Tuesday December 13th 2016

Today started out foggy. It was so foggy the boats and launches to the Magic Kingdom were not running. It caused a bit of confusion in the campground, but not for me. I didn’t get underway until close to noon when it was a bright sunny day.

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree

I had a marathon Disney day with resort hotel visits and two theme parks. It started with a boat ride to the Wilderness Lodge. Massive upgrades and expansion are underway, but the lobby hasn’t been impacted. The tall Christmas tree is impressive.

Mickey Mouse Topiary at the Contemporary Resort.

From the Wilderness Lodge I continued on via boat to the Contemporary Hotel. There are a few small traditional Christmas trees in the lobby, but no big center piece trees. On my way to the monorail, I stopped to admire the confectionery creations the hotel has on display instead of gingerbread houses.

Confectionery castle at the Contemporary Resort.

Christmas tree at the Grand Floridian

Full size gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian

Christmas Tree at the entrance to Animal Kingdom

I stopped at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian hotels to check out the Christmas Decorations then caught a bus to the Animal Kingdom from the Magic Kingdom bus stops. I had a Fastpass time for the Lion King show. I missed the time window for the pass but got in the general setting area to watch the show.

Simba in the Lion King show

Flying Monkeys acrobats in the Lion King show.

After the show I toured the animals of Africa and Asia while I waited for my Fastpass time for the Kilimanjaro Safari. The safari ride was not one of the best I’ve had. This particular driver didn’t pause often or travel slowly to allow for good pictures. The animals were also not plentiful. I think this is the first time I didn’t see any elephants.

Male Gorilla

Animal Kingdom’s idea of what Mt Everest looks like.

Asian tiger

Hyena on the Kilimanjaro Safari

Zebra on the safari

Lion asleep on the rocks

From the Animal Kingdom I took a bus to the Boardwalk hotel. I walked the boardwalk around the lagoon to check out the Yacht and Beach club resorts, then entered EPCOT from the International Gateway. EPCOT was very crowded. I caught the first half of the Candle Light Processional standing in the walkway in front of the America pavilion. Meredith Vieira was the narrator. I continued my walk around the world showcase when it became apparent that here voice couldn’t be heard from my vantage point. The carolers voice were amplified much better. The line for the seating area for the next performance had already reached Japan.

Boardwalk hotel Christmas tree.

Gingerbread encrusted carousel at the Beach Club resort.

EPCOT Christmas tree

My original plan was to stay at EPCOT and watch the Holiday Illuminations performance, but I was getting tired. I returned to my campsite for the night.