Trip Report Bucket List Trip - Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional

Who: Paul (67) and my wife Sheila (72) Yes, we are seniors and very proud of that fact.
What: Christmas Around the World
Where: Disneys Riveria Resort
When: December 9-12, 2025
How: Planes (no train, no automobile) but Meers Bus, Skyliner and Monorail

 

[pkkurz]

We left our home in Louisville,Ky for our 725am flight. It was a balmy 27 degrees. It’s a 2 hours and 10 minutes flight to Orlando. I am a right leg amputee and travel in a motorized wheelchair. That can be a bit of a challenge going through TSA even with Pre-check. This morning it was smooth sailing. Wheel chair users are usually pre boarded and this flight was no exception. The only hiccup was that Southwest now requires the batteries to be removed and stowed in the overhead bin.

We arrived on time and wheelchair users are usually the last to get off the plane. It takes a few minutes for the ground crew to get the wheelchair up to the ramp. We headed to catch then fonerail to the terminal. Here we ran into a major delay in the fact that only one side is operational as they are in the process of replacing them. We were routed to a bypass that took us outside down a series of ramps and onto the tarmac. Then a bus to take us to the other side of the terminal and up another series of ramps. It was very frustrating.

 

[Tuvalu]

(The trip report, not the airport hassle!)

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Looking forward to more.

 

[pkkurz]

We made our way to the luggage carousel, retrieved our luggage and headed to check in at the Meers counter on the other side of the airport. Oh how I miss the days of Magic Express. We were boarded fairly quickly and started our journey. It was pretty much uneventful. Once on property we made numerous stops before finally arriving at the Riveria. Did I mention how much I miss Magic Express.

Our room was not ready (it was only around 1130). We checked our stuff with bell services and made our way to Primo Piatto to grab some lunch. I mobile ordered Citrus Glazed Chicken Strips for myself and a Bacon Cheddar Burger for my wife. No pictures as we were starving and devoured our lunch. We made our way to the Skyliner for our quick journey to EPCOT. BTW we have never stayed at the Riviera Resort before and chose this resort for Skyliner access. There was also a decent Passholder Discount too.

We entered Epcot and decided to visit as many of the storytellers as possible for The Festival of the Holidays. The weather was glorious. Much better than the frigid Kentucky we had left this morning. We headed towards France and at luck would have it Pere Noel was making his way to the designated spot for his presentation.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

What a great start to your report. Looking forward to the next chapter.

 

[pkkurz]

After France we made our way to Norway. We made a quick stop at the American Pavilion as the timing was right to catch the Voices of Liberty in full Dickens attire.

We arrived in Norway with only about 5 minutes to spare before the presentation of the Mischievous Magical Barn Santa.

Next up was Germany with Micha’s Adventskalender Puppetry. As the shown progresses we meet Krampus, the Easter Bunny, the Christ Child, Heinz, and Bernie the Badger. The puppeteer did a fantastic job of explaining Germany’s holiday traditions.