live2tell75

^ You can pick up the Hidden Mickey's book at most shops throughout the Walt Disney World Resort here in Florida. I'm not sure if Disney makes hidden Mickey's books for the other Disney resorts around the world. Anyone know this answer?

Fantastic job as always Chuck! You have made me really want to go on the next mainland Europe trip in the future! Loved all your recaps. Well done!

So that was our Disney Resort hotel adventure. Since we have both been to the parks agazillion times, this was refreshing and a lot of fun. We are planning on making this an annual holiday tradition. Our plan starting this December is to stay at a WDW resort every December based on when the resort's opening year. So this year it's either the Contemporary or the Polynesian. I guess it's going to take us a few decades for us to stay at all the resorts, but it should be fun! Next up, I finish the holidays with a day with Robb, Elissa, Kristen, Erik, Lynn and Kevin at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Stay tuned!

Our final stop on our tour was at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. I think this was both Kevin and my favorite resort during the holidays. It was so cozy. We loved the many fireplaces on the different levels surrounding the lobby. When I think of Christmas, this resort's setting that has Christmas all over it! Can you find the hidden Mickey on this bar's ceiling? Kevin got lost in the main lobby tree!

The Grand Floridian at Christmas is very elegant. There was a large choir in the middle of the lobby singing holiday tunes adding to the festive atmosphere. Like some of the other hotels, the main lobby tree was huge! It was hard to get a photo of the whole tree. Also at the Grand Floridan, is home to one of the world's largest gingerbread houses. This gingerbread house even had a bakery inside!

Next up we did a quick stop at Disney's Polynesian Resort to look for some hidden Mickey's. Kevin, I don't think you need the book for this not-so hidden Mickey. Even on this tiled coffee bar a Mickey can be found. With a little bit of help from this book, we were able to find a few more hidden rodents.

Next on the tour was the very festive Disney's Boardwalk. We decided to check Spoodle's for dinner for the first time, and it rocked! If you have never been and want a great meal and a fantastic view, try Spoodles. We ate outside, watched the sunset and took in the nice boardwalk/water view. The decorations were very patriotic and gorgeous. The beautiful turn of the century lobby of the Boardwalk Resort.

Our next stop was my favorite resort at Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The details of Animal Kingdom Lodge, like at all the resorts are absolutely amazing. Something that we both were really impressed with were how unique the holiday decorations found at each of the resorts were. The Christmas trees were perfectly themed to match the resorts atmosphere. Did I mention the main lobby's Christmas tree was kind of big? Can you find the hidden Mickey? I would love to have a room that overlooks this. Someday... The beautiful gigantic Christmas tree in the main lobby.

So I am finally going to finish working on this thread. I figure I better finish before Christmas '08 gets here! Also before I can post any trips from 2008, I have to complete 2007! A few weeks after visiting Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Kevin and I went to WDW to check out the holiday cheer at all the resorts. This turned out to be so much fun! We stayed at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort for one night. First time for both of us and we really liked it a lot. Where we stayed it was very quite, beautiful and peaceful. After checking in, we headed off to check out the holiday decorations at a bunch of the resorts. First up: both sides of Port Orleans, Riverside and The French Quarter. The detail of the French Quarter really made it feel like we were in NOLA! On our boat ride from Dixie Landings to The French Quarter. It really feels like your in the old south. Kevin is loving the atmosphere. Hotel's holiday decorations were beautiful. Our hotel for our short adventure, Disney's Riverside at Port Orleans.

Sorry, quadruple post!

Sorry, triple post.

Sorry, double post.

A few recent movies I have seen: Batman The Dark Knight: 9/10 One of the better Batman movies that have been made. I still love Michelle Pheiffer as Catwoman in Batman Returns. Mama Mia: 5/10 This movie really made me want tot listen to ABBA's original versions of the songs. It's to bad because I really like all the actors in the movie. Everyone did ok, but the guys should not have been allowed to sing! I like Pierce Brosnan, but he can not sign. He sang not 1, not 2 but 3 songs in the movie! The one good thing about the movie, is it seemed that everyone really had a good time making it. Halloween (2007 version): 6/10 The original used to scare the crap out of me when I was a kid. This re-imagining of the classic original was ok. I liked knowing more about the back story of the Myers family. But because this was made in today's tiimes, it was a lot more gory for my taste. A major plus for the movie was the use of the original Halloween theme, which to me makes the movie a lot more scarier. Waitress: 8/10 Rented this last night. It was actually a really cute little movie. It was heartwarming and touching. Airport: 8/10 I have seen the Airplane movies a thousand times since I was a kid and never did I realize that they were a spoof on this 1970's classic disaster movie, Airport. Airport was a lot better than I expected. I guess the movie was full of the whose-who of old Hollywood, like a big Love Boat episode. There was actually some good suspense parts. I bought this movie as part of the "Airport Terminal Pack" DVD Collection. It was only $15.99 and includes the 3 sequels that followed: Airport 1975, Airport '77 and The Concorde: Airport '79. I probally watch the second one, Airport 1975 this afternoon.

My roughest coasters would have to include: • Timber Wolf at Worlds of Fun • The Ultimate at Lightwater Valley - it's to bad because the first part of the ride was great, then after the second lift, all hell broke loose! • The Revolution at Magic Mountain - Rode it this year for the first time. The over the shoulder restraints were vicious! • Mind Eraser at Six Flags New England and America • Swamp Thing at Cypress Gardens • Ninja at Six Flags Over Georgia • Any Boomerang I have riden. • Ghost Rider at Knot's Berry Farm • The back seat on Steel Eel at Sea World of Texas. This is funny because in the front seat this is one of my favorite rides. • The Wild Mouse at Flamingo Land. • Shockwave & Hypersonic at Kings Dominion. I had an instant headache after Hypersonic. Kind of weird, cause I liked Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Pointe. I think it was doing 3 different launch coaster in a row at Kings Dominion that did me in. • Shockwave at Drayton Manor • Cyclone at Six Flags New England

So I've heard the official opening of Toy Story Mania is tomorrow the 31st. I know it has been open for the last few weeks, but does anyone know if the park is going to do a special grand opening ceremony? The reason I ask is, tomorrow I'm going to The Studios and Epcot with friends that haven't been on it yet. We were going to go straight to Mania after opening. Just want to make sure it will open at park opening and not later in the day as part of a special event. I went on it during the passholder's preview and really don't want to have to wait a long time. I'm sure they'll have the fast pass running? Anyone have any info on the "official opening"? Any helpful information would be appreciated. Thanks!

Great trip report as usual Chuck! Love the POV on the slide! Looks like you move pretty good on that slide. I've got to get back up to the "Burg" and check out Water Country sometime. Other than Sesame Place, that's the only Busch park I haven't been to yet.

Great trip report Piers! I toatally miss Blackpool, that was my favorite park on the UK trip. I love all the old dark rides and walk-throughs. The spinning ride at the end of Trauma Towers was so weird but fantastic at the same time!

^ I met up with Will and Erik Johnson yesterday at the Studios for the passholder's preivew. I was surprised how long of a wait it was during the passholder's event - 70 minutes! Thank God, 99% of the queue was inside in air-conditioning. As others have mentioned, the queue was very bright, and has lots of things to look at. Very cute. Should keep the little ones entertained throughout the line. Mr. Potato Head was very cool and the highlight of the attraction. The ride itself was as like Will said above, if you have been on the Pirates attraction at Disneyquest, it's the same type of pull-string cannon blaster. The ride was fun. You just move up and down hallways stopping in front of screens playing the different games. The 3D effects were cool and there were a quite a few interactive surprises during each of the games. I think this will be a good ride for the entire family. I probably wouldn't wait more than 30 minutes for this. I personally like Men In Black because there is more to look at and the sets are very immersive. Toy Story Mania is a true video game ride. You just move from one screen to another. If you like video games you'll love it. One of the best parts of the attraction were the cast members. They were very enthusiastic and really made the attraction a lot more fun.

^ Good to know. I wasn't aware that other than during Howl-O-Scream, BGA sold fast pass type tickets. I do kind of remember when Rhino Rally first opened, employees at the the attraction would give out fast pass type tickets to experience it later on in the day. I haven't seen that since. But I also typically don't visit the park at peak times. Thanks for the heads up.

Busch Gardens Africa, doesn't have a fast pass system. They do offer VIP tours that include front of the line access to all the major rides. http://www.buschgardenstampabay.com/bgt/sp_adventure_thrill.aspx To be honest, as long as you get to the park at opening, you shouldn't have any problem experiencing the entire park. Hope this helps and you have a good visit!

That is an amazing photo! I can see why this is your favorite photo from the day. You could sell that to an animal publication. Thanks for posting it, Johnny.

I did feel like royalty. Between receiving all the perks mentioned above, every Busch employee made me feel so welcome. Everyone was very informative and if they didn't know the answer to my question they found someone who did. The media goodies are a great addition to my theme park memories collection.

Damn Erik, you worked fast getting these photos up!!! Thanks for posting. I had a great time. There was such an insane amount of people for the LL concert, but it shouldn't be a surprise - LL Cool J rocks! It was an awesome trip down memory middle school & high school lane! Mama Said Knock You Out!!!

Thanks Chuck! - Animal Kingdom is cool, but only has a few widows to view the tigers, and it's a battle to see them on a crowded day. Busch has lots of different views. I still haven't seen the tug-of-war, but from what the zoo educator explained, is that this only happens if the tiger wants to play and then it is a very closely supervised experience with park guests.

I think the animals were just as interested in us as we are with them, or they are really hungry!