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.

 

[Zipadeelady]

Wait! WHat? There are two stretching rooms!!? I've never heard that anywhere!! I've ridden HM many, many times and I never knew. Are you sure? Do you walk a different way to the stretching rooms. I've always just walked ahead into a room. Mind Blown!

 

[Tuvalu]

Wait! WHat? There are two stretching rooms!!? I've never heard that anywhere!! I've ridden HM many, many times and I never knew. Are you sure? Do you walk a different way to the stretching rooms. I've always just walked ahead into a room. Mind Blown!

Yes there are two ~ one on the left of the fireplace with the “aging” portrait and one on the right.

 

[krause]

More @Tuvalu report!

 

[MegRuss626]

Wait! WHat? There are two stretching rooms!!? I've never heard that anywhere!! I've ridden HM many, many times and I never knew. Are you sure? Do you walk a different way to the stretching rooms. I've always just walked ahead into a room. Mind Blown!

You and me both! Had NO idea! I even looked at my husband after I read it to ask if he knew....to which he replied he did

 

[sheriffwoody]

You and me both! Had NO idea! I even looked at my husband after I read it to ask if he knew....to which he replied he did

It's easy to overlook since you usually just shuffle in with other people shoulder to shoulder. If you pay attention though, you can make sure you stand right by the door inside whichever stretching room you go into. It's nice to get ahead of the bottleneck to the doom buggies.

 

[AKemily]

“Fill in ALL the available space. If the bodies in front of you stop moving, just assume they are dead and step around them.”

My favourite is "Fill in all the ...dead space."

Yes there are two ~ one on the left of the fireplace with the “aging” portrait and one on the right.

I don't think I've ever been in the room on the right! This past trip I maneuvered us right in front of the door on the left and then right in front of the door to the doombuggy room so we skipped that bottleneck @sheriffwoody is referring to. I'm glad it wasn't the door on the right that opened! Not only would I have been totally thrown off but I don't know which wall the door to the doombuggies is from the room on the right.

More @Tuvalu report!

 

[amjt660]

“If the bodies in front of you stop moving just assume they are dead and step around them”

This is standard operating procedure in Shanghai!!

Max

 

[Tuvalu]

“If the bodies in front of you stop moving just assume they are dead and step around them”

This is standard operating procedure in Shanghai!!

Max

I thought of you when I typed that!

 

[Zipadeelady]

I'm still kind of in shock but the more I think of it, it makes perfect sense. I just don't remember going to the left. Hmmmm. The things @Tuvalu can teach you.

 

[Pirate Magic]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I'm still kind of in shock but the more I think of it, it makes perfect sense. I just don't remember going to the left. Hmmmm. The things @Tuvalu can teach you.

It’s possible you never experienced the left side. I’d say the majority of my time has been spent in the stretching room on the right.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Saturday (con’t)

We had a few minutes before our next FP at Pooh, so we headed over to Storybook Gifts to check on the elusive Christmas shirt I wanted for my mom. It was out of stock there too, and since I was now running out of options I decided on this one ~

(Mom likes Clarabelle and was delighted with this shirt <phew!>)

When we arrived at Pooh, the attraction was down for technical issues. We received an “anytime” FP (which proved invaluable later!) plus I was able to immediately make a 4th FP selection. However because the park was so busy, all available FP times were for the evening only. I snagged one for Little Mermaid.

We had about 30 minutes until we could check in for lunch. So we sat on a “bench” wall and people-watched. There were LOTS of people to watch as MK was insanely crowded.

We were especially amused by the number of people who stopped and asked about Be Our Guest availability.

“Come back in about 9-12 months,” we heard a CM tell a befuddled guest.

A senior couple on twin ECVs tried to check in an hour early and were shocked (and angry!) when they were turned away.

In fact, there were more people turned away at check in than arrived to check in.

“Those cast members are not so much greeters as they are bouncers!” Woody observed.

Five minutes prior to our ADR time I joined the (now long) line to check in. Since we had pre-ordered, we bypassed the sea of humanity waiting on the bridge. Upon entering the Ballroom I was delighted to spy a table right next to the Christmas tree! Rain on us, pixie dust!!

Simply beautiful.

At this moment I was so happy. Certain experiences in the parks bring me overwhelming joy and sitting in the Ballroom near the tree at Christmastime is one of the big ones.

And the turkey sandwich today was so so good! (Couldn’t finish it without @TrolleyFollower91 to help me.)

 

[MeeskaMooska0714]

So sorry I missed your birthday! It looks like you had an amazing celebration!!

 

[Tuvalu]

So sorry I missed your birthday! It looks like you had an amazing celebration!!

No worries!

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I had a VIP meet up after lunch. If you have read https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...ap-ssr-december-trip-report-completed.936664/ you already know the VIPs.

A warm welcome to @Mrhappyplace and his lovely wife @myhappyplace!

They had spent their morning on the Keys to the Kingdom tour and shared with us several fascinating tidbits, including the news that one of the HM stretching rooms was closed for repair. (They are also cat people....like us...hence my use of the kitty emoji.)

A fine way to spend time with new friends....a grand circle tour (and then some) on the MPB!

They had a few FPs to use and Woody and I needed a break from MK craziness so we parted ways at the Main Street station.

I wanted to check out the decorations at the Poly (since Em and I did not have a chance to) so we jumped on the resort monorail.

The following picture is proof as to why I shouldn’t wait so long to complete a trip report.

???????

What the heck is so important about this moment that I felt the need to document it with a picture??!! I mean it’s not like I’m drunk and taking pictures of strangers (looking at you, @BuddyThomas ).

Anyhoo the reason is dead and gone, never to be revealed.

 

[Tuvalu]

The main Christmas tree at the Poly is on the lobby level so after disembarking the monorail we walked down the stairs.

I don’t think the tropical theme and Christmas mix well together which is why I don’t stay at the Poly during the holidays.

But any other time of year.......

I do miss the waterfall, but the tiki is growing on me.

(Can you see the tiki on Woody’s hat? Em had it specially made for him.)

The poinsettias are pretty.

Near Capt. Cooks is a window display of old photographs and paraphernalia. We had fun checking it out.

A “bob-around” boat

I never got to ride in one as a child because my parents were anti-Poly and we always stayed at the Contemporary. To be fair, my dad would rent us water sprites (the 70s version of Sea Raycers) and those were a blast to pilot all around Bay Lake!

My dad loved steel bands and we always had to stop and watch the performers in Adventureland (now the spot where Captain Jack’s Pirate Tutorial is held.) He probably owns this album!

(Perhaps we would have stayed at the Polynesian if Dad could have had a steel band outside his longhouse!)

Woody wanted to see the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian and rather than jump back on the monorail we decided to walk and take advantage of the gorgeous weather.

This was taken right outside my namesake longhouse. The trees have grown so tall over the last several years that the castle is almost obscured.

Now I see it!

I think the rocks are a nice addition (wish the reason for them wasn’t so sad.)

Almost there!

 

[Tuvalu]

More pretty poinsettias. And reindeer!

The flower arrangements at the GF are marvelous.

As is the tree.

But the reason we’re here?

I was telling my new daughter-in-law about the gingerbread house after I had returned from my trip with Em so I sent her the following pics as we admired the details.

We then rode the monorail back to MK and waited a long time for the bus back to WL. I don’t know why we didn’t take the boat, but my guess is the line was long and we didn’t feel like waiting in it.

We made it back to the lounge in time to grab a cold beverage just before it closed at 4 pm.

 

[MinnieM123]

I do miss the waterfall, but the tiki is growing on me.

I miss the waterfall and lush green foliage. Tiki replacement does nothing for me.

The flower arrangements at the GF are marvelous.

Spectacular floral arrangement--big, lavish displays are perfect for the GF.

I was telling my new daughter-in-law about the gingerbread house after I had returned from my trip with Em so I sent her the following pics as we admired the details.

The gingerbread house is amazing! Love the photos.

 

[Pirate Magic]

From what I saw you must have had a great Birthday!!! I appreciate your reports so much since I only go down to Disney once a year. But I am fortunate at least I get to go.... The people at work think I am crazy, but I need my DISNEY FIX...

 

[Tuvalu]

From what I saw you must have had a great Birthday!!! I appreciate your reports so much since I only go down to Disney once a year. But I am fortunate at least I get to go.... The people at work think I am crazy, but I need my DISNEY FIX...

All of us crazies in here need our Disney fix!! We understand. Thanks for faithfully following along!