Never Mind The Clever Title, Here's My Trip Report! December 2014 Solo Trip (Completed)

[PrincePluto]

Next, I headed over to Adventureland.

Next: Jingle Cruise

 

[PrincePluto]

I walked by the Jungle Cruise, and saw that the stand-by time was like 5 minutes, so I decided to go on it. Since it was the Christmas season, it was branded as the "Jingle Cruise", and the skipper's spiel had been adjusted accordingly. I don't know if the spiels are developed by imagineering, or if the skippers have some creative input, but I found the persona of our skipper (Jazz) very funny, but most of my fellow travelers did not seem to derive as much amusement; she had adopted a sort-of slacker persona, wearing a wool hat and Ray-Bans, and talking in a kind of bored monotone.

The boats had their names adjusted for the holiday season, in this example "Icicle" Irma.

"Jungle All The Way"

Annnd... Our cruise began!

All too soon, the cruise was over, and it was back to Adventureland, to do my Sorcerers adventure!

Next: "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" in Adventureland

 

[PrincePluto]

I walked into Adventureland, and randomly went to a "portal" for Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, and put the key card up to it, and it sent me to the location in a corner of the Tortuga Tavern. From here, I proceeded to play the game until I had beaten Scar.

I then passed The Magic Carpets of Aladdin:

I passed Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse on my way to get a Dole Whip, but in the end, I decided not to get one, as it was a little chilly. Later, when the day had warmed up some, I thought about getting one, but I was in the wrong section of the park and did not make a detour.

I decided to head over to Liberty Square, but found that part of the walkway had been roped off, in preparation for taping of portions of the Frozen Holiday Celebration broadcast for Christmas Day.

At that point, I was passing the dock for the Liberty Belle, and saw it was boarding, so I decided to embark. Remember, I am a Disney Transportation nerd!

Next: A Voyage Aboard the Liberty Belle

 

[PrincePluto]

At this point, we were approaching the dock again, so I made my way to the lower deck, and took some pictures of the machinery:

The boat docked, and we disembarked.

Next: Rapunzel restrooms

 

[PrincePluto]

I went over to the Haunted Mansion, and saw that the entrance was closed. I asked the nearest cast member how long it would be closed, thinking it might be related to the parade taping. However, she said it would be closed until December 20th. Oh, well...

I headed over towards Fantasyland, to take pictures of the Rapunzel restrooms. When I got over there, I could not believe how packed with people it was, compared to the rest of the park I had seen so far! I guess I had run into the mass of parkgoers who have a tendency to tour the park in a "counter-clockwise" manner.

I saw that the stand-by time for It's A Small World was not very long, so I decided to go on it next.

Next: It's A Small World

 

[PrincePluto]

"No Dancing!"

Next: Fantasyland

 

[PrincePluto]

I walked through Fantasyland, taking pictures as I went:

Prince Charming Regal Carousel:

Fantasyland atmosphere entertainment - I didn't really pay attention to this, so am not sure exactly who the woman in the blue cape is. It might be Belle, then again it might not...

I saw a line for pictures with Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit, so I got in line. When I was about 2 people away from the front, the cast member with her announced that she had to leave to be part of the taping of the Frozen Holiday Celebration taping, and would not be back that day. I didn't feel too upset, as I had gotten a picture with them a year before.

As *soon* as I heard that Alice was going away, I immediately made a break for the Teacup Ride line, as I saw there was no line, and I had a feeling that Alice's line was about to move that way. As it turned out, I got in to the ride on the very next loading.

Since I knew I was not going to get to ride the Seven Dwarves Mine Train, I decided to get some photos of the ride train going by:

The Stand-By time at Ariel's Grotto was 35 minutes:

The Stand-By time at Voyage of the Little Mermaid was 30 minutes. I had been on it in December 2013, and did not feel a pressing urge to wait 30 minutes to go on it again:

I saw a Photopass photographer in front of Ariel's castle, so I decided to get my picture taken, both on Memory Maker and with my camera. I will post all my Memory Maker pictures at the end of my trip report.

I had a hankerin' for a LeFoux's Brew, so I headed for Gaston's Tavern:

It sure was tasty! If I could find an easy-to-make approximation of the flavor of this drink, it would be my summer go-to beverage!

After paying for my drink, I went to the seating area to the right of the registers to enjoy it. Luckily, at the time I entered, a couple of tables had freed up. While I enjoyed my beverage, I took the time to take some pictures of my surroundings. Lots of antlers!

I saw that my FastPass+ for Buzz Lightyear was coming due, so I headed over to Tomorrowland.

Next: Tomorrowland

 

[darrenf67]

Great photos of the rapunzel area - I must take a better look in August. They don't do the haunted mansion holiday or small world holiday in Florida like they do in California?

 

[PrincePluto]

Great photos of the rapunzel area - I must take a better look in August. They don't do the haunted mansion holiday or small world holiday in Florida like they do in California?

I guess not The only place I saw a ride specifically decorated for the holidays was the "Jingle Cruise".

 

[PrincePluto]

Does anyone else notice some rather innapropriate (or maybe not) advertisements on this website, such as ads for Russian dating services? Or is it just me?

 

[PrincePluto]

I had a Fastpass+ appointment to keep with Emperor Zurg at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, so I headed past Tomorrowland Speedway.

Regrettably, I do not have any pictures of my Space Ranger Spin experience, with the exception of the one from Memory Maker, which will be posted at the end of my trip report with all the rest of my Memory Maker photos. I proceeded to rack up a thoroughly average score.

I then decided to go to Carousel of Progress, as I had not been here since my first trip to Disney World with my family in 1978.

We got stuck in the third scene for two segments, so I got to really know the tune "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow!"

As I came out of Carousel of Progress, I saw Stitch arriving, so I got my picture taken with him! I thought I had gotten a Photopass picture, too, but it is not on my Memory Maker pictures, so either I remember incorrectly, or something went wrong with the photographer's camera.

I thought this water fountain looked like the love child of a Dalek and R2-D2:

Rockettower Plaza Stage:

I decided to go on Tomorrowland Transit Authority (WEDWay Peoplemover) and found that half of Tomorrowland had the same idea as me; the wait time was actually longer than that of Astro Orbiters! I found out, when I got to the top of the ramp, that the reason for the long line was that they were running one train without any passengers.

I got a couple of decent photos of the City of Tomorrow:

Star Traders:

After getting off TTA, I headed over to Cosmic Ray's to get some lunch.

 

[PrincePluto]

I haven't been on the DISBoards in a while - not a big fan of the new format, but I guess like everything, I'll get used to it...

 

[PrincePluto]

I headed over to Cosmic Ray's, to get some lunch. It seemed that everyone else had the same idea, as it was really crowded. I bought a chicken sandwich meal, and after several minutes milling around, managed to find a 2-top table in the area around Sonny Eclipse. I sat down and enjoyed my meal.

After I finished my meal, I got up and got close to the stage and took a couple of pictures of Sonny Eclipse:

I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost time for my last Fastpass+ of the day, for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, so I headed over there.

I got on line, and noticed that the line had stopped moving. I heard from the cast member that the ride had broken down. I took a couple of pictures of the queue before I got off line.

I asked if I could use my Fastpass+ after the ride started up again, and the cast member said, sure, any time up till park closing, so I decided to head over to Tom Sawer's Island and hang out until the ride started up again.

I took the raft across, walked around the island and through the caves, then decided to sit on a rocking chair and relax for a while.

I saw after 45 minutes or so that they started running empty trains.

I started to head back over to the raft dock, and took a picture of the work being done on the grist mill:

I got on the FP+ line for BTMRR, and it was only a couple of minutes later that I was boarding the mine train for a fun ride through the Old West.

I then headed for the Frontierland Train station for a ride back to Main Street. The particular engine for the train I was on was the Walter E. Disney.

As the train pulled into the Main Street Station, I decided to take the monorail to the monorail resorts to take pictures of the Christmas decorations.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

read your previous reports joining in for this one

 

[rmom50]

I'm really enjoying your trip report! Thanks for all the great pictures too. I almost went the week you were there (I'm a solo traveler too), but opted for Halloween instead this year. Looking forward to more of your trip report - thanks!

 

[PrincePluto]

I'm really enjoying your trip report! Thanks for all the great pictures too. I almost went the week you were there (I'm a solo traveler too), but opted for Halloween instead this year. Looking forward to more of your trip report - thanks!

Glad you're enjoying it!

 

[PrincePluto]

read your previous reports joining in for this one

Hi again!

 

[PrincePluto]

I exited the Magic Kingdom, and took the resort monorail to the Contemporary Resort.

The gingerbread creation this year was inspired by the Mary Blair mural, as well as the movie Frozen:

There was a kiosk next to the gingerbread art that sold frozen inspired goodies:

I then went to the gift shop by the gingerbread sculpture, and it had all Frozen merchandise:

I then took some pictures of the various other areas of the atrium:

I then got back on the monorail, to head to the Polynesian Resort next.

 

[darrenf67]

Love the Contemporary - last visit I just sat and watched the monorail zoom through - we ate at Chef Mickeys too - great fun. Do you ever dine at the Disney restaurants?

 

[PrincePluto]

I occasionally dine at them, maybe once or twice a trip - when I have gone with my brothers' families and my nieces and nephews, I have tagged along at a couple of character dining experiences, including breakfast at 1900 Park Faire twice, and the princess dinner at Akershus back in 2008. When I am by myself, I do not do character meals, but I do like to go to the Biergarten; I did the Candlelight Processional dining package there in December 2013, and again on this trip. My report on it will be coming up in the next day (December 10) part of this report.

In terms of counter service, I play it by ear... I have eaten at Backlot Express several times, and have gotten snacks and beverages from all the classic counter service places, including, my favorite, a Dole Whip in Adventureland!

Edited to add: I have not gotten the hang of quoting messages in the new design of the site yet... I clicked Quote on the message above mine, but it did not bring up the text of the previous message in my reply. I did it successfully twice before, after the change, but this time I must have done something wrong...