December in Disney World - Part 2

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Plan for the day:
Magic Kingdom with fastpasses for three rides

After coffee and a quick breakfast "at home", we head to the bus stop. We have just a short wait before we are on a bus to the Magic Kingdom. We have some time before our first fastpass so head towards the Swiss Family Treehouse. I suggest we check out the standby time at the Jingle Cruise. 5 minutes. Let's go. We had a lovely cruise thanks to Paige who was our very enthusiastic tour guide. While we're here, let's check out Pirates. Another 5 minute standby. Let's go! It's time for our Haunted Mansion fastpass so we head over for another wasted fastpass since the ride is literally a walkon. It's a Small World has a very short wait so we do that. We have fastpasses for Peter Pan - very worthwhile as the standby time is 70 minutes. Somewhere, we get a ride in on the Carousel and see Philharmagic. With time left before our last fastpass, I thought we might go on the Peoplemover. Oops! I guess I missed the memo that said this was down for refurbishment!! We wander a bit and then head to the Dwarves ride for our last fastpass - another worthwhile fastpass since standby here is at 70 minutes. In the midst of our Magic Kingdom touring, I made lunch reservations at Kona Cafe so we head over there via boat.

We start with pot stickers and then I have the Ahi Tuna sandwich while Gene has a burger topped with spicy fried shrimp. I had thought we'd hang out at our resort this afternoon but Gene wants to see the Magic Kingdom after dark.

So, after lunch, we decide to explore the other monorail resorts. A quick ride brings us to the Grand Floridian where we explore the shops and enjoy the decorations. Another quick monorail ride and we do the same at the Contemporary. Another monorail ride returns us to the Magic Kingdom.

We still have a while before sunset so go upstairs and take a complete circuit on the railroad. As we disembark, we realize they are about to begin the flag ceremony. Especially given recent events, it is very moving and I feel myself tear up a couple of times. We wander through the shops on Main Street and watch part of the Shake It Move It parade. Lights are beginning to come on so we take some pictures and head back down Main Street to the train station for some more picture taking. We decide to stay for the Castle Lighting ceremony. Once again, we walk the length of Main Street. The Castle is so pretty!! I happen to get a great shot of the castle all aglow and fireworks shooting off on both sides of the Castle!!

After this, we leave the park and head "home". We had thought about getting sandwiches and bringing them back to our room but neither one of is very hungry. We opt, instead to nibble on cheese and crackers and drink our bottle of Once Upon a Vine bubbly wine that we had purchased in Epcot the day before.

I have a quick tubby in the jetted tub and we share a piece of chocolate nut fudge we had purchased earlier in the day at the Magic Kingdom before heading to bed.

Another lovely day at Disney World!!!