Trip Report Another Jolly Holiday ~ JOY From the World ! *COMPLETED*

At the conclusion of my last trip report
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/a-jingle-bam-birthday-completed.922901/
I ended with To be continued....

Well, here's the continuation. Though to be fair, the trips were totally different and not connected in any way except they both included Me (yep, a humble one I am!) And for the second time in a year, I left WDW only to return a week later. I am very grateful that I can visit my favorite place as often as I do and am honored that y'all follow along.

I booked this trip on a bounce back offer while vacationing last year:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/its-a-jolly-holiday-completed.909445/

And this year I may have booked a bounce back offer for December 2017. Okay, I did book. But my love/hate relationship with traveling in December and a few unknowns for the fall may cause me to cancel. Time will tell.

Ready to read about our latest adventures? There's DRAMA . And ELEVATOR COOKIES . And maybe even a RED CARD .

Dates: December 10-15, 2016
Resort: Disney's Wilderness Lodge (duh....it's Christmas!)
Cast: Tuvalu and Woody

Who's in?

 

[Tuvalu]

I'd made a 5th FP for the Seas, so we went to find Nemo.

(Can't even take a decent selfie on a SLOW MOVING ride! )

 

[Tuvalu]

We had a few minutes to spare before FP #6 (which I'd made immediately after tapping my band at Nemo) so we found a bench(!) outside and I was able to give @TrolleyFollower91 a quick call. I had sent her the pics of the monorail drama and wanted to fill her in on the details.

Then we walked here.

I've read a couple recent posts about missing the animated cartoon chariot that used to be in this Rome scene. "East, west, north and south, all roads led to Rome."
I miss it too.

Doesn't this marquee make you want to see a movie?

Hooray, the personal pictures on Welcome to your Future are still working! (A lot can change in a week, you know!)

 

[Tuvalu]

The grandiose Epcot tree beckoned us to World Showcase.

So pretty at night! We spent a few minutes simply gazing at its beauty.

We did one more attraction before dinner.

It was the slowest boat ride we'd ever been on. So slow that the boat came to a complete stop several times during the duration of the attraction. Turns out the water propeller jets were not working!

On the upside, I was able to get some great pictures with my iPhone! (Still not as good as real-photogs @TrolleyFollower91, @sheriffwoody and @samantha788 though. )

 

[PrincessL]

Your Paul Blart comment made me chuckle What is wrong with people fist fighting in the monorail line!!

 

[Tuvalu]

We didn't have to go far to get dinner.

Yes, San Angel Inn.....again! But hey, normally we eat here at lunch not dinner ~ so this should count as a "different" experience, right???

This is the lunch menu with my favorite Pollo a las Rajas:

Which is highlighted on the dinner menu:

Apparently that "position of honor" on the dinner menu is worthy of a $5 upcharge for the same entree.

I still ordered it though. And loved every luscious bite.

Carne Asada for Woody. He deemed it very good!

Buenas Noches, Mexico.....for now.

 

[Tuvalu]

We left the pavilion 15 minutes prior to the start of Illuminations. Seeing Illuminations with the Holiday ending was a must-do for me this trip, especially since Em and I missed it last week. Woody and I stood on the little bridge just outside Mexico, a spot we had never tried before.

Turned out to be a great location!

The Holiday ending was fantastic ~ I didn't even attempt to take pictures, as I just wanted to enjoy it. The walk out of the park wasn't too bad at all, and as we got closer to the WL bus stop we could see Holiday Wishes....which we continued to watch while traveling on the bus.

It was a perfect end to a wonderful day!

 

[sheriffwoody]

You have me wanting to give San Angel Inn another try! You meals looked delicious.

 

[Doc Disney]

LOL something about the one guy wearing Christmas lights around his neck makes the altercation that much better

 

[samantha788]

The grandiose Epcot tree beckoned us to World Showcase.

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So pretty at night! We spent a few minutes simply gazing at its beauty.

We did one more attraction before dinner.
View attachment 187438

It was the slowest boat ride we'd ever been on. So slow that the boat came to a complete stop several times during the duration of the attraction. Turns out the water propeller jets were not working!

On the upside, I was able to get some great pictures with my iPhone! (Still not as good as real-photogs @TrolleyFollower91, @sheriffwoody and @samantha788 though. )

View attachment 187439

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View attachment 187442

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View attachment 187444

SO far behind, I'll catch up one day but I love your iphone photos!

 

[MinnieM123]

So, the brawl between those two guys is really unnerving. Whatever went down between them, was not important enough to create a dangerous spectacle in front of others, especially children.

 

[Tuvalu]

You have me wanting to give San Angel Inn another try! You meals looked delicious.

They were and you should!

LOL something about the one guy wearing Christmas lights around his neck makes the altercation that much better

Perhaps red tee man was mocking Christmas lights man?

SO far behind, I'll catch up one day but I love your iphone photos!

Thanks!

So, the brawl between those two guys is really unnerving. Whatever went down between them, was not important enough to create a dangerous spectacle in front of others, especially children.

Agree. Woody and I were thankful we didn't have any children with us. There was no reason for a fight. None.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Paul Blart LOL!

Oh, the drunks at Epcot ruin it for us every time. Oh, it wasn't Epcot.

Oh, the drunks at MK with their 2 drink dinners...

Don't sell your photographs short – I love the Mexico parting shot.

Was the lunch portion the same size as the dinner portion?

 

[Tuvalu]

Paul Blart LOL!

Oh, the drunks at Epcot ruin it for us every time. Oh, it wasn't Epcot.

Oh, the drunks at MK with their 2 drink dinners...

Don't sell your photographs short – I love the Mexico parting shot.

Was the lunch portion the same size as the dinner portion?

Your comments crack me up!

Yes the Pollo a las Rajas was the same size at dinner as it is at lunch. Thought I might get more for dinner (it was an additional $5 after all!) but no.

 

[Tuvalu]

Monday, December 12

Woody and I have old friends who live about 30 minutes from WDW. We try to get together with them when we're on vacation, usually for a meal at a non-park restaurant. This year our friends have seasonal passes and we planned to spend the day at the MK with them.

You know the saying about best laid plans?

On Friday a work crisis arose for Woody, requiring a full-day's worth of meetings today. Additionally, M had a time-sensitive matter to attend to. While we wives felt badly for our hubbies, that would not prevent us from having a
GIRLS DAY!!!!!!!

Woody and I arose early to beat the still-broken elevator and breakfast rush. We were at Roaring Fork exactly at 7:30 am and the hot food line was OPEN! Bring on the Mickey waffles!!!

We enjoyed our breakfast in the practically-empty dining room. After a quick kiss goodbye, Woody went back up to the room to work while I strolled to the bus stop. Every time I pass this

I am so tempted to ring the cow bell. And I often do! But not this morning as it was still early.
Notice the name of the arcade: Buttons and Bells. It always makes me laugh because it reminds me of a funny episode of Frasier, when Frasier sings a botched version of "Buttons and Bows" during a PBS pledge drive.

The bus was waiting for me and I was inside the turnstiles and in front of the Mickey floral at 8:25 am.

I wasn't missing the Welcome Show today!

 

[amjt660]

 

[Tuvalu]

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One of the funniest SNL sketches ever! (Though it doesn't beat Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze in the Chippendales tryout! )

 

[amjt660]

One of the funniest SNL sketches ever! (Though it doesn't beat Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze in the Chippendales tryout! )

Those 2 are definitely in the top 10!!
Max

 

[Tuvalu]

It's probably a good thing I did not know that this would be my LAST Welcome Show in front of the train station.
First, I would have been .
Second, when the Mayor did not appear as the greeter, I would have .
Finally, when there was no train, fireworks or streamers, I would have .

But since I had no knowledge that the Opening Show would soon be moved to the castle stage, I could just feel a little let down by today's performance.

Oh I had so hoped to see Christopher George Weaver!

But Fire Chief Smokey Miller was better than the dull Dapper Dan .

The Trolley Singers were happy ~ even though their songs were abbreviated.

Yeah, Anastasia and Drizella feel the same way I do about NO TRAIN!!

The Big Cheese arrives.

For you, @MinnieM123!

See ya inside, Mickey! I will have a Disney Day!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I loveeeeeeeee Wilderness Lodge.

Love your pictures! Once the construction is complete it will be so beautiful!!! But one elevator... oh what a crime!

Totally did not think you were headed to Hollywood Studios! Your TOT picture in the back is too cute! Love the true enjoyment on your face! The emotions never get old!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

You have me wanting to give San Angel Inn another try! You meals looked delicious.

Me too! I remember the flan and wanting to cry at the texture but everything else... the memories are foggy. Must eat here now!