[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by kizzmitt

I'm just loving your TR! Someday I hope to go at
christmas time, it sounds so nice!

I never thought we'd go at Christmas time either. But we just "made it happen". Really helped that we had bought AP's in May (plus we have DVC) & were already planning a March trip...our Computer teacher at school was the one that really convinced us to go & I'm so happy she did. Now I'm trying to figure out when we can go again...Probably December of 2008....the kids will probably go w/Orchestra March of 2008...so we'll just get AP's and go back. Sounds good to me....now I just have to convince the rest of the family!! Just start planning and you can make it happen!

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by kizzmitt

It works! I can see why you got so exicited about the group picture at MGM, Its great!

Thanks!! I'm glad it worked. I'm on dial-up and it takes FOREVER to download the pic's...thanks for letting me know!
I get a little carried away with photo ops...but this one was a Photo Of A Lifetime, how often do you actually get all of the characters together to take photos??? Maybe I was just a little to anxious for the photo....but it worked out and I'm SO happy!!

[A Goofy Family]

Day 4 Wednesday December 21st:

DS has been asking to ride the bus all week, since the weather will not have too much drastic change today we agree to it. So all 8 of us head for the bus stop and off to EPCOT we go to spend our entire day! DH, Me, & the Twins finally get to wear our matching Mickey Mouse Club sweatshirts I bought about 1 ½ years ago… We enter the park take Photo Pass pic’s, DH runs to get Soarin’ FP’s and the rest of us head to Test Track. DM & Dfil decide not to ride (bad backs) and go to Mousegears to shop a bit. DM finds a cute T-shirt she has sent back to the room. Dmil, & kids hit the singles line and off they go, DH makes it back from getting FP’s and we enter the single line as well. I think we made it through in about 10 minutes. I just love the small waits or FP’s! We have not had any significant waits this trip!! We then go to Innoventions East to do Robots again. I only helped my daughter this time during the race…we built more Robots then go and Visit the Coke Station…I don’t like the changes they’ve made. But we try the varieties and head to the Land to eat an early lunch. Our FP’s aren’t ready yet, so we ride Living with the Land. I think the line took about 15 minutes tops. We all enjoyed that and then headed to Soarin’…to the front of the FP line again and we request Center, Top Row and get it. It’s AWESOME!!! Our entire group loves it!
Then off to the Countries we go to see the Santa’s and Story Tellers. These are the different ones we saw:

France – La Pere Noel
Canada – Papa Noel
USA – Kwanzaa
USA – Santa & Mrs. Claus
Italy – Witch La Befana
Germany – Story Tellers and Toy Soldier
Norway – Julenissen (an elflike gnome)
Mexico – The 3 Kings

We also visited the following countries to check out the decorations & characters:
UK –Saw Winnie & Tigger
France –I think saw Sleeping Beauty here.
Morocco, Mexico (Mom and the kids tried on Sombrero’s and took pic’s.
Norway to see the troll.

We also stopped to check out the little village and trains (the men in our family love trains) When we visited Mexico, Dmil/Dfil headed to Germany to tell them we were there for our PS’s. DH & DS stayed to listen to the Mariachis and DM, DD, DN & I went to Norway to see the Troll. DD found DS’s Christmas gift there. After we checked out, we headed to Germany for dinner. ½ way there, DD thought she forgot something at the register…so I sent DM & DN ahead & DD & I went back to Norway. She never found what she was looking for… DH calls to say they’ve been seated and we race back to Germany. The buffet is great, so many new things to try…the dinner show is good too. Lots of audience participation this time. We didn’t participate this show, we were too busy eating. But DD went down at the end of the show to get WDW chocolate coins.
We were still there for the beginning of the next show and DD & DN danced a few songs and DD got DH to waltz with her (now how did she do that?). She was thrilled and it looked like he was having fun too! Time to go and get in line for the CandleLight Processional. The girls want to go back to China to get their KidCot stamps, so we give them a phone, DH waits near the American Pavilion & the rest of us head for the line. We put on our badges, find the right line and wait just a few minutes. DH & girls join us and in we go! We had the dinner package & I strongly recommend it! The non-package line was very ,very long and we got first dibs on seats…which were great! This show is AWESOME!! DH says the highpoint of the trip! Don’t miss it if you have the opportunity to go!! Such talent!! The twins joined Orchestra this year and it was just incredible to see the interest they had in this show. After the show we checked out the merchandise cart, did a potty break…we saw another family from our school there!! And we left by Monorail before Illuminations was over (we saw it the night before). We wanted to do the loop and see the decorations, we went back to the TTC changed Monorails and got off at the Poly to catch the bus to DTD. Dil’s got to see the Poly gingerbread display at this stop. Took awhile to catch a bus, but then we headed to DTD. DM & I ran into the Christmas Store while DH & kids went to the Pin Shop. As we were checking out they locked the door and told us all the shops close at 11pm…OH NO, we wanted to go to WoD store….so we hustled over there just as the doors were being locked. But a nice CM let us in and we quickly shopped and bought some souvenirs. We also met a nice CM that invited us to come and visit him when we return in March and he’d have something “special” for us. We left the store at about 11:45, stopped at the Lego Store to take pic’s with the creations outside Then we headed to the bus stop near PI. This bus took FOREVER!!! I think it was close to 2am when I got to bed that night!!

Side Note: The kids visited all of the KidCot stops and got ALL of the Countries!! I think that’s a record for us….especially on a trip this short.

[Princess Tessa]

ooooooh great!!! no lines rock!
I'd love if you could PM me and tell me more about the Canadian - or any - Kidcot, I'll be working there and I don't know much about it at all!
Great report, wonderful trip!

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by Princess Tessa

ooooooh great!!! no lines rock!
I'd love if you could PM me and tell me more about the Canadian - or any - Kidcot, I'll be working there and I don't know much about it at all!
Great report, wonderful trip!

I just PM'd you with the help of the kids!

[Princess Tessa]

thank you SO MUCH for all the info!!! I'm really excited to work there now, I love kids and I think I'm really going to enjoy doing that.

[tinkerbell]

just as I suspected ..we were in the wrong parks on the wrong days :( every park we hit was crowded and huge lines. I am looking at the photopass .. :( and I can not remember seeing any of you. Wonderful pictures and beautiful family!!!!!! It just really makes me sad ..we were there at the same time ..but still worlds apart!!

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by Princess Tessa

thank you SO MUCH for all the info!!! I'm really excited to work there now, I love kids and I think I'm really going to enjoy doing that.

You'll be Great!! I hope the timing works out and we get a chance to meet you on our next trip!

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell

just as I suspected ..we were in the wrong parks on the wrong days :( every park we hit was crowded and huge lines. I am looking at the photopass .. :( and I can not remember seeing any of you. Wonderful pictures and beautiful family!!!!!! It just really makes me sad ..we were there at the same time ..but still worlds apart!!

We'll have to compare itineraries the next time we'll be at WDW together! We were so close, yet so far away!! I can't believe how well everything "clicked" for this trip. We were VERY lucky!

[A Goofy Family]

Day 5, Our Last Day. Thursday, December 22:

We slept in knowing it was going to be another late night, I was up about 8:15 & quietly started packing to get some of it out of the way. One by one, the family awoke, showered and ate breakfast. Guess we were out the door at about 11am. DS wanted to ride the bus again, so we did to the Magic Kingdom. Dfil was not feeling well so he stayed in his room to rest. We entered the park and went to the Jungle Cruise, Pirates (both no lines), DH picked up FP’s for BTRR , we did the Hall of Presidents (I don’t know if I’ve ever done it before…if so it was in 1999), and went to eat lunch at Pinocchio’s. We then saw Cinderellabration..we missed it last summer. We loved it, the gowns are so pretty! It was then time for our FP’s, DM went to look around, the rest of us headed for the ride. Pretty much walked all the way through to the train without stopping. The daytime Christmas Parade was just beginning when we got off. We headed to the Haunted Mansion & I called Mom. She was trapped on the other side of the street. So I sent DH, kids & Dmil on to the ride while I waited for the parade to end. I called Dsis during the parade so she could hear the music of the floats!! Wish they could have come with us….the whole trip I thought they’d jump out from around the corner and surprise us…but no such luck.
As soon as the parade was over, Mom met me and we did the HM together. Called DH to see where they were…they were stuck in the attic of the HM for a few minutes…so we were just a couple of rides behind them. Again…no waiting, except for the ride to get moving again...I love it!
Well we were pleasantly surprised to find that they were doing the Celebrate the Season Show that we had missed at the MVMCP on Sunday night… so we went to watch that...very cute!! The only thing that irritated me during the show was this lady that kept putting her daughter on her shoulders, then her husband squeezed in between us and took the kid and put it on his shoulders. Every time I’d go to take a picture, she’d raise her arms/camera above her head and block my picture. The kid started to cry and back to mom it went. Then while her daughter was on her shoulders, she raised her video camera and parked it right there. The kid couldn’t see and she blocked so much for others too. I don’t have any problem with kids on the shoulders. But do it while you’re waiting so others around you will know where to stand & position themselves…ok, enough venting…
After the show we headed for Dumbo, the line took 15-20 minutes, but it was a special request as one of our last rides of the trip, so we waited patiently. Actually we counted our blessings since that was a pretty short wait for Dumbo. After that we hit Scuttle’s landing for frozen Coke’s & a pretzel. The girls got Mickey Ice Cream sandwiches nearby and we headed towards the Monorail to see the Gingerbread house at the GF. Dfil drove over to meet us there. We decided to take the boat over instead…so we did all forms of transportation at WDW! We checked out the display…again very impressive, & while we were there we looked around the resort & gift shop. DN was not feeling well so Dmil/Dfil went back to the room w/her. The 5 of us headed to the MK. Again, we got to ride in the front of the Monorail. This time I got to and DH sat in the 1st car. How cool is that to end our trip in front of the Monorail!?!?! We reentered the gates, the kids headed to the restrooms, I picked up a Souvenir bucket of popcorn and we headed up to the train station. We rode to Toontown and DH & Kids went to Goofy’s Barnstormer while DM & I shopped for gifts for the Davis kids. We met at Pete’s garage & then rode the Teacups…DH is our official photographer since he doesn’t enjoy the spinning. We saw Tweedle Dee & Dum and took pic’s with them. Mom was starving (she didn’t snack when we did earlier) so she headed to Cosmic Rays ( I think she was just craving the pork sandwich that she loves so much) and we headed to the Cars again. The line was a little longer than it was on Sunday night, but we knew we had time before Mom was done with dinner so we waited. There was SO much bumping and smashing going on & the cars were backed up too. We took the far end and we each took our own car. Kids 1st , then me (I didn’t want my neck hurt by being bumped) then DH behind us. We didn’t get bumped, but DH was drafting me the entire time!

We met at Buzz and rode together; the line was about 15 min., then the people mover (the kids “surfed” down the conveyor ramp) & Carousel of Progress was appropriately our last ride of the trip. I still want the Mickey Nutcracker on the Mantel in the last room of CoP…I looked EVERYWHERE for one and didn’t find one. Anyone know where I can find one?? DS collects nutcrackers and that would be the perfect addition to his collection.
As we got off CoP, Wishes had just started. So we stood near The Timekeeper/Plaza and watched the show. Again, so pretty! We shopped a bit in the pin/jewelry store and as we walked down Mainstreet it was snowing!! We shopped some more in the Emporium..this is where we were able to get MVMCP shirts for Mom & the kids. We asked a CM if there were any left and she said we’d have to show our ticket, but of course we did not have our tickets with us..it had been 5 nights ago! DH remembered DD had her wristband on and they were able to get their shirts! Hooray!!! We closed down the shops and walked across Main Street USA, it was still snowing…Threw a kiss to the Castle & said “See Ya Real Soon!” (I didn’t cry this time, well maybe a little teary eyed…but I knew we’d be back in less than 3 months!)
The kids found Goofy sitting on a bench outside of Exposition Hall. Took pic’s and headed to the buses. We had the bus to ourselves. This is a common thing with us on most trips since we always seem to close down the stores & the park. Everyone showered when we got to the room; we packed some more while we waited our turn for the shower. I have no idea what time it was when we finally settled into bed. The room was dark and everyone was asleep when I got out of the shower…

[A Goofy Family]

Day of Departure Friday, December 23rd.

Home James!! We sleep in a little bit so we're well rested for the drive, load the Suburban, visit the OKW gift shop…check out the pools and sauna areas and pull out of the parking lot at about 10:30. We drove all day and made it to Orange, Texas at about 10:45. We tried stopping sooner, but with all of the hurricane damage and Holiday travelers there were no rooms. We were up and out of Orange by about 10am and made it to my Mom’s house at about 2:30. No rain on our way home, YAY! Dropped off her luggage, picked up Christmas gifts and met the Davis family at our house where Dsis had been cooking a scrumptious Christmas Dinner for us all!! Thanks again!!

I think we accomplished most of what we had set out to do. The 3 things we did not do that we had on our itinerary was: Dinner at 1900 Park Fare, Disney Visa Card Pictures at Innoventions & The DVC Merry Mixer. Wish we could have found time to visit Disney Quest too, but we’ll block time in March to do that. I have about 830 digital pics and a couple of rolls of film, so I hope to post some pic's in the very near future.

It was a Super trip and we can’t wait to go back with the Davis Family and see it all again in March!!!

Thanks everybody for reading my TR and sharing in the excitement!

[Maria]

Thank you so much for the wonderful TR, I loved reading it! Glad fun was had by all and how lucky that you will be there again in three months! Thanks again!

[tinkerbell]

ok ..really looking forward to the 800 + pictures !!!! Great Trip Report ..only one thing missing from your TR and Mine ..that we didnt see each other!!!

[Princess Tessa]

Thank YOU so much for writing it!!!
I love that you didn't cry because you are going back in march! How lucky
What a wonderful triip in every way, it doesn't sound like there was a single "blech" moment. Magic all around! Thanks!

[50 ANNIVERSARY]

great trip report. It seems like you did a lot without feeling rushed - everything just unfolded so nicely. I hope the same for our trip...