diddy_mouse's first TR! 12/10/07-12/15/07 with pictures!

Okay so this took me well over a month to do but I had a lot of pictures to resize and such. I also wanted to make a good first attempt!
Here's the beginning and check back for more updates!

This was me and DH's first trip to WDW during the holidays. It was also the first trip we had taken that didn't have a pre-set agenda to it. The last trip was our honeymoon and the trip before that we got engaged. This was just time to take in the holidays before they actually arrived.

DEC. 10TH – ARRIVAL, MK AND MK EMHs

We landed at MCO right on schedule and after my traditional visit to the restroom right inside Airside 3, we caught the tram over to the main terminal. It still hadn’t sunk in that we were really in Orlando. After taking the escalator down to baggage claim, DH saw the driver from Quicksilver Tours holding a sign with our name on it. The driver greeted both of us, took my bag, and we followed him outside to what I thought would be a town car. Instead it turned out we were magically upgraded to an Escalade! After our bags were loaded into the back, we were on our way

It was so great to finally be heading to our resort. From the moment we entered the realm of WDW, I was perched on the edge of my seat. Crossing under that archway, you just seem to leave everything behind. Following the monorail beam in the direction of the Magic Kingdom, we made a right turn and began the drive up a winding path where the Lodge suddenly appeared. I actually got misty-eyed as we pulled into the drop-off area, especially after the driver said: “Welcome home!”

The first step into the grandeur of the lobby seems to produce only one word: “Wow.”

DH and I just stood there for a few seconds before making our way over to Registration. It was about 12:15pm when we got there and I didn’t have high hopes of our room being ready yet. I never seem to have that kind of luck. However the CM at the desk, after getting my name, picked up her phone and made a call. In about 3 minutes she told us we had been upgraded to a woods view! This was our second unexpected upgrade and we had only been in Orlando for a half-hour. After another “welcome home” we went to the elevator only to discover we were staying on the lobby level

Here's some WL pics!

The boat ride to the MK was so relaxing. We pulled up to the dock and immediately jumped the resort monorail to head to the Poly. We decided to have lunch at Kona Café and I’m so happy we did.

The food was wonderful and very filling. I had the duck dumplings with the chicken plate lunch and the chocolate fondue for dessert. DH enjoyed the crab cakes, mahi mahi plate lunch, and the Kilauea for dessert. Now it's time for some pictures from the Poly!

We then hopped on the boat to head back over to the MK.

More to come...

 

[diddy_mouse]

DEC 14TH - MK, FLYING FISH CAFE, AND EPCOT EMH (our last night)

MK

Well, we were reaching the end of our trip and DH and I decided to start the day off in the MK. I think we just couldn't get enough of taking the boat over to the park. On the walk down the dock I saw a family of ducks that was just too darn cute!

We started off with Peter Pan, since we had only ridden it once during MVMCP. Also Dumbo had a little too long of a wait. But I did get a picture in the ride car sitting out in front of the attraction. After Peter Pan we rode the Carrousel and walked over toward the castle to get some Cinderella Fountain pics.

As we headed down the walkway next to the castle, Dream Along with Mickey was getting ready to start. Man....I really want to see this show.

We walked over to Splash and got to see the "stroked out frog!" Let me give you a little backstory...during MVMCP, DH and I were on Splash and just as you go up the first lift, DH points over to Mr. Frog and says: "OMG, that frog looks like he's having a stroke!" And sure enough, he had one eye half open and his movement looked like a seizure. Needless to say, this was a running joke everytime we rode. We couldn't go up that lift hill with a straight face! Here's a slightly blurry pic...

After a zip-a-dee-doo-dah ride on Splash, next up was Pirates. We tooled around Adventureland a little more and I got yet another Dole Whip. (delicious!)

Next we slowly made our way back up Main St. and I was on the pursuit of the perfect hoodie. DH had found one at the Contemporary's gift shop earlier in the week. Since then I was adamant on finding one for myself. We walked the entire length of the Emporium and just as I was about to give up, I found a navy blue hoodie that said "Magic Kingdom WDW 2007". The cool thing was it was very simplistic and the letters in "Magic Kingdom" represented a different attraction or character. And the best part...it was on SALE! Half-off! Couldn't pass that up so I got my hoodie. Yay! Here's the last pics we took in the MK that afternoon. *sigh*

FLYING FISH

We came back to the WL to get changed for our dinner at Flying Fish. This was our one "dress-up" dinner and I couldn't wait. After getting ready we took the boat back to the MK and got on the bus bound for the Boardwalk. We were running a little late but we still a manged to get there right on schedule. When we got to the restaurant they hadn't started seating the 5 o'clock ADR's yet. Dinner was absolutely wonderful! I had the lobster bisque for an appetizer followed by the potato wrapped snapper and the chocolate gallette for dessert. DH had the crab cakes, the NY strip, and a fruit sorbet for dessert. We had never felt so full and we were glad to be heading to Epcot to walk it off.

EPCOT EMH

After I stopped to change at the Int'l Gateway, we slowly merged with the somewhat large crowd trying to shove their way through the gate. People were getting impatient with the insert-ticket-scan-finger combo. Once we were through, we got our wristbands and headed over to the American Adventure. DH and I had never seen it and I'm glad we did. We really, really enjoyed it. The only downside was when we were leaving, Candlelight was going on. Now, I wanted to see it because I heard great things. But given the time crunch we had before Illuminations, we couldn't catch it. We were still trying to decide where we wanted to watch the fireworks and decided on Canada. We stopped in Mitsukoshi again on our way around the lagoon and finally claimed our spot after being non-verbally "shooed off" by an older couple who apparently didn't want anyone near them.

Illuminations with the holiday tag was just astounding. I actually cried. I knew it would happen because I got teary from watching a video of it. I'm so glad I video-taped it for myself. After the fireworks we saw the new O Canada film and loved it. I can't wait to see it again!

Now we tried to decide where we wanted to go next. We grabbed a bucket of popcorn from the cart in Canada and sat on a bench over in the UK letting some of the closing crowds disperse. Unfortunately, all of the other attractions had long waits and I was kinda bummed. We didn't really get to ride anything at Epcot that night. I would have loved to have gone on Soarin' or Test Track one last time. One good thing was DH and I had a fantastic conversation with one of the Land CM's working the Circle of Life. She was so funny. We told he that unfortuntely we probably won't come back to see the movie, and she said: "Oh that's okay! Most people don't." Feeling a little bad, we decided to stay and chat with her. She told us how much she loved her job and that she laughed at the people who would bowl each other over just to get in line for Soarin. She enjoyed watching them from upstairs...far away from the chaos of the first level. Talking with her really brightened our mood and I am kicking myself that I can't remember her name. But she was so friendly!

DH and I walked around Future World and stopped by Mouse Gear once again. Then we walked back around the lagoon, trying to ignore groups of drunk people struggling to walk. I was starting to feel tired, annoyed, and depressed. I think realizing that our last night wasn't going like we hoped was kinda wearing on us. One of the last things we did was sit in front of the fountain and just video-tape it for a little while. Watching the water move in-time to the holiday music was really pretty to see. DH asked if I was ready to head back and we drug ourselves down to the bus stop. I guess I was a little upset leaving Epcot that night. It was that bittersweet feeling...knowing that I'll come back, just not for a while.

Coming up next in the TR...the last day! MK, a visit to the Contemporary, and the GF. Stay tuned!

 

[Mikester71]

Loving it.....:sohappy:

 

[diddy_mouse]

DEC 15TH (last day) - MK

Well, here we are. The last day.

DH and I were still a little saddened by our experience at Epcot's EMH's the night before. We got up at 7:30, triple-checked our packing, and made our way down the hall to go check out. We had our bags held then went down to the dock for the MK boat.

This morning we decided to have breakfast in the park (a first for us!) I gotta say....there is such a positive energy on Main St. first thing in the morning. I don't think I can remember being in the park right at opening. It was so cool to see the horse drawn trolleys going up and down the street, and the crowds were very low. DH and I walked over to Main St. Bakery and I had a huge piece of coffee cake. As we were sitting there eating, we got to watch the Trolley Show! Couldn't have worked out better. They pulled up right in front of the window we were seated at. I only wish I had taken some pictures. I think I was just caught up in the moment, I didn't even think about it!

After breakfast we went over to Pirates for the last time followed by Big Thunder (which I still prefer at night...and in the very last car). We would have done Splash again, but it wasn't working. So we headed through Fantasyland and went to ride Space. The line was getting long so we grabbed a FP and I think we then grabbed a snack or played around in the arcade for a while. I know that we ended up in the arcade at some point because there was this strange little kid, with no parents in sight, hanging around DH and I as we played a racing game. Needless to say, we only played one game. Space was great as usual and we were riding with a family who has a blast! I always love riding with people who hadn't been before or they are taking their kids for the first time.

Leaving Space, we went back toward Fantasyland to see if the wait times had gone down for anything. No such luck, but we did manage to get on IASW again. The last ride we did for the day was the TTA, but not before I grabbed a cheese stuffed pretzel from the Lunching Pad.

Slowly we made our way across the bridge, past the hub, and back up Main St. We stood near the Xmas tree for a little while just taking it all in before heading under the train station and toward the exit turnstiles. Once we got there something strange happened...I actually had to stop myself from crying as I passed through the turnstile. But man did it hit me as we walked away. DH could tell that I didn't want to leave just yet. So we got on the monorail and rode over to the Contemporary because I wanted to take a couple of pictures. Next stop was the GF to get some more pictures of the holiday decorations.

About this time we were getting pretty hungry and realized we we wouldn't be eating til we got back home. So we went to the GF's food area (luckily we had our refillable mugs on us from that morning!) We took a seat down near the marina to enjoy the view. However our peaceful lunch was interrupted by the rudest family I have ever encountered. Their kids were terrible! Two of them were climbing all over the telescope thing to look at the castle across the lake and the other, the older one, was pacing back and forth yelling things at the top of his lungs. And the parents? Mom was inside doing something and dad was sitting on the ledge trying to read a map. Mind you, everyone else sitting outside was having lunch just enjoying the view and getting very annoyed at the scene going on. But we were right in front of them. The kids ran by our table one too many times and we actually ended up taking our trays and moving up on the terrace with everyone else. It was just absurd.

After eating we cooled down, walked around the resort a little, and then made out way back to the WL.

It was about 4 when we got back and we knew it was time to meet the towncar. DH and I got our bags from bell service and then we were off to MCO heading back home.

FINAL THOUGHT...

This trip was very interesting in the respect that we hadn't been during the holiday season. Also the crowd level was much less than I had anticipated which was great! Even with the few complaints I mentioned we still had an excellent time, we had great encounters with CM's and got to ride pretty much everything we wanted. Oh and the weather couldn't have been more perfect...sure beats temps in the low 40s! We look forward to the next time!

Thanks for checking out my first (but not the last) trip report!

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

Thanks for the great trip report. We were at Wilderness Lodge a few weeks ago so I love to look at your pictures (and wish I was back there again). How could those people on the bus bash WL? Anyway, it looks like you had alot of fun.

 

[Pinocchio81]

Great TR

Great trip report...I definitely know that feeling when it's the last park of the trip, dragging yourself out, and holding back the tears as you head back to your resort...

 

[mouselvrmom]

Loved the report! Your pictures were awesome!

 

[dox]

You were so right on the money about breakfast at MK on Main Street! I did this for the first time on my last trip in 2006. I got so caught up in the train arriving at the station with Mickey. Then once the park opened and we were eating at the bakery on Main Street, the whole early morning atmosphere of the trolley with the performers, the small crowds, the few characters walking around...lets just say I had quite a lump in my throat. I got so caught up enjoying my coffee and looking around I forgot to take a single picture. I did't even realize I had forgotten to take any pictures until I got home after the trip. I can't wait to do that again.

 

[Karolena]

Thanks for the TR. I just love reading these and looking at the all the pictures. The one with the family of ducks is really cute.

 

[NewfieFan]

I loved your TR - thanks so much for posting! Alot of great pictures as well!

 

[diddy_mouse]

You were so right on the money about breakfast at MK on Main Street! I did this for the first time on my last trip in 2006. I got so caught up in the train arriving at the station with Mickey. Then once the park opened and we were eating at the bakery on Main Street, the whole early morning atmosphere of the trolley with the performers, the small crowds, the few characters walking around...lets just say I had quite a lump in my throat. I got so caught up enjoying my coffee and looking around I forgot to take a single picture. I did't even realize I had forgotten to take any pictures until I got home after the trip. I can't wait to do that again.

It was definitely one of those; "why didn't we do this before?" type of moments. :lol:

 

[diddy_mouse]

Thanks for the TR. I just love reading these and looking at the all the pictures. The one with the family of ducks is really cute.

Let me just say those ducks were too adorable, they walked up the dock past everyone waiting in line and headed back toward the pool. I got down right at their level to take that picture, only zooming in just a little. Such a neat thing to see that morning!

 

[diddy_mouse]

I'm glad you all enjoyed reading my TR! :wave: Thanks for all the kind words!