Trip Report Our First December Trip! A Bay Lake Tower/ Dream Cruise Land & Sea Report COMPLETED

myhappyplace · Dec 14, 2016

DRD said:
Love this picture!

Glad Mr Happy Place got to enjoy the scotch egg. We've been talking about that for over a year now as I was supposed to try one last year but didn't. (Though I did get to try haggis at the Scotland booth at F&W)

I'm glad we were able to make some of his requests/ must-dos happen. I tasted it too, and liked it. I think I should? be able to make it. We'll see. Haggis...as much as I'm into Outlander, I don't think I could deal with that

oufpat · Dec 14, 2016

Thank you, your trip report and pictures are wonderful!!

myhappyplace · Dec 14, 2016

oufpat said:
Thank you, your trip report and pictures are wonderful!!

Thank you!!

myhappyplace · Dec 14, 2016

After our breakfast at BoG, we walked out near the outer castle walls, and ran into who I tease DH about being "his girl", with maybe one person in line.

We walked past a still very empty Frontierland:

We still had time before our 9:50 Jingle Cruise FP, so we decided to take DH on his first Pirates of the Caribbean ride!

He did know the line "we wants the redhead", so I had to take a (very blurry) picture of that scene:

After PoC, we walked toward Liberty Square. On my to-do list was the Great Moments in American History featuring the Muppets (but only the American parts). It was already in the middle of a show, so we decided to come back later.

We did a lot of back-and-forth in the park, so of course next up was Philharmagic, another first for DH.

Time we entered (we didn't have a fastpass, but wanted to note the time)

9:50 began our FP time for Jingle Cruise. DH had never done Jungle Cruise at all, and I hadn't ever seen the overlay. I thought all of the decorations were so cute, and we had an excellent guide!

The line went so quick, I only got to snap one picture of one of the boats, so it happened to be the one we would be boarding!

It was very enjoyable. I will say, I wish they would do something about the radio or microphone thing they talk through. I could hear and understand most of what our guide was saying, and like mentioned, he was top-notch. But DH had a hard time making out what he was saying, so he missed much of the jokes.

myhappyplace · Dec 14, 2016

I will mention here, that all morning, I was keeping my eyes open for a @Tuvalu sighting, but alas, we didn't see her

So, then it was back to Liberty Square. The wall around the Liberty Tree was empty, so we sat there until the show was about to begin, and then I stood closer. We got the Declaration of Independence scene. Too cute!! And two of my favorite things, Muppets and history!

myhappyplace · Dec 14, 2016

I love how, now that we have what I call "the best bathrooms in the world", all of the trip reports have to note when we use them

That was next. I'm always trying to catch the perfect lantern photo. "I See the Light" was DH and my wedding song so they are special to me. All together now...awwww.....

DH isn't sure if he rode it's a small world as a child or not, but we decided to give it a whirl. The line was probably way longer than one we should have waited in, but it was warm and sunny, and we had nowhere else to be.

We were close to loading when the clock went off, I don't think I've seen that before.

DH commented as we floated under this sign "oh! We can cancel the cruise next week, since this is the happiest cruise!" Joker.

Poor hippo.

After iasw, we decided to go see if we wanted to get in line for TLM. On the way, we checked out Gaston's wait. He was just getting ready to take a break, so we opted not to wait.

myhappyplace · Dec 14, 2016

Again, the wait was a little longer than we wanted, but we waited. I forgot how unshaded some of the queue was, so it was pretty warm. We were behind a group of 2 couples and then one other girl. I'm not saying I never taken a selfie. But when I say they took a selfie every two or three steps, I am not exaggerating in the least. It was ridiculous. I mean, over and over and over. Every little thing they wanted a picture of in the queue- Scuttle, a starfish imprint, etc, they felt their faces should be in that photo as well. Even on the ride itself, selfies of them constantly. I'm not sure they even looked at the ride!

After TLM, it was time for our 12:05 Peter Pan FP. We zoomed right on that ride, and then decided a break at our resort would be in order.

I think the back of the castle is almost just as pretty as the front!

Before leaving, we required refreshment, and split:

Exiting the park:

I had been wanting a people-free photo of the front of the park, so took the opportunity as it came (in between a person trying to capture a photo of a guy jumping in the air in front of it)

We decided that even though we were staying at BLT/Contemporary, we hadn't ridden a monorail INTO the Contemporary yet, so we did that.

We headed into the gift shops in the Contemporary. Not mentioned prior in this report, but I bought an Alex and Ani castle bracelet the day prior, when I went to pick up my niece's ornament from package pickup. Well, during our visit to Philharmagic, I suddenly noticed that the charm was missing!! Thankfully, the shop replaced the bracelet. We also added to our pin collection: DH bought a Doctor Strange pin, and we bought a Contemporary pin (we do trade pins, but we buy our 'meaningful' ones from where we stay, etc). That complete, we headed to our room for a break/nap.

Coming up tomorrow: our evening, including our first dinner ever at 'Ohana!

myhappyplace · Dec 15, 2016

So after resting for a bit at the Contemporary, we decided to head back into Magic Kingdom. On the way there (walking), we realized that we probably would be entering right when Main Street would be crowded, because of the afternoon parade. It didn't help that I got held up in the bag check line (DH goes through the no bag line). I was in line behind a man who had a drinking bottle full of a liquid that the security guard did not feel was plain water...it was brown. And that's exactly what the guard said when the man insisted "it is water"...he said "water isn't brown". So, the guard radioed over a superior to look at said liquid. It took awhile, and I couldn't see what the ultimate decision was as to whether the bottle was allowed in, but the man eventually was. I chatted with the guard a minute because he was from very close to where we live. When we got up to the turnstiles (I know, not turnstiles but I still think of them like that), it took us forever to get through. Know why??? That same man, apparently his mickey didn't turn green. The cast member was asking him what park he used his ticket/band at last. He said "ESPN". She said "what PARK?" and he said "my resort". Facepalm. We finally were able to go around him. Oy.

Anyway, we were right about the crowds on Main Street. So we just decided to pick a spot close to the entrance to watch the parade, since we enjoyed it last year. While waiting, we realized that we probably didn't really have time to wait for the parade to get all the way to the front of the park, because we weren't sure how transportation would be running. So we got to watch the cheerleaders that prefaced the parade, and then we gave our spot to the people behind us, and left MK. Shortest MK visit ever

We originally decided to try the boat to the Poly, but then we changed our mind and thought it would be quicker to use the monorail for whatever reason. It wasn't. We did chat with a delightful older woman on the way. We were slightly late, but our ADR time was also very close to when they opened for dinner, so we thought we'd be fine, and we were.

This was our first experience ever with 'Ohana. Our server sort of reminded me of John Malkovitch. He wasn't overly talkative or personable, really. He brought out our bread right away.

We've heard wonderful things about the bread, but I didn't really care for it, and DH didn't really want to fill on it, and would rather wait for the main courses. I don't know if it was supposed to be warm, but it wasn't. It just seemed dry to me. That was the only part of dinner I didn't care for, though.

I LOVED the salad!

Some of the decor around us:

We forgot to take a picture of this platter right away, so forgive us for the partial food photo! I absolutely loved the noodles!! I ate lots of those. The veggies and dumplings were delish too. Neither of us are really wing fans because we find wings in general too much work for not much meat, plus DH doesn't really care for messy foods in general. I did have one wing, and thought it was good, and had a good proportion of eatable meat.

The singer, and leader of the kids coconut race. We couldn't see this event, as we were on the other side of a wall from it, but that was fine.

Here is our server doling out some of the grilled meats. I don't eat much seafood, so the shrimp was all DH. I loved the steak and chicken though! DH would have preferred the steak to be a little more done for his taste, and we made a mental note that on any return trips, we would ask for such.

I had to get up and take a pic of the grill area. It smelled SO good to walk by!!

We ate and ate as much as we could, yet still trying to save room for:

SO good!! Nice and warm, delish.
Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner!!

Coming up: our visit to the Grand Floridian!

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

We thought about stopping for a drink at Trader Sam's, but I was just too full. One day we will have to do this, as we haven't yet. We headed to the monorail, and off to the Grand Floridian to see their holiday displays.

This is one of the trees right inside the resort off the monorail station:

HERE is the massive one!

Awwww...DH actually tried to capture this photo several times but was having trouble, or else he just wanted an excuse to kiss me over and over

The gingerbread house from the upper level:

And ground level:

Some details:

The tree with the ceiling was pretty impressive to me! We're getting less and less intimidated each time we visit GF.

Some of the resort/ lobby's other details:

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

Some additional pics that DH took:

He liked to do this from time-to-time, catch me in the photo as I was taking a picture:

I like this one he took of the tree through the birdcage:

Instagram photo I posted, which prompted my sister2 to call and ask us to look for a GF ornament, as that's where she and my brother-in-law got engaged (in hilarious fashion). We checked, but nothing resort specific

I was able to find one a few years ago, so it would have been nice to be able to get her another one. Oh well.

We decided to walk right outside near the pool area.

After that, we decided to go back to the Magic Kingdom via the monorail, so went up to the station and boarded. But it didn't go anywhere. Turns out, the monorail at the MK station needed some repairs, and they needed to remove it from the tracks. We were welcome to wait, but we chose to head down to the boat. Thank goodness we did that when we did, because it took a few moments for a boat to arrive for us (one left when we got there). The boat was jam-packed, of course. When we boarded and looked back on the pier, there was a humongous line, so I'm guessing the monorail was still not moving at that point.

On our boat ride near the Poly, we saw this multicolored lit area, and wondered what it was? Can anyone enlighten us (though the pic I snapped is horrible). Is this where the luau is?

So, eventually we made it back to MK, and headed toward Tomorrowland, and onto Buzz which I had made a FP for after our three had run out for the day earlier. Proud to say that I was the winner of this round (stay tuned for Toy Story results tomorrow, however). Neither of us is a Buzz pro, obviously.

DH looks so serious, and I just look confused!

DH's score

My score

We then headed to Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, as DH had not ever seen it. I texted a joke in that I thought was pretty cute, but they didn't use it. It was "what's the difference between a well dressed man on a tricycle, and a poorly dressed man on a bicycle?" A tire (attire), hah! This show wasn't as funny as I've seen, but there was a funny segment where they "picked" on a teen girl, and wanted her to telepathically send the number that she was thinking of to the monster. She really didn't want to play along at all, but the audience started chanting her name, so she did begrudgingly, all while texting someone with this teenaged "look" on her face. It was quite funny.

Afterward we headed toward the hub, and because you can never have too many castle light pictures:

DH was not interested in a Tea Party spin, but I snapped a picture. Next time, I'm gonna go for a spin, even if he doesn't...it's been awhile.

We wandered, with no particular plan in mind:

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

We really wanted to see the OUAT show, but it wasn't happening until 10:45, and we didn't think we were going to make it. The park was very crowded for our standards, and there were already people holding their spots for it, though it was before 9. We sat down for a minute, but knew we didn't want to sit there that long, but lines were long at all of the other attractions. I chatted with my little brother on the phone for a bit, as we walked down Main Street. After that, we decided we would head back to the resort. It was then that I realized my team (Penn State) was playing in the Big Ten Championship, so I realized I would get to see it! (DH and I do not have cable, so I don't really get to watch my various teams in different sports all that much, especially because they are all PA teams, so this would be a treat). We decided to grab some popcorn at the cart on the way out, to take back for snacking during the game. While we waited in the line, a CM was calling people over to meet Aurora, and the line was very short. So DH and I thought, why not?

This sign seemed wrong to us, as this was December 3rd??

So then it was back to home sweet home. And let me just say I REALLY enjoyed that game!! PSU Big Ten Champions! I also got to see a bit of the Electric Water Pageant from our balcony.

And that's the end of our Magic Kingdom Day!
Coming up: Animal Kingdom, Sanaa, and DHS...

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

Day 4: Sunday, December 4th- Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios

We bussed from Contemporary to Animal Kingdom, and arrived around opening. On the bus, across from us, there was a Mom and a Dad, with 2 little boys. One was around 2, and one around 4. Mom was over it all...just from eavesdropping, they had been there for days, and she was DONE. While people were still loading on the bus, a person from the bus stop ran on the bus and asked if anyone left a phone out on the bench. It was Mom's. Mom and the boys sat, while Dad stood. You could just tell these boys were handfuls. They had their phone number written in sharpie down the 2 year old's arm. The 4 year old wanted to stand with Dad, but Mom said no, to sit. During the ride, they did not see him STAND up on the bus (NOT with Dad) and start to pull a handle on the contraption that holds the electric scooters and wheelchairs in place on the bus.(I think it was the ratchet system that tightens the strap or something?) And did I mention that a man in a scooter was secured in the system?? This handle is made a very loud ratcheting noise, and Mom and Dad did not notice in the least. The man in the scooter looked around at the rest of us with this hilarious expression on his face! The man on the scooter said "what's gonna happen to me?!" and the person next to us, across from the scooter said something like "I hope you don't launch!", and we were ALL laughing, except Mom and Dad who NOTICED NOTHING. They were too busy talking back and forth about how bad the boys have been and how done she was. Apparently that meant she was done worrying about their safety and supervision!! Later, DH joked that that might have been the Mom's ultimate plan, to leave the phone and "remember" it later, causing her to have to leave the Dad and boys to "go get it".

Anyway, we arrived and took in the icon tree here:

We walked a trail or two to see the macaw, I find them beautiful!

When we arrived at the hub, they were just releasing the birds. I wasn't quick enough for a picture.

We headed straight for the Safari. We didn't do any FP for this park, as we saved them for DHS in the afternoon. The wait was only 5 minutes, and was really only the length of time to walk through the queue.

Our Safari Guide was Cassie, and she was wonderful! Very informative and easy to hear and understand.

I know, I know we've all seen tons of safari pics, and I didn't even take many compared to other trips. I did have to take this one, as I couldn't recall ever seeing the hippos lying out in the sun (vs. being in the water). It even looks like the one closest is smiling!

BIg guy was out, and sleeping, naturally...

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

We didn't eat breakfast this morning, as we had a lunch planned at Sanaa, and wanted to be good and hungry for it! So we figured we'd just pick something quick up to share in the morning. We really wanted to give Harambe Market a try, but they didn't open till 11. We did spend some time taking some detail pictures in the area, as it was empty and the sunlight was just beautiful.

We really liked these bottlecap decorations. I think they're for the holidays?

We also both seemed to be fascinated with the table and chairs, and the mismatched colors.

Other details and sinage:

Returning the favor:

Sidenote: DH works with a woman from LIberia, and has shown previous pictures from Animal Kingdom (Harambe specifically of course), as well as Animal Kingdom Lodge. Not that we Disney fans didn't know this already, but she says that though it is a little Americanized, it is accurate enough and familiar enough to remind her of home.

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

After our photoshoot, but still wanting something to eat, we walked toward Asia.

As Yak & Yeti CS wasn't yet open yet, we decided to split a falafel, just because we needed something right then. We decided to sit outside the Flights of Wonder show and eat it, then watch the show, as DH hadn't seen it. I hadn't ever had falafel, and I thought it was pretty tasty. We were still hungry afterward, but it would hold us over until Y&Y opened.

So, the very first bird to come out, walked across the stage like he was supposed to, and refused to go back in the door. It took 5-7 minutes for them to get it back in. Different trainers came out and tried, they tried different treats, finally our host had to walk back behind stage for it to follow her. Originally we thought it might be part of the show but it wasn't...this bird just really decided it wanted to stay on stage.

See them peeking out trying to call it in?

They had some women with cameras go up on stage, and had an owl swoop toward them, then change course slightly and suddenly to land on a perch.

This bird was named Frasier. Frasier Crane. LOL.

A bird swiped a dollar bill from a man in the audience's hand, then he brought it back

A GORGEOUS specimen of a Bald Eagle:

A hawk

If you haven't seen this show, it really is cute.

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

After the show, Y&Y was open, so we ordered a meal to share. Fried rice and egg rolls. Yum, can't go wrong with Asian food, according to DH!

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Then, after eating, what's best to do? @prfctlyximprct ? Thaaaaat's right...Expedition Everest! We decided to go single rider, the wait being less than 10 minutes.

First, we took pics of the future home of Rivers of Light. So funny to think that originally we thought it would be open on this trip (though we didn't plan around it)

Many of these flags are looking very faded...I know that adds some authenticity, but I do hope they refresh them sometime, I love the colors with an Everest backdrop!

DH and I ended up on the same train, but I was near the middle, and he was in the back. The man riding with DH had no clue about the single-rider line. He stood in the actual line, by himself!

I didn't mean for this picture to turn out this way, but I really like it

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

After Everest, DH wanted a frozen coke with rum. So he went in and ordered what he thought was a frozen coke with rum. I even tasted it and thought it had rum. DH didn't taste any rum. Later we looked at the receipt, and realized it only cost $4.75, and the one with rum would have been over $8. So apparently it didn't have rum.

While walking past where Russell meets, we noticed this bark machine, so of course DH barked into it, like the sign said. It interpreted his bark as "OOh scratch my back, please scratch my back, won't someone scratch my back, please, please??" or something like that.

We started to head out of the park, after what had been a pleasant morning. We stopped to get a couple photopass pics taken

We used this one on our Christmas card this year...I love this one! I just asked if they had any magical shots, and this is what we got!

So, after that, we went via bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House to look around at the Christmas decorations before our meal at Sanaa.

Gorgeous. Simply stunning in here!

We had our photopasses taken by the tree. The photographer liked DH's shirt.

After the main lodge, we took a shuttle van to Kidani Village. We hadn't ever been there, and we really loved the hut feel of it!

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

We could really see ourselves staying here sometime!

We walked around for a bit, then it was time to check-in at:

We knew we wanted the bread service, and getting all 9 accompaniments made sense for us because it was only I think $2 more, plus since it was our first time, I wasn't sure which we'd like. It was SO good! It could have been my meal alone.

We also ordered the Boerewors and Slaphakskeentjies for an app, mostly for DH because he loves sausage. We really liked this, all but the onion salad. I do love onions but didn't care for these.

blreinsel · Dec 16, 2016

I love the ornaments on the tree in BOG! I need them for my tree!!! The picture of the two of you kissing in the ornament at GF is ADORABLE! :inlove:

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

Continuing on with our Sanaa lunch--

We also ordered the potjie with butter chicken and tomato/okra. DELISH. I live in the South now, and still haven't come completely round to okra, except this was wonderful!! And that butter chicken, yum!

We weren't very close to the windows and savannah view (in fact we didn't love our table, as it was very very small, and wobbly) but we could see a giraffe go past.

Here was our server Madison, and she was great.

I had no room for dessert. Sad face. We had a wonderful meal at Sanaa, and would definitely do it again!
We then hopped on a bus, right as a family was exiting the back of the bus. We sat down, and could see 2 little kids (maybe 3 and 4?) in the back of the bus, by themselves. For quite sometime. I watched and watched and they were just playing in the aisle of the elevated back of the bus. The driver (who was an elderly man, and did not seem very "with it" and aware in general) looked back in the mirror, and then began shutting the door, just as the family outside, who seemed to be busy reopening and setting up their stroller realized they had left the kids on the bus! The father literally stuck his hand through the closing doors, as they basically shut on it! We had to yell "open the door!" to the driver. It took him forever to do so, as I said, he didn't have the quickest reflexes it didn't seem. I commented to DH that I didn't know if this man really needed to be operating a bus! That resolved, we were on the way to Hollywood Studios, which is where I will pick up tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

myhappyplace · Dec 16, 2016

blgauger said:
I love the ornaments on the tree in BOG! I need them for my tree!!! The picture of the two of you kissing in the ornament at GF is ADORABLE!

I know, I would SO buy them!! There was a Chip one too, but my photo turned out blurry, so I didn't post it.

Aw, thanks...that was so DH's idea!! I just executed said idea. It was sweet

Trip Report Our First December Trip! A Bay Lake Tower/ Dream Cruise Land & Sea Report ***COMPLETED***

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Trip Report Our First December Trip! A Bay Lake Tower/ Dream Cruise Land & Sea Report COMPLETED