This page is to help you quickly jump through this picture set. Below you will see a listing of the pages and the captions on that page.

• Page Number: 1
  

  The Pop Warner tournaments were winding down this weekend, but there were still plenty of busses and people on the back far side of the Riverside.
  Today we were at EPCOT most of the day due to the D23 Magic and Merriment, Day 1.
  Daisy was out taking pictures as we entered the park.
  

• Page Number: 2
  

  The park had not opened yet, but we were let into the central plaza. Innoventions CMs were out to greet the crowd.
  The characters were out on the other side of the rope. Here Goofy was running back and fourth high fiving people.
  There was also a Testtrack looking car parked out near the fountain.
  

• Page Number: 3
  

  More characters working the rope line.
  A guest was selected to open the park. He got a great group shot then to ride off in the Test Track car.
  

• Page Number: 4
  

  There was a brief countdown by the characters
  During which the car sped off toward Test Track.
  

• Page Number: 5
  

  Then the characters headed for their photo location.
  CMs from Mouse Gear were out greeting people (sorry for the bad shot we had to keep moving due to the crowd).
  

• Page Number: 6
  

  The skys looked threatening most of the day. Also notice no Lights of Winter arches this year...
  Once we checked in we had some free time to roam around the Odyssey (believe they were calling it Odyssey Center now).
  There was a projection screen set up for the presentations.
  

• Page Number: 7
  

  A wider shot showing the stage area.
  A look outside
  

• Page Number: 8
  

  From the other side.
  There was a photo backdrop set up in the back corner.
  The second sign in table, this is where you signed up for your Castle Suite tour.
  

• Page Number: 9
  

  There were several tables/carts with snacks and beverages.
  

• Page Number: 10
  

  A look outside at the first checkin counter where you get your packet.
  Someone laid out the packet, and was kind enough to allow us to take a couple pictures.
  Almost showtime. The seats were full.
  

• Page Number: 11
  

  A WDW Ambassador took the stage first to welcome everyone and act as the MC for the event.
  

• Page Number: 12
  

  Becky Cline from D23 and the Walt Disney Archives was next.
  Then Jeffrey from D23.
  

• Page Number: 13
  

  The first speaker of the morning was Lisa Borotkanics who is the manager of Holiday Services.
  The next several pages are pictures of her slides.
  

• Page Number: 14
  

• Page Number: 15
  

• Page Number: 16
  

• Page Number: 17
  

• Page Number: 18
  

  Next up were two of the resorts top pastry chefs - Erich Herbitchek(left) from the Grand Floridian and Stefan Riemer(right) from the Yacht and Beach Club
  

• Page Number: 19
  

  Erich started to decorate a gingerbread house while Stefan gave us a brief presentation about what they do.
  

• Page Number: 20
  

• Page Number: 21
  

  Then they switched roles.
  

• Page Number: 22
  

• Page Number: 23
  

  After the presentations Stitch came out for pictures in front of a holiday backdrop (this covered the Illuminations one I showed early).
  Then we were on our own for the afternoon. Here is a shot of the new (well new since our last trip) railing around the fountain.
  

• Page Number: 24
  

  The walkways through Innoventions have also been painted (this is the East one that leads to Mission Space, Test Track, and Universe of Energy).
  Then the West that leads to the Seas, Land, and Imagination.
  The ground was also redone so it would not be as slippery when wet.
  

• Page Number: 25
  

  They were really working to keep the traffic flowing in a counter clockwise manner at the Land. A barrier was up to prevent you from going against the flow.
  Only a 10 minute wait for Living with the Land. The Fastpass Machines were off for the day.
  Looking at the lineboard you can see what people like.
  

• Page Number: 26
  

  After lunch I headed back to the Land and walked onto the boat ride.
  Noticed this tour only had one person on it.
  

• Page Number: 27
  

  They are now growing eggplant (I think that is what it was) in the Mickey ears.
  Some of the greenhouses had Christmas decorations.
  

• Page Number: 28
  

  They were working on this area last trip.
  Spotted this sign near the end of the ride.
  

• Page Number: 29
  

  The Jamitors were out performing.
  Chip and Dale were near by too.
  

• Page Number: 30
  

  The stage that was used for the Magic Music Days performances was not set up.
  Inside Innoventions there was a small sign to try and guide you to the proper location.
  

• Page Number: 31
  

  The stage in front of the fountain was hosting a musical group throughout the holidays (I still miss the Cast in Bronze bells).
  

• Page Number: 32
  

  Looking toward World Showcase looks so plain now.. no arches, no doves, no snowflakes, just some ground cover then the tree in the distance.
  Time for the show (the lighting was terrible thanks to the clouds).
  

• Page Number: 33
  

• Page Number: 34
  

  There was a fairly small crowd enjoying the concert
  For those that did not know, this is the Odyssey, where the morning session was and it was set up as a hospitality area for us all day.
  

• Page Number: 35
  

  Used a Fastpass for Test Track.
  We were stopped here for two cycles or so.. guess they were backed up at the unload/load area.
  

• Page Number: 36
  

  After our ride stopped by the Odyssey for something to drink.
  

• Page Number: 37
  

  It was not very busy, only two groups hanging out inside and a couple of CMs.
  

• Page Number: 38
  

  As part of the D23 event we were each given an envelop with a bunch of Fastpasses inside. Here is what we each got (7 for the Magic Kingdom to be used on any Fastpass attraction, 2 for Soarin, 2 for Test Track, and 2 for either Mission Space, Living witht he Land, or Maelstrom..)
  

• Page Number: 39
  

  There was one tech CM breaking down the stage.
  They gave away the gingerbread house, it was in a box since the winners did not want to carry it around all day. I wish they would have left it on the table (I would have liked to have gotten a better picture and I was too afraid to move it).
  

• Page Number: 40
  

  Next we headed for World Showcase. Here is a new stand that was set up near Mexico for the Food and Wine Festival and it has stayed.
  The latest rumor I heard is this is staying for a while since they are going to rebuild the restaurant on the water side of the walkway.
  The menu.
  

• Page Number: 41
  

  The three kings have a smaller set this year.
  This view just frustrates me.. Frnace in the foreground but its dominated by Dolphin... how I wish that hotel was built closer to Downtown Disney and further from EPCOT!!!
  Also noticed you could see the backstage building fairly clearly from the walkway now.. were some trees removed or was I just at the right angle?
  

• Page Number: 42
  

  For those that like menus.. here is the one at the Outpost.
  The tree looks kind of lonely without the giant white arches behind it.
  

• Page Number: 43
  

• Page Number: 44
  

  I had not noticed (or it did not stick in my mind) this picture hanging in Germany.
  The text below it.
  

• Page Number: 45
  

• Page Number: 46
  

  They announced a new Pizza place for Italy.. rumor is it will go someplace in the back left of this shot.
  The Standby line for the Candlelight was being set up as we walked by (later in the evening this would be filled).
  A tip.. if you are back in the Standby Line why not just stand in the back to watch the show.. the sight lines are not that bad and it beats waiting in the lone queue and your odds of getting in are slim.. for the performance we want to I would say at most they took a couple hundred guests from the stand by line.
  

• Page Number: 47
  

  Thought this was interesting. They were taking pictures of the fife and drum corp around the stage area.
  

• Page Number: 48
  

  Ahh I goofed in the shot.. this is the tree at the American Adventure. I wanted to show they did not have a train set up this year.. and for some reason this is the best shot I took.. and I did not get the base.
  Stopped by the American Adventure since we had 45 minutes till the Candlelight.
  

• Page Number: 49
  

  A CM pointed out a weird optical illusion I had not heard about. If you are at the right distance and walk by this painting it looks like the plane is following you.
  They said to walk on on the first line (the darker tiles).
  Now some pictures of the spirits.
  

• Page Number: 50
  

  For those West Coast geeks there are now smaller versions of these on display in the Great Moments lobby.
  

• Page Number: 51
  

  These are all on the left (exit) side of the theater.
  A couple random shots from the show.
  

• Page Number: 52
  

• Page Number: 53
  

  Next up the Candlelight. The back handful of rows starting from near the center to the far right were reserved for our event.
  We did not have to wait in either of the lines, instead we just walked up to the walkway and the D23 and other CMs waved us right in.
  

• Page Number: 54
  

  The theater filled in.
  Show time..
  

• Page Number: 55
  

• Page Number: 56
  

  Kind of weird to watch the procession in the daylight.
  

• Page Number: 57
  

  The sign language person.
  The guest narrator for the evening was Chita Rivera
  

• Page Number: 58
  

• Page Number: 59
  

  Noticed them out working on one of the barges (well setting it up for the evening)
  

• Page Number: 60
  

• Page Number: 61
  

  After the show we headed backstage through the gate near the American Adventure and boarded cruise line busses to head to the studios.
  The busses let us off right at the entrance to Lights Motors Action. Once through the tunnel we were greeted with a D23 sign on the screen and dinner on the set.
  As soon as you crossed the bridge there were CMs with drinks waiting for us.
  

• Page Number: 62
  

  And two main buffet lines for dinner.
  The tables were in the middle.
  

• Page Number: 63
  

  One of the lines.
  

• Page Number: 64
  

  We were able to roam around the set and take pictures at will.
  It was weird to turn around and see the large, empty theater.
  

• Page Number: 65
  

  After most had eaten I went to get some pictures of the food..
  

• Page Number: 66
  

  Santa Mickey made an appearance and was available for pictures.
  

• Page Number: 67
  

• Page Number: 68
  

  In front of the center stage there was a drinks station and carving station.
  

• Page Number: 69
  

• Page Number: 70
  

  There were no ropes, CMs, or other barriers but everyone seemed to have an instinct not to go beyond the tunnel.. so I followed that protocol too.
  

• Page Number: 71
  

  The buffet line on the other side of the set.. also another drink station in back left of the shot.
  

• Page Number: 72
  

  Did you know there is a hidden Mickey in the window of the Motomania shop?
  One of the other D23 guests (Amanda) pointed it out to me.
  

• Page Number: 73
  

• Page Number: 74
  

• Page Number: 75
  

  A close up of the plaque on the wall in the last shot. A tribute to one of the Imagineers.
  

• Page Number: 76
  

• Page Number: 77
  

• Page Number: 78
  

  The details in the shop windows were great!
  Forgot to mention when we walked through tunnel there was a red carpet to get across the bridge and onto the set.
  

• Page Number: 79
  

• Page Number: 80
  

  This is where the bike goes through to break through the window.
  

• Page Number: 81
  

  A hot beverage station (this was near the carving station)
  Right before Mickey left (and since there was no line) the D23 CMs jumped in for a picture.
  

• Page Number: 82
  

  As things wound down they assembled everyone on the far side of the set and we walked over to Toy Story (they were fairly strict during this walk not allowing any pictures.. which was odd since this is the route the trams take so it was technically onstage).
  My Toy Story score.. (the green one).
  Reason I showed the last shot was because of this.. I managed to squeak in as the high score of the day.. this stood as of my second trip through, which I think means it stood for the day since there were not that many people, maybe a dozen or two groups after my second ride.
  

• Page Number: 83
  

  Then we headed over to the Studio Catering Company area a dessert buffet.
  A large portion of the group was sporting the Mickey hats we were given in the morning.
  

• Page Number: 84
  

  The beverage station.
  

• Page Number: 85
  

• Page Number: 86
  

• Page Number: 87
  

• Page Number: 88
  

  After dessert we headed out to a darkened Streets of America.
  

• Page Number: 89
  

  Where John Phelan took the stage to talk to us about the Osborne lights.
  After his story he selected someone to help him turn the lights on.
  

• Page Number: 90
  

  They ran through one song for us.
  

• Page Number: 91
  

• Page Number: 92
  

  Then they brought up one of the techs (I missed his name and title, I believe he was the lead).
  They answered questions from the group.
  

• Page Number: 93
  

  Such as where are some of the hidden Mickeys
  Then Jeffrey took the stage for some house cleaning..
  Then we were given time to roam the streets as the lights cycled through several of the songs.
  

• Page Number: 94
  

  There is a tough hidden Mickey to find under these awnings.
  

• Page Number: 95
  

  Becky and Jeffrey took the stage again to talk to us briefly.
  

• Page Number: 96
  

• Page Number: 97
  

  It was great to move around the streets with our small group.
  

• Page Number: 98
  

  The busses were pulled up in the tram turn around area for us.
  

• Page Number: 99
  

• Page Number: 100
  

  As we headed for the busses they passed out an ornament to everyone.
  

• Page Number: 101
  

  A better shot of the hat we were all given.
  We each received two one day single park passes as well as two Disney Quest passes.