Christmas Time

Last Friday we attended the installation of Milwaukie Chapter. Bryan was the Installing Officer, and will continue as acting Master Councilor next term.

Last Saturday we headed out to Forest Grove for the installation of Holbrook Masonic Lodge. Bryan and another DeMolay from Tigard, along with two squires, formed the Arch of Steel for the incoming Worshipful Master.

On Sunday, we helped Tigard Lodge with there annual Christmas event. In conjunction with the Community Partnership for Affordable Housing, the Lodge served dinner to about 100 people, then provided them with stockings full of toys, and a chance to see Santa. Tuesday night Tigard DeMolay put on the DeMolay degree, and today we helped Bend Lodge deliver Christmas meals to needy families.

Last Days

Sunday morning we slept in, then spent the afternoon in Epcot. We watched the American Adventure show, and Jennifer did some of the Kim Possible missions around the World Showcase. We then did a little wandering in Future World.Here's a closeup of the barge used for Illuminations. We headed back to our room for dinner. Monday was another cold day, so we spent the morning hanging out in the hotel.  In the afternoon, we headed into Epcot again.

For our last full day in Florida, we headed into the Magic Kingdom again. Jennifer and I rode Splash Mountain and, because it was so cold, had a boat all to ourselves. The next morning we packed up and headed to the airport for the flight home.

Magic Kingdom Redux

On Saturday we spent some more time at Animal Kingdom.

We had a late lunch at the Rainforest Cafe there.

We then returned to the hotel to swim, then went to Magic Kingdom.

While the kids rode Big Thunder, Susan and I watched the Electric Parade.

Magic Kingdom

Yesterday the kids hit Blizzard Beach again while Susan and I went into town to restock groceries. The Disney Water Parks are really well done, with lots of cool detail. There are two, but during the winter they only open one at a time.

We then headed to the Contemporary Resort for a DVC event. Jennifer had her Disney cookbook signed by the pastry chef for the Contemporary Resort.

After that we went into the Magic Kingdom for a few hours. During Christmas, Cinderella's Castle is covered in lights, and changes colors every few minutes.

We topped off the night with dinner at Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was a buffet featuring African cuisine, and was very good.

Epcot

Thursday we spent all day in Epcot. We ate lunch in the Germany pavilion, which I really enjoyed. It's a buffet, and guests sit at long tables that overlook a stage where traditional German entertainment is offered.

The monorail was decorated for the release of the new Tron movie.

We rode some rides and had our picture taken with the characters.

We looked at the shops in the World Showcase, then watched Illuminations, the big fireworks show, in front of the Japan pavilion.

Two Kingdoms

On Wednesday morning, Bryan and I headed into the Magic Kingdom for a few hours. We got there before opening, so we watched the opening ceremony.

We rode some of the rides in Tomorrowland and Frontierland, then headed out. A show was going on in front of Cinderella's Castle as we left.

We picked up Susan and Jennifer and went to Hollywood Studios, where we spent a few hours.

After dinner we went to extra magic hours at Animal Kingdom.

We watched the Lion King show and Jennifer and I rode Expedition Everest. The gift shop adjacent to the ride has lots of cool decorations, like the one above.

Downtown Disney & Epcot

Today we spent some time shopping at Downtown Disney, mostly at the World of Disney. This huge store, featuring all kinds of different Disney merchandise, has ceilings decorated with various characters in different flying contraptions. Afterwards, we watched Harry Potter 7 part 1 at the theater on the Westside of Downtown Disney.

After the movie we headed to Epcot. We did a few rides and admired the Christmas decorations.

Since we had last been to Epcot, it had added a new pizza parlor in the Italy pavilion, and enlarged the cantina outside the Mexico pavilion.

Contemporary Resort & Magic Kingdom

Yesterday we attended a DVC event at the lounge on top of Bay Lake Tower, a recent add-on to the Contemporary Resort. There were great views into the Magic Kingdom from the top of the tower. Here's the main building of the Contemporary Resort from the top of Bay Lake Tower. The monorail that connects the Magic Kingdom with the parking lot and several nearby hotels goes through the building. We did a little shopping there.

We then headed into the Magic Kingdom, where we spent a few hours. The Pooh ride had recently had its exterior and queue redone to make it more woodsy looking.

The Magic Kingdom was covered in Christmas decorations.

Epcot and Disney Studios

While the kids went to the Blizzard Beach water park, Susan and I hit Epcot.

The kids rejoined us for dinner at Morocco.

After dinner we headed to the Studios park for extra magic hours.

Kidani Village

Yesterday we headed to PDX to catch a flight to Orlando via Seattle. Unfortunately, our flight never arrived, so we were rebooked through Chicago. Two medium length redeye flights instead of one short then one long was definitely less than ideal, plus our seats were spread out over the planes, as the flights were crowded. We made it to Orlando about four hours after we were scheduled, and finally made it to Disneyworld, where we checked into the expansion of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village.

While not as grand as the main building of Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani has very nice rooms, about half of which have views of a "savannah" with animals roaming it. Our room had a view of the parking lot and entrance, but cost less.

Still, it was nicely decorated, with a separate bedroom, two bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a couch and chair that made into sleepers for the kids.

The resort was all decked out for Christmas.