Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Day 7 – Magic Kingdom Mayhem – Pop Warner + Parade filming = unpleasant MK Although originally we were interested in seeing the filming of the Christmas Parade, we found out that they virtually cast the audience and there is a lot of waiting around (not cool with a couple of little ones). We had very difficult to come by reservations in the Liberty Tree Tavern for an early dinner. Being exhausted, we decided to enjoy our resort in the morning. After a lazy start and slow breakfast at the Mara (where we met some other crazy Brits that travel to Disney parks around the globe!!!!), we enjoyed the pool as a family. Mikey loved it and didn’t want to leave. Jess, was too cold, and wanted to get out (it’s a shame, she normally loves swimming). We enjoyed the spa and then Mikey got a real kick out of the flamingos, and speaking with with African cast members. Getting back up to the room, the kids had a nap. The MK bus just pulled out as we arrived at the bus stop, so we hopped the next one to Epcot, using the Monorail and ferry to get to the MK for 3pm (unbelievable – we are normally rope drop people). The MK was heaving!!!! We wanted to get Jessica’s first haircut done, but there were over 15 parties in the queue at the barber shop. We shopped in the Emporium and then checked out the tip boards. Buzz at 90 mins – ouch, I thought this was supposed to be the quiet season!?!! The park was full of cheerleaders and football players, plus their families. We went to the Hall of Presidents. Dave was nervous as a patriotic American; he didn’t know how this would go down with his British MIL or the kids. Thankfully everyone loved it, and Nana even asked if the AA’s were real! It was a hit. After the show, we went to the Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner. It was great as always, the salad, Turkey, Ham and Prime Rib (though Dave found the beef salty), potatoes, stuffing, Mac n Cheese, and green beans (sorry Labuda, nothing special about these in our humble opinion). We had lashings of Birch Beer and Pink Lemonade. The Apple Cobbler was great too and we were stuffed. The character experience was excellent with Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale and Minnie. The kids (and adults) got a real kick out of it. A great meal experience. After dinner, we ventured over to the Haunted Mansion and met DLFAN79 who was a cast member there. It was a great surprise, and I wish we had time to talk longer – oh, well, next time. Barbara was disappointed compared to Paris, but Dave fell in love with the Leota grave stone – awesome. Sarah enjoyed her trip through the mansion, but we were disappointed with the number of people talking in the portrait chamber, one could barely hear it. After the Mansion, we found some good spots for Spectromagic in Liberty Square, where we were able to sit on a wall to enjoy it. This was a new experience for us as previous trips it was the Main Street Electrical Parade (our favourite). Dave has seen various versions of the MSEP through the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s at DL, WDW and DLP. And we have enjoyed Fantallusion at DLP. We had heard mixed reviews of this parade and were quite excited to make up our own minds. Well we loved it! Not as good as the MSEP but better than Fantallusion in our minds. Very enjoyable. From there, we made our way to the bridge from Liberty Square to Main Street and staked out a spot for the Wishes fireworks presentation. We had enjoyed this a number of times from our balcony, but not yet in the park. We thought we found a great spot with a clear view of the Castle. Sadly, most of our view was obscured by the trees and we could not move due to the people. After the parade, it was like being in a Salmon run – not great with little ones. Did I say this was the quiet season? It used to be, but not anymore. Stitch Encounter was a walk on. Sarah and Dave had to try it our after the poor reviews. While Dave missed Alien Encounter, Sarah most definitely did not. We liked it. The AA is awesome and the show is cute. The chilli dog smell when he burps is pretty gross though! Dave wanted to play some more, but the kids and nana were tired, so we high tailed it down Main Street. We watched about half of the 2nd Spectromagic Parade from Town Square and then tried to catch the bus before the crowds mounted up. We got to the bus stop as a bus pulled up, but it was too full for us to fit. 25 mins later another one pulled up and tried to load some disabled passengers. The wheelchair lift broke down, and finally another bus came about 15 minutes later to pick us up – gotta love the buses (not). On the bright side, while we waited, we were able to enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant. When we got back to the room there were two packages waiting for us – a treat pack from our LP Winter Bash Pal (kind of like a secret santa) to enjoy at the resort – thanks to tiggerdis and her elf for making it so magical. And our reveal gift. It was a wonderful surprise to come back to – we couldn’t believe it! Sadly, Mikey and Jess both had developed colds. We were up virtually all night screaming kids (after going to bed at 1 am). Thankfully the resort were able to supply some cough medicine! Bummer – it’s normally Sarah or Dave’s job to get sick on vacation, not the kids. Still though, it was a pretty cool day all around, even if we only managed 3 attractions.
Originally Posted By jazzfan4 Great Report sorry about the kids and the colds but that's life in the pond scum crowds. I started a cold before I left, but visited a doc to make sure it did not become bronchistis while there.
Originally Posted By jazzfan4 In retro-spect maybe going for the parade filming was a bad Idea and any park would have been better. I try to miss those type of events.
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ I was soooo freaked out that it may not make it there. Glad you enjoyed!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "In retro-spect maybe going for the parade filming was a bad Idea and any park would have been better. I try to miss those type of events." Agreed, but we made our Liberty Tree Tavern reservations about 4 months before the filming dates were announced, and there were no other convenient slots left. Also, this was the only date we were there that Spectromagic was scheduled where we could take it is without clashing with dinner reservations (the dining plan has really made getting reservations difficult, and the stupid MVMCP meant they hardly ran Spectro while we were there). So it was good to have Saturday as a rest day sort of speak.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo tiggerdis - there is no doubt you provided the spirit of Santa and Disney for us. Thank you for being such an awesome bash pal. It really was an amazing and unexpected treat! Thank you!!! XOXOXO
Originally Posted By wendebird OMG, they had birch beer at Liberty Tree Tavern?!?!? I can't get that in CA & totally miss it. Waaaaahhh. I'm sorry you encountered so many guests! We knew the MK would be busy that day due to the filming, so we went to AK. I also stayed clear away from the park that had EMH that day. Literally, we only needed FP for EE, BTMRR, TOT & RNRC the whole trip! I too had the same problems you did trying to see Spectromagic. We just couldn't fit it into our schedule. We weren't that disappointed though, we're not big parade people. So glad you got to see it though & you enjoyed it so much!
