Day 8 Tuesday 12th December
Christmas Party Day. It was going to be a long one so no need to rise early. We started by walking across to Fantasia Gardens for the third round of our holiday challenge. Miniature Golf or as us Brits call it Crazy Golf (a much better name) is a regular on our UK seaside resort trips, so this was a must. Apparently our package allowed us to play free, I wish I had known this earlier! As ever this was a fun close fought competition which I won by 4 shots despite a terrible last hole. So I led the challenge 2-1.
Fantasia Gardens by
wdw1998, on Flickr
We returned to our room, changed and then headed for Magic Kingdom arriving in good time for our late lunch booking at The Liberty Tree. My wife made the mistake of opting for the Patriot's Platter, this was delicious but simply too much for her and she had to skip dessert.
Finishing lunch we crossed over to Tomorrowland for our Fastpass for Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. We love this particularly after my staring role in 2011
. I wasn't picked this time, but a good laugh anyway. With a bit of spare time we rode the PeopleMover and then the Carousel of Progress. This really is quite good and probably ignored by many as it's tucked away to one side. As you know my wife is not a coaster fan but had agreed to do the new 7 Dwarfs Mine Train having seen a video and been assured that Big Thunder Mountain was worse. Our Fastpass was for 5.30 just as the sun had gone. Her verdict "I thought I was going to die". My verdict an enjoyable coaster if a bit short. BTM still the best.
We collected our Party wristbands and ate a sandwich at Columbia Harbour House. Darkness had fallen and the projections everywhere change the atmosphere. We had a plan for the evening so it was time to see if it worked.
First off, Cookies at Pete's Silly sideshow, very nice, then Chocolate and Cider before heading to the Castle for Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration. Being the first show of the evening this was busy but we had a good spot. This is fun, almost sing a long, with some favourite holiday tunes and catchy new ones. We held our place as a lot of people did for Frozen Holiday Wish. A short show in which Elsa lights the Castle. However this meant that we were late to get a good spot for the Parade. We were near the top of Main Street. We had a good view but lighting was not that good for photography. A great parade with my personal highlight being the Toy Soldiers. These are something I have always wanted to see and was not disappointed. The choreography is good and of course the sound is fantastic as they march down Main Street, something you don't get from anything else.
Toy Soldiers by
wdw1998, on Flickr
We then headed for the Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show. I feel this is possibly missed by many with only about 250 to 300 in the audience. A fun amusing musical show featuring Buzz Lightyear and Stitch. We got some more Cookies and Hot Chocolate and watched the children dancing with the Polar Bears and Reindeer at Club Tinsel/Cosmic Ray's. So sureal, but the kids love it.
I have to say I tried a Snickerdoodle Cookie, sorry but it was awful
, I didn't get past the first bite. It went in the bin!
Back to the Castle for Holiday Wishes a spectacular firework display before grabbing some more Hot Chocolate then going further down Main Street for the Parade again. A better spot lighting wise but it was busier so not as good a view. Oh those Toy Soldiers again!
Most people went after the late parade so we popped back for a final challange on Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin. Once again my Wife beat me on this. So our holiday challenge ended all square at 2 each.
The park seemed to be emptying rapidly so we took up a great position for the 11:55 performance of Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration.
Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse by
wdw1998, on Flickr
At quarter past midnight the show and party was over so we dragged our tired legs to the bus back to the Yacht Club
Was it worth it?
You bet it was!