Now that the chaos of holiday travel and the excitement of Christmas are beginning to taper off I have time to put together a report from our most recent trip, December 14-19. This marks Brett and I’s fourth consecutive Christmas trip together and our second annual Christmas trip with his family. We’re very very lucky! Those in attendance included Brett (27), his brother Derek (31), their parents Kathy and Danny, and myself, Holly (26).
So... let's get started!
Day 1: Travel/Epcot/Downtown Disney
Brett and I headed to his parents house (and two hours closer to Disney) on Saturday 12/13. It’s nice to start the trip a little closer because we like to drive straight through so the difference in an 8 hour drive and a 6 hour drive is huge to us. We had dinner, packed a few last minute things and tried to get some sleep. Kathy, Danny, Brett and I left Columbia, SC at about 3am on the 14th. The plan was to meet up with Derek (who was leaving from Myrtle Beach) somewhere on I-95. Despite the multiple economy size Red Bulls Derek was consuming, he in fact did not grow wings and was still a good ways behind us, so we stopped at a Cracker Barrel to get some breakfast as we waited for him to catch up. After a few more stops and some OJ at the Florida Welcome Center we finally arrived at 11am... 8 hours later!
Ahh… Welcome Home. I’m not even a DVC member and this sign gives me goosebumps!
Danny and Kathy own points at Saratoga Springs, but decided to try out Old Key West for this stay. Check-in was insane, which made me a teensy bit nervous about the crowd levels at the parks. It was our first time staying at OKW and I was really taken with the ambience. Brett and I took a trip to the real Key West in 2007 and the resort really did exude that laidback island feel that Key West is so famous for.
The room wasn’t ready yet so we headed over to the Beach Club for some of the best (and most reasonably priced) burgers on property at Beaches and Cream!
Here are Danny and Kathy, who I must thank for such a wonderful trip:
The views that we enjoyed while waiting for lunch weren’t half bad:
Beaches and Cream menu:
And here we have a very tired & hungry crew waiting patiently to devour lunch. Brett and I:
Derek, Danny and Kathy:
After lunch, which was delicious, we wandered around both the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The carousel in the lobby of the Beach Club is my favorite of all the gingerbread/chocolate creations. Of course this might be because there was a Holly Horse in 2007! Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut this year…drat. I complain in jest, as I really do love that they switch things up every year and make minor changes to some of the decorations. Not only does it keep them fresh, but it gives us something to banter about from one year to the next!
Beach Club Carousel 2008:
And for comparison purposes… the Holly Horse from 2007. And happenstance would have it that my favorite character, Pluto, rested beneath. How could it not be my favorite!?:
It was at the Fittings and Fairings gift shop in the Yacht Club that we became aware of the crazy sale (50% off Christmas ornaments/hats/stockings and 40% off beach towels/caps/tshirts) that is, in my opinion, a direct reflection of our economy and Disney’s very smart attempt to move merchandise that they might otherwise be saddled with later.
The beautiful and ornate globe marking the entrance to Fittings and Fairings:
Next up... a little Epcot to sooth the soul!
So... let's get started!
Day 1: Travel/Epcot/Downtown Disney
Brett and I headed to his parents house (and two hours closer to Disney) on Saturday 12/13. It’s nice to start the trip a little closer because we like to drive straight through so the difference in an 8 hour drive and a 6 hour drive is huge to us. We had dinner, packed a few last minute things and tried to get some sleep. Kathy, Danny, Brett and I left Columbia, SC at about 3am on the 14th. The plan was to meet up with Derek (who was leaving from Myrtle Beach) somewhere on I-95. Despite the multiple economy size Red Bulls Derek was consuming, he in fact did not grow wings and was still a good ways behind us, so we stopped at a Cracker Barrel to get some breakfast as we waited for him to catch up. After a few more stops and some OJ at the Florida Welcome Center we finally arrived at 11am... 8 hours later!
Ahh… Welcome Home. I’m not even a DVC member and this sign gives me goosebumps!
Danny and Kathy own points at Saratoga Springs, but decided to try out Old Key West for this stay. Check-in was insane, which made me a teensy bit nervous about the crowd levels at the parks. It was our first time staying at OKW and I was really taken with the ambience. Brett and I took a trip to the real Key West in 2007 and the resort really did exude that laidback island feel that Key West is so famous for.
The room wasn’t ready yet so we headed over to the Beach Club for some of the best (and most reasonably priced) burgers on property at Beaches and Cream!
Here are Danny and Kathy, who I must thank for such a wonderful trip:
The views that we enjoyed while waiting for lunch weren’t half bad:
Beaches and Cream menu:
And here we have a very tired & hungry crew waiting patiently to devour lunch. Brett and I:
Derek, Danny and Kathy:
After lunch, which was delicious, we wandered around both the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The carousel in the lobby of the Beach Club is my favorite of all the gingerbread/chocolate creations. Of course this might be because there was a Holly Horse in 2007! Unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut this year…drat. I complain in jest, as I really do love that they switch things up every year and make minor changes to some of the decorations. Not only does it keep them fresh, but it gives us something to banter about from one year to the next!
Beach Club Carousel 2008:
And for comparison purposes… the Holly Horse from 2007. And happenstance would have it that my favorite character, Pluto, rested beneath. How could it not be my favorite!?:
It was at the Fittings and Fairings gift shop in the Yacht Club that we became aware of the crazy sale (50% off Christmas ornaments/hats/stockings and 40% off beach towels/caps/tshirts) that is, in my opinion, a direct reflection of our economy and Disney’s very smart attempt to move merchandise that they might otherwise be saddled with later.
The beautiful and ornate globe marking the entrance to Fittings and Fairings:
Next up... a little Epcot to sooth the soul!
