Chapter 9C: An Evening of Enchantment (Tales from Three Resorts)
A Winter’s Walk 
As our hero embarked upon the pathway to Grand Floridian, the evening chill (a brisk 53°F destined to fall further) prompted philosophical musings about Elsa’s famous declaration regarding cold. The winds off Seven Seas Lagoon challenged even our protagonist’s northern constitution, leading to an internal debate worthy of Shakespeare: To fetch the hoodie from All-Star Music? To acquire a Spirit Jersey? Or to simply embrace the seasonal atmosphere?
The Grand Dame of Disney 
Such contemplations were swiftly forgotten upon entering the majestic Grand Floridian, where holiday splendor awaited at every turn:
- Magnificent Christmas trees adorned with Victorian elegance
- A master pianist filling the air with seasonal melodies
- An impromptu performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by a gifted guest
- The legendary gingerbread house, its aromatic presence warming both body and soul
A Monorail Adventure 
Warmed by the indoor respite, our hero ventured forth aboard the yellow monorail, continuing his grand tour of Disney’s finest establishments.
The Contemporary’s Contribution 
At this most modern of resorts, our protagonist discovered yet more holiday treasures:
- A spectacular gingerbread display
- A towering Christmas tree
- And, in a practical concession to the falling temperatures, a new zip-up hoodie that seemed destined to join our hero’s collection
The Final Leg 
Aboard the peach-hued monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center, then seamlessly transferring to the green line, our hero raced against time toward EPCOT’s closing moments.
A Festival’s Final Offerings 
With mere seconds before closure, our protagonist slipped into the “Favorites of Festivals Past” booth, becoming their final customer of the day. In true completionist fashion, he ordered nearly the entire menu:
- Reuben Croquettes - A masterful interpretation of the classic sandwich earning a full five stars
- Brown Sugar and Mustard-glazed Ham Sliders - Promising concept diminished by time-worn bread, two stars
- Bauducco® Panettone Holiday Trifle - A light, refreshing three-star dessert
- A flight of seasonal beers that, while interesting, proved challenging for our non-carbonation-inclined hero
An Evening at the Boardwalk 
After witnessing EPCOT’s nighttime spectacular from a strategic vantage point, our hero made his way to Jellyrolls, where dueling pianos and creative libations awaited:
The Liquid Arts 
- Banana Old Fashioned - A two-star interpretation of the classic
- Fireball Cranberry Sour - Another two-star attempt
- Rosy Peach - A disappointing one-star creation lacking its promised flavors
Musical Adventures 
Our hero’s eclectic song requests challenged even these seasoned performers:
- Some instantly recognized:
- “Africa” by Toto
- “Country Roads” by John Denver
- “Zombie” by The Cranberries
- Others requiring mid-show research:
- “Roller Coaster” by Blink-182
- “Born Too Late” by The Clarks
- And one remaining mystery:
- “Cowboy Boots” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (substituted with “Thrift Shop”)
As the crowd thinned from packed house to final six, our hero remained until the 1:30 AM conclusion, finally summoning a Lyft for the journey back to All-Star Music.
Questions That Beckon 
Will our hero’s northern constitution adapt to Florida’s version of winter? Might the dueling pianists master those challenging requests before his next visit? And what adventures await after such a late-night musical sojourn?
Stay tuned, dear readers, as our magical tale continues!