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    New Years Eve Fun At All Four Walt Disney World Parks

    2019 Attractions Avatar Candlelight Processional Disney Parks Disney Springs Disney's Animal Kingdom Disney's Hollywood Studios EPCOT Magic Kingdom Pandora Walt Disney World World Of Pandora World Showcase
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    While some of us were sitting at home watching tape delayed NYE Celebrations (seriously, it's 2019, how is it the west coast still gets tape delayed celebrations at midnight?), some of Team Park Journey were spending the New Year in style in Florida. 

    And not just at one park like a bunch of amateurs, but at ALL FOUR PARKS, and Disney Springs. Let's check it out!!

    New Years Eve, Eve

    ​The white fences are up! Ralph is ready. Bring on the New Year’s Eve masses!
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    The Christmas tree is already gone at Epcot. I seem to remember it staying up a week or so into the new year in the past.
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    Epcot is busy now, but this will be wall to wall people at this time tomorrow. ​
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    Very light crowds in the World Showcase right now. Tomorrow will be another story.
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    ​Today was the final day for the Holidays Around the World at Epcot, including the Candlelight Processional, narrated by Cal Ripken Jr. tonight.
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    It’s gonna be lit (literally, with fire and lasers) tomorrow night to ring in the new year in China and Italy’s ​
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    New Years Eve

    Currently the only place in all of Walt Disney World where you won’t get slammed in the shins with a stroller.
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    My face looking at all of the ride wait times on the Disney Parks app and it’s not even 10am. ​
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    150 minute wait for Rock N Roller Coaster right now.
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    Not too busy at this hat and horn distribution area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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    Looking over Main Street ready to watch the 6:30pm Fantasy in the Sky fireworks in a few minutes!
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    Fantasy in the Sky fireworks are so impressive! 
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    And now the crowds continue to pour in and out of Main Street as the night continues
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    Over at Animal Kingdom, Flight of Passage is only at a 90 minute wait! ​
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    Goodnight Pandora! This place is still amazing as ever. One more park to go. Epcot, we’re coming your way!
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    120 minute wait currently over at Test Track. ​
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    People set up camp all around the world showcase lagoon and beyond for the fireworks at midnight.
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    Just boarded Test Track and it went down. So tack on some more time to that 120 min. God bless these CMs who are sure to be already having a long and stressful day.
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    Pretty sure we’re gonna get taken off the ride. Security and EMTs are now on the unload platform. Not sure what’s going on but hope everyone is alright. ​
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    And we’re out. Fast passes being issued for additional attractions.
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    105 min for Soarin’. Some of these folks will be ringing in the new year in this queue. ​
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    I mean, there might be a few more people here than on a normal day. ​
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    The Epcot New Years fireworks are awesome! And the final time that Illuminations will be a part of it too. Happy New Year! ​
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    The Day After

    New year, new Disney construction photos. Here’s a look at the work going on for the Skyliner and Disney Riviera Resort as seen from Caribbean Beach. I’m still not used to seeing “tall” Disney resorts, with this one and at Coronado Springs.
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    Lego Movie World Update from Legoland Florida

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    Today we've got a quick update from Legoland Florida and their upcoming Lego Movie World. 

    ​Thanks to Andrew for sending us the pics!! ​

    (sorry for the size of the watermark, stupid mobile watermark app) 
    Pics by Andrew Singleton
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    Holidays in Las Vegas 2018

    Las Vegas MGM Life MGM Resorts International
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    Last weekend we made our annual trek to Las Vegas for the Holidays and of course, lots of amazing fun, food, a show and drinking. 

    The casinos were all decked out for the holidays and it was a rather calm weekend in Vegas, probably due to the proximity to Christmas. All around it was a very awesome trip. 
    Written by Gregg Condon
    Snow on the mountains as we made our trip through the desert
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    View from our room at NY/NY
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    It was our first time staying here, and it won't be our last. We just love all the casinos in this area of the strip. 
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    We were quite prepared for our weekend 
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    Fun to look at, but no winners. :( 
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    This one however, the bonus game just kept going and going. It wasn't a very exciting bonus game, but hey, I'll take $125 in pennies!! 
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    Did you know Vegas has a Chocolate World too? 
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    A tradition, checking out the conservatory at The Bellagio
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    And the next morning too
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    Chocolate Fountain!!! 
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    Our Friday Night dinner was at Noodles, it was most excellent. 
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    We had leftovers. Lol
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    We followed up dinner with some Gelato
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    Saturday morning we headed to Flamingo for their champagne brunch 
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    There is Golden Knights stuff EVERYWHERE. EVERY-WHERE!!! 

    It's awesome to see the town so enthusiastic about Hockey. 

    However, it's going to be REALLY annoying when the Raiders come to town. 
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    We hadn't been inside the Forum Shops at Caesars in awhile
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    The best part was the spiral escalators 
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    Nice to see the fountains still there
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    We had to check out The Atlantis Show. Hasn't changed in, well, however long it's been there. 
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    We also of course had to check out the Bellagio Fountain show
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    After a quick nap it was time to head to Luxor for Blue Man Group. 

    We couldn't find the sky-bridge for some reason, so we ended up on the back-side of Excalibur. Lol. 
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    An Egyptian Christmas
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    Still fascinated by this hotel 
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    My wife has been trying to shut me up for 23 years, Blue Man Group finally did it
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    The show was AMAZING. So much fun and definitely family friendly. So feel free to take the kids. 
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    Our last morning in Vegas we headed over to MGM
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    And on the way home stopped at Seven Magic Mountains
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    They were painted rocks. And that's pretty much all you need to know. =) 
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    We had an AMAZING time in Vegas, we'll be back in a few months for our sons 21st birthday (how is that even a thing) and we'll have more "theme parky" stuff that trip since he hasn't been to Vegas since he was about 5 and needs all the credits (other than Miner Mike). 
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    Knott's Merry Farm and Calico River Rapids Update - December 12, 2018

    2019 Attractions Cedar Fair Knott's Berry Farm Knott's Merry Farm Merry Farm
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    Last weekend we headed back out to Knott's Merry Farm for more holiday fun, to try some more of the treats and to finally see the Snoopy on Ice Show. 

    We of course took a look at the construction progress of Calico River Rapids. 
    Written by Gregg Condon
    Welcome back to Knott's Merry Farm!!
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    A nice housewarming gift for some members of Team Park Journey
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    Let's check out what's up with Calico River Rapids
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    Not much over here yet 
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    Or here
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    We don't think over here either 
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    We're sure work is going on, but we can't see it yet. 

    One thing we are hoping for are new rafts. Or at the very least, new seat belts. 
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    Hey there HangTime 
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    Now that's a wreath 
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    Let's go check out the ice show. Easily the most popular show at the park. 
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    Merry Christmas Snoopy
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    The show is always a favorite of ours, but for some reason about 10 minutes into the show it stopped suddenly. There was never an announcement that it was cancelled and we ended up leaving after about 15 minutes. 

    But what we saw was fantastic of course. 
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    Mmmm, Cookies 
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    Mmmm, Churros 
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    Hey Christmas Tree
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    Check out our video of the tree lighting ceremony from Sunday
    We had another great day at Knott's, we didn't get to try some of the food we wanted to. We may have to go back after Xmas to try the rest. 
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    Grinchmas 2018 at Universal Studios Hollywood

    Grinchmas Harry Potter Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey Hogwarts Studio Tour Universal Cinema Universal Citywalk Universal Studios Hollywood Wizarding World
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    Last weekend we were invited out to Universal Studios Hollywood to check out the holidays. 

    This year the event is expanding and is better than ever with an all new Grinchmas show, more food and treats in Wizarding World and of course lots of great decorations throughout the park. 
    Written by Gregg Condon
    Welcome to the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
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    It was an absolute gorgeous day
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    Our first stop of course 
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    We did single rider, then got stuck for about 30 seconds and then got to ride again. Score!! 
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    We hadn't done the Tour since April, so we had to make it a priority 
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    The new soundstages look awesome 
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    Heading back into the park. Jurassic World is getting a LOT of work done
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    A crane is on-site 
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    We are getting even more excited about this than we were already 
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    There's also a crane on-site for whatever this is going to be. =) 
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    Let's head in and take a look at Grinchmas 
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    Show times for your planning purposes 
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    More construction going up upstairs for the rumored Secret Life of Pets ride 
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    It's even invading the Walking Dead queue 
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    The characters at Universal are amazing
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    Always nice to see new food options in Wizarding World 
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    And of course old favorites 
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    As the sun goes down, the snow shows up on the castle 

    (Really wish some other parks would do this as to not have snow on their castles in the middle of October)
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    Who's ready for Who-Bilation?!?!?! 
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    Looks fantastic 
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    Trying to get pictures of stuff in 2018. Lol. 
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    It's beautiful 
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    We've got some great video of the tree lighting and other decorations throughout the park
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    It was even snowing in the Harry Potter store!! 
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    Decorations all over the upper lot 
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    Mistletoe Minion 
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    We had a great day at the park and will be back before the end of the year
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    Out in CityWalk, some new (to us) Lego decorations (gonna guess this has been here since Jurassic World 2 came out?) 
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    Santa photo spot 
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    We had to also make a stop at Voodoo Doughnuts on our way out of course. =) 
    Thanks for checking out our update. For more info on the holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood, click here. 
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    Christmas Celebration 2018 at SeaWorld San Diego

    2018 Attractions 2019 Attractions Christmas Celebration Electric Eel SeaWorld SeaWorld San Diego
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    Last weekend we headed down to San Diego to check out Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld.

    ​We hadn't been to SeaWorld since Ocean Explorer opened last year and were very excited to check out not only Christmas Celebration but all of the other new stuff at the park. 


    Written by Gregg Condon
    ​The trip down had a dual meeting, as I was meeting my half sister for the first time ever. Not going to get into too many details here, but will say that we totally hit it off, and I rode a coaster with my sister (something I never thought I'd say). So yay!!! =) ​

    ​Welcome to SeaWorld!! 
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    Manta is easily one of the best coasters in CA. So deceiving to look at. So fun to ride. 
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    Flaming-O's!! 
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    We'll get back to you a bit later Clyde and Seamore
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    Unfortunately the times didn't work out for us to see this. Wish they'd just had continuous shows throughout the day. 
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    Let's check out how the Dolphins celebrate Christmas!! 
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    Hey there Electric Eel!! 
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    This was my view for most of the show. 

    Pro Tip: If you're going to lean forward and hold your phone up and block everybody behind you, at least hold your phone the right way. 
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    I did manage to maneuver around her to get some good pics. 
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    They're Flipping!! 
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    One of our favorite exhibits 
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    Since they were playing Christmas music and had lights up, we had some fun with this one!! 
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    Let's go check out Rudolph's Christmastown!!! 
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    Some really cool displays 
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    We showed up just in time to see the lighting of the Christmas tree 
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    Plethora of Penguin Pictures coming in 3, 2, 1 
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    Ok, maybe not a plethora, but I was in my happy place. It was nesting season. 

    (click pics to see larger versions) 
    Hey howdy hey, it's an Electric Eel!! 
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    We didn't ride this trip, we had to get good seats for Clyde and Seamore, but we know how fun it is. We'll get the credit next trip. 

    (click pics to see larger versions) ​
    This show filled up super fast
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    Let's check out Santa's Christmas Village!! 
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    Hey, that rhymes!! 
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    So many Christmas Trees around the park 
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    Told ya 
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    The Sea Lion and Otter show is always a favorite 
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    We got video of most of the show 
    And some pics. The Animal Trainers always look like they're having so much fun. 

    (click pics to see larger versions) ​
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    Thanks SeaWorld for a great afternoon and evening of fun. This is definitely a great family Christmas event that's not to be missed!!

    We can't wait to head back to the park next year for Tidal Twister!! 
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