RocklandRVers Christmas: Read About 12/20 w/Chezp&Statelady01 About This Page:

[Caldercup]

Wonderful updates - sounds like you had fun at Pleasure Island! I can't wait for more.
Eileen

[Jillybean]

You definitely made up for Christmas Day!

Jill

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Hurry back with more

[mom2my4dwarfs]

Sounds like you had a great day.

[Tara O'Hara]

Another terrific update!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Sounds like you had a fun day even if you did have to do laundry!!

[RocklandRVers]

DAY 10 (Monday, December 27)

Now we are in true relaxation mode. No more setting the alarm clock to get to the parks early. We are all finished with that part of the fun. After a leisurly breakfast (more like brunch) we decide it’s a nice day to go to Downtown Disney for some gift shopping.

First though, we decide on seeing Ocean’s Twelve at the AMC Movie theater. We loved Ocean’s Eleven and when we had seen the previews weeks prior, decided this was a must see. Although this one seemed to evolve a bit slower, it was a good mystery until the very end. A good sequel to the first.

After the movie, we headed over to the shopping area. We love going into the big Disney store. We found gifts for nearly everybody on our list. On our way out, we get a sample cup of blue hot chocolate. Not bad even if it does sort of play tricks on your brain.

On we went to the pin store. DS just has to get his “friend who just happens to be a girl” a pin each trip. He also finds Mom a Splash Mountain pin and makes that a gift to DW in commemoration of her heroism in being a good sport and going on that “scary” ride. We looked around each shop and marveled at the variety of stuff for sale.

We lingered in DD until after 4:00. As we headed back we were talking about what to do for dinner. As we neared Planet Hollywood, we decided to go inside and check it out. We had eaten at Planet Hollywood in Washington DC a few years ago and had fun watching movie snip-its while seated among the movie memorabilia.

We took the elevator up to the top floor and go inside. Nobody is there. Do we seat ourselves? Where are the servers? We strolled around taking in the enormity of the place then went down below visiting each floor. Each floor was the same. Only the bottom floor had a handful of diners seated. It didn’t give us a good feeling so we enjoyed the “museum tour” and left.

Back in the van we decided on dinner at the Chinese Buffet we had tried to get in on Christmas Day. First though, we needed to take care of Shamrock since we had been away a good while.

The place is practically empty when we get there at 5:30. We are given the “early bird” rate. Food was OK. Typical of all Chinese buffets. What DS and I really wanted was the Sushi Bar they advertised. Of course we didn’t read the fine print that Sushi is served later on. Oh well, we had enough variety.

We hadn’t watched TV news for a couple of days and the restaurant had CNN playing on the TVs around the dining room. It was then that we first heard of the tragic tsunami that his Indonesia. It got our attention and we talked about how awful it was. Certainly put a damper on things, but I, for one, was interested in the details.

After dinner we took a ride over to Celebration to look around. This is something we intended to do on each of our previous trips. Once we got into town, we were struck at how much the buildings and homes looked like they were built a century ago, yet were actually nearly brand new. We also noticed that the residents were scooting around in GEM electric cars just like ours back at Fort Wilderness. Even the streets are set up for electric cars with specially designated parking just for them and low speed limits. Now this is a cool place to live! It also looked like a cool place to visit as well. They also have a nice AMC theater. We will have to spend some more time visiting on our next trip and tour during the day so we can see even more. Now I really want to work for Disney. DW and I agreed this would be a fabulous place to live when we (semi-)retire.

Once back home, we head once more for the Campfire Show and tonight’s movie Mary Poppins. The good thing is we don’t need heavy blankets tonight. In fact, DS and I had a Mickey Bar while we enjoyed the show since it was not too cold. As usual we watch only part of the movie. Those seats are just too hard to sit through 3 hours of show and movie. Next trip we are bringing our camp chairs that are much more comfy. We had left all but one of them home to save space we needed for all the Christmas decorations.

Next Up: Days 11 & 12 (Taking The Time To Enjoy Fort Wilderness)

[chezp]

Another great update - we love Celebration as well, for that very reason - that it looks as is though it's about 100 years old.

[Tara O'Hara]

Wow! I must get to Celebration on one of my upcoming trips!! It sounds really cool! Glad you are in a relaxation mode now!!

[Jillybean]

DH and I saw Ocean's Twelve over the holidays also - - the only movie we've seen in a while. Not as good as the first, but pretty entertaining.

So sweet that your son bought his mom a Splash Mountain pin!

Jill

[luvnwdwgal]

Great update!! I would love to visit Celebration some day!

[Caldercup]

<Sigh>... the trip is almost over....
Great update - can't wait for more.
Eileen

[GoofyMom]

I've just read your TR from start to now. Wow! It's been spectacular all the way through! I'm looking forward to finding out how you take time to enjoy Fort Wilderness!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update

[pparm]

Looking forward to reading about how you enjoyed FTW!! The Comedy show sounds like lots of fun

Paula