Trip Report Some People are Worth Melting For: Round 2! (PLUS, a little Christmas, right this very minute!)

We’re back!

Timeline: June 2024
Location: Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge
Cast: Me (A), Dad (R), my sister SB, brother-in-law Iz, and niece B!
Why? It is little B’s first trip! I feel so thankful to be here experiencing the magic with her for the first time.

This is all of us pre-B during our last trip all together in 2021. I’m excited for SB and Iz to finally experience WDW since the pandemic. Things were quite different back in Summer 2021! They also of course haven’t ridden Ratatouille, Guardians, or Tron yet, so I’m looking forward to that for them too.

 

[Tiki Traveler]

️I interrupt this July TR to share with you a different trip, because I feel like the content is more time sensitive! ️

When: 11/18-12/1

Where: All Star Music

Who: Just me! I had my first solo trip!

Why: Two reasons. First, I have never been to the Festival of the Holidays or Candlelight Processional and when they announced the narrators and it was Josh Gad, I had to come. Second, I am graduating in December with my Masters Degree, have officially submitted all assignments, and wanted to celebrate!

First, congratulations on your masters degree! Glad you could celebrate w/Christmas at Disney!!

Wanted to add - you and your cousin could be sisters too!

 

[cgersic]

Congratulations!!! Masters degree AND a Disney solo trip - you go girl! Can't wait to join along.

 

[fractal]

Congrats on the new trip and oh yes, the Masters Degree!

 

[ToInfinity]

Day 2: Friday, 11/29

Today is Festival of the Holidays day! I have never been at Epcot for the opening of a festival and never again this festival at all, so I was very excited. So excited in fact, that I woke up ridiculously early and couldn’t go back to sleep. By 7:15, I was out the door and headed to the bus. I had the resort all to myself on this early morning!

I was on what I believe was the first bus out that morning, and arrived at Epcot by 7:50.

Single day tickets sure are expensive nowadays, huh?

I got in, grabbed my passport, and headed to wait for Soarin’. I did not have LL today (only a Guardians ILL) since the main focus was the festival, but none of that begins until later so I wanted to see what I could accomplish in the meantime.

We waited at a checkpoint and were eventually allowed into The Land around 8:25.

 

[ToInfinity]

I literally walked straight on to Soarin’ without stopping. Pat says hello!

Right after, I headed up for my Candlelight Processional Dining Package at Garden Grill. This was a new restaurant for me. I also wasn’t sure if I’d feel awkward with the characters being alone or not. My reservation was for 8:50.

The dining package comes with an alcoholic beverage, so I ordered the Cold Brew Martini.

Warning, this was QUITE strong for 9:00 am. I only drank a few sips and that was enough for me!

 

[ToInfinity]

Very quickly after, the food came out all at once. I highly enjoyed forking it straight out of the skillet. The potatoes were my favorite by far.

We spin around slowly, I ate WAY more than I should have, and the characters made their way around. I must say, there was nothing awkward about it at all. It was so fun!

Since I had just seen it from an aerial view, I wanted the full experience so down to LwtL I went. It was a 10 minute wait.

 

[ToInfinity]

Even the tilapia are festive!

I walked over and walked right on to Figment next. I wanted to see his sweater! Here is a blurry photo of it for your viewing pleasure.

Figment had some issues today. There was no audio at all here.

And, this section had a whole piece missing. It ruined the effect, honestly.

 

[ToInfinity]

First, congratulations on your masters degree! Glad you could celebrate w/Christmas at Disney!!

Wanted to add - you and your cousin could be sisters too!

Thank you so much! I’ve never needed a special occasion to visit Disney, but this definitely worked out great!

We get that a lot. When she, my sister, and I were all together when we were younger, which was ALOT, people actually used to think she and my sister were twins most of the time!

Congratulations!!! Masters degree AND a Disney solo trip - you go girl! Can't wait to join along.

Thank you so much!

Congrats on the new trip and oh yes, the Masters Degree!

Haha thank you! It has been a long time coming!

 

[coachwnh]

this was QUITE strong for 9:00 am. I only drank a few sips and that was enough for me!

Blasphemy!

Congratulations on the Master's Degree

 

[ToInfinity]

Blasphemy!

Congratulations on the Master's Degree

The server even warned me about it when I ordered it, but I thought, oh, for Disney, it can’t be too bad! Incorrect.

Thank you! I enjoyed getting to meet you and your wife!

 

[MinnieM123]

Right after, I headed up for my Candlelight Processional Dining Package at Garden Grill. This was a new restaurant for me. I also wasn’t sure if I’d feel awkward with the characters being alone or not. My reservation was for 8:50

We spin around slowly, I ate WAY more than I should have, and the characters made their way around. I must say, there was nothing awkward about it at all. It was so fun!

Long time ago, I went to the Garden Grill as a solo diner. The food was very good, and the character interactions (with Chip and Dale) were fun! (I get those two mixed up, by the way.)

One of them came over with a cartoon picture and crayons, and we both colored it! The other one would stop by now and then, and I'd have these one-way discussions going on, as the characters cannot speak. Note: The character did nod in approval a few times, though!

 

[ToInfinity]

My Guardians ILL opened up while I was over at Figment so I went over there next. On the way, they were preparing for the festival and setting up stanchions at Communicore Hall. I thought that was interesting as they seemed to expect a very large crowd, but I stopped by there twice later in the day and it wasn’t very busy either time.

P.S. I have ridden Guardians so many times now and STILL have never gotten Conga. I Ran today. (does Conga even actually exist?)

I rode with a group of college-age guys who had never ridden before. It was a good time.

11:00 had rolled around, so it was festival time! I went to Communicore Hall first to check out the Spaceship Earth Gingerbread.

Honest opinion here, it was cool and I do LOVE spaceship earth, but it absolutely pales in comparison to the GF gingerbread house and some of the other ones around property. Perhaps if I had seen the light show I would feel differently, but I never caught it so I’m not sure.

The line for to purchase the gingerbread was insanely long, and the tiles were TEN dollars each, so I ventured out and started visiting some food booths. First, Chestnuts and Good Cheer.

I didn’t get anything here because I don’t eat nuts. Texture problem.

Near the booth they also had a Scentsy partnership with about 4 of these ornaments displays that puffed out various scents. It was cute.

Nochebuena Cocina is right next door. I wasn’t feeling any of these items at the moment, so I skipped. Now that I’m home, I REALLY regret not trying the cookie because I love both cinnamon and chocolate. One of you needs to go try it for me!

Right next door again was Swirled Showcase. I got the Liquid Nitrogen Pop. It didn’t look very beautiful, but it tasted fantastic! So good that I got a second one later on.

Holiday Sweets and Treats was the next booth. This is where you go to redeem your cookie stroll if you participate. I considered getting the peppermint shake, but passed for now.

I headed over toward the Mexico side, because you have to start in Mexico, duh. I love this tree and the ornaments for each country in WS.

 

[ToInfinity]

On the way I decided to stop by here.

Still full from breakfast and my cake pop, I just wandered around and took a peek a Santa. The line was about 40 people deep.

Just as I was about to head into WS, I remembered the festival merchandise at Creations so I back tracked. Honestly, there was way less stuff than I imagined. I collect magnets, so I was disappointed to not see any for this festival. Maybe I just missed them(?) I did find the Figment sweater and these cute ears though!

Now, on to Mexico! I didn’t try anything here, but I did stop for the storytellers. I love Mariachi Cobre anyway, but the holiday things were an added bonus.

China had these options. I got in like to try the rice but then bailed with I saw the “dried shrimp” in the description. No thanks. I saw a video of this later and I’m glad I didn’t try it. The portion was tiny and the seafood smell/taste was evidently STRONG.

 

[ToInfinity]

Germany on the other hand, was a must. I waited in line for about 15 minutes to acquire the bread bowl and the Riesling. Both were excellent. I LOVE a good Riesling.

I ate by the water, but then the German storytellers started so I walked over and finished my bread and cheese (the wine was already long gone) while I watched.

I loved the details in the tiny village! They even put up tiny festival banners.

The food in Italy is literally so rough for all of the festivals, and today did not disappoint. I skipped these options.

I didn’t skip La Befana though! She was excellent. I had never heard her story and I won’t ruin it for you all, but it is worth learning about!

 

[Tuvalu]

1. Your decision not to stick around for the light show was spot on.

2. That is one sad looking nitro pop.

3. We tried the chocolate crinkle cookie last time. Em reminded me that it was meh. We have a family Christmas cookie recipe that is chocolate with cinnamon which is amazing. Let me know if you want it.

4. La Befana is the best storyteller!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

1. Your decision not to stick around for the light show was spot on.

2. That is one sad looking nitro pop.

3. We tried the chocolate crinkle cookie last time. Em reminded me that it was meh. We have a family Christmas cookie recipe that is chocolate with cinnamon which is amazing. Let me know if you want it.

4. La Befana is the best storyteller!

I think you should post your recipe....sounds delicious. (Not that I need more cookies this time of year though!)

 

[erstwo]

Congrats on the degree- And thank you for posting another trip!
I saw you with your family in October in line for Tiana! (At least I think it was you??)

I too dislike shrimp rice - glad I’m not the only one!

Love the tiny banners in the train scene in Germany- I need to stop there more often. Now that my kids are grown, we tend to speed walk past it. Miss the days when it was one of those favorite things!

 

[rshell68]

P.S. I have ridden Guardians so many times now and STILL have never gotten Conga. I Ran today. (does Conga even actually exist?)

We need to ride together 1 time. Conga is the only song I've ever gotten

LOVE the storytellers! It's been so long since we've done the Holiday Festival.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

I was at Epcot the same day as you!

 

[ToInfinity]

1. Your decision not to stick around for the light show was spot on.

2. That is one sad looking nitro pop.

3. We tried the chocolate crinkle cookie last time. Em reminded me that it was meh. We have a family Christmas cookie recipe that is chocolate with cinnamon which is amazing. Let me know if you want it.

4. La Befana is the best storyteller!

I watched a video of the light show later and you’re definitely right about that. I also saw a picture of what the nitro pops are supposed to look like, and I got it twice and never had one that looked “right”.

I’d love your cookie recipe!!! Glad to know I didn’t miss out too much on the Epcot one.

I think you should post your recipe....sounds delicious. (Not that I need more cookies this time of year though!)

Second this!

Congrats on the degree- And thank you for posting another trip!
I saw you with your family in October in line for Tiana! (At least I think it was you??)

I too dislike shrimp rice - glad I’m not the only one!

Love the tiny banners in the train scene in Germany- I need to stop there more often. Now that my kids are grown, we tend to speed walk past it. Miss the days when it was one of those favorite things!

Thank you!

I was there the first week of October with just my dad. It could have been us!

We need to ride together 1 time. Conga is the only song I've ever gotten

LOVE the storytellers! It's been so long since we've done the Holiday Festival.

Well, good to know it actually exists at least.

The storytellers and processional were definitely my favorite parts.

I was at Epcot the same day as you!

It was a good day to be there! (Although, any day is a good day to be in Epcot. ) I hope you were able to enjoy the festival too!