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.

 

[wdwfamilynh]

BINGO!!

Now Woody and I had already visited the GF earlier in the week, to pick up the Basin product for my DIL. Too bad my brother hadn’t put in his request prior to this morning, as we could have saved ourselves a trip!

But the tree had been put up in the interim, so that was a nice surprise.

View attachment 443091

The garland matched the carpet!

View attachment 443092

I spy with my little eye.....a wedding party!

View attachment 443093

My brother and SIL are crazy about the chocolate-dipped gingerbread shingles sold at the GF during the holidays.

How crazy are they?

Crazy enough to spend $10 per shingle! They wanted 3. I used to buy them 4, back when shingles were $7.50. Apparently $30 is their comfort threshold.

Woody and I entered the queue for purchases.

View attachment 443094

A moment earlier there had been no one in line, but a man and his mother (in an ECV) cut us off.

But fear not ~ that was not the rudest thing they did.

I don’t think they realized what they had done, because it soon became clear neither of them were the brightest bulb on the tree. They spoke in the thick, southern drawl found in areas where folks marry their cousins. Not in line with them were four unruly kids, who were picking off pieces of the gingerbread house and scooping soil from the nearby potted plants with toy pirate swords. Mom (also not in line) was oblivious, as Dad kept asking her....and ECV grandma....questions.

Questions, you ask?

Turns out this family was on their way to the airport, their vacation over. Dad had a printed sheet of their remaining Disney Dining Plan credits, which he kept showing to the two CMs inside the gingerbread house. He was very confused, as the CMs explained that he could indeed convert a quick service meal credit into three snack credits, something he had been told by whatever CM had printed the paper for him.

View attachment 443096

Dad had 30 snack credits. The next 10+ minutes were spent debating what to get (“Will Jimmy like this cake pop? Mama, what do you think?”), how many of each item to get, having to start over and select different items when their original choices were not DDP eligible....and on and on.

Meanwhile hillbilly children continued to run amok and there were now over a dozen people in line behind Woody and me. A great murmuring of What in the world is taking so long?! began among the line dwellers.

And just when we thought it was over, Dad turned to EVC grandma and said, “Now what do you want?”

EVC grandma had 16 snack credits. And she had not been paying attention, so the process started ALL. OVER. AGAIN.

The face on this Santa pretty much matched mine at this point.

View attachment 443095

There was never a “We’re sorry” or any recognition from Dad/ECV grandma that they had been holding others hostage for over 20 minutes. Meanwhile I texted my brother that he owed me BIG TIME.

Eventually I was able to send him this:

View attachment 443113
#BestSister

The only thing that would have been going through my mind on that line...
WT

 

[Mickey Waffles]

The GF gingerbread snack story is one for the books!! Some people are unbelievable.

 

[RememberWhen]

BINGO!!

Now Woody and I had already visited the GF earlier in the week, to pick up the Basin product for my DIL. Too bad my brother hadn’t put in his request prior to this morning, as we could have saved ourselves a trip!

But the tree had been put up in the interim, so that was a nice surprise.

View attachment 443091

The garland matched the carpet!

View attachment 443092

I spy with my little eye.....a wedding party!

View attachment 443093

My brother and SIL are crazy about the chocolate-dipped gingerbread shingles sold at the GF during the holidays.

How crazy are they?

Crazy enough to spend $10 per shingle! They wanted 3. I used to buy them 4, back when shingles were $7.50. Apparently $30 is their comfort threshold.

Woody and I entered the queue for purchases.

View attachment 443094

A moment earlier there had been no one in line, but a man and his mother (in an ECV) cut us off.

But fear not ~ that was not the rudest thing they did.

I don’t think they realized what they had done, because it soon became clear neither of them were the brightest bulb on the tree. They spoke in the thick, southern drawl found in areas where folks marry their cousins. Not in line with them were four unruly kids, who were picking off pieces of the gingerbread house and scooping soil from the nearby potted plants with toy pirate swords. Mom (also not in line) was oblivious, as Dad kept asking her....and ECV grandma....questions.

Questions, you ask?

Turns out this family was on their way to the airport, their vacation over. Dad had a printed sheet of their remaining Disney Dining Plan credits, which he kept showing to the two CMs inside the gingerbread house. He was very confused, as the CMs explained that he could indeed convert a quick service meal credit into three snack credits, something he had been told by whatever CM had printed the paper for him.

View attachment 443096

Dad had 30 snack credits. The next 10+ minutes were spent debating what to get (“Will Jimmy like this cake pop? Mama, what do you think?”), how many of each item to get, having to start over and select different items when their original choices were not DDP eligible....and on and on.

Meanwhile hillbilly children continued to run amok and there were now over a dozen people in line behind Woody and me. A great murmuring of What in the world is taking so long?! began among the line dwellers.

And just when we thought it was over, Dad turned to EVC grandma and said, “Now what do you want?”

EVC grandma had 16 snack credits. And she had not been paying attention, so the process started ALL. OVER. AGAIN.

The face on this Santa pretty much matched mine at this point.

View attachment 443095

There was never a “We’re sorry” or any recognition from Dad/ECV grandma that they had been holding others hostage for over 20 minutes. Meanwhile I texted my brother that he owed me BIG TIME.

Eventually I was able to send him this:

View attachment 443113
#BestSister

Please please write a book someday. Your description is lovely. I can hear the drawl, see the run-amok kids, feel the tension and frustration of everyone in line...
Thank you for writing these reports!

 

[93boomer]

BINGO!!

Now Woody and I had already visited the GF earlier in the week, to pick up the Basin product for my DIL. Too bad my brother hadn’t put in his request prior to this morning, as we could have saved ourselves a trip!

But the tree had been put up in the interim, so that was a nice surprise.

View attachment 443091

The garland matched the carpet!

View attachment 443092

I spy with my little eye.....a wedding party!

View attachment 443093

My brother and SIL are crazy about the chocolate-dipped gingerbread shingles sold at the GF during the holidays.

How crazy are they?

Crazy enough to spend $10 per shingle! They wanted 3. I used to buy them 4, back when shingles were $7.50. Apparently $30 is their comfort threshold.

Woody and I entered the queue for purchases.

View attachment 443094

A moment earlier there had been no one in line, but a man and his mother (in an ECV) cut us off.

But fear not ~ that was not the rudest thing they did.

I don’t think they realized what they had done, because it soon became clear neither of them were the brightest bulb on the tree. They spoke in the thick, southern drawl found in areas where folks marry their cousins. Not in line with them were four unruly kids, who were picking off pieces of the gingerbread house and scooping soil from the nearby potted plants with toy pirate swords. Mom (also not in line) was oblivious, as Dad kept asking her....and ECV grandma....questions.

Questions, you ask?

Turns out this family was on their way to the airport, their vacation over. Dad had a printed sheet of their remaining Disney Dining Plan credits, which he kept showing to the two CMs inside the gingerbread house. He was very confused, as the CMs explained that he could indeed convert a quick service meal credit into three snack credits, something he had been told by whatever CM had printed the paper for him.

View attachment 443096

Dad had 30 snack credits. The next 10+ minutes were spent debating what to get (“Will Jimmy like this cake pop? Mama, what do you think?”), how many of each item to get, having to start over and select different items when their original choices were not DDP eligible....and on and on.

Meanwhile hillbilly children continued to run amok and there were now over a dozen people in line behind Woody and me. A great murmuring of What in the world is taking so long?! began among the line dwellers.

And just when we thought it was over, Dad turned to EVC grandma and said, “Now what do you want?”

EVC grandma had 16 snack credits. And she had not been paying attention, so the process started ALL. OVER. AGAIN.

The face on this Santa pretty much matched mine at this point.

View attachment 443095

There was never a “We’re sorry” or any recognition from Dad/ECV grandma that they had been holding others hostage for over 20 minutes. Meanwhile I texted my brother that he owed me BIG TIME.

Eventually I was able to send him this:

View attachment 443113
#BestSister

I just had to add more after all that!

 

[MickeyCB]

A moment earlier there had been no one in line, but a man and his mother (in an ECV) cut us off.

But fear not ~ that was not the rudest thing they did.

I don’t think they realized what they had done, because it soon became clear neither of them were the brightest bulb on the tree. They spoke in the thick, southern drawl found in areas where folks marry their cousins. Not in line with them were four unruly kids, who were picking off pieces of the gingerbread house and scooping soil from the nearby potted plants with toy pirate swords. Mom (also not in line) was oblivious, as Dad kept asking her....and ECV grandma....questions.

Questions, you ask?

Turns out this family was on their way to the airport, their vacation over. Dad had a printed sheet of their remaining Disney Dining Plan credits, which he kept showing to the two CMs inside the gingerbread house. He was very confused, as the CMs explained that he could indeed convert a quick service meal credit into three snack credits, something he had been told by whatever CM had printed the paper for him.

Dad had 30 snack credits. The next 10+ minutes were spent debating what to get (“Will Jimmy like this cake pop? Mama, what do you think?”), how many of each item to get, having to start over and select different items when their original choices were not DDP eligible....and on and on.

Meanwhile hillbilly children continued to run amok and there were now over a dozen people in line behind Woody and me. A great murmuring of What in the world is taking so long?! began among the line dwellers.

And just when we thought it was over, Dad turned to EVC grandma and said, “Now what do you want?”

EVC grandma had 16 snack credits. And she had not been paying attention, so the process started ALL. OVER. AGAIN.

The face on this Santa pretty much matched mine at this point.

There was never a “We’re sorry” or any recognition from Dad/ECV grandma that they had been holding others hostage for over 20 minutes. Meanwhile I texted my brother that he owed me BIG TIME.

Holy cripes! What the ever livin... is wrong with people?!

 

[Matt and Kelly]

I got impatient just listening lol. Your brother definitely owes you!

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

I was all-in too, until discovering the only available topping now was packaged syrup. No more strawberries, whipped cream or chocolate chips.

AAAAAAaawwwwwwwwwwww man, I was looking forward to those toppings~

I always make time for family.

NO MATTER WHAT.

Are purple wall pics even a thing anymore?

They are in my family!

I spy with my little eye.....a wedding party!

Wedding parties are SO fun to watch!!

#BestSister

EVER. I would NOT have had that kind of patience in line! Surprised they didn't call more CM's over to help!

 

[krisri18]

Oh Boy! Why in heavens name did the cast members not send them to the gift shop? 30 gingerbread snack items seems a bit much!

 

[lindawdw]

Your lunch at LTT looks delicious and my DH and I had the same table that you had this time. Your storytelling of the GF experience was frustrating to read but also comical at the same time. I just don't understand how some people can live in their own little world and be that oblivious to how inconsiderate they're being to all the other guests waiting to make a purchase. I do feel that the CM should have called someone to help with their predicament instead of creating such a long line for everyone else.

 

[Spash007]

The face on this Santa pretty much matched mine at this point.

View attachment 443095

I literally LOL'd at this last night, and I think my wife thought I was choking. I'm starting to think that these poeple find you @Tuvalu just so you can write these descriptions to make the rest of us laugh!

But that is awful! And I find it very amusing that while the Values get the riff-raff stereotype, those types of people always seem to end up at what is probably considered the most anti-riff raff resort - the GF! Pretty much every time were at GF, we run into children that sound exactly like that!

 

[dizfan917]

I guessed which tree those decorations were on!! yay me!!

 

[Tuvalu]

The GF gingerbread snack story is one for the books!! Some people are unbelievable.

Please please write a book someday. Your description is lovely. I can hear the drawl, see the run-amok kids, feel the tension and frustration of everyone in line...
Thank you for writing these reports!

I literally LOL'd at this last night, and I think my wife thought I was choking. I'm starting to think that these people find you @Tuvalu just so you can write these descriptions to make the rest of us laugh!

I honestly think you may be right, @Spash007. As I waited (and waited) all I could think was, "well at least I'll get a good story out of this." Thanks for your words of encouragement, @Mickey Waffles and @RememberWhen.

 

[Tuvalu]

The only thing that would have been going through my mind on that line...
WT

I just had to add more after all that!

Yeah, I wish there was a way to "like" (or in this case, "wow") a post more than once!

Holy cripes! What the ever livin... is wrong with people?!

Your comment made me LOL!

I got impatient just listening lol. Your brother definitely owes you!

I got impatient writing and I knew the ending!
Haven't received payback yet.

 

[Tuvalu]

I would NOT have had that kind of patience in line! Surprised they didn't call more CM's over to help!

I do feel that the CM should have called someone to help with their predicament instead of creating such a long line for everyone else.

That's what Woody said. There were two CMs in the gingerbread house.....BOTH of them should not have been occupied with one guest, especially for such a long time. Under normal circumstances, two guests can be helped simultaneously. Granted, nothing about this family was "normal".....but a CM should have asked the man to step aside and allow another guest (ME!) to be assisted as well.

Oh Boy! 30 gingerbread snack items seems a bit much!

46 gingerbread items when all was said and done! (Sounded like EVC grandma lived with the family.)

I guessed which tree those decorations were on!! yay me!!

Yay, you!!

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

The fallout from the gingerbread shingles debacle continued as we arrived at MK just in time to watch the WL boat pull away from the dock. Woody suggested we stay and wait for the next boat rather than continue walking to the bus stop.

Since we were first on the ferry we were able to snag a bench up front.

We certainly enjoyed our numerous boat rides today!

We relaxed in the room for a short bit before heading out again. We brought our jackets since it was supposed to be chilly. Thankfully it was not as cold as previous nights.

Did I ring the cowbell? Of course! I cannot walk by without ringing at least once per trip.

Dusk had fallen by the time we got to DHS. How many people now end their vacations at DHS due to the impossibility of obtaining a Slinky Dog FP earlier in their trip? I wonder if the recent addition of MF:SR to FP will free up more times for SDD?

Smart people that we are, we decided to have dinner before contending with Slinky. We turned down Sunset Blvd. to explore our options.

We landed here.

The pulled pork rice bowls were delish!

From our table we were able to watch the lights in front of the BATB Theater change colors.

 

[Tuvalu]

When we finished eating, we stood in the middle of Sunset Blvd. to watch the holiday projection show on the Tower of Terror. It plays continuously and we made sure to watch all the vignettes. There’s also plenty of snoap, @Oh bother!

I still pine for the Osborne Lights but have come to appreciate this show, as well as the extra illumination throughout the park.

The Peppermint Girls were aglow.

Toy Story Land is always festive at night.

But Rex’s antlers add a holiday touch.

As we scanned our bands we witnessed an angry family arguing with a CM about why they couldn’t use a Multiple Experience pass to ride SDD. (Ummm because it says so on the ME pass? Learn to read, folks!)

For anyone who thinks this is a kiddie coaster, I invite you to ride in the last car in the dark.....it’s super scary!

 

[Tuvalu]

Woody and I took a stroll around the lake to admire the lights.

We were tempted to crash this private party. Surely there’s room for Shirley?

Then it was decision time ~ hang around for Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! or return to the Lodge and watch Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks from our balcony?

It was an easy choice.

 

[maxntina]

I can't get over your expressions on Slinky Dog!!!

 

[Nunu]

I like the contrast between your terrified expression and Mr Woody's chill and cool stance .

 

[MissViv]

I haven't got to ride on Slinky Dog yet and could not get a fast pass for my upcoming trip in March. Maybe we can get them after we arrive - not very hopeful?