Christmas Magic is in the Air!

What a wonderful last day we've had!  We've been blessed with very warm weather but not too hot!  We met Elly and "our girls" at 9:30 am at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  We were quickly off to great rides. There was Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast show, Star Tours and The Great Movie Ride as well as Stars Wars Encounter.  Grant went to ride the big Roller Coaster Ride before taking off for ESPN at Disney Boardwalk to watch the Dolphin's FANTASTIC win!!!! Trey stayed with us through the character lunch where Gaby could see some of her favorites---Jake from Neverland Pirates and June from Little Einsteins!  She danced with June and hugged everyone!  We ended up with great seats at the Beauty and the Beast show and Gaby loved every second of it -- as did we!  Trey bailed after lunch to go catch some of the game, but alas when he got to ESPN zone they were at capacity and wouldn't let any more people inside.  It took him an hour and a half to get back to our hotel. There just wasn't a quick way back to the Grand Floridian. He did make it back to the room in time to see the 4th quarter! As soon as the game was over he and Grant rushed to meet us at Germany.  They will not seat your group until you are all there!  Everyone made it, but it was a bit like herding goldfish!

We had dinner at Germany tonight and had to check in for our resevation at 5:00 pm.  Then it was about a 45 minute wait.  In all the years Bill and I have been to Epcot, we had never been to Germany. It was great. It was super crowded because they do a dinner package there that includes a reserved  seat at the Candlelight Processional in the amphitheater and a reserved viewing section for the spectacular Illuminations and Fireworks show.  The Candlelight Performance is just AMAZING!  We were told it's mostly cast members in the orchestra and in the choir.  They  have Sigourney Weaver as the official narrator on stage this year reading the Christmas Story.  After she reads a few verses, the choir sings the most beautiful Christmas Carols!  When they were singing the Hallelujah Chorus, Gaby made us all hold hands!  It was the MOST precious moment!  Duffy had tears in her eyes...if you EVER get to  Disney at Christmas time, the Candlelight Processional is a MUST see!  One of the best Christmas shows ever!!!

We were sad to leave Elly and our new friends behind, but I know they are following the blog and they know we WILL be back to see them again!  They are very special ladies!  Merry Christmas to everyone!  The Fuller Family has started off this Christmas season in a spectacular fashion!  Thank you to everyone who made this such a special memory!

This is the Gingerbread house in the lobby of our hotel!

Tree outside Hollywood Studios.

She LOVED Princess Sophia!

Dancing with June from Little Einsteins at lunch!

These two liked Manny..

Gaby did a "twirl" for June!  (June twirls a lot on the TV show!)

Gaby with her new friend Elly!!

Jake of Neverland Pirates is a favorite.

Dinner in Germany!

Gaby LOVES to play with her new elephant "family"!  She's putting a bandage on one because he fell on the floor!

The trumpeters at the  Candlelight Procession were awesome!

The choir....

Sigourney Weaver as the narrator....

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy this joyous season with your family and friends...

FUN-TASTIC Day at Animal Kingdom!

With weather that feels more like summer than winter, we ventured to animal kingdom today (86*)!  We met our wonderful guide Elly and our two new concierge friends, Jenn and Jennifer as we started off the morning with an animal safari!  We all enjoyed it--- seeing lions, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, Topi, Warthogs, elephants and giraffes.

There was something for everyone today.  The guys did the Mt Everest roller coaster ride while Gaby did the flying dinosaurs!  The BEST show of the day was The LIon King show.  We all loved it!  Gaby especially was entranced (with Duffy not far behind) by the show!  She was chosen to go out with a musical shaker and be in the parade !  She did a great job!  Since her Uncle Grant was ALWAYS picked to be in a show at Disney, we've decided it's in her genes!  We had lunch at Tuskers and we met Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and even Mickey showed up in his Safari outfit!  Gaby loved meeting all of them!

After a quick rest back at our hotel, we took off for Epcot and dinner at Morocco.  Dinner was very good..  They even had a PG 5 belly dancer!  (Couldn't see her navel)!  It was a day of joy for all of us!  Tomorrow is Hollywood Studios!  We made it back in time to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from our room balcony!

Gaby liked Daisy!

Mickey stopped by...

Duffy has her new favorite character!  He was enchanted with Duffy!

Note the Tree of Life behind us!

After a big roller coaster ride!

Gaby was chosen to be in the LIon King Show finale!  She did an awesome job!

Mesmerized !

Donald made the Animal Kingdom Parade!

Art work at dinner.  Gaby is roaring like a lion and wanted me to draw one!

Somebody got the giggles !!!

The ride home on the Monorail. 

Good night all!!!

First Full Fantastic Day in the Magic Kingdom

First a word about the three wonderful young women who are making sure our Disney experience can't get any better. They are Jenn, Jennifer and Elly.  Elly we know from our last visit and we fell in love with her last February!  The three of them are working very hard to make sure our visit is an exceptional one.  They know just which rides to take us to and when to get us there!  

They run ahead and get fast passes so we hardly ever have to wait in line!!! We just get to walk right in!  There are several new rides since the last time we were here and they were all wonderful. Since we have three lovely concierge ladies, one may be escorting the boys to Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain while the rest of us are headed to Dumbo or Winnie the Pooh rides!  

Duffy didn't feel well this morning and Trey wasn't far behind her.  We think the Burger with Lobster they ate at dinner last night got to both of them.  We left Duffy sleeping with a lot of Pepto Bismol in her.  Trey toughed it out. Both were feeling better as the day went on.  Duffy made it to dinner with us in Cinderella's Castle at the Royal Table.  And, since we were sitting at the Royal Table, you know Gaby had to be beautifully dressed.  We had an appointment late this afternoon at the Bippity, Boppity Boutique where they turn you into the Princess of your choice -- complete with hair, gown and nail polish!  Gaby chose a Christmas dress, but she was so tired she actually fell asleep in the chair while she was being made up!  She was the talk of the Boutique!  She tried SO HARD to stay awake.  But, alas, she definitely turned into Sleeping Beauty!  Boy was she surprised when she woke up and hour and a half later ! A makeover in her sleep!  The nap resulted in a FABULOUS dinner inside the Castle where all the Princesses came by and Gaby loved and hugged everyone of them!  It was another "magical" evening/day at the Kingdom! 

We also saw the newest American Idol winner here today -- Candace.  I am posting a photo of her. 

 If any of you ever want to do Disney with little ones, the Concierge service is amazing.  They run ahead and check you in for all your meals.  They know where you can get anything!  And they always know how to find the closest bathroom!  They know all the "back roads" and tips and tricks to make everything just SO EASY!  Kudos to our ladies who work for Orlando Park Tours in Windermere, Fl.  (407-704-9679)!  Tomorrow is Animal Kingdom!  

Peter Pan ride.

Making sure Woody and Jess get to enjoy all the rides too!

No explanation needed!

Dumbo was one of her favorites!

Gaby was picked to play the beast  in the play in the Beauty and the Beast castle and Uncle Grant was picked to be one of the Knights. She did an awesome job!  

Getting ready to perform as the beast !

Uncle Grant was a great Knight!

And there was lunch with Pooh and friends!

American Idol Winner.

Galactic adventures with Buzz Lightyear!

Loving the Magic Carpet ride!

Working on staying awake!

Out like a light!

Getting her nails polished!

Sleeping Beauty awakes to arrive in the Castle where she gets to meet Snow White!

And Ariel....

 

And Princess Jasmine...

She was saying "HO! HO! HO!"

And a happy "THE END" for today!!!