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.