Trip Report A Not So Scary Very Merry Wine and Dine Dashing TR *updated 12/15

Finally getting around to writing my Trip Report!

If you want to read my PTR check it out here:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-not-so-scary-very-merry-wine-and-dine-dashing-ptr.888402/

In summary:

Dates:

Arrival Date: 24th October

Departure Date: 11th November

18 NIGHTS IN DISNEY!!!!!!!!!

Accomodation:

24th October – 4th November – All Star Sports
4th November - 7th November - Animal Kingdom Lodge (renting vacation points) with dining plan
7th November - 11th November - Art of Animation

The Cast

Me - Karen (26)
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My Sister – Rachel (21)
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My boyfriend – Sleepy

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Here we go!
 

dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 17 (cont)
Sunday 9th November: Sore legs, golf & Epcot

We stopped for a quick photo outside our resort with our shiny medals before heading to Epcot
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We had one thing on our minds this evening and that was FOOD & WINE!! Our last chance to get some more stamps for our passports.

I've got lots of pictures from our adventures around the world so enjoy!
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The problem with getting around to all of the countries is that you end up having dishes or drinks that you REALLY like so when you go back another day you want to have them again!!

Here is Rachel with the fisherman's pie from Ireland
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We were all shattered by the end of the evening, we stopped for a quick picture on our way out
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dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 18

Monday November 10th: Universal, California Grill & MVMCP

This morning we ventured out of Disney property and back to Universal Studios. This time we had our camera with us as we wanted to take it a bit slower and get lots of photos that we missed out on last time. As I've said before Universal with any 'loose article' including phones or cameras is a nightmare as you have to use lockers for so many rides and it just kills time!

We parked up and walked through City Walk and this time to IOA first. A tradition of ours has always been to ride The Hulk first so that's where we made a beeline for!

We decided to walk the long way around to the Harry Potter area via Jurassic Park World. We didn't want to get soaked so we gave the first water ride (ripsaw falls) a miss.
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More water rides! We gave this one a go but knew to sit at the back! Luckily we didn't really get wet
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
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I know I know... I missed my calling as a damsel in distress
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First glimpse of Harry Potter area as we made our way around
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Hogwarts!!
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The not so dueling dragons
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We rode the dragons and then went straight for the Hogwarts Express to Universal Studios
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The ride from IOA to Universal was different to the one we had taken the other way on the last visit so that's cool!

We spotted the night bus as we came out
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So we head over for our photograph and very unexpectedly get shouted at by the bus driver, we'd seen the group before us interact but we weren't really paying attention and thought it was just with the conductor guy!
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He was really funny and was talking to us about Ireland and how they are really good at quidditch
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The bus driver is definitely worth having a chat to I would recommend paying him a visit!

We explored diagon alley a bit more but I've since realised that we missed out on a lot of stuff... I had purposely not looked at anything online because I didn't want to spoil it but since then I've spotted lots of areas that we missed.
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We took a trip into this little room (Gringotts money exchange) not really sure what it was, we just figured it was a quick walk through section
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Turns out Mr Goblin here is interactive, he was answering questions and he was so life like! We stayed in for a while listening to him and I have to say it was really impressive... He was asked where Harry Potter was and informed us that he does not concern himself with the whereabouts of wizards, I think someone asked him about the weather too!
 

dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 18 (cont)

Monday November 10th: Universal, California Grill & MVMCP
We left and made our way over to The Simpsons area next. We spotted tonnes of fish in the water along the way... this is a bit creepy to me for some reason
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Straight onto the Simpsons ride..
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And then of course to meet the famous family themselves
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DUFF MAN
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And of course into Moe's
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I think this is sooooooooooooo cool, I really don't feel like Universal have sold this well?? I mean you hear so much about Harry Potter which I know brings in a lot of people but I mean everyone knows the Simpsons!!! You can go to Moe's and have a duff beer!! You can eat at Krusty Burger!!!
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Which of course is exactly what we did
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And LOOK! It's the iconic statue!!!
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Anyway.... time for some rides
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Transformers is Spiderman... They basically just changed the video...

ROLLER COASTER
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The music element to this ride really makes it so much cooler
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We decided to call it a day at Universal, we wanted to head to California Grill before the big event tonight... MICKEY'S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY!

Rachel almost got eaten on the way out... this guy was REALLY excited to get some attention
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dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 18 (cont)

Monday November 10th: Universal, California Grill & MVMCP

As of yet we had seen the festival of fantasy parade and myself and Rachel didn't want to miss it. Grumpy wasn't really bothered so we had him drop us off at MK. We were planning to meet at the Contemporary afterwards, we had been told by our waiter the last time we visited that we could come back at opening and be seated near the bar area without a reservation.

Here it comes
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Who better lead the way??!
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Cheers lady..
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Blocking my picture
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Take your time...
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And the main event!!
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I was really impressed with the parade and I'm so glad we made the effort to get in to see it...
 

dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 18 (cont)
Monday November 10th: Universal, California Grill & MVMCP

We walked from MK over to contemporary and made our way to the check in desk at California Grill. We thought that it was opening from 4pm but it was actually 5pm so we settled down to wait in one of the sofas. When a CM came by I confirmed that we would be able to head up without a reservation and she said that she would let us know when we could head up.

Our friend from earlier in the trip joined us there and Grumpy arrived fashionably late as usual.

We went up just before 5pm and got a table right at the window with an amazing view of the lagoon
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We ordered drinks
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Sushi
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Meetballs
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And some flatbread
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Followed by desert
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As we were eating and drinking the sun was setting which made for a beautiful view
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We finished up and said our goodbyes to our friend... It was Christmas party time!!!
 

dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 18 (cont)
Monday November 10th: Universal, California Grill & MVMCP

I love Christmas and I love Disney so a Disney Christmas party is something I was REALLY excited for!
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Grumpy was really interested in riding the railroad but it wasn't open for the party..
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The Magic Kingdom looked so pretty with Christmas decorations all around
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It was CRAZY busy though, much busier than the Halloween Party... Look at the snow!!!
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We decided to get our first helping of the free hot chocolate and cookies
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The CM's were lovely and more than happy to pose for us!
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We got straight in line for my favourite... GOOFY!!
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Can't I just stay here forever???
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FlaggNL

Well-Known Member
Finnaly got time to catch up :) As always a great TR! Love the Univ pics and the MNSSCP! Christmas theme is on our wishlist! But first another Halloween trip next October! Will there be more to come or were the MNSSCP the wrap up of your TR?
 

dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 18 (cont)
Monday November 10th: Universal, California Grill & MVMCP

Next up we got to meet Minnie Mouse... she is so adorable in her christmas get up!
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We went for a trip under the sea afterwards... I can't help but bob around and sing along on this ride
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We wandered over to Gaston's Tavern which is pretty at night
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I love the Beauty and the Beast store in this area...
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Instead of the lanterns at MNSSHP they had giant candy canes!
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FREE THINGS!!!
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We definitely got more out of the free candy than the hot chocolate and cookies, Halloween wins that round!

It was time for the holiday fireworks so we found a spot over near tomorrowland terrace and sipped on our hot chocolate while we watched
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dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
After the fireworks we sort of wandered around a bit more just soaking up the atmosphere and stopped for a few photos
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THEN I spotted CHRISTMAS JACK
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I would have loved to meet him but the queue was massive and I knew Grumpy wouldn't be willing to queue
We wanted to meet Mickey Mouse himself so we decided to make our way out towards the front of the park to watch the parade from there..

Here they come...
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dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Finally it was MICKEY TIME!!!
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HUGS
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Look how in to it we all are!! Talking Mickey is the best!
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When we came out the show at the castle was on so we walked up to catch the rest of it..
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I really didn't want the night to end... I wanted to soak up every last little bit of Disney magic!

It was so easy to get sucked into the holiday spirit and forget that it was still early November...

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SISTERS
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BYE BYE Christmas
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Uncanny...
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Sadly it was time to head back to our room for our last nights sleep...

BYE BYE nighttime castle
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Bye bye nighttime Space Mountain
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dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Day 19
Tuesday November 11th: MK & BYE BYE

Why does this day always come so quickly?!? It was our last morning before we knew it and so we got ourselves up early to start the dreaded packing process

It was quite the struggle getting everything to fit!! Myself and Rachel were keen to get our last bit of park time so we got our cases sorted and into the car and caught a but to MK

We had something we'd been meaning to try for a long time, a certain treat from Sleepy Hallow
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Looks yummy right?!!

The above picture doesn't really show you how big this thing was.. it was HUGE!!
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We sat for a bit just enjoying our final few moments at our favourite place in the whole world!
We did have some fast passes but we weren't really fussed about going on any rides, we just wanted to soak in the last bit of Disney magic..

We wanted to get some photos of just the two of us so we grabbed a photopass photographer and got snapping
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It was pretty sunny out!!
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We were waiting on Grumpy to arrive to ride around on the railroad before leaving for the airport. We killed some time taking a few more snaps outside the main street station.
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Finally it was train time!
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ALL ABOARD!!!
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Bye bye Big Thunder
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And back to Main Street USA
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Bye Bye train
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Bye bye Magic Kingdom
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We sadly made our way to the car and then on to the airport...

Bye bye Orlando
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Thanks for reading along!!
 

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
I stayed up until two in the morning reading your trip report! You had me hooked! Although now I am paying for it at work! Coffee is my new best friend!!

Loved all that you did! From sea world to universal to Halloween and Christmas! Man that is like the trip of a lifetime!!

Thank you so much for sharing. May be stealing some of your ADR choices! Did you love Cali grill?? And 50s prime time??

Again, thanks for letting me have sweet dreams filled of Disney world, even if in a cranky villain right about now.
 

dancingtodisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I stayed up until two in the morning reading your trip report! You had me hooked! Although now I am paying for it at work! Coffee is my new best friend!!

Loved all that you did! From sea world to universal to Halloween and Christmas! Man that is like the trip of a lifetime!!

Thank you so much for sharing. May be stealing some of your ADR choices! Did you love Cali grill?? And 50s prime time??

Again, thanks for letting me have sweet dreams filled of Disney world, even if in a cranky villain right about now.

Thanks for reading!! Haha I've done that many times when I got really stuck into a TR!
Ye it's great that we get to come over for so long, we can really fit a lot in!

I'm just back from another trip in January so I must share that report too! And YES I love both! California Grill is amazing, we went back in January and also back to 50's which is so much fun!

I bet you are so excited to planning your next trip! Makes reading TRs so much more fun!

We're planning to head back but not until September 2017

Thank You so much for sharing. It was great to follow along!!!!

Thanks for following!!
 

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