Congrats on not being sold separately! ~ a 20th anniversary trip report. New TR link 12/21

[suse66]

Looks like a nice itinerary and good FP+ for your park days!

I will have to live through your report since we won’t be going this Holiday season!!

I am so excited to experience Disney at Christmas for the first time!

Great fast passes!!! Your Christmas trip is coming along nicely!!!

Thank you! I'm getting more excited by the day!

How fun to run into Chip and Dale at the boat dock. Wish Disney did more of these impromptu meets.


Love it!!!!!!!! The perfect dress for tea.


Oh this looks so good. I'm 99% sure I've never had a proper scone and this looks divine. What a fun experience for you all.


This is the whole reason I'd pick Epcot! Sounds like a perfect afternoon/evening!


You know what my vote is for

You know, I am starting to hear about more and more spur of the moment meets. It seems like a lot of the deluxe resorts are having random character experiences, especially on rainy days. I am so looking forward to Festival of the Holidays. I was really happy with my dress too. I wore it to a local Dismeet and got a ton of compliments on it. It's fun and who doesn't need a little more fun in their lives?? I know I will definitely go to Nomad for a drink....it would be wrong not too....right?

I didn't realize this - how's the year at your new school going?


Perfect choice of dresses - this is so lovely!

School is ok, thanks for asking. The kids are great and I like most of the kindergarten team. I am not crazy about the drive and will probably try to transfer closer to home for next year. How is your new job?? Thanks for the compliment on my dress.

 

[Steppesister]

I had changed schools at the end of the year and my colleagues thoughtfully gave me Disney gift cards as a going away present. So I decided to use them on this tea.

What a nice gift and so thoughtful! Love that you used it on the Tea!

ou might not think afternoon tea would be super filling but we felt we had a lovely variety of food and really were not hungry for a big meal later on.

I have done it three times and it never gets old. Ever. LOVE IT! And yes, you are right. Very filling!

Followed by general MVMCP shenanigans! Still debating if I should add the Fireworks dessert party or Tony's? What do you think?

If it was me, I'd do Tony's. You have to eat dinner and goodies are provided throughout the park. To me it's a lot of money. I know a LOT of people adore the Dessert Parties, but I guess if there was already desserts (free ones!) provided, why pay more?

 

[suse66]

What a nice gift and so thoughtful! Love that you used it on the Tea!



I have done it three times and it never gets old. Ever. LOVE IT! And yes, you are right. Very filling!




If it was me, I'd do Tony's. You have to eat dinner and goodies are provided throughout the park. To me it's a lot of money. I know a LOT of people adore the Dessert Parties, but I guess if there was already desserts (free ones!) provided, why pay more?

I feel the same as you about the tea. It was my second time trying it and would happily go again. I really enjoyed it and so did Bill. I am feeling Tony's would be a good choice.....yes, it is expensive and I've already paid $$$$ for the party ticket BUT there is only me to worry about on this trip and I have to eat dinner anyhow. Plus there is wine and beer included and the guaranteed place for the parade which is worth a lot. There, I think I've convinced myself, lol!

 

[pkondz]

My FastPass day for my December trip was this past Monday and I am pretty happy with what I got.

Glad to hear that!

 

[MinnieWebster]

Good FP+ choices! Can't wait to see Disney at Christmas (Thanksgiving) again and to hear what you think of it! I love all of the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot!

 

[afwdwfan]

My FastPass day for my December trip was this past Monday and I am pretty happy with what I got. I have a 2 day one park per day ticket and a MVMCP ticket.

Looks like you're going to do a nice job of maximizing a short amount of time there!

 

[suse66]

Glad to hear that!

Thanks!

Good FP+ choices! Can't wait to see Disney at Christmas (Thanksgiving) again and to hear what you think of it! I love all of the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot!

I am so excited as I'm sure you are too! Are you doing a party when you are there?

Looks like you're going to do a nice job of maximizing a short amount of time there!

I hope so.....I've never done such a short trip but better than not going at all.

 

[MinnieWebster]

I am so excited as I'm sure you are too! Are you doing a party when you are there?

I suggested doing a party to DH when we first started planning this trip, and he wasn't really interested. And he "upgraded" our 7-day PH tickets to 10-day PH tickets (even though we are there for 10 days, and have a water park ticket). But the past week he's been considering it versus EMM on one morning at MK. So I'm not sure if we'll end up adding a party

 

[Steppesister]

I feel the same as you about the tea. It was my second time trying it and would happily go again. I really enjoyed it and so did Bill. I am feeling Tony's would be a good choice.....yes, it is expensive and I've already paid $$$$ for the party ticket BUT there is only me to worry about on this trip and I have to eat dinner anyhow. Plus there is wine and beer included and the guaranteed place for the parade which is worth a lot. There, I think I've convinced myself, lol!

Hah, you make a very convincing case! I am seriously considering putting Tony's on to the "Ok, let's give it a go" List.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm sorry I got behind but I'm all caught up now. I really enjoyed your Tea. It's on my someday list. I'm glad you picked one of the bright dresses, I just love bright colors and it was perfect for the Tea.

I think we discussed before that we would both be @ Pop around the same time. We're arriving on the 14th. None of our days match up but hopefully will pass at the Resort or on the Skyliner.

 

[Tracy161]

School is ok, thanks for asking. The kids are great and I like most of the kindergarten team. I am not crazy about the drive and will probably try to transfer closer to home for next year.

I'm glad the kids are great, as well as the majority of the team. But I completely understand about the commute - I'm likely going to be moving in December because I don't like my commute with this new job! For you, transferring closer to home for next year makes good sense - I hope that works out for you!

How is your new job??

So far, so good! Thanks for asking Yesterday was my first official day, though I'd be going in on evenings last week to ease the transition. I'm anxious to have a few months under my belt so I know what I'm doing

Thanks for the compliment on my dress.

You're welcome

 

[suse66]

I suggested doing a party to DH when we first started planning this trip, and he wasn't really interested. And he "upgraded" our 7-day PH tickets to 10-day PH tickets (even though we are there for 10 days, and have a water park ticket). But the past week he's been considering it versus EMM on one morning at MK. So I'm not sure if we'll end up adding a party

I think a party could be nice. It's not that much more than EMM and you get twice the time, if it's not too crowded. Not much longer until you are there! How are things going with your pregnancy? Hope you are feeling well!

Hah, you make a very convincing case! I am seriously considering putting Tony's on to the "Ok, let's give it a go" List.

I am going to go for it....might as well check it out when I am only paying for one.

I'm sorry I got behind but I'm all caught up now. I really enjoyed your Tea. It's on my someday list. I'm glad you picked one of the bright dresses, I just love bright colors and it was perfect for the Tea.

I think we discussed before that we would both be @ Pop around the same time. We're arriving on the 14th. None of our days match up but hopefully will pass at the Resort or on the Skyliner.

Thanks so much, we loved the tea! Definitely try it out at one point. Hopefully our paths will cross at Pop!

I'm glad the kids are great, as well as the majority of the team. But I completely understand about the commute - I'm likely going to be moving in December because I don't like my commute with this new job! For you, transferring closer to home for next year makes good sense - I hope that works out for you!


So far, so good! Thanks for asking Yesterday was my first official day, though I'd be going in on evenings last week to ease the transition. I'm anxious to have a few months under my belt so I know what I'm doing


You're welcome

I am glad it is going okay so far.....you will be a rockstar! They are lucky to have you.

 

[suse66]

Saying goodbye to Illuminations

As I've mentioned before, I've had a love affair with Illuminations going back to the first time I saw it with the boys in 2009. My favourite memory is of Jack (then 8, now 19) slipping his hand into mine and saying "Oh Mummy, isn't it the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?" And of course, I adore "We go on".....it makes me cry every time. So when I found a FP for Illuminations, I knew it was a must do. We headed off to Epcot around 6:30 and started off the evening with a ride on Spaceship Earth. There were a few fun Toy Story topiaries as we came around the bend towards World Showcase.




I loved the beautiful view on the water as we came around the the top of the lagoon.


We decided we would try to snack around the world as we weren't really hungry for a big meal but were feeling a little peckish. We started off on tour in World Showcase but nothing really struck our fancy until we hit the France pavilion and decided to try Les Halles. I think we overestimated our appetites as we ordered three snacks and were completely stuffed! So much for snacking around the World! However everything we tried was delicious......we went for the pumpkin soup in a bread bowl, the quiche and the chocolate mousse with raspberries. This came to $18 and it was more than enough food for two of us for a light dinner.



We saw Princess Aurora meeting outside Les Halles as we went in but there was a long line. Unfortunately she had finished meeting by the time we finished our meal but I persuaded Bill to get some pics in front of the fountain instead. I especially love the passport pics they have been doing lately.





We decided to head to La Cava to get drinks in hand before watching Illuminations. On the way there we stopped to walk around the train in Germany. It's always been a favourite.



With our drinks secured, we headed off to the FP viewing area. I didn't take any photos of the fireworks as I wanted to be completely present for every moment of my last viewing. It was a perfect way to toast Illuminations goodbye.



We headed back to Copper Creek via Lyft as it was a busy night and we wanted to be ready for a very full day celebrating Bill's birthday. We were heading off to KTTK and had a very special dinner planned. Any ideas where??
​

 

[missangelalexis]

What a nice night! I love your dress, you look like Princess Aurora!!

 

[MinnieWebster]

How are things going with your pregnancy? Hope you are feeling well!

Things are going great, I am feeling well. Thank you! My anatomy ultrasound is scheduled for Nov 20, and we have a FP+ on Nov 28 to meet Mickey and Minnie at Adventure Outpost in AK so they can help us find out what we are having

I persuaded Bill to get some pics in front of the fountain instead. I especially love the passport pics they have been doing lately.

Great pics!
I'm bummed we weren't able to see IllumiNations again before it ended, such a great show.

 

[pkondz]

As I've mentioned before, I've had a love affair with Illuminations going back to the first time I saw it with the boys in 2009. My favourite memory is of Jack (then 8, now 19) slipping his hand into mine and saying "Oh Mummy, isn't it the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?"

Awwww!!!!

And of course, I adore "We go on".....it makes me cry every time.

Beautiful shot!

we hit the France pavilion and decided to try Les Halles.

I love that place.
I've only eaten the sweets there, but... yummm!!!

we ordered three snacks and were completely stuffed! So much for snacking around the World!

Whoops!

Cool! I like that!

On the way there we stopped to walk around the train in Germany. It's always been a favourite.

You can get arrested for not stopping there, you know.

I didn't take any photos of the fireworks as I wanted to be completely present for every moment of my last viewing.

Good.
I completely support this.

We were heading off to KTTK

Oh, nice!

and had a very special dinner planned. Any ideas where??

Hmmm...

Cítricos?​

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Your pink dress is so pretty.

 

[ariane37]

Catching up!

Your Dec itinerary looks fun! I'm bummed I won't get to ride Jingle Cruise this year, I love it so much more than JUNGLE Cruise

You look lovely in your pink dress! We enjoy Les Halles too but it's easy to fill up on all the goodies lol.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Catching up!

Your Dec itinerary looks fun! I'm bummed I won't get to ride Jingle Cruise this year, I love it so much more than JUNGLE Cruise

You look lovely in your pink dress! We enjoy Les Halles too but it's easy to fill up on all the goodies lol.

Totally agree about Jingle Cruise!!!!

 

[vamassey1]

What a lovely night. It was a fitting way to celebrate your last Illuminations. Your dress is gorgeous.