Day 1 - We're here!

You can click on the photos to make them larger. Other photos from today are here.

We landed around 10:30 and made it to Old Key West and got checked in within an hour. This is a really pretty Disney resort, sort of off the beaten path. Everything's decorated for the holidays.Since our room wasn't ready yet, we walked around a bit and then had lunch at Olivia's, the restaurant here.

We picked up our rental car, went to the grocery store and Super Wal-mart because we both forgot to bring our sun glasses, and finally got into our room around 4:00. We waited awhile for our luggage to show up, but had to leave for our dinner reservation at Epcot before it arrived.

We had a great dinner at Japan's Teppanyaki in Epcot. We sat with a family with 3 young kids - two boys and a girl - all under six. The parents were really too distracted by their kids to fully enjoy our talented chef or chat with us, but we were seated next to an interesting lady from Oklahoma who was a pleasant dinner companion.

Dinner was followed by a stirring performance of traditional Christmas music - the Candlelight Processional - performed by a massed choir of about 250 people, herald trumpets and a full orchestra. John O'Hurley narrated. The musicians were fabulous and the sound was amplified perfectly. It was a wonderful way to start our vacation. This was followed by the IllumiNations fireworks with a special ending done to Let There Be Peace on Earth added for the holidays.

It rained off and on all day, but somehow we managed to avoid ever getting caught in the showers. Temps are in the 80s. Not too hard to take!