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Thread: Tater and Family’s WDW Christmas Adventure 12/15/2011-12/21/2011

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  1. #1

    Tater and Family’s WDW Christmas Adventure 12/15/2011-12/21/2011

    Travel dates: 12/15/2011-12/21/2011
    Travel method: Delta Flight, rental car
    Resort: Poly
    Accommodations: 1 room Club Level-Hawaii building
    Ages Represented in Group: 43-12
    Disney Resort Experience Represented in Group: Entire group-WDW2008 off-site, WDW2010 Polynesian
    Comments: This is our first trip to WDW during Christmas.

    Cast of characters: Tater-age 43, DH-age 40, oldest son (Shaggy) age 14 and youngest son (Trouble) age 12. The names of my sons in this report are a direct result of a very funny moment during our trip.

    Day 1-12/15/2011
    Having packed everything the night before all that we had to do when we got up at 2:30 am on 12/15, was to make sure our indoor cats and outdoor dogs had extra food and water. We had someone stopping in every other day to check on them, I still put out enough to feed about a 100 animals.
    We were running a little late getting out the door due to me fussing with my hair, I swore this trip I would wear make-up and do more than put my hair up. (I wanted the photo’s to look better). Good intentions and all, but that went out the window by day 4. We had an hour drive to the airport in Nashville, but still had time to stop for breakfast at Denny’s. I suggest the patty melt; I completely fell off the diet wagon at that point.
    Everything was going great up until the point I pulled up the Delta App on my iphone. It said we had a delay on our flight out of Nashville to Atlanta due to a technical problem. We were supposed to have left at 6:30 am, but didn’t get in the air until 10:15.



    We missed our connection in Atlanta, but got a later flight.



    We arrived in Orlando at 2:45 pm. Picked up our rental car from Thrifty and finally went under the most wonderful sign in the world at about 3:10 pm.



    I for one was a very cranky lady at this point, with almost no sleep the night before and all my plans thrown to the wind with our later arrival. But something about WDW, makes it all better. The Poly was beautifully decorated for Christmas. It was very tastefully done.







    Check in was easy, not too many people were there at the time, but some buses were pulling up as we were escorted to our room in the Hawaii building. While still checking in I had the CM put our 7 day park hopper tickets that I had purchased from Undercover Tourist onto our room keys.

    Our Garden view room was as expected, it felt like coming home. I can’t believe that I didn’t take a photo of the lounge or lobby of our building. I didn’t realize I hadn’t until we were sitting at the airport. Speaking of photos, I’m sorry that the quality isn’t that great. We had just gotten our iphones and thought the photos would be better, I didn’t take my camera.





    Last edited by Tater; 12-28-2011 at 10:36 PM.
    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

  2. #2

    Once we got settled in and unpacked we headed over to MK, but not before going into the club lounge to have a snack. It was about 5:00 pm by this time, and they had started to server appetizers. I wish I had taken photos and written down what was served, but well ya know.
    We took the boat from the Poly landing, which had MK as the next stop.



    Crowd levels were still very nice at this point, my first in person look at MK all dressed up for Christmas was great, but it was nothing compared to what it looked like after dark. The first ride we went on was Space Mountain, which as a tradition is the one we always ride first. Why? Well simple, it was the first ride any of us ever rode at WDW.









    To be honest I don’t remember much more than that from the first day of this trip, we went on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad, then made a mad dash to Haunted Mansion just as the parade was getting over, so we didn’t have to wait in line very long, it was basically walk on or would have but we went on the Cemetery side of the HM queue.



    Trouble was making his impression of the Twins. We loved the updated ride, but I won’t ruin it for those who don’t know yet.
    When I finally got to see the Castle all lit up, I was like a kid. I couldn’t get enough photos of it.





    We made our way back to our room and were in bed by midnight. I went to sleep with the vision of sparkling castles and giant trees.

    To be continued...

    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

  3. #3
    Registered User ericles's Avatar
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    Jul 2002
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    Maryland's Eastern Shore

    Awesome report Tater! I'm looking forward to the rest of it! Great photos, too.


  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by ericles View Post
    Awesome report Tater! I'm looking forward to the rest of it! Great photos, too.
    Thanks, this is my first go at doing a report. I will work on day 2 when I get off work today. Do y'all think I add too many photos?

    Oh and the photo of Trouble at HM, was a retake. When he first did it, the photo was way too dark.
    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

  5. #5

    There can never be too many photos! But I learned the hard way that you can only have so many (10?) in a single post. hehe


  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by spectromen View Post
    There can never be too many photos! But I learned the hard way that you can only have so many (10?) in a single post. hehe
    yeah I found that out too. I had to take out a couple, but it went in flow with the story. They were not necessary for the story to progress. I have a whole bunch of the castle. I lost all restraint on photo taking when I saw it.
    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

  7. #7
    Registered User foolishmortal's Avatar
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    the other side of crazy

    Tater ..
    Great report! Love all the photos too.I'll let you know how we like akl when we get there in may"


  8. #8

    Thanks Arnold and Kat.

    My toe is better, but I have odd sensations/ feelings in and around it. I think I am going to my Dr and let her check it out.

    Kat please let me know how you like AKL. Pros and cons.

    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

  9. #9
    Registered User foolishmortal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tater View Post
    Thanks Arnold and Kat.

    My toe is better, but I have odd sensations/ feelings in and around it. I think I am going to my Dr and let her check it out.

    Kat please let me know how you like AKL. Pros and cons.
    will do!

  10. #10

    Great trip report!!!!

    I LOVE the picture of your son "holding" up the yo-yo at the Pop Century!!!!! What a cool photo!!! Years ago when we were in Washington DC, we tried to do a forced perspective photo of my kids "holding" the Washington Monument, it was hard to get, but came out kinda neat in the end.

    Your poor toe!!!! Yikes!!!!!

    Heidi


  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by FortWilderness IsHome View Post
    Great trip report!!!!

    I LOVE the picture of your son "holding" up the yo-yo at the Pop Century!!!!! What a cool photo!!! Years ago when we were in Washington DC, we tried to do a forced perspective photo of my kids "holding" the Washington Monument, it was hard to get, but came out kinda neat in the end.

    Your poor toe!!!! Yikes!!!!!

    Heidi
    Thank you, Trouble loves doing silly things in photos, we took one with the Rubix cube but it didn't turn out the way I wanted. Also all those pesky light poles in the way... LOL
    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

  12. #12

    Loving the report so far!! Ouch on your toe!! :-(


  13. #13

    Thank you for the great report and beautiful pictures. Ouch. That toe looks broken. Is it getting better I hope


  14. #14
    Registered User
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    Blue House

    Ouch on the toe, tater! What is it with water parks and not letting you wear "water shoes"? A few years ago, I had a similiar incident at a water park but mine was a scrape the skin off with blood, so there I am in the basin at the end of the slide, jumping around on one foot because I didn't want my bloody toe in the water and everyone is looking at me like I'm crazy, luckily DH came down right after me and helped me out. If they only let me wear my water shoes it would not have happened.
    Glad it it starting to get better and that you still had a good trip.


  15. #15
    Registered User houseofmouse's Avatar
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    Jan 2006
    Location
    Altamonte Springs, FL

    Great trip report! Loving all the photos, your poor toe! I remember you posting in the Hearts thread about it. Reminds me to be extra careful this June at the water park!!

    The Poly sounds like a really nice resort. I love resort hopping too, just to see how different they all are. We still haven't been to AK lodge or Pop or really explored Poly too much other than eating at Ohana's.

    Have a Disney Day!
    You don't have to walk on water, it's how you walk on land.

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by MRSMOLE View Post
    Thank you for the great report and beautiful pictures. Ouch. That toe looks broken. Is it getting better I hope
    Thank you, yes my toe is on the mend. Good news, I did go get it x-rayed and the doctor said from what she sees, I didn't break anything. The pain and odd sensations I still feel are due to all the swelling still inside my foot. She was shocked that it wasn't broken.

    Quote Originally Posted by rph13 View Post
    Ouch on the toe, tater! What is it with water parks and not letting you wear "water shoes"? A few years ago, I had a similiar incident at a water park but mine was a scrape the skin off with blood, so there I am in the basin at the end of the slide, jumping around on one foot because I didn't want my bloody toe in the water and everyone is looking at me like I'm crazy, luckily DH came down right after me and helped me out. If they only let me wear my water shoes it would not have happened.
    Glad it it starting to get better and that you still had a good trip.
    Ouch, I know that hurt. DH scrapped his knee when floating on the CCC, the water isn't deep, so if you "hang" from the tube, your knees can drag. They really shouldn't have the bottom so rough. I mean if you fall because it is slick, you will be falling in water.

    Quote Originally Posted by houseofmouse View Post
    Great trip report! Loving all the photos, your poor toe! I remember you posting in the Hearts thread about it. Reminds me to be extra careful this June at the water park!!

    The Poly sounds like a really nice resort. I love resort hopping too, just to see how different they all are. We still haven't been to AK lodge or Pop or really explored Poly too much other than eating at Ohana's.
    Thanks, we really like the Poly, but if I get to ever go back, I want to stay somewhere else. A big pet peeve I have with the rooms are that they are too dark. They need more direct lighting.
    WDW 2008 off-site, WDW 2010 Polynesian (Club), WDW Polynesian Dec 15-21 2011 (Club), WDW WL Nov 20-Nov 27 2014

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