Merry, Magical, and Bright: Late Fall Adventures of Cam & Luke Updated 3/12 - Page 40 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Day 7 Saturday, November 11 Part 4 at Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs
We headed back out to the SSR bus stop at Congress Park because we were returning to Hollywood Studios for two nighttime Christmas events, Sunset Seasons Greetings (new this year) and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! (returning for its second season). Like so many here we have missed the Osborne Dancing Lights. But we were hoping that these two shows would be decent replacements. Being a little bored at the bus stop, I kept watch on the screen with bus arrival times. We must have just missed one as the first time noted was showing 21 minutes. Boo! Then the time fluctuated with 26-, 27-, 26-, and then 28-minute intervals being posted. The actual time, I did confess I was bored, was 23 minutes. If there had been anything worth photographing while we sat, I’d have taken photos to deal with the boredom. In the dark though, not much was visible. About 15 minutes later, we arrived at DHS and disembarked the bus. I made no notes about bag check so that most likely went smoothly, and we then scanned into the park.
We made our way straight to Sunset Boulevard as Sunset Season’s Greetings was already underway. In some ways this is similar to the show on the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. Here the show is projected onto the Tower of Terror, but both have several different stories/episodes/sections that repeat so you can drop in at any time and enjoy the show. In addition to the projections on the Tower of Terror, there are also digital billboards along the sides of Sunset Boulevard that display signs and short videos to accompany the show on ToT. When we arrived the street and sidewalks were quite full up close to Tower of Terror, but plenty of room was still available about midway down the street, which is where we landed. Initially, we were standing on the left-side of the boulevard facing ToT. But very quickly, I realized that I could get better photos if I moved to the right side.
Now these are better from the right side.
At one point, I decided to take a photo of the crowd filling the street for perspective, and then we took time for some PhotoPass photos with the photographer I’d stationed myself behind.
Sometime around 7:15, we turned back toward Hollywood Boulevard to locate a decent spot for viewing Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! As we had done for the Star Wars: Galactic Fireworks, we found a spot right next to the dessert party viewing area. Cast Members had earlier taped off sections for viewing, leaving paths for walking. We were in the front of our section. I sat down to save seats for Luke and me while he went to a food and drink truck to get us a large lemonade on ice to share. He took him a whole lot longer than either of us expected. I kept looking for him as I could see the truck from our spot, but not him. Now over two months later, we can’t remember what caused the delay other than that it involved issues in ordering for a couple of the folks in front of him. Anyway, he eventually made it back to me a little after 7:30. The show didn’t start until 8:00, so we sat and talked and sipped our lemonade.
Right at 8:00 the show began. I took five photos and then just let the camera hang as I really enjoyed this delightfully festive Christmas treat.
If you travel to Disney World during the Christmas season, I highly recommend both shows – Sunset Seasons Greeting and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! We were in high Christmas spirits after seeing them.
Even though the park would remain open for an hour or so longer, we had done what we’d come to do, so we turned down Hollywood Boulevard and headed out. We were the first to arrive at the Saratoga Springs bus stop. Shortly though, we were joined by a couple probably around our age and their adult son who has Down’s Syndrome. Brandon immediately introduced himself and a barrage of questions began. Eventually, he asked me if I had kids and if I brought them to WDW. I said we used to bring our daughter all the time. He wanted to know why she wasn’t with us this time. I gently told him that our daughter had died several years ago and that we missed her, especially on these trips. He inquired about some of her favorites at the parks, comparing them to his own. He asked what Luke and I loved most at each park, and then as though he had a sixth sense, he asked if we had any other children. For some reason, his mom jumped into the conversation here and told Brandon that no we didn’t as we’d just shared that our daughter died. I looked at her and I know my eyes were teary, and yes, we had a son, but he died before our daughter. I apologized for having such sad stories to tell him, and he remarked that he had been sure we had a son, too. Wise young man! The conversation went on until the bus arrived. I definitely wasn’t bored at this bus stop. As the bus door opened, Brandon took my arm in his, escorting me aboard and showing me where to sit right next to him. The chatting and questions continued the whole ride home. At one point he even asked me why Darth Vader turned bad. I told him that still confused me a bit, too, but I guessed, Darth had let the dark side have too much control. His mom said they have tried to avoid Star Wars as these movies create such deep questions for Brandon. This entire exchange was a sweet reminder of the many buses rides at night over the years with Stefanie who also chatted and questioned me all the way back to our resort. Stefanie had a sixth sense about caring for people that Brandon shared, and whether I knew it or not, I needed Brandon to care for me this night. I was blessed!
Back at the room, we followed our usual routine and lights were out by 10:00.
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Wow, it's as if Brandon had a sixth sense. I can't begin to imagine how difficult that conversation was for you guys though.
Oh my goodness, you were bored waiting for that bus, weren't you? I'm glad at least the shows proved to be worth the wait. Thanks for sharing the photos, as I had no idea what either was like - now I know.
Beautiful pictures!
Brandon sounds like a wonderful young man. We have a niece with Downs. They're wonderful caring people.
One of Stefanie's many boyfriends is a young man with Downs and he is such a sweetheart.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Wow, it's as if Brandon had a sixth sense. I can't begin to imagine how difficult that conversation was for you guys though.
Oh my goodness, you were bored waiting for that bus, weren't you? I'm glad at least the shows proved to be worth the wait. Thanks for sharing the photos, as I had no idea what either was like - now I know.
Brandon was so easy going and caring that it wasn't as hard to talk about this stuff as I would have thought it might be.
The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! is model along the lines of the Star Wars firework, but uses Prep and Landing as the back story. Still lots of fireworks laser lights and projections. I didn't do it justice with my photos.
I am very hopeful our trip will work out and both of those shows will return this year. So excited to see them!
Oh Brandon, what an inquisitive and special little boy. This had me in tears
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I am very hopeful our trip will work out and both of those shows will return this year. So excited to see them!
Oh Brandon, what an inquisitive and special little boy. This had me in tears
I truly hope you make it to both shows this year, and hopefully, they will still be there. Brandon was an awesome kid, and I was in tears, too. But they were joyful tears.
Quote:
Originally Posted by clio
Both shows sound really good. If I ever get to Disney World during Christmas, I'll have to see them.
Brandon sounds like a sweet person.
Liz
We'll probably be back to WDW in November of 2019, and I'm already looking forward to seeing them both again. I have a feeling that Brandon brightens the day for lots of folks just like Stefanie did.
Great time for the two holiday events at Studios! The Hollywood Tower Hotel looks amazing with the different colored projections on it! Very nice interaction with Brandon and quite an intuitive young man!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
I don’t like waiting for the bus that long when I am excited to get to the parks.
Both shows look amazing hopefully we can go for the holiday season one year, just need to time it when it won’t be to busy.
Your story about Brandon was so sweet Cam. It brought tears to my eyes reading your responses to him. I know from reading your trip reports over these many years just how much your WDW memories with Stefanie are to you both. I enjoyed the new Christmas shows at DHS, and although I still miss the Osborne Lights, it was nice to have some new Christmas festivities to look forward to seeing!
Is there narration/audio with the projection show on ToT? Looks cool - I love this newer technology and it seems to get better all the time. the interaction with Brandon! Growing up one of our closest family friends had 2 kids who had Downs. Sweetest people on the planet, those two. And what a hug to your heart he gave you!
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I'm glad at least the shows proved to be worth the wait. Thanks for sharing the photos, as I had no idea what either was like - now I know. 
I didn't do it justice with my photos.
Liz 
Very nice interaction with Brandon and quite an intuitive young man! 
the interaction with Brandon! Growing up one of our closest family friends had 2 kids who had Downs. Sweetest people on the planet, those two. And what a hug to your heart he gave you!
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