Christmas fun!

Christmas turned out to be a "hoot!" Several of our local celebrants felt is was best to take advantage of the season to "let their hair down!" Pat and Darlene were the hit of the Christmas Dinner!!

Well, it's difficult to keep a good reindeer down. Before you knew it their spirit was matched by Carl and Jackie...

Carl worked on his smile for this photo op! As you can tell, his idol just happens to be the Grinch!

Not just anyone can wear a costume like these.

But, speaking of costumes...

We managed to find someone who can really wear a costume...

This rather unassuming "vine" happens to be ...

"The Grape Vine Lady"

She is a unique "performing artist" in Disney's Animal Kingdom. She is a delight to watch as she "walks" among the guest and then literally disappears into the flora.

She moves effortlessly and is incredibly flexible...

Can you figure out where her head is? She has two arms and one leg on the ground. Her other leg is reaching upward!

But, there's alway one Disney Costume you can easily make out...

Have a Happy New Year!

No time for sitting!

We packed up and headed out to WDW to share in Darlene and Buzz' first day in the Parks with their first annual Disney pass.

First the "obligatory" photo...

After a day of "park hopping" and "drawing class," we thought we'd take in a real change of scenery and head for a night of seasonal fanfare at Celebration. The center of town is blocked off for ice skating, caroling and "snow!" On the hour it would "snow" on the kids (young and old) who made their way onto the "snow" covered street for a chance to kick up their heels in several inches of the "fluffy" stuff and make a "snowball" or two!

There's something to be said about frolicking in "snow" in shorts, flip-flops and tee-shirts!

We just had to get back to "reality." So, we headed back to WDW! This time, six of us took advantage of a cloudy, comfortable day to explore EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Twelve hours later the couple we thought might tire out were going strong! The rest of us were beginning to dream of "sugar plumb fairies."

Josie and Charlie trudged about the parks like they were kids!

We glided like eagles in "Soarin" and the "kids" beat a "Fast Pass" to "Fast Track!"

Speeding by in the front (as you sit in the car) center and left seats are Darlene and Buzz and in the rear seat center and left is Charile and Josie.

We left the park for lunch and planned to meet in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Buzz and I headed back to walk their dog "Winston."

While waiting for us, Darlene invited Pat, Josie and Charlie to try their hand at Disney Art. They were all successful and proudly showed us their very own "Pooh Bear!" We squeezed in a segment of "American Idol" and by then it was dark enough to experience the amazing "Osborne Family Christmas Light Show."

We watched in awe as the five million lights "danced" to music in a grand spectacle.

From there we made a "bee-line" back to EPCOT for coffees and almond encrusted sweet pretzles in Norway to wait for the grand finale... "IllumiNations!"

BUT, first, we needed a diversion. Something relaxing... so we headed for "Spaceship Earth" for a virtual "get-a-way!" We let our "time machine" "take us away."

Pat and I planned a "get-a-way" in our very own "time machine" to an under water dream world!

Disney spares no expence to see to it that all your creature comforts are satisfied as you travel about the parks!

Pat and I jet-setted our way to a "blue lagoon" for an underwater experience of a lifetime!

IllumiNations is especially spectacular during the Christmas Season. Disney tacks on a special holiday tribute to all with a fireworks grand finale like none other. It literally takes your breath away.

Our walk back to our cars was a lot slower than it was twelve hours earlier, but we all agreed, we had a great day, did many more attractions/activities than we thought we would and that we'd do it all again... soon!

Around the "World!"

We headed for the Magic Kingdom with our friends, Darlene and Buzz to be part of the crowd for the WDW Christmas Day Parade. We got quite a lesson on what it takes to make a production for an hour (or two) television program. First off, you know there will be entertainers there along with all the people who want there 15 minutes of fame (like us)!
There were camera crews and equipment set up in front of Cinderella's Castle along with a screaming mass of (mostly young) people. We managed to talk to a fellow Cast Member to find out who's on stage and what's all this stuff about taping the Christmas Parade.  Well, here's who was on stage...

I know you really have to look to figure out who the entertainer is. He's the one in the black vest/white shirt in the center of the photo. It's American Idol's Chris Allen! We got there late in his taping but it was all kind of surreal as we bagan to realize the scope of taping the Christmas Parade.

To boot we found out Celine Dion was to be there the next day. We were literally blown away when we heard her name! To make a long story short, we missed her due to the "rain clause" high profile entertainers have in their contracts. Due to rain, her segment was taped the day we were in the park at the Grand Floridian Resort. We were oridinally told Celine Dion was to tape on Sunday! Yep, we got up real early and headed to the Magic Kingdom to see Celine!!! You know how that turned out! We didn't know she had already come and gone! Well, we made the best of it. Darlene, Buzz, Pat and I hit a few attractions, a few stores and Buzz and I checked out another group to be part of the Christmas Day Parade...

The Jonas Brothers!

That was cool! Buzz and I stood near the crowd as the film/audio staff plotted out their taping. For over twenty minutes, Buzz and I watched as the crew tried to get a group segment taped. The entire process can be quite taxing and time consuming and not as glamorous as you might think. The Christmas Day Parade will be taped in sections over a number of days. The finished product truly is "Magical" when you see what it takes to put it all together.

We headed for "Sweet Tomatoes" for lunch. We know Bill and Angela have enjoyed a lunch or two at "Sweet Tomatoes" and many of you may not have heard of this restaurant. To save time, I'll let their web site speak for itself! http://www.souplantation.com/ The place is great! The originial store is based in CA and goes by the name, "SoupPlantation." Other stores in the southern states are called "Sweet Tomatoes." Their 55' salad bar is incredible. Add to that their soups breads and ice cream... is ALL YOU CAN EAT!

Well, now we had to walk off lunch. We pointed our HHR toward Disney's Hollywood Studios. Darlene, couldn't wait to take us to the Hollywood Studios Animation class. Pat and I never new about this super, out of the way fun place. We waited our turn to enter an art studio and draw our very own Disney Character.

Above, Darlene and Buzz waited impatiently for the instructor to begin our class to draw "Pluto!"

We were like little kids. We had our own drawing board (shaped like Mickey of course) and an eraserless pencil. Yep, NO erasers, and only one piece of paper! After our first class, we headed out to catch the music of "Mulch Sweat and Shears."

After some great music and laughs we headed back to the drawing board! We had to do another drawing.

This time we got a choice of characters... we opted for "Minnie."

And here is how they turned out...

Yep, these are our "works of art!"

Twelve hours later we made our way out of the park and headed for some rest. I'll leave you with several uniquely serene photos... Downtown Disney at 7:30a.m....

Till next time!

Decorations!

The Thanksgiving Day decorations are packed away and the Christmas decorations are taking their place.
On our weekly bike ride we had to stop at the most decorated corner in the Fort Wilderness Campground. If you've been to Fort Wilderness during any big holiday you've more than likely passed by this and other impressive selections of Disney decorations. As near as we can tell, the campers parked in the two corner sites either haul the massive display in a trailer behind their camper or store it all in a rental unit close by. Surely, there's simply not enough space in their campers to carry it with them!

Our first photo of our group gives you an idea of the layout of the street corner. We were awe struck and amazed by the shear number of lawn ornaments, inflatable Disney Characters and animated decorations spread out before our eyes.

Here's one corner...

Here's another corner...

...and here's part of the same corner...

It's plain to see, there are a lot of serious Disney fans spending the Holidays at Fort Wilderness! Every loop of the park is a treat to explore and take in the creative camping layouts that anyone who spends a vacation in Fort Wilderness is proud to display. Some like to take it to the "next level!"

As you would expect Disney has a way of celebrating Christmas in a big way as well...

This is the Christmas tree in the Fort Wilderness Lodge.

Well, we finished off our ten mile bike ride, where else but, at "The Wave" Restaurant in the Contemporary Resort. What can I say, we exercise and then "reward" ourselves for being good! It makes sense to us!

Merry Christmas until next time, Dave and Pat!