We rode Rise of the Resistance on Walt's Birthday on our first Mother/Daughter Trip! December 2019! Updated September 19th!

[pkondz]

Oh, of course. And I don't want to blow through 3 weeks worth of PTO to just sit around.

Exactly

 

[buzzrelly]

DECEMBER 6, 2019
A GRAND, GINGERBREADY CHRISTMAS


Naturally, since we had taken the monorail to the TTC,
we started our resort tour at The Poly...




The Christmas decorations here were very understated, but pretty.

We poked in the shops for just a minute and then hopped back on the monorail to The GF.

The Grand really lives up to its name, especially all decked out for Christmas








And the Gingerbread House is the stuff that sugar plums and dreams are made of...


We went down for a closer look and considered getting a treat, but the line was really long so we just took some pictures and headed back to the monorail.


While we were riding to The CR,
I got an alert on my phone that it was time to check-in
for our Southwest flight 24 hours from then
Luckily, we had no trouble connecting, even on the monorail,
and got A-44 and B-12 as our Boarding Groups.
I think they assigned them separately because our tickets were bought separately.

We still had two more resorts to tour and then dinner! That's next!

​

 

[vamassey1]

Lovely tour. The Grand has the most decorations of the monorail resort. So much to see.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I miss the monorail resorts at Christmastime so so much. So glad to see you managed to fit in a little tour of them. Looking forward to seeing the Contemporary and... I'm guessing Wilderness Lodge??? Either that or Fort Wilderness.

 

[pkondz]

the Christmas decorations here were very understated, but pretty.

I'm not sure about the "understated" part (compared to the GF, yes). But definitely pretty.

The Grand really lives up to its name, especially all decked out for Christmas

I remember it well.

And the Gingerbread House is the stuff that sugar plums and dreams are made of...

While we were riding to The CR,
I got an alert on my phone that it was time to check-in
for our Southwest flight 24 hours from then

Funny how when you get that alert the day before the trip starts, it's a wonderful thing.

 

[suse66]

Nothing better than Christmas resort touring!

 

[kastoney]

December 2021! I'm planning on being there sometime around the 9th for my Birthday

I have zero idea what our travel plans will look like after November, if that even happens, but will certainly keep Christmas in my mind

Hello, Space Jesus. Glad you're sticking around for a while

Oh me too! I'm all for them refurbing it and giving the old girl a face lift but really want to see it in all its nostalgic wonder a few more times.

Isn't that creepy!?

Uber creepy. Also doesn't that guy behind Patrick/Mouse Ears guy look a little like Jenny's Joe?

Yum!!!! Good taste Allie. There is little in Disney better than some Via Napoli pizza

Super cute, and I didn't realize Allie had never been on this before.
I forgot that when Nicholas, my mom and I went on this in 2016,
Allie sat in the temple coloring her Duffy cut out

Beautiful shot

I believe this was the first year they did this and it was so awesome.
Definitely worth the wait!

How did I not know this was a thing???? Two of my favorite things merged together. Now I really have to go at Christmas time

So then Mike decided to join us. He wants to drive down, stay overnight at his friend's house in VA for a couple nights and then go see his mom in Ocala for a couple days before joining us.

You didn't tell me he was going to stay with us

I get it…and honestly, unless FL starts getting their crap together soon, I probably wouldn't even want to travel there, but now, even if they do, I may not have a choice until this travel ban is over. I figure we have a month to see how things are going before we pull the plug on this….which would be trip #3 cancelled. It's kind of discouraging planning all these trips not knowing if they are actually going to happen, or not.

I'm so in the same boat as you. It does look like FL is improving, especially around Orlando, but I so understand why places we work - especially for you - have the restrictions they do. I'm trying not to get too excited about our November trip b/c who knows what will be happening by then. But I think I've convinced Jason to drive which should help with my work restrictions since I'm not allowed to fly at all.

Mike is REALLY excited about staying at CCV.
We have walked around there while visiting Geyser Point and he's always said he wants to stay here. I've stayed at WL once but never at CCV, so I'm excited to try it out too.

You forgot to say you stayed there once with the most awesome roommate ever Seriously glad you all will hopefully get to stay here and hope Mike likes it.

 

[buzzrelly]

Lovely tour. The Grand has the most decorations of the monorail resort. So much to see.

Yup! We definitely could have spent more time there!

Looking forward to seeing the Contemporary and... I'm guessing Wilderness Lodge???

I'm not sure about the "understated" part (compared to the GF, yes). But definitely pretty.

I think The Poly lobby is always pretty, but not too much in the way of Christmas decorations

Nothing better than Christmas resort touring!

Totally agree! ❤

 

[buzzrelly]

Oh me too! I'm all for them refurbing it and giving the old girl a face lift but really want to see it in all its nostalgic wonder a few more times.

Uber creepy. Also doesn't that guy behind Patrick/Mouse Ears guy look a little like Jenny's Joe?

He does! @Jenny Sanders want to weigh in here?!

Yum!!!! Good taste Allie. There is little in Disney better than some Via Napoli pizza

It may be the ONE time we agree on food!

How did I not know this was a thing???? Two of my favorite things merged together. Now I really have to go at Christmas time

How did you not know this was a thing?

It was awesome! So yes…December 2021!

You didn't tell me he was going to stay with us

I knew you wouldn't mind

I think I've convinced Jason to drive which should help with my work restrictions since I'm not allowed to fly at all.

Heck…I'd drive from here if it meant I could go! I'm still holding out a little bit of hope.

You forgot to say you stayed there once with the most awesome roommate ever

Who just happens to be celebrating a birthday TODAY! Happy Birthday again, my friend!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

He does! @Jenny Sanders want to weigh in here?!

Which guy?????

 

[CruellaNY]

The Christmas decorations here were very understated, but pretty.

You know for all the times we've been there for Thanksgiving plus last December the Poly is one resort we've never gone over to see the decorations at! I heard they were just ok so I guess that's why but next time I'll make it a point to go.

No plans to go this December but we'll get there again around the holidays sometime!

 

[buzzrelly]

Which guy?????

The guy behind morphed Patrick...

No plans to go this December but we'll get there again around the holidays sometime!

We don't have plans for this December either, we're planning December 2021

 

[Jenny Sanders]

The guy behind morphed Patrick...

HAHAHA!!! That's too funny!

 

[fractal]

DECEMBER 5, 2019
RISE UP



Before I go on, let's take a closer look at a couple of pictures I posted above…
Notice anything?

View attachment 508155View attachment 508156

Yup, somewhere along the way, the app was glitching
and ended up showing as a Party of 1 instead of a Party of 2.
I was slightly worried, but figured I had my screen shot to show
if they gave us any trouble boarding. They didn't.

More ride photos ahead, so don't look if you are still avoiding spoilers...
View attachment 508157

View attachment 508158

View attachment 508159

We were happy that we were seated in the front row...
View attachment 508160

View attachment 508161

The ride was so incredible in such a surreal sort of way.
We were stunned at each new scene and couldn't believe how many actual different scenes there were before the actual "ride."
And then the ride part was amazing too.
Once we got off, we both agreed that it was simply amazing
and we were so happy we got to experience it that day!

The only thing we were sad about was thinking that Nicholas,
being the huge Star Wars fan, would have LOVED it
and would have loved to have been there with us that day.
Of course we kept talking about how we can't wait for him to see it
when we go in July…and then, sigh, that didn't happen
But of course, we didn't know that then
and were just so happy in that moment to have gotten to experience this!

When we got off, we finally left SWGE after one last picture of the Millennium Falcon...
View attachment 508162

It was almost 10 and we decided to head back to ASM to eat breakfast and rest a bit
since we were heading to MVMCP this night.
Oh, did I not mention that?
Yup…we got up at 4 am and had plans to stay up until midnight, or later.
Smart right?
With such a short trip, this was just the way it worked out.
YOLO, right??

On our way out, I couldn't help myself from taking pictures
of the DHS Christmas decorations.
They are literally PERFECT and totally make me nostalgic for my youth,
even though they are supposed to be from the 30s or 40s, and not the 60s or 70s.

Those pictures next!
​

Catching up and following along.

One of these day's we'll get to WDW during the Christmas season! Thanks for all those pics.

How exciting to have been there during the premier of RotR! Awesome ride.

and your daughter takes after you.

 

[buzzrelly]

How exciting to have been there during the premier of RotR! Awesome ride.

It was exciting! And nerve-wracking! But I'm sure it's something we'll never forget

and your daughter takes after you.

Don't tell her that, but thank you!

 

[buzzrelly]

DECEMBER 6, 2019
A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS


Continuing on our resort tours...

As much as I love The CR, the Christmas decorations were a little lackluster
and more like what you'd see in a shopping mall.
The Gingerbread House was tucked away in a back corner of the fourth floor
with not so great lighting.
Honestly, the store windows were more exciting to look at.












Having not much to see, we didn't stick around long.
We were hungry and decided we needed burgers at Geyser Point.
There was pretty much no-one around as we headed to the boat dock,
which is always a cue for Allie to be a goofball...






Allie channeling her inner Sorcerer Mickey...


We needed to end our tour with some Christmas decorations that would wow us.
Would we succeed???​

 

[buzzrelly]

DECEMBER 6, 2019
WE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST!


We had a little bit of a wait for the boat to come,
but we were in no rush so we just hung out and took some pictures while we waited...


But by the time we got to the WL, it was 8:30 and we were super hungry
so those Christmas decorations would have to wait.
We went straight to Geyser Point...


We didn't have a wait at all for a table and since it was a chilly night out,
they had set up heaters nearby so it was nice and toasty in there.


We debated for a hot second on whether we should share one burger
but Allie likes hers pink and I don't,
and she also doesn't put cheese on it which I think is crazy talk
In the end, this was better anyway because I ended up finishing my whole burger
and all the fries and it was all super delicious


With full bellies, we were ready to explore our last resort of the night.
And for sure, we saved the best for last!
Since it was late, there was hardly anyone in the lobby
so we could explore and take as many pictures as we wanted












More pictures in next post!​

 

[buzzrelly]

DECEMBER 6, 2019
CHRISTMAS AT THE LODGE


More WL Christmas...


What a gorgeous place to kick back and relax…or take a nap. Not sure which!




Someone was a little punchy as we headed out front





We didn't feel like taking a bus back to a park and then to our resort,
so we ended up Ubering again and were back at ASM by 10.




We headed off to dreamland with happy hearts,
but sad that tomorrow was to be our last day.
That's next.​

 

[pkondz]

As much as I love The CR, the Christmas decorations were a little lackluster

Well... poop.

and more like what you'd see in a shopping mall.

Really? I'd expect much better than that from Disney.

which is always a cue for Allie to be a goofball...

Someone was having fun.

But by the time we got to the WL, it was 8:30 and we were super hungry

Getting late... but that just means the food will taste better.

they had set up heaters nearby so it was nice and toasty in there.

Sounds really cozy.

and she also doesn't put cheese on it which I think is crazy talk

That's insane!! (My youngest DD is the same. Kids these days.)

In the end, this was better anyway because I ended up finishing my whole burger

See! Hungry! And yummy!

And for sure, we saved the best for last!

I really like that.

Gorgeous.

What a gorgeous place to kick back and relax…or take a nap. Not sure which!

Both!

Someone was a little punchy as we headed out front

What is she doing!? Who cares!!

We headed off to dreamland with happy hearts,

but sad that tomorrow was to be our last day.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I had no idea that Wilderness Lodge had their own gingerbread house omg Makes me mad now that I never stopped by during this past program. I don't think I even made it to the Grand. And as someone who has sat in WL for prolonged periods, it is a lovely place to contemplate (but it comes in second to the Poly beach). Memo to me to actually go into Geyser Point next visit lol

And yeah, CR really doesn't offer much with its decor aside from the gingerbread display. I mean, its theme is modernism so how much can you really do with that? It's all minimalism.

Also, I just came to the realization looking at these photos. I've never taken a boat anywhere from CR. I've used the boats to get to WL and GF, but not CR. Weird.