Trip Report It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas! *COMPLETED*

The soothing croon of Michael Bublé kept reverberating in my mind as I pondered starting yet another trip report. Like summer, the Christmas season makes me happy. Going to WDW during the Christmas season makes me VERY HAPPY. The joy of sharing my trips with my WDWMAGIC friends makes me happier still. Thank you for the encouragement to keep on writing!

Holiday Vacation #1
When: November 16-23, 2019
Where: Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Who: Tuvalu and Woody

Looky! I finally got a Magic Shot!

Okay, so it’s a bit creepy. But it leaves no doubt that this was a CHRISTMAS trip.

In mid-November.

But hey, we had Halloween in August!

And yours truly was very excited to experience Christmas decor at the resorts and in 3 of the 4 parks. (Epcot was still in full “Food and Wine” mode.) It wasn’t always this festive in November. We’ve been this same week in the past and outside of MK, there was very little decorating completed. I was so disappointed the year we stayed at WL (very close to turkey day) and missed out on the holiday stuff. I was worried the same thing would happen again. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Woody, on the other hand, is a “Let’s celebrate Thanksgiving before shifting our focus to Christmas” kind of guy. Growing up, his family did not put up their tree until CHRISTMAS EVE. (Can you imagine?!!) Over the years he has mellowed, thanks to my influence, and better tolerates the Christmas creep. Yet I was concerned that his inner Scrooge might reveal itself during this vacation.

I needn’t have worried. But I’m getting ahead of myself again.

Our week consisted of some new experiences and old experiences....some frustrations....some drama (of course!)....and a very magical meet.

Stay tuned.

 

[Tuvalu]

Tuesday, con’t

Sorry @slipperalwaysfits but your park guesses were incorrect.

But in your defense, a Tuvalu family sighting at AK is a rare occurrence!

Even the Nahtazu had walls.....

....lots of walls. Sigh.

But seeing the tree made me happy!

It’s one of my favorites so I made Woody stop for PP pictures. Thankfully Callan was not on duty.

As if tree pics weren’t enough, I asked to wait for the Lion King backdrop. And we were pressured to pose with our best ROAR!

Woody was a good sport, though he would have preferred skipping this photo op.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Maybe it’s the shadows but that Lion King frame looks odd to me.

Unless an entire basketball team is getting a photo I feel like it is too big.

You both look fabulous though- just tiny and oddly lit.

 

[MissViv]

Good photo - I like it!

 

[Tuvalu]

Maybe it’s the shadows but that Lion King frame looks odd to me.

Unless an entire basketball team is getting a photo I feel like it is too big.

You both look fabulous though- just tiny and oddly lit.

I was surprised to see the shadows in the final result as I don’t remember noticing them at the time, and probably wouldn’t have waited in line for a picture.

Good photo - I like it!

You’re sweet.

 

[MissViv]

I was surprised to see the shadows in the final result as I don’t remember noticing them at the time, and probably wouldn’t have waited in line for a picture.


You’re sweet.

Making up for the "drab" reply.

 

[Tuvalu]

I forgot to mention something I did on the bus ride to AK.

You may recall Woody and I were having such a good time at Epcot that we didn’t mind missing the window for our first FP, which was DINOSAUR. Then we opted to do a quick unpack in room which put FP #2 in jeopardy. While on the bus I realized we still *might* make our FP if we hurried. But Woody dislikes being in a rush, and I wasn’t in the mood to set any speed records myself.

Plus I now had the opportunity to make two complete strangers deliriously happy.

With a tap of my finger, I cancelled our Flight of Passage FPs.

I declared it a win-win for all. Woody and I strolled through security without any stress and had time for PP pictures. And a trip to the restrooms. Two strangers could enjoy FoP without an insane standby wait.

Upon arriving at Discovery Island we encountered the Merry Menagerie winter puppets. So adorable!

Had we been in the throes of a mad dash to FoP, we would have missed this enchanting experience. We stood and watched the puppet/guest interactions for quite awhile. Some of the children were mesmerized and their facial expressions were priceless.

Then we did a little Christmas shopping.

Took this pic for you @Rista1313.

I think it’s a slap bracelet?

I really liked the luminaries atop the gift stores. They were beautiful at night!

 

[lindawdw]

I can't believe you gave up your FOP FP!!! I'm sure you made someone's day when they refreshed the MDE and found that there were two available!!! We never got to see the puppets in December but I heard such great things about the whole experience! Glad you were having such a wonderful day.

 

[Rista1313]

Took this pic for you @Rista1313.

I think it’s a slap bracelet?

Thank you! I hadn't seen this yet... I love it! Although, I am not a fan of slap bracelets, the popularity of these in the 80's was just below my age group.

 

[fractal]

Giving up FoP fastpasses for someone you don't know - the Spirit of Christmas.

 

[Tuvalu]

We’d missed FP #1, sacrificed FP#2, but were determined to use FP #3.

Thankful we didn’t have to wait almost an hour in standby. We were onboard our jeep in about five minutes.

It wasn’t the best safari though. Very few animals were visible, likely due to the late afternoon hour. I suspect it was feeding time (evidence below).

We did have an unusual sighting.

“There’s a mandrill after all....”

Very close encounter with a rhino.

I liked the flamingo reflections in the water.

Always nice to see the big cats. Even if they’re sleeping.

 

[93boomer]

We’d missed FP #1, sacrificed FP#2, but were determined to use FP #3.

View attachment 439975

Thankful we didn’t have to wait almost an hour in standby. We were onboard our jeep in about five minutes.

View attachment 439976

It wasn’t the best safari though. Very few animals were visible, likely due to the late afternoon hour. I suspect it was feeding time (evidence below).

View attachment 439977

We did have an unusual sighting.

View attachment 439982
“There’s a mandrill after all....”

Very close encounter with a rhino.

View attachment 439980

I liked the flamingo reflections in the water.

View attachment 439979

Always nice to see the big cats. Even if they’re sleeping.

View attachment 439981

Really good safari pix! I love that flamingo one!

 

[krisri18]

We’d missed FP #1, sacrificed FP#2, but were determined to use FP #3.

View attachment 439975

Thankful we didn’t have to wait almost an hour in standby. We were onboard our jeep in about five minutes.

View attachment 439976

It wasn’t the best safari though. Very few animals were visible, likely due to the late afternoon hour. I suspect it was feeding time (evidence below).

View attachment 439977

We did have an unusual sighting.

View attachment 439982
“There’s a mandrill after all....”

Very close encounter with a rhino.

View attachment 439980

I liked the flamingo reflections in the water.

View attachment 439979

Always nice to see the big cats. Even if they’re sleeping.

View attachment 439981

And all this time I thought the mandrills were a myth!

 

[k8einwdw]

Those puppets are darling! I’m glad they finally stepped up the holiday offerings at Animal Kingdom!

 

[Tuvalu]

Really good safari pix! I love that flamingo one!

Me too!

Those puppets are darling! I’m glad they finally stepped up the holiday offerings at Animal Kingdom!

Me too!!

And all this time I thought the mandrills were a myth!

Me too!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

The sun was nearing the horizon as we left Harambe and walked to Pandora. I do like the water features in this land.

We caught a performance by Kapoose, the Pandora Ranger.

It was.....different. But then so is the rest of Pandora!

Woody and I waited a couple more minutes for our dining companions. We had chosen a mutual favorite restaurant for our meal together.

Suddenly there were two women squealing with glee.....and a couple of husbands dutifully supporting their Magician wives.

These boards are a wonderful place to forge new friendships. And after dinner, the two hubbys were friends too.

But first we ordered.

Beef bowl with noodles for Woody.

Beef bowl with hearty salad for me.

The food was yummy as usual (there’s a reason Satu’li is a fave!) The conversation was fun and engaging. We couples discovered we have much in common besides Disney! All too soon our time had come to an end and we exited the park together.

But we made sure to stop for a photo first!

Thanks for a wonderful evening, Mrs. (and Mr.) @93boomer!!

 

[93boomer]

The sun was nearing the horizon as we left Harambe and walked to Pandora. I do like the water features in this land.

View attachment 440053

View attachment 440054

We caught a performance by Kapoose, the Pandora Ranger.

View attachment 440055

View attachment 440056

It was.....different. But then so is the rest of Pandora!

Woody and I waited a couple more minutes for our dining companions. We had chosen a mutual favorite restaurant for our meal together.

View attachment 440057

Suddenly there were two women squealing with glee.....and a couple of husbands dutifully supporting their Magician wives.

These boards are a wonderful place to forge new friendships. And after dinner, the two hubbys were friends too.

But first we ordered.

View attachment 440059

Beef bowl with noodles for Woody.

View attachment 440063

Beef bowl with hearty salad for me.

View attachment 440060

The food was yummy as usual (there’s a reason Satu’li is a fave!) The conversation was fun and engaging. We couples discovered we have much in common besides Disney! All too soon our time had come to an end and we exited the park together.

But we made sure to stop for a photo first!

View attachment 440061
Thanks for a wonderful evening, Mrs. (and Mr.) @93boomer!!

The best evening ever!!

 

[lindawdw]

I always feel that if you see some giraffes and the lion/lioness then it's a successful safari! How fun that you got to meet up with forum friends and that you had so much in common to talk about!

 

[Tuvalu]

Found this pic I took of the luminaries on our way out of AK. They were even prettier in person.

 

[MissViv]

Found this pic I took of the luminaries on our way out of AK. They were even prettier in person.

View attachment 440144

I love those - so sorry we didn't get to visit AK during our last visit and see the decorations.

 

[Tuvalu]

The walk from the bus stop into the Lodge during the holiday season is so warm and welcoming. I often have to stop just to admire the lighted garland. Tonight was no different!

There are other Christmas trees scattered around the Lodge in addition to the main tree.

New for this year was a gingerbread house. Not nearly as large or elaborate as the gingerbread house at the GF, I thought it was a nice addition to the limited floor space in the lobby.

There were several hidden Mickeys. This one was obvious!

The most adorable part of the creation?

Just looking at them makes me smile!

I had a @Longers craving for some ice cream so we wandered down to Roaring Fork. Chocolate soft serve with M&Ms. I was disappointed there were no cookies crumbles to add like there were last summer.

Didn’t stop me from eating it though. I even let Woody have some.

I took this lobby shot on our way back to our room. The tree is massive from this angle too!