Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas! We've been fairly busy the last couple of weeks preparing for the holidays, as well as winding down from the fall semester. After seeing the giant gingerbread house over at the Grand Floridian, we got a gingerbread house kit to kick off the festivities.

 

I finally got my gingerbread!

 

We've also been busy trying to get all of the presents taken care of and under the tree-since we had to send out presents this year through the mail, we were running a bit close. But, we managed!

 

Look at all these presents! ...Which one is mine?

 

I'm all ready for Christmas morning!

 



Fort Wilderness Lodge

Sunday morning was Mom's birthday, so we went over to the Whispering Canyon Café in the Fort Wilderness Lodge for brunch.

I smell bacon!

To say they were packed would be a gross understatement, so while we waited, I took Ted on a tour of the lobby.

I wonder if I could find one in a size XXS...

I think I'll fit in just fine here.

Quick! Make a wish! ...also please don't drop me.

 

Afterwards, we took one last circuit around and stopped by the massive fireplace in the corner.

 

The couches were taken, but this is ok too.

 

 

Nothing like a good fire on a cold windy day. Where are the marshmallows?

 

Never enter a staring contest with a totem pole. It will not end well.

 

So Ted's had a really busy weekend, and hopefully he'll get to be even busier now that the holidays are going into full swing!

Putting the "Magic" in the Magic Kingdom

Wow, it's been a month since the last post again!

This weekend Ted finally, finally, made it to the magic kingdom! ...At night. But still, at least he made it!

I've earned my Mickey Ears at last!

 

 

We went over to catch their nightly showing of Wishes! on Saturday, and to see all of the Christmas decorations before the hordes of people arrive for the holidays. Before we went to the Kingdom, we stopped by at the Grand Floridian to see the giant gingerbread house they build there every year. So Ted got his first trip on the monorail.

 

Please hold me clear of the doors. Por favor, abrázame clara de las puertas.*

 

You would not believe the crowds waiting for the monorail! The park was open extremely late that night, so everybody was packed like sardines. As soon as you walk in the lobby of the Grand Floridian, you can smell the gingerbread and all the other goodies they have going on there. The house is tucked in a corner on the first floor, behind the giant Christmas tree in the center.

 

Do you think anyone's home? Maybe we can get some gingerbread!

The detail is amazing!

 

The lobby is beautiful; I wish we could have explored a bit more.

 

 

After hanging out at the resort for a bit, we clambered back on the monorail and hoofed it into the Magic Kingdom proper.

 

I hear there's a ride that's essentially a moving couch. Let's check that out first.**

 

We eventually staked out seats near the carousel in Fantasyland, so that we were between the two main points where they set off the fireworks. It was still a pretty good view, though!

 

All that's missing from this picture is a mug of hot cocoa and some gingerbread. I'm just really hungry for some gingerbread.

 

 

 

* My Spanish is unbelievably bad. So I just ran this through Google translate-which is little better.

**Ted is referring to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, AKA the WEDWay PeopleMover.



The Adventure Continues, Part II

The next park we hit up after Hollywood Studios was the Animal Kingdom.

 

This is one of my favorite views in the park. Even with the construction barriors up, it's still impressive.

 

Every time we visit, we make sure to get on the Kilimanjaro Safaris as early as we can. That's usually when the animals are up and about the most, before the heat sets in.

 

 

I'm usually able to take at least a couple of good photos, and while I did manage some good ones this time around, our driver didn't seem inclined to stop at all for the animals.

 

Leading to images like this.

 

However, as I just mentioned, I did manage to get some neat photos. Thank the stars I had the burst mode on.

 

It never fails to amaze me just how close the animals get to the vehicles.

 

Afterwards, we wandered about the park a bit. We had fastpasses for Expedition Everest, but this time we had plenty of time to explore before we had to backtrack to Asia.

 

And I thought I was a relic...Anyone else getting hungry for dino nuggets?

 

After Expedition Everest, we took the Maharajah Jungle Trek. I could spend a whole morning just watching the tigers and fruit bats.

 

Oh I see. The Silent Treatment.

Finally got a good picture of these guys' wingspans!

This statue is found at the very end of the Trek. I'm not sure what it's supposed to signify or represent, but I've always thought was neat.

 

 

So, now that we've been to three out of the four Disney parks, I guess it's time we completed the set and go for the Magic Kingdom. I don't know the next time we'll be over there, but I'm sure Ted will have lots of photo-ops!

The Adventure Continues, Part I

Wow, has it really been almost two months since our last post? Yikes...

Well, Ted got to visit a park other than Epcot for a change! Two parks, in fact!

First, we all went over to Hollywood Studios to catch a showing of Fantasmic. And promptly got lost about three steps into the park.

Ted quickly found a spot to lounge on while we sorted out the map.

 

Eventually we found the theatre, which is right next to the Tower of Terror.

 

Nope. Not even for all the fastpasses in the World.

 

On a later return, we stopped by the Great Movie Ride and paid our respects.

 

Soarin' Over Epcot

Finally! Ted finally got to visit Disney World!

Since we got our annual Disney passes recently, last night we went out to Epcot to catch their nightly showing of Illuminations. So naturally, Ted joined in.

I made it! I actually made it!

 

We had Fastpass+ reservations for Soarin', so we didn't do a lot of our usual tour.

We did, however, have plenty of time for a quick photo-op before heading in for the ride.

 

While the photo was being taken, we heard a lot of passersby commenting on Ted! One person even correctly guessed that he was "one of those traveling teddies." Another thought that someone had simply left him there, until I helped him down from his perch.

 

Now how could someone just abandon this face?

 

Don't drop me in the fountain! Water and old teddy bears don't mix.

 

Once we were inside, we still had some time to kill before we could get on line, so I snapped yet another photo. Much of the first floor lobby is taken up by a quick-service restaurant called Seasons, and overhead their eating area they have this neat display.

 

 

We'll definitely be making repeat trips, seeing as how Epcot is one of our favorite parks-certainly one of mine. :) So this is where you guys chime in. Where do you want to see Ted visit in Disney World? In front of a ride, browsing a store, or even meeting a character? (So long as we can do that last one without interfering with anyone else's visit!)