A Magical Disney World Seniors Trip

Day 9 – Candlelight Processional, And More!

It was the worst of times; it was the best of times for our Walt Disney World seniors trip.

Let me explain

After going to the gym early in the morning, Nancy and I went to EPCOT for the Candlelight Processional Dining Package. By the time we were able to secure a reservation for this dining package, all that was left was breakfast at Garden Grill right at 8:40 am, just after they opened.

Here was now the worst of times. No more than 2 minutes after we were seated, before any food was brought to our table, we heard a very loud THUD. Long story short, an older lady had tripped somehow two tables past us and likely broke her hip.

Nancy, being an RN, went to help. She had the Cast Members stop the rotating restaurant, etc.

The EMS crew were there within 5 minutes.

It was especially upsetting to me. It was a year ago that Nancy fell and cracked her shoulder just outside of Walt Disney World.

I admit I was unsettled and didn’t really enjoy the meal.

Yet I will include some pictures of it so you can see what is included.

Once the lady was taken away on the wheeled gurney, the characters came over one after the other and paid special attention to Nancy for helping.

Afterwards we did Soarin’ with a 25 minute wait, followed by seeing the big gingerbread Spaceship Earth replica in the CommuniCore building.

It’s pretty cool with a cool 3 minute show every 1/2 hour. We will show that longer video on our Nancy and Dan Travel to Disney YouTube channel for older adults and seniors since it is too large a file size to place here. Instead here is a shorter one of the Christmas gingerbread replica.

We returned to the Villas of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for a nap, start packing for trip home, etc. … but when we arrived in the lobby there was a Cast Member room attendant who was playing the violin solo. Beautiful.

After our nap, etc. we arrived in the lobby to return to EPCOT for the evening.

Yet, who should be in the lobby but Daisy, Chip and Dale.

What a wonderful surprise. This really, really picked up my spirits.

At EPCOT the line for those who had the dining package for the Candlelight Processional were already lined up in a long line at 3:45 for the 5 pm show.

Cast Members started letting people in around 4:15 pm. We snagged great seats on the 2nd row second section.

Josh Gaud was ok …. actually preferred the local girl who substituted for Ann Margaret last year …. just personal preference. Yet it was a great experience.