Trip Report ‘Tis The Season For More Disney! *COMPLETED*

Fa la la la la
la la la LA

But let’s be honest.
Which season isn’t the season for more Disney?
In 2017 I have been fortunate to experience winter, spring and summer in the world.
And now the holidays!
Since December is such a festive time of year at the parks, I think two trips are in order....don’t you?

Trip #1
Cast: Tuvalu and Em
When: December 1-4, 2017
Where: Port Orleans Riverside
Why: A Jingle BAM Birthday 2.0

Join us as we attend our first MVMCP, wander around World Showcase like a couple of newbies, meet a forum friend and intentionally watch LOTS of fireworks....did we get to Illuminations this year?

You’ll have to wait and see.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Were you able to hear the music of Jingle Bell Jingle Bam ok from the Echo Lake area? I watched the Star Wars show one time over there and I couldn't hear the music very well, the area background music was on. I liked the view of the show just fine but wanted to hear the actual show music better. That was awhile ago so I was just wondering.

 

[Tuvalu]

Were you able to hear the music of Jingle Bell Jingle Bam ok from the Echo Lake area? I watched the Star Wars show one time over there and I couldn't hear the music very well, the area background music was on. I liked the view of the show just fine but wanted to hear the actual show music better. That was awhile ago so I was just wondering.

Yes we could!

 

[riverside]

All caught up!!
I love the Echo Lake photos at night. They are great!! It looks so pretty!
I was thrilled to see the fountain back in working order--it's about time!!
I missed out on the "lands" shirt. I couldn't find it anywhere--I should have bought it when I first saw it!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I missed out on the "lands" shirt. I couldn't find it anywhere--I should have bought it when I first saw it!!

I’ve learned that lesson myself a few times! I got our shirts last summer but don’t remember where I found them.

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, December 4

I was up early again but this time awakening on my own. Our room wasn’t exactly in the quietest location since many service vehicles used the pathway adjacent to our building. And the parking lot was right out front (but no car alarms last night.)

But we never heard nor saw a single dog. (@kaitertot5249) Now we did not spend much time in our room or even at the resort, but I am guessing there weren’t any dogs there during our stay. The “dog friendly” policy has been in effect for a couple months now and I haven’t read a single complaint from someone who has stayed at POR (or any of the other “dog friendly” resorts.) Perhaps it won’t be a big nuisance like many of us feared. I hope so!

Em and I packed our belongings and dropped them at Bell Services before going to breakfast....another round of muffins.

There were HUGE lines at the South Depot and we waited over 20 minutes for a bus to arrive. Happy it was one of the big bendy buses ~ but two scooters needed to be loaded first and then the driver only allowed people to board from the front door. The whole process took an additional 20 minutes!

We never thought we’d make it to MK!

We had forgotten to take our traditional picture by the “Days Until Christmas” sign until now.

Had to get one with the toy soldier!

And with the giant MK tree.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I used our “Disney feet” to get to the castle hub for the Welcome Show.

The officiant announcing the royal proclamation....

....and the Big Cheese himself.

Other friends arrive on stage.

We need a little magic, Fairy Godmother!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, Em took this shot for you @epcotisbest!

The train station Welcome Show this is not. But it is short, sweet and character-laden (and better than nothing.)

Going in with the masses to Fantasyland!

 

[riverside]

I’ve learned that lesson myself a few times! I got our shirts last summer but don’t remember where I found them.

Worst part is I saw that shirt over & over at Fulton's. When we return to the resort for the day we have a habit of getting off at the South Depot & wandering through Fulton's--like, every day we're there I have no excuse.....

 

[MinnieM123]

She brought our bread when she returned from the kitchen. Apparently it was a big deal to add onion, cause the chef would have to slice it, blah blah blah. She spoke very condescendingly.

This scene is bizarre on so many levels. What CHEF can't slice an onion quickly? Did this guy or gal flunk out of cooking school? But more to the point, if they don't allow substitutions from the menu (some restaurants don't), then the server should have come back and said, sorry, we're not allowed to accept orders requesting substitutions from our menu. This is not rocket science.

 

[Tuvalu]

This scene is bizarre on so many levels. What CHEF can't slice an onion quickly? Did this guy or gal flunk out of cooking school? But more to the point, if they don't allow substitutions from the menu (some restaurants don't), then the server should have come back and said, sorry, we're not allowed to accept orders requesting substitutions from our menu. This is not rocket science.

Sounds like a catchy title for a book ~ Mama Melrose and the Great Onion Mystery

 

[epcotisbest]

Em and I used our “Disney feet” to get to the castle hub for the Welcome Show.

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The officiant announcing the royal proclamation....
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....and the Big Cheese himself.
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Other friends arrive on stage.
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We need a little magic, Fairy Godmother!
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Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, Em took this shot for you @epcotisbest!
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The train station Welcome Show this is not. But it is short, sweet and character-laden (and better than nothing.)

Going in with the masses to Fantasyland!
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Love it! One of these days I am gonna time that pic right. Oh, who am I kidding? I always miss it.

 

[Tuvalu]

We had yet to visit a classic so we went there first.

Can you spot Tink?

A ten minute wait was certainly much better than the 70 minutes it had been on Saturday.

Oh @bee ......

Our next attraction was a “hunny” of a ride!

Then we walked around the Mine Train mountain and I got the famed Red Card. It wouldn’t be a Tuvalu/Em trip without it!

Three attractions in under an hour. The morning was starting off great. Just look at the glee on our faces!

 

[myhappyplace]

The Peter Pan ride is one of my favorites, and because it's so popular, I hardly ever get to ride it anymore without a FP...which means I miss the standby queue, which I think is adorable! Looks like a blue-sky beautiful morning!

 

[Tuvalu]

We passed Santa on our way to our first fast pass.

Mrs. Claus was rockin’ the red pants!

Were we heading out of Fantasyland?

Not yet.

We were assigned the last car. As I told @amjt660 in his report, I prefer the first car on 7DMT. I am not a fan of the swaying motion of the cars (due to my motion sensitivity) and there is less rocking in the front.

 

[Tuvalu]

Can you say #ShirleyStatus?

We picked up our 3D glasses and walked immediately into the theater....doors closed and the show started!

After watching Donald’s antics we popped into the smallest best-themed gift store in MK.

Em and I couldn’t resist these socks!!

Thought of you, @Tony the Tigger !

As we were browsing, a woman walked into the shop wearing this shirt:

Without missing a beat, the cast member at the counter called her over and handed her this large sticker:

I nearly wet my pants. The woman proudly stuck the sticker on her shirt. What a great moment!

Our next FP was right next door.

The CM at the door let too many guests into the foyer, resulting in a tight squeeze in the
stretching room. In fact the door was still open when the ghost host began his spiel and more guests crammed in.

When the intro was over (we were near the rear door) the crowd lunged forward. Em looked at me and said, “I don’t think I’ve ever been shoved out of the stretching room before!”

 

[Tuvalu]

Six attractions before lunch at 11 am?

Em didn’t want BOG for her birthday lunch. But we couldn’t possibly skip it at Christmas.

Breakfast was ending and lunch had just started so there were plenty of tables to choose from. We wanted to sit as close as possible to the tree.

Two tables away is pretty darn close.

We shared the (wait for it) turkey sandwich. Everything about it was perfect today!

Two Masters cupcakes. We. Never. Share.

Lunch put us in a happy Christmassy mood....and made us forget that the Tragical would be coming for us soon.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I would totally line up for a Tuvalu meet and greet!!!

 

[MegRuss626]

Six attractions before lunch at 11 am?

Em didn’t want BOG for her birthday lunch. But we couldn’t possibly skip it at Christmas.
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Breakfast was ending and lunch had just started so there were plenty of tables to choose from. We wanted to sit as close as possible to the tree.
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Two tables away is pretty darn close.

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We shared the (wait for it) turkey sandwich. Everything about it was perfect today!
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Two Masters cupcakes. We. Never. Share.

Lunch put us in a happy Christmassy mood....and made us forget that the Tragical would be coming for us soon.

Ahh...December can’t come soon enough to have that sandwich! I’ve missed it so!

 

[MegRuss626]

I would totally line up for a Tuvalu meet and greet!!!

Me too! When we decided to book for December, I came on here to find out my odds of a Tuvalu meet and greet would be!

 

[Gabe1]

Since we were close to my favorite attraction, I asked Em if we could visit the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. (Oh wait, wrong story....but you know where I’m going with this!)

To our delight we came upon another PP without a line. He also had a lantern.

And I liked this one much better!!

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Is this room actually stretching?
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Ha! I love the facial expressions for both you and Em holding those lanterns!

The BEST part of the parade is definitely the end segment! Toy soldiers, reindeer and Santa!


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And now the Marchers!
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Don’t you just want to give him a hug?!
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Santa! I know him!
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The soldiers never fail. Love.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Me too! When we decided to book for December, I came on here to find out my odds of a Tuvalu meet and greet would be!

I keep searching all around for familiar faces but I make eye contact with someone and think OMG they must be from the forum and in actuality they just think I’m a freak! One day I’ll find @Tuvalu