Joy to the World: an offsite Christmas extravaganza at Disney, Universal & SeaWorld – Dec. 2016 TR

So glad to have found this trip report! Yours are always favorites of mine! Great, so far. Loving the Universal Christmas decorations!

Guess I will just have to enjoy the October report while this one is updated! popcorn:: We were at Universal and Disney at the same time in October. Enjoy your upcoming trip!
 
Oh Universal at Christmas. As a kid and teen we went almost every year(we'd alternate between Disney and Universal and sometimes do both). One year when we were there they had actually made a snow hill (small) and we could sled down it. It was pretty cool.

I didn't realize the ET picture was part of photo connect. I wish I knew because we had that for free for 3 days for being family of the day on our Feb. trip. Ah Well. Barney is one of Duncan's favorites too. Madeline is more into things like Mummy. :)
 
Yay! :cheer2: You found us! Thanks for joining in! :goodvibes

And a huge thanks for being okay with us sharing the photos of that awesome tour. What incredible experiences, and such cool memories. Getting to meet you in person was the icing on the cake :).

My pleasure! I'm so happy I was able to meet you and Steve, and it was really sweet of you to invite me for the tour
 
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So I have to tell you in 2011 when we went to Universal my sister and I were asked if we wanted to be a balloon handler in the parade. We jumped at the chance and here is a photo of me with our balloon while waiting for the parade to start. I don't have a great picture of me in the parade because it poured rain that night and as well as being soaked the picture my family took of us is very blurry. I will post it but not sure what it will look like. We also got a balloon handlers certificate. Check one off my bucket list.
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How lovely that Steve had people to ride the coasters with (and you had someone to not ride with!).

I must confess that whilst I can only go on The Simpsons and Forbidden Journey if I've had Motion Sickness medicine (and I sometimes feel a bit queasy from Spiderman) I'm absolutely fine with Minions - it's funny what sets different people off!
 
Yahoo to bravery on Transformers! I've only ridden it once, but my teenaged son loved it and rode it several times on our November trip :) I have always said I'm game to ride pretty much anything, but I fear middle age may be kicking in. We went to Dollywood over spring break, and a few of those coasters almost did me in!

After our trip in December, I think Steve is even more excited to return to Universal this spring: he knows that while I certain won't ride EVERYTHING (and never will), at least he knows he'll having a riding buddy for MORE things.

I was never a daredevil, but then again, we never were taken to theme parks as kids. I think the first time I went to Canada's Wonderland, I was in the 8th grade. My mom and dad were more historical museum people than thrill seekers, and I ended up being a 'fraidy cat as a result.

Awe what a fun meet up! I still remember all the Barney songs too lol and it's only been about 20 years since I've actually seen an episode. That's so awesome the TM set up a special M&G for David! I haven't had the chance to eat at Mel's yet. Every time we are at Universal I say we should stop but never get around to it. I'm sure it was nice to have Kerry to explore with while the guys went on some coasters.

You can just tell from the soft smile on David's face how much he enjoyed meeting Barney. I only wish I had thought to catch the TM's name, as I would have loved to put in some grateful feedback for her at Guest Services. Perhaps I'll keep an eye out for her on this trip, and if I happen to see her again, I'll thank her personally.

It was WONDERFUL to have another woman along for the fun!! And one who has the same ride tolerance as me was just a bonus.

My DD was completely Barney obsessed as well!

(My DD would die of embarrassment, but Barney played a big role in her young life....Potty training her was a breeze, because she didn't want to wet her special Barney undies!)

I'd forgotten just how sweet that show was...thanks for revisiting it!!

Aw, what a sweet story!! And hey, we're SUPPOSED to embarrass our kids from time to time, its part of the Mother's Creed :teeth:. I have the most precious video of Jake that I'm saving for the perfect moment, perhaps his wedding: 3 years old, dressed in his flannel space pajamas, singing his heart out to Shania Twain's "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" and dancing like no one was watching :rotfl2:.

What a nice gesture for David! My daughter absolutely loved Barney when she was young. I think we had every VHS tape ever made also. Now that she has a son, who is 19 months old, I have sang the 'I Love You' song to him all his life, as I did his mom. Sweet memories. :love:

I think Barney holds those special memories for a LOT of people, but for some reason, most don't want to admit it. I could never understand why.

A 19 month old grandson......I bet he's so much fun!!! They are so innocent and inquisitive at that age!

I'm very proud of your bravery for riding the coasters. Tony would absolutely love it if I would get on a roller coaster, but there is no way in the world that would ever happen. That's why he has an "adventure wife" to do things like bungee jumping and riding coasters.

So I don't have any cat pictures - or any pet pictures for that matter - because anything with fur makes me sneeze. So to add to the fun and merriment, I would like to present to the world my beautiful great niece, Princess Avery.


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Now don't get all crazy here.....I don't consider Transformers a coaster. I draw the line at being dropped suddenly, flipped, spun upside down, or any other motion that makes me fear for my life :blush:. I won't even get on Flight of the Hippogriff.

That wee miss is as beautiful as her name :cloud9:. I bet she's spoiled rotten by a favourite auntie named Ruthie ;).

So glad to have found this trip report! Yours are always favorites of mine! Great, so far. Loving the Universal Christmas decorations!

Guess I will just have to enjoy the October report while this one is updated! popcorn:: We were at Universal and Disney at the same time in October. Enjoy your upcoming trip!

Thank you so much! :goodvibes A big :welcome: to you!

Wasn't that just PERFECT weather last October? I am hoping for the same again this year.....we are booked for October 14th to 21st pirate:.

Oh Universal at Christmas. As a kid and teen we went almost every year(we'd alternate between Disney and Universal and sometimes do both). One year when we were there they had actually made a snow hill (small) and we could sled down it. It was pretty cool.

I didn't realize the ET picture was part of photo connect. I wish I knew because we had that for free for 3 days for being family of the day on our Feb. trip. Ah Well. Barney is one of Duncan's favorites too. Madeline is more into things like Mummy. :)

See? I tell ya, Duncan and I would be two peas in a pod. You sure you don't want to invite me along on your next Orlando adventure, just so I can hang out with Duncan? :p

Both the ET Photoconnect shots are available in the gift shop. There's the one in the toy closet, and this one:

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The sets are behind the counter, so they almost look more like just the store's decor and less like a Photoconnect stop.

My pleasure! I'm so happy I was able to meet you and Steve, and it was really sweet of you to invite me for the tour

You are welcome! But the thanks for the tour goes to @dsmom . I was just the arranger of the meet-up :goodvibes.

So I have to tell you in 2011 when we went to Universal my sister and I were asked if we wanted to be a balloon handler in the parade. We jumped at the chance and here is a photo of me with our balloon while waiting for the parade to start. I don't have a great picture of me in the parade because it poured rain that night and as well as being soaked the picture my family took of us is very blurry. I will post it but not sure what it will look like. We also got a balloon handlers certificate. Check one off my bucket list.
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Very cool! What a unique experience!

Kerry and David were at the park the day prior, and he was stopped and asked if he wanted to be the Grand Marshall. He wasn't feelin' it at the time, so he declined.....much to Kerry's disappointment. That would have made for a super awesome memory for sure!

I love that Universal involves their guests in those special events. Just another way they make the magic of the holiday season come alive!

How lovely that Steve had people to ride the coasters with (and you had someone to not ride with!).

I must confess that whilst I can only go on The Simpsons and Forbidden Journey if I've had Motion Sickness medicine (and I sometimes feel a bit queasy from Spiderman) I'm absolutely fine with Minions - it's funny what sets different people off!

FJ makes Steve very disoriented, so I know that I'd be an absolute no-go on that one. In fact, FJ is the only ride I've actually witnessed someone throw up after riding. Some poor guy on our first-ever visit to Hogsmeade came out of the ride exit, and was mumbling to his wife "I really don't feel well" as he walked past where I was standing and waiting for Jake and Steve. He got about 10 steps past me, turned to the side, and lost his cookies :sick:. That vision will stay with me a long, long time.
 
And the ride? Well, it turns out that I LOVED it! :thumbsup2 I can't believe I hadn't been brave enough to try it in all of our previous trips :blush:. I felt like Queen of the World and the bravest person in the park as we exited, and I think Steve was just about the happiest guest of the day :). Topping off the whole fun experience, as we wandered back out into the sunshine, we saw that one of the Transformers was out meeting guests :woohoo:. To celebrate my "big personal accomplishment", we took a quick detour to get in on a photo. We waited less than five minutes for our turn …. so awesome!

Way to go!! So proud :)
 


We are a first generation Barney family. My oldest DD lived and breathed Barney for years. Her room had Barney wallpaper, draperies, sheets, pillows, comforter and art work. Then there where the PJ's, slippers, jeans, turtlenecks and sweaters. We had the VHS's and every toy on the market. I think she still has the stuffed Barney. It's the biggest joke now but she's a little protective of the purple guy.
 
Way to go!! So proud :)

Thank you! :teeth:

We are a first generation Barney family. My oldest DD lived and breathed Barney for years. Her room had Barney wallpaper, draperies, sheets, pillows, comforter and art work. Then there where the PJ's, slippers, jeans, turtlenecks and sweaters. We had the VHS's and every toy on the market. I think she still has the stuffed Barney. It's the biggest joke now but she's a little protective of the purple guy.

I gotta say, its giving me a good case of the warm and fuzzies to hear all the love that Barney's getting on this thread. Heartwarming, for sure :goodvibes.

It begs the question, though.....where on earth did you manage to find Barney wallpaper? :confused:

Umm, well, let's see, I think that on the advice of my attorney, I shall have no comment!!!!! :rolleyes1

Who said you have the right to remain silent? There is no Fifth Amendment in this thread!! :rotfl:
 
I gotta say, its giving me a good case of the warm and fuzzies to hear all the love that Barney's getting on this thread. Heartwarming, for sure :goodvibes.

It begs the question, though.....where on earth did you manage to find Barney wallpaper? :confused:
It's been 25 years. I have no idea at all where the wallpaper came from. It's amazing that my child doesn't have any sort of addiction problem. The Barney thing was serious.
 
Saturday, December 17th (continued) :santa:

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After the boys were done on the Mummy, we all decided that it might be a good day to watch the Macy’s Holiday Parade: we hadn’t really had the parade scheduled for today on the carefully-crafted, jam-packed itinerary that Kerry and I had so painstakingly poured over for the last five months, but this “bonus” day for us changed the plans in a very good way ::yes::. With a little bit of time left before we’d need to secure our preferred viewing spot [which was next to the massive tree in New York, for those that are wondering] we decided to grab a snack. We didn’t want any rumbly tummies interrupting our enjoyment of the much-anticipated signature holiday event.

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We strolled over to Springfield, and bought a Big Pink D'Oh-nut from Lard Lad to share. If I remember correctly, Robert wasn’t hungry so he took a pass, as did David: David is not a sweets lover, and would rather have a hamburger than a donut any day. So, we ended up splitting that behemoth only 3 ways. Steve took one for team and ate whatever we two ladies could not :p.

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Heading back to New York, we were just in time to catch Marilyn Monroe in her car outside of Macy’s.

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Macy’s, by the way, was beautifully decorated too. It just oozed festive elegance.

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Quite a crowd gathered behind the white ropes by the time that the parade was ready to start. We had a great spot next to the tree and would enjoy a spectacular view of the balloons as they were marched by. An entertaining police escort let us all know that the first float was on its way.

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Within minutes, it was parade time! :jumping1:

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There was a great mix of huge balloons…….

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……..marching bands…….

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……..Universal characters……

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………and Christmas-themed parade walkers.

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The pace of the parade was perfect: not too fast, not to slow. There was plenty of time to admire each unique component as the parade rolled down the route (allowing for lots of opportunities for photos), without lagging too long at any one point.

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The balloons were really incredible……we had watched the Macy’s parade on TV many times over the years, but to see some of those balloons in person was really something to behold. Apparently, too, there were a couple that were brand new for 2016: if I remember correctly, this was one of them.

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One of my favourite aspects of the parade, however, had to be the silly, fun-loving, animated snowmen who cheerily interacted with all the guests that lined the parade route. They shook their frosty booties, danced, hugged, high-fived and had us all in hysterics with their crazy antics. They seriously stole the show.

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Santa, of course, was the final float in the parade, and he arrived in a unique (but strangely odd) goose chariot pulled by his trusty set of reindeer. He was accompanied by Mrs. Claus and together they waved and shouted Christmas greetings to the adoring crowd.

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While normally most folks would just disperse at the conclusion to a park parade, those that stuck around were in for a little extra holiday cheer: as Santa disappeared down the street, several of the parade characters returned to the area around the Christmas tree……right where we were standing……for meet-and-greets and photos :santa:.

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By this time, it was past five o’clock and Steve and I noted with a groan that we should probably head out and check in at the Grande Vista. We had been having so much fun with Kerry, Robert and David we hated to leave, but yet we didn’t want to leave our check-in to too late an hour (plus we wanted to get settled in before we were too super tired). Together we made plans to meet them for dinner later that night, said our goodbyes for now, and headed back out through the park entrance.

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Next: we check into our villa at the Marriott Grande Vista…..our “home sweet home” for the next week :).
 
Wow, so glad you two had a great day after your guest service experience, it really took a long time to get your AP and photo connect! I love ET as well and my son watched Barney when he was little. The parade looks really fun, I love all the inflatable floats.

I am missing US reading your great report, I wish we were going there this year!
 
Christmas looks so festive there! Have you guys been to Busch Gardens? I haven't been to the one in Tampa but have been loads of times to the Williamsburg location and they do a terrific Christmas special there. I imagine they'd do the same in FL!
 
Add us to the Barney-lovin' family! :love: This just popped in my head- "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you.. won't you say you love me too!"

Ok-sorry! back to the TR! Love the Macy balloons! Hope to get there for the Christmas festivities this year now that they've added Harry Potter stuff.

Gina- your trip is oh so close now!:cheer2:
 
Yay!!! Another TR by Gina. I just finished your Halloween one, and was so happy to stumble across this one! Can't wait to hear all about your Christmas trip. Glad you got off the ground and made it to Orlando safe
 
It's been 25 years. I have no idea at all where the wallpaper came from. It's amazing that my child doesn't have any sort of addiction problem. The Barney thing was serious.

There are worse things to be addicted to. At least it wasn't Caillou or the Teletubbies :rolleyes2.

Wow, so glad you two had a great day after your guest service experience, it really took a long time to get your AP and photo connect! I love ET as well and my son watched Barney when he was little. The parade looks really fun, I love all the inflatable floats.

I am missing US reading your great report, I wish we were going there this year!

I'm kind of glad I went ahead and started the December report right away after all. It has made me quite excited to leave on Saturday. I was feeling a little ambivalent about this upcoming trip......leaving the kittens has me fretful, especially after Dash's recent injury and surgery.....but I'm beginning to allow myself to get a little excited. Finally.

Christmas looks so festive there! Have you guys been to Busch Gardens? I haven't been to the one in Tampa but have been loads of times to the Williamsburg location and they do a terrific Christmas special there. I imagine they'd do the same in FL!

So far, we've never been to Busch Gardens, but @dsmom and her family have.....and they say its breathtakingly beautiful. SeaWorld, which is owned by the same company, is stunning at the holiday season, so I can only imagine how lovely BG is as well. It's on my bucket list for future Christmases! :santa:

Add us to the Barney-lovin' family! :love: This just popped in my head- "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you.. won't you say you love me too!"

Ok-sorry! back to the TR! Love the Macy balloons! Hope to get there for the Christmas festivities this year now that they've added Harry Potter stuff.

Gina- your trip is oh so close now!:cheer2:

Aw, I love that song :love:. It brings back instant memories of snuggly Jake on momma's lap, curled up before bedtime smelling like fabric softener and baby powder :cloud9:. Like yesterday and forever-ago all at the same time.

I can't believe how fast this trip has roared up on us :crazy2:. I think I'll start packing this afternoon.....so far, I haven't even pulled out a suitcase. 48 hours from now, we'll be preparing for our final descent into FLL!!

Yay!!! Another TR by Gina. I just finished your Halloween one, and was so happy to stumble across this one! Can't wait to hear all about your Christmas trip. Glad you got off the ground and made it to Orlando safe

Thank you! :goodvibes So happy to have you reading along and posting!

Sooooo....who else had to take a second look at the statue???

Now how can I leave you in charge for a week if its absolutely impossible for you to behave? :rolleyes:

Ohhhh here we go! :rotfl2:

It really takes so little, doesn't it? :lmao:
 

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