Saying Farewell to the Osborne Lights

Osborne Lights GlobeWe set aside the entire day on December 27th (2015) to spend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Sure, we were there to enjoy our favorite Studios’ attractions and we wanted to check out the new Star Wars Launch Bay, but mostly we wanted to pay our respects to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  After a successful 20 year run as one of the most beloved Christmas traditions at Walt Disney World, the lights will be turned off for good on January 6, 2016.

Saying Farewell to the Osborne Lights

We wanted to spend time strolling the Streets of America where the Osborne Lights are displayed – both during the daytime and at night.  The lights are spectacular when they’re on, but during the daylight hours, there’s also a certain charm – a special atmosphere – when the lights are off, the sun is shining, and the streets are mainly deserted.DHS-Olaf DHS-Roger-Rabbit-Christmas

We arrived at 7:30 for the 8:00 am scheduled park opening.  We managed to knock a couple of attractions off our to-do list and grab a bite at Starring Rolls before we made our way to the quiet Streets of America.  The day was gloriously sunny and warm – not Christmas-ish at all, which made the setting seem almost surreal in both its quiet abandonment and seasonal spirit.DHS-Minnie-Mickey-PicnicDHS - Christmas Dalmations DHS-Flying Goofy

We knew that a million tiny details that were so obvious during the day would all but disappear at night as the lights would shine and blink with the music and as “snow” fell on guests packed tightly in the streets to see the spectacle for the last time.DHS - I'm the baby!DHS-Christmas-Stitch DHS-China Bowl-WindowDHS-Mr-Gold'sWhat fun it was to be all alone on the Streets of America during one of the busiest weeks of the year at Walt Disney World!  We took our time and soaked up the wonderful surprises hidden all around.  After we’d seen what we could and used all our FastPasses (plus a few extra attractions), we headed to Epcot for a pre-dinner stroll around World Showcase.  We ate at the Dolphin’s Blue Zoo that evening – after which we caught a bus back to the Studios for the big show.

Now we had lots of company on those same previously-empty streets!  The place was packed and the displays and details we had admired by day took on a completely different look at night.DHS-Osborne-Lights-Dalmations DHS-Osborne-Lights-Goofy-FlyingDHS-Osborne-Lights-Olaf DHS-Osborne-Lights-Baby

DHS-Osborne-Lights-Mr-Gold'sThe music was wonderful!  The lights were as special and spectacular as could possibly be imagined.  As an added bit of fun, we moved as quickly as we could through the hustle and bustle to spy as many Mickeys (and Minnies) as we could before we called it a night.DHS-Osborne-Lights-Minnie DHS-Osborne-Lights-Mickey DHS-Osborne-Lights-Green-MickeyWill the Osborne Lights be missed?  You betcha!  At the same time, we are anticipating the many new and exciting experiences to come after all the changes are complete at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (or whatever the park may be named in the future).

Were you a fan of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights?  What did you love most about this incredible and unique experience?

DVC Studio Review – Polynesian Villas

Polynesian-Check-In-Raymond-and-LisaJust back from our most recent visit to Walt Disney World and what a great time we had!  Everything from the weather to the festive holiday atmosphere to the great dining and surprisingly nice accommodations we enjoyed – all of it was magical.  We used our DVC points for a stay in the newly renovated Villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  We booked later than we normally would and the only DVC room available on the monorail was at the Poly.  A studio was perfect since Raymond and I were taking a 5-night post-Christmas getaway alone.  Our home resorts are Bay Lake Tower and the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian – this was our first stay at the new Polynesian villas and our first stay at the Poly in about nine years.

DVC Studio Review – Polynesian Villas

We arrived on December 26th around noon.  We hopped off the Magic Express and headed for the front desk (we’d tried online check-in, but hadn’t heard anything back).  Polynesian-LobbyWe were greeted by a cheerful Cast Member (their costumes at this resort are gorgeous!) and informed that our room was not yet ready, but this friendly young lady was determined to find a room that was ready now.  Polynesian-Village-Resort-MapThis is where we were pixie-dusted from a standard view original request to a lake-view studio in Moorea.  What a great surprise!  We followed the path from the Great Ceremonial House right to our building and up to the second floor (2023).Polynesian-Tiki-Light Polynesian-Villas-Art

Right away we loved the colors and the theming – those little Disney touches always make everything seem that much more special.  The room was spacious, warm and welcoming.  The slatted doors on the closets and bathrooms (yes, I meant to make that plural) add to the airy, tropical feel.  The dark wood and finishes make the rooms feel luxurious and well-appointed.Polynesian-Villa-Room-Decor Polynesian-Villa-StudioPolynesian-Villa-Living-Area

These studios sleep up to five with a queen bed, queen fold-out sofa, a bunk-sized bed that folds down from a cabinet under the TV.  The artwork inside that little bed is an adorable picture of Lelo and Stitch. Polynesian-Villa-Fold-Down-Bed-Art The small kitchenette offers a sink, fridge, microwave, coffee-maker and toaster.  We didn’t bring our own coffee since we easily found delicious ground coffee in a resort gift shop last time we were at Disney World – this was a huge mistake!  There was no ground coffee (only beans) to be found anywhere!  After we used up our resort-provided serving on the first morning, we were coffee-less each morning until we struck out for our daily adventures.  We will be sure to be better prepared in the future.Polynesian-Villa-Kitchenette

Now, back to the bathrooms.  Yes – there are two! This split-bath setup makes a huge difference when multiple people are trying to get ready at the same time – even the two of us.  One room has a toilet, traditional bathtub/shower and vanity.  Polynesian-Villa-Bathroom-Vanity Polynesian-Villa-BathThe other has a vanity and a large shower with two showerheads to choose from!  One is a traditional showerhead (detachable) and the other is straight overhead for a rain or waterfall effect -heavenly!  Polynesian-Vanity Polynesian-Villa-ShowerBoth bathrooms have motion-sensors that turn on the fan automatically when the room is occupied.

Our balcony overlooked the new DVC Bora Bora Bungalows and Seven Seas Lagoon.  In the distance we had a lovely view of Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain.Polynesian-Villa-Moorea-Lake-View Polynesian-Villa-Moorea-Lake-View2I’d heard that the boat horns were a huge problem for people staying in lake-view rooms and we did notice them on the first night – I think being in a new place had a lot to do with it.  After that, we were so exhausted by our full 15-hours of park touring each day, no sounds bothered us and we slept like babies in our super comfortable bed.  The pillows and linens were fabulous!

Pros of the Polynesian DVC studios:  Roomy with great theming, split bathroom with deluxe shower, easy walk to every building from the Great Ceremonial House, and gorgeous, lush surroundings.  Moorea is a very short walk away from the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC).

Cons:  Boat noise bothers some people, current resort renovations are underway which means quite a few construction walls mar the beauty of the landscaping and walkways.  There are not as many restaurant choices as at the other monorail/Magic Kingdom resorts.

Are you a fan of the Polynesian?  What would you recommend about it?

 

Disney Resolutions – 2016 Version

Polynesian-Villa-Fireworks-New-YearIf you’ve been hanging around here a while then you know I’m not big on life-changing New Year’s Resolutions.  I don’t believe in trying to change yourself, your life, or your habits anytime other than when you’re ready to embrace change.  Nike’s motto “Just Do It” perfectly sums up how I feel about change.  If you want to lose weight, quit smoking, relax more, be angry less, do more or less of anything – do it when you’re ready, not because the calendar says January 1.  Since I stared this blog in 2013, I’ve made only Disney resolutions at the beginning of the year and today I’m stoked about 2016 and what’s in store Disney-wise.  I’d also love to hear what your Disney resolutions are, so please leave a comment!

Disney Resolutions – 2016 Version

I’m going to the movies!  Oh, my goodness!  The 2016 Disney movie lineup is simply The Standard Movie Snacksspectacular!  Zootopia, Jungle Book (finally!), Captain America Civil War, Finding Dory, and Moana (those are the ones I’m most excited about).  There are more, but those five are at the top of my must-see list.RM-Sunrise-runDisney-Princess-Half

I’m running alone – again, but hopefully for the last time!  Next month I’m headed to my next couple of runDisney races.  Since Joseph trained for and ran his first 10k and half marathon with me last fall, I have hope that I’ll finally be able to convince at least one or more family members to join me for the 2017 Princess Half Marathon (or Glass Slipper Challenge). Running-Age-Group-Awards-5K Over the past 18 years, I’ve run almost all the races I’ve entered by myself, but I’ve enjoyed having Joseph by my side so much, I’d love to have him with me at Walt Disney World for a race or two.  I know Megan can run (when she wants to) and she would absolutely love a runDisney event…I’ll be working on that.Morimoto-Asia-Lunch-Raymond

I’m learning to share – and resolve to do it more often!  Last week when Raymond and I were at Walt Disney World, we shared food in restaurants big time!  We had a ton of ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations) booked – so many that we could never have experienced each restaurant to the fullest without sharing.  We shared omelets at breakfast (Grand Floridian Café), three-courses at lunch (Skipper Canteen and Morimoto Asia),Morimoto-Asia-Kakuni-Pork-Bao appetizers at dinner (Jiko, Bluezoo, Shula’s, Flying Fish, and Narcoossee’s) and were able to taste so much more – while wasting so much less food than we would have without sharing.  We felt less stuffed and saved money too!  In a few weeks we’ll be back at Disney World before cruising on the Disney Dream…let’s see if we can keep up the culinary cooperation!

I’m going to show my adult children how to be kids again!  There’s no better place to embrace your inner child than at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!  MM-Magic-Kingdom-MNSSHPWe’ve booked a week in October for Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, but I’m dying to show ’em how to dress up and totally be a kid again for the night in Magic Kingdom at one of the most special and fun events Disney has to offer.

I vow to find the most perfect shoes ever!  Ugh!  I’m showing my age for sure.  I took five pairs of my most broken-in, tried and true Disney touring shoes last week and my feet still killed me. RM-Running-Shoes In fact, one day we went to Disney Springs in the morning with Epcot planned for the afternoon and I had to stop and buy some sandals at the Sanuk store because I was bleeding in to my sneakers – ones I’d worn comfortably several times in the past.  The problem for me is that all the walking and standing in line causes my feet and ankles to swell.  Maybe the cure is some deluxe compression socks or some extra-special comfort sandals – whatever it is, I’m committed to finding the cure.  I’m old-ish, but I’m not THAT old – I’m not letting my feet keep me from doing all that I want to do.

This year my goals are few and simple.  What are your 2016 Disney resolutions?

 

Walt Disney Rand McNally Globe

Some things never change – It may be a new year, but I still have the same old envy over yet another item in Nick and Barbie’s Disneyana collection!  Check out this adorable globe and see what I mean…

Walt Disney Rand McNally Globe

By Nick

As a collector, I have a wide range of tastes. As you may know, I collect Disney. I also have collected comic books, Star Wars, and Muppets (before they were Disney). In addition, I have a sizable globe and map collection, reflecting my love of travel. So, put 2 things I love to collect together, and you have a sure fire winner, such as Star Wars and Disney, or Star Wars and Muppets

Another winner is this metal Disney globe. It’s a smaller globe, measuring 10″ from the base.

Brought to us by Walt Disney and Rand McNally.

I’ve dated this globe to the late 1950s. As globes are not dated, you can figure out roughly when they were manufactured by geopolitical names and boundaries. Now, I’m no scholar, as anyone I know will tell you, but this globe also has a couple of clues that helped me reach that conclusion.
First, I know it’s from after 1955 by this wonderful little graphic of Mickey inviting us to “Visit Disneyland and see All your Disney friends like ME.”

Then, the globe also shows Goofy riding a camel across French West Africa, which Wikipedia tells me was a federation that existed from 1895 until 1960. So, It had to be made somewhere between 1955 and 1960.
Best guess.

Mickey points the way, and lets us know “There’s something to learn Wherever you turn.”

Indeed, there are little bits of trivia all around this globe.

The base has some interesting characters, including Willie the Whale from the short cartoon “The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met” from the 1946 “package film” ” Make Mine Music” from 1946.

I thought I’d share a picture of part of my globe collection. There are several more, scattered around the house.

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See more from Nick and Barbie’s Disney Collection (and comics, Star Wars and Muppets)! Follow along at the Disney Musings Blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Pinterest. You can listen to Nick, our friend Dave and me on The Disney Exchange Podcast where we talk about…well, you can probably guess.

Headed to Walt Disney World in 2016? The Disney Exchange Podcast will be having a meet-up in February during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend! Details will be available on The Disney Exchange’s Facebook Page and also on Twitter. We’d love to see you there!!!