Trip Report It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas! *COMPLETED*

The soothing croon of Michael Bublé kept reverberating in my mind as I pondered starting yet another trip report. Like summer, the Christmas season makes me happy. Going to WDW during the Christmas season makes me VERY HAPPY. The joy of sharing my trips with my WDWMAGIC friends makes me happier still. Thank you for the encouragement to keep on writing!

Holiday Vacation #1
When: November 16-23, 2019
Where: Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Who: Tuvalu and Woody

Looky! I finally got a Magic Shot!

Okay, so it’s a bit creepy. But it leaves no doubt that this was a CHRISTMAS trip.

In mid-November.

But hey, we had Halloween in August!

And yours truly was very excited to experience Christmas decor at the resorts and in 3 of the 4 parks. (Epcot was still in full “Food and Wine” mode.) It wasn’t always this festive in November. We’ve been this same week in the past and outside of MK, there was very little decorating completed. I was so disappointed the year we stayed at WL (very close to turkey day) and missed out on the holiday stuff. I was worried the same thing would happen again. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Woody, on the other hand, is a “Let’s celebrate Thanksgiving before shifting our focus to Christmas” kind of guy. Growing up, his family did not put up their tree until CHRISTMAS EVE. (Can you imagine?!!) Over the years he has mellowed, thanks to my influence, and better tolerates the Christmas creep. Yet I was concerned that his inner Scrooge might reveal itself during this vacation.

I needn’t have worried. But I’m getting ahead of myself again.

Our week consisted of some new experiences and old experiences....some frustrations....some drama (of course!)....and a very magical meet.

Stay tuned.

 

[Swissmiss]

Ugh. I feel for you being on the bus with someone whose perfume is overpowering. Every once in a while I will be walking into the office building at the same time as this one woman, whose perfume makes me gag. I would literally start running to pass her in order to get into the building enough ahead of her so that I wouldn’t get stuck in the elevator with her. On the few times I was unsuccessful, I would then practice holding my breath for 7 floors... Luckily now all I have to do when I see her, since the 4+ year office renovation has finally finished and we once again have banks of elevators on both the north and south sides of the building, is to enter the building on the side opposite of where she enters and take the other bank of elevators

 

[MissViv]

Thanks for the bounce back offer. I think either Halloween or Christmas Seasons. I have been to both and I would love to talk my DH into going with me, otherwise I will go solo.

 

[Pirate Magic]

Le Cellier was a must-do for us before it went sig. Wonderful, large menu and decent service.
Those were the days.

That is for sure!! I miss the old days.

 

[Tuvalu]

MVMCP!!

One thing I knew for certain this trip.....if the parks and resorts weren’t all decked out for the holidays in mid-November.....I’d get a little Christmas by attending MVMCP. This would be my third year in a row of attending MVMCP. For years I was against paying extra for special events (and I had seen the Christmas parade and fireworks for free in past Decembers after the parties had ended). But I adore the MK at night and Disney has now made that more difficult during party seasons unless you fork over more $$.

Originally this trip was supposed to be 4 nights. Three of those nights were MVMCP nights. I purchased our party tickets the day they went on sale. A win for Disney. Would it be a win for us?

After a rest in the room (Woody took a long, much-needed nap) we headed back to MK. We opted to take the boat again, figuring there would be less of a security line on the boat dock than at the main entrance.

During our cruise I mobile ordered dinner from Cosmic Ray’s. We’d had a decent meal there before last year’s MVMCP.

We entered the park at 6:30 pm and took the “Welcome” path behind the Main Street shops. The PP lines were very long and I didn’t want to subject Woody to more awkward poses, so I took this quick pic instead.

We each received two large Minnie sugar cookies (for a total of 4). I am happy to report the cookies did not taste like popcorn this year!

Castle lights never grow old.

We found a table inside Cosmic Ray’s where I could admire the castle as I ate.

Woody and I ordered the same meal (shocker!) Grilled chicken sandwich with French fries.

We both visited the toppings bar. Woody said his sandwich was fine.

Mine was not. It was the worst piece of grilled chicken I’ve ever had ~ tough and chewy. Two bites and I was done. I took the chicken off the bun and constructed a mock BLT with cheese. The lines were much too long to request a new sandwich.

 

[Tuvalu]

Backing up for a moment......

Late this afternoon I had just settled Dream Friend Pooh on the second bed when I received a text from my brother. He asked if I had seen a “sleeping Pooh” plush in any of the parks. I immediately replied with the picture I posted earlier.

“You mean this one?”

“YES!! Can you get one for M (my 7 year old niece)? Want to surprise her for Christmas.”

Being the good sister I answered, “Absolutely!” M has a special place in my heart and I’d do anything to assist with a Christmas surprise. But unbeknownst to me, Pooh had just been released the day before. (Similar to the Dream Friend Figment that Em and I managed to snag for my mom last summer.) Finding him could be a challenge.

So the first thing Woody and I did after leaving Cosmic Ray’s was make a visit to the Hundred Acre Goods. I hoped there might have been a restock (since I’d bought the only one). Of course that hadn’t happened, but the CM offered to check stock property-wide. Pooh was available in ONE other location. Since that location was not in the MK, my quest would have to wait until tomorrow.

I had a list of priorities for MVMCP and we managed to do all but one. First up was the Speedway, which featured a holiday overlay of decorations, lights and music.

Woody drove (“I’m used to driving through holiday light displays”) and it was very fun!

 

[Tuvalu]

Next up was TTA......

....which included a ride through Space Mountain with its holiday overlay.

Non-stop flashing of alternating red and green lights. LOUD music that can only be described as angry Christmas tunes. More constant flashing of white lights that illuminated all the track as we passed by.

It was an epileptic nightmare which solidified our decision NOT to ride.

Space Mountain crossed off the list, we went in search of my next must-do.

This wasn’t it. But while Woody stopped in the restroom I popped into the Diamond Horseshoe, which was a treat location. It was beautiful!

We were not wowed by the cookies this year. Not just from Diamond Horseshoe. All cookies were pre-packaged and most tasted liked they were baked weeks ago. Disappointing.

 

[Darstarr]

Mine was not. It was the worst piece of grilled chicken I’ve ever had ~ tough and chewy. Two bites and I was done. I took the chicken off the bun and constructed a mock BLT with cheese. The lines were much too long to request a new sandwich.

I have to say, I have been having a hard time with chicken for the past 6 months or so. I buy it and some pieces are just horrible. Rubbery. Chewy. Even at restaurants we go to all the time this will happen. And now, the last two weeks or so, I see the grocery stores have low chicken inventory. Does anyone know what is going on? (Provided something is going on. I have talked to friends and they agree but maybe it’s a Long Island thing?) @riverside do you have any knowledge of any chicken problems?

 

[MissViv]

We attended MVMCP in November for the 1st time and I LOVED IT!! Didn't bother waiting in line for any "goodies" but did receive the first cookie when we entered, I later tossed it in the trash!

We loved the ambiance and the parade … we watched it sitting down, on a bench, (imagine that) on Main Street and the snow falling made it so magical. Would pay to go again! I would also like to attend the Halloween party (maybe this year).

 

[Tuvalu]

Jingle Cruise was the next must-do. I like it at night with the holiday overlay.

The line was long, which was another disappointment with MVMCP. There were several attractions with 30+ minute waits.

Unfortunately for us our wait was about to get longer. While I was busy reading the clever bulletin board notices, Woody witnessed a collision.

He said one of the skippers was goofing around and accidentally collided with another boat which was in the process of loading guests. No one was hurt but everything was halted until a safety check was made and the “hit” boat was moved to dry dock.

During this time an announcement was made that those in line would have an increased wait time due to technical difficulties caused by “hippos attacking a boat.”

Really?

Woody and I were not in a convenient spot to exit and no one else seemed to be moving, so we stayed put. We were in danger of missing the parade (which began in Frontierland) but the parade was an “if the timing works out” and not a “must-do.”

Our lengthy wait was worth it in the end. Skipper Katie had LOTS of enthusiasm and I got a chuckle watching the man in the onesie jammies, who was clearly too warm and was likely attired at his girlfriend’s request.

The wait for Pirates was ridiculously long so we opted for a snowman pretzel snack at Tortuga Tavern.

The pretzel was tasty, but I missed the blue snowcone which formerly accompanied it. This year was Fanta orange soda.

Got to enjoy the festive lighting on Pirates from our table.

 

[Tuvalu]

Our next must-do will surprise no one.

Got the back and didn’t have to ask!

After BTMRR we went to my favorite MVMCP treat location. Treat locations are identified by cute candy cane blow-ups.

At previous parties Pinocchio’s had the BEST hot chocolate. It also used to feature all 4 party cookie varieties. Not this year. One cookie and meh hot chocolate.

We had a few minutes before another must-do so we just hung out in the Haus.

 

[Tuvalu]

Though we’d seen Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks from our balcony, I was excited to watch them in the park. We did not feel like fighting the masses in front of the castle so we found a good spot on the Tomorrowland Bridge.

It meant we didn’t have the best view of the projections....

....but I’m all about the fireworks anyway!

And these were truly wonderful!

I especially enjoyed seeing the burst reflections in the water beneath us. After taking one crappy picture, I decided to put my phone away and just watch! We were fortunate that all the smoke blew away from us in the opposite direction.....which was not the case for our poor friends Mr & Mrs @93boomer a few days earlier.

 

[amjt660]

The monorail goes underneath Disneyland and becomes the subway.”

Ummmm, not in California. An Asian park, perhaps? Or was this just an ignorant comment? (Help me out @amjt660 or @bee.)

I only know of three parks with a monorail
Wdw , DLR and TDL
To the best of my knowledge known of them go underground

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

I only know of three parks with a monorail
Wdw , DLR and TDL
To the best of my knowledge known of them go underground

Max

Thanks, Max. I knew you’d know!

 

[Tuvalu]

A final spin on TTA ended our evening. I kept my eyes closed through Space Mountain so as not to have a seizure.

I really wanted a PP pic of us in front of the illuminated castle. We’d missed the opportunity last year.....the lights had flickered off for a stage show just as we’d found a PP CM....and the same thing happened tonight.

But as we were leaving, Woody noticed the lights were back on. He lifted his phone and told me to smile.

Not exactly what I wanted, but props to my beloved for his thoughtfulness!

He asked if I was sure I did not want to stay for the last parade. While I had the energy, I knew it would be a sacrifice for him as his cold was wearing him down. I told him I was sure and that I could catch the parade next month with Em. (Did I? You’ll have to wait for Part Tu.)

We did stop on the way out for PP pics.

A good one....

....and a lousy one.

No Magic Shot or anything else to indicate this was a MVMCP night. Sigh.

Overall we had a fun time. No regrets spending the extra money for a party though I wish fewer tickets were sold.

When we got back to WL I showed Woody the new location for the holiday bears. Formerly in the lobby, they now reside outside the main entrance of the Lodge.

 

[Swissmiss]

I’m glad you had a good Jingle Cruise. We had an awful one and I tried to get another one in during our trip, but lines were unfortunately too long

 

[MinnieM123]

Woody drove (“I’m used to driving through holiday light displays”) and it was very fun!

I'm glad that Woody was at the wheel, for the both of you. (Whew! )

 

[MissViv]

We really enjoyed the Jingle Cruise and didn't have to wait long at all. We also went to the Country Bear Jamboree, which I had not been to in years (probably the 80's) same old show but it's a good one.

 

[93boomer]

Though we’d seen Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks from our balcony, I was excited to watch them in the park. We did not feel like fighting the masses in front of the castle so we found a good spot on the Tomorrowland Bridge.

View attachment 442096

It meant we didn’t have the best view of the projections....

View attachment 442100

....but I’m all about the fireworks anyway!

View attachment 442097

And these were truly wonderful!

View attachment 442098

View attachment 442099

I especially enjoyed seeing the burst reflections in the water beneath us. After taking one crappy picture, I decided to put my phone away and just watch! We were fortunate that all the smoke blew away from us in the opposite direction.....which was not the case for our poor friends Mr & Mrs @93boomer a few days earlier.

Yep I can still smell that smoke

 

[k8einwdw]

I love your Christmas Mickey sweatshirt!

 

[Nunu]

I got a chuckle watching the man in the onesie jammies

Hmmm... nope!
I'm with you about this, I wouldn't wear pj's outside the house, not even if the onesie had printed Gingerbread Mickeys, (which I love!).