Trip Reports

• Time of Year: Holiday Season
• Travel Method: Personal Car
• Resort: Dixie Landings
• Accommodations: Standard Room
• Ages Represented in Group: Infant/Toddler, Adult
• WDW Experience Represented in Group: Veteran
• Comments: John, his wife, and their 15-month old daughter made this trip. This is a brief report, but filled with useful information.

Thursday, Dec. 5

Left the house at 7:30 for the 2 hr. drive to WDW. Arrived at 9:30, checked into DxL, had our room ready in the Magnolia House, so went and settled in.

Drove to Marketplace and did some shopping. World of Disney is a very impressive store with plenty of items to buy. I do have a problem with it though, the store is set up into 12 seperate rooms(themes), but, there are not cash registers in every room. If it is crowded, you will wait in line longer than most rides.

Drove by Coronado Springs, it is progressing along very nicely. Waterways are in, and the some outside painting has been done. Most all of the steel gurders have been covered.

Went back to Dxl for lunch and a nap for Alexis(our 15 month old). Left at 4 for the Contemporary and then off to MVMCP, which is covered in the next trip report.

Went through the new gate at the Contemporary, and every time we went there throughout the trip, they asked why we were there and also issued 3 hr parking passes one day, since they would need the spots for a convention group.

Christmas decorations:

Outside is a large silver tree

Inside 1st floor is the gingerbread village

6:50, took walkway to Magic Kingdom. Lines were beginning to form, but did not look as bad as previous years. We have been every year since 1992.

If anyone knows the 1st year this event was held, please respond.

As usual, opened gates at 7:30 (event 8pm-1am). Minnie was in front of the tree on Main St. Alexis had her picture taken. (Parents, wait in line with your children-it is extremely RUDE when your children are running up to a character and someone is attempting to take a photo, now wants a picture of your child, but you).

The snow machines (bubble blowers) were the best I have ever seen them. It appeared that they may have installed some more and they were on all night, unlike last year.

Had family photo taken, while other groups began lining the streets for the 9:00 parade. I wish to personally thank everyone for doing that, so we were able to see all the attractions with no wait.

Walked right on:

• Dumbo
• Peter Pan
• Snow White
• Raceway
• Alien Encounter (Kelly went on for the 1st time as Alexis and I were racing)
• Haunted Mansion

Now it was approx. 9:00, so during the parade we did some shopping and enjoyed some hot cocoa and cookies.

Watched the fireworks at 10:00, and the Christmas fireworks are the best of the year, after July 4th and New Year's Eve.

Strolled up Main St. did some more shopping and then at 11:00 parked our fannies on the curb, dead center in front of the tree, under the train station. Much better getting a prime parade spot 30 min. before the parade instead of 1 ½ hrs.

After parade, strolled thru park and hit whatever else had short lines, then left for the walkway back to the Contemporary.

This was by far the 2nd best party we have been to. The crowds were extremely small, I would say 10K. Only 1992 have I seen a smaller crowd. This was a Thursday night though, which if I'm correct is the 1st time the party was not on a Fri or Sat.

Friday, Dec. 6

Kelly awoke at 6 to get ready for the DI day program. Not much sleep after the party last night.

Alexis woke at the same time, but with a fever. Gave her some Tylenol, got her dressed and we walked from DxL to PO, I walked she rode. In the early morning, this is one of my favorite things to do, so peaceful.

We had brkf at PO, walked back, and then drove off to MGM. In case your wondering, I drive to most everywhere at WDW, and do not use the transportation, I'm to impatient.

Magic Kingdom, park at Contemporary and use walkway or monorail, 1st choice. 2nd choice, park at Poly and take monorail (close parking lot), 3rd choice, park at GF and take monorail (parking far away).

MGM, park in lot, or park at Y&B and take boat (very slow).

EPCOT, park at Y&B or Boardwalk and walk to World Showcase.

Back to our day, Alexis and I watched the Beauty and Beast show, she felt warm, went to 1st aid, took temp, 102.5, we left. Went back to room, gave Tylenol to Alexis, she slept from 11:00 to 1:30, I read paper and also napped.

Went and had lunch and waited for Kelly to get back from Institute, which was at 2:30.

This was my b-day present to Kelly (12/20) she will be 30. She took the animation sampler in the morning and healthy cooking in the afternoon. She loved both and had an incredible time (I wish I could say the same, instead caring for Alexis, fever due to new teeth coming in).

BTW, day program at DI will cost $80.58 beginning 1/1/97.

Resort guests receive comp transportation to DI. What is unique, is the transportation is a taxi, not a Disney car or van. Disney has contracted with a couple of taxi services to provide this service, which Disney then pays for.

Dinner at Narcoosees at GF, 5:15.

This is a casual, upscale restrauant. Menu somewhat limited (especially compared to Rainforest, next post)

Kelly had a chicken dish, $18

I had Swordfish with new potatoes, $26

Both meals were extremely good, but I believe the swordfish is priced about $5 too high.

Had chocolate moose cake for dessert, excellent.

We then went on to Y&B and EPCOT. Yacht has gingerbread village, Beach does not. Beach has better tree. Finally changed the theme of the village, lion king was getting old after 2 straight years.

Sat, Dec 7

One work describes this day, RAIN. Living in Fl. you get use to rain, but not a full day shower in Dec. Were prepared with our Blue GATORS raincoats, but stuck out like a sore thumb with all the yellow Mickey raincoats.

Dodged raindrops at Magic Kingdom, mainly Mickey Toontown for Alexis and MGM.

At 5:30, went to MGM to see the Osbourne family lights. Rain still falling. Lights don't go on until 6, park closes at 7. We waited under shelter until 6, rain mercifully let up, but the crowd didn't. BIG TIP, wait till 6:30 to see the lights, and you can walk around with no problem. Every person at the park charged there at 6 and no one could move. Now I know what cattle feel like. Lights are incredible and excessive, which is what makes it so great. I know they say 3 million lights, but who counted?

Rain started again as we headed to the marketplace. Put name in at rainforest at 7, table would be ready at 9:30. I didn't receive my packet from rainforest before we left home, I requested it too late, my fault.

Attemped to do shopping, too crowded. Tried to buy 2 ornaments and use Magic Kingdom Club Card to save my 10%.

Ornaments $8 each, 7% tax, 10% savings, I would save 48 cents and the wait in line would have been 30+ minutes. I put the ornaments back and bought them at the hotel with no discount and no wait. I cannot wait until the expansion is complete to spread the crowds out. I still remember when no one use to even go to the marketplace.

A complaint, the only entrance to the parking lot open, was the one by Planet Hollywood. The lot was a zoo and they are really pushing Valet. I drove around the parking attendant and found a spot 1st row in front of World of Disney. When a lot is full, they close the entrance closest to it, but never allow other cars in later. Plenty of spots available though, since people do leave, hence my decision to drive around the attendents.

Rainforest, in at 9:30, hungry and menu was unlimited. Something on the menu for everyone. Kelly had Rasta Pasta, I had Chicken Monsoon, and Alexis had a plain pizza. The food was exceptional and is on my Must Go list.

Sun, Dec 8

MGM.

Took Alexis to see Indy show. She really liked it, but got scared when truck exploded.

Did some shopping. All the new kitchen items that are out are very nice. I want it all.

Got into the crowd as they were taping for the Christmas day parade on ABC. Brean Leary (?) from Inside Out was doing these segments, and had the Toy Story characters, Slinky Dog did a segment and then the Army Men. Look for us (picture of Alexis is on http://users.sunline.net/jkmarone so you know what she looks like) during the Army men segment.

Went to MK, and guess what. NO POWER. The ticket scanners wouldn't work and plenty of the rides were down. This power failure lasted approx 1 1/2 hrs. If anyone was on an attraction when this occured, please post your story.

This kind of limited our thing to do. No shops, no rides, no music.

Jumping to the evening, went to Lodge, which is by far my favorite resort, especially during the holidays, 5 nights next Dec. Stayed from 7 to 9, then off the Contemporary one last time. As we parked our car and got out, I heard fireworks. Confused since the park closed at 7 and it was now 9, as to what was going on. Next confusion is that the fireworks we being aimed towards the front of the Cont. and not anywhere near the park. But who am I to complain. We watched an excellent show. I did ask and they informed me that the convention going on had bought out the Calif. Grill and the display was for them to end their weekend. Thanks to NOVA-ERA for the display.

Mon, Dec. 9

Well hit the MK one last time for some gifts and rides. As we left went to go look for the Animal Kingdom. Thanks to some excellent directions from the guard at All-Star, we found it.

Saw the Tree of Life, which is not yet complete, but is quite distinguishable.

We then began our drive home, where we reflected upon the blessed year we have had, and our 5 trips to WDW and 1st ever visit to Disneyland.

Thanks to everyone for all of the tips I have gathered and I hope these posts were enjoyable to all. Even as a veteran of probably 75+ visits, you can always learn something new.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

John, GoH '72

Kelly, GoH '72

Alexis, GoH '95

__________________
You just read a trip report that was originally published in our MousePlanet Trip Reports column.

Reader-submitted trip reports have always been an extremely popular feature here at MousePlanet. In order to improve the search functionality and shorten the time from when you submit a trip report and the report gets published, you can now post your trip reports directly to our Trip Report forums. The forums are moderated, but reports should become available for reading very quickly.