posted 12-19-2004 17:34               

We took several photos of the Christmas Tree and decorations
in the Lodge`s Main Lobby and also in the Villas Atrium Lobby
While Soft Christmas Music played in the background

The Wilderness Lodge Resort is beautiful this time of year
The weather is beautiful and sunny with temps in the 60`s

Afterwards we drove over to Disney`s Animal Kingdom Lodge
and took photos of the beautiful tree in the hotel lobby

posted 12-19-2004 22:04            

------------------
You can see my timeshare photos here:

posted 12-20-2004 13:18               

You will want to go early and stay late. I think someone in and earlier thread said that they closed some of the parking lots, too.

Seaworld wasn't as bad.

Someone said that 2003 was a 13 year high, don't know if that was correct or not, but there were a lot of people and the lines were long.

The decorations were great! The weather was excellent!

posted 12-23-2004 01:28               

I assume it slows down?

posted 12-23-2004 22:08               

We were only able to do two parks
The Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios

We took the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom
and went thru the baggage check in area
We had one day left on an Old 4 Day Hopper

We planned to do more parks but once inside
we decided to spend the day at Magic Kingdom
and do MGM Studios at night to see the lights

The Magic Kingdom is decorated very nice
As we entered we were greeted by lots of
Characters and we took tons of photos

Up Main Street towards the Cinerall`s Castle
We then went left towards Adventure Land
and stopped for a yummy dole whip

Onward to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The sign said "50 minute" wait
This ride is fun but a little bumpy

We had lunch at Peco Bills in Frontierland

Then we watched the Christmas Parade
in front of Country Bear Jamboree Theatre
It was very beautiful and colorful

Afterwards we went inside to see the
Country Bear Christmas Show (15 minutes)

We rode on the Liberty Square Riverboat
and then went over to the Haunted Mansion
One of our favorites (really long line)

We did Peter Pans Flight Ride and walked
by the Castle and back out Main Street

We took the Walt Disney World Railroad Train
around the park and when we got off the train
it was time for the Christmas Tree Lighting
at 5:30 PM

It was just getting dark and when the lights
on the Christmas Tree and Main Street came on
It was just beautiful

We hated to leave the Magic Kingdom
but we wanted to go and have Dinner
at Coronado Springs Peppers Markets
and finish up the day at MGM Studios
Spectacular Christmas Light Display

It had been years since we went to MGM
to see the Christmas Light display

It was not real crowded at MGM and the
weather was not real cold - we took hundreds
of pictures - We closed up MGM Studios park
and came back to Bonnet Creek Resort and went
straight to bed. It was a really special way
to spend a Day during the Christmas Holidays

MGM Studios is just about a mile from Bonnet Creek

posted 12-24-2004 07:26               

Thanks for all the beautiful visuals. I was walking along with you......

I can't wait to see all your pictures when you get back.

Sure do wish I were there. But only 1 1/2 weeks til it is my turn.

posted 12-25-2004 02:57               

Today we visited Disney`s Beach Club Resort
It is beautifully decorated for the holidays

As we entered the main doorway we were greeted by the
Beach Club Resorts Doorman (with Disney Trading Pins)
You can tell by his actions that he loves working at Disney
He is a very special person and he is very friendly
He has lots of character and he treated everyone so nice

The first things we seen as we entered the lobby were
the beautiful Christmas Tree and Carousel Display

We then went over to check in at the restaurant
We only had to wait about 10 minutes for a large
booth (for four) in the center of the restaurant

Disney Character Breakfast
at Cape May Cafe Restaurant
in Disney`s Beach Club Resort

Is an all you can eat style Buffet
with everything from cereals, fresh fruits, donuts,
meats, to eggs and omelets cooked to order

We had our photos taken with
Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale

The buffet food was average and it was
fun to have the characters stop by and sit
with us while we had Christmas Eve Breakfast

Afterwards we went over to see the holiday
decorations at - Disney`s Boardwalk Resort

We took lots of photos to remember the day

posted 12-29-2004 18:30               

Last year we stayed until the 27th and probably won't do that again. Up until Christmas day the crowds were not too bad....but on the 26th...WOW! (Let the flood gates open)

We didn't go to the parks on the 26th last year...instead we drove over to Ormond to do the beach w/ the kids. The traffic coming back into Orlando that evening was as bad as I've seen it. It took us over 2 1/2 hours just to get from the edge of Orlando back down to the Lake Buena Vista area.

We ate a Chef Mickeys that night and most of the people we talked to said that the parks were packed. Our waitress said that two of the parks were full and closed by noon.

Anyway, enough of last year....this year was fantastic!!!!
It was our 10 year anniversary trip so we were w/out kids for the first time.....thus the reason we left the 23rd to get back for Christmas.

We ate sooo much great food on this trip.

One of our favorites was diner at Ohanas, over looking the lake and the castle at MK. The food was outstanding and the view was the best in the house.

We had lunch at Whispering Canyon's at the Wilderness Lodge...another two big thumbs up. The all you care to eat ribs, chicken and sausage were great!

We got to visit every Disney resort and hotel on the stay and took some great photos. Can't wait to go back.....which will be in June with the kiddies.

posted 12-30-2004 08:36            

A few observations I had that I thought I would share.

The parks and lines at WDW during Christmas week weren't as crowded as I thought they would be, regular line wait max I saw was 40 min. With fast passes we got in everything in less then 5 min. This is in contrast to my sister who is there this week (New Years) and said not only were the parks very crowded some lines were 2 hours long.

A definate must do is Donald's philarmagic 3-D, and the Tower of Terror.

Get your seat for the parades at least 1 hour prior to starting.

The Belz shopping outlet on International Drive was crazy on the day after Christmas. Took nearly an hour to drive about 2 miles.

Vistana has the best pools for kids I've ever seen at a resort. They have a magnifcant one foot pool that attaches to the regular pool with numerous fountains galore. It was a pleasure to finally let my daughter run around a large area in the water while I was able to relax on the deeper end and feel totally secure.

The weather was not bad but not great. We had a few days of high 70 degree weather, but two days of rain and one day in the 50's (brr in Florida).

The Character breakfast at Chef Mickey's is a must do every time, even if you don't have kids. As a matter of fact when we there a gentleman proposed to his fiance by taping the ring to the bottom of her chair. He had the waitress announce to the all guests that there was a special present under someones chair, so everyone especially the kids looked.

If you like seafood you can't beat the buffet at the Boston Lobster Feast.

And my last observation is with all the great outlet stores and restaurants, whatever you estimate your budget of spending to be, double it. I think I can now open my own Disney store.

posted 12-31-2004 05:54               

Just wanted to let you know that there are
Three (3) Hess Gasoline Station`s on Disney

1 Hess Station is located near Downtown Disney
2 Hess Station is located near Magic Kingdom

3 Hess Station is located near Disney Boardwalk
This station offers a $5.00 brushless car wash

We have been to all three stations and they are
very clean and offer a good selection of snacks
and several varieties of hot coffee(s) and soda

posted 12-31-2004 19:39               

Starting Monday, there was a noticable increase in the crowds every where we went. I was very glad that we had seen and done most of what we wanted to. Our annual passes expired 12/28, so we've been doing other things.

We have seen the Magic Kingdom reach capacity every day this week, I think. The Animal Kingdom was full on Tuesday. We drove around tonight and were surprised to see that Epcot and MGM appeared to still be open.

We wanted to go to a pin trading event at the Contemporary Resort, but they weren't allowing parking there because of the New Year's Eve parties. They were instructing guests to park at Epcot and take the monorail over. We elected to pass.

The weather has gone from dry to wet and cold to very pleasant. We wore longjohns a couple of days and still got cold in the evenings. A light jacket would be fine tonight.

posted 01-27-2005 07:26               

Christmas at Disney

posted 01-27-2005 14:40               

We are going again December 17-24 and staying at Disney's Beach Club Villas. Already counting the days. Maybe we can meet this year if you go the same time.

Becky