Trip Report It’s Christmalicious Disney Time! COMPLETED!

Well hello fine forum members!

I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD! TOMORROW!

With my hubby, too. I think he’s also excited

So... this is going to be my attempt at a live trip report. I have managed one or two years ago & failed miserably in more recent times, but I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s reports recently- it really helps with the Disney blues & the countdown to new trips! So I hope I can do the same!

Now the who, when and where- ‘tis my husband Russ and myself, Sam. And we’re leaving tomorrow for 7 nights at the Beach Club! We’re from the U.K. however we’re actually already in America- we flew out on Wednesday to Philadelphia, then got the train to Washington D.C. a day later. We love to see different cities over here & the route worked better with my air miles- plus it means we’ve settled & are over our jet lag in time for our Disney trip! We’ve had fun doing a mix of touristy things and exploring both cities & finding some great restaurants.

And now tomorrow we’re flying out of DCA to Orlando! The airport is a 15 min drive from our hotel & I also love that now we’re already in the US we won’t have to go through customs when we arrive in Orlando- it’s straight on to the Magical Express!
We’re flying with Southwest which we’ve done before- already checked in and in boarding group B which isn’t too bad.

So the reason for the trip title- well, who doesn’t partly/largely come to Disney for the food?! Ha well we do! It’s time to get it alllll in ma belly followed by many a Disney drink. That’s how we do Disney! I am so excited for our ADRs and the Christmas booths in Epcot! Plus, it’s nearly Christmas people! The things I pretty much love in life are Disney, food and Christmas. Hubs & family too, obviously, but... Christmas, delicious food, Disney, all together?! Come on! WOO HOO!

That was us on our last trip- New Years at Disney and the first week of January. And we both got a 48 hour sickness bug on NYE! We spent the evening listening to the fireworks from our room whilst very sick- and didn’t leave for 2 days! So this is a redo sort of. Even when we were better both of us couldn’t really enjoy food for a few days. It was also really weird having everything still Christmassy for the week after New Years, so I’m really looking forward to it now being the build up to Christmas and then going back home for Christmas this time.

It feels like there’s so much more to see since last year too- Pandora, Happily Ever After, Sunset Boulevard Christmas stuff & Baseline Tap House & the Epcot Christmas Festival!

Oh- and it’s our 2nd wedding anniversary whilst we’re here! I don’t actually think I could be any more excited... bring on tomorrow!

 

[Ariel1986]

And so we have had a lie in this morning (well, I woke at 7am which is the latest so far this trip- crazy as at home I always have about 8 hours sleep and on a weekend I can sleep for 10-12 hours! Not in Disney though, 5-6 hours seems to be it! Too much happiness and excitement ).

Anyhow, so I’m awake and have been updating this report. Russ is still asleep! Our plans this morning are Disney Springs and then late afternoon/this evening we have FP’s for AK- the River Journey ride being one of them, so we’ll get to see Pandora at night. We plan to watch ROL before heading over to the Contemporary for our ADR at California Grill! I’m feeling so full this morning though that maybe we shouldn’t eat all day so we can enjoy it! God damn you Disney with all your delicious food! Too much for too little time!

So, today’s adventures begin shortly! I’m loving laying here in bed hearing the sounds of the Boardwalk & the boats outside

 

[Ariel1986]

There goes trying to eat less today to save room for dinner...

Breakfast in bed! Karamel Kuche treats

Off to Disney Springs now

 

[Tiggertoo56]

Looks like you're having a fantastic time, and am so. looking forward to the next instalment.

 

[Ariel1986]

Looks like you're having a fantastic time, and am so. looking forward to the next instalment.

Thanks for reading! We definitely are having an awesome time. You can’t beat Disney filled days of awesomeness!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Caramel Kuche is my kind of breakfast.

 

[Ariel1986]

So once in Disney Springs we headed to Starbucks for our caffeine fix. They had some cool festive drinks but unfortunately they aren’t on the snack point dining plan like everything else!

So after that we took a wonder round the older end of the Springs, the Christmas shop, art shop, pin store, co-op. Mainly window shopping, there’s so much stuff I want though! Mainly loving everything in the Co-op!

After this we headed to Homecomin’ to use our cocktail refill bottles for some moonshine! The sun was really shining now and made for a lovely walk back through the Springs to our lunch destination.

Why we thought this would be a “light” lunch I have no idea- but it was delicious!! And great value for a QS point- we got the Butcher’s Board which was chicken, ribs & pork, two sides & two drinks. For two QS points. We also paid for one extra side.

So much food, but so good, The Polite Pig may be our new fave QS! The place had a great feel to it and the ribs, pork & sauces were SO good! We’re going to buy a bottle of one of the sauces. The tater tots & tomato and watermelon sides were just so delicious too.

After this we headed back to the bus stop super full!

And whilst waiting for a bus we realised there is just no way we were making California Grill tonight. We made the decision to cancel, even though it’s under 24 hours as it would just be a waste- and also makes our plans at AK tonight less hectic. We have a brunch booked at California Grill on our last day which we were going to pay cash for as we would have used up all our points- so w we’ll use the points from tonight instead.

So, very full & a little sleepy, we’re now chilling in the room for an hour before heading to AK for this evenings FP’s & ROL!

 

[Dave B]

On to Star Tours... we got the same two new scenes, but some different character appearances.

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As we left Star Tours the park was closing & Jingle Bell Jingle Bam was playing- is was fun walking out to the music & the fireworks above us. We strolled to the exit to beat the crowds leaving, and decided to use the walkway once again, back to the Boardwalk.

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We encountered a couple who seemed to be in their 80’s at least, on the way, who were in Disney sweaters and bickering with each other. The lady was telling him not to keep moving her (he was guiding her where to go as she seemed to have had a few drinks) and he was saying she would be in the river if he didn’t and he wasn’t going to let that happen. They were bickering in the funny couple way where they had obviously been married for years and it made us chuckle! Us in the future we said!

So we got to the Boardwalk around 8.30- our ADR was at 9pm so we decided to grab a drink at Agracadabrabar or whatever it’s name is. The cool magic bar lol! Pretty drinks! Our bartender was awesome too.

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And now- it was time for steeeeak! We were hungry now and couldn’t wait to eat!
When we checked in the lady said it might be a 15-20 min wait to be seated. This was Russ having to wait for food

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It actually was only about 2 mins in the end till we were called anyway. We had a great server, Barry, and we got started with a Mai Tai for me and a Smoked Turkey for Russ- along with a Milk Stout each!

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And... oh yes. Here it is. The bread and garlic!!!! I’ve been drooling over this since our last ADR a few years ago! Now Russ hates garlic, so this was all for me!! He must love me letting me eat the whole bulb with both the bread and then with my steak... sorry Russ!

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We had the Fried Shrimp & Calamari to start, but I forgot to take a pic! Very good though.
And the main event... Kansas Strip Steak for Russ & 10oz Filet Mignon for me. Russ had the beef fat potatoes and I had mash, we both had the red wine sauce & caramelised onions.

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SO FRICKING GOOD!! My steak cut like butter. God it was such a good steak.
Oh and I had a Glowtini around this time too. Can’t have a Disney trip without a magical glow cube! It’s the rules. And Disney knows it

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I don’t know why we thought dessert would be a good idea as we were soooo full, but we have the dining plan so waistlines and comfortable stomachs be damned! We went with this giant chocolate cake/brownie thing which even had a bananas fosters layer!

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Ha, we lasted a few bites and got them packed to go. Still sitting in the fridge with our half eaten cakes from Homecomin’ Sunday & the caramel snacks from Germany yesterday!

And that was another awesome Disney day done!

Where di you eat at ? Those steaks look good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ariel1986]

Where di you eat at ? Those steaks look good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yachtsman Steakhouse

 

[dclfan]

@Ariel1986 we have been having such a blast hanging out with you and Russ . Our English twins.

 

[Ariel1986]

@Ariel1986 we have been having such a blast hanging out with you and Russ . Our English twins.

Totally!! It’s crazy how awesome it’s been. See you soon maybe in the MK! We’re waiting for a boat from the Poly- it’s freeeezing!! Lol.

 

[krisri18]

Late to the party, but it looks like you are having an amazing time!

 

[Ariel1986]

Late to the party, but it looks like you are having an amazing time!

Thanks, we definitely are! Has been one of our best trips ever so far

 

[Ariel1986]

So, let’s finish up yesterday to get to today!

We headed out to AK at 4.30pm, we were running late as originally we had a 4-5pm FP for Everest, so we changed that to after ROL. We had arranged to meet dclfan and her fiancé again for a drink at the Nomad Louge at 5pm & so we decided to get a Lyft car so we didn’t run late for that.

We got to AK at 4.50pm and headed to the Nomad Lounge for another round of drinks & awesome times with them both! As they had an ADR at 5.40pm we parted ways & Russ and I headed to our River Journey FP.

We also got our first look at Pandora at night. We loved it! Really loving the new area to explore in AK.
We liked River Journey- simple boat ride with some awesome visual effects- and the animatronic at the end was pretty impressive!

After this it was nearing the time for ROL, so we left Pandora, grabbed a Starbucks and then headed towards the ROL area.

Unfortunately we left it a little bit too late & as it was the first showing it was completely full. I quite enjoyed listening to the music & peeping over the walls for now though and we plan to go another time.

We decided to ride Everest whilst ROL was on as the standby was only 5 mins! So I changed my Everest FP to one for MK later whilst we whizzed through the Everest que, and off we went! Back row as always- and we got an awesome, if brief, view of ROL from above!

We definitely love Everest!

After this we decided to head out (with the mass of people exiting ROL!) and catch a bus to the Polynesian to grab some drinks!
Love the Poly

We headed to the Tambu lounge for what else, but a Lapu Lapu! Russ was boring and had a beer

After some drinks here we went to try Trader Sam’s, but there was only standing room- and it was getting close to HEA time so we decided to grab a boat to MK. It was sooooo cold waiting for that boat and there was quite a crowd so we weren’t sure if we’d get on.

Cold!

There was a large group of various family members in front of us who had been to the Luau and were in a very “jolly” mood- but in a good way, and they got talking to us and we were cracking jokes. Then when the boat arrived, the captain asked how many were in the party in front’s family, and Russ and I realised we wouldn’t get on & wouldn’t make it for HEA. I said this to Russ and the guy in front heard us- and said no, you guys are with us! He asked our names and proceeded to call us “Uncle Russ and Aunty Sam” and told his kids that we were their new Aunty & Uncle from London He then told the captain we were with them and he had to squeeze us on too- which the captain did!
We had a fun chat on the way with the family, who were from Wisconsin. So thank you family from Wisconsin for temporarily adopting us and getting us to the MK in time for HEA!

 

[Ariel1986]

We got into the MK at 8.55pm and made our way up Main Street.

Somehow in the hub the crowd started being moved and spaces opened up- so we managed to squeeze in right in the center for an awesome view! It made the fireworks look much better than last time & I noticed more of the projections. I really started to love it more second time round! The music from Wishes is still in my heart but HEA is starting to win me over. And it’s still made me cry both times
Again I only took a couple pics so I could fully enjoy it.

Dclfan and her fiancé were in MK too & so we were messaging and arranged to meet up an hour after HEA to do some rides together. Russ and I headed round to the Tangled Toilets to try the lantern photos again- and then head to Under the Sea for the FP we had made before.

I just love this ride The Little Mermaid makes me feel like my 5 year old self

We were starting to feel a little hungry so as he had about 20 mins till we were meeting dclfan in Tommorowland, we headed to Cosmic Rays to grab some nuggets & fries to share. And a few toppings from the toppings bar! Yum!

We then met up with dclfan & her fiancé & we rode Astro Orbiter & then Buzz Lightyear together. We had so much fun! Love hanging out with these guys!! Our first proper Disney friends!

Russ and I also both got galactic hero on Buzz as it broke down for a while and we found a target that gave 100,000 points at a time!
I’ve never had this happen before and didn’t even know how to do it! I’d even just been saying to dclfan earlier how I never win and want to know the secret targets!
It made the rest of the ride a bit pointless though as the ride broke down at the beginning...

Proud Hero’s

After this we said our goodbyes as Russ & I were pretty tired! We made our way out the park which was emptying out- and had a nice stroll down Main Street with all the decorations!

So then we were back home for bed. I passed out pretty quick! Was a really awesome day, yet again! To be followed the next day, with our actual Anniversary

 

[Ariel1986]

And today... is our 2 year Anniversary!!

This was us 2 years ago on Vero Beach (not the Disney resort, another lovely one). Ahh how time flies!! This was the best day of my life.

 

[Go.Nijntje]

Happy Anniversary!
How did the second lantern picture turn out?
Are you actually from London or did your Wisconsin family just say that?

 

[Longers]

Happy Anniversary - glad you are keeping up with your live reporting!

How nice of that family to adopt you so you made it onto the boat to make HEA and so glad you enjoyed HEA more the 2nd time around. Disney friends are truly the best
Glad your getting to meet with other WDW Magic friends but no photo yet again?
Have a fab day (I know you will)

 

[riverside]

Happy Anniversary!! I'm really enjoying your trip report!!

 

[Ariel1986]

Happy Anniversary!
How did the second lantern picture turn out?
Are you actually from London or did your Wisconsin family just say that?

Thanks! Yes we are- well, from just outside London, about 30 miles out. 2nd lantern picture was better though we’re all wrapped up in hats & sweaters so I think I’ll do another round (Ha ha! Russ is patient! It’s because we had lots of Tangled elements in our wedding so I want to get a great photo! Though I’m still going to keep the 6 we already have! )

Happy Anniversary - glad you are keeping up with your live reporting!

How nice of that family to adopt you so you made it onto the boat to make HEA and so glad you enjoyed HEA more the 2nd time around. Disney friends are truly the best
Glad your getting to meet with other WDW Magic friends but no photo yet again?
Have a fab day (I know you will)

Thank you! Yes it’s not been too bad this time doing the live one compared to the past- I think the trick is to post as I go/when having a mid-day break or when I wake up early and Russ is still asleep- otherwise reporting from memory or falling behind makes it too tricky. I’ve actually found it quite fun this time around!

And I know- we’ve just been having such a great time when hanging out we haven’t thought about stopping for a photo! @dclfan we have a request!

Happy Anniversary!! I'm really enjoying your trip report!!

Ahh that’s nice to hear, glad you’re enjoying it! And thank you!

 

[Go.Nijntje]

I live in London as well, it's a small world after all.