45 mins prior to the show. Well worth the wait!!!! After the show, we went to Mission Space and were dissappointed to see a 180 mins wait. As I was walking back to tell my family the bad news, a girl CM, about my age, yelled Happy Birthday and we started talking for a good 5 mins. When it was over, she said Happy Bday and gave me free tickets for TT and MS. I could not believe this!!!! We went right on MS and it was absolutely one of the best rides I had ever ridden. My sis got a bit disoriented, but we all liked it a lot. Amazing I think, especially when you bypass the line completely!! And Gary Sinese was very well casted! I regret badmouthing the ride even before I rode it...never have I ever felt a sensation like that, with the visuals and g forces. I already wrote a letter on behalf of that excellent CM!! At Test Track, I met Kenan in person for the first time and we had good conversation for awhile. He's a great guy and a really good friend. Thanks Kenan!! He of course picked me out b/c of my birthday hat which I never took off the whole day! We had some good laughs and then I left, but every time I was atEpcot, I made it a purpose to find Kenan and talk--we had a good time. Later that night, we then walked around Word Showcase, always spending most of the time in Norway b/c of our heritage, and got some cool pictures and awesome gifts! We walked back to our room, went for a quick swim, and then into bed!
December 30th--Tuesday
We awoke and went to MK and went on all the big rides with very little waits if at all. We were there till about noon, left and went back to the pool. It was our first cloudy day so me and my dad drove to RonJon (which still is not like "The Original" here in Jersey) and checked out the beach and store. Very different than the beach right outside my doorstep, but just as beautiful. We got back to Yacht Club and me and my sis went out to Epcot for more MS and TT passes that the friendly CM girl gave to me, and more Epcot rides like Imagination, HISTA, etc, and we had a great night. I talked to Kenan some more but he saw me first this time. I also met many more Test Track CMs who were so funny and high energy. We happened to run into our parents in China, and we stumbled upon the Julenissen in Norway who still brings presents to us each Christmas. We got a picture with him. A great day, just cloudy weather, but went on good rides many times and talked with Kenan again and had some fun with my parents' friends' kids. We went to MGM at night for our first ever viewing of Fantasmic which we had always wanted to do, but never had the time. Needless to say we were a little dissappointed, it's a good show, just not as slam bang as we expected! We went to Tubbi's for dinner at the Dolphin b/c their pizza is very good.
December 31st--Wednesday
We awoke early, had breakfast at the Resort, and then went to MK at opening and went on a whole bunch of rides. It was not as crowded as we expected early on, but we did have to leave by 11 b/c it just got out of hand. We then went on ToT at MGM and walked back to the pool to tan and swim, and my parents like it there b/c their friends are there as well and they have kids that are my age. Played more tennis, worked out, and swam a lot. That evening, we walked into Epcot and had a PS at Biergarten in Germany for 645. My mom and I danced on stage, the food was good and plentiful, and the atmosphere was perfect for New Years Eve. We were even there when Germany celebrated their New Years actually in Germany and the place went nuts!! It was a really good time. We went on MS and TT again with more tickets that we had from the sweet CM, and went on Imagination again. I'm pretty sure I hung out with Kenan again at TT. The park was crowded but managable. We spent the evening from 930 on at the Japan pavilion at the video dance party. Me and my sis were on the big screen a lot of the time, and my parents had a good time with their friends. Me and my sis danced a lot, met some nice 20somethings who were funny and we rang in the New Year, even if it was a few minutes late at Epcot that night. The fireworks were amazing, made the entire ground shake, and left the thickest cloud of smoke. It was unbelievable, something unforgettable. We danced a bit more after, then walked back to our Resort at 1245. Best ever b/c we dealt with NO TRAFFIC!! Last year taking the bus to Caribbean Beach was pretty bad! We had a great New Years!
Jan 1st--Thursday
We slept in till 930ish, had breakfast downstairs, and worked out in the morning, walking, running, and tennis. All day, we relaxed at the pool with temps in the lower 80s. It was downright HOT. For dinner, we ate at Olive Garden at CrossRoads and had an excellent meal. I love fake Italian food so much more than hardcore Italian!! We went to bed early, only after watching the fireworks from our balcony again.
Jan 2nd--Friday
Our last day. We awoke early at 645 and went to MK. We went on all the rides we hadnt riden before, Fantasyland and the other more children rides. My dad brought with him a picture of Snow White and him from 1973 on the steps of City Hall, in hopes of showing someone and being able to recreate it. We just laughed at him and never thought he'd be able to get it. We asked at Guest Relations and they told him she'd be meeting for photos in Toontown. While waiting for her, my dad struck up a conversation with a CM, not wearing the traditional clothing but much more professional, and she said "I'll make it happen." She makes a few phone calls and comes back saying to meet Snow on the steps of City Hall at 245. We got so excited, but we had time to kill. We went on many rides now that the park was much more empty, Fastpassed the big stuff, did Tom Sawyers, TTA, all of Fantasyland, Adventureland, more mountains, jsut had a great time--I even got a picture with Cruella DeVille, my absolute favorite whom I can never find. It was getting close to meeting time, so we made our way to City Hall as the parade was going by. Someone must have told Snow about the meeting right after b/c she looked over on the steps of City Hall, where we were waiting, and my dad raised his picture up real high above the crowds, she noticed it, waved, blew a kiss, mouthed seeya soon, and got all excited. Not 5 minutes later, Snow walked out of City Hall, gave my dad a big hug, he kissed her hand, she said she's missed him all these years and remembered the picture she had taken with him, haha, and that neither of them ahve changed one bit. The lady CM who made this all happen was there and roped the area off so we had a private photo session with Snow. We took pictures, talked to her, took video, and had a great time. She kissed us all, and was being very affectionate and touchy and played the part GREAT! It was the best experience ever at Disney. She must have been with us for a good 10 mins and a huge crowd gathered and couldnt believe what was going on, nor could we. We spoke to the CM again, got her name and some contact info, and talked with her for a while, she was super and said it was her pleasure.
We left the park and took a monorail to Epcot to go on MS and TT for the last time, Fastpass style. MS was still a super ride 4 rides later, its really unbelievable. But I dont know if thats b/c we really ever waited in the full line--maybe if we waited 180 mins we'd feel different. TT is great as well as long as the wait is kept to a minimal.
We then hopped over to MGM for more ToT and RnRC and went on them many more times. We left MGM at park closing and went to MK for the remainder of the night and did all the mountains, especially Space Mtn, and waited very little in line. Watched SpectroMagic, went on some more slower rides, did Big Thunder again, and ended the vacation with a spin on TTA, one of the best rides I think, haha. We left the park by bus and of course I got all choked up. Whenever I know its my last time at a park, I always turn around and mouth "bye and thank you" to it b/c I do have an amazing time.
We got back to the room, went to bed, had already packed earlier in the day, awoke at 330am and checked out of Yacht Club. It was a great vacation!
SUMMATIONS
-The weather was beautiful this week--upper 70s to lower 80s mostly, with only one day of clouds.
-The crowds were bearable for us--we'd leave the parks by 11ish generally and return to them after 530, laying at the pool all afternoon.
-All restaurants and meals were super, Ohana def. standing out as the best, but was upset b/c I didnt eat any hamburgers b/c of the mad cow thing, just to play it safe, but i love WDW hamburgers!!
-New Years was super and amazing--yet the Osborne Lights were HIGHLY missed.
-Character meals are fun even if you are 21!
-WDW gets better and better the older I get as I appreciate more and more...our 13th trip was the best!!! Caribbean and the then named Dixie Landings really are nothing like Yacht Club!! But I love 'em all!!!
-Yacht Club was amazing and we wont be staying elsewhere for a while, the view, the overlooking of 5 weddings, the pool, the quiet pool, and the decorations and elegant atmosphere all added up to soemthign we had never expected!!!!
Well, if anyone read this, thank you. At the very least I wrote it all down somewhere for my easy reference. And I really hope that your vacations are jsut as good as mine, and that we ALL get to go again sometime very soon!!!:xmas:
