Epcot Candlelight Processional

The Epcot Candlelight Processional was one of the highlights of the last few weeks. I went on one of the nights it was being narrated by Jodi Benson, who is the voice of the Little Mermaid, as well as Barbie in the Toy Story movies.

The program started out with songs played by the Walt Disney World Orchestra. It was a 50-piece orchestra, and they sounded phenomenal. Then the orchestra was joined onstage by the Voices of Liberty from the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot, the enormous Walt Disney World Cast Choir, as well as a Guest Choir from local high schools.

The Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by songs and music from the massed choir and orchestra. It felt like I was at Christmas mass at church, since the entire story is about the baby Jesus being born. It was interesting to hear that story being told in Disney World! But it's an accurate reflection of traditional American culture, and it's not being forced upon you as a guest.

The choir was simply amazing. There were so many people on that stage, and Jodi Benson did a wonderful job telling the Christmas story. Despite the cold weather (in the 40's!) it was most definitely a night well-spent.

The Kingdom Keepers

So it's been a while since I've blogged, so I thought I should get back on track with something new.

For the last few months, I've been listening to the audiobooks of the Kingdom Keepers book series. The books follow a group of kids who are trying to save the Magic Kingdom (and the rest of Walt Disney World) from being taken over by Disney villains who come to life after the parks close. I usually get distracted when I read a book, so I decided to subscribe to Audible on my iPhone, and I downloaded all three books in the series.

The books are really interesting and well-written. They're like the Harry Potter books (not quite as detailed and complex), but still full of story lines that keep my interest. And plus, it all takes place at Walt Disney World! It's so cool to hear phrases like Utilidor, Cast Member, Cinderella Castle, Main Street, and so on... and they even mentioned Cosmic Ray's!

I've finished the first two books, and am currently listening to the last book. The first two books were really good. Basically, the books follow a group of kids who got hired by Disney to become digital hosts at the parks, called DHI's, short for Disney Host Interactives (or Digital Holographic Images.) Park guests can rent a DHI, and the hologram will take them on a tour of the park, much like a Guest Relations Tour Guide does in real life. And when the parks close, the Disney characters and Audio-Animatronics all come to life. But the Disney villains have been attempting to take control of the parks. So it becomes the mission of the kids to save the parks from the villains, called the Overtakers.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

It's been a busy past few weeks, with Thanksgiving week giving me 50 hours of work, and picking up extra shifts this week. But I thought I'd talk a little bit more about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

I went once with my friend Krista's parents, and then went again to do more of the special holiday meet-and-greets. I started out my night by heading over to Toontown to visit the Disney Princesses, because the Princes would also be with them. I met Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Snow White and The Prince. I then headed over to the Judge's Tent to see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed up for the holidays.

After that, I made my way over to Adventureland to meet Lilo and Stitch. Then, walking outside, I saw some of the Country Bears walking around, so I stopped for some photos.

I then made my way into Fantasyland to meet the Seven Dwarfs, my favorites.

Then it was time to meet the characters from Winnie the Pooh. Tigger, Eeyore, Pooh and Piglet all had on winter scarves.

I made my way back to Toontown and got in line to meet the Fairies. I met Rosetta, Tinker Bel and Vidia. A wonderful character attendant also let me skip the Princess line and go straight to meet Princess Belle and the Beast, since they had taken the place of Snow White and her Prince.

Afterwards, I headed over to Tomorrowland to stop by my home, Cosmic Ray's. I caught some of the Cosmic Ray's Jingle Dance & Play dance party with Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale.

Add in free cookies and hot chocolate, it was a great night!