WDW, Christmas & folks new house: Update 2/11 Part 10 COMPLETE About This Page:

[LizardCop]

Great Update Robin!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update Robin And great pictures too Hurry back with more

[PhillyPooh]

Robin, Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. Your parents new community looks great! I wish I knew someone who lived in Florida that I could go visit. I enjoyed reading all about your parents new community and seeing the pictures. Sorry to hear your travel day was so crappy. I would have been upset having all those delays. Can't wait to read the rest.

[RobinKay6573]

Part 5: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade and Mickey Night Before Christmas Show

Sandy said there was a really nice Christmas show that we must see in the Galaxy Theater. The show was called Mickey’s Night Before Christmas. Disney does such and incredible job on their shows. My favorite part was seeing Pluto with antlers. Pluto is my favorite and I always enjoy seeing his antics on stage. We found a spot to stand in the back of the theater. It was actually a great place to watch and take photos of the show. I have a 300 mm zoom lens on my SLR camera so I got some great photos of the show. We were late for the show and missed half of it.












As we exited Tomorrowland I wondered to myself where timekeeper was. Then we passed by the sign that said that Timekeeper was open. This was my 8th trip to WDW since 1999 and I had never seen Timekeeper. How sad is that?? I am sure I have walked by it at least 100 times and never even knew it was there. I told mom and Sandy we HAD to go see it. They both agreed and we made our way to the queue. We waited for what seemed like forever (we must have missed the last show). The doors finally opened and we were introduced to Timekeeper, Nine Eye and the Professor. What a wonderful show! I was totally amazed that I had missed this so many times. I am so angry that this show is going to close (maybe forever as we heard later in our trip). How dare Disney get rid of this attraction? I read somewhere that they are thinking of replacing it with some sort of Toy Story themed bumper car. How does that fit into the theme of Tomorrowland. Can you hear Walt spinning in his grave?

It was getting close to parade time so we decided to find a spot for the parade that was after mom got a couple of photos of me with the castle in the background.


Me with the castle behind me

We found a great location right on Main Street USA right near the bridge. I wondered around a bit while mom and Sandy saved our spots. I wanted to find Cindy’s horse on her Golden Carousel so I went there first. That was after I took a few photos of the backside of the castle.


From behind the stage in front of the castle looking down Main Street USA


Cinderella’s Horse (the second horse with the gold ribbon in it’s tail)


I decided to head back to our spot because I knew it was getting close to 2. That was after I grabbed a Mickey Bar and a Diet Sprite from the Popcorn cart right next to the bridge to Adventureland.

Once again Disney put on a wonderful parade. I love horses and I have since I was alittle girl. I have worked on several horse farms and my major in college was Animal Science with a specialization in equine studies. It is always nice to see a lot of horses in a Disney parade. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade did not disappoint! My favorite part of the parade was when the princesses came out either on horseback or in a horse and buggy. Even Cindy’s carriage made it into the parade. I just love the mini horses they use. My favorite carriage was Belle & the Beast pulled by a Clydesdale. I did take some photos but they came out a bit light (trying to get use to my new digital camera). I also love how Disney recycles floats….hmmmm…didn’t I see some of those floats in the Remember The Magic parade (???) We aren’t supposed to notice that though!









We wanted to head over to MGM to see the Osborne Lights that evening but it was still early so we went back over to Tomorrowland to see when the next showing of Mickey’s Night before Christmas was showing in a half hour. Chip and Pluto outside of the theater so we stood in line to get a few photos. The sun was setting in the sky so I only got a few photos with my zoom lens. I was glad we got to see the beginning of the show.


Me and Pluto, notice his collar it says, “If found please return to Mickey Mouse”


Mom and Dale
Me and Chip

We were all getting a bit hungry so we decided to get a quick lunch as Cosmic Rays. Sandy got pizza and a salad and mom and I got salad. I have had salad at other counter service spots around WDW and found one thing they sure do put a lot of dressing on the salad. I found a few questionable pieces of lettuce in my salad so I didn’t finish it.

The light was just right on the castle so I took a couple of photos. Don’t you just love the golden hour!


The sea serpent guarding the castle



We could see something was going at the railroad station so we walked to the end of Main Street USA to see what was going on. To our surprise we caught the tail end of the lighting ceremony.




It was time for another bathroom break for mom. As we waited for her outside City Hall we noticed a band was setting up. They started to play and they were awesome. They play jazz type music with a Disney flare.



We watched the band until they were finished and then headed out to MGM to see Osborne Lights. For some reason Sandy was in a big hurry. I suggested we get a FP for Rock N Roller Coaster but she just wanted to go see Osborne Lights and leave the park. Once again my mom just let Sandy drag us around by the nose. If Sandy didn’t agree to it then it wasn’t going to be done…this was a running theme through this whole vacation. It makes life very difficult for me. The world compromise isn’t in the vocabulary when my family gets together…it is Sandy’s way or no way! This is very sad seeing she is 33 years old. It makes me very upset because I am such an independent person. So we went to Osborne Lights. I took a couple of photos with my mom’s SLR camera.





Osborne Light were beautiful but honestly I like them much better when they were on residential street. They too much…too much light it seemed a bit overdone. I didn’t see anyone handing out “angel” glasses. Did they have “angel” glasses this year?? Angel glasses are like 3-D glasses expect when you put them on and look at a point of light you see angels. They are very cool and I still have my pair I got in 2002. On the way out of Osborne Lights we stopped at the Christmas store and I picked up another Christmas scrapbook kit. This one was different then the one I got at DTD. I didn’t even know they had 2 different kits.

We were getting alittle hungry. Sandy suggested we find a place to get some ice cream. We walked by 50’s Prime Time Diner and I suggested we go in and order a Dad’s Sundae. It was getting close to 8:00 (the park closed at 8:30) so we quickly found three stools at the bar and ordered. If you have never had a Dad’s Sundae it has all sorts of goodies on it. Very yummy!

Spectromagic was running at MK so we went back to MK to find a spot. We sat right on Main Street USA near City Hall. I didn’t get any photos because I didn’t think they would come out that well on my digital camera. We stayed and watched most of Wishes. When I first saw Wishes in February I wasn’t all that impressed. I have recently found a new respect for the show. Is it just me or are the dies they use to create the shapes on the castle new. I don’t remember those in February. I think they really make the show. We caught resorts monorail back to TTC. We got to the tram as it pulled up and were at the car in no time.

[Tara O'Hara]

Wow! You guys sure get around, Robin!! Great update and great pics! I love the photo of you and Pluto!!

[Jillybean]

Great pictures of you - - I'm like Tara and love the one with Pluto!!! Those are gorgeous pictures of the castle also!

Sorry that you had to put up with a bossy sister! At least, you got your Dad's sundae - - I'll have to give that a try. I normally just get the smores there!

Jill

[luvnwdwgal]

Great pictures Robin!!!

[LizardCop]

Great update Robin. Wonderful pictures, you really got that new camera figured out pretty quick!!!

[RobinKay6573]

[ QUOTE ]
Great update Robin. Wonderful pictures, you really got that new camera figured out pretty quick!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks!

I was actually using 3 differant cameras. The parade photos were taken with my digital and they came out a bit light (I adjusted the light setting because it was so overcast). All the photos of Mickey's Night..., Lighting ceremony and the photos of the castle were taken with my 35mm SLR (some with 300 zoom lens). Osborne Lights photos were taken with my mom's 35mm SLR (I left both my cameras in the car).

Thanks for all the nice comments I really enjoyed writing this trip report. There is more to come!

[DrDolphin]

Great update Robin!!! Wow you got ALOT accomplished!! More please

[Colexis Mom]

What a great update Robin I all your pictures! I don’t recall seeing any Angel glasses at the Osborne Lights when we were there (didn’t even know they existed)!

Hurry back with more Great job

[RobinKay6573]

December 24, 2004 Christmas Eve

We slept in because Sandy had some workers coming over to do some work in her closets downstairs. Today was another day for errands. We left the condo at about noon and drove over to Orange Blossom Trail. Our first stop was Costco (for those who aren’t familiar Costco is a wholesale warehouse club similar to Sam’s Club) to get a plant for my sister’s friend who we were meeting up with later. Since we were at Costco we decided to get our film from the day before developed. I also brought my media card from my digital camera and had copies of the Solivita photos made for mom. Since our photos wouldn’t be done for an hour we walked around Costco. Sandy found a plant that would be suitable for her friend and we proceeded to the check out counter. We each got a hot dog from the café and found a seat in the dining area. On our way out we picked up our photos (which came out pretty good) and we headed to the other side of Orlando.

We stopped at Lowe’s so Sandy could return some screws she didn’t need. On our way to Sandy’s car we noticed a truck parked next to her car a Florida license plate reading “SANTA”. I said, “wouldn’t it be funny if we wrote a note asking what he was doing at Lowe’s on Christmas Eve?” Mom, Sandy and I were giggling like schoolgirls as mom searched for a piece of paper. I had some extra note cards in my Passporter so I gave her one. Using my Passporter pen she scribbled a note from “Johnny” asking why he was at Lowe’s when he should be resting for his big trip that night. We waited a few minutes to see if Santa would come out. We then pulled out and as we drove by the entrance to the store Sandy yelled, “That’s him” a older man with a white beard was walking out of the store. We pulled into a parking space adjacent to the truck about three spaces down. We watched him load his purchases in the truck and get in. Oh no he missed the note! He then noticed the note and read it. We were all laughing so hard I was surprised he didn’t hear us. He started to laugh and handed the note to his wife. I think we made his day.

Sandy said this would be a great time to go to the Premiere Outlets and visit Character Premiere (AKA the WDW outlet store). There really wasn’t much I was interested in there. I purchased a Osborne Lights mug ($4.99), a Pooh scrapbook kit ($7.99), a post card (19 cents) and a couple of pins ($2.99 each). I think that is the least amount of money I have even spent at that store!

It almost 4 by the time we were done. We were meeting up with Sandy friend, Becky at Mary Queen of the Universe Shire at 5:30. The Shrine is less then a 5 minute drive from Premiere Outlets so we had some time to kill. Mom suggested we get something from Starbucks. It was pretty cold out (40 F) and very windy so something was just what we needed. Sandy & I both got hot chocolate and mom got a decaffeinated coffee. We then changed for Mass and made our way to the shrine. We were a bit early so we made our way into the shine and found a pew and saved 4 seats for Becky and her family. Becky arrived about 10 minutes before mass started. She was very grateful that we saved some seats for them because the mass was standing room only. Later in the evening she explained to me that most of the masses at Mary Queen of the Universe are standing room only. The church seated close to 2000 people!

For anyone who is Catholic and is wondering where to go to mass I highly suggest Mary Queen of the Universe. Mary Queen of the Universe does not have a congregation it is totally funded by tourist contributions. The shrine was founded in the early 90’s because there was a need for a Catholic gathering place for tourists. As money is collected the add items to the church. For example all the stain glass windows were put in one at a time as funds were collected. Even if you are not Catholic you would very much enjoy the mass at Mary Queen of the Universe. The Priest is Irish and I just loved listening to him do his sermon it reminded me of when I was a little girl listening to the Irish nuns at our Catholic Church in Vermont. If anyone is interested her is the web address for Mary Queen of the Universe. Feel free to e-mail if you have any questions.

http://www.maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/index.html

After mass we went back to Sandy’s car and Sandy gave Becky the plant. Becky and her family have just moved into a new home they had build and am sure the plant will find a good place in Becky’s garden. We talked with them for about a half hour and then said good-bye and Merry Christmas.

Sandy, Mom & I were all getting hungry. Since we were so close to WDW mom suggested we find a place on property to eat. I suggested Beaches & Cream and pulled at my handy Passporter to let Sandy know exactly where the restaurant was. Sandy pulled in to the Yacht Club first…opps wrong one…we wanted the Beach Club. We finally made it and parked in the middle of nowhere. Mom found a bathroom while I got some photos of the carousel and gingerbread house.





I asked the concierge how to get to Beaches and Cream and he directed me down the hall and said we needed to go out by the pool. No wonder Beaches & Cream is WDW best kept secret it is not real easy to find! I had warned mom and Sandy we might have to wait for a table but we were pleasantly surprised to walk right up to the podium and be seated right away. Deloris was our server and I didn’t click that this was the Deloris that Cheryl (Chezp) is always talking about (I took a photo of her I will post it later). All three of us had single Burger Heaven with cheese. Mom had hers with fruit and Sandy and I had ours with fries. I decided to try a Lime Ricky for my drink. The burgers were very good and my Lime Ricky was a bit too sweet for my taste but good non-the-less. For dessert Sandy & I split a Brownie Al A Mode. We debated getting a No Way Jose but after having such a big burger we decided to get something a bit smaller.

On the way back to the car we could hear and see a fireworks show going off. We couldnot figure out if I was at Epcot or MGM. My guess is it was Fantasmic at MGM. I got a great shot of Beach Club at night. This is when I figured out that my new digital camera takes pretty good photos at night.



The next day would start out early so we went back to Sandy’s and opened presents. My favorite gift was a slate painted with a robin in a nest. Since my name is Robin it was very fitting (thanks mom!). It is hanging on my door at home when I get home before dark one day I will get a photo of it! Sandy got me the third and final WDW Christmas scrapbook kit. We would spend Christmas day at MK and we were all excited.

[Joy J]

Wonderful update Robin! And I love your photos - they're awesome. I'm sorry that your sister was being such a pain but it sounds to me like you took it all in your stride and showed your own maturity by refusing to let it spoil your vacation. I also want to try one of those Dad's sundaes, assuming there's some chocolate in it somewhere. If there's chocolate in it, I'm there.

Joy

[Tara O'Hara]

What a nice relaxing day, Robin!! It sounds like your dinner at Beaches and Cream sounds I must ask you though-what is a Lime Ricky?!

[Jillybean]

A very nice Christmas eve - - how interesting about the place where you attended mass.

I have to be the only person who hasn't eaten at Beaches & Cream yet! Sounds wonderful!

Jill