Memories of a Magical Disney World New Year

So we had a wonderful time on our Disney vacation. 🙂

We tried new things, were blessed with amazing weather, and had the chance to share precious family time. We laughed, we sang, we clapped, we ate, we walked (and walked and walked), we were moved, we were silly, we learned new things and met new people….

In short, we started 2011 off in the most magical way.

As I have thought about doing a trip report for you, I realized quickly that I can’t do ONE because it would be a book! So instead, over the coming weeks, I’ll share different aspects of our trip that will hopefully help you in planning your next Disney vacation.

Today, I want to share a few highlights, along with some new things that this veteran Disney vacationer experienced on our trip to Walt Disney World:

First, we found a few “non-obvious” places for fireworks and parades. I have heard this recommended before but somehow we never actually did it. On this trip we did. We watched the Christmas parade over in Frontierland, right in front of Pecos Bill’s (having just finished lunch there) and had no problem finding a front row space to watch…on the day before New Year’s Eve. Likewise, we watched Holiday Wishes on one of the pathways that lead to the Tomorrowland bridge….it winds down below The Plaza Restaurant and there was literally no one there. Great view, and Tinkerbell flew right over us.

We went to Epcot for New Year’s Eve prepared to stay the entire day…which we did. While we might have been able to leave for a break and then return, based on the perfect weather and corresponding crowds, we decided not to chance it. We knew what to expect and took it very easy, keeping things low key and relaxed. Our daughter decided to try out the Kim Possible phones and had a blast (more on this in a coming article). I took advantage of places to relax when available. We found a place for the NYE fireworks EARLY, took turns blanket sitting, made friends with people from Brazil who were right next to us….and celebrated with them when it was the New Year in Brazil (which was before us).  In fact, welcoming a New Year with people who were literally from around the world seemed like the best possible way to celebrate…and we think that Walt Disney would have approved. 🙂

We were a bit lazy on New Year’s Day. We started with a late breakfast at Cape May buffet and then DD and I enjoyed a VERY special belated Christmas present from Santa: we went to the Grand Floridian spa. 🙂 If you ever have the chance to splurge on one thing for yourself….do this. You deserve it.

DD then joined DH at Magic Kingdom where they pretty much walked onto every ride there. Surprise for us: crowds practically disappeared starting on New Year’s Day, so it ended up being a very productive attraction day. After spending the afternoon taking pictures, I joined them for dinner at ‘Ohana, and then we returned to Magic Kingdom for the evening. Main Street Electrical Parade, Holiday Wishes….and riding Big Thunder Mountain in the dark all were perfect ways to end the perfect Disney day.

On Sunday we went to Hollywood Studios and those of you who were following along on our Facebook page know that we had a 5 minute wait for Toy Story Mania! We were there before park opening, and at rope drop, our DD went to Tower of Terror and apparently got the first FastPasses of the day there while DH and I went to get in line at Toy Story. We were entering the building as she arrived. Everyone else apparently went to get FastPasses for this ride, so the FastPass return time for TSM grew rapidly…while the stand-by line grew much more slowly. This strategy allowed us to ride/see everything we wanted to see before lunch. In the afternoon, we headed to ESPN Zone on the Boardwalk to cheer on our Steelers…and meet some really fun folks while there. 🙂

And I changed one of our ADRs again! At the last minute! Seeing that we were likely to be at ESPN Zone all afternoon, and then heading back to Hollywood Studios for the Osborne Lights in the evening, I decided to change dinner to the Captain’s Grill at Yacht Club since it was nearby, and I’m so glad that I did….it was amazing, in fact probably my favorite dinner! Once again, proving my motto for this trip: “Change is Good”. 🙂

Oh….and pictures of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights truly do NOT do them justice. If you love Disney World, put this on your bucket list!

For our last day, we returned to our favorite park, Epcot, and took the “Undiscovered Future World” tour. I cannot recommend this tour enough! Interesting, and fun, we were able to see some “behind the scenes” places, and ride Soarin’ again. And we learned a lot of fascinating details, not the least of which was to always “remember to look up and look down” because there are a lot of cool things to see that most of us normally miss because we’re so busy running to the next ride/attraction.

And then we left to return home. 🙁

Any Disney vacation goes so quickly, doesn’t it? It seems like you plan for an eternity (and for many of us that planning does last months or years even!) and then it finally arrives…..and in the blink of an eye, it’s over. But the memories remain, and that of course, is the true magic of Disney.

Then the planning starts all over again!

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Wordless Wednesday: Oh Disney Christmas Tree!

One thing you will notice when you visit Walt Disney World during the Holiday Season is that there are Christmas trees…..everywhere. Big ones, little ones, shiny ones, whimsical ones, classically beautiful ones, you name it, they’ve probably got a tree like it somewhere at the parks or one of the resorts. One of my favorites is always this one on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom that actually doesn’t get set up until after the taping of the Christmas Day parade in early December. Love those gingerbread ornaments!

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Wordless Wednesday: It’s All in the Details

I often feel when I am at Disney World, that I just don’t know where to look first, as there are a seemingly countless number of fascinating visual experiences, all competing for my attention. But I usually find that, if I can stop and take the time to *really look* at some of the most insignificant things, I am rewarded with some pretty cool surprises. Take the Christmas tree at Epcot’s World Showcase: what seem to be, at first glance, just a bunch of Christmas balls, are actually miniature globes, ornaments featuring the national flags of different nations, and my personal favorite, holiday greetings in many different languages. Next time you visit Walt Disney World, make it a point to check out those details: you may be surprised at what you actually find.

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Wordless Wednesday: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

A highlight of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the weeks leading up to Christmas is Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Disney does great parades, and this is no exception. Featuring many of your favorite characters in their finest holiday garb, you will also find ice skaters (yes in Florida, don’t ask, it’s that Disney magic 🙂 ), Marching Wooden Soldiers, and at the very end, Santa himself. And there are great holiday “smells” too…. Of course the castmembers are wearing appropriate festive attire too, including hats, scarves, and mittens, bless-their-overheated-hearts. If you want to see the parade, and will be there during Christmas week, you’re in luck because it is held every afternoon. Happy Holidays!

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Disney Fun From Around the World: Week of November 29, 2010

Happy December Disney friends and Happy Hanukkah to those who are celebrating this week. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday last weekend and that you are ready for a good long blog round-up today! The Disney blog world has emerged from the post-holiday tryptophan coma and has provided us with some welcome Disney distraction from all the holiday rushing around. So grab a latte, sit back and relax in the World of Disney for a few moments. Here are some of my favorites:

To start, The Disney Blog offered a great way to celebrate the Festival of Lights: Voices of Liberty – Hanukkah Medley

Wow, wow, wow AJ at the Disney Food Blog has been busy! This week she provided a Guest Review: New Menus and Menu Items at Le Cellier Steakhouse and a delicious post that caught my eye: “I Can’t Believe I Hadn’t Tried This!” Disney Desserts Edition In addition, if you have Disney World food favorites, be sure to head on over and vote: DFB Choice Awards Voting Now Open

Tons of things going on at Chip and Co this week. Lisa shared the Top Ten Disney Tips I Learned This Year, Allie discussed Keeping things fresh at Walt Disney World and Chris shared some Kid Stuff I Secretly Want for Christmas (and I think I personally want a few as well… 🙂 )

Not able to visit Disney World over the Christmas holidays? Or maybe you want a “fix” until you do go? Amanda over at Disney Every Day provided just the thing: 3 videos of some of the most special holiday happenings at Walt Disney World this month: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade Video and Video of the Christmas Holiday Wishes Fireworks in the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Osborne Family Lights Daytime Details Video

Kelly at the Disney Guru offered another informative Money Saver Monday!! What Season Saves You the Most Money??

Our friend James “The Mouse Planner” wrote a fascinating piece for the Disney Driven Life where he discussed using time well at Disney World…and then back at home too: GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TIME

Studios Central offered some great suggestions for Bargain Shopping at Walt Disney World

Ellie at The Relocated Tourist shared the favorite things she really wants to do at Disney World in My Disney Bucket List (and a few of these are on my list as well….)

Lastly, the Resourceful Mommy had some fantastic ideas for Surviving the Disney Souvenir Gimmes with your children. If you have little ones, this is a must-read.

OK, there you have it. Hope you enjoyed reading! Now, get back to shopping, cooking, baking, decorating…… 🙂 Have a magical weekend!

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