A Yuletide Fantasy Tour and Mickey’s Very Merry
Christmas Party – Take 3!! |
Today we had breakfast in our villa, because we needed to be at
Epcot early for the Yuletide Fantasy Tour. We drove over to Epcot,
parked the car and went over to the Tour Garden. There were already
a lot of people waiting and at 8.45 our guides arrived, we all got
nametags and listening devices. By nine we entered Epcot, just to go
“backstage” to the right of Spaceship Earth. There we all got onto a
coach and were divided into two groups. People on the left were in
Bryan’s group, people on the right were in Alicia’s group. We ended
up being in Bryan’s group. We drove around Epcot and left the bus
behind the Germany exhibit in World Showcase. Bryan had us all lined
up in a half circle around him and asked if anyone knew any German
Christmas traditions. Well, there were quite a few and when Tom
mentioned that we were Austrian and celebrated German traditions,
Tom had the honour to explain how we celebrate Christmas. |
Well, we usually “count down” to Christmas with the help of an
advent’s wreath, which has 4 candles and each Sunday one more is
lit. On the 24th of December we finally celebrate
Christmas. Christkind brings the presents on that day, after
finishing its job, it rings a bell, the children are allowed in,
some Christmas songs are sung and some families read from the bible
and then the children rip open their presents, the family sits
together, maybe go to midnight mass, but no big celebrations on the
25th. Bryan listened carefully, just to then tell us
about the pickle tradition, no one here has ever heard about! After
all we had told him about German/Austrian traditions he then tells
all of us that parents hide the pickle at night and before the kids
are allowed to open their presents on the 25th ……. Well,
that was when he lost me! |
Next stop Italy and another fantastic story, you just should not
think about it when it is told. Here we learn that the Epiphany (the
three holy kings) who came from the Orient knocked at an old lady’s
door in Italy before they followed the star again. I hope they had
turbo camels because travelling via Italy is one heck of a detour.
Tom and I just looked at each other. Next stop is at the American
adventure, where we learn about Hanukah and Kwanza. Then we wander
over to Japan! Bryan tells us a few more stories, before it is back
on the coach which is waiting behind Japan now. It takes us to the
Christmas warehouse. |
Tom and I have visited it before during the “Backstage Magic” tour
while it was full, now this time, since the decorations are up, it
was empty. It did not impress us much. But we spent quite some time,
walking the empty warehouse and looking at the leftover ornaments.
Then it was back onto the coach to go see the Gingerbread House at
the Grand Floridian. We went into the hotel, had about 3 minutes to
look around and out we went again. BUT, we all got a traditional
Christmas cookie to try. Nice! Our next stop was the Magic Kingdom
where we were dropped off backstage, then went onstage right onto
the Main Square. Now, we had been at the Magic Kingdom two days
before and the Christmas tree was way back at the castle. Magically
it had found a new place right at the town square. |
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And the garlands over Main Street were up. A first for us!! We heard
a lot of information of how they came to use the tree they use today
and how they use Christmas items in shop windows to make up Hidden
Mickeys and other fun facts. We then went off stage again behind the
Plaza restaurant, got onto our coach again and went back to Epcot.
We were then given a special pin and said our goodbyes. It was 12.30
by then and we both were hungry, so we thought why not have lunch
here at Epcot. Well, we ended up walking around without finding
somewhere to eat without a reservation. |
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So we decided to go back to Old Key West and try to have lunch at
Olivia’s.They did have availability and we were seated right away.
We shared the Crab Cakes - with tossed
greens and Key Lime mustard sauce as a starter. Tom had the
Key West Sirloin Steak Salad with mixed
greens, vine-ripened tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon with citrus
vinaigrette and I chose the Chipotle Barbecue
Chicken Breast Sandwich - with apple smoked bacon, pineapple
jam, caramelized onions and smoked gouda served with homemade potato
chips. Both were very good. Even though we were already full, we
couldn’t pass up dessert. Tom had the
Chocolate Cake with raspberry and vanilla sauces and I had the
Key Lime Tart with Raspberry Sauce. After
such a wonderful meal we retreated to our villa and relaxed for a
while – there is a Jacuzzi in there, remember! |
After a nice long break we got ready to go back to the Magic Kingdom
for another Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. |
This time we parked at the Polynesian, since we wanted to have
another look at their shop. We then hopped onto the Monorail and
went over to the Grand Floridian to have a better look at the
Gingerbread House. Actually I have to admit that I was less
impressed with the Gingerbread House than I thought I would be. To
glue gingerbread tiles to a wooden frame is not really what I call a
gingerbread house. |
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It was done nicely though and we even purchased a pin and some
cookies for my friend Mary Ellen there. We did not hunt down all the
Hidden Mickeys, but had our photo taken in front of the Christmas
tree. We went upstairs to the Monorail again and were gone in about
5 minutes. Next stop Magic Kingdom. This was the earliest we arrived
for one of the parties at around 5pm and there were less people
there than the day of the previous party. |
We got our wristbands and went up Main Street towards the castle. We
walked around a bit, went on the peoplemover and found a spot to
watch the castle being covered in ice. What a sweet show. All the
characters were out in their holiday finest and seeing Cinderella’s
wish come true was magical. We stayed in the area for a bit and soon
after we were to experience Wishes again! It is a fabulous fireworks
display and never fails to amaze no matter how often you have seen
it. |
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Since we didn’t want to spend any party time at a restaurant and we
had a long night ahead of us we stopped at Pecos Bill’s. Tom had a
Bacon Double Cheeseburger - served with
french fries and I had the Chicken Wrap -
served chilled with seasoned chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese
tossed with Pecos house dressing, served with fries. We spent some
time in there and then went to ride Big Thunder Mountain. When we
came back people were already lining the sides of the street to find
a good place to watch the parade. I found a place to sit down and
Tom went to the Golden Horseshoe to get some hot chocolate and
cookies. We were happily munching them while sitting there, waiting
for the parade. |
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Shortly after we had finished eating the parade started. |
It was the perfect spot to watch the parade and I was able to take a
lot of photos without other people’s heads in it. |
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After the parade we went over to Pirates and rode it. I was even
able to snap a photo of Captain Jack. We walked back towards Liberty
Square and some singers were out singing songs, even on request. |
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They had the sweetest interaction with a cute little girl and we
watched for a while. Next stop Fantasyland, where there was a real
short wait for SnowWhite’s Scary Adventures. Then it was back to
Main Street for the second set of fireworks this evening. Holiday
Wishes - Celebrate the Spirit of the Season! Two sets of fireworks
in one evening at the same park is truly something to write home
about and the fireworks were awesome as usual. |
We went over to the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station which handed
out Holiday Treats and we were ready for our second Hot Chocolate
and Cookies. |
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We had a nice break in our usual spot, right over where the karaoke
machine was. |
We stayed around until it was time for the castle forecourt show
“Celebrate the Season”. Every time we had went to the parties we had
wanted to see it, but never made it, so tonight we had to make it
there. And it was so worth it. |
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All the Disney stage shows are just so wonderful and the music
really gets you into the mood! After the show we made our way over
to Space Mountain and since the wait was rather short we rode it
twice. We then went over to Fantasyland to ride Peter Pan, which I
love, but don’t want to stand in a line for for an hour. This time
the wait was 15 minutes and that was okay, since it didn’t even take
15 minutes. As we went towards Liberty Square we thought we might
give the Haunted Mansion another go. |
We got stuck right in the attic scene and had enough time to take it
all in in detail. There was still enough time to walk over and ride
Big Thunder Mountain. We love to ride it as the last ride of a day.
It is so much fun. |
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line went so quickly that we actually were able to ride it twice
before the evening ended. Then we marched towards Adventureland and
over to the Main Street, where smiling Cast Members were still
holding up signs and waving goodbye to guests. We went on the
Monorail and there was one waiting. We went over to the Polynesian,
picked up our car and went back to Old Key West. It was late again,
real late, about 1am when we arrived back at the resort. |
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