We Wish You a Mickey Christmas... A Dec. '14 TR! Updated 8/24

[HumblePie]

Joining in! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

glad your flight went smooth and yeah I'd say Tanner was a bit excited - and rightfully so!

Based on the signage I think it is pretty reasonable of Tanner to call MDE "Mickey's Bus"

Interesting about the video - based on that and the image on the wall up around the house, seems like they are going back to the Earful Tower for the logo for DHS

Looks like it worked out well for the boys to get there early as they were able to get those pics of you all coming off the bus - very cool!

 

[megveg]

im in this! I love your trip report style and im so excited to see how your trip went! YAYY!

 

[KangaFan]

Subbing!

We were there Dec 5-13th at BCV but I was with my sisters and our girls, ages 6, 8, 11, 12, 13 so I didn't end up getting many good decoration pics. Can't wait to see yours!

 

[dvc at last !]

Loving what I am reading --- more please...

 

[disneyguy4life]

Hey Missyrose. I can't wait to read more about your trip. It looks great. I've been to Disneyland during the Christmas season but not WDW. LUCKY!!

 

[Missyrose]

We last left off with our big arrival at Boardwalk, our villa wasn’t yet ready so we changed and gathered our carry-ons to leave with bell services, it was time to explore!

Wedding alert!

We were headed for Beach Club for lunch. I had made a 12:20 ADR at Beaches and Cream.

Little did I know that we’d have such a quick and easy arrival, we made it to Beach Club just after 11. I ran over to B&C to see if they could take us early -- they couldn’t (which came as little shock to me), so we had some time to kill. Luckily, there were gorgeous Christmas decorations to see!

Can we just talk about the chocolate Maleficent dragon in the window of Beach Club Marketplace for a second? This was so incredibly cool and the level of detail was amazing! And did I mention it was completely made out of CHOCOLATE?!?!

We had a bit more time to kill, but the main lobby was packed. So we headed for the villas building -- I love spending time in the Breezeway!

Franklin, um, forgot to take any photos while we hung out in there. So here are a few from a previous trip to give you an idea of where we were.

Right around noon, we headed back to B&C to check in for lunch. And then we waited. And waited. And waited. Luckily it was a beautiful day outside and you couldn’t have asked for better surroundings.

Tanner was in charge of the pager.

And he couldn’t wait to show off his new shades.

We finally were seated right around 12:40 (I know!), and we were all starving! Someone was starting to blink really slowly, which meant a nap was clearly coming.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, he was out like a light.

And no sooner had he passed out then the lights started to flash and a kitchen sink was brought out.

Franklin and Keith started with root beer floats.

Franklin had a burger, we really liked the new fries!

Keith and Lala split a burger.

And I had the hot dog.

​

 

[Missyrose]

You can’t go to B&C and NOT get ice cream, so we got a brownie sundae and a good, old-fashioned ice cream sundae. Keith was feted for his birthday for the first time on this trip.

Fully stuffed, we headed back out into the beautiful sunshine.

Seriously, is there anything better than the Epcot resort area on a beautiful day?

Another wedding was being set up, the gazebo was busy that day.

Tanner had slept straight through lunch, and we had promised him chocolate ice cream! A detour must be made.

Because chocolate ice cream cannot just be chocolate ice cream. It needs to be a chocolate Mickey head ice cream!

How big a bite can you take, Tanner?

Seems about right. I had gotten a text from my friend Michelle that she and her family could meet us at Boardwalk to say hi, so we headed for the lobby for our first Dismeet of the trip! Tanner and Michelle’s son Jonathan had a blast running around the lobby (not bothering anyone, I promise), which gave Michelle and I some time to catch up. Franklin was half asleep, so he forgot to take photos of any of us together. Sigh. He did take a few detail shots of the Boardwalk Christmas decor, though.

​

 

[Missyrose]

I got the text that our villa was ready and Michelle’s family was heading to Hollywood Studios, so we parted ways. It was nice to see them! We were excited to check out our villa. We were in a two-bedroom, Boardwalk view villa and it was every bit as incredible as we had hoped.

First, the studio side.

Hi Franklin!

And now, the one-bedroom side.

​

 

[Missyrose]

And now the piece de resistance: the balcony and view. Seriously, you have to see this balcony.

Keith got a special delivery from the head cheese himself, Mickey!

That’s where we’ll end for now, but there is so much first day (night time) fun coming up, so stay tuned!
​

 

[ursalita]

You had a beautiful room! I'm really enjoying your photos of the Boardwalk area.

 

[disneyguy4life]

WOW!! What a great room! The view was fantastic and the room looked bright and welcoming. I'll have to talk to my wife and see if we can't stay in the Epcot area next time.

 

[kgoodb00]

I am so excited to read this TR! Franklin's photos are seriously amazing! I LOVE THE EPCOT RESORT AREA! There is nothing that can compare to the feeling of being there while the sun is shining We enjoy staying at the Beach Club, but I would love to try the Boardwalk. Your room is awesome...and the balcony and view are spectacular!! I can't wait to read all about your amazing trip!!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I just love villas. To me they are the ultimate in comfort and a great place to stay while at WDW. We've been in a BCV 2 BR villa three times, and loved them. The BWV is decorated very nicely. I think I like the decor better there than at the BCV.

Was your villa above Big River Grill? Your balcony was huge and very private. But it looks like you couldn't see out of it unless you stood up.

 

[roamingcat]

I love your husbands photos.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

WOW What a view!!!!!!!!!!
Everything else looks great
-food-yum (long wait-yuck)
-ice-cream=definitely yummy and Tanner's is almost as cute as he is
-room looks wonderful-love the space
But that view is just stunning-I would have a very hard time leaving the balcony-ever!

 

[cstorm65]

Great report so far. The Boardwalk is awesome, especially with the great view! Can't wait to read more.

 

[broadwaybookworm]

Joining! Sounds like a fun trip, and Tanner is a cutie.

 

[Missyrose]

You had a beautiful room! I'm really enjoying your photos of the Boardwalk area.

For me, there's nothing like the Epcot resorts area. It's just so beautiful and tranquil!

WOW!! What a great room! The view was fantastic and the room looked bright and welcoming. I'll have to talk to my wife and see if we can't stay in the Epcot area next time.

You would love staying there!

I am so excited to read this TR! Franklin's photos are seriously amazing! I LOVE THE EPCOT RESORT AREA! There is nothing that can compare to the feeling of being there while the sun is shining We enjoy staying at the Beach Club, but I would love to try the Boardwalk. Your room is awesome...and the balcony and view are spectacular!! I can't wait to read all about your amazing trip!!!

We've stayed on both sides of Crescent Lake and you can't go wrong with either! Thanks for reading!

I just love villas. To me they are the ultimate in comfort and a great place to stay while at WDW. We've been in a BCV 2 BR villa three times, and loved them. The BWV is decorated very nicely. I think I like the decor better there than at the BCV.

Was your villa above Big River Grill? Your balcony was huge and very private. But it looks like you couldn't see out of it unless you stood up.

It's just so nice to have spaces to hang out that aren't where you sleep. That, to me, is what really set the villas apart from a regular resort room. Seeing the Boardwalk below our room was difficult unless you stod up on the balcony. But the angle we had allowed us to sit and watch Illuminations from the balcony quite easily, so I'll take that tradeoff.

WOW What a view!!!!!!!!!!
Everything else looks great
-food-yum (long wait-yuck)
-ice-cream=definitely yummy and Tanner's is almost as cute as he is
-room looks wonderful-love the space
But that view is just stunning-I would have a very hard time leaving the balcony-ever!

Ice cream, cute. Tanner, cuter. Tanner eating the adorably shaped ice cream? Cute overload.

I love your husbands photos.

Thanks!

Great report so far. The Boardwalk is awesome, especially with the great view! Can't wait to read more.

Thanks for joining us!

Joining! Sounds like a fun trip, and Tanner is a cutie.

Thank you!!​

 

[Missyrose]

We last left off with us unpacking into our beautiful villa at Boardwalk. We couldn’t hang out for long, though, because we had places to be: namely, dinner at California Grill!

We arrived at the Contemporary and headed straight for the gingerbread castle! I know, I know, people are sick of Frozen being shoehorned into lots of places at Disney World, but I actually thought the Frozen addition to the display at CR was really, really cute.

Yes, I know. My Frozen bias is showing.

Someone else shares my Frozen bias. Hehe.

We checked in for dinner and were brought upstairs to take in the sights until our table was ready. This restaurant is gorgeous at sunset.

Sigh. Hello, friend.

Our table was ready and it was a new location for Franklin and I, these booths are so cute!

We’d also never noticed the long communal tables before, so sleek and pretty!

Tanner got right down to business.

So many choices!

Franklin escaped to the balcony to capture the sun setting right after we ordered.

Tanner’s cheese pizza came out quickly, but it wasn’t very good. He hardly touched it and the waitress took it off the bill.

Keith started with the three-meat signature meatball. We all tried it and it was incredible!

Our entrees came out soon afterward. Lala had the sashimi.

Franklin and I shared a ton of sushi: the Spicy Kazan Roll, the Pork Belly Nigiri and the Dragon Roll.

Keith had the oak-fired filet. He wasn’t a fan of the tomato risotto, but the steak was delicious!

They brought out a creme brulee to celebrate Keith’s birthday.

And we finished just in time to see Elsa ice the castle!

It felt really nice to walk off that big dinner, especially when that walk ends at Magic Kingdom!

There are so many moments upon arrival to Disney that make you feel as if you’re home: seeing the arch, arriving at Boardwalk. But that first stroll up Main Street is the most magical homecoming of all.

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