Disneyworld 12/9 - 12/10

[DLMAGICDARREN]

My first Disneyworld in December trip!

All I can say is wow, I would not want to have to be the cast member who has to take all the lights off the buildings and trees next month.

Downtown Disney was just spectacular, so many trees and candy canes and wreaths all over the place. Holiday music everywhere, and the temperature was not to chilly, but a slight brisk so that the mood just worked out perfectly.

Saw a new version of the New Year's Eve celebration on Pleasure Island, not sure if this is the replacement show, but if so the other was much better. Listened to Frankie and the Boys until one minute before midnight, then countdown & after fireworks confetti and all, but the old show was an entertaining 15 minute countdown . Time to say goodbye to the millennium celebration I suppose.

Hit the Magic Kingdom on Saturday. The refurbished Jungle Cruise has reopened and now has fastpass. Construction walls have again been moved around the Alladin Magic Carpet ride. Went through the Swiss Family Treehouse to get some ariel shots.

Mikey's Toontown Fair is dressed up nicely, Minnie has a lot of lights on her house. Wreaths are all over too! Main Street is well done as well, but all in all I still think they do a better job at Disneyland!

Rode Alien encounter since I missed that last trip, also TTA so get some nice ariel views of Tomorrowland.

Later met up with Toonfinder staff, which was fun. After they were off to a campfire and I was off to see the candlelight predecession at Epcot!

Now it was dark walking through Epcot gates and wow, the decorations here were incredible to. A huge Christmas tree and a pathway of lights led you into World Showcase. The predecession is held at the stage across from the Great American Adventure pavilion. But I managed to arrive over an hour before showtime, so just chatted with fellow Disney friends. Met a local who visits the parks about 3 times a week, wow I thought I went a lot!

The show was spectacular. Ben Vereen hosted the night I went, telling the tales of the Holy child as the choir sings famous Christian songs. When they got to the finale Hallelujah it brought tears to my eyes. It even snowed in the theater, the way it snows on Main Street!

After timing was perfect to grab a spot for Illuminations2000 Reflections of Earth. I was beat after that, but excited to, I'd never seen the All Star resorts so that's where I was headed next.

Couldn't see much of it at night so late, but Sunday morning I wondered around. I was at the Movies resort, they have famous portraits all over of Walt, and other Disney legends receiving Academy awards. Now it was time to meet up with toonfinder staff again for a character breakfast, so we met up at the Music resort and wondered around there a bit, before heading over to MGM to take the ferry over to our character breakfast.

The breakfast was great food, and the characters were nicely themed, but I'm going to save those stories for toonfinder to report on, just be sure to watch that site as they continue their WDW adventures for well over another week! http://www.toonfinder.com

After we head to Epcot, got on Universe of Energy, Test Tracks, Body Wars, Cranium Command, did some shopping and I pretty much called it a day by then.

I'll have pics up over the coming weeks so look for more WDW updates!

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Don't forget, when the Christmas decorations come down, the new Disneyland resort opens up!

[toominnie]

Wow Nice trip report. I can't even imagine WDW all covered in Christmas Finery. I can't wait for the pictures. WDW at Christmas time is on my to do list!

[EEyore]

Awesome trip report. Sounds like you covered lots of ground! Let me guess, no kids? hehehe. Anyway, it is great to hear the description of how WDW decorates for the holidays. Can't wait for the pics!

EEyore

[briangrapes]

Awesome! Just like the others, I can't wait for the photos too. Would you say they decorate Walt Disney World more than Disneyland?

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[Jennifer]

Great report Darren!

I wish I could have spent the time there also! What restuarant did you have the character breakfast at? Just curious to know!
Thanks for posting.

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Jennifer
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