Trip Report T & E’s Christmas Wish: A Land and Sea Adventure! (12/7 - 12/17)

Howdy, All!

After many years lurking the depths of the forums, I have finally come to the surface. As you all have been so kind and generous to share your trips, I finally worked up the courage to pay my “trip tax” and return the favor. And what better time than an insane 10-day land and sea holiday adventure?

I might be in over my head.

Meet the Cast:

I’m E/Radiorae/Rae/anything but late for dinner. My travel companion is T – we are longtime friends, former roommates, and college program alumni. We complement each other well – I hold down Adventureland, while she has staked a claim in Fantasyland, and we both agree on the supremacy of The Muppets and Casey’s Corner. We don’t travel together often, but when we do it’s usually a thing. The last thing was our pilgrimage to the motherland, Disneyland Resort, almost ten years ago!

Look at us babies (E on left, T on right):

This time, we had two missions in mind. One: we both had never experienced a Disney cruise and wanted to see what the hype was about, and with the new Wish sailing short itineraries, it seemed like a time to try a brand new ship without locking ourselves into a week+ cruise. Two: we wanted to see Disney World at Christmas. I am more of a Halloween girl, but T is BIGGGG on Christmas. So a Very Merrytime Cruise seemed like the perfect fit. This would also be the first time in over ten years that I had been on property during the Christmas season, so I was excited to see the decorations (and snoap!)

Our travel dates were set – Dec 7th through Dec 17th we’d be walking in a Winter Wonderland. Part Disney Cruise sailing, part Disney World trekking. 100% holiday mayhem. Come along with us for the ride!

 

[Tuvalu]

Easy. I’ll name it Denise.

I prefer Denephew.

 

[LSV]

How about DCA?

 

[radiorae]

How about DCA?

At first, my brain read this as Disney's California Adventure, which means either a) I spend too much time on this forum, or b) I really need to visit California.

Either way...

 

[radiorae]

Day 1 (12/07) – The Love Butt

Our first night we stayed at All Star Movies so we could take advantage of the shuttle to the port in the morning. I have a huge soft spot for the All Stars; they’re just a lot of fun. I know people find them tacky, but I would say they’re the most kid-fun of the bunch. Walking into the lobby they had the red carpet rolled out, and tree #3 ready for its close-up. I made sure to get its good side

We stopped at the desk because we didn’t get a room ready text. While T talked to the cast member, I looked at all of the Mickey shorts screencaps along the back wall. I know it’s a hot take, but I think the recent Mickey Mouse cartoons are fantastic. The art style is definitely different, but if you can get used to it, it’s a fun watch. They sneak a lot of references to old attractions and Disney history in there, which is cool. Some of my favorite episodes are “Wonders of the Deep”, “Ku’u Lei Melody”, anddddd “The Adorable Couple”, which is where this gem comes from:

Map in hand, we headed out to our room. We passed the majesty of Sorcerer Mickey at the pool, walked around the creepy Jack in the Box from Fantasia 2000, said hi to the one-legged soldier and his ballerina love, and wound up in the Winner’s Circle, where The Love Bug section resides. “Never been back here before,” I thought to myself. “This will be fun! Wonder what cool icon we’ll get?”

It was a butt. A massive, 20ft tall Volkswagen Bug butt.

I had conflicting feelings about this.

On the one hand, I get it – there aren’t many icons you can use in The Love Bug for a giant building statue. Matter of fact, I think Herbie is it. But did they have to chop him in half?? Seems kind of morbid to me, especially since his front half is right across the way, looking sadly at his missing half. It felt wrong on multiple levels.

Undeterred, we took the elevator to our room and dropped our things off. Here’s an obligatory picture of the same room you've seen in a billion trip reports – with bonus towel Mickey!

Baggage dropped, we immediately turned around and headed back out – time was wasting! It was a beautiful day! And we had some business to take care of at Disney Springs.

Next Up: First Snoap of the Season

 

[Tiggerish]

Easy. I’ll name it Denise.

How about DCA?

Beat me to it.

 

[LSV]

Beat me to it.

I flew JetBlue MCO-DCA, DCA-MCO in November, otherwise I wouldn't have a clue. Fun feature of MCO terminal C arrivals - I had to go from level 2 UP to level 6 to go DOWN to level 1 to get the parking shuttle. Used the Metro at DCA , really wish we had good public transportation to MCO. Instead they keep adding parking lots

 

[cgersic]

At first, my brain read this as Disney's California Adventure, which means either a) I spend too much time on this forum, or b) I really need to visit California.

Either way...

It's the first place mine went to too - and I've never been there!

 

[radiorae]

I flew JetBlue MCO-DCA, DCA-MCO in November, otherwise I wouldn't have a clue. Fun feature of MCO terminal C arrivals - I had to go from level 2 UP to level 6 to go DOWN to level 1 to get the parking shuttle. Used the Metro at DCA , really wish we had good public transportation to MCO. Instead they keep adding parking lots

Oh wow Guess they didn’t learn from last time. I don’t think I even realized it had 6 floors!

 

[LeighM]

Any other advice about Terminal C at MCU? We always flight JetBlue so we'll be experiencing it for the first time the next time we fly to Orlando.

 

[Adventure]

Any other advice about Terminal C at MCU? We always flight JetBlue so we'll be experiencing it for the first time the next time we fly to Orlando.

Not sure if you will be using Mears Connect. We were told it was one escalator ride down from the luggage area but it's actually two escalators you need to take so two floors down and it was at the right at the bottom of the second escalator. We were very impressed with the whole terminal, lots of restaurants and charging stations in the seating area.

 

[radiorae]

Any other advice about Terminal C at MCU? We always flight JetBlue so we'll be experiencing it for the first time the next time we fly to Orlando.

I would check your gate the night before just so you have an idea of how far down the terminal you’ll have to walk and can plan extra time if you need it. Also if you’re planning to eat at the airport, make sure to grab it from the central “palm court” area cause there isn’t really anything beyond that. When we checked in for our departing flight, the line for bag check was really long because they only had two desks, but it moved pretty quick. Your mileage will vary!

 

[LeighM]

Not sure if you will be using Mears Connect. We were told it was one escalator ride down from the luggage area but it's actually two escalators you need to take so two floors down and it was at the right at the bottom of the second escalator. We were very impressed with the whole terminal, lots of restaurants and charging stations in the seating area.

So Mears has a bus area at Terminal C? We don't have to go across the airport anymore?? I haven't been to WDW since DME was removed so that whole thing is something new for me to plan. Right now, we're leaning towards Mears bus because my husband doesn't like to drive on vacation and I don't like Uber/Lyft for anything but very quick trips.

I would check your gate the night before just so you have an idea of how far down the terminal you’ll have to walk and can plan extra time if you need it. Also if you’re planning to eat at the airport, make sure to grab it from the central “palm court” area cause there isn’t really anything beyond that. When we checked in for our departing flight, the line for bag check was really long because they only had two desks, but it moved pretty quick. Your mileage will vary!

I'm hoping that, if we go during summer, we can get by with just a carry on and personal item so that we don't have to worry about hauling bags around and with have TSA Precheck so security usually goes quickly for us. Although the security agents always treat me like I'm an idiot because I can't remember what I'm supposed to do during bag check LOL. I only fly a couple times every couple of years so I'm usually the one slowing things down for everyone else. Does Terminal C have their own TSA line or is it shared with the other two terminals?

 

[littleroo]

Following along and really loving your trip report so far! Keep it coming!

 

[Adventure]

So Mears has a bus area at Terminal C? We don't have to go across the airport anymore?? I haven't been to WDW since DME was removed so that whole thing is something new for me to plan. Right now, we're leaning towards Mears bus because my husband doesn't like to drive on vacation and I don't like Uber/Lyft for anything but very quick trips.



I'm hoping that, if we go during summer, we can get by with just a carry on and personal item so that we don't have to worry about hauling bags around and with have TSA Precheck so security usually goes quickly for us. Although the security agents always treat me like I'm an idiot because I can't remember what I'm supposed to do during bag check LOL. I only fly a couple times every couple of years so I'm usually the one slowing things down for everyone else. Does Terminal C have their own TSA line or is it shared with the other two terminals?

Yes Mears has its own stop at Terminal C. We were there in October and were surprised by no more Fonorail. Just walk to baggage pickup from plane and then down two levels to Mears desk. When we returned for flight home Terminal C was first stop so that was helpful. They also had their own TSA area.

 

[LeighM]

Yes Mears has its own stop at Terminal C. We were there in October and were surprised by no more Fonorail. Just walk to baggage pickup from plane and then down two levels to Mears desk. When we returned for flight home Terminal C was first stop so that was helpful. They also had their own TSA area.

Oh wow! Thanks! So the Mears buses leave from the main terminal first and then stop at Terminal C? Or do they have their own buses for C? I like the idea of being dropped off directly at the departure terminal terminal though.

 

[Adventure]

Oh wow! Thanks! So the Mears buses leave

Oh wow! Thanks! So the Mears buses leave from the main terminal first and then stop at Terminal C? Or do they have their own buses for C? I like the idea of being dropped off directly at the departure terminal terminal though.

Not sure if the buses stop at the other terminals first. A bus was waiting for us when we went outside but it was 3/4 full so it may have come from the other terminals. That might make sense though if that is the order to get you to your hotel and then return trips to the airport are the opposite starting with terminal C first.

 

[radiorae]

Following along and really loving your trip report so far! Keep it coming!

I was so ready to post yesterday night but left my trip notes at work more is coming Monday, I promise… I realize we’re nearly three pages in and all I’ve accomplished in this report is a trip to the airport and a hotel luggage drop off lol

 

[Tuvalu]

 

[radiorae]

Day 1 (12/07): First Snoap of the Season

We hit Disney Springs with that first-day trip energy. It was more to immerse ourselves in the Disney feeling than actual shopping, as it made no sense to buy souvenirs so early and have to drag them on the cruise ship with us (guess how long this logic lasted). We took a rideshare and were dropped off in the Marketplace, where we immediately ran into tree #4:

…followed by DJ Jingle on her roving promotional sled.

For the record, it is hilarious to watch an elf blasting Christmas rave music with BPMs to rival any Peleton playlist, air-horning her way across the Springs… on a vehicle with the speed of a dying Roomba. Dashing through the snow indeed.

Properly hyped for the spending season, we darted into the Tren-D/Co-Op Marketplace/Photopass building. We wandered around looking at the art, Christmas merch, and Decades collections… and then while perusing the house goods, we ran into this beauty:

“I kind of love it,” said I.

“We do need a drink cup for the cruise,” said she.

We bought two.

World of Disney was a madhouse because that’s just the kind of place it is. I did like all the Christmas lights and decorations:

What I didn’t like is whatever this is (what am I looking at? A dress? A nightshirt? The Character Warehouse's newest long-term resident?):

We did a lap and decided it was way too busy, so we popped back out and headed across the bridge for dinner at Homecoming! We weren’t able to get a reservation in advance, but we checked the walk-up list and were able to put our name down. The wait was only an hour, so not bad!

With time to burn, we hopped right across the corner to put our name down on the walk-up list for Gideon’s Bakehouse. The wait was over 3 hours, so pretty bad!

As we waited for our table text, we took the time to walk around some more. On our way towards the Town Center, we noticed something floating in the air… could it be???

SNOAPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!

I might have done some skipping. And shouting. And general fangirling. It was truly magical to just stumble upon a street of snoap and music versus planning the experience out and having to be there at a prescribed time to enjoy it. It gave me the warm fuzzies… which were quickly extinguished by this horrifying gingerbread man:

Also near the judgy gingerbread man were these crazy chandeliers that were both too much and not enough at the same time:

At least they tried?

Up Next: The Homecoming Continues

 

[LeighM]

View attachment 762243

That right there is a perfect example of why I am not tempted into spending much money on Disney shirts LOL. The shirts are either baggy, boxy, missing the lower half of the shirt, or just plain odd like this one. And IF I do see something that I like, then 9 times out of 10 they won't have it in my size because everyone else wants it too