December '14 Walt Disney World Trip Report: Part 7

By Nick

Friday, December 12th 

Last day.
We brought our luggage to bag check and headed for the Magic Kingdom early, as we had an 810am Advanced Dining Reservation at the Crystal Palace.

On the way up Main Street we stopped for several PhotoPass photographers, as we were determined to get the most out of Memory Maker.

Jill, Josh, Tinker Bell, me, and Barbie

As we approached the hub, I saw a young man getting up from a kneel. He had just proposed! I had heard of many people doing and seeing this, but this was a first. All the people paying attention applauded and shouted congratulations. It was an awesome start to the day!

Note in the background, there was filming going on for the Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration. I asked a cast member who was on stage, and they said they thought it was Ariana Grande. Interestingly, I watched the show on Christmas Day, and didn't notice this stage setup at all.

Breakfast at the Crystal Palace was not only delicious, but it is with the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood!

As I mentioned in Part 4, Jill really likes Tigger.

We made our way back down Main Street to the Town Square Theater to visit with Mickey Mouse.

We were a bit early, and the line for Tinker Bell was only a few minutes, so we were shrunk down to Tink size and brought to Pixie Hollow.

We then used our FastPass+ for Mickey, who asked if we were familiar with the Haunted Mansion and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, which we of course said we were. He then asked if we'd like to pose like them!

We spent the rest of the morning riding rides, and heading for Pirates through Liberty Square when we saw a queue for the Haunted Mansion! As the Mansion was supposed to be down for refurb during our entire stay, this was a very pleasant surprise, so we got in the reasonable 15 minute line.

Next, Pirates, followed by a Dole Whip Swirl.

This was my first try of a Dole Whip Swirl. I'd got Pineapple mixed with Vanilla at Barbie's request, as she thinks the straight up Dole Whip is too sweet. The swirl WAS better, and I'll only eat it that way going forward!

We decided to head back to the Wilderness Lodge for lunch at Roaring Forks, their counter service restaurant, and relax for a couple of hours before Magical Express was scheduled to take us to the airport.

We all dozed on and off by the fire. Finally it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful lodge.

Thank you for following along, and have a safe and Happy New Year!

If you missed past parts: 
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4- Part 5 - Part 6

Crystal Palace for Lunch with Character(s)!

Crystal Palace for lunch with character(s)!

By: Gaylin

I have been on two solo trips to WDW in recent years. The first one I made a table service reservation for each day and the second one I only made one table service reservation. I will be going a solo trip again in May 2014 and will be doing a few table service meals but not one every day. While it sounds great to have a reservation every day, I found it too much like having an appointment time I had to meet every day.

Some people might find it odd to make a reservation for one and a few cast members gave me funny looks as well but it is nice to sit down and relax during a vacation and have a nice meal. I don't bring a book to read or have any distractions, I people watch and enjoy my food.

One restaurant I love is the Crystal Palace. The food is pretty good for a buffet, plenty of veggies and good choices in meat as well. Enough options that it is easy for me to fill up, even having to skip a bunch of items because of food allergies. And the bonus . . . Pooh and friends!

Being the goof that I am, every time I eat at Crystal Palace, I wear my Pooh and friends shirt as well! One of the characters always points at it and claps their 'paws'! When you eat there by yourself you can always count on the character attendant or another diner to take your photo. About the only problem is, there will always be other people in the background of your photo. Have your camera ready and be prepared to let your food get cold when the characters come around because it is photo time!

And here they are, my friends from Pooh Corner . . .