We started the day with a visit to HWD. We arrived about 30 minutes before rope drop, and we were able to enjoy the Christmas decorations on the first half of Hollywood Blvd. At rope drop, my 2 DD's and I headed straight to our first FP+, RNR...always a fun ride, but another ride that beats the hell out of me. The ONLY way I have found that I am able to really enjoy it is to plant my head as far back and into the headrest as possible and keeping my head as still as possible is the best remedy. I guess because of my height, I bounce around more than the average rider. Using that rule of thumb, I exited RNR feeling like I only went a round or two instead of a full 10 with Steven Tyler.
From there, the family split up and my DW and oldest DD went to see B & TB and the Frozen sing a long while my youngest went to our FP+ on TOT. When we arrived, we found out that only 1 elevator was working only for FP holders. we entered the queue with about a 20 minute wait. In my opinion, TOT has one of the BEST themed queues on property. On the occasions when we didn't have a FP, I never minded taking the "long way" thru the queue...I just LOVE it!!! I guess it has something to do with my age since I grew up with the reruns of the Twilight Zone on TV during the 70's. I'm so glad that the rumored change to GOTG was never done in Orlando.
Other attractions we went on were TSMM, Star Tours, Muppets 3D and a great lesser known attraction, Walt Disney Presents, A tribute to Walt. WDP is a "museum" showcasing Walt's early days making cartoons and an actual model of the multi plane camera, a patented system he used in the creation of his early classic cartoons. The best exhibit was a scale model of the new Toy Story land under construction. If the actual area is as good as the model, EVERYONE will be very impressed! I can't wait until our next visit, in a few years!
We skipped a big lunch (I guess we had way too much food the day before), and just ate a few snacks which held us through the afternoon. We took some time to shop, some stores we haven't been in for many years. Even with the shopping, the visit to HWD didn't last more than 6 hours, so we headed back to AOA.
We had an early ADR at a restaurant we had never been to, 1900 Park Fare, a character buffet featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming and the evil stepsisters. They were totally into their roles and made for an enjoyable meal. The restaurant is in the Grand Floridian resort. We arrived early, so we were able to watch the culinary imagineers building a life sized gingerbread house. Samples of the gingerbread were also given out while we were waiting. The buffet is one of the BEST we have been to, one that we will visit again! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
From there, we headed back to HWD to see a show we have never seen before, Phantasmic. In all of our previous visits, EMH always took priority over the nightly shows, so we thought it about time to see it. We never realized how large the arena was... a great show...glad we finally saw it!
My DD's were pin trading with a CM at one of the DVC kiosks, so my DW started talking to him. Before I knew it, she and my oldest DD were scheduled to see a presentation for the DVC on our last day. For a 90 minute preview, we would receive 12 FP's and a $100.00 gift card. My wife thought it was an offer she couldn't refuse, so they would be picked up at our resort the morning of our last day.
We left HWD for an early night before another BIG day at the World!!
From there, the family split up and my DW and oldest DD went to see B & TB and the Frozen sing a long while my youngest went to our FP+ on TOT. When we arrived, we found out that only 1 elevator was working only for FP holders. we entered the queue with about a 20 minute wait. In my opinion, TOT has one of the BEST themed queues on property. On the occasions when we didn't have a FP, I never minded taking the "long way" thru the queue...I just LOVE it!!! I guess it has something to do with my age since I grew up with the reruns of the Twilight Zone on TV during the 70's. I'm so glad that the rumored change to GOTG was never done in Orlando.
Other attractions we went on were TSMM, Star Tours, Muppets 3D and a great lesser known attraction, Walt Disney Presents, A tribute to Walt. WDP is a "museum" showcasing Walt's early days making cartoons and an actual model of the multi plane camera, a patented system he used in the creation of his early classic cartoons. The best exhibit was a scale model of the new Toy Story land under construction. If the actual area is as good as the model, EVERYONE will be very impressed! I can't wait until our next visit, in a few years!
We skipped a big lunch (I guess we had way too much food the day before), and just ate a few snacks which held us through the afternoon. We took some time to shop, some stores we haven't been in for many years. Even with the shopping, the visit to HWD didn't last more than 6 hours, so we headed back to AOA.
We had an early ADR at a restaurant we had never been to, 1900 Park Fare, a character buffet featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming and the evil stepsisters. They were totally into their roles and made for an enjoyable meal. The restaurant is in the Grand Floridian resort. We arrived early, so we were able to watch the culinary imagineers building a life sized gingerbread house. Samples of the gingerbread were also given out while we were waiting. The buffet is one of the BEST we have been to, one that we will visit again! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
From there, we headed back to HWD to see a show we have never seen before, Phantasmic. In all of our previous visits, EMH always took priority over the nightly shows, so we thought it about time to see it. We never realized how large the arena was... a great show...glad we finally saw it!
My DD's were pin trading with a CM at one of the DVC kiosks, so my DW started talking to him. Before I knew it, she and my oldest DD were scheduled to see a presentation for the DVC on our last day. For a 90 minute preview, we would receive 12 FP's and a $100.00 gift card. My wife thought it was an offer she couldn't refuse, so they would be picked up at our resort the morning of our last day.
We left HWD for an early night before another BIG day at the World!!