Heidi's Family - December 2005

Day 1: Saturday - December 03, 2005

Cast: Heidi, Mom, and Dad. This was our 2nd trip as a family and my mom and I's third trip to WDW.

We flew Airtran out of Bloomington, IL. Checking in and getting through security was fairly easily as it seemed like not a lot of people were flying out of this airport.

The flight was pretty good and we were seated at the back of the plane on the flight down. Everyone was pretty smooth until we landed in Orlando. Our flight got in early and there was an eight year old child who cried for 40 minutes straight because his mother wouldn't give him a hug and both parents were telling him to shut up.

Tiffany Town Car was waiting for us when we arrived at baggage claim and quickly loaded our bags and we were off for Publix grocery stop and then to the hotel. We were staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. We had great rooms, 2145 and 2146 which were connecting rooms. I was really worried about not getting connecting rooms on the ground floor, but the staff was great about making sure the rooms were adjoining and meeting all our needs.

After unpacking and getting settled in, we headed to the boat dock to go to Downtown Disney for dinner. I had planned on taking pictures there on arrival day, but it was too dark to get good pictures and we did end up coming back at the end of the week to take them. I wasn't really hungry as I never am after flying, so my parents got a sandwich and drinks at Earl of Sandwich and then we headed back to the hotel for bed.

Best Thing: Tiffany Town Car and bypassing the long lines for the buses.

Worst Thing: a 40 minute crying kid and too dark to take pictures at DTD.

Day Two: Sunday - December 04, 2005

Slept in later than usual because it was Sunday and nothing was really planned until later in the day.

We ate breakfast in the room and then headed out to the buses for our day exploring hotels and seeing the Christmas decorations. We went to Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread House that was amazing. The bus driver didn't pull up to the curb in the right way and my mom twisted her foot getting off the bus which would haunt us for the majority of the rest of the trip. We then saw the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Polynesian.

We ate lunch at the Polynesian which had great burgers and fries. From there, we went to Magic Kingdom and my dad and I rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. My mom couldn't walk on her hurt foot so she got to ride in a wheelchair for the rest of the evening.

We then proceeded to Crystal Palace for dinner with Pooh and friends. The food was okay, but not the best selection, which was a bit disappointing.

After dinner, we headed out to Main Street by the castle to get our places for the Christmas Party show. We sent my dad to get a Fast Pass for Space Mountain and he ended up walking right on the ride and riding it.

The Christmas Party was definitely worth the price of the tickets. There was a show in front of the castle at 7 pm to begin the party and then we headed to the Galaxy Palace Theater to see the Mickey's Christmas show which was pretty good. Then we headed back to Main Street for the Christmas Parade that was definitely an amazing show. I can't wait until I get my pictures developed. After the parade, we stayed in our spots for the fireworks which were set to Christmas music and the snow on Main Street was a cute touch. We shopped for party merchandise and the special pin for the night. After all this, we headed back to the hotel for the night.

Best Thing: The hotels at Christmas, the Christmas Party

Worst Thing: Mom hurting her foot

Day 3: Monday - December 05, 2005

We again ate a leisurely breakfast and headed to Magic Kingdom, where my mom got a wheelchair again because her foot was hurting so badly.

We headed to Adventure Land where we saw the Tiki Bird show. I like the one at Disney Land much better than the one that they have here. Then it was onto the Pirates of the Caribbean which is one of my all time favorite rides. Then it was onto the Jungle Cruise which is still corny, but fun anyway.

We then headed over to the Country Bears show in Frontier Land. The Christmas Show is funny, but I like the original show much better here.

We then left Frontier Land and headed to Main Street to stake out our spot for the parade. The Share a Dream Come True parade is spectacular every time you see it. We then headed over to Liberty Tree Tavern for our 4:25 dinner reservations. The food gets better every time we eat here and the character interaction is great also. Our server was so great about making sure our glasses never were empty and that we had everything we needed.

After dinner, we rode the Haunted Mansion, which is another favorite ride and then onto the Hall of Presidents. After Liberty Square, it was back to Main Street to stake out spots for the Spectro Magic Parade.

The parade itself was amazing to see all the lights and different kinds of floats coming down Main Street, except I was basically pushed into the street by the Mexicans behind us. They arrived late and decided to push their way over everyone else and I pushed back and I know they were cursing me out in Spanish when I wouldn't move.

We then headed over to a spot in Liberty Square for the fireworks which are amazing as ever and no one was really crowding us out. Got lots of pics that I hope turn out.

After the fireworks, we shopped and headed back to the hotel for the night.

Best Thing: The Spectro Magic Parade which I've never seen before

Worst Thing: Mom's foot still hurting, Mexican's that were being pushy and rude