We got up early and left at 6:50 for Disney. It was a frosty 46 when we left. There was clear sailing all the way to the front gate. As we were paying the $14 fee Jennifer called that she smelled propane. We called the propane company to investigate. We wlaked up Main st and saw a High school marching band then wandered over to the Pirates. Talked to Jennifer again after the Pirates of the Caribbean. No trouble found and at least we were re-assured but the service call cost $95. We went to Small World but found the wait was 90 minutes. Picked up some hot cocoa from a 75 year old lady and walked towards the castle where we saw a bride to be. Took a picture of her and then the lights on the castle. We'll come back after dark to see them lit. Made it over to Tomorrowland and enjoyed a talking moving robotic garbage can. We learned the Carousel of Progress was still there and there was no line so we walked in and enjoyed the nostalgia. This attraction is 46 years old, first debut was the NY Worlds Fair!
Walked towards Main St and got caught in a crowd watching the Christmas parade. Enjoyed it and made our way down the street to the exit. Took a monorail to the Polynesian where we had lunch at Kona's. It was enjoyable. I had grilled chicken with Mango mayonnaise and crisp onions. Libbie had the coconut curry soup. After lunch we took the monorail to the next stop which was the Grand Floridian. This grand hotel had a walk in gingerbread house and a huge atrium tree. Went outside where they were serving roasted chestnuts and hot spiced cider. Yummy. Got on another monorail and changed trains at the ticketing center for an Epcot bound monorail. Epcot was very crowded. We got an express pass at the Land and then enjoyed a nostalig ride through the Carousel of Progress which was updated for 2009. The land was spectacular as usual. I photographed lots of the hydroponics exhibits. We then went up to China and watched the reflcetions surround movie of scenes from China. After a bathroom stop it was time for the bus to the Hollywood studios. We had dinner reservations at Mama Melroses which we ate dinner at after seeing the nearby Osbourne Family christmas lights. The lights were over the top. They were originally 2.3 million but now are at 5 million and are coordinated with music. Dinner was excellent - I had sausage over rigatoni and cheesecake for desert. We had a glass of Copolla Shiraz with dinner. After dinner we wairted for a bus back to the ticketing center where we took a monorail to the Magic kingdom again. We were able to see the fireworks from Main St in front of the castle then went to the back of the park to find Small World. There was no line at Small World. We enjoyed it very much then had hot chocolate since it was so cold. On the way out we took a seat on the side near the train station we drank our chocolate and watched an electric light parade before boarding a freezing ferry ride back to the parking lot. Dragged ourselves back into our car in Daisy row 28 at midnight and started the 2 hour drive back to Sarasota. We got back at 1:30 which was a half hour quicker.
What I would take away from our day in the parks. Strollers and people everywhere with long lines for everything. Our strategy of escaping to the Polynesian for dinner was excellent. The snow and xmas lights in Hollywood were a treat. Never before have I seen so many lights so well coordinated. The park employees were above all else. We saw a dancing street sweeper, a singing baton waving traffic director and generally happy "cast members". The ages of the help were also unbelievable from the 80 year old serving chestnuts to the 75 year old lady serving hot cocoa and generally gray hair cast members everywhere.