Walt Disney World

Sunday, 6th November 2016

Back to Walt Disney World for the end of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and the start of the Christmas season. After a long wait at Customs,  just made it to Epcot in time for my Soarin' Fastpass+.  This was my first experience of the updated version and it remains one of my favourite Disney attractions. 

Below: Meeting Baymax, Joy & Sadness at the Character Epcot Spot before heading back to the hotel.

The Monorail arrived at the TTC just in time to see the Electrical Water Pageant moving into place.

Monday, 7th November 2016

Long day at the Magic Kingdom! Kicking the day off with a visit to Princess Fairytale Hall before breakfast at Be Our Guest.  More on Elena of Avalor shortly.

Below: "The Princess Elena Royal Welcome" show.  View more photos here.

Below: Christmas layover on the Jingle Cruise.

Below: I've always loved the energy of Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party but was particularly looking forward to the latest incarnation featuring Judy and Nick from Zootopia!

Below: Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire debuted in Summer 2016, replacing Dream-along-with Mickey.  The new show shifts the focus to recent Disney classics, such as The Princess & the Frog, Tangled and Frozen.

As Fastpass+ wasn't being offered for the Festival of Fantasy Parade, I booked the dining package at Tony's Town Square to secure a reserved spot. Looking forward to seeing Disneyland Paris's version of the dragon in the parade debuting for the Resort's 25th Anniversary in March 2017.

Time for the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party of the year!  I had a ticket booked for the party on Friday as well so my plan for the evening was to take in the parade and fireworks, leaving my second party for characters (and free cookies). Having enjoyed the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Party on my last trip, it was an easy decision to skip the chaos of Main Street crowds and buy a ticket for the Wishes Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party, which also included a reserved viewing area for the parade.

Tuesday, 8th November 2016

A change of scene with a trip to Universal. As with my previous trip (but with much better weather) I was pleased with how much I managed to accomplish in one (relatively short day).  The only disappointment was Skull Island closing just as I got in line - and staying closed for the rest of the time I was there.

Lunch at the multi-award winning Mythos.

A quick bite to eat at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome was somewhat taken aback at the lack of chocolate in my meal but graciously posed for a photo in any event.

Ending the day watching Wishes from the Polynesian.

Wednesday, 9th November 2016

Starting off the day at Hollywood Studios with some Meet & Greets!

The rest of my time at the park was pretty much filled with Star Wars - props and characters at the Launch Bay, March of the First Order and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away plus, of course, Star Tours.

Below: Doctor Strange character experience.

After a quick lunch at the Brown Derby Lounge, it was time for Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage.

I then caught a boat across to the Boardwalk to visit AbracadaBar and the recently refurbished Flying Fish, where I learned the sad lesson that bacon cocktails sound much more enticing than they actually taste! No such qualms about the wonderful Wagyu Filet Mignon though.

I finally rolled myself out the Flying Fish and headed for Epcot.  The line at the Frozen Meet & Greet was surprisingly short so I popped in to see Anna and Elsa - the Royal Sommerhus is a wonderfully themed location.

Capes can be very high maintenance.

Back to the Polynesian and the discovery I could (just about) see Wishes from my hotel room! Then finishing up the day with a visit to the Grand Floridian to visit the Gingerbread House.

Thursday, 10th November 2016

After a couple of short visits, it was time for my first full day at Epcot - and the chance to check out some of the International Food & Wine offerings.

The Ghirardelli exhibit inside the Festival Center featured some incredible chocolate displays.

I had totally forgotten that the Muppet Mobile Lab was making test appearances at Epcot, which only added to my delight when I wondered what a crowd had gathered to watch and realised it was this!

I'd brought Mickey and Minnie Tsum Tsum with me, my plan being to take photos of them in front of the main resort attractions.  That idea didn't really pan out. However, I'd taken photos of Minnie at the Character Spot and there was obviously going to be a bit of a gap before the family behind me reached her so I figured I'd get them out for a shot. Not the easiest things to handle with giant gloved hands but Minnie was quite the pro!

An early lunch at Le Cellier - quite unnecessary with all the Festival booths to choose from but I couldn't resist a return visit.

Finally time for the Frozen Ever After - and a relatively painless FastPass+ queue. 

More Meet & Greets.  

And food (and drink)!
Pictured below: Twinings Pumpkin Chai Tea and Caramel Shake (Ireland), Duck Confit with Creamy Polenta and Fire-roasted Salsa (Greenhouse Guru), Limoncello Spritzer (Italy) and Orange Slush (France).

Back at the Polynesian, having once again failed in scoring a reservation at 'Ohana, I headed for the Tambu Lounge where I could at least indulge in the 'Ohana Bread Pudding.

Below: Holiday Wishes viewed from the beach at the Polynesian.

Friday, 11th November 2016

7am opening with Extra Magic Hours - perfect time to visit Princess Fairytale Hall and to risk the regular line at Peter Pan's Flight so I could check out the interactive queue.

An unexpected farewell leaving it's a small world!

I see you, Pascal!

Fortunately, I was walking through Liberty Square at the right time to catch The Muppets Present...Great Moments in American History.  View more photos and a video of one of the shows here.

Typical Chip & Dale hi-jinks in Frontierland.

Filming was taking place for the Disney Christmas specials.  Pictured below are Sofia Carson and Cameron Boyce, who star in The Descendants. I managed to find a spot on Main Street to wait to see some filming but as I had a lunch reservation at Disney Springs, common sense prevailed and I left before it began - which was just as well as I'd completely overlooked the fact that the new direct buses from the Parks to Disney Springs didn't start running until later in the day.

Fortunately I made it to Disney Springs in good time and was able to head to Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar for a drink before lunch.  One of my biggest holiday planning dilemmas was narrowing down which new restaurant to try.  It seemed every time I made a decision, a new venue opened!

I finally settled on Chef Art Smith's Homecoming.  No regrets there!  As the servers were happily pointing out, Chef Art was in the restaurant that day filming an interview.

Below: The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail.  View more photos here.

Back to the Magic Kingdom for another Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This time I was going to focus on characters and priority number one was meeting the Seven Dwarfs!

Needless to say Main Street was absolutely packed but somehow I managed to get to the front to watch A Frozen Holiday Wish.

The Royal Couples - probably the slowest line of the night but pleased with the results!

If you're waiting for Holiday Wishes, might as well wait with Mary Poppins and Bert.

12.00 am performance of Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration. Wonderful projections on Cinderella Castle during this show.

Saturday, 12th November 2016

Off to Animal Kingdom.  I had a FastPass+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris but took an extra ride on entering the park as there was no line yet.  Someone was creating enough of a ruckus to wake the cheetahs.

Below: Finding Nemo - The Musical.  View more photos here.

More filming taking place for the Holiday specials.  Pictured below, China Anne McClain.

Fabulous lunch at Tiffins and such a gorgeous themed restaurant. Loved the extra touch of the complimentary Joe Rohde print at the end of the meal.

My first time meeting Tarzan and Terk! Those other guys?  We go way back!

Back to Disney Springs in the evening for dinner at Frontera Cocina.

Sunday, 13th November 2016

Back to the Magic Kingdom for my last morning. In the week of the Presidential Election, it seemed appropriate to visit the Hall of Presidents.

Catching the ferry across to the TTC and on to Epcot.  Just enough time to indulge in a few more snacks at the Food & Wine Festival, including what turned out to be my favourite, Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans and Tomato (Brazil) accompanied by Frozen Caipirinha.

Back to the Polynesian and time to use that final snack credit which I'd been saving for a Dole Whip! Not the worst way to end another wonderful Disney vacation.