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Walt Disney World Resort Pictures

The text list below contains the captions of all images in the set.

We touched down in Orlando just before 6am and saw this sign in the Main Terminal around 6:10am.
The Christmas tree in the main terminal of MCO.
The EarPort had not opened for the day.
Decided to stop for a quick breakfast before catching the bus.
Making may to the Magical Express. Noticed they have removed all signage from the counters.
Oops should have paused to take a picture vs walking.
Some Christmas decorations on the kiosks for Magical Express.
A couple wreaths above the queue area.
Ready to board our bus.
On our way out of the airport at 6:54am, about an hour after landing. The construction is the new terminal as MCO continues to expand.
Entering Disney property at 7:14am.
This trip we stayed at Pop Century.
At the bus stop waiting for our bus just before 8am. Noticed the signs now rotate. In addition to the destination they have a saying..
This is the Studios.
Clouds starting to gather.
Our bus arriving.
The saying for the Magic Kingdom.
Preferred Parking signage at the MK toll plaza.
A new restroom building by the far bus stops.
The Magic Kingdom entrance area around 8:30am, park opened at 9am and I needed to stop at guest relations first.
In the park at 8:45am.
Some Christmas garland up on Main Street and snow machines for the parties clearly visible.
The Omnibus pulling out to start its day.
Guests filling Main Street as the park is opening.
I found it odd the Emporium doors were closed this morning.
Some work going on around the castle. This is the west side.
On the hillside on the left too
Arrived at the Mine Train just before 9am and some of the group headed for the standby line. I strolled around and stopped by Winnie the Pooh across the way since it had no wait.
After experiencing the Tokyo version a few weeks prior this was a real let down and not a good way to start the day.
An empty Mine Train going by. It took about 25 min for my group to make it through.
Fantasyland was calm this morning. Only real wait was for Peter Pan.
Walking through Liberty Square.
Found a spot for the 9:30am Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History (my reason for visiting the park this morning).
Sam Eagle high atop the Hall of Presidents. This show was on the declaration of independence.
Kermit and Miss Piggy
Gonzo
Fozzie Bear
A wider angle to give you an idea of where Sam was for the show.
They get into costume to recreate the moment in a way only the Muppets can.
Here are some video clips from the show.
Stopped by the Christmas shoppe after the show and thought this was a fun pin.
Wanted to go for a Jingle Cruise but standby was 50 minutes at 9:50am.. so I will try again another day with a FastPass+ I could not get one today due to one for this evening at AK already.
Mosquito repellent stations are in all the parks now. Here is one on the left in Frontierland. They have information and repellent, for free.
Noticed a camouflaged trap along the Rivers of America.
A closer look
Big Thunder
Warnings signs around the parks and resorts now.
Splash Mountain had no wait this morning. Seems everyone was at the Jingle Cruise!
While at the train station it started to rain. Hard to tell in this shot but it was raining.
By the time we reached Tomorrowland the rain had stopped so we disembarked and walked by the Speedway.
The rain did little to clean Space Mountain.
The Walt Disney World Railroad steaming by.
Walls up near the stage in Tomorrowland.
Thought this was an amusing combo on a sign.
A trifecta on this one with a fun arrow.
The Magic Kingdom now has cabanas available for daily rent. They go for just shy of $700 a day. They are located between Space Mountain and the restrooms (the old Skyway building).
Time for one of my favorite Magic Kingdom attractions.
From above looks like they are re-working the planters in the area.
The skies were getting darker again.
Another view of the cabana tents.
Inside there appears to be some attraction posters.
Some guests utilizing this one.
The Carousel of Progress received a new color scheme since my last visit.
This sod layout does not look very good to me. Looks unfinished at best.
The rock work at the Tomorrowland entrance has been repainted. It was starting to sprinkle again so I did not have time for pictures.
Made it to the Monorail before the rain. Construction on the Express entrance side.
Emergency stairs on the resort line entrance side.
First stop the Contemporary Resort. The same Frozen inspired gingerbread creation is back this year.
Ingredients for this year.
Some treats for sale.
Notice the hidden Olafs (the silver blobs)
Outside the rain was coming down in waves.
Chef Mickey wreath.
Next stop the Grand Floridian.
A closer look at the window artwork this year.
A new offering in the Garden View Lounge. Champagne, Wine and appetizers for sale from 7-10pm.
A gingerbread house you can buy and take home.
A little break in the rain outside.
Oops forgot Gasparilla Island Grill is closed still.. need a plan B for lunch.
Wonderland Tea Party is available on weekdays.
The front entrance.
Deer out as usual.
Passing by the Magic Kingdom dock as it continued to rain. The walkways are being reconfigured for the ferry boats.
Noticed the Disney Parks rain ponchos now include Shanghai.
The rain was really coming down as we returned to the Contemporary for lunch at the Contempo Cafe.
My lunch.. a burger and fries. Not bad and they have a 20% off discount for Annual Passholders now.
Contemporary front desk decorations. Our goal was to get to Pop Century but not get soaked. We originally were just going to walk but it was really windy and rainy.. so we jumped on the first bus that showed up hoping for better weather there to transfer.
Ended up at Disney Springs.. which we learned was not ideal.. the new bus stop is massive and Pop Century is a long walk from the drop off point.
45 minutes after leaving the Contemporary arrived at Pop Century. It was nice to see the bus times now in operation.
They had towels available as you entered Pop Century. I have seen these at Deluxe resorts but do not recall seeing them at Pop before.
Next stop on the resort tour was Coronado Springs.
The lobby decorations here are great.
It was really quiet this afternoon, it was around 2:30pm
Went for a walk around the resort. Looking back at the lobby building.
Next stop Animal Kingdom. They have preferred parking too. We were in regular parking, about a row away.
The cars in preferred this afternoon as we walked by.
The Pandora crane was still there, not a lot of visible work going on with the weather.
The usual decorations up at the Animal Kingdom entrance.
The Tree of Life as the skies cleared a little.
The work going on near Flame Tree was another covered seating area.
Discovery Island Sunset Serenatas performing.
A video clip from the performance.
Passing by Flame Tree BBQ
Entering Dinoland as the skies darkened again.
Some guests in line for Pop Corn.. almost a Tokyo Flashback.. if it was about 20 times longer.
Interesting the pop corn refills are length of stay...
Rivers of Light viewing area.. it looks very much the same as it did back in April.. no show and empty.
Kali Rapids closing early today.
Noticed this sign near the Marketplace. It has not been updated with the new name (Gorilla Falls)
Gingerbread popcorn in Zuris
Other signage is all updated with Gorilla Falls.
The Discovery Island Carnivale passing by as the rain started to fall again.
Russel watching the Carnivale pass by.
I found cover by Flame Tree and watched from there.
A wider shot as guests moved by in the rain.
Rivers of Light fountain testing going on this afternoon.
The skies started to clear just in time for sunset (it was after 4:30pm)
Just past 5pm and Flame Tree dining areas were empty.
Ahh I see why. They had them blocked off now and were directed guests just to the ones near the walkway.
A second pass at the Carnivale
Jungle Book Meet and Greet had some Christmas decorations.
Passing through Harambe.
Went for an after dark Kilimanjaro Safari.. it was about 6pm as we set off.
I left these pictures as they came out of the camera. There was some light but overall fairly dark in most areas.
Passing the hippo area.
The Nile crocs look the same at night as they do during the day.
The sunset effect they have looked great with the cattle! I wish they would have paused here longer for a couple pictures..
Hyenas were out but sleeping
Really hard to see most of the savanna. With your eye it looked better but not a lot.
Looking back.
Giraffe
After playing a game of rock or elephant we eventually made it to the lion area.
The male lion was up to greet us.
The females laying on the rocks.
More movement than during the day.
Found this a little poor to come across this cart in Harambe... actually before reaching town.
A quiet Marketplace area.
Time to catch the Tree of Life Awakenings that happen every 10 minutes.
A video clip of one of the Awakenings.
A second Awakening. I was told there were 4 we only had time for 2 tonight.
On my way out of the park at 6:50pm.
Caught the Jingle Bam fireworks from the bus stop.
Took us till 7:40pm to get to Disney Springs. A good 50 minutes from leaving AK to head to the bus stop.
Walking through the Town Center at Disney Springs.
Decided to get dinner at the food trucks. It was around 8pm and there was a healthy line.
Found a spot for the 8:30 Starbright Holidays show, this is the drone show that happens at 7 & 8:30 nightly.
The skies come alive with lights/stars as the drones turn on their lights.
They form a Christmas tree (I was watching so my pictures are not the best).
A wider look at the Christmas tree.
The next segment were random shapes, colors. The show uses 300 drones.
The finale is a dove.
The show runs approximately 4 minutes only.
We then walked quickly to grab a bus to the Epcot Resorts, arriving at the Beach Club just after 9pm. The Carousel this year has the horses decorated for different Disney characters.
I will return but a couple pages of quick pictures as I walked through.
Walked into Epcot and decided to watch Illuminations from near Germany. Arrived in a spot at 9:27pm for the 9:30pm show.
Showtime.
The Holiday Tag is still awesome every time I see it.
The hike back to the bus meant going through the smoke which had blown into the area between China and Mexico more or less.
A congestion point near Mexico.
Passing the tree. 9:54pm if you were curious on timing, so approximately 8 minutes after the show ended.
At the bus stop at 10:04pm
Luckily I was ahead of several massive tour groups that filled the queue and it went down the walkway.
Back at Pop Century and almost to the room at 10:32 to end a very long day for me after the red eye flight. Noticed the elevator signs advertise the Art of Animation dining too.