Epcot Update

This afternoon we again visited Epcot. The work done to expand the International Gateway for the Skyliner is complete.

Since the old Starbucks next to the fountain in Future World was closed when construction began, they've added a temporary Starbucks location between the Showcase Plaza and the Canadian pavilion, next to the new bathrooms.

The demolition of the old Communicore/Innoventions West building in the center of Future World is ongoing.

Sea World Christmas Celebration

 

We visited Sea World twice in December. Early in the month we went in to pick up our free passholder ornament. We enjoyed seeing their decorations and sampling Christmas snacks. We are also enjoying trying the various places to eat with the All Season Dining plan.

 

Last night we went in again. Besides grabbing dinner, we walked the Rudolph the Red - Nosed Raindeer trail and checked out some of the live entertainment.

 

 We also watched the trees on the lake change colors to music.

The kids went to Universal on Christmas Eve. Jenn also spent an evening at Magic Kingdom enjoying the Christmas parade.

Across the South

Sunday we stopped in El Paso Texas and spent a few hours at the Chamizal National Memorial on the border with Mexico, learning the history of the border there.

When we reached the junction with I-20, we turned northeast and drove to Fort Worth, where we spent a few hours visiting Bryan Monday evening. 

We then continued across Texas to Louisiana, and stopped at the Cane River Creole National Historic Park, where we learned about plantation life in central Louisiana. We stayed the night in Sidell.

Yesterday we made our way across Mississippi and into Alabama. We stopped to walk around the Bass Pro shop in Spanish Fort Alabama and at the nearby Buc-ee's. Shortly thereafter we entered Florida. 

We were still a few hours from home when the tire on our U-Haul trailer came apart. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long until someone came out and replaced it. After this trip and the one in November I have driven across the U.S. fifteen times.

Winter at Disney World

After Thanksgiving, the Christmas decorations went up, and Epcot switched to the Festival of Holidays. Like other Epcot festivals, there were booths around the World Showcase selling “holiday” food and drinks, as well as special holiday entertainment.  

 

We went into the park early in December to enjoy the festival. We also checked out the new Epcot Experience in the Odyssey building, which gives a glimpse of what is coming soon to Epcot.

Jenn and I also spent some time in the Magic Kingdom, to see the holiday decorations and special entertainment.

On Sunday Jennifer and Susan flew out to Portland to take care of a few things and visit the University of Portland. I came out a couple days later, then we drove to Bend and loaded up a U-Haul trailer with stuff. We drove down through California to I-10, then turned east.

Sesame Street Land at Sea World

Earlier this year, Sea World had reopened its kid area up with a new Sesame Street theme. In the fall, they announced an all Season Dining Plan, so we renewed our passes and purchased the plan.

We visited twice this month, mostly to enjoy the Christmas Celebration but also to check out the new area and watch the parade. Jenn knew a girl performing in it. Last week just Susan, Jenn, and I went, and we ate at Voyager's Smokehouse.

Monday we spent an evening at the Universal parks, checking out the holiday decorations there. We ate at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmead, then took the train to Diagon Alley.

Last night we returned to Sea World. Bryan was out for Thanksgiving, so he came with us. This time we tried Mama's Pretzel Kitchen. Sea World is definitely not as nice as a Disney park or even one of the Universal ones, but it can be a good time, and is definitely less expensive.

Dapper Days

Jennifer continues to visit the parks often, usually with friends. She usually wears themed outfits, and has photos taken with characters. Saturday was the fall Dapper Day at Hollywood Studios, so she wore a Star Wars inspired outfit.

 

Sunday morning we got up early to do another Cast 5K, again at Animal Kingdom.

After the race she attended the Dapper Day gathering at Epcot. She also visited the Studios, so she could get photos with Chip and Dale.

Last week Jennifer was promoted to trainer at work. She celebrated by visiting Magic Kingdom yesterday, Mickey Mouse’s birthday.

Disney Characters

After Halloween all of the parks switched to holiday decorations. A few times a year, Disney will have some characters available for photo opportunities as cast members come in to work. I almost always walk right by them at Epcot, but Jennifer usually stops. 

Last week, we decided to take our cargo trailer back to Oregon. We couldn't figure out how to change the title on it to Florida, and we were paying every month to store it and not using it.

Susan and I drove to Bend in only four days. We left Susan's car in Oregon and flew home.

While we were gone, Jenn spent an evening at Hollywood Studios.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

 

This fall, Jenn was able to purchase a pass to attend most of the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties at a special cast rate, and went to most of them.

She also enjoyed picking up a shift for one. I joined her for a party in the middle of October. We checked out the Halloween decorations at the Magic Kingdom, saw special characters and entertainment, and collected lots of candy at the trick or treat locations.

She continued going to parties the last two weeks, dressing up in various costumes and meeting characters.

Monday after work Susan came to Epcot to ride my boat. After my shift was over we checked out the Food & Wine Festival. At the International Gateway I took a photo of the progress of the France expansion.

Fall at WDW

At the end of August, the Food and Wine Festival started at Epcot. Jenn came into the park last week to check out the festival and ride my boat.

Friday night, we used one of our Holiday coupons to eat at Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge. Jenn enjoyed taking photos with Dopey, Grumpy, Snow White, and the Wicked Stepmother. I enjoyed the food. We all enjoyed the decor. 

Yesterday after work I went into the Magic Kingdom to visit Susan and Jenn and check out the progress on the Tron building. 

I took the monorail over so I also checked out the progress at the front of Epcot.

Skyliner

Earlier this month we attended another DVC Moonlight Magic event, this time at Typhoon Lagoon. We didn't spend a lot of time doing slides, but we did enjoy the free food and the lazy river.

This week we attended a special cast preview for the new Skyliner. This gondola system connects Epcot and Hollywood Studios to several resorts. 

The new Riviera Resort, which was built on the northern most portion of the Caribbean Resort and will open later in the year, is also on the Skyliner.

We also got to spend more time in Galaxy's Edge. We weren't able to experience the Star Wars attractions, but I enjoyed using the Disney Play App to explore Batuu.

Around the Parks

Early in August, the Halloween decorations went up at the Magic Kingdom, and Halloween parties started. 

On the last Wednesday of August, Jennifer and I visited Epcot and Magic Kingdom. We rode the monorail between the two, so we could see the work being done at the front of Epcot.

Disney continues to work on a swing bridge between MK and the Grand Floridian.

The next day she picked up a shift at Hollywood Studios so she could work the opening day of Galaxy's Edge. Both she and Susan often give away shifts at their primary location so they can work other places at WDW.

After my shift today I visited them both at MK, and rode the Peoplemover so I could see the progress on Tron.

Galaxy's Edge

  

Last week we attended a cast preview of Galaxy's Edge, the new Star Wars area in Hollywood Studios.

The Rise of the Resistance attraction wasn't open yet, but we rode Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run twice. It was fun, a cross between Star Tours and Mission:Space, but a little tamer than either. We weren't able to experience the cantina or the lightsaber building, but enjoyed walking around the land.

I also visited Epcot last week. Work continues at the International Gateway, expanding the turnstiles and security for the opening of the Skyliner.

Last night we attended the Annual Passholder Appreciation Night at Universal Studios. This summer Universal opened another Harry Potter attraction, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. It replaced the Dragon Challenge in the Harry Potter area of Islands of Adventure. It is a lot of fun, especially at night.

Memphis

Earlier this month we flew back to Bend and drove our camping trailer out. My truck wasn't doing a good job towing it across Wyoming so we stopped in Fort Collins Colorado and traded it in for a heavier one with a bigger engine. 

We also brought the cats out with us, so we weren't able to make too many stops.  

We did stop in Memphis, and enjoyed a meal at the Hard Rock there. This was my 26th HRC.

We walked a bit on Beale Street after dinner, and spent some time driving around downtown, then headed back to our campground outside the city. The next day we drove back to Florida, completing my thirteenth trip across the country.