Day One, Two and last.. at Epcot and Magic Kingdom and AK

We (me, hubby, 2 sons) headed out of AKL after enjoying a wonderful
breakfast from the concierge buffet.
Buses are very efficient running direct from AKL to whatever park you desire. (I must say though it is a long way from park to park! Having only done Disneyland for the past 100 years it was quite a shock not to get up and walk to the resorts.)

Epcot was really BIG. Maybe bigger than I imagined. We headed straight to Test Track where I thought my new sunglasses were 'gone with the wind'! What a fun, fun ride. We opted for single rider on this one due to the wait.
We strolled around Epcot sampling some of the various food items. Most notable would have to be the Grand Marnier slushy (highly recommended by Samantha Brown!) The rest of the food was, eh.
Heading over to the Magic Kingdom after Epcot was a little tiring but fun.
I was very excited heading under the bridge and discovering new sights but yet familiar. After about 2 hours I was done and oddly missing the more 'intimate', Disneyland.
I had dinner resies at the Whispering Canyon for Christmas dinner. What I didn't know was that they only offered a 'set menu' for the evening at $32.99 pp!! Perhaps I should have confirmed with DD or perhaps they should have their facts before booking. Not to worry, my boys thought it was an interesting way to spend Christmas dinner and the food was DELISH!!
PS The Wilderness Lodge is somewhere that I would go back to (and I'm a GC snob!) Our boat pulled up in the evening to the docks with Christmas music quietly playing in the background....ahhh this is Christmas.
Backing up a bit...on Christmas morning I woke two very tired teen/adult boys at 5:55am for our Sunrise Safari. Needless to say they were not happy campers in the beginning, but....What a once-in-a-lifetime experience we were fortunate enough to enjoy. The animals and the Savannah were unbelievable. Our tram stopped so close to a Black Rhino that we could have (but didn't) pet him. Great photo op!

Overall visiting WDW was my dream. I planned it, I did it and now I'm happy. Will I go back? Perhaps someday.
Thanks for reading,
kikid:)

Sounds like you had a great time! :) I'm happy for you!

Sounds like you had a great time! :) I'm happy for you!

Happy 16th!!! Are you celebrating at WDW?:)

Hi kikid,

What was for Christmas dinner?

I am wondering how/ where we will spend ours. (Where to eat, etc.)

Thanks for posting your trip report. :)

Happy 16th!!! Are you celebrating at WDW?:)


Thank you! Sadly no, but we are going at Christmas! :D

Hi kikid,

What was for Christmas dinner?

I am wondering how/ where we will spend ours. (Where to eat, etc.)

Thanks for posting your trip report. :)
Hi Mrs. G,

Christmas dinner was a 'set-menu' (as previously mentioned).
Let me see...we started with a great salad, mixed greens, lovely pomegranate or cranberry dressing (old age won't let me remember). Cornbread would be served next..delish (moist)..then came the SKILLET! Chicken, Pork, Sliced tri-tip, turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, with cranberry sauce on the side. It truly was a great meal (and I'm a foodie) The skillet was a kick and my boys really enjoyed the presentation. Waitress was so funny, gave my 21 yr old a hard time for texting at the table!!! He was actually laughing and having a good time.
The waiters drag their wooden tray holders over the wood floor and make lots of noise. Kids and adults were riding wooden ponies around the restaurant..I couldn't stop laughing at one dad who was begging for the music to stop so he could tie up his pony and eat.
Overall I would eat there again, even given the set menu prices for Christmas dinner. We have spent many a stuffy Christmas dinner eating prime rib....While at WDW...PARTY!
:p

Thank you! Sadly no, but we are going at Christmas! :D
So where in England does one celebrate the big '16'?? :)

Hi kikid,

What was for Christmas dinner?

I am wondering how/ where we will spend ours. (Where to eat, etc.)

Thanks for posting your trip report. :)

Oh, I forgot.

We also had a chance to enjoy the California Grille. Wonderful view of the fireworks but I felt the menu was a little 'sophisticated' for my boys.
It would be a nice Christmas dinner option if you want to go more 'high-end'?

Thanks for sharing. I haven't ever eaten at the Whispering Canyon. But I will try it next time.

Thanks again,
Ellen

So where in England does one celebrate the big '16'?? :)

Hmm, I'm not really sure :p We're going down to Cornwall (At the South West of the country) for a few days to see my cousins. Its nothing big....but I guess when your in America sometimes you might get a car, right?

Hmm, I'm not really sure :p We're going down to Cornwall (At the South West of the country) for a few days to see my cousins. Its nothing big....but I guess when your in America sometimes you might get a car, right?

My son turned 16 a year ago but no car (he drives my old car). He celebrated his 16th with friends at a local restaurant here in San Diego.
But you are correct in assuming the kids here are given cars (even before they turn 16!) I'm amazed when I drive through my son's high school parking lot and see so many new expensive cars!!

My son turned 16 a year ago but no car (he drives my old car). He celebrated his 16th with friends at a local restaurant here in San Diego.
But you are correct in assuming the kids here are given cars (even before they turn 16!) I'm amazed when I drive through my son's high school parking lot and see so many new expensive cars!!

Haha, wow. I'll probably see that when everyone in my year is turning 17, since thats our driving age and all. I'll probably just share my dads car, since my mam doesn't drive (I can see myself driving her everywhere! :eek:)