Thursday, December 22, 2011

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report - Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Now according to Disney's official literature, the Magic Kingdom is essentially Christmas Central in all of Walt Disney World. I am going to argue against that, but that's tomorrow's post.

11.28.11 - Castle Dream Lights

Magic Kingdom does probably get the most decorations per square foot of all the parks. The Castle Dream Lights are the flagship. They really are gorgeous in person.

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

From this angle, you can see how thew color-changing is achieved. (See the lights in the lower-right?)

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

And you may be able to see the giant sheets of net lights from this shot of the "backside" of the castle.

11.28.11 - Partners

"See this? I did all this. Kinda. Okay, really, my brother did, but I came up with almost all of the ideas so there!"

11.28.11 - Main Street Toy Soldiers

Back at the beginning of Main Street, they had this adorable display with the toy soldiers from "Babes in Toyland". In the window, they had little animated picture windows showing scenes from "Mickey's Christmas Carol". I like how so much of the Magic Kingdom's Christmas iconography comes from films they hardly acknowledge now.

11.28.11 - Main Street Toy Soldiers and Garlands

Another look at the super-cute soldiers. I love his constantly astonished expression.

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

We got to watch the Main Street Electrical Parade again and this Tinkerbell float is brand new... maybe. I may have not noticed it the last time. Speaking of things I hadn't noticed until now...

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

SOOOOooooooo many drug references...

On that note, let's go shopping in Downtown Disney!

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

To be fair, there aren't many references to more recent/more famous Disney holiday films either. The "Prep and Landing" series gets a brief nod here and at the Osbourne Lights (you have to listen for it though) and they still have a full room of "Nightmare Before Christmas" stuff in the Christmas All Year Long store here at DTD.

The centerpiece of Downtown Disney's decorations is Santa's house, pictured above. It's a cute touch.

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

I learned that Florida loves decorating with poinsettias. Nearly every part of Disney World had some variation on these poinsettia trees.

11.29.11 - Epcot Center

Dear Walt Disney World,

Hey, how's stuff? Listen, I'm not sure how to break the news to you but, you see, America is
not in love with Duffy the Disney Bear. Like, at all. I know Mickey's little stuffed animal friend that he hugs tightly on lonely nights in his ship in the middle of the ocean (seriously) was a huge hit when he was introduced in Tokyo Disneyland. But when brought to America in 2011, he was greeted with many delighted cries of, "Who the hell is that?" and "Why is he everywhere?" And I'm not just quoting TV Tropes here to be cheap; they have him listed as The Scrappy for cryin' out loud! Please chill the heck out already. Thanks.

Love Always, Trish.


Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

On the other hand, Raglan Road for the waffles! All of the waffles! ALL of them!

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Eh... maybe minus one waffle.

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Just keep walking fellow ArtEvolved guys. Don't look directly at it.

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Holy crap, a "Runaway Brain" pin?!? I am mad at myself for not buying this.

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

Disney: "Oh, wait... some people don't celebrate Christmas do they? Let's acknowledge them once or twice ever."


Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

See, I really wanted to get my cousin an Ariel tree ornament, but what you see is all they had. Who wants Ariel wearing a generic Princess dress and in her lousy human form?

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

On a positive note. I'd heard of these new LEGO sculptures outside the big LEGO store but I didn't realize they'd be this awesome!

Florida Holiday 2011 Trip Report

And yes, YES! Disney Dollars are still a Thing! As a weird aside, you have to get these at Guest Services, and that was the most tedious line I stood in the entire trip.

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In our final post, we visit EPCOT center, which turns out to win at Christmas! On to the Grand Finale!