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My family decided to skip the traditional Thanksgiving meal and headed out to WDW for the weekend instead.
Should you wish to see all the photos I took this weekend, please visit HERE.
Otherwise, join my crazy family on a funfilled weekend in the World.
After checking into the hotel, we headed over to Hollywood Studios at the request of my daughter.
If you need to get into the Christmas spirit, WDW is definitely the place.
One thing we really enjoy doing is just walking around and taking in the sights, from the buildings to the shops we tend to be a "where the road leads" kind of family.
We headed over to get FP's for RnRc first as C wanted to try it out this trip.
Even the shops had some holiday flare to them.
Peace..
You never really appreciate how much detail goes into this park, this particular view was the front of a counter.
Planet Hollywood anyone?
My favorite store in any of the parks.
Villains in Vogue
I got it!
This store was lined with scenes from the new Princess and the Frog movie, it was really cute!
Great Movie Ride Time!
Me Jane!
I still have yet to see this attraction. LOL Maybe next time?
They had this cool cutout for the new Christmas Carol movie.
As well as a life size Christmas card. Bah Humbug!
As it was Thanksgiving, it's only fitting that we feast on what else? A Turkey Leg!
After grabbing the tasty treat we decided to head back to the hotel. At this point my mother/daughter decided to go swimming in the heated pool and I headed out to the MK to close the park. As they were open until midnight I had about 5 hours left to enjoy the park. :evil:
Honestly, the crowds weren't that bad, for being Thanksgiving I've seen it MUCH MUCH worse. I'd say it was a 7 or 8 out of 10, there was space to walk if that's any indication for you.
First order of business was a ride on the People Mover as I haven't been able to ride it since the refurb. I don't hate it, I miss the old narrator though, but change isn't always bad either.
One thing I am not happy about is the big wall that blocks you from seeing the track in Space Mountain, I think it completely kills the atmosphere BUT I think it's just a construction wall (I hope) because it was only half covered. I'm hoping in the future once they finish we will be able to see the track again.
So after doing a drive through it was time to suck up the 90 minute wait time and check out the refurb.
Hallway leading in is pretty much the same.
Until you get to the new games of course. Of which I enjoyed greatly! You play 3 different games, spaced out time wise to ensure that the line keeps moving and only keeps you in place long enough to kill the time needed to move forward. It's a win for me, I liked the games and thought they were a lot of fun!
I discovered that my camera can take photos in the dark! How awesome is that?!
Needless to say the nighttime video isn't that good though. LOL
I am curious why there are 3 CM's working the station. I get the first one for loading and the last one for lap bar check but what's the 2nd guy for? I was watching and he stood there for the most part. What? I had time to kill waiting in line, these are the things I notice, I know, I should bring books. LOL
Ok, now my thoughts on the changes. Not noticable, the track is exactly the same, however, the rattling your bones is gone and I'm grateful. I definitely give them an A+ in that department but other than that its pretty much the same ride. Oh and they now load differently using the long hallways in the back, the configuration was really weird but it worked.
I then grabbed a hot tea (it was in the lower 50's that night) and found a comfy bench and looked at the castle for a while.
I also started playing with my camera, because I just don't get the night time shot stuff, so I played a little bit with the settings.
With warm tea in hand I found a nice niche near the castle and snapped some photos.
I them meandered over to Adventureland with the intention of riding Pirates. Unfortunately I arrived just in time for it to break down, so I hung out for a while and discovered this unused plaza area which quickly became my new favorite place to hide. LOL
To help with crowd control they had the walkway leading under the entrance to the riverboat open. Nice change of pace!
Hit the Haunted Mansion next, we stopped right at the long hallway, I started taking the photo with a longer exposure and we started moving and I got this.
I like it, it's weird, not a great photo but still neat to look at.
Then I naturally progressed into Fantasyland. They had these trees in the stroller parking.
See, Thanksgiving Day crowds, really not bad at all. Only the highly popular rides had the longest waits, I walked onto HM, IASW, SWSA, People Mover, CoP and Winnie the Pooh. (The last one was right after the fireworks, in its defense. LOL)
Psycho Hippo!
It was pure luck and timing that the fireworks started after I exited Snow White, so I camped next to a construction wall and started snapping some pics.
As I had a FP for Buzz I headed back to TL. I had no idea that they turned TL into party central. It was funny to see a huge mass of people with Stitch, Pluto and Goofy do the Electric Slide. LOL
I sought some sanctuary in CoP, not that I minded the music, I was grooving but that's for another TR.
Every time I ride this attraction one or all of the dogs look like dad's been sneaking him beers. LOL
I love this bullitan board, I finally get the "Marty called, wants changes!" message.
I had enough for the night and decided to head out, on Main Street they had the windows dressed up with scenes from Mickey's Christmas Carol, which I love! I couldn't resist the pics.
Plum pudding!
Donald's head was shaking up and down from fear, it was disgustingly cute!
As a result of my dawlding I got stuck in the path of the Spectromagic parade. I was happy to discover they have toned down the make up of the Spectromen, they don't creep me out anymore. Thank you for listening Disney. LOL
I fell into the hotel bed around 1 a.m. a VERY happy lady.
Stay tuned for day two, Animal Kingdom adventures and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights! Lights! Lights!...
Should you wish to see all the photos I took this weekend, please visit HERE.
Otherwise, join my crazy family on a funfilled weekend in the World.
After checking into the hotel, we headed over to Hollywood Studios at the request of my daughter.
If you need to get into the Christmas spirit, WDW is definitely the place.
One thing we really enjoy doing is just walking around and taking in the sights, from the buildings to the shops we tend to be a "where the road leads" kind of family.
We headed over to get FP's for RnRc first as C wanted to try it out this trip.
Even the shops had some holiday flare to them.
Peace..
You never really appreciate how much detail goes into this park, this particular view was the front of a counter.
Planet Hollywood anyone?
My favorite store in any of the parks.
Villains in Vogue
I got it!
This store was lined with scenes from the new Princess and the Frog movie, it was really cute!
Great Movie Ride Time!
Me Jane!
I still have yet to see this attraction. LOL Maybe next time?
They had this cool cutout for the new Christmas Carol movie.
As well as a life size Christmas card. Bah Humbug!
As it was Thanksgiving, it's only fitting that we feast on what else? A Turkey Leg!
After grabbing the tasty treat we decided to head back to the hotel. At this point my mother/daughter decided to go swimming in the heated pool and I headed out to the MK to close the park. As they were open until midnight I had about 5 hours left to enjoy the park. :evil:
Honestly, the crowds weren't that bad, for being Thanksgiving I've seen it MUCH MUCH worse. I'd say it was a 7 or 8 out of 10, there was space to walk if that's any indication for you.
First order of business was a ride on the People Mover as I haven't been able to ride it since the refurb. I don't hate it, I miss the old narrator though, but change isn't always bad either.
One thing I am not happy about is the big wall that blocks you from seeing the track in Space Mountain, I think it completely kills the atmosphere BUT I think it's just a construction wall (I hope) because it was only half covered. I'm hoping in the future once they finish we will be able to see the track again.
So after doing a drive through it was time to suck up the 90 minute wait time and check out the refurb.
Hallway leading in is pretty much the same.
Until you get to the new games of course. Of which I enjoyed greatly! You play 3 different games, spaced out time wise to ensure that the line keeps moving and only keeps you in place long enough to kill the time needed to move forward. It's a win for me, I liked the games and thought they were a lot of fun!
I discovered that my camera can take photos in the dark! How awesome is that?!
Needless to say the nighttime video isn't that good though. LOL
I am curious why there are 3 CM's working the station. I get the first one for loading and the last one for lap bar check but what's the 2nd guy for? I was watching and he stood there for the most part. What? I had time to kill waiting in line, these are the things I notice, I know, I should bring books. LOL
Ok, now my thoughts on the changes. Not noticable, the track is exactly the same, however, the rattling your bones is gone and I'm grateful. I definitely give them an A+ in that department but other than that its pretty much the same ride. Oh and they now load differently using the long hallways in the back, the configuration was really weird but it worked.
I then grabbed a hot tea (it was in the lower 50's that night) and found a comfy bench and looked at the castle for a while.
I also started playing with my camera, because I just don't get the night time shot stuff, so I played a little bit with the settings.
With warm tea in hand I found a nice niche near the castle and snapped some photos.
I them meandered over to Adventureland with the intention of riding Pirates. Unfortunately I arrived just in time for it to break down, so I hung out for a while and discovered this unused plaza area which quickly became my new favorite place to hide. LOL
To help with crowd control they had the walkway leading under the entrance to the riverboat open. Nice change of pace!
Hit the Haunted Mansion next, we stopped right at the long hallway, I started taking the photo with a longer exposure and we started moving and I got this.
I like it, it's weird, not a great photo but still neat to look at.
Then I naturally progressed into Fantasyland. They had these trees in the stroller parking.
See, Thanksgiving Day crowds, really not bad at all. Only the highly popular rides had the longest waits, I walked onto HM, IASW, SWSA, People Mover, CoP and Winnie the Pooh. (The last one was right after the fireworks, in its defense. LOL)
Psycho Hippo!
It was pure luck and timing that the fireworks started after I exited Snow White, so I camped next to a construction wall and started snapping some pics.
As I had a FP for Buzz I headed back to TL. I had no idea that they turned TL into party central. It was funny to see a huge mass of people with Stitch, Pluto and Goofy do the Electric Slide. LOL
I sought some sanctuary in CoP, not that I minded the music, I was grooving but that's for another TR.
Every time I ride this attraction one or all of the dogs look like dad's been sneaking him beers. LOL
I love this bullitan board, I finally get the "Marty called, wants changes!" message.
I had enough for the night and decided to head out, on Main Street they had the windows dressed up with scenes from Mickey's Christmas Carol, which I love! I couldn't resist the pics.
Plum pudding!
Donald's head was shaking up and down from fear, it was disgustingly cute!
As a result of my dawlding I got stuck in the path of the Spectromagic parade. I was happy to discover they have toned down the make up of the Spectromen, they don't creep me out anymore. Thank you for listening Disney. LOL
I fell into the hotel bed around 1 a.m. a VERY happy lady.
Stay tuned for day two, Animal Kingdom adventures and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights! Lights! Lights!...
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