Jason's Thoughts & ObservationsWalt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World – Day 1 (12/08/14) Trip Log

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Quick Note: This trip to WDW I will try to include my daily trip log and summary each evening, time/energy permitting. For example this event I only have the trip log ready. Today was a long day after flying in on the red eye and dealing with the rain all day. I have included a couple pictures in this post, to view the rest check out the summary link near the end of the post.

A gloomy afternoon/evening at the Magic Kingdom as the Festival of Fantasy Parade makes its way up Main Street USA.  Note: No Christmas tree in Town Square yet due to the Christmas Parade taping going on this week.
A gloomy afternoon/evening at the Magic Kingdom as the Festival of Fantasy Parade makes its way up Main Street USA. Note: No Christmas tree in Town Square yet due to the Christmas Parade taping going on this week.

Trip log:
Arrived at Orlando International Airport before 5:30am. Grabbed some breakfast then boarded a waiting Magical Express bus to Beach Club. Checked in and lucked out with an open room. Dropped our carry-ons and then ventured out for the day. It had started to drizzle as we made our way to the bus. Headed for the Animal Kingdom guest relations to upgrade my Disneyland annual pass to a Premiere Pass. This failed since Disneyland was not open so they let us in and said we would have to come back. We ended up out in Africa and decided to go on Safari. It had a posted 10 minute wait which translated to a walk on. Once back headed to the new Festival of the Lion King theatre to catch the 10:00am performance. After the show walked back to guest relations to wrap up upgrading my pass. Finally with a new pass in hand and linked to my Magic Band set off for lunch. It was still raining and cool so opted to visit Dinoland and eat inside for a quick fast food lunch. After lunch the rest of the group headed back to the room and I set off to play in the rain. Walked by Everest, only a 10 min wait, and through Asia. Paid a visit to the Jungle Trek then walked through the Flame Tree dining area and back toward the entrance. Decided to try my luck and head for the Magic Kingdom. Turned out to be just as rainy and cold there. Wandered down Main Street and to the hub to catch some of the Christmas parade performance. Roamed around the hub area trying to stay out of the rain and catch the performance. Eventually headed for Tomorrowland and a spin on the Carousel of Progress then back to the hub. They eventually wrapped it up and I circled through Fantasyland, past the Dwarfs mine coaster, and out to Liberty Square. Grabbed some Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards then decided to visit the Tiki Birds to dry off a bit. After the show found a spot for the Festival of Fantasy parade in Frontierland and waited to see if the rain let up (which it did). Watched the parade and then headed for Main Street. Watched some of the parade again from here then made my way to the bus stop and onto the Hollywood Studios. Ate dinner at Pizza Planet on my way to see the Osborne Lights. Spent some time roaming around the Streets of America taking pictures then stopped by the Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post right before the parked closed at 8pm. After closing headed for the parking lot for a ride from a friend over to Epcot. As we walked in decided to try for Illuminations FastPass+ and succeeded. So had time for a journey on Spaceship Earth then off to World Showcase Lagoon for Illuminations. After the show walked around World Showcase to the International Gateway and returned to the Beach Club to conclude my first day.

Spaceship Earth with Mickey and Minnie topiaries in front welcoming you to Epcot
Spaceship Earth with Mickey and Minnie topiaries in front welcoming you to Epcot

Pedometer Stats:
Steps – 25,377
Miles – 9.6
Moderate Pace walking steps – 18,092
Moderate Pace time – 164 min

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back again at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back again at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Images from today:
Here is an archive/listing of the live pictures posted to the blog today. Be sure to follow along for more pictures in the coming days or like our Facebook Page or follow on Twitter.

The Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration was being taped at the Magic Kingdom today, in the rain.
The Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration was being taped at the Magic Kingdom today, in the rain.

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