Went to Orlando for a High School Band trip (12/29-1/2) then went back on a business trip 1/16-1/21. Details as follows:
Arrived the afternoon of 12/29, Mr. and Mrs. Smee checked in at Riverside, got our 3 day hoppers and went straight to Studios entering the park at about 5:00 PM. The band was staying off property and on a different schedule so this was our first trip to WDW in a long time without the kid. The Smee family has never been to WDW while the Christmas decorations were up so our main purpose was to take in as much of the scenery as possible. Studio's looked great, big crowd as expected. Fast pass at TOT and RNRC was in-operative, not done for the day, but apparently not working that day at all. Rode GMR and then went for our PS time at 50's Prime. Always enjoy this place. Families were walking up and trying to get in but being told the next opening was after 9:30 PM. Played Millionaire after dinner then walked the Osbourne Lights for the first time. Loved it, great display, exceeded my expectatons. Went to Muppets, rode RNRC (30 minute wait) then onto Fantasmic. Walked down front and found prime seats in the center.
All things considered, a good evening except for no ride on TOT (75 -90 minute wait all evening)
Friday 12/30, up early for breakfast at Whispering Canyon before going to downtown Orlando for the Citrus parade. Always wanted to see Wilderness Lodge at Christmas as we have stayed there many times. Loved it, great tree in the lobby, beautiful decors. Good breakfast, this place is always on their game. Drove to downtown Orlando for the parade starting at 11:00 AM. Beautiful day for a parade. We bought grandstand seats in advance and had a great view of the parade. The parade took a little over 3 hours, our band looked and sounded wonderful. Quite an honor to be asked to march in the parade. The University of Wisconsin band was awesome. If you ever have reason to go, buy the seats, about $25 but worth the price. Drove back to Riverside and went for a dip. A little cool (75 degrees) outside, but the water was very nice. Cleaned up and took the ferry to DD for dinner at House of Blues. During the ride we saw the Treehouses and they were occupied. Informed by the pilot the Treehouses are being used by international CP students, nice accomadations. First time ever dinner at HOB was very average, somewhat dissappointing. Ordered the ribs, have had much better in the parks. Walked around DD, very crowded. Construction at the Disney Store. All clubs and restaraunts had long lines, went back to RS about 11:00 AM. Note: this was an extended hours night for MK, it was open until 4:00 AM (3 hours past the scheduled close of 1:00 AM). If anyone who reads this was in the park that night, how were the crowds at those hours?
New Years Eve, up at 6:00 AM for 7:00 AM early open at MK. Expecting big crowds. Rode SM, Buzz, and Stitch before our 8:00 PS for breakfast at Crystal Palace. Main Street looked beautiful, the dawn sky was glowing red behind the castle, I've never seen the place look so magical in the morning. Got a FP for Splash Mountain and went to eat. After breakfast the crowd picked up considerably and kept getting bigger all morning. Admissions were closed at about mid afternoon. I have never been in the park with a crowd this large. However with efficient use of FP and watching the lines we still managed to ride quite a bit. Country Bears Christmas show was a first time for us, loved it. All rides were in top working order and operating at full capacity. First time I've seen POC loading from both sides in quite a while.
Our band marched ahead of the 3:00 PM parade and looked great, loved the Christmas parade as well. Dinner at Libertry Tree (my favorite) was terrifc as usual. We rode right up until 11:30 PM (and watched Spectro twice) then made our way into the throng of humanity in front of the castle for the countdown to midnight. Walking from Liberty Square, we made it across the bridge and about half way to the circle before being stopped by the crush. Mickey counted down and the place went crazy.The fireworks were amazing, going off from at least a dozen points around the perimeter of MK at first then continuing as 2 main displays over the lagoon and behind the castle. A wonderful show.
After the fireworks the entire throng attempted to move down mainstreet. We first tried to move with it but stopped and stood at the side at a spot near the Pepsi store. This was a truley insane condition. The abandoned double wide strollers were creating obstacles that the mass of people had to negociate around. I have always hated those things and this evening just confirmed my feelings. At least a dozen times during the day I observed fully grown and obviously healthy adults being pushed in them. Most other times they were shopping carts. Rarely did I see 2 actual children in one.
Other than the exiting chaos the day was excellent. We rode about 21 times, 2 character meals, 3 parades, and the best new years we have ever had.
The bus situation back to RS was very bad, 50 minutes between busses. We made it back to the room at about 1:45 AM.
New Years day, up at 7:00 AM For breakfast, At Epcot in time for opening. Straight to Test Track and MS then over to Soarin for a FP. Got there about 10:00 AM and FPs were already for 1:00 PM. We did everything in Future world with the exception of Imagination. Crowd was not that bad. Lunch at Mexico was disappointing, we have had great dinners there before but this was a first time lunch. Had the tacos and they were nothing special. Went back to FW, cashed in our Soarin FP, great ride. Went to Living Seas and took in Turtle Talk with Crush. Cute show, very impressive technology. Obvious work going on with the ride. Back to World Showcase for the rest of the day. Dinner at Great Britain on the back patio with a great seat for Illuminations. Back to the hotel and up early the next day for the flight home. The band stayed on 2 more days.
All things considered, we had a great time. Our 2nd WD Wtrip of the year so a real bonus. We saw all the decorations and loved it. Did not get to AK but that was OK. We did a lot for 3 days in the parks. The crowds were big but we dealt with it and still had fun. Great weather the whole time, warm and sunny days with cool evenings.
Mr. Smee gets to come back again for a 5 day business trip. No park activity but plenty of meals. The business meeting was at the Royal Plaza in LBV. What a mistake, the place just reopened after renovatons and was not ready. No restaraunt, no hot water on numerous occasions, 4 TV stations to pick from, and construction noise at night. This may be a good property when finished, but opening was rushed, they needed another month.
Had Dinner at Fultons and Y-Steakhouse. Lunch at Portabellas and Whispering Canyon. Everything was great. Yachtsmans Steakhouse is one of the best on the property, everyone was impressed. Also took out a group for the Illuminations cruise. The captain informed that the firebarge is rumored to be coming back in mid February. Had other meals off-property, all average stuff. Spent evenings walking around DD. Park crowds were described as very small, some testing of EE but no one I spoke to got on.
The Smee clan had a good shot of WDW to end the year with. Combined with the June 05 vaca, we have had a lot of WDW. But there is never too much, can't wait for the next time.
Arrived the afternoon of 12/29, Mr. and Mrs. Smee checked in at Riverside, got our 3 day hoppers and went straight to Studios entering the park at about 5:00 PM. The band was staying off property and on a different schedule so this was our first trip to WDW in a long time without the kid. The Smee family has never been to WDW while the Christmas decorations were up so our main purpose was to take in as much of the scenery as possible. Studio's looked great, big crowd as expected. Fast pass at TOT and RNRC was in-operative, not done for the day, but apparently not working that day at all. Rode GMR and then went for our PS time at 50's Prime. Always enjoy this place. Families were walking up and trying to get in but being told the next opening was after 9:30 PM. Played Millionaire after dinner then walked the Osbourne Lights for the first time. Loved it, great display, exceeded my expectatons. Went to Muppets, rode RNRC (30 minute wait) then onto Fantasmic. Walked down front and found prime seats in the center.
All things considered, a good evening except for no ride on TOT (75 -90 minute wait all evening)
Friday 12/30, up early for breakfast at Whispering Canyon before going to downtown Orlando for the Citrus parade. Always wanted to see Wilderness Lodge at Christmas as we have stayed there many times. Loved it, great tree in the lobby, beautiful decors. Good breakfast, this place is always on their game. Drove to downtown Orlando for the parade starting at 11:00 AM. Beautiful day for a parade. We bought grandstand seats in advance and had a great view of the parade. The parade took a little over 3 hours, our band looked and sounded wonderful. Quite an honor to be asked to march in the parade. The University of Wisconsin band was awesome. If you ever have reason to go, buy the seats, about $25 but worth the price. Drove back to Riverside and went for a dip. A little cool (75 degrees) outside, but the water was very nice. Cleaned up and took the ferry to DD for dinner at House of Blues. During the ride we saw the Treehouses and they were occupied. Informed by the pilot the Treehouses are being used by international CP students, nice accomadations. First time ever dinner at HOB was very average, somewhat dissappointing. Ordered the ribs, have had much better in the parks. Walked around DD, very crowded. Construction at the Disney Store. All clubs and restaraunts had long lines, went back to RS about 11:00 AM. Note: this was an extended hours night for MK, it was open until 4:00 AM (3 hours past the scheduled close of 1:00 AM). If anyone who reads this was in the park that night, how were the crowds at those hours?
New Years Eve, up at 6:00 AM for 7:00 AM early open at MK. Expecting big crowds. Rode SM, Buzz, and Stitch before our 8:00 PS for breakfast at Crystal Palace. Main Street looked beautiful, the dawn sky was glowing red behind the castle, I've never seen the place look so magical in the morning. Got a FP for Splash Mountain and went to eat. After breakfast the crowd picked up considerably and kept getting bigger all morning. Admissions were closed at about mid afternoon. I have never been in the park with a crowd this large. However with efficient use of FP and watching the lines we still managed to ride quite a bit. Country Bears Christmas show was a first time for us, loved it. All rides were in top working order and operating at full capacity. First time I've seen POC loading from both sides in quite a while.
Our band marched ahead of the 3:00 PM parade and looked great, loved the Christmas parade as well. Dinner at Libertry Tree (my favorite) was terrifc as usual. We rode right up until 11:30 PM (and watched Spectro twice) then made our way into the throng of humanity in front of the castle for the countdown to midnight. Walking from Liberty Square, we made it across the bridge and about half way to the circle before being stopped by the crush. Mickey counted down and the place went crazy.The fireworks were amazing, going off from at least a dozen points around the perimeter of MK at first then continuing as 2 main displays over the lagoon and behind the castle. A wonderful show.
After the fireworks the entire throng attempted to move down mainstreet. We first tried to move with it but stopped and stood at the side at a spot near the Pepsi store. This was a truley insane condition. The abandoned double wide strollers were creating obstacles that the mass of people had to negociate around. I have always hated those things and this evening just confirmed my feelings. At least a dozen times during the day I observed fully grown and obviously healthy adults being pushed in them. Most other times they were shopping carts. Rarely did I see 2 actual children in one.
Other than the exiting chaos the day was excellent. We rode about 21 times, 2 character meals, 3 parades, and the best new years we have ever had.
The bus situation back to RS was very bad, 50 minutes between busses. We made it back to the room at about 1:45 AM.
New Years day, up at 7:00 AM For breakfast, At Epcot in time for opening. Straight to Test Track and MS then over to Soarin for a FP. Got there about 10:00 AM and FPs were already for 1:00 PM. We did everything in Future world with the exception of Imagination. Crowd was not that bad. Lunch at Mexico was disappointing, we have had great dinners there before but this was a first time lunch. Had the tacos and they were nothing special. Went back to FW, cashed in our Soarin FP, great ride. Went to Living Seas and took in Turtle Talk with Crush. Cute show, very impressive technology. Obvious work going on with the ride. Back to World Showcase for the rest of the day. Dinner at Great Britain on the back patio with a great seat for Illuminations. Back to the hotel and up early the next day for the flight home. The band stayed on 2 more days.
All things considered, we had a great time. Our 2nd WD Wtrip of the year so a real bonus. We saw all the decorations and loved it. Did not get to AK but that was OK. We did a lot for 3 days in the parks. The crowds were big but we dealt with it and still had fun. Great weather the whole time, warm and sunny days with cool evenings.
Mr. Smee gets to come back again for a 5 day business trip. No park activity but plenty of meals. The business meeting was at the Royal Plaza in LBV. What a mistake, the place just reopened after renovatons and was not ready. No restaraunt, no hot water on numerous occasions, 4 TV stations to pick from, and construction noise at night. This may be a good property when finished, but opening was rushed, they needed another month.
Had Dinner at Fultons and Y-Steakhouse. Lunch at Portabellas and Whispering Canyon. Everything was great. Yachtsmans Steakhouse is one of the best on the property, everyone was impressed. Also took out a group for the Illuminations cruise. The captain informed that the firebarge is rumored to be coming back in mid February. Had other meals off-property, all average stuff. Spent evenings walking around DD. Park crowds were described as very small, some testing of EE but no one I spoke to got on.
The Smee clan had a good shot of WDW to end the year with. Combined with the June 05 vaca, we have had a lot of WDW. But there is never too much, can't wait for the next time.
