The plan today was to catch the parades at the magic kingdom as we had missed those whilst being in hospital earlier in the week, and today was the start of the christmas crowds so we didn't expect to be able to get much else done.
We left the hotel at 9am and headed to the Waldorf to collect Danielle and Scott to go for some breakfast. We decided on the Perkins by crossroads and it was a good as we remembered having not managed to get to Perkins before today. Had to have fried eggs so went for the Tremendous Twelve (4 Bacon, 3 Eggs, Hash browns and 4 Pancakes) even with my appetite had to leave half the pancakes as it was just too much food. And we chatted and drank juice and coffee for an hour or two. In fact it was almost 11:30 when we dropped them back at the Waldorf. We finally made it in to the lobby and was very impressed but it was quiet, yes it was midday and the parks were open, but even so not sure many people are using this resort yet.
As we had bought so much stuff, we headed back to the Staybridge to check that we had enough luggage as Celia had her eye on a nice Tumi suitcase if we need one, but luckly we had enough luggage space (just) and it look like if we don't buy much today/tomorrow we will be ok for the flight.
We left the hotel again arround 2pm, and decided to try a different route to the Magic Kingdom, we headed down Winter Garden Vineland Road turning onto Disney property on Vista Boulevard, which is a back door as there is no sign that you are now on Disney property compared to the large gates on the more used entrance ways.
Driving down Vista Blvd we pass the new Golden Oaks development and Fort Wilderness before finding ourselves in the Magic Kingdom Resorts 1 way system, but just as we think we are going to be forced back down world drive, we find a sneeky left turn and head back into the car parks without ever having gone through the ticket gates so never asked to pay, so with that result we park in Sneezy in the shadow of the Speedway, so for the first time we actual do take the tram to the TTC and then as we are in no rush today, we walk to the boat dock just watching the Admiral Joe Fowler pull way, but we also see that another boat is about to dock so we wait.
The General Joe Potter takes us across the seven seas Lagoon, and we so find ourselves at the gates to the Magic Kingdom.
As we have finally got a warm day and the car is so far away at the Magic Kingdom, we hire a locker and put our jackets, some bags and the tripod in the locker for later and head into Town Square. I go to see if I have time to get a haircut before the Christmas parade , but the barbers is busy and come 2:30 more people arrive with reservations, so I go out and join Celia on the kerb to wait for the Christmas parade, and we both comment on how much busier this park is that even Epcot was yesterday.
Come 3:20 the parade finally gets to the Town Square.
Once the parade came to an end, with hunger starting to return as although we had been at Perkins for a while, we did finish eating way before then. We headed up Main Street in search of food, We had received a voucher attached to the Times Guide for 30% if we ate between 3pm and 4:30 (which was was now) at various locations including the Tomorrowland Terrace which we decided to go for. We got there to find that it was mobbed, probably due to the voucher helping to spread out eating lunch from the normal times till now. But after a 10 min wait we ordered, a Burger for me, with fries, Chocolate milk and a bottle of water, and a Citrus Salad for Celia, who got the better of the deal as the burger was poor but the salad got a thumbs up.
Even though the terrace was crowded Disney had decided to close the lowest terrace to get ready for the desert party so finding a table was chaotic at best, but finally we managed to share a large table with another group and were able to eat.
I have almost finished them now and must say that they are all good in different ways, the Pumpkin is probably the most different, but is spicy and I think (having never had it) the flavour of Pumpkin Pie.
With these purchased and the park still heaving, we dropped the fudge off into the locker and took a boat to the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread house. Which is larger that i had in my head, especially as I didn't realise that they sold the smaller items from a window in the actual house.
Completing a wander of the Grand Floridian we took a walk down the path to the Polynesian, stumbling across a Wedding that was coming to an end at the Wedding pavilion. We also spotted an Otter in the seven sea's lagoon as we got to the Polynesian but by this time the Sun had set and it was impossible to get a good shot of the otter.
Once at the poly we headed onto the Monorail and went back to the Magic Kingdom, having remembered that we had not done the Railway and also wanting to get our coats. We got back to the Magic Kingdom and headed up to the train station, as we relised that it was less than 24 hours till we would fly home I got out the mobile and checked us in via the BA mobile site.There was a worry as i had not quiet completed the routine as the Train came into the station and we were able to board. But time was good for us and we got the confirmation that we were all checked in as the conductor called "All Aboard" and we were off for a lap of the Magic Kingdom, from the ride it was easy to see that the crowds were bad, with even a large queue for Splash mountain even with the temptutures being in the Single digits (in C).
I did have a slight regret as we passed by Toontown as it will be gone by the time we return, but as we saw the crowds from the Station there was no feeling to get off the train. We completed our loop and headed back out the park and the walk to the Contemporary.
The walk is well signposted and quicker that queuing for a monorail.
We had an ADR for the Wave at 7:40 but it was nearer to 7:20 when we tried to checked in, where we saw a cast member with the name badge....
We were warned that it could be while to get a table to Celia headed up to the Concourse level to see if she could find that Sweatshirt, but just a minute or two after she had gone, we were buzzed and I had delay the table till she got back. The Food at the Wave was delicious and just the right size. The portions were not as large as they were definalty going for Quality over Quantity. Again the Chef came out to help discuss the menu with Celia over her dietry requirements and an agreement on what could be ordered. Almost as soon as the Chef went away the Waitress brought out the bread (including 2 Tapioca rolls for Celia) and after mentioning that she also could not have butter, the waitress offered to get some olive oil for dipping instead.
I went for the Black bean chilli to start which was warming hot rather than a searing heat and I could quite happily had a large bowl of this as a full meal, but the small dish and muffin were a great size for a starter. Celia began with a modified version of the pan seared Sea Scallops, which were juicy and flavourful. We both commented at that time that this was a great last meal and we would be back (assuming at that time that the rest of the meal would be as good).
The mains were Apple Brined Pork Tenderloin for me and Chili-rubbed Flat Iron Steak for Celia, and these were as good as the starters.
I can't repeat enough that the Wave is great resturant and happy to sugest that you all book this on a visit (unless we are also heading to WDW so that we can still get a booking, I can't believe that we managed to book this just a couple of days ago)
We paid up and headed back to the Magic Kingdom expecting to arrive as the first Electrical parade was gone, but as we got through the turnstiles we realised that the parade had not yet left Town Square, so we hung back and cleared out the locker and got the deposit back.
So when we finally went into Town Square we saw the parade heading up Main Street and the park was absolutely heaving. To the extent that to get up main street Disney had opened up Back stage so we headed off though the gate between Exhibition hall and the Chapeau into the back stage area where we were guided to between the Plaza and Tomorrowland Terrace. As we got out there we got our first real view of Cinderella's castle in all its evening christmas glory.
As the parade had finally left the hub and headed into Liberty Square, the crowds started to head back down Main Street and we were able to sneak our way to the Castle side of the hub. The Crowds seemed even worst than during the daytime, but could have been just more people where in the hub, main Street area and not in the rest of the park.
At 10pm Holiday Wishes started and we were a little bit close to the castle to get a great view but we were also planing on watching the stage show.
Holiday Wishes is a great variant to wishes with the christmas music and the fireworks are great, my personal best bit was when the fireworks were launched on the castle.
After the show, we were able to move to more central to the stage, especially as the number of people in the park was diminishing quickly after Wishes.
As part of the holiday week on the Castle Stage they were showing Celebrate the Season. This is one of the shows from Mickey's Christmas Party that is shown in the Magic Kingdom during Holiday week. The Show is Classic Disney, with the Characters and Dancer's coming onto to stage and performing to music. The show is fun and entertaining and I always like Santa Goofy.
As soon as the show was over we were able to turn around and be at the Kerb for the Main Street Electrical Parade. Which after a few minutes the lights started to go off on Main street and we could start to see the floats heading our way.
I love the little bug vehicles that spin around
But my favourite float is Elliot (the Dragon from Pete's Dragon)
Once the parade had passed us by we headed to Adventureland to use the Fast Passes we had for Jungle Cruise. This gave the whole holiday a circular completion as it had started with the Weird Al Yankovic concert and his Song Skipper Dan (see Day 1). We ended up with Skipper Matthew from Brazil and even though English was not his first language his timing was great and played with the guests on the boat.
It was the perfect end to the trip, compared to the previous trip when the skipper was very poor, so with that and the fact that it was almost 12pm we decided to head home. Stopping briefly on Main Street as it started to Snow.
We left grabbed the Monorail and headed back to the TTC, the tram went out via Minnie etc, but at the furthest point it sneeked across the road and we were at Sneezy, We drove back via World Drive and the I4 and were back at the Staybridge by 1am. Setting an Alarm for 10am and having arranged earlier a late checkout, we had our last night's Sleep in Orlando
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