Trip Report Merry Birthday To All... And To One, A New Pair Of Crocs??? Dec 23

Day 1… December 9,2023

We were all beyond excited to visit Disney World during Christmas time. We had decided to make it a triple birthday celebration. Hope‘s birthday being December 22, mine December 28 and Ross is January 3. It was the perfect celebration. Although it was strange not to be accompanied by Julia. My sweet gorl had too much school work to do and could not get away to come with us.

I’ll be honest, I took zero notes on this trip. I don’t know what I was thinking… so I’m going directly from memory.

I helped out with Ross the morning we were leaving. We had a late flight out. I was hoping we could make it on an earlier one. We managed to get to the airport and switch to the earlier flight. I was happy because that meant we could head to downtown Disney and have some Blaze Pizza. Oops sorry… Disney Springs.

At the airport, we ended up having a couple of hours before our flight and we were starving, so (after a quick stop at the Lego Store) we stopped and got something to eat at Flavortown - Guy Fieri‘s kitchen and bar. I’ll be honest, the food was really good, but it was so expensive!

 

[Figment Forever]

We sent Julia a picture from Japan to let her know that we were missing her. But although I missed her, it wasn’t enough to make me daring enough to try the sushi tree. Especially since I had no one to share it with! Ross and Hope would have none of that!

I can’t remember every place we stopped to eat at, but soon we found our way to the Hanukkah storyteller. Along with Italy he was my next favorite!

I wish I could say that the food was as amazing as the storyteller. But I didn’t think so. The potato lockers needed applesauce. I did not like the yogurt and that came with it. The pastrami was cold. I thought it would be maybe on a toasted bread. And the rugelach was very dry and tasteless. Sort of like the gingerbread cookie.

The black-and-white cookie however, was very yummy.

 

[Figment Forever]

It’s from Germany. Delicious.

Thank you!!

 

[Figment Forever]

After that, we made our way to France. But not before searching at Olaf and a few other places.

We rode ratatouille....

We then decided on ice cream because obviously we had not ingested enough sugar today yet. I was very excited for their seasonal macron peppermint, ice cream, and it was delicious!

Hope was very happy with her just vanilla and soon we were back out working and walk walking off our calories around the showcase.

Wow, online, we got our callback for guardians, so we took our ice cream and walked that way.

 

[Figment Forever]

Guardians was amazing. Hope was really hoping they would take a holiday layover, but apparently, they discontinued it this year. We got “I Ran” which is my favorite song from the bunch of them, so I don’t really care.

Test track was next…

 

[Figment Forever]

We had to check out the new Walt statue of course!

followed by Soarin.

Then we walked over to LWTL. I was super excited for this year because of the glimmering greenhouses. And although it was the middle of the day and not dark yet, it still added a lot of beauty to the ride.

 

[Figment Forever]

By this time, we were hungry for real food so we headed over to connections Café to get something to eat. Ross got a burger, Hope got chicken tenders and fries, and I got a salad that was really good, but I guess I forgot to take a picture of it.

After our bellies were full, we walked over to the Creations shop to get the AP poster. Truth be told, none of us have watched the new movie at the time and we still have not watched it. However, Hope was happy to get the poster.

We walked around for a bit before riding Mission space, and then made our way back to World Showcase.

 

[Figment Forever]

Hope was super Duper excited to see Luminous. The show had just started a week or so before our trip, and she was so excited to see it. I was hoping I would enjoy it. We found a place near international Gateway to relax and to wait a while for it to start. The show was good - it was OK. The fireworks were spectacular! But I don’t know, it seemed like they duplicated a lot of songs from other shows?

 

[Figment Forever]

After the show, we walked out through International Gateway and over to Beach Club because I had another gingerbread masterpiece to check out.

It was SPECTACULAR!!

Then Ross suggested something not typical of Ross. Instead of taking a bus to Disney Springs and then a bus back to ASMovies, he said we should just call for a lift from the Beach Club lobby. I had no issue with that. And soon we were back at our hotel, we stopped at the food court where I got some kind of a latte, which was rather yummy. Some more vanilla ice cream and was very happy with that.

Then we made our way back to our rooms and crashed for the night.

 

[MinnieM123]

@Figment Forever , I'm really enjoying your holiday park photos. It's particularly fun to see one of my favorite attractions, LWTL, all decked out with some creative decorations -- especially the giant Mickey head!

 

[Figment Forever]

@Figment Forever , I'm really enjoying your holiday park photos. It's particularly fun to see one of my favorite attractions, LWTL, all decked out with some creative decorations -- especially the giant Mickey head!

Thanks so much! Yes - LWTL was such a great surprise;I didn't think it was going to be as good as it was. I love driving through Christmas lights during the season, so this was just a treat!!

 

[RememberWhen]

So glad to see these posts! I’m about 45 days away from our next (and only currently planned) trip, and it’s lovely to see all the holiday stuff.

I miss illuminations, but the new show is okay.

I’m so glad you got to see the gingerbread carousel. It’s my favorite!

 

[Figment Forever]

So glad to see these posts! I’m about 45 days away from our next (and only currently planned) trip, and it’s lovely to see all the holiday stuff.

I miss illuminations, but the new show is okay.

I’m so glad you got to see the gingerbread carousel. It’s my favorite!

The Gingerbread displays were fascinating and beautiful!! I could have probably spent an entire day just resort hopping and looking at all the displays.

What are your dates in December? We will be there on 12/9.

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 5 - December 13, 2023

Today was our Hollywood Studios day. I was excited to see how the park was dressed up for Christmas. I am also happy to report that my feet remained dry the day before and I did not have to pull out my shoe dryer this morning.

We headed out of ASMovies about 9:30 and on the bus for Hollywood.

We admired all the decorations as we walked in.

The plan was M&M’s Runaway Railway first thing. Unfortunately, Ross wasn’t feeling too well. He had a headache and his stomach was feeling a bit queasy, so he had to head off to the bathroom. Hope and I decided to go over to Star Wars Launch Bay and meet a friend.

 

[Figment Forever]

I had a thought while we were on line to meet Chewbacca... I FaceTimed my parents. Unfortunately, my dad, like my Ross was in the bathroom and otherwise occupied. But my mom stayed on the phone with me and I had her meet Chewie via technology. She burst out laughing in amazement. And Chewbacca was wonderful! He talked to her on the phone! My mom told him he was very handsome and he agreed! lol

We would have waited for Darth Vader, but his line was too long. So we headed out after walking around a bit and met back up with Ross.

Ross met us outside Launch Bay and we headed over to the Chinese Theater. Mickey’s runway was fun. I don’t like when Disney changes things around and while I’m sad that they got rid of the great movie ride, it’s only because it was one of the originals. The ride itself never really thrilled me that much.

 

[RememberWhen]

The Gingerbread displays were fascinating and beautiful!! I could have probably spent an entire day just resort hopping and looking at all the displays.

What are your dates in December? We will be there on 12/9.

Sadly we’ll miss you. Our real park time is 12/28-1/3, but my two youngest and I are sneaking in a day at MK on the 20th as well.

 

[mpaulam]

The photo of Hope whispering to Walt’s statue is priceless!

 

[Tiki Traveler]

Your Figment ears are darling!

 

[Figment Forever]

Sadly we’ll miss you. Our real park time is 12/28-1/3, but my two youngest and I are sneaking in a day at MK on the 20th as well.

Have a great trip!

The photo of Hope whispering to Walt’s statue is priceless!

Thank you! That is one of my favorites!

Your Figment ears are darling!

Thank you!!! I love my Figment! lol

 

[Figment Forever]

Hope really wanted to meet sorcerer Mickey and Movie Star Minnie, so we went over to get on line.

After that, Hope had her eyes set on walking through Walt Disney presents. She took pictures of almost every single scene. And read every word of the information. Hope is like a super computer. She pretty much memorizes everything she puts in that brain of hers.

And of course, we watched the little movie at the end about his life.

I really have to remember to buy her a Walt Disney by biography book. I think she would really enjoy it. She has a kid version, but I think I would like to get her a more adult version

 

[Figment Forever]

As we walked by the old little mermaid theater, we were all sad that it’s still not operating. This really was one of my favorites at the studios.

We walked over to Toy story land so we could compete, I mean, ride Toy Story Mania. By the way, when did they change the name? Am I crazy, wasn’t this Midway Mania? I still call with that and my child corrects me every time.

Hope is actually really good at these games now. But of course, Ross scored the highest. I just can’t figure how to do better on this game!