Hanging with Earl the Squirrel and The Grinch. A Christmas TR! PTR info 2/21*

[disneyAndi14]

I found the first one in the big store and moved out to all the stores on the map in IOA. Once I finished in this park I headed out to US.
I had to stop at the Toothsome’s Emporium for the Nutcracker.

Jacques and Penelope were in the store and no one was around so I spent time talking with them about the Nutcracker March and solving the phrase. It was really fun visiting with them. Once I found my letter here I said goodbye and headed to US.

I started in Hollywood and went in the stores along this street. I really liked how nice the TMs were in each store and spent time talking with me. The park was not busy! I saw Tim Tracker getting his map to do the scavenger hunt. I followed him to the next store and also I was behind him to meet Earl the Squirrel. I didn’t say anything to Tim Tracker. I don’t watch him much anymore but years ago Andi and I would watch so many of his videos.

There was no one waiting to meet Earl except Tim and myself. Earl was really sweet and the TM taking pictures with my phone was awesome! I showed Earl my progress on the scavenger hunt.

I continued on and found all the Nutcrackers. These are some of my favorite ones! Monsters

Mummy,

Men in Black

Candy shop Nutcracker

A nice lady took my picture with Bruce, since Jaws is my favorite movie !

Here is the message, haha nothing to great but a really fun little game.

I decided to eat a late lunch at the Minion Cafe. I had the kids grilled cheese and Minion tots.

The picture isn’t great but the food was really good.

The grilled cheese had pimento cheese and cheddar in it.

I filled up my mug at the Coke Freestyle machine as well.

Minion Cafe does not offer a drink with a kid’s meal either, I see a theme here. Disney still does.

I decided to head back to the resort for a little break before coming back to watch the Macy’s Christmas Parade at US this evening.

Stay tuned for a wonderful parade with a perfect viewing spot!

Santa I know him!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Awwww!! Hopefully there will be a re-do opportunity soon.

I sure hope so! I would love to see you!

I saw the slices of cake- they are HUGE. Easily could be split and STILL have some leftover.

The cake slices are huge and $$$

I got these too and sadly they were very bland and not good at all. I tossed half of one of the two I got.

Bummer, mine was really good!

I was; it all ended up working out for the best as much as I missed seeing everyone this trip. Maybe another opportunity soon....?

Missed you

 

[mickey916]

I found the first one in the big store and moved out to all the stores on the map in IOA. Once I finished in this park I headed out to US.
I had to stop at the Toothsome’s Emporium for the Nutcracker.
View attachment 928320
Jacques and Penelope were in the store and no one was around so I spent time talking with them about the Nutcracker March and solving the phrase. It was really fun visiting with them. Once I found my letter here I said goodbye and headed to US.
View attachment 928319
I started in Hollywood and went in the stores along this street. I really liked how nice the TMs were in each store and spent time talking with me. The park was not busy! I saw Tim Tracker getting his map to do the scavenger hunt. I followed him to the next store and also I was behind him to meet Earl the Squirrel. I didn’t say anything to Tim Tracker. I don’t watch him much anymore but years ago Andi and I would watch so many of his videos.

There was no one waiting to meet Earl except Tim and myself. Earl was really sweet and the TM taking pictures with my phone was awesome! I showed Earl my progress on the scavenger hunt.
View attachment 928322
I continued on and found all the Nutcrackers. These are some of my favorite ones! Monsters
View attachment 928327
Mummy,
View attachment 928321
Men in Black
View attachment 928323
Candy shop Nutcracker
View attachment 928325
A nice lady took my picture with Bruce, since Jaws is my favorite movie !
View attachment 928328
Here is the message, haha nothing to great but a really fun little game.
View attachment 928324
I decided to eat a late lunch at the Minion Cafe. I had the kids grilled cheese and Minion tots.

The picture isn’t great but the food was really good.
View attachment 928326
The grilled cheese had pimento cheese and cheddar in it.

I filled up my mug at the Coke Freestyle machine as well.

Minion Cafe does not offer a drink with a kid’s meal either, I see a theme here. Disney still does.

I decided to head back to the resort for a little break before coming back to watch the Macy’s Christmas Parade at US this evening.

Stay tuned for a wonderful parade with a perfect viewing spot!

Santa I know him!

That Nutcracker scavenger hunt looks so fun! Now you've given me another reason to visit Universal during the holidays!

 

[pkondz]

Too kewl 4 skewl

My plan was to start with Spider-Man. I love this ride. It was a walk on.

Walk on?!?!

Bad news. Someone took a bite out of it.

I decided to ride King Kong next. This was one of the first times I walked the SB queue. It is a long one and really dark in there. I enjoyed the walk through, it was a complete walk on.

Another walk on?? Where was everybody??


Heh. At Disney.

It was like a pumpkin pie without any whipping cream,

I'll pass on that one.

I wanted to check out Suess Landing and this is when I saw the 200 minute wait for meeting the Grinch! Yikes what a long wait. No thanks, glad I met him already!

Bullet dodged!

I went on Cat in the Hat next. What a crazy little ride.

There was a word search to solve. Many of the stores have a Nutcracker in it and you find it and the highlighted letter with the Nutcracker to solve the puzzle

Sounds like fun.

Jacques and Penelope were in the store and no one was around so I spent time talking with them about the Nutcracker March and solving the phrase. It was really fun visiting with them.

Cool that you got them all to yourself.

I don’t watch him much anymore but years ago Andi and I would watch so many of his videos.

I don't know who he is?

I showed Earl my progress on the scavenger hunt.

Did he go nuts over your progress?

I continued on and found all the Nutcrackers. These are some of my favorite ones!

I like how they dressed them all differently. Never would've thought of doing that.

Jaws is my favorite movie !

Really!

The grilled cheese had pimento cheese and cheddar in it.

Hmmm... Not sure if I'd like that or not...

Santa I know him!

 

[Wood Nymph]

It looks like you were able to do a lot of things that weren't rides. It must have been nice to do whatever you wanted.

You influenced me to read Jaws by Peter Benchley and to watch the original Jaws movie. The biggest difference between the two versions was with the scientist, played by Richard Dreyfus in the movie. The character in the book was a very handsome guy who had an affair with the police chief's wife. He also died in the book, unlike Richard Dreyfus, who managed to survive.

 

[Steppesister]

I found the first one in the big store and moved out to all the stores on the map in IOA.

What a clever marketing tool to get people into the shops! Even if it is a fun pursuit!

The grilled cheese had pimento cheese and cheddar in it.

Now that's a fun spin the old standby sammie.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

What a fun day! I love the IDEA of a scavenger hunt but I hate doing them. I never do the ones at EPCOT. The one time Lindsey (the friend I go with a lot) decided to do one, I was bored out of my mind. It got to the point that I would just find a place to sit as we entered each country and let her go look by herself. Why am I this way?? Don't know. But it looks like fun and it sounds like you had a great time!

 

[disneyAndi14]

That Nutcracker scavenger hunt looks so fun! Now you've given me another reason to visit Universal during the holidays!

It really was fun and with low crowds I really had the TMs in the stores all to myself. I really enjoyed visiting with them and checking out all the different nutcrackers

Too kewl 4 skewl

Haha I hanging with the cool kids!

Another walk on?? Where was everybody??

Right? I believe the people were all over at WDW!

Cool that you got them all to yourself.

It really was, there wasn’t a soul around, usually I just see them farther away interacting with others!

Did he go nuts over your progress?

He sure did! He was impressed!

I like how they dressed them all differently. Never would've thought of doing that.

I did as well, it was fun to see all the different nutcrackers

Really

Yes! Jaws is my all time favorite movie EVER! I can recite the whole movie to you if you would like!

It looks like you were able to do a lot of things that weren't rides. It must have been nice to do whatever you wanted.

I enjoyed looking around and just taking in all the sites and sounds!

You influenced me to read Jaws by Peter Benchley and to watch the original Jaws movie. The biggest difference between the two versions was with the scientist, played by Richard Dreyfus in the movie. The character in the book was a very handsome guy who had an affair with the police chief's wife. He also died in the book, unlike Richard Dreyfus, who managed to survive.

I love the book almost as much as the movie! Such an excellent movie! Around our table when we play cards we all quote Jaws, haha

 

[disneyAndi14]

What a clever marketing tool to get people into the shops! Even if it is a fun pursuit!

It really was and because I was solving something and not just playing hide and seek I enjoyed more!

Now that's a fun spin the old standby sammie.

It was really good, the picture doesn’t do it justice!

What a fun day! I love the IDEA of a scavenger hunt but I hate doing them. I never do the ones at EPCOT. The one time Lindsey (the friend I go with a lot) decided to do one, I was bored out of my mind. It got to the point that I would just find a place to sit as we entered each country and let her go look by herself. Why am I this way?? Don't know. But it looks like fun and it sounds like you had a great time!

I really enjoyed myself! I think the scavenger hunts at USO are better because you are always solving a word search makes it more fun than just searching for Olaf, haha
I have never finished one at Disney! Thank goodness you get the prize no matter what!

 

[pkondz]

Haha I hanging with the cool kids!

He sure did! He was impressed!

We all are!

Yes! Jaws is my all time favorite movie EVER! I can recite the whole movie to you if you would like!

If we ever meet, I'll hold you to that.

 

[Mary Pops In]

My condolences on losing your Mom. Mine passed in May, and I, too miss her every day.

 

[disneyAndi14]

My condolences on losing your Mom. Mine passed in May, and I, too miss her every day.

Thank you so much and same to you!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Santa I know him!

I put my feet up for about 1 hour before heading back to USO. My plan was to ride ET before finding a spot for the parade. I went into the ride with a posted wait time of 15 minutes and once through the pre show I knew it wasn’t going to be 15 minutes! It was really backed up and tons of people just standing not moving at all. The ride was down, bummer! I didn’t want to miss the parade or get stuck on this side of the park while the parade was going on so I bailed.

I walked down Hollywood Blvd and found a perfect spot right on a corner with no one in front of me. It was a perfect spot right on the curb. I had a wonderful view of the parade!

I will let the pictures do the talking. I loved the live entertainment and floats! Everyone was so nice, coming up close and waving with big smiles!

Beginning of parade to the end!









Onto the next post with more parade pictures….

 

[disneyAndi14]

More Parade Pictures!

 

[disneyAndi14]

More parade pictures, it ended with Santa!





Once the parade was finished I was able to go the opposite direction and head to ET. I was able to ride ET and The Minions ride. The good one with Gru and the girls not the Villian con one.

I headed out to explore Citywalk and the Green and Red Coconut Club.





The nightclub was set up like a ski lodge and tree farm.

I didn’t get a drink just walked through the club. It was really cute in there with tons of Christmas decorations!

More club pictures……

 

[disneyAndi14]

More Club pictures.













Once I finished up at the club, I went to Vodoo donuts and got two donuts. The peanut butter, chocolate cookie one and my favorite the Vodoo doll with raspberry filling.

I headed back to my room and picked up two empanadas from the deli at SFR. These were really good and freshly made! I ate part of the gooey chocolate peanut butter donut for dessert! I organized my suitcase, watched some more Dateline (love that show) before heading to bed!

Tomorrow I would be heading to WDW for 4 nights. My plan was DS and AK!

Stay tuned for my final solo day before @suse66 arrives!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love the pictures of the parade and the nightclub. Universal Studios looks great with the Christmas decorations.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Every time I see a Minion, I immediately say "Banana!!!" So I am now walking around the theatre randomly yelling out "Banana!" and I blame you!! I love the Club. Disney needs something like that!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Hi Caroline! I’m all caught up with this report and also finished your fall trip with Andi and Kate. The three of you accomplished a ton on that trip and I’m jealous of all the tasty food and snacks you ate. Also, congratulations to Andi and Kate on their engagement and house!

Onto this trip…

Ooof, what a travel day! I’m sorry you had so many delays and issues. At least since you were traveling by yourself and didn’t have set plans like an ADR it was a bit less stressful - but still not fun.

But your next day sure turned it around! Your tour looked super fun and a short wait to meet the Grinch (and Max!) is far superior to a 200 minute (!) wait. I also love all your pictures of the parade and the lounge. The parks sure know how to deck out for the holidays!

 

[pkondz]

I put my feet up for about 1 hour

Where did you put them? Closet?

The ride was down, bummer!

Boo!

I walked down Hollywood Blvd and found a perfect spot right on a corner with no one in front of me.

Perfect!

Everyone was so nice, coming up close and waving with big smiles!

Wow! Love this.

But this...
Just... what? She looks like she's standing on a stool and her skirt fell off.

Little hard to see for sure, but... is that the Grinch???

The Minions ride. The good one with Gru and the girls not the Villian con one.

<sigh> Have no idea what you're talking about...
Some day!

I see something I'd like.

That Earl is an industrious critter!

Once I finished up at the club, I went to Vodoo donuts and got two donuts. The peanut butter, chocolate cookie one and my favorite the Vodoo doll with raspberry filling.

Mmmmm... yes to both of those.

I headed back to my room and picked up two empanadas from the deli at SFR. These were really good and freshly made!

Yum!

Stay tuned for my final solo day before @suse66 arrives!