🎄 Santa Goofy, Slip a Trip Report Under the Tree: A Holiday Tale

Chapter 9C: An Evening of Enchantment (Tales from Three Resorts)

A Winter’s Walk :crescent_moon:

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 :european_castle:

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 :steam_locomotive:

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 :christmas_tree:

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 :monorail:

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 :plate_with_cutlery:

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 :musical_keyboard:

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 :cocktail:

  • 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 :musical_note:

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 :thinking:

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! :sparkles:

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What does it look like?

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These are the important questions.

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Chapter 10A: Tales of Family and Adventure (A Late Morning at Animal Kingdom)

The Art of Balance :sunrise:

After the previous evening’s musical revelry, our hero once again embraced a leisurely morning awakening. However, this respite served a deeper purpose - a lengthy phone conversation with his dear mother revealed the delicate balance between adventure and familial duties. Though thoughts of abbreviating his magical sojourn briefly surfaced, the heart-to-heart discussion seemed to ease concerns on both sides.

A Sartorial Interlude :tshirt:

In response to queries about his recent acquisition, our hero documented his new Contemporary Resort hoodie - a sophisticated piece featuring intricate designs including a globe-styled Mickey silhouette and inspirational Walt Disney quotations. The garment proved both practical and aesthetically pleasing, embodying Disney’s signature attention to detail.


The Journey Begins Anew :bus:

Though our hero’s departure was briefly delayed by a forgotten charging cable (necessitating a return to his chambers), he soon found himself aboard a Pluto-adorned chariot bound for Animal Kingdom. The modern vessel, complete with its technological amenities, carried but our protagonist and a single family toward their afternoon adventures.

Into the Kingdom :lion:

Upon reaching the park’s threshold, our hero’s photographic arsenal predictably triggered the security sensors, though the guard recognized a kindred spirit well-versed in such inspections.

A Musical Welcome :musical_note:

The Merry Menagerie’s winter animal puppets provided a festive greeting, though our hero found himself particularly captivated by the unexpected combination of steel drums and electric fiddle providing the soundtrack to these whimsical creatures.


A Fortuitous Encounter :handshake:

While queuing for Kilimanjaro Safaris, fate smiled upon our hero as he encountered none other than fellow Liner @ParkRanger. Though the noble lions proved elusive during their expedition, the chance meeting added an extra touch of magic to the afternoon.






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Questions That Beckon :thinking:

What further adventures await in the prehistoric realm of DinoLand? Might our hero cross paths with more fellow Liners? And will the elusive lions make an appearance before day’s end?

Stay tuned, dear readers, as our tale continues! :sparkles:


Chapter 10B: Prehistoric Pursuits and Evening Enchantment

A Quest for Achievement :dart:

Having bid farewell to @ParkRanger, our hero ventured into DinoLand U.S.A. with a specific mission in mind - the completion of two elusive Touring Plans achievements that had thus far escaped his grasp.

The Final Frontier :carousel_horse:

First came TriceraTop Spin, a whimsical attraction our protagonist had somehow never experienced in all his previous expeditions. This inaugural flight secured the coveted “Chester and Hester” achievement for experiencing every attraction in this soon-to-be-extinct realm.




A Romantic Interlude :duck:

En route to his next objective, our hero happened upon a touching scene - Donald and Daisy Duck sharing a tender moment amidst the prehistoric surroundings.



Into the Time Machine :alarm_clock:

The quest for “Countdown to Extinction” - requiring five documented wait times for DINOSAUR - brought an unexpected reunion. Once again, @ParkRanger materialized, leading to playful accusations of stalking (though she admitted to being the one repeatedly seeking out our hero). Two journeys through time proved sufficient to secure this achievement, bringing our hero’s collection to completion.


Musical Interludes :musical_note:

Between adventures, our hero paused to appreciate the Viva Gaia Street Band, their rhythms adding a festive atmosphere to the prehistoric setting.



The Nomad’s Welcome :cocktail:

Fortune smiled upon our solitary traveler when, despite a full mobile wait list, he secured a coveted spot at Nomad Lounge’s bar. The evening’s offerings proved consistently exceptional:

  • The Tempting Tigress cocktail - A reliable five-star favorite
  • Tiffin’s Bread Service - Another perfect five-star creation
  • Cuban Frita Sliders - Completing the trifecta of five-star excellence






Before departing, our hero ensured recognition for his tired but dedicated bartender through a Cast Compliment, then concluded his visit with a Mustang Coffee for the road.

Nature’s Light Show :deciduous_tree:

As darkness fell, the Tree of Life awakened with its special holiday edition projections, providing a magical fifteen-minute display that bridged the gap between day and night.





@OBNurseNH

Questions That Beckon :thinking:

What adventures await at Port Orleans Riverside? Will the evening’s libations live up to Nomad Lounge’s high standards? And how many more achievements might our hero unlock before his journey’s end?

Stay tuned, dear readers, as our magical tale continues! :sparkles:

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Chapter 10C: Riverside Revelations (An Evening of Music and Memory)

A Southern Sojourn :european_castle:

Having bid farewell to the wonders of Animal Kingdom, our hero ventured forth to Port Orleans Riverside, where holiday magic awaited in a distinctly different form.

Though lacking the grandiose displays of its deluxe cousins, the resort’s decorations carried their own charm, perfectly complementing the rustic elegance of the surroundings.

A Pastoral Scene :racehorse:

In the gathering dusk, our hero discovered a most romantic sight - a horse-drawn carriage awaiting adventurous couples seeking moonlit tours of the grounds.


The River Roost Beckons :musical_note:

Drawn by the siren song of entertainment, our hero made his way to the River Roost Lounge, where the legendary “Yehaa Bob” Jackson held court.






Libations and Sustenance :cocktail:

Upon consulting with the wise bartender about the Holiday Fruitcake Old Fashioned (featuring Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey), our hero heeded the sage advice that this particular potion was “trying to be too many things at once.”

Instead, he opted for his traditional choice - the Smoked Turkey, though the first iteration proved somewhat imbalanced with excessive lemonade. Subsequent versions achieved perfection, restoring faith in this trusted companion.

The Evening’s Fare :plate_with_cutlery:

Two dishes graced our hero’s table throughout the evening:

  • Spinach and Artichoke Dip (Plant-based with Creamy Cashew “Cheese”) - While somewhat liquid in consistency, the flavors proved satisfactory, earning three stars

  • BBQ Wings - Alas, these failed to live up to memories of visits past, with their sauce suggesting more commercial origins than the house-made variety remembered. A mere two stars reflected this disappointment

A Magical Discovery :sparkles:

But lo! As the evening’s entertainment reached its peak, our hero’s gaze wandered to something utterly remarkable behind the bar - a collection of paper napkin roses, carefully preserved in a glass display! The sight stopped him mid-sip, for these weren’t just any paper roses…

Upon eager inquiry, the bartender revealed these delicate creations had graced their establishment for several months. Our hero’s heart nearly burst with joy as realization dawned - these were his very own handiwork from a July visit, when idle hands and creative spirit had transformed humble bar napkins into lasting works of art! To discover that his whimsical creations had not only survived but had been deemed worthy of permanent display… well, dear readers, your narrator confesses that few Disney moments have brought such unexpected delight! :rose::sparkles:

A Special Request to Fellow Adventurers: Dear Liners, should your travels bring you to River Roost, your narrator would be most grateful for word of these paper roses. Do they still grace their place of honor behind the bar? Your reports of their continued existence (or tragic demise) would be most appreciated! :rose:

The Journey Home :red_car:

When the time came to return to his temporary kingdom at All-Star Music, our hero discovered that the mystical Minnie Van service, though slightly pricier than its basic Lyft counterpart, offered the most expedient passage. The modest additional expense proved worthwhile for the swift and themed transportation.

Looking Ahead :sunrise:

As our hero settled in for the night, tomorrow’s adventures beckoned:

  • A sunrise journey to Topolino’s Terrace
  • The Magic Kingdom’s holiday splendor
  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Questions That Beckon :thinking:

Will our hero’s napkin roses continue their reign as permanent decor at River Roost? What characters might await at tomorrow’s breakfast? And how many cookies might one sample during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

Stay tuned, dear readers, as our magical tale continues! :sparkles:

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Your paper roses! Wow, what an honor! :face_holding_back_tears:

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How wonderful!! You had a conversation with the bartender about this? What did they think about meeting the sculptor??

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Wow! You should give these out to all liners you meet in the future :blush: So cool!

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Gorgeous!!

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Glad I’m off work today and had time to catch up on these most delightfully described adventures! How cool regarding your napkin roses!

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Okay, there must have been a breeze that blew some pixie dust into my eyes because :face_holding_back_tears::face_holding_back_tears::face_holding_back_tears:

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I must confess I have been narrating my morning to myself in your narrative style.

Trying to decide between Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Tower of Terror, she couldn’t resist the siren call of the Tower. Only to be tricked by this fickle mistress who disappointed her once again with an early entrance closure.

I promise I won’t do that for all my reporting, but it is a fun way to experience the parks!

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So true! We took one to MK for our early morning KTTK tour. There was a major traffic jam, so the driver took us through a back route. He even pointed out the spot where they launch the MK fireworks. In another experience, the driver dropping us at our room at Kidani Village dropped us at our respective stairwell inside the parking garage instead of dropping us at the lobby. He worked at AKL before becoming a driver, and his knowledge was invaluable. The Minnie Van drivers are good drivers, too. I budgeted for a few for my trip next month. I am ok with Uber in certain situations and short distances, but I have had some whose driving skills have been sus … :eyes:

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Oh that’s so fantastic! Also - what great paper roses you make! But I love that they kept them and that they’re behind the bar now. So cool

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Headless okapi!

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Wow! They kept your :rose: :rose:!

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Ok not the only one. :face_holding_back_tears:

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Thank you for providing a photo of the hoodie!
Congrats on your paper roses having a place of honor!

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The roses!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Was this Wednesday with extra magic hours? I’m assuming they ran them before extra magic hours started?

My favorite. :heart_eyes:

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@gMagicScott…will there be more tales dear hero?

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I love that you took photos with him!

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