The first thing we do: take the ferry across Bay Lake (8 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom, which is completely decked out for the holidays
Time for a Photopass picture!
Then it's off to the brand new "Be Our Guest Restaurant" in the new Fantasyland. Our concierge started trying to get us in 180 days prior, but it wasn't until the last week that they were able to get us a dinner reservation. Hottest dinner spot in Disney right now!
But it was worth it! Great food and service, and the "Palace" looks just as you would imagine it. There are different "wings" -- the Forbidden wing, where you will see the Rose under glass and the Ballroom where there is a giant sculpture of the Beauty and the Beast dancing and rotating like a music box. Finally, you can meet the Beast on your way out in the Library. He was a very gracious host!
This was our 11th trip to Disney, can you guess what the kids chose as their first ride?
You guessed it, the one and only Small World!
Day 2: Monday December 2. We started out with the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at the Grand Floridian, where we met all the characters
We had such a great time at the Grand Floridian, they we ended up buying a piece of the magic .... yep, that's when we toured and new Grand Floridian Villas and decided it was finally time to Mouse up and become DVC members
After that, time to explore the holiday beauty of the Grand Floridian
Finally, it was time for Dinner and a movie and AMC's Dine in Theatre in Downtown Disney. The older kids went to see "Catching Fire" while the young and young at heart caught "Frozen," both great movies
After that, time to explore the holiday beauty of the Grand Floridian
Then it was time to Monorail it over to the Magic Kingdom for some magical haircuts at the Disney Barber Shop, another LoBiondo Family tradition ...
How many times can we ride Space Mountain? A lot
Time to park hop it over to Hollywood for Dinner at the Sci Fi Theatre. Mom and Dad shared a milkshake and Fried Pickles, yum! Then our first peak at the Osborne Spectacle of Lights
Day 3: Tuesday, December 3rd.
Enforced Rest Time: an essential of Disney Vacation. Resting all day at the Resort Pool. Then off to the Magic Kingdom, for a late lunch at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, home of the Lady and the Tramp!
Then over to Frontierland for some old favorites: Splash Mountain
and Frontier Thunder Railroad. Then back to Tomorrowland for Buzz Lightyear. With the new MagicBands, Resort guests can book all Fastpass rides in advance. You get 3 per park per day.
Getting a little hungry, let's head to the new Gaston's Tavern for giant hunks of pork and hummus. Seriously, that's all that's on the menu but it's delicious!
Time for ... Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. There is a Parade with characters and music and of course, Santa! There is not cocoa and cookies served throughout the park and a very, very special Wishes (fireworks) spectacular over the Castle. Not to be missed!
Day 4: Wednesday, December 3
It's an Animal Kingdom Day -- starting with Lunch at Tusker House. This is a Character Lunch with an absolutely fabulous buffet filled with delicioius African food, as well as traditional fare.
Do not miss the Kilamanjaro Safari, a full on animal preserve filled with magnificent animals living in their natural habitat, many of whom are endangered species. Bring a camera with at least 200x zoom, I had 300x.
Then off to see the Lion King, a 30-minute musical and acrobatic spectacular, also not to be missed
And last but not least, Expedition Everest. We had Fast Passes but got lucky and rode 3 times in a row with no line.
Finally, it was time for Dinner and a movie and AMC's Dine in Theatre in Downtown Disney. The older kids went to see "Catching Fire" while the young and young at heart caught "Frozen," both great movies
Day 5: Thursday, December 5th
We started the day with a photo shoot back at the Wilderness Lodge, anyone can book a photo shoot through Disney's Fine Arts Photography services, and you can choose from several of the Deluxe resorts as your backdrop. It is worth every penny, these are the best photos I have ever had taken of my family!
After lunch at the Whispering Canyon, this was an all EPCOT day: Spaceship Earth (where you go inside the "EPCOT ball"), Living with the Land, Mission Space, Soarin' and of course, our old favorite, Figment!
Then it was time to explore the World Showcase, where many countries are "recreated" in true Disney style, and have dinner at the "Biergarten", in Disney's Germany. Delicious, authentic German food served buffet style and live, traditional German music.
Followed by night time in the World showcase and ILLUMINATIONS firework and music display!
Day 6: Friday December 6th
First, some R and R back at the Resort Pool ...
Then, off to Hollywood Studios. First stop, Tower of Terror. Cover your eyes, Minnie!
You don't want to miss the Great Movie Ride, American Idol, Star Tours and, of course, Aerosmith's Rockin Rollercoaster!
We had dinner at one of our favorites: Mama Melrose Restaurant, which is right next to the Osborn Spectacle of Lights which is also not to be missed.
Day 7: Saturday, December 7th.
Last day but the Disney Magical Express doesn't take us to the airport until 3:30pm, so plenty of time for some Disney magic. It so happened they were filming ABC's Disney Christmas Parade that day.
Last ride of 2013: the new Under the Sea Little Mermaid ride. Another great trip is in the books, see you next year Disney, at our new Grand Floridian DVC Villa .... or maybe sooner, who knows!
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Have a magical day, everyone! <3 Mrs. Lo
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