2006 ... A Disney Christmas Adventure Day By Day
2006 ... A Disney Christmas Adventure Day By Day
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Christmas Adventure Day By Day Diary!
Wednesday December 13th, 2006
After arriving home at 9:45PM Wednesday night we lure Shelly into the living room. We tell her that I have just completed 2006... A Disney Adventure (which I did actually about three weeks ago but couldn’t let anyone have copies of it as it has references to the Christmas trip) and we have just finished watching it. Kirstie says put it on again. I say no Shelly has to get to bed and won’t want to watch that. Its an hour and a half long. How about the movie I just started I say. Its only partially done, about 16 minutes, but very good so far. She agrees. We start the movie and the scenario plays out as in the previous web log except at the end of the movie where I point right at her and announce she will be on flight 890 tomorrow morning on her way to Disney she looks over at me with a dumbfounded look on her face and says what? I say what don’t you get? She says what do you mean? I say what don’t you understand about “Tomorrow flight 890 will be leaving Milwaukee to Orlando and you will be on board. Because you, are going to Walt Disney World for Christmas” She still seems dumbfounded. Kirstie, Nick, & I start to rib her a little because it is kind of funny she doesn’t get it. After she finally understands she is walking around in kind of a daze getting packed etc. Almost as if she thinks someone is going to all of sudden say “Gotcha” We were just kidding. After finishing packing Shelly is off to bed about 1:00 AM. The next morning at 5:00 AM when we get up to leave she says she slept about an hour. I went to bed at midnight and slept like a baby.
Thursday December 14th 2006
Up at 5:00 AM and out the door at 5:30 AM for Mitchell International Airport. We walk through the door to check in and there is no wait. We step up to the counter and a rather course lady asks for my name, ID, and confirmation number. I look in my papers and find that unlike every other year we have traveled to Disney I don’t have my little sheet I usually make up 9 months in advance with every conceivable detail about the trip. I don’t know our confirmation number and she wants it. She looks up my name and says she finds it. I’ll need to see her confirmation number too. I say its the same as mine, I booked the fares together at the same time. She says no, I can’t find hers. Now she says its probably because we didn’t book the flight with Midwest Airlines direct but with some travel agency called Travel International. I tell her no, I did book direct with Midwest on their web site. She says no you didn’t. I say yes I did, I book our flights every year the same way online. After a couple more exchanges with her she miraculously finds the booking on another screen. No apology though. Very snotty. The plane departs right on time at 7:30 AM and we are off. On the plane we watch Holiday Wishes on the ipod. Then we listen to the two audio tracks from the Holiday Wishes CD that weren’t in the movie, Christmas All Around Us and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. Next we watch 2006 ... A Disney Adventure while having drinks and snacks on the way to Orlando. We see the whole movie except for the last chapter. It seems like the flight is only 15 minutes and we are in our final descent. During the flight the lady in front of Shelly kept moving her seat and jerking around the whole flight. Shelly was ready to slap her. We had the ipod propped up against the seat to watch movies and every time she would move it would disrupt our viewing. Don’t you just hate people? The Plane lands exactly at 11:05 AM on time. We head down to The Disney Magical Express counter to set up our luggage transfer. That takes all of 2 minutes and we are in line for 10 more minutes before we are on the bus and on our way to All Star Music. The driver is suggesting tips for himself over the PA system while giving his unnecessary spiel about Disney. An ironclad guarantee you don’t get a tip from me if you even so much as hint that it would really be appropriate. At the hotel we are off the bus, at the checkout counter, and back out the door on the way to Animal Kingdom in 15 minutes. The Disney check in person recognized we didn’t need to be coddled and got us out the door quickly. Our room wasn’t ready yet but it didn’t matter because with Disney’s Magical Express you don’t have to think about your luggage because it will be in your room right where you need it after you come back at night. Upon landing there was a little rain. When stepping out to get on the bus to Animal Kingdom it started to pour. Once at Animal Kingdom we headed over to Flametree Broiler for barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, and baked beans. After eating we go to Expedition Everest for fast pass. Sold out! Next made our way across the bridge from Everest to Theatre In The Wild for Finding Nemo The Musical. Only one show today at 3:00 PM. We start a line at 1:50 PM so we are first to get in the theatre. The show is awesome. Especially for little kids. It consists of live actors with larger than life puppets controlled by the actors. There are some acrobatics also. The show opens with the song Big Blue World which we have been lucky to possess for over 7 months thanks to a sneaky cast member that had a video camera in a special closed press conference in spring. There are four other songs too. I highly recommend this attraction. Its not open yet, only soft openings of maybe one show a day if any till its grand opening January 7th. After the show we go to Dinoland and a ride on Primevil Whirl. Shelly says she is a little queazy after the ride. Next its off for a little more jerking around on Dinosaur the ride. Shelly is feeling worse but doesn’t say anything to me. Then we head over to The Tree Of Life for It’s Tough To Be A Bug. Now we go on Expedition because there is no wait at near park closing. I forgot how wild this ride is as I only rode it once last March. As we pull into the station after Everest I take one look at Shelly and know something is wrong. I ask her if she is feeling all right? She says no. I sense what’s coming next. The car comes to a complete stop. Shelly anxiously awaits the bar to release us. She bolts through the exit building and hurls into a bush outside of it. After she cleans up a little we make our way to the bus to Epcot. On the bus Shelly’s getting sick again. After exiting the bus at Epcot she goes to the nearest restroom again to gag. At this point I’m wondering if she is getting the flu or something. Inside Epcot I eat at The Electric Umbrella. Turkey Wrap with coleslaw and a Diet Coke. Shelly doesn’t eat anything for fear of aggravating her stomach. Next we go to Wonders Of Life. I film The Making Of Me. Its raining very hard now so we get totally soaked. After Wonders Of Life we go to Ellens Energy Adventure.After Ellen we go to the main entrance to World Showcase to check out the giant Christmas tree and all the decorations. After looking at all the Christmas stuff we go to Mexico to set up for Illuminations. There are all kinds of open tables for a change, probably because of the rain. We get an attendant to clear the water off a table right on the lagoon and I save it while Shelly goes to get something to eat from The Electric Umbrella. She doesn’t want to risk eating spicy Mexican food. I go get a combination plate and a Dos Equis beer at Mexico once she is back. After eating it’s almost 9:30 PM, showtime for Illuminations. I go get one more beer. While in line Brenda calls and says they are in position at Mexico and ready for the final surprise. I tell her to give me 3 minutes to complete my purchase and get back to the table to complete the scam. After I’m back my cell phone rings and guess who it is? After pretending to have a conversation with Brenda a while I ask as planned if she wants to talk to Shelly. As Shelly takes the phone and talks I get the video camera out and start shooting. Brenda taps Shelly on the shoulder and asks her “ Excuse me , do you have the time” Shelly seems almost not to even feel it. Again Brenda taps and repeats the question. This time Shelly turns to her as she is looking at her watch. She looks up right into Brenda’s face and says it’s 9:24. There is a pause of at least 3 seconds where Shelly is looking right at Brenda almost as if she doesn’t know her. Then her brain connects up with what her eyes are seeing and she lets out a big scream. The final surprise is now complete. I can relax now and not worry about anymore lies to conceal the true plan. We now watch Illuminations with a special Christmas finaly narrated by Walter Cronkite.
After Illuminations its back to the hotel gift shop for whiskey and wine coolers for the room. With a $40.00 purchase you can get a Tinkerbell watch for $10.00. All of our purchases add up to over $40.00 so Shelly gets a new watch. Now we clean up and hang out in Glowackis room till 12:30 AM.
Friday December 15, 2006
Up at 9:25 AM and out the door at 10:50 AM. Our plan is to go to Epcot but there is a large line at the bus stop so we go to MGM Studios instead. Once at MGM we make a Sunday 3:40 PM dinner reservation for the four of us at Sci Fi Diner. Then we get fast pass for Rockin Roller Coaster. After getting our fast pass we go to eat at The Commissary. Next we do The Great Movie Ride and after that Voyage Of The Little Mermaid. When we are out of Little Mermaid it’s time for our fast pass on Coaster. After Coaster we do standby for Tower Of Terror. After Tower we take the boat to Epcot Center. At Epcot we go to United Kingdom and watch The Britons for two songs. Now we leave Epcot on the monorail to meet Dave & Brenda at The Grand Floridian to see the Ginger Bread House in the lobby. A wedding party is there taking pictures at the hotel. As we leave the Grand Floridian to travel by boat across Seven Seas Lagoon and go to The Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas we are treated to something we have all heard in the famous “Christmas Song” (chestnuts roasting by an open fire) yes, outside the Grand Floridian there is a woman set up with the aformentioned chestnuts roasting which we all try and immediately spit out. They are not very good, but at least now we know. After we enter Magic Kingdom we go to Pecos Bill to eat. After eating we setup in front of the castle for a 6:00 PM performance of Wishes. After Wishes we go to The Hall Of Presidents. Next we go to Tomorrowland Stage for Twas The Night Before Christmas with Mickey and friends. After the show we head over to Cinderella Castle for another show “Celebrate The Season”.After the stage show The Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade is shortly after so we don’t even have to move for the parade. When the parade ends we travel to Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree, one of the many hot chocolate and cookie stops for some treats that are included with admission. After our cookies and hot chocolate we go to watch Holiday Wishes. After the fireworks a short restroom break and off to Pirates Of The Caribbean. Pirates wait is to long so we walk right on Splash Mountain instead. Brenda won’t ride because she doesn’t want to get wet. Next we go on Haunted Mansion and then Mickey’s Philharmagic. After Philharmagic Brenda & I go on Tea Cups. Then we plan on checking out Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Rays but instead see Mickey’s Dance Party which replaces Sonny for Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. Next we do Buzz Lightyear and Wedway People Mover. Its park closing now at 12:00 AM so we head for the exit and do a little shopping on Mainstreet. We exit Magic Kingdom at 12:30 PM and are back at our room at 1:30 AM. The key won’t open our door. We try three times before Shelly realizes we are on the wrong floor trying to open someone else’s room. Back in the room now and I’m on my third Beam & Coke writing this account of the day while Shelly sleeps. I’m in bed at 2:30 AM.
Saturday December 16th, 2006
Up at 11:00 AM and out the door at 11::30 AM. First stop is eating at The Land in Epcot Center. After eating we get a fastpass for Soarin 4:42 - 5:42 ride time then do standby for Soarin. The wait is 1:15. After Soarin we go to The Wonders Of Life Pavillion and I film The Making Of Me. A Third of the way through the movie I realize I don’t have the camera recording. I correct this and get most of the movie. A woman sitting next to me is doing the exact same thing so we exchange email addresses and agree to stay in contact about the production of the movie. So who ever gets it done the best the other can get a copy. They live in Florida and plan to keep coming back until it gets done. Perfect, another Florida connection. After we leave Wonders Of Life I go on Mission Space myself. Shelly doesn’t want to risk getting sick again. After I get off Mission Space we head over to Mexico for our 4:15 dinner reservations with Dave and Brenda. We get a good table compared to four years ago. Nice view of the pyramid. After dinner Shelly and I go use our fastpass for Soarin. We then take the boat across World Showcase Lagoon to Germany. We exit the boat at Germany and find Dave and Brenda for entrance into Candlelight Processional show that we have reserved seating for. The show has a fifty piece orchestra and at least 200 people in the singing chorus. Kirk Cameron of Disney’s hit show Growing Pains narrates the story of Christmas. Very powerful performance. I get a majority of the show on tape for 2006... A Disney Christmas Adventure movie which will be available March 2nd. After we enter the American Gardens Theatre for the show Shelly mentions to Brenda that she can’t see the whole stage very well because the guy in front of her has a Christmas Stitch hat on that sticks up pretty high. Brenda asks Shelly if she wants to say anything to the guy to which Shelly doesn’t take action. Brenda steps up to the plate with her can do attitude and taps the man on the shoulder and says something on the order of “Excuse me, do you think you could take your hat off, my friend can’t see all of the stage” I missed this whole thing because I was concentrating on filming the show. But as I understand it this statement set off a barrage of dirty looks and snippy remarks back and forth that were classic Brenda getting the job done for her friend Shelly. After the hat comment another person behind us supposedly says to Brenda “Is he (Dave) going to take his hat off too.” Dave has on a flat baseball hat that is blocking no one compared to this idiot with the foot high Stitch hat. To get the complete story ask Brenda or Shelly the next time you see them.
After Candlelight Processional Dave and I each have a couple of Beck’s beers and Shelly and Brenda have two glasses of wine each at Germany. They say it’s the best wine they have ever had and they are acting like it. It is called Graff Picsporter Michelsberg Riesling. We watch Illuminations with a special five minute bonus Holiday fireworks display narrated by Walter Cronkite. Leave Epcot and on the bus to All Star Music at 10:30 PM. Once back we eat at the food court. Stop at the gift shop for another 2 liter of soda and then sit outside Brenda and Daves room having drinks and talking till 1:40 AM. Back in the room now writing this. Shower and off to bed at 3:00 AM.
Sunday December 17th, 2006
Up at 9:30 AM and out the door at 10:00 AM to MGM. We get a fast pass for Coaster first. Dave and Brenda are already there and have a fast pass for right then. Shelly and Brenda ride while Dave and I go to The Commissary to eat. Shelly and Brenda meet us at Commissary after their ride. Next Shelly, Dave, and I ride Tower Of Terror on standby. Brenda doesn’t ride. After Tower a passing woman gives us two tickets for Coaster. Dave and I ride. Shelly and Brenda wait. Next we all go to Beauty & The Beast Show. The show has the stand in Belle and Gaston so its not as good as it usually is. Shelly’s favorite dancer is missing. After Beauty & The Beast we all ride Coaster with our 4 fast passes. After exiting coaster we get 4 more fast passes that we don’t use cause our reservation at Sci Fi is coming up. We go to SciFi for our 3:40 reservation and eat. After SciFi we go in Muppetvision 3D. When The Muppets are over we go to New York Street and wait for the Lighting Ceremony for Osbourne Spectacle Of Lights. While waiting for the start of the light show I convince everyone to go up the street to the end to be able to see the whole street light up at once instead of seeing one direction and then having to turn around and see the other way up the block. Upon getting to the end of the street we turn around to wait for the start when all of a sudden I smell this horrific odor. I look right, then left where I meet Brenda’s eyes as I say to her “ Do you smell that” Brenda says “Yeah, ewww, was it you” I say “No uh uh, It wasn’t me” I take another wiff and say “ Jeez , it smells like someone shit their pants or something” Brenda cracks up and starts laughing. The show starts and I think thats the end of it. There are literally millions of lights lighting up every square inch of every building on New York Street, San Francisco area and the entrance to Lights,Action, Motor Stunt Show. After the lighting ceremony we go over to Fantasmic for the 7:00 PM show. At some point on the way to Fantasmic, I can’t remember exactly when, Brenda is laughing hysterically about something she is telling Shelly but I can’t here her. I say what? and find out that in fact it was Brenda that was creating the shit your pants moment but was afraid to admit it at the time because I was so vocal in what I said “Jeez it smells like somebody shit their pants or something”. She thought everyone around us would know that she was the pants shitter and laugh,point,jeer, or whatever. Totally a classic Brenda moment right up there with the pencil throwing.
When Fantasmic ends its back to Osbourne Lights to get a longer closer look at the shimmering, dancing lights. See one of Shellys 500 pictures she took and see. We decide to leave Studios for Magic Kingdom as it’s open till 1:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours. Shelly, Dave, & Brenda leave for Magic Kingdom and run into some problems catching a bus. I take the boat from Studios to Epcot for one more look at Illuminations. Shelly, Dave, & Brenda watch Wishes from across Seven Seas Lagoon at the Ticket Transportation Center because the late bus caused them to be a bit behind schedule. They then take the monorail across and try to do Pirates Of The Caribbean. Its closed. Now they go to Hall of Presidents to watch Spectromagic.In the mean time I get to Magic Kingdom just as Specto is starting. I make my way through the shops to bypass the parade crowds and go to Pirates where I also find it to be closed. I go to Pecos Bill for a turkey wrap and fries. Brenda calls me after they finish watching Spectomagic and they all hook up with me at Pecos Bill. Next we all do Big Thunder Mountain. We then check Pirates again but it is still closed. We head over to Tommorowland for Space Mountain. Everyone rides except Brenda. Next we all go on Buzz Lightyear. We walk through Cosmic Rays to see Sunny Eclipse and yes, he is now there and performing. After a brief walk through at Cosmic Rays we go to Mickeys Philharmagic again.After Philharmagic we again try Pirates and this time its open. Jack Sparrow is in the ride three different times. Captain Barbosa is the Captain on the pirate ship in the harbor. The new audio animatronics are amazing. It’s like live people compared to the older audio animatronics. There is one part of the ride where it seems as if you will be traveling through a waterfall in which the ghost of Barbosa appears in the water that is falling which you are about to go through. But when you get to the water you find out that it is actually a stream of smoke with a waterfall projected on to it. And every once in a while the ghost of Barbosa also appears in the water. It is so real looking you swear you are about to get wet. Very cool effect. After Pirates it’s closing time 1:00 AM and we head over to Mainstreet for some more shopping. On the bus about 1:30 AM and back in the room at 2:00 AM. I go to bed again at 3:00 AM after completing my entries.
Monday December 18th,2006
Up at 10:20 AM and out of the room at 11:00 AM. Our express checkout papers are not on the door when we get up. Shelly calls the front desk and they say we have a zero balance so we don’t need the paperwork. After she hangs up I question this as we don’t have any documentation of all our spending for the trip. We hardly used any cash at all.We go down to the desk and I have them print me a copy of all transactions. Later on we find out the same thing happened to Brenda and Dave. We check our luggage at Bell Services and head to Epcot for four hours. Once there we eat at The Land again. We try to get fast pass for Soarin but it is allready up to 4:00 PM. We’ll be gone by then back to reality. So instead we head over to Spaceship Earth for a ride. After that we go for a walk around World Showcase. Shop a little at Mousegear and exit for a ride back to the hotel. We arrive back at the hotel around 3:20PM for our 3:55 departure on Magical Express to the airport. Checkin goes smooth and we hangout at Burger King for supper. We all get ice cream at Carvel. Boarding starts 20 minutes early but the plane still takes off on time at 7:00 PM. As we taxi out to the runway we turn what appears to be our final turn before we gun it and take off but instead turn the other way and travel up the wrong way on the runway as if we had made a wrong turn and were now attempting to get as far up the runway as we should of before we made our turn. At the end of the runway the pilot makes a u turn with the plane heading us down the right way now and then guns it for our actual takeoff. Very weird. I have since talked to a pilot and he assured me that it was a standard practice usually used if the normal taxi way was blocked or if you lost your place in the takeoff order. I don’t know how many of the passengers noticed but it kind of freaked me out. The flight goes smooth and quick again as we watch Pirates Of The Caribbean Dead Mans Chest on the ipod and have drinks,snacks, and hot chocolate chip cookies. Well, I watched. Shelly slept most of the way. Back in Milwaukee right on time. Luggage comes up almost immediately and we are on our way to the truck to come home. Unfortunately we can’t remember where we parked. We walk around the parking structure about 10 minutes before we find the truck. Parking for Thursday thru Monday cost $50.00. Back at home waiting now for 2007 ... Disney, A Whole New World! Shelly seems to have had a fantastic time so it was a good Christmas gift.!