The last time I underwent a weight loss journey wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination but it seemed to go a lot better than it is this go round.  The first time I worked on weight loss, I started off by finding the correct nutritional plan that worked for me and my initial weight loss was via eating healthy.  I slowly added exercise to my program and eventually the weight I was losing was due mostly to exercise although I did continue to eat healthy.

This go round, my nutrition is awful.  I will do good for a day or two but then the cravings for take out or cookies or candy takes over.  The sad part is after I eat the bad stuff I have regret and get even more depressed for eating unhealthy.  My activity is, by no means, up to par with my previous program but I am pretty steady with getting exercise in daily.  I want to build back up to my previous level to where I was in a good fat burning zone.

Tomorrow is another day and another chance to be healthy.

On Monday, December 5, 2016 we visited the Swan and Dolphin to view their Christmas decorations. 

The second full day of our Walt Disney World December 2016 trip started and ended at EPCOT Center.

Our day began with taking in some of the Christmas decorations including walking around World Showcase. Lunch was at Liberty Inn where I had a cup of New England Clam Chowder, a burger and fries. 

After taking a break from the park for some resort hopping and a nap, we returned for Journey Into Inagination with Figment followed by the Disney Visa Character Meet. The character meet has been moved to the Imagination Pavilion and it was very nice. We met with Minnie and Pluto.

It was then on to dinner at Via Napoli which wasn’t our best experience and will get a separate post.

We then used fast passes to enjoy Soarin’, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track. We then called it a night but not before getting our Christmas themed popcorn bucket. 

Hollywood and Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been having Minnie’s Season Dine for over a year where each season Minnie and friends visit you while you dine dressed in attire appropriate to the current season. Minnie  is joined by Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy and they visit as you dine on a wonderful array of food on a buffet line that changes slightly from visit to visit as well.

When we originally booked this vacation we were unable to get reservations to the event which was disappointing as we were looking forward to seeing the gang in their Christmas attire. On Saturday morning I checked the website and low and behold a reservation was open for Sunday, December 4th at 4:40 PM. 

After our resort hopping we left the Beach Club and took the Friendship boat to Hollywood Studios. We arrived a little early so we took a walk around and we came across Chip and Dale in their Christmas attire:

It was then time to return to Hollywood and Vine. Goofy was dressed as Santa and stood inside the entrance to the restaurant. Guests were instructed to meet with Goofy after they were done eating and ready to leave. As guests are seated you are given a post card size laminated picture of Santa Goofy that you are to keep on your table until you are done and then you take it to see Santa Goofy as you exit.

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy came around to the tables to take pictures:

After dinner we waited for and watched the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam show at 6:45 PM. The show is a combination of a projection show with the characters from Prep & Landing, fireworks and laser lights. 

After the fireworks we took the bus to Saratoga Springs where we checked in. For this stay our room is in the Grand Stand.

December 4, 2016 was our first full day in the Happiest Place on Earth and we didn’t spend much time in the parks. Instead we  visited several of the resorts to look at the Christmas and Holiday decorations. Our travels today were: Disney Springs, Yacht Club, Beach Club & Boardwalk.

First up was Disney Springs which included the Christmas Tree Trail which was an area with Christmas trees decorated to theme different Disney movies:

The Yacht Club:

The Beach Club:

The Boardwalk: 

Our Disney Vacation began very late on 12/3. The airline we fly that is most convenient for us had a 7:20 PM flight into Sanford. Between baggage check and the shuttle ride we opted to not use our DVC points for the night and instead usually get a hotel for one night. This time we opted to get a room on Disney property and we chose All Star Movies.

I personally stayed here once before becoming a DVC member but that was many years ago so it was almost like seeing the resort again for the first time.

We got in just after midnight so we didn’t get to look around too much but being big hockey fans I found it ironic that we were given a room in the Mighty Ducks section. 

After sleeping in until 8:30 I walked around a bit and captured this picture at the 101 Dalmatians area:

I also walked around the lobby area and took some pictures including the Christmas decorations.

Some pictures from around the resort:

Overall we found the resort to be very nice and we had a great time there. 

Less than a minute into the period Hershey scores to make it 4-1. Boyd from O’Brien and Djoos is the scoring. 

Phantoms take a penalty with 16:38 left in the period. LaMarche for high sticking. Phantoms killed it off.

The Bears take a turn in the sin bin with 13:47 left in regulation. Labrie called for hooking. With 1:28 left in the power play and 13:15 left in regulation the Bears took another penalty.  Lewington for tripping. Phantoms score with 11:52 left in regulation. Phantoms goal by Weal with assist to Lyon. 

Phantoms scored again with 4:11 left in regulation. Hagg with goal from Carey and Miele. Phantoms make it a one goal game adding a lot of energy to the arena. 

Phantoms pull Lyon for extra attacker. With 10.0 seconds left in regulation the Bears took a penalty. Ness to the sin bin for high stick. The result was 6 on 4 but Phantoms fall 4-3.

Shots on goal 26-23 Phantoms. 

A penalty was assessed to Hershey with  18:50 left in the period. Djoos called for holding. The Bears killed it off.

Another penalty with 15:59 left in the period and this time it’s against the Phantoms. Fazleev for hooking. With 1:06 left in this penalty kill and 15:05 left in the period, Phantoms get another penalty. Sanheim called for tripping. Phantoms killed off both penalties.

With 10:03 Hershey scored again. Thomas with goal which was unassisted. Play was under review as it was questionable if puck went in net but after review call on ice stood. 

Phantoms power play with 8:20 left in the period. Mitchell gets two minutes for roughing. Hershey killed it off. 

Hershey makes it 3-0 with 5:01 left in the period. Thomas with the goal. Assist to O’Brien. 

Phantoms to the penalty kill with 4:37 left in the period. Hagg called for roughing as tempers are flaring. Phantoms do kill it off. 

Phantoms power play with 2:24 left in the period. Hershey called for too many men on the ice. C. Borque served the penalty. Phantoms score with 1:05 left in the period to cut Hershey lead to 3-1. Goal by Brennan. Assists to Weal and Zengerle.

End of 2nd and Phantoms trail 3-1. Shots on goal 17-16 Hershey. 

With 8:39 left in the period the first penalty of the game was handed out. Chris Borque was assessed for slashing giving the Phantoms a power play. Hershey killed off the penalty. 

Hershey struck first with 2:27 left in the period to take a 1-0 lead. Goal by Bowey with assists to Boyd and Thomas.

End of 1st and Phantoms trail 1-0. Shots on goal 9-7 Hershey. 

Phantoms:

Defense: Brennan & LaMarche

Forwards: McDonald & Knight

Center: Leier

Goal: Lyon

Scratches: Swavely & Willcox

Bears:

Defense: Ness & Lewington

Forwards: C. Borque & Stephenson

Center: Sanford

Goal: Cannata 

Scratches: Dietz, Gazley, Barber, & Galiev

Officials:

Referees: Kaval & Moser

Linesmen: McNulty & Ritter