Trip Report It’s Christmalicious Disney Time! COMPLETED!

Longers · Dec 11, 2017

Ariel1986 said:
Been a fairly productive morning so far! Got to MK at 8.30, grabbed a Starbucks and headed to the back entrance to Fantasyland near Sleepy Hollow. This was our first experience of rope drop in the park- ha, little crazy! There was already masses of people at 7DMT so we headed to a 15 min wait for Peter Pan and that was our first ride of the trip!

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We walked past the Tangled restrooms and around through a fairly quiet Frontierland- Splash was closed so we headed to Big Thunder which was only 15 mins wait!

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Back row @Longers !

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It’s chilly but a bright sunny day! Beautiful sky!

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Hit up Pirates- love these shirts!

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And I got me one of these yay!

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Now in Tomorrowland queuing for Astro Orbitor!

Back row is the absolute best!

Longers · Dec 11, 2017

Ariel1986 said:
So we’ve had a nice afternoon- and the sun being out has warmed it up nicely!

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We left MK & headed back to the resort to do some very exciting laundry from the earlier part of the trip- since we’re now needing those jeans & sweaters in the mornings & evenings!

Whilst that was going we took a stroll in the sun around the Boardwalk- picked up some drinks from the margarita stand (a beer for Russ & a “Rollercoaster Going Down” (I think?) for me. Basically a Pina Colada with extra rum! Delicious! And then we strolled back to put the washing in the dryer & get another drink at the pool bar.

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Love this gingerbread carousel and the smell in the lobby! Especially as it is Lilo & Stitch themed & has Scrump on top!

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Freshening up to go to Hollywood Studios shortly- have 3 fast passes- and then the plan is MK tonight for our first viewing of Happily Ever After! I’m excited to see it!

Sun looks lovely! You won’t be disappointed by HEA it’s amazing!
Looking forward to more....

Tiggertoo56 · Dec 11, 2017

Ariel1986 said:
I was just saying that to Russ, thank goodness we aren’t flying out of the U.K. today!

And thank you, I’m sure we will! I aim to at least post some photos if not some actual reporting. Have fun in the snow!

Another UK member here - so glad you weren't held up by the snow. I came back from Prague on Friday just in time! Looking forward to your report.

Ariel1986 · Dec 11, 2017

Longers said:
Sun looks lovely! You won’t be disappointed by HEA it’s amazing!
Looking forward to more....

Yes the sun & the sky have been amazing & really made the day even with the cooler temps. In the sun it’s actually been pretty warm! Off to MK now- I’ve read nothing but good things about HEA so I’m more than hopeful as a diehard Wishes fan!

Tiggertoo56 said:
Another UK member here - so glad you weren't held up by the snow. I came back from Prague on Friday just in time! Looking forward to your report.

Hello! I know the snow cancellations sound crazy, so glad we flew out when we did! Glad you got back home safe too. Happy to have you reading, thanks!

Stacey LeDuc · Dec 11, 2017

Love the live report. Have a blast!

Ariel1986 · Dec 11, 2017

Stacey LeDuc said:
Love the live report. Have a blast!

Thanks! We definitely are having a blast, even with just day 1 done!

Ariel1986 · Dec 11, 2017

So we headed out to Hollywood Studios late afternoon via the walkway from the Boardwalk to hit our first FP+ of the trip!

1st up was RnRC! Awesome as always! We decided to go with a cheesy rock pose- I think Russ achieved it!

Up next was ToT- Russ was excited to get the red card!

I’ve no idea why I look so terrified, I’ve ridden this ride dozens of times since I was 12! :joyfull:

We then headed to Launch Bay to check out the shop, Russ being a huge Star Wars fan (he also runs a comic shop, so likes to see what Disney has verses what he has available at the shop!)

We then started our way over to Baseline Taphouse, where we decided we’d be having a few drinks & snacks to keep us going!

Love seeing the theatre like this, with nothing in the way! Though I’m sad we never got one last ride of The Great Movie Ride after it announced it was closing.

And loving the DHS decorations!

Ariel1986 · Dec 12, 2017

So, Baseline Taphouse it was! We loved the little area with the lights, was a quiet respite from the rest of the park & the cheese plate & pretzel were tasty. I had the California Sunset cocktail & Russ got a beer flight.

Next up was our last FP for Star Tours. Whilst in line I made a FP for Winnie the Pooh for MK after HEA. On Star Tours we got the new planet Crait & another new scene, so that was cool! Looking forward to the new film, we have tickets booked at AMC in Disney Springs this week!

After this we grabbed the Orange Hard Cider to go from Baseline Taphouse and took a quick walk around Echo Lake & a view of the Sunset Blvd showings- we’ll be looking at it properly later in the week hopefully.

It was 7pm now so we left the park to hop on a bus to MK. We had to wait for a second MK bus because of crowds, but we were in the park by 7.40pm. We headed up Main Street and to Starbucks, but the que was out the door, so we decided to head to Sleepy Hollow for some food & to get iced coffees there instead.

Not the best photo, but the food was tasty- if not very fried! Fried Spicy Chicken Waffle & a Hand Dipped Corn Dog.

Then it was time to squeeze our way into the hub for HEA! With about a half hour to go we got a good spot near the front, just off center. I love the castle lights!!

I didn’t take any photos of HEA as I wanted to watch it and take it all in. Now, I did enjoy it. I was impressed- and I did get emotional & shed a few tears in parts- and loved the Moana & Tangled sections especially. But there was no Beauty & the Beast! And as of right now, it didn’t quite have the emotional punch for me that Wishes did. But, it was visually stunning and I’m looking forward to watching it again! Maybe it will grow more over time. It was still a magical experience though!

After HEA we headed to our Pooh FP- via the Tangled Lantern photopass which is amazing and I LOVED doing!! There was hardly a que so we jumped on it. The photos weren’t the best of us though, being at the end of the day- so I won’t post them now & we’re going to try again!

So we rode Pooh- and then made our way out of the park as we were pretty cold by now and exhausted!

Such a pretty castle!

And so it was home to Beach Club. Love calling and this being home! :happy:

So now to bed- AK tomorrow! Pandora & FOP- yay!!

Ariel1986 · Dec 12, 2017

Oh I also bought this! Such a cute princess bow! Love wearing stuff like this is Disney!

Ariel1986 · Dec 12, 2017

Meant to mention yesterday that when we were in the hub waiting for HEA, a girl who was about 6 and with her family was looking at the castle saying wow and proclaiming how big the castle is. Then her dad went on to very loudly and for at least 5 mins explain that it’s actually smaller than it looks as it’s not real & telling her (and loud enough for all around us to hear) about all the false perspective elements and how they work. He kept saying “It’s not real. It’s playing tricks on your eyes.” Mr, she’s like 6 and there are other kids around who just look at the castle and think it’s real!

There may even be adults (I think I’m an adult... maybe...

) nearby who still like to look at it with wonder and awe and believing. What are you doing??

I don’t know, maybe his daughter is really inquisitive & likes to understand the workings of things, so I may be judging too much. Still, no need to talk loud enough about every behind the scene detail for everyone to hear! I wonder what he’s like with his kids when they go on rides or meet their favourite characters...

Russ and I made ourselves chuckle to each other though, as we carried on his conversation between us. Some of the things he said seemed a little over the top so we were saying to each other “See those spires? Nope, they’re not spires! They’re actually carrots. Carrots with glitter. Also Tinkerbell when she flies on the wire? Nope not a person- squirrel. That’s a squirrel in a dress!” :joyfull:

Go.Nijntje · Dec 12, 2017

I live to Zip Line

Ariel1986 · Dec 12, 2017

RedNoseMickey said:
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I live to Zip Line

Longers · Dec 12, 2017

Ariel1986 said:
So, Baseline Taphouse it was! We loved the little area with the lights, was a quiet respite from the rest of the park & the cheese plate & pretzel were tasty. I had the California Sunset cocktail & Russ got a beer flight.

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Next up was our last FP for Star Tours. Whilst in line I made a FP for Winnie the Pooh for MK after HEA. On Star Tours we got the new planet Crait & another new scene, so that was cool! Looking forward to the new film, we have tickets booked at AMC in Disney Springs this week!

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After this we grabbed the Orange Hard Cider to go from Baseline Taphouse and took a quick walk around Echo Lake & a view of the Sunset Blvd showings- we’ll be looking at it properly later in the week hopefully.

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It was 7pm now so we left the park to hop on a bus to MK. We had to wait for a second MK bus because of crowds, but we were in the park by 7.40pm. We headed up Main Street and to Starbucks, but the que was out the door, so we decided to head to Sleepy Hollow for some food & to get iced coffees there instead.

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Not the best photo, but the food was tasty- if not very fried! Fried Spicy Chicken Waffle & a Hand Dipped Corn Dog.

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Then it was time to squeeze our way into the hub for HEA! With about a half hour to go we got a good spot near the front, just off center. I love the castle lights!!

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I didn’t take any photos of HEA as I wanted to watch it and take it all in. Now, I did enjoy it. I was impressed- and I did get emotional & shed a few tears in parts- and loved the Moana & Tangled sections especially. But there was no Beauty & the Beast! And as of right now, it didn’t quite have the emotional punch for me that Wishes did. But, it was visually stunning and I’m looking forward to watching it again! Maybe it will grow more over time. It was still a magical experience though!

After HEA we headed to our Pooh FP- via the Tangled Lantern photopass which is amazing and I LOVED doing!! There was hardly a que so we jumped on it. The photos weren’t the best of us though, being at the end of the day- so I won’t post them now & we’re going to try again!

So we rode Pooh- and then made our way out of the park as we were pretty cold by now and exhausted!

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Such a pretty castle!

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And so it was home to Beach Club. Love calling and this being home!

So now to bed- AK tomorrow! Pandora & FOP- yay!!

A fab day - shame about HEA - it was the second time I watched that it got me so your right to try again - enjoy AK and FOP - I hope you love it!
Looking forward to more updates

riverside · Dec 12, 2017

Ariel1986 said:
Meant to mention yesterday that when we were in the hub waiting for HEA, a girl who was about 6 and with her family was looking at the castle saying wow and proclaiming how big the castle is. Then her dad went on to very loudly and for at least 5 mins explain that it’s actually smaller than it looks as it’s not real & telling her (and loud enough for all around us to hear) about all the false perspective elements and how they work. He kept saying “It’s not real. It’s playing tricks on your eyes.” Mr, she’s like 6 and there are other kids around who just look at the castle and think it’s real! There may even be adults (I think I’m an adult... maybe...) nearby who still like to look at it with wonder and awe and believing. What are you doing??

I don’t know, maybe his daughter is really inquisitive & likes to understand the workings of things, so I may be judging too much. Still, no need to talk loud enough about every behind the scene detail for everyone to hear! I wonder what he’s like with his kids when they go on rides or meet their favourite characters...

Russ and I made ourselves chuckle to each other though, as we carried on his conversation between us. Some of the things he said seemed a little over the top so we were saying to each other “See those spires? Nope, they’re not spires! They’re actually carrots. Carrots with glitter. Also Tinkerbell when she flies on the wire? Nope not a person- squirrel. That’s a squirrel in a dress!”

I don't think you're being too judgmental. He shouldn't have been ruining it for others.

Ariel1986 · Dec 12, 2017

So we got to AK at 10am- and made a quick dash to our FOP fastpass as we only had 25 mins left. But we made it in time and as most people, we loved it! So glad I managed to get another fastpass for Saturday!

After FOP we grabbed some drinks- for breakfast!

Along with a cheeseburger pod & the curry pod, we just got one of each rather than two quick service meals. We ate them in the lovely sunshine.

After our “breakfast” we took a wonder around Pandora before heading to Africa for our next FP- the Safari!

Ariel1986 · Dec 12, 2017

Safari... check!

Everest... check!

Checking out the Nomad Lounge... check!

I managed to score a Toy Story FP for later tonight too- we’re heading back to Beach Club now to freshen up & then go to Epcot for food & drinks- and hopefully manage our meet up with @dclfan and her fiancé!

Ariel1986 · Dec 13, 2017

Ok, carrying on from yesterday afternoon...

After freshening up back at the resort, we headed over to Epcot via the International Gateway. It was a lovely sunny day again- but super windy! Epcot was fairly crowded and we wanted to grab a drink & snack from one of the holiday kiosks before meeting with @dclfan and her fiancé in Mexico. We decided to go with China in the end, after quickly passing through half the countries- but then their magicband scanner wasn’t working, doh! So we went to the normal China stand, grabbed some curry parcel pockets & a beer and paused for a moment to enjoy them.

Then it was on to Mexico!

We’d arrange to meet in La Cava, so in we went! I don’t actually have any photos as we were just enjoying meeting and talking over our drinks. My first WDW Magic meet up! I think we hung out for about 45 mins, it was so much fun to meet fellow WDW nerds and all round cool people! Awesome meeting you @dclfan :happy:

We might even be meeting again this trip.

So after this Russ and I headed to ride Mexican It’s a Small World Caballeros, but it actually had quite a large que for once! So we just looked around the stalls & then headed out to try some more snacks & drinks!

We checked out the Mexico holiday kiosk, but then decided to go with the new Choza de Margarita stand. We had the Tacos, Peppercorn Margarita & Russ had some kind of Bloody Mary/beer concoction that he couldn’t finish- just wasn’t for him. He rarely throws away a drink so he really must not of liked it! My drink was tasty though & the tacos & sweetcorn side were flavourful & refreshing. And yum!

After that we continued our (windy!) walk around the world. Still one of my favourite things to do! :happy:

I think these are my favourite topiaries! I want them in my garden!

We stopped by Karamel Kuche to pick up a few treats to take back to the room. Soooo much yum!!

Ariel1986 · Dec 13, 2017

Continuing...

Then we grabbed the holiday beer flight from the American kitchen, all were yummy!

We were then feeling a little full & thought maybe just a small bite in France before leaving was best- as we had a late ADR at Yachstman Steakhouse coming up! Gotta be hungry for that! So we headed on throughout World Showcase.

Then in France we had the smoked salmon brioche- delicious! Along with the spiced rum slush which tasted YUM and like Christmas!

We then made our way out of Epcot & back to the Beach Club for about an hour.

To come back to & enjoy this sunset on our balcony! :inlove:

Is there anything better than the day turning to night in Disney, relaxing on your balcony before you head out for an evening full of fun? Perfect.

Ariel1986 · Dec 13, 2017

So the evening festivities began... on a very windy Boardwalk! Sidenote though, I used my Mickey backpack tonight which I love!! You can’t see in the pic but it’s super glittery. Thank you Primark (super cheap English store with a Disney licence & they always have awesome Disney stuff!). I was ready to go!

It was so windy tonight, but it actually wasn’t that cold as the temperatures had been warmer during the day.

We decided to get the boat... and waited... heard that the Studios boat was running behind so we waited a little longer... even after it appeared and stopped at the Boardwalk we decided it was still taking too long and our FP window was about 45 mins till closing, so we decided to walk- since we knew that only took us about 15 mins. Racing the boat it was! Ha ha- we actually just started to enter the Studios’ security line as the boat pulled up- and Russ had even run into the Boardwalk resort to use the restroom on the way too, so we definitely beat it! Although we wore ourselves out a little... more appetite building for tonight though!

We still had 20 mins till our Toy Story window ended so we decided to grab the alcoholic Hot Chocolate flight from Min & Bill’s. Omg this was so yummy!! Just the right mix of alcohol & hot chocolate. Only if you like sweet drinks though!

I love the festive feeling & decoration the Studios has this year! And the theatre looks so pretty! Still a little sad that TGMR isn’t inside still though.

So, on to TSMM! Whilst in line I grabbed a FP for Star Tours straight after!

Sigh, Russ beat me again! I just want to win once! He’s too quick and gets the targets before me...

So we headed over to Star Tours, pausing to watch some of the Movie Magic projections on the way.

Ariel1986 · Dec 13, 2017

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

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.

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.

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 :joyfull:

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!

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! :facepalm:

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.

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

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!

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!

Trip Report It’s Christmalicious Disney Time! COMPLETED!

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