We finally had the chance to see the Magic Kingdom Christmas tree this year, which went up after the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade taping (below, left). It is pretty much the same as in previous years, with a train, toy soldiers, gifts and more under the tree including a reference to Walt Disney’s personal Carolwood Pacific “Fair Weather Route” railroad. (below, right).
Video #1 – Magic Kingdom Christmas Tree 2012, Walt Disney World – This is the Magic Kingdom Christmas Tree – including up-close detail, for 2012! The tree is pretty much the same as in previous years, with a train, toy soldiers, gifts and more under the tree including a reference to Walt Disney’s personal Carolwood Pacific “Fair Weather Route” railroad.
Denise and I were invited by our friend Derek to try out the Cast Member FastPass+ test (below, left). We were all issued green FastPass+ cards with our name and ride information stored (below, right). Our first ride was to have been Space Mountain, but due to Disney transportation issues, we were late. Derek was able to change our Space Mountain ride to a different time (he rode it himself), and we soon met Derek at the Haunted Mansion for our first attraction.
We had the opportunity to ride Epcot’s new Test Track 2.0 (below, left) during the Cast Member preview yesterday! Thanks to Steve Fox for inviting us, we had a great time. The queue and much of the attraction has been completely redesigned, with a clear Tron-inspired feel to it. A Chevrolet En-V is displayed near the entrance.
We spent an afternoon visiting the displays around the Epcot resorts – including Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Yacht Club, and Disney’s Boardwalk Resorts – we’ll be sharing the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort displays in another post! The Beach Club gingerbread carousel (below, left) is back for a 13th year, flanked by 3 smaller displays. “Splash”, the name of the horse that is next to the carousel (below, right) has Cinderella Castle on top of it.
Here in Orlando, it’s the time of the year to get ready for Christmas! We attended the first three Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights (below, left). Christmas trees are set in front of the Main Street railroad station (below, right), and Mickey’s head is in the shape of a giant ornament.
Christmas has arrived at Walt Disney World! We stopped at Disney’s Hollywood Studios a couple of days ago, and found the Christmas tree in front of the park (below, left). The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (below, right) is debuting tomorrow night – it’s hard to believe the holiday season has begun in Orlando, just days after the last Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
We were happy to be able to dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant (below, left) just a few nights back! It was during a Cast Member preview of New Fantasyland, but they allowed us to come in and enjoy dinner. The ballroom is huge and beautiful, we especially love the falling snow in the windows (below, right). We requested the West Wing, which is where we dined.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground had it’s Halloween golf cart parade yesterday, with a lot of unique entries as always! Guests decorate their golf carts, winning prizes for: Best Overall, Best Disney Themed, Most Unique and Most Creative! We enjoyed the Tow Mater golf cart, a new entry this year (below, left), and a pirate ship (below, right).