The Surprise-We’re-Going-To-Disney Actual Trip Report – FIRSTS

So by now you’ve probably read about how we surprised the kids on the first night of Hanukah by telling them we were leaving for Disney and Universal in 4 days. The next 4 days were a flurry of packing and anticipation! Rather than give you a blow-by-blow of the trip, I thought I would make it interesting by limiting my Trip Report to FIRSTS (and only a handful of the over 200 pictures we took) - in other words, all the things we did or saw for the first time on this, our first holiday season trip to Disney. We actually stayed at Universal our first night and spent our first day there, but I will leave out the parts about Universal and post those in the Universal forum separately.
Without further ado, here are my Disney Firsts:
1 - We arrived at the Caribbean Beach Resort on Thursday night (12/13) around 6pm. I had done online check-in for the first time, and we were happy to quickly get our materials and a room in the building I’d requested – Aruba. I would do online check-in again.

2 – We had dinner that first night at the California Grill for the first time. The ambience was fabulous, the service spectacular, and our meal was timed to include a viewing of Holiday Wishes during MVMCP – another first. (I’ll do a separate food report as well, so I’ll leave those pictures out of this report.) What a way to see the fireworks!

3 – On Friday (12/14) we were at EPCOT by rope drop. The park was already crowded for that time of day, but we still ran straight to Soarin’ which is the ride that makes me truly feel like I’ve arrived at WDW. As usual, I teared up a bit! Anyway, we rode Soarin’ once, got a FP for later in the morning, and headed over to try the new Test Track for the first time. It was really great! The queue was so modern, and we really got a kick out of designing our own vehicles in the new intro area (see pics). Although the track was the same, it really felt like a modernized version of the ride. We all loved it.

 

[JillC LI]

4 – After another ride on Soarin’ and checking out Club Cool for my son who is a soda addict, we entered the World Showcase. Here I had the pleasure of meeting the wicked stepmother and stepsisters for the first time. My hubby decided to get an early lunch at Tangierine Café, a first for him. He had the Mediterranean Sliders combo with a side of olives and said that it was one of the best lunches he has ever had ANYWHERE. DD got her first Disney turkey leg from the kiosk at the American Pavillion and loved it. DS got a Mickey pretzel, also a first.

5 – We visited the Japan Pavillion where for the first time I “picked a pearl.” I’m so glad I read about this on these forums. It was so cool to pick out my oyster (I went with a small ugly one as recommended by others), and to participate in the whole ceremony that they do for you. My pearl was a size 7, and I had it set with a simple hook so I could wear it on a chain. The pearl was $17 and the setting was $10 which isn’t bad. I was a little shocked when they also tried to sell me a box for $2.95. Really? I’ll take a bag.

6 – Because this was a short trip, we had to cut our time at EPCOT short to get to DHS. On the way out we gave a very grateful family our FPs for Test Track. Once at DHS I had a pretzel dog at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner for the first time since I’d seen a photo of it on these boards. It was quite good and the chocolate shake it came with was even better!
7 – At my family’s urging, and after refusing for several trips to Disney, I finally caved and rode Tower of Terror for the first time. I decided that no matter how scared I was, at least I could say I had tried it, and maybe I’d even enjoy it. Well, I can now say that I tried it and will never ride it again! LOL. I was prepared for the feeling of the drops. What I had not expected was the feeling of being pushed back up again! That’s what I hated even more than the drops.

 

[JillC LI]

8 – After riding RnRC (which I love because I can handle tight curves and inversions, just not drops), we saw Lights Motors Action for the first time. My son had wanted to see it on previous trips, but we never worked the show times into our day properly. We all genuinely enjoyed it and were glad we had finally seen it.

9 – At 6pm we were well situated for the beginning of the Osborne Lights show – another first. All I can say is wow! It was truly beautiful and spectacular. We were delighted to even notice a small menorah, a small dreidel and a small Star of David amongst the lights.

We also searched and found this little fella although I won’t mention where he was hiding!

 

[JillC LI]

10 – Another first was dinner at Cape May Café that night. Plus we saw the chocolate and gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club for the first time. It was incredible. We all loved the buffet at Cape May, especially the crab legs, and you probably could have rolled us out of there after all we ate. After dinner, we walked around the lake to the Boardwalk to check it out briefly for the first time. We couldn’t stay long though because the kids were getting tired and we had another very early day the next day with MK opening at 8am.

11 – Saturday 12/15 was predicted to have crowd levels of 9.4 at the MK. We made sure to get there for the opening ceremony to maximize rides. In the first 2.5 hours we managed to ride Space Mountain twice, Astro Orbiter twice, Buzz Lightyear, Indy Racecar, Haunted Mansion, BTMRR, Splash Mtn, and Pirates of the Caribbean! We flew around the Park! On Buzz Lightyear, I figured out where to hit the high scoring targets for the first time and got a score of 928,000! On the way to Space Mtn for the second time, who did we spot for the first time but PUSH the trashcan! I might have missed him altogether but I was on the lookout for him because of these forums. I said to my daughter “Elissa, go over to Push so I can get a picture.” I don’t think she realized I had said her name out loud, but Push picked up on it and called her over by name! She couldn’t believe it. He told her to put a hand on each of his “shoulders” and then he started playing “I Will Always Love You” and swaying so they could dance! She was freaking out with excitement. When the dance was over, he told her “Elissa, I will always love you.” And then PUSH turned to my hubby and said “Is this your dad?” When she said yes, he said “I have a surprise for you” and then turned back to Elissa and played “Here Comes the Bride!” Afterwards Push turned to my hubby and yelled “DAD!” We were all cracking up. Then he started playing and dancing to Gangnam style and other kids joined in. We got the whole thing on video. It was truly a priceless Disney moment which would never have happened had I not been an avid reader on this web site. Thank you WDWMagic.

 

[JillC LI]

12 - At 10:30 we had to catch a monorail to the Polynesian resort for another first – breakfast at Kona Café. Boy did we time it right – there were throngs of people arriving at MK as we were leaving. My hubby and DD ordered the tonga toast, and I got the macadamia nut pineapple pancakes – all firsts. We’re still arguing over whose meal was more delicious. We were literally moaning for joy as we ate! LOL.

13 – After brunch we headed over to the Grand Floridian to see the lifesize gingerbread house for the first time. Very cute. Then it was back to the crowds at the MK. DD and DS rode the Teacups (and I was thrilled to be released from having to join DD on this ride for the first time!). We all tried Stitch’s Great Escape for the first time after avoiding it for many years when the kids were younger due to reports of it being scary. I have to say we all thought it was lame.
14 - Then we went to the Enchanted Tiki Room – another first – and probably also a last! It was just too corny for us. Then I waited on a 15 minute line for a Dole Whip (I would have waited all day for my precious Dole Whip!). After we ate, we used our FPs for the new Under the Sea ride for the first time. This attraction had a longer wait than any ride in the park that entire day – 100 minutes at one point. Even with FPs we had to wait nearly 15 minutes to get on! We all thought it was beautifully done, very immersive. The entire Fantasyland Expansion area which we saw for the first time was beautiful. We did not go inside Gaston’s Tavern or the Be Our Guest restaurant, but the castle looked amazing. There were “sneak a peek” areas in the walls covering the Seven Dwarfs coaster ride being built, and it looks like it’s gonna be great.

 

[JillC LI]

15 – Another first was seeing Cinderella’s Castle Lights at 6pm. Another wow! After taking a hundred photos, we decided to ride the WDW Railroad for the first time. It had been a long day, and everyone was tired (and unfortunately I was getting sick at that point with what apparently turned out to be walking pneumonia but I refused to let it slow me down), so we figured this would be a great way to see something new while sitting.

16 - Dinner at Cosmic Rays was definitely not a first, but was most enjoyed. After dinner we staked out a spot on Main Street for the Main Street Electrical Parade – another first. This turned out to be our favorite parade ever! So beautiful. I was particularly excited to see the Pete’s Dragon float. I had heard there had been some issues with it in the past, and I was concerned that maybe it wouldn’t come out since the parade had gone for so long without me seeing it, but then suddenly, there it was! Elliott the Dragon! The third to last float. The music had been nearly the same for the whole parade, but when the Pete’s Dragon float passed by, being ridden by a little boy (Pete), the music changed to a song from the movie – It’s a Razzle Dazzle Day! I sang along and smiled the biggest smile.

17 – Our final day (Sunday 12/16) was at Animal Kingdom. I woke up full blown sick – another first for me at Disney World. Still, I refused to slow down. My only other firsts for the day were eating lunch at Restaurantasaurus (me and DS) at Yak & Yeti (hubby and DD) and ice cream sandwiches on fresh chocolate chip cookies at Dino Bites (all of us). We had a great day until 3:30pm, and then, regrettably, it was time to head to the airport.
Oh, actually there was another first. At Cosmic Rays the night before, our receipt said at the bottom that we could get 20% off any purchase at certain stores in the parks and Downtown Disney between 9am and 1pm not just the next day but until January 3rd! We saved quite a bundle on souvenirs at AK the next day. The CM said that this was the first time a coupon had been issued of this nature that was good for so long.

All in all, it was an amazing trip. I’m still on a high from it despite being so sick. After quite a few Disney trips, it was great to have so many FIRSTS!
The End!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Great report!! I LOVE that you got a pearl! I always wanted to do that-will have to next trip!!

 

[Hulacat]

I sure hope you feel better- great trip report, looks like a magical trip for all! Happy Chanukah! (I probably spelled that wrong, but the sincere wish is there!)!!

 

[SDisney90]

Great TR, I'd like to take my girlfriend to get a pearl and that pretty much summed up the prices for me, thanks!

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

Your trip sounds simply magical! Hope you're feeling better. Your pictures are great. Y'all look so happy!

 

[Kristia]

Great trip report Jill! It is great to finally put a face with the name! You sound just like me...tried the TOT and I DON'T like it! Actually I have done it a couple times for my husband, but I don't think I will do it again. I hate drops! I also like RNRC! I was amazed at your full family pic at Osbourne Lights. I had that same exact Surfstyle pullover jacket! I bought it at the Seaside Boardwalk back in college oh so long ago! I had to get rid of it some years back because the logo was peeling off. I can't wait to get my Tonga Toast 3 weeks from today! We have a ressie there for after our half marathon. So happy you had such a great trip despite being sick at the end. Loved your pictures and hearing about all your firsts!

 

[JillC LI]

Great trip report Jill! It is great to finally put a face with the name! You sound just like me...tried the TOT and I DON'T like it! Actually I have done it a couple times for my husband, but I don't think I will do it again. I hate drops! I also like RNRC! I was amazed at your full family pic at Osbourne Lights. I had that same exact Surfstyle pullover jacket! I bought it at the Seaside Boardwalk back in college oh so long ago! I had to get rid of it some years back because the logo was peeling off. I can't wait to get my Tonga Toast 3 weeks from today! We have a ressie there for after our half marathon. So happy you had such a great trip despite being sick at the end. Loved your pictures and hearing about all your firsts!

That's interesting that you don't like TOT but do like RnRC just like me. Most people love or hate both. I got that Surfstyle windbreaker on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland over 10 years ago. The logo does start to peel if I'm not careful. If you look carefully at the photo of me with the wicked stepsisters, you can sort of see that I'm wearing my TOT 13K shirt. I'm finally starting to feel better, thank goodness!

 

[Kristia]

That's interesting that you don't like TOT but do like RnRC just like me. Most people love or hate both. I got that Surfstyle windbreaker on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland over 10 years ago. The logo does start to peel if I'm not careful. If you look carefully at the photo of me with the wicked stepsisters, you can sort of see that I'm wearing my TOT 13K shirt. I'm finally starting to feel better, thank goodness!

I did notice your TOT shirt!

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

That's interesting that you don't like TOT but do like RnRC just like me. Most people love or hate both. I got that Surfstyle windbreaker on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland over 10 years ago. The logo does start to peel if I'm not careful. If you look carefully at the photo of me with the wicked stepsisters, you can sort of see that I'm wearing my TOT 13K shirt. I'm finally starting to feel better, thank goodness!

I'm not a fan of the drops, either, but I'll ride RnRC all day long!

 

[Disney_Belle]

Love the report Jill! Looks like you all had a wonderful time!

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Fun report! A little tidbit: in your picture with Push, you also captured his "friend" in the background. I thought that was kinda funny.

 

[ShookieJones]

Great TR. Lots of very cool "firsts", especially for such a short trip.
I tried to convince my wife to go for one of the pearls (for the first time) on our last trip...she said "maybe later" and it never happened.

You really knocked that vacation out of the park --thanks for taking us along for the ride.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Great TR!! What a wonderful surprise for the kids!!!

Tower of Terror is my favorite ride. I LOVE the thrill of dropping and then going back to the top again! RNRC is also one of my top rides. I love the launch at the beginning!!

You guys packed a lot of stuff into a short trip, which is awesome!! YAY!!

 

[dopeylover]

Fun report! A little tidbit: in your picture with Push, you also captured his "friend" in the background. I thought that was kinda funny.

Who is his 'friend'???

 

[JillC LI]

Who is his 'friend'???

I looked back at the photo, and I'm trying to figure out which person is his "friend" too. I understand what the person who mentioned his "friend" is saying, but who is itin the photo?

Great TR!! What a wonderful surprise for the kids!!!

You guys packed a lot of stuff into a short trip, which is awesome!! YAY!!

We don't get to Disney often enough, and our trips are usually no more than 4-5 days, so we have to pack in the kitchen sink! Hey, maybe next time we'll try to eat the Kitchen Sink! LOL. Beaches N Cream is definitely on my must-try list for an upcoming trip. We go from 6:30am-11:30pm every day - kids too - so we all need a vacation by the time we arrive home from a Disney trip! LOL