Trip Report Great Garland! Solo Trip in November...It's Totally Tinsel!

Hello folks! I've been back since November 14th but just now getting around to my report.

Here's the lowdown: I'm Amy and I have taken a couple solo trips to Disney World and Disneyland and have gone many times with my hubs, Brad. This was another solo trip. I usually take my solo trips in the Spring but this year Brad is going to go along on my spring trip. So what's a girl to do with a couple personal days and an annual pass....go solo to Disney.

On Halloween my solo trip was almost derailed...long story short my husband missed the last step to the basement steps and fell onto the concrete floor breaking his right ankle in 2 spots. One of the first things he said to me was, "You are not cancelling your trip because of this." Well, I felt like I probably should cancel if he was having difficulty getting around. Well, things worked out and I was still able to go and he survived my absence. I did make sure his meals were all line up before I left.

So back to the trip....

My dates: November 11 to November 14

Resort: All Start Sports (cheap, clean, on property, and cheap)

Since my flight left Minneapolis early on Saturday morning I decided to spend the night near the airport so I didn't have to worry about driving early that morning. I live about an hour and 15 way from the airport, but I'm a worry wort and would rather not have the hassle on the morning of departure.

So on Friday after work I drove to Minneapolis, actually Bloomington where the Mall of America is. I had dinner at Margaritaville and then relaxed in my hotel room. I got to sleep at a decent time and woke up at 4:15 am feeling rested.

My bacon bbq aioli burger from Margaritaville and an Octoberfest Sam Adams beer.

So went I left the hotel on Saturday morning for my less than 5 minute drive to the airport there was a coating of snow on the ground and on my car. As I was brushing off my car I looked up and the salt truck was driving past. Now I was really glad I decided to stay close to airport instead of driving this morning. I am a total wimp in winter driving even though I live in Wisconsin. Even on my short drive I took it slow as I could see some spots looked a little dicey.

I made it there fine and once through security I went to get my coffee at Caribou (so much better than Starbuck and it started in Minnesota). I was happy to see the Reindeer blend was out, this blend is great and only out at Christmas!

Shortly after getting my coffee I spent about 10 minutes at the gate before boarding started. I was flying out on Spirit and had splurged for one of the big front seats (extra room!) so I boarded, settled in, and enjoyed my coffee and a doughnut I had brought from home and put on a podcast.

As I was enjoying my coffee my row-mate arrived and sat down, his daughter, a girl in her early 20's boarded with him and was in the aisle seat next to him. About a minute after he sat down, he turned to me and asked if I would switch spots with his daughter because he wanted to sit next to her. I thought, you are sitting next to her she is just across the aisle from you and it isn't like she is a young kid that needs your assistance. He looked put out by my answer and said, "Well I guess you did pay for your spot." I just nodded and went back to my relaxing. He eventually convinced the person sitting next to his daughter to switch and then he slept most of the flight. Whatever, I guess.

So this was my view leaving Minneapolis...

And my view when landing in Orlando. It was rainy. Oh well at least it wasn't snow!

Then I was greeted with the mob at Magical Express. I was lucky and found a line to the far end that only had a couple people in it. And I was through in a couple minutes and then waited about 20 minutes for my bus to load.

I might be a little excited. Actually I just did the crazy eyes because it makes Brad laugh.

Soon we were boarding...

And soon I was home!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I then headed over to World Showcase and went back through the Craft Beer area and noticed the display they had up for the World Showcase section to celebrate Epcot's 35. I thought the model of Germany was enchanting.

I got a little nostalgic for the Maelstrom seeing the display. Frozen was okay but as a partial Norwegian American I liked that the Maelstrom was actually about Norway. I even liked the film would sometimes surprise cast members by asking to go into the film area through the exit without riding Maelstrom.

"Back back over the falls"

Then I actually got to Norway and was pleased to see they had set up the Christmas storytellers area and took some pictures. There was even a photo pass photographer out.

On my way around I noticed this cute Figment shirt for Food and Wine, it was not in my size but that is fine. The picture of the graphic will last longer anyway.

I made it over to America by the time the Big Bad Vodoo Daddies were starting their show. I wasn't able to sit but I stood for awhile and listened. It was a fun show.

I also got this to eat in the American food and wine booth of which I can't remember the name right now. I got a beer flight and the smoked brisket on toast with pimento cheese. It was good but I should have gotten a knife so I could eat it easier, it was tough to cut with a fork. The beer flight was good too. So I enjoyed both as the music wrapped up.

 

[Tuvalu]

Our spring trip is March 10-17, any chance of an overlap?

Then our next trip isn't schedule until July. Although if there is a passholder preview of Toy Story land before that, I might go down for that.

Planing spring trips in April and May.

 

[MinnieM123]

Oh boy, another TR!! Following along. By the way, I always get excited seeing the monorail, too! That never gets old for me---love that thing!

 

[Zipadeelady]

Count me in!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

After my snack in America I had to head out and start my journey to Hollywood Studios. The walk from America to the International Gateway was not pleasant at all. It was wall to wall people and barely moving at certain points. I've seen World Showcase crowded but never that bad. I heaved a sigh of relief as I crossed the bridge and out of the International Gateway exit because there was actually space to move. The line to enter Epcot stretched to the far end of the Friendship boat launch area...YIKES!!! And the line for the boat was long. I took this as a sign to walk to the Studios and get ice cream at Ample Hills.

So as I came to the Boardwalk area I noticed a lot of people milling around, and thought that there must be some wedding or something. As I got closer I noticed it looked like waitstaff and kitchen people. I thought that was odd but I kept moving. All of a sudden I hear a security guy talking to some people, well they were evacuating the Boardwalk area (the area around the restaurants). That meant Ample Hills was closed! Great disappointment! I think they were trying to not have people walk on the boardwalk by the restaurants but I kept going. By that time the boat from Epcot headed to the Studios was pulling up so I decided to ride the rest of the way.

I was excited to see the new Christmas decorations at the Studios, the projections on Sunset Blvd, and Jingle Bell Jingle BAM (which I liked last year). Well this year I loved them all!

I like the decorations at the Studios, it is so retro 40's-50's, which is totally my favorite era.

So I decided to check out the new projection thing on Sunset Blvd. I didn't really know what to expect because I didn't read or look at anything about it ahead of time. But I absolutely loved it. I liked the little story they had on the billboards and that the story continued onto the Tower of Terror. I also liked that there wasn't long pauses between the 4 stories that they showed, maybe a background song or two and then the next projection started. So really within about 15 minutes or so you can see all of them. Plus it snowed which added to the atmosphere. I hope if they do this again next year they add some more of the little stories, four doesn't seem like enough.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

More of the Sunset projections.

Loved the Mickey projection, this was during the sequence that started with the Mickey's Christmas Carol stuff.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I decided after watching the Sunset stuff for awhile that it was time to head to the Chinese Theater to watch Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! I got over there a few minutes before the start of the Movie Magic show, which is a fun show with cool movie scenes. I like the Indiana Jones and Guardians scenes the best. I did notice that for a brief moment Zorro was featured on the top part of the theater, I was pretty excited over that. This past summer I checked out the Zorro series on DVD from my library and I loved the show. I wish Disney had done more. So my goal is to catch a picture of Zorro on the theater next time I see the show in March, it might be tough because Zorro is notoriously difficult to catch!

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the start of the Movie Magic show.

Baby Groot! Who doesn't love Baby Groot!?!

There was a couple minutes between shows but then the fun started!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

The show was Totally Tinsel!! I love all the fun sayings that Lanny and Wayne say, hence the title of my post. I thought the show was better this year I don't know if that is because Disney added more fireworks or if I had finally come to terms that the Osborne Lights really weren't coming back.

After the show I wandered in front of the theater and then eventually over to see the new decorations in the Echo Lake area.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

In the Echo Lake area I was really enchanted by the light pole signs, they reminded me of the street decorations my town had as a kid.
.

Now let's travel around the lake and look at the tree and Gertie. I think the tree in the middle of the lake is a grand idea, whoever thought of it deserves a Mickey bar. I also really liked the ornaments in the water. Everything looked awesome at night and it made me excited to see it in the daylight soon.

 

[LisaBelle]

I'm here. Love seeing all the Christmas decor! Someday I hope to finally see it in person.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

More of the new decorations....

By the time I got around to the front of the park it was pretty empty which was nice. And I still had plenty of time to head back to Epcot. As I exited I saw a Friendship boat getting ready to dock, perfect timing!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

So I hopped onto a Friendship boat and by the time it stopped at the Boardwalk I saw that all the shops were open again. This means it was time for some Ample Hills ice cream!!!!

I tried a few flavors but I decided to get two scoops of my favorite, the Nona's Oatmeal Cookie. Yum yum yum! By the way I saw that Ample Hills can be ordered online but the delivery fee was $50 for 4 pints which was already about $35. Ouch! I guess the best solution will be next trip to eat there everyday to get my fill.

The ice cream was so good. And I had a pleasant walk to Epcot. By the time I enter Epcot I was shocked. When I left the place was wall to wall people, now it was almost devoid of people and there was 20 minutes until Illuminations. Where did everyone go?

I decided to take a few shots in Morocco. I thought these turned out pretty decent.

Then I walked over to Japan and decided to watch Illuminations from there as there was a lot of open space to the right of the torri gate.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Then it was time for Illuminations, which I don't watch very much but the time worked into my schedule so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
So here are some Illuminations shots....

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

After Illuminations I decided to roam around the rest of World Showcase and enjoy the music, light crowds, nice weather, and take some pictures. Here are a few of my favorites.

So the after Illuminations music was playing and as I approached Italy the music suddenly stopped and Italy lit up. Still there was no music. I thought that was odd.

Then I noticed security lining the front of the pavilion and tv camera. Turns out they were filming stuff for the Disney Fairytale weddings that will be on Freeform. Interesting, I wasn't planning on watching that show but maybe I will now.

I also saw these people dressed up, I don't know if they were in the wedding or hosts of the show. So maybe I do have to watch and find out.

So after gawking for a bit I continued on my way.

I have more pictures of my evening World Showcase journey but my husband wants to stream the Packer/Steelers game (he isn't a fan of either team) on his phone and that will slow down the wifi. So it is a wrap for tonight, I'm off to enjoy a Hallmark Christmas movie and a bowl of peppermint ice cream with hot fudge. Hmm, maybe I have an ice cream problem.....Good night!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm here. Love seeing all the Christmas decor! Someday I hope to finally see it in person.

Christmas at Disney is pretty magical, I do hope you get to see it someday.

 

[Stacey LeDuc]

Omgoodness I have never ever seen magical express so crowded. I will now consider myself lucky.
Love all the pics and truly love your pace.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Omgoodness I have never ever seen magical express so crowded. I will now consider myself lucky.
Love all the pics and truly love your pace.

It seems like every other time I go it is super crowded and the other times pretty dead. Hit and miss I guess.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Thanks you for the great pictures of all the Christmas decorations, I especially like the ones from HS. The new ToT projections look amazing. I love how Disney keeps surprising me with new magic.

 

[MinnieM123]

I liked the projections on the Chinese Theater, but not so much on TOT. Just felt they were more appropriate for a theater background (which probably makes no sense to anyone else except me ).

My favorite pictures were from the Echo Lake decorations. I enjoyed those old-fashioned lamppost holiday adornments--very cute and retro.

As for EPCOT, the one thing I can't stand are the crowds (granted--they vary on any given day and time) around World Showcase. When the crowds are so big and it turns into an obstacle course around World Showcase, I can't take in the scenery, etc., which is something I've always enjoyed doing for many years.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I liked the projections on the Chinese Theater, but not so much on TOT. Just felt they were more appropriate for a theater background (which probably makes no sense to anyone else except me ).

My favorite pictures were from the Echo Lake decorations. I enjoyed those old-fashioned lamppost holiday adornments--very cute and retro.

As for EPCOT, the one thing I can't stand are the crowds (granted--they vary on any given day and time) around World Showcase. When the crowds are so big and it turns into an obstacle course around World Showcase, I can't take in the scenery, etc., which is something I've always enjoyed doing for many years.

I wondered about how the tot projections would look and I think it worked well in person maybe it didn't translate so well in pictures. I enjoy the scenery at world showcase too so the crowds really bother me there.