Trip #19 Goals--How Did We Do?

Goal 1:  Meet and greet with Santa!  It's the holidays and it wouldn't be complete without an audience with the festive guy in the red suit.  I've got 2 different plans to make this happen.  We'll see which one plans out.  And, you never know when magic will come our way in the form of pixie dust.

How did we do?  We crushed it!  On our arrival evening, we made our way to Disney's Hollywood Studios and there was a 20 minute wait for Santa so we hopped in line!  We could see the new holiday projection show on Tower of Terror from the line as well as hear the music and we even got snowed on!

The next day, Christmas Eve Day, we were at EPCOT.  I knew Santa and Mrs. Claus were greeting guests at the American Adventure Pavilion as times were in the Times Guide.  What we did not anticipate was the LONG wait (45 minutes), but it was worth it!

Goal 2:  Spend some time with another Williams Family who will also be making their way to Walt Disney World.  It wouldn't be the first time we've "bumped" into each other at Walt Disney World.

How did we do?  Whew hew!  We found each other at the entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The boys got to ride Star Tours together and we enjoyed Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!  We hope they had a magical trip!  (This isn't the first time we have bumped into each other in the middle of the magic.)

Goal 3:  Enjoying our family.  One of the things that keeps us returning to Walt Disney World is that it offers an escape from the hustle, bustle, and distraction of the rest of the world.  We get to enjoy each other.  I can feel it the moment we get in the car--the vacation bubble, and eventually the Disney bubble applies.

How did we do?  From my perspective we enjoyed many moments together and created new memories.  Like the guys posing in front of the Blues Brother at the House of Blues at Disney Springs and the husband and boy posing for a photo for the Photopass photographer--Selfie on a Speeder.  Together we laughed, smiled, and told stories.

Ryan and Us during Behind The Seeds Tour

Goal 4:  Try something new.  Our plans already have two new-to-us adventures as a part of our itinerary.  Anything else, is just a bonus!

How did we do?  Well, the Candlelight Processional is now a holiday must-do for us.  I don't have any photos, just video on my phone that I shared on Facebook--click here and it will take you to that post.
We even purchased an ornament to remind us of the Candlelight Processional.

The other "new to us" adventure was the Behind the Seeds Tour at EPCOT featuring the Living With The Land attraction at The Land Pavilion.  This 60-75minute tour was very good!  We now have another special tour under our belts.

We also ate at a new restaurant--The Wave--at The Contemporary Resort, which we enjoyed very much.  The grits are wonderful!  And, the refillable mimosas were good, too!

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar was a new-to-us destination at Disney Springs.  We ordered appetizers and drinks--which is what they serve--and enjoyed the ambiance, stories, and relics from the Indiana Jones movies.

Goal 5:  Spend time in or around water.  Whether this be a resort pool or a Disney water park, the goal will have been met.

How did we do?  While we didn't make it to a water park--only Typhoon Lagoon was open--we did have one afternoon by and in the pool for all of us and another afternoon poolside--not in the water but nearby.

Goal 6:   Have fun and make memories!  So many of our family's stories come from trips and experiences that I am hopeful we get to add another story to the memoirs.

How did we do?  Two thumbs up on this one!  See "Goal #3" for more of an update.  What's funny is that the guys are still playing out clown scenes from La Nouba!  We told the boy not to do that at school as no one would know what he was doing or what he meant. He agreed, but thought he could explain it to his friends.

Goal 7:  Catch the nighttime spectaculars at all four parks.  Three out of four are certainties.  We'll work at making it four out of four.

Christmas Eve was perfect for Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!

Then we took a boat to EPCOT for dinner and Illuminations!

We saw Star Wars Galactic Spectacular on our arrival night at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

How did we do?  100%!  Four out of four parks, but actually more than 100% as Hollywood Studios was offering two different fireworks shows--Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam AND Star Wars Galactic Specatacular!  We also say the New Year's Eve preview fireworks at Magic Kingdom as we had tickets for the Dessert Party, Illuminations at EPCOT with the holiday finale, and Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  We have now seen Rivers of Light three times and we're good for a while.

Goal 8:  Have some "lasts."  We have tickets for the last LaNouba performance EVER!  Flights of Wonder at Disney's Animal Kingdom has their last show on Dec. 31 so seeing if we can fit this in on our Animal Kingdom day.

How did we do?  Nailed it!  The last show of La Nouba was amazing.  We could feel the energy in the crowd as we watched audience members hug each other.  Many previous cast and crew returned for the last performance.  There were standing ovations throughout the show as various acts performed for the last time.  The last 20 minutes of the show was live-streamed. The countdown and balloon drop after the show, as it was New Year's Eve, was another fantastic Disney touch.  Receiving a commemorative pin was icing on the cake!

We also made it to Flights of Wonder at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  The boy was picked out of the audience to throw the grape in the air for the bird to catch and eat.  I got picked out of the audience to film the owl flying across the audience.  After the show, a fellow message board person approached me and said "hello" and that she knew me from the boards.  It was great to bump into her and her daughter!

Goal 9:  Stake out prospects for trip #20.  Yes, trip #20 is already on the books and by the time we return from trip #19, it will be just a few days until we make Fastpasses.

How did we do?  We picked up a few things.  We left room in our vacation to change plans whether it be touring or dining.  It's easy to do with the My Disney Experience app.

Still smiling and looking forward to the next amazing Walt Disney World Williams Family vacation!