Trip Report 'Tis the Season to be Jolly... at WDW! 🎄 - Live- *COMPLETED*

Hello and Welcome Disney Friends!
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Another adventure is about to begin for Frank and me, starting tomorrow!
We are very excited, for this is our favorite time of the year at our favorite place in the World! We've been looking forward to this trip since we booked it back in January.

When: Dec 1 -Dec 9
Where: Bay Lake Tower
Who: Frank and Nunu

The last few days have been crazy, my friends, like they always are for us (mostly me!) trying to get everything in order here at home, including leaving my beloved turtle Domenica under JC's care. You don't want to know how that went with her in the car today, she was trying to get out of her "house" while I was driving! And to make things more nerve wracking, Frank had to travel to Mexico this morning and I was afraid that something might delay him and that, could've complicated our departure tomorrow morning.

Fortunately, he landed an hour ago, so things are looking good so far, phew!

Frank and me, last December

Our immediate plans are:
Fly tomorrow into Miami, lunch at Aventura Mall (between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale) buy some necessities and stay the night.

Sunday morning we drive from there into Orlando. Those who followed us on our April/May trip, might remember about our highway scare, so this time around, we're hoping to check-in at our WDW Home, without any incidents at around 10am.
Wish us luck!

Thank you for choosing to read along, you're all delightful to have around, and we're happy and grateful for your company! Feel free to comment or ask, I'll do my best to keep you posted as much as I can. I'm an so expect some late night posts.

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[Nunu]

Perhaps he wants to be a photographer when he grows up?

More likely, an artist wannabe!

 

[Nunu]

We know it wasn’t Callan or there would have been NO pictures at all.

True!
Weird thing is, he wasn't a PhotoPass photographer!

 

[Nunu]

Monday, December 9 - Cont.

It was lunchtime, and we were getting hungry. We could've had lunch right then, but we didn't want to eat in a rush because the window for our next FP had just opened. We chose to head to EE and then come back.

After our Yeti encounter, we went back to Pandora where we tried Satu'li Canteen for the first time. We always get lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue, but after reading about how good the food is in this place from several TReporters, like @Zipitidoda and @Darstarr , we wanted to give Satu'li, a try.

Frank was a bit hesitant, since he loves his bbq ribs...
But, this is him, when he saw the grill!

These were our picks.

We both enjoyed our dishes, but Frank said he preferred my noodles base and creamy dressing, over his rice and beans.

 

[Zipadeelady]

I just love Satuli. If I was with you I would have tried to talk you into the hash base with the creamy dressing. So far that has been my favorite. So gooood!

 

[Darstarr]

I just love Satuli. If I was with you I would have tried to talk you into the hash base with the creamy dressing. So far that has been my favorite. So gooood!

I second that!!!

 

[Nunu]

Time to leave AK for coffee at Starbucks and a stroll at Disney Springs.

We found DS pleasantly uncrowded, we had a chance to find stores and paths, much easier to navigate and enjoy.

We ended our visit to DS, with drinks at The Edison instead of our usual favorite, Wine Bar George.

We liked visiting here, our drinks were very good, too. Another nice, different option, for cocktail hour.

Upon exiting, I took this picture for @Darstarr

We left WDW feeling happy but also, a bit nostalgic. Are we going back for a last hurrah, in just a few days...?

 

[Nunu]

And the answer is: Yes! TODAY!

There's still something for us to do at WDW. I'll keep you posted!

 

[Nunu]

We're back for the day!
This just now.

 

[Darstarr]

Time to leave AK for coffee at Starbucks and a stroll at Disney Springs.

We found DS pleasantly uncrowded, we had a chance to find stores and paths, much easier to navigate and enjoy.

We ended our visit to DS, with drinks at The Edison instead of our usual favorite, Wine Bar George.
View attachment 432545
View attachment 432546
View attachment 432547
We liked visiting here, our drinks were very good, too. Another nice, different option, for cocktail hour.

Upon exiting, I took this picture for @Darstarr
View attachment 432548
We left WDW feeling happy but also, a bit nostalgic. Are we going back for a last hurrah, in just a few days...?

Thanks friend

 

[Bullseye1967]

We're back for the day!
This just now.
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It is tough to resist the pull of the mouse!

 

[Swissmiss]

We're back for the day!
This just now.
View attachment 432603

What??!!

 

[Nunu]

At Contemporary Resort, more precisely, at Contempo Cafe, waiting for our food, we're so hungry right now!

We've just left the DVC Annual Condo Association Meeting, held minutes ago at Fantasia Ballroom.

Around 700 DVC members in attendance, today!

The meeting was quite interesting, it lasted longer than expected. Too many questions from the audience at the end of the session, this time around.

More about this, later.
Our food is finally here!

 

[NothatDonald]

You’re back? For how long?

 

[Nunu]

Not the best weather right now, but we're about to head to a park for just a few hours.

Hmmm.. which park?

 

[NothatDonald]

We’re on our way to MK for the Christmas party

 

[Nunu]

 

[Nunu]

We’re on our way to MK for the Christmas party

That's great! Have fun!

 

[Nunu]

The meeting lasted 1 1/2 hours. We were all offered the opportunity to preview Riviera (opening Dec 16), in person. Buses to take people there and back, were available for those choosing to participate.

The meeting ended with a reception and the option to meet and chat with DVC's branch directors.

Refreshments, hot beverages and... cookies!

Mickey and Minnie dressed in French attire were available for photo opportunities.

We stayed for a while, then headed upstairs for lunch.

After lunch, EPCOT it was! We spent around 3 hours at World Showcase tonight, just enough to say farewell to our Disney vacation.

 

[donaldtoo]

Monday, December 9
Check-Out Day

Check-out day came, as it always does, sooner than we'd like. We had such a good time at BLT and hope to stay there again, soon.

We had a half a day visit to AK planned. I've always liked AK's Christmas tree, it's so unique!
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Holiday decorations are nicely done and go perfectly with the park's theme. These puppet animals are part of the new Holiday offerings, we're glad we had the chance to see them up-close.
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Time for a FP I had to get up for, at 5am, local time!
Yep, you guessed it! Flight of Passage.

The FP line was pretty much empty.
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Upon exiting FOP, we stopped to take pictures with the mechanized suit. (Frank told me it's not a robot, I had no idea! ).

Anyway, dude offers to take our picture. Very nice of him, right? Well, things got weird. He told us to make different poses (?), oook.
We had a feeling he wasn't happy with our "performance" because he wouldn't stop asking for more and more poses.
We didn't know what else to do with ourselves, as you can see from these two pictures!

What are we doing here?!
View attachment 432501
And what about this?! Looking into space?
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The interaction with Dude, took longer than desired. How awkward!

Awkward, indeed... Wannabe PP photographer, maybe...?!!!!!

 

[MickeyCB]

I would have gone to the meeting just for the cookies!!