My TRs with Pics & Vids-AP Sneak Peek of Cars Land & BVS Trip-June 9 - 12, 2012 PTR

[mvf-m11c]

Hey there fellow DISers & other readers

This is my thread of all trip reports at all the parks around the world. I have been going to Disney Parks since I was a young child and still continue to this day. I have a lot of great times at the parks and disappointing times at the parks. But no matter what, all the trips are special to me no matter what. Every trip is magical, but the best time for me and my family to go to the parks is definitely Christmas time.


Cast:
Bret (Me) :surfweb:
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Cast of other Characters
Fae (Disney Aunt) ::MinnieMo
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Dennis (Dad) pirate:, Midori (Mom) ::MinnieMo, Matt (Brother) :yoda:, Merlin (Disney Uncle) pirate:, Stacy (Disney Aunt) ::MinnieMo, Katherine (Disney Cousin) princess:, Thomas (Disney Cousin) :smickey:, and so on and so on.

This is the cast that I went to any Disney Parks through all my life.


All my Trip Counts through my life with family and friends
WDW Trip Counts: 8 Trips (July 96, June 98, June 01, Mar 06, Mar/Apr 07, Mar/Apr 10, Dec 10, Dec 11)
DLR Trip Counts: 35+ Can't remember them all


Trip Reports Complete:

9/9/09 - 9/13/09 DLR & the first ever D23 Expo

12/10/09 - 12/13/09 My Birthday trip at DLR

3/16/10 - 3/18/10 Quick business trip at DLR

3/26/10 An unexpected day trip at DLR

3/26/10 - 4/3/10 Spring break vacation at WDW

6/10/10 - 6/13/10 DA birthday trip & the debut of WoC weekend

8/13/10 - 8/15/10 YU-GI-OH! World Championship TCG Week & DLR
10/1/10 - 10/3/10 http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/SharksGirl91086/17858boo-thumb.gifMickey's Halloween Party Weekend at DLR on Post #6 http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/SharksGirl91086/17858boo-thumb.gif

11/18/10 - 11/20/10 :santa: Holiday Trip to DLR :santa: on Post #131

12/10/10 - 12/17/10 :santa: My birthday trip at WDW :santa:

1/21/11 - 1/23/11 Short Solo trip to DLR on Post #379

2/19/11 - 2/21/11 I Survived President's Weekend at the DLR on Post #588

4/8/11 - 4/10/11 YU-GI-OH! TCG Tournament & DL on Post #708

5/27/11 - 5/29/11 A Soundsational Weekend at DL on Post #840

6/20/11 - 6/21/11 A Reunion with an Old Friend at DL on Post #957

8/18/11 - 8/22/11 2nd Annual D23 Expo & DL on Post #1009

9/24/11 Unexpected Trip to DL during the Halloween Season on Post #1273

11/18/11 - 11/20/11 :santa: Our Annual Holiday Trip to DL :santa: on Post #1334

12/9/11 - 12/16/11 :santa: Friends and Family trip to WDW :santa:

3/2/12 - 3/4/12 Break from the Real World on Post #1563

3/23/12 - 3/25/12 YU-GI-OH! 100th Tourney & Weekend at DL on Post #1674


Upcoming & Future Pre-Trip Reports

6/9/12 - 6/12/12 AP Sneak Peek at DCA on Post#1774

11/16/12 - 11/18/12 Another Annual Holiday trip to DL Again


I will be posting all my updates on my trip reports when I am at the resort or on the road.

If you want to see more pics of my trips and videos go to my Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/) and Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/mvfm11c) account.



Pictures on the Thread

WoC Pics #1 on Post #2
WoC Pics #2 on Post #3
WoC Pics #3 on Post #4
F! Pics on Post #5
DL during the Holiday season with pics of SB castle, Winnie the Pooh, Splash, "Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy Parade" on Post #24
RDCT Fireworks #1 on Post #26
RDCT Fireworks #2 on Post #27
WoC during construction on Post #29
TR Oct. 1-3, 2010 #1 on Post #40
Mickey's Halloween Party on Post #46
Halloween decorations at DL on Post #48
TR Oct. 1-3, 2010 #2 with pics of WoC line, Mickey Ghost Popcorn Bucket & F! on Post #51
Gingerbread house in HMH on Post #53
ElecTRONica Stage on Post #54
MHP Name on Matterhorn Mountain on Post #55
HOJO NQQ2 Room on Post #56
HMH Entrance on Post #57
HMH on Post #60
Halloween Round-Up Pumpkin Carvings on Post #73
Halloween Food Porn on Post #75
DLR Holiday Overlay on Post #78
IASWH on Post # 83
Monorails at DL & WDW on Post #94
Characters dressed up in Costumes & Dogs on Post #95
Steam Engines at DL & WDW on Post #102
Castles at DL & WDW on Post #108
Disneyland in 1985 on Post #112
"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Dec 2010 on Post #119
Disneyland Holiday in 1985 on Post #122
Casey Jr. Circus Train in 1985 on Post #126
Disneyland Trip Report Nov. 18-20 during the Holiday Season Part 1 on Post #131
Holiday Merchandise and Tree/Wreath Quest on Post #138
Disneyland Trip Report Nov. 18-20 during the Holiday Season Part 2 on Post #157
Disneyland Trip Report Nov. 18-20 during the Holiday Season Part 3 on Post #163
SB Winter Castle 1st & 2nd Show on Post #166
Holiday Treats at Disneyland on Post #168
Disneyland Trip Report Nov. 18-20 during the Holiday Season Part 4 on Post #169
Tree & Wreath Quest on Post #170
"Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks Part 1 11/18/10 on Post #175
Day 2 at DL on Friday Nov. 19, 2010 on Post #178


Videos
Video of Disneyland 35th Anniversary Celebration Special on youtube Opening with Cheers Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLkdsly_7Mo), Haunted Mansion Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIdQepc_q7M&feature=related), President Reagan Part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIdQepc_q7M&feature=related), Jungle Cruise w/Tony Danza Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Hox7x51To&feature=related), C3PO, R2D2, Miss Piggy and Gonzo Part 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmAY7CUh-Ig&feature=related), Ernest P Worrell Part 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdSz1vYKN-Q&feature=related), DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Will Smith & Jeff Townes) Part 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv10eN4UP1Y&feature=related)

Video of RDCT fireworks on March 17, 2010 on youtube Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbeTFUamfog), Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjTPTGLG5ko)

Video of WoC on August 14, 2010 on youtube: Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01AmYVN3nas), Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpi-JtIcSO0), Part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLRdGw7xuHM), Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msnDHKQ9_d0)

Video of Halloween Screams Fireworks on Oct 1st, 2010 on youtube: Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBTDfIk2kuA), Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL7errXr5tY)

Video of Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade on Oct 1st, 2010 on youtube: MCPC during MHP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsktnrl1Vvo)

Video of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle 1st Show on November 18, 2010 on youtube: 1st Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j46HetB0jPE)

Video of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle 2nd Show on November 18, 2010 on youtube: 2nd Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNvAHDBSdAY)

[mvf-m11c]

Pictures from our viewing area for WoC on August 14, 2010. I actually use my Sony HDR-XR520V Camcorder and tape the show and than took each frame and got the picture from my video.

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There was a glitch in the World of Color Ending sign. We only got to see World instead of the whole sign.
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I'll post more pics of WoC and than F! on the Friday trip.

[mvf-m11c]

Part 2 of the pictures from our viewing area for WoC on August 14, 2010. I actually use my Sony HDR-XR520V Camcorder and tape the show and than took each frame and got the picture from my video.

This is at the beginning toward the Wall-E scene.

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[mvf-m11c]

Part 3 of the pictures from our viewing area for WoC on August 14, 2010. I actually use my Sony HDR-XR520V Camcorder and tape the show and than took each frame and got the picture from my video.

The next scene is Toy Story to th Lion King scene

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[mvf-m11c]

Pictures from the ROA for the 1st show of F! on August 13, 2010. I actually use my Sony HDR-XR520V Camcorder and tape the show and than took each frame and got the picture from my video.

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[mvf-m11c]

I just concluded my trip this month August 13 - 15, 2010 YU-GI-OH! World Championship Week. (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2515453) That weekend was crowded and very unpredictable than all my other trip since one of my party members was sick and did not get to experience DL to the fullest. Luckily the GR gave the member of my party that was sick another ticket to use in the near future and he was excited. It would have been bad if we wasted a whole day ticket for just a few hours.

Now I am planning my pre-trip for October 1 - 3, 2010 during Mickey's Halloween Party (MHP on Oct 1st).

Cast: Me Bret 28, DA Fae 58, and my DC Katherine 12

This will be my fifth trip to DL this year (Mar. 16-18, Mar. 26, June 10-13, & Aug. 13-15). This will be my DA 2nd trip to DL this year (June 10-13). This will be my DC 2nd trip to DL this year (May 14-16 during the Dental Convention at Anaheim Convention Center with her family).

Our trip is not until the first weekend of October and right now we are getting our plans ready for our trip. It is also during Gay week and we are planned for that. This will be my first trip to DL in October since the md 90s and this will be DA and DC first trip in October. I have stayed at DL during October, but I have never seen it decorated during the Halloween season. My DA and I got convinced to come to DL in October by a nice couple that we waited during our June trip to see the debut of WoC. They were locals and members of Club 33, he said that Halloween Scream is a must see firework show. I knew how good HS was since my DBF worked at DL for a year and went during the Halloween season last year and it is a must see firework show. That convinced my DA to come back to DL in October and see HS and MHP. This is very excited news for my DC who only goes to DL during the month of May during the Dental Convention at the A.C.C. She convinced her parents to let her go with us to DL in October and we were excited to have company for our trip. We are all excited to try out MHP, see HS and the Halloween decorations around the resort. I'm also interested of riding SMGG, this is going to be a great trip to DL this year. The other trips this year was great especially seeing WoC during its debut week.

We will be driving down from Sacramento to Anaheim like my DA and I always do on our previous trips together. It is nice to fly, but I do bring a lot of bags and camera equipment so it does make sense to drive down in just 7 hours. It just not worth paying the extra money for extra bags and getting a rental car. We will be driving down in my Honda Civic Hybrid which saves us a lot of money. For a round trip to DL, we only have to fill the car up twice during the trip. That is not bad since the car needs only 10 gallons of fuel to be full. We will stop at Livingston (close to Merced) that is always on our way to Anaheim to see my grandmother. Than after we stop at my grandmothers house, we will head on over to Anaheim. The plan time for us to leave is around 7:30 am and get to Livingston around 9:00 am. Than we will leave around 9:30 am and head over to Anaheim. With the calculations, we will be at DL around 3:30 and check-in to the hotel.

We will be staying at the GCH. This is the first time me and my DA to stay at the GCH since 2001 (Yea when it opened during that year). It has been a long time for me and my DA to stay on-property but it costs a lot of money to stay on-property and we always choose to stay off-site and go many times to DL. But this is special to stay at the GCH, not only during the first night of MHP but also this will be my DC first time to stay at the GCH. She has stayed at the DLH and PPH, but not at the GCH and she is very excited. Like I have posted in the past, I got a standard room at $228 a night with the AP discount. I could have chosen the theme park view for $284 a night, but we wanted a view of Paradise Bay instead of Condor Flats. So I waited until DL has the right price for the standard and I got the standard room at a low price last month. I also reserved a Garden view room so we won't have to look out at DL drive, but I also would like to see the Monorail go past in the Garden view. It is very exciting to stay at the GCH again and than try MM on Saturday and Sunday. I have tried MM with the 3+ day ticket, but not the hotel. Also I am looking forward go through the DCA hotel entrance and get FP tickets in the morning before the general public can. This will be a special trip for my DC since she didn't get to see WoC when she was there in May and we will be able to get the blue section on Saturday by using the GCH entrance.

We will be in the park for all three days of our trip and will take advantage of MM on Saturday and Sunday. We already have our tickets for MHP on Friday and my DA and DC have two day park hopper tickets for a full day on Saturday and we will be in the parks until 11 am on Sunday and head back home to Sacramento.

Our goal for that weekend will be attending MHP on October 1st and seeing HS from the Hub. During MHP we will be going to each station and meeting the characters around DL on Friday. Also riding SMGG and letting my DC see WoC from the best spot from the Blue section.


Plan

Friday: Get into DL for MHP at 4 pm (the time they let guests in with MHP tickets into the park). Hope to do some rides before DL asks all the non-MHP ticket holder to leave the park. I am planning on getting a firework Hub spot 2 to 3 hours before the fireworks starts. (Just to be safe and I want to get a prime spot for the fireworks). After HS, than we will go around the park and go to each character station and try out the candy. Hopefully we will be able to do SMGG that night, if we can't we will do it first thing in the morning on Saturday or Sunday.

Saturday: Go to DL early in the morning using MM with the DLR room key and go to Fantasyland. Than around 9 am, head back on over to the GCH park entrance and get FP for the 9 pm WoC show. Later in the afternoon, I will head on over to the Plaza Pavilion AP Center and upgrade my DLR PAP to the Premiere Pass. We will use Ridemax to plan our rides during our stay and eating at the different restaurants at the resort. Than we will get ready to be in the mob around 7 pm for the 9 pm WoC show.

Sunday: Go to DL early in the morning for MM and use Ridemax to take advantage of the rides. Than we will have breakfast at CC and hope to meet Chef Oscar. Than we will leave around 11 am and head on back to Sacramento.


Dining

Friday: Dinner @ RSV and get Steak Gumbo (I always eat there first during the first day of my trip)

Saturday: Lunch @ Storyteller's Cafe at 12 pm, and Dinner @ Tomorrowland Terrace at 5 pm.

Sunday: Breakfast @ Carnation Cafe at 9am


I will keep planning on my October trip and than the WDW trip in December. I will be using Ridemax for Saturday and Sunday.

Please feel free to say something about my trip in less than six weeks.

Thank you

Bret

[mvf-m11c]

:cool1: 40 Days to GO!!! :cool1:

Until the Oct. Trip

I will set up my plan for Saturday Oct. 2nd.

[mvf-m11c]

:cool1: 39 Days to Go!!! :cool1:

Time to Boogie

:dancer::dancer::dancer:

[mvf-m11c]

We are considering doing F! dessert package on Saturday October 2nd for the 10:30 show. Since we will be watching WoC from Paradise Bay for the 9 pm show and than after WoC we will head on over to DL and head over to the F! dessert seating. I know that it is possible to watch WoC than go over to the ROA and see F! for the 2nd show.

I also know that I can send a member of our cast over to DL and check-in all of our members for the 10:30 show while the other members can get a good viewing area for WoC for the 9 pm show. This will give our group a good viewing area for WoC at the 9 pm show and a seating area for F!.

Should I do WoC than F! dessert package on Saturday night? But I am also considering doing F! first, than watching the fireworks (possibly RDCT) and than the 2nd show for WoC. But I also know that it is also a disadvantage to come from DL and get a good viewing area for the 2nd show of WoC. If I do the dining package, I at least will get a good viewing spot. But I am not planning on doing the dining package for the 2nd show.

[joeysmommy]

Hi Bret-
great PTR!
I will be there the same time as you in October 9/28-10/4. Me, DS6, DS8 and my mom.
DN24, Dnephew24 will meet us on 9/28. SIL will meet us Saturday 10/2

We are flying down Sept 28 from Oakland- got $49 fare on southwest plus $25 off per ticket so the four of us are paying $290 for rt flights!

We were going to drive down but at that great price I couldn't resist.

We are staying at Hojo's pirate suite tues and wed night then moving over to GCH Thurs-Mon.

Tuesday we'll arrive at the parks around 4pm- promised my DS6 we will ride Screamin first since he is finally tall enough. hit some of the favorites in both parks, head back to the hotel to play at the pool.

I don't think we'll be able to do WOC that late in the day, I'm sure all the FP will be gone.

We'll get a 2 day park hopper to use for Tues, Wed.
Thursday we rent a car and go to Legoland.
Friday we will use our GAD vouchers for DCA and then we have MHP tickets for that night. Will probably be Princess Leia again..the boys will be Darth Vader and Boba Fett.

Saturday /Sunday we'll spend in both parks using the park hoppers I won on the radio.

I was considering trying to do F! and WoC in one night also but I think with little guys it might be hectic.

Carnation cafe we will have to do lunch at least twice..we got to meet Oscar last time and took pics with him, he is very nice.

The kids love RFC, so definitely dinner there.

We are taking the Happy haunts Tour on Sat night so that should be fun and a great way to get around the long waits in line.

Have a great trip!

35 days to go!

[mvf-m11c]

:cool1: 36 Day to Go!!! :cool1:

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret-
great PTR!
I will be there the same time as you in October 9/28-10/4. Me, DS6, DS8 and my mom.
DN24, Dnephew24 will meet us on 9/28. SIL will meet us Saturday 10/2

We are flying down Sept 28 from Oakland- got $49 fare on southwest plus $25 off per ticket so the four of us are paying $290 for rt flights!

We were going to drive down but at that great price I couldn't resist.

We are staying at Hojo's pirate suite tues and wed night then moving over to GCH Thurs-Mon.

Tuesday we'll arrive at the parks around 4pm- promised my DS6 we will ride Screamin first since he is finally tall enough. hit some of the favorites in both parks, head back to the hotel to play at the pool.

I don't think we'll be able to do WOC that late in the day, I'm sure all the FP will be gone.

We'll get a 2 day park hopper to use for Tues, Wed.
Thursday we rent a car and go to Legoland.
Friday we will use our GAD vouchers for DCA and then we have MHP tickets for that night. Will probably be Princess Leia again..the boys will be Darth Vader and Boba Fett.

Saturday /Sunday we'll spend in both parks using the park hoppers I won on the radio.

I was considering trying to do F! and WoC in one night also but I think with little guys it might be hectic.

Carnation cafe we will have to do lunch at least twice..we got to meet Oscar last time and took pics with him, he is very nice.

The kids love RFC, so definitely dinner there.

We are taking the Happy haunts Tour on Sat night so that should be fun and a great way to get around the long waits in line.

Have a great trip!

35 days to go!

Nice PTR

Congrats for winning tickets on the radio.

The good thing about staying at the GCH is that you and your family will be able to attend MM on Saturday and Sunday.

When you are there on Tuesday, I would use the GAD voucher on Tuesday than on Friday since you could spend a full half day at DL and DCA on Friday than go to DL for MHP. It would make sense to use your PH on Friday than on Tuesday while you will only be in DCA for only 4 hours that day and Friday for 8 hours.

You can do WoC on Tuesday if you want to do the picnic. That is an easy way to get a FP for WoC. You just show up a few hours until the 8:15 show and still get a good spot for the blue or yellow FP.

You could try to do WoC and F! on the same night, but it is really difficult to get the best spots.

The schedule looks good, hope you and your family have a great trip.

Maybe in a long shot, maybe I will see you there at the GCH. I will have my LGMH on my backpacks during my stay.

I will think about getting a Halloween costume for MHP on Oct 1st.

[mvf-m11c]

35 Days to Go!!!

[mvf-m11c]

33 Days to Go!!!

Can't wait any longer.

[lulubelle]

It will be here before you know it, Bret!:)
We are going Oct 29-30, staying in the villas, going to the party on Friday Oct 29. I hope it is a lot of fun!

[mvf-m11c]

It will be here before you know it, Bret!:)
We are going Oct 29-30, staying in the villas, going to the party on Friday Oct 29. I hope it is a lot of fun!

Hope you and your group have a good time during your visit later in October.

[mvf-m11c]

Now with F! dragon not working on Saturday and no time table for its return. We now decided not to do the F! dessert package. I was hoping to do both WoC and F! the same night, but with the uncertain of Murphy not running in October, we decided not do do the F! dessert package.

[mvf-m11c]

:banana: 25 Days to go!!! :banana:

[mvf-m11c]

Now my DA and I are now considering doing the Happiest Haunts tour for Friday Oct. 1st. Since DL now offers a ultimate experience package for HalloweenTime. But the only reason we don't want to do the Happiest Haunts tour is that it starts at 5:00 pm and it will last 3 hours for the tour. And when it gets around 8 pm and we head over to DL, we might not be able to get a curb spot right in front of SBC for HS. But I am not doing it on Saturday since my cast will try to be at the blockade for WoC that night.

So I am still wondering if I should do the Happiest Haunts tour or just don't do it? I wanted to get a good front row viewing area of HS on that night. So i might have to do the tour one day in the future.

[joeysmommy]

I was contemplating the same thing today when I called to book the happy haunts Tour for Sat Oct 2. I thought it included front row seats for the fireworks but the CM told me it does not.

I thought 5pm was a little early for the tour to start.

Last time we did the Discover the magic Tour and the Xmas Holiday Tour and they were the highlight of our trip, so I know all will be disappointed if there is no tour this time.

I thought about doing the tour on Friday night too, but I know my kids will be itching to get on rides and trick or treat for candy:banana:

Have you decided on a costume yet?

[joeysmommy]

Nice PTR

Congrats for winning tickets on the radio.

The good thing about staying at the GCH is that you and your family will be able to attend MM on Saturday and Sunday.

When you are there on Tuesday, I would use the GAD voucher on Tuesday than on Friday since you could spend a full half day at DL and DCA on Friday than go to DL for MHP. It would make sense to use your PH on Friday than on Tuesday while you will only be in DCA for only 4 hours that day and Friday for 8 hours.

You can do WoC on Tuesday if you want to do the picnic. That is an easy way to get a FP for WoC. You just show up a few hours until the 8:15 show and still get a good spot for the blue or yellow FP.

You could try to do WoC and F! on the same night, but it is really difficult to get the best spots.

The schedule looks good, hope you and your family have a great trip.

Maybe in a long shot, maybe I will see you there at the GCH. I will have my LGMH on my backpacks during my stay.

I will think about getting a Halloween costume for MHP on Oct 1st.

Hi Bret-
Sorry if I piggy-backed on your PTR..I was a little excited.
Thanks for the congrats on winning tickets..my kids were 30 mins late for school that morning;) the secretary totally understood when I told her why.

Good point on using the GAD at DCA for Tuesday, I was trying to make the $44 MHP ticket a little easier to swallow.
I'll just tell the kids we'll save DL for Wednesday morning. I promised Joey we'd ride Calif Screamin first thing on Tuesday afternoon.
I really want to see WoC on a weeknight before it gets too crowded on the weekend. But then we can also get an early FP when we're at GCH Sunday morning.

Definitely planning on MM while at GCH if I can get my sleepyheads up that early...love those blackout shades!

[mvf-m11c]

I was contemplating the same thing today when I called to book the happy haunts Tour for Sat Oct 2. I thought it included front row seats for the fireworks but the CM told me it does not.

I thought 5pm was a little early for the tour to start.

Last time we did the Discover the magic Tour and the Xmas Holiday Tour and they were the highlight of our trip, so I know all will be disappointed if there is no tour this time.

I thought about doing the tour on Friday night too, but I know my kids will be itching to get on rides and trick or treat for candy:banana:

Have you decided on a costume yet?

I knew that the Happy Haunts tour did not include front row seats for HS. It would be nice if they offer that.

5pm is early for the Happy Haunts tour, but with HS starts at 9:30 it does make sense to start at 5pm for the tour.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the DtMT and the Xmas Holiday tour. I really enjoyed the Xmas Holiday tour when my DA and I did it last year. Not only going through DL and getting on the ride on HMH and IASWH. But the preferred seating for "A Christmas Fantasy" parade was great.

I can't blame you for not doing the HHT on Friday since I want to take advantage of going on a lot of different rides during MHP. I would have done the same thing and don't do the tour on MHP. But you do save some money on the MHP and HHT ticket.

I have not decided yet, but the original plan for me is to wear a Disney Halloween shirt and a Halloween mask since I will be taping HS around the Hub on Friday.

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret-
Sorry if I piggy-backed on your PTR..I was a little excited.
Thanks for the congrats on winning tickets..my kids were 30 mins late for school that morning;) the secretary totally understood when I told her why.

Good point on using the GAD at DCA for Tuesday, I was trying to make the $44 MHP ticket a little easier to swallow.
I'll just tell the kids we'll save DL for Wednesday morning. I promised Joey we'd ride Calif Screamin first thing on Tuesday afternoon.
I really want to see WoC on a weeknight before it gets too crowded on the weekend. But then we can also get an early FP when we're at GCH Sunday morning.

Definitely planning on MM while at GCH if I can get my sleepyheads up that early...love those blackout shades!

It's np. I liked your PTR during your visit to DL later this month.

I would definitely try to take advantage of MM so you can get to DL one hour early to enjoy Fantasyland rides. You should ride on PP first thing in the morning while PP will be crowded later during the day. And also the half hour extra time to get FP for WoC.

[mvf-m11c]

Post pics from Christmas season:

SBC during the day
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SBC during the night
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Believe...In Holiday Fireworks
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A Christmas Fantasy Parade from the Holiday Tour reserved seating
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[mvf-m11c]

:cool1: 15 Days to Go!!! :cool1:

[mvf-m11c]

Posting more pics of DL. Today is Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks. Taken on March 17, 2010 on St. Patrick's Day.

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[mvf-m11c]

More pics from RDCT fireworks on March 17, 2010

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[mvf-m11c]

10 Days to go and I'm getting excited after seeing the Halloween pics from other DISers.

[mvf-m11c]

Today's pictures

Pictures of Paradise Bay being drained and the WoC platform being put in.

Taken on December 2008
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Taken on June 2009
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Taken on December 2009
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Taken on March 2010
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[mvf-m11c]

8 Days to Go!!!

[mvf-m11c]

Today I am posting RDCT videotaped on March 17, 2010 on my youtube account.

RDCT 3/17/10 Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbeTFUamfog)

RDCT 3/17/10 Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjTPTGLG5ko)

[mvf-m11c]

Just 7 Days to Go!!!

[mvf-m11c]

I'm just 5 days away at DL and I am planning my schedule at DL for Friday during MHP.

Schedule for Oct. 1st during MHP

We will be driving down from Sacramento to Anaheim like my DA and I always do on our previous trips together. It is nice to fly, but I do bring a lot of bags and camera equipment so it does make sense to drive down in just 7 hours. It just not worth paying the extra money for extra bags and getting a rental car. We will be driving down in my Honda Civic Hybrid which saves us a lot of money. For a round trip to DL, we only have to fill the car up twice during the trip. That is not bad since the car needs only 10 gallons of fuel to be full. We will stop at Livingston (close to Merced) that is always on our way to Anaheim to see my grandmother. Than after we stop at my grandmothers house, we will head on over to Anaheim. The plan time for us to leave is around 7:30 am and get to Livingston around 9:00 am. Than we will leave around 9:30 am and head over to Anaheim. With the calculations, we will be at DL around 3:30 and check-in to the hotel.

We will be staying at the GCH. This is the first time me and my DA to stay at the GCH since 2001. It has been a long time for me and my DA to stay on-property but it costs a lot of money to stay on-property and we always choose to stay off-site and go many times to DL. But this is special to stay at the GCH, not only during the first night of MHP but also this will be my DC first time to stay at the GCH. She has stayed at the DLH and PPH, but not at the GCH and she is very excited. We are staying in a standard view room at the GCH and I was hoping that we will be able to get a garden view instead of the street view. I want to get a garden view so we can see the monorail go by.

This is going to be very interesting to see how many rides my cast can do before HS starts at 9:30 on Friday Oct. We wanted do do as many rides before HS starts and one of my cast will be saving a viewing spot right by the Hub in front of SB castle. We will be rotating each time so we can go on rides and go get something to eat. I was planning on getting a spot for HS at least 2 - 3 hours. Some of you would say why would I waste my time saving a spot during MHP? I wanted to see HS so badly and I am willing to stake out a spot to see HS to the fullest and videotape so you DISers can watch it on my youtube. I hope everything goes well and I don't have to wait at the hub for more than 3 hours for HS.

We will be having dinner at Royal Street Veranda. My DA and I always go to RDV first for lunch and dinner on the first day at DL. This is have been our tradition for the last few years. The first day we go to DL, we eat at the RSV first.

After HS we are planning on try to go to all 50 treat stations around the park. It is going to be difficult to find all the 50 stations around the park and we plan on seeing the characters around the park. My DC wants to see all the different Disney characters around the park.

I know that SMGG would be at least an hour long when we get there in the park at 4pm and we are not planning on going on SMGG until the next day or Sunday in the morning. I was thinking of seeing HMH that day since I always love the Holiday overlay at the HM.

When we get there, I will be taking pictures around DL and hope to get every Halloween decoration around the park that day or I will do it the next two days at DL.

I will using Ridemax for the first two hours of our time at DL and we are not planning on riding anymore rides after 7pm since we will be eating dinner and getting on HMH at 6:30pm. Than when MHP starts, we will be going around the park and going to each different treat stations and character locations around the park for the rest of the night.

After MHP at 10:30, we will head on back to the GCH and go to bed so we can get to DL at 7am for MM on Saturday. I will be up that night so I can post the pictures of MHP that night.

Here is my plan for DL on Oct. 1st 2010 during MHP.
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Thank you for reading my PTR and I am hoping for more suggestions before I leave on Friday.

Thank you

[mvf-m11c]

Schedule for Saturday Oct 2nd

This is the fun day since we will be going on a lot of different rides and see WoC that night. We are going to try to do all of the best rides (SMGG, Indy, etc.) in the morning while in the afternoon we will take a long break and sit right next to the pool at the GCH. Than later during the day, we will go back to DL and do more rides and get ready for WoC for the 1st show.

We will take advantage of MM on Saturday and get all of the Fantasyland rides done. This will be my first time doing MM in almost 3 years since I mostly go to DL for only two days.

We will also be taking advantage of the WoC early entrance so we could get in the park half an hour early than normal hours so we can get FP for WoC. We plan on seeing the first show of WoC.

Here is is my first half schedule for Oct 2nd.
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I will post the 2nd part of my schedule later during the day. Please post any comments or ideas for my pre-trip plan this Friday.

Thank you

[mvf-m11c]

Schedule for Saturday Oct 2nd

In the middle of the afternoon, we will rest up at our hotel for about a few hours and head back to DL to go on more rides. We will head to DL first and than later during the night, we will have dinner at the ESPN Zone. This is a must do for my DA and I every time we go to DL together.

After dinner, we will head on over to DCA and get right at the blockade so we will be able to get a railing view for WoC. My DC won't want to wait that long for a show, but I told her that this is a must thing to do unless you want to see it in front of other guests.

Than after WoC, we will head on over to DL and just do night rides for awhile and head back to the room and rest up for the next day.

Here is my 2nd part of my schedule for Oct 2nd.
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[mvf-m11c]

Just 2 days to go until we are at the happiest place on earth. I am also planning on upgrading my DL premium AP to the premier so I can use it when I go to WDW during the Holiday season. I am very excited and can't sleep the last few days while I get to see the Halloween decorations up and seeing Halloween Screams fireworks on Oct 1st.

[mvf-m11c]

I cant wait till tomorrow when my DA, my DC and I go to DL during MHP.

[mvf-m11c]

Friday October 1st, 2010

Today is the day for my group to head out of Sacramento and go to the happiest place on earth during the Halloween season. It is around 6 am that I have got up and load up all my bags into my car. I brought all my standard equipment that I would use during a DL trip. i brought my Nikon D60 DSLR camera, my Sony HDR-XR520 HD camcorder, tripod and my iPad while i update my live TR during the visit.

After I load all my thing in my car, I left my house around 7am and I went to pick up my DC Katherine from my uncles house who is just a few blocks away from my house and after that I went over to pick up my DA from her house. Than we started to hit the road and head over to my grandmothers house first. She lives in Livingston, CA close to Merced. It will take about one and a half hours to get to her house from Sacramento. We always stop there first when my DA and i go to DL so e can visit her and rest up for awhile.

We got to my grandmothers house around 8:30am today and we said hello to her and rest up just for awhile until it was time for the three of us to head back on the road and go to DL. We left my grandmothers house around 8:45am and right now we are currently on Highway 99 going to Los Angeles. From the calculation going to DL from Livingston it will take around 5 and a half hours until we reach DL. We are currently on the road of 99 and r currently on the grapevine.

When we get to the GCH, i will update my TR and post pics of the hotel.

[disneymum58]

Wow Bret! We will be going to Disneyland Oct. 21 -25 and MHP Oct.22. I can't wait to read more of your report. I would especially be interested to know how they handle the mix in of guests and whether it is possible to get our wristbands early if we are already in the park using our AP.
What were the crowds like for the fireworks?

[mvf-m11c]

We just got back from MHP and it was even better than I expected. But I will post that later, I'm posting my day when I got to DL.

We got to the GCH hotel around 3:30pm today and we just got our room immediately since I have pre-check with my phone. The GCH had our room all set up when we got there and I was impressed on how fast the GCH got the room. I asked them if I could have a garden view than the street view and they honored my request.

Our room number was 3309 and we could see the garden view and the monorail. I was so impressed with the room since I haven't stayed at the GCH since 2001. I like to thank the guys who set up the GCH thread and help me with all the info on the GCH.

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My DA and DC were still unpacking and didn't want to go into the park early, so I went by myself. I got to the main gate around 4:15pm and there were a lot of guests with there costumes on and ready to go into the park. DL had two different lines to enter the park. The middle right side line was for the MHP guests while the left side was the standard park line. I had to wait for awhile since the CMs took there time and moved the guests slowly. When we walked in, they had a line setup for the MHP and we moved to the right hand side of the entrance. The CM's put on a purple wristband for the guests who are attending MHP. Than we got a small treat bag. It was not big, but it was big enough to carry some candy.

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This is what the CM gave us for the MHP. A purple wristband with numbers on it and nothing special.
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When I got into the park around 4:30, there were a few guests all dressed up and it was kind of crowded with the regular guests and the MHP guests. They had nothing setup around the park for MHP except the Mickey ghost and Mickey pumpkin lights around the park. When I looked at all the rides around the park, they were kind of crowded and I just went around the park and looked at all the Halloween decorations. I took pictures of MS USA and Frontierland.

Than it was around 5:30pm and my DA and DC came into the park and got their wristband and treat bag and we tried to do our ridemax plan, but it was later and it was even more crowded than we expected. So we did not do any rides during the day after HS, I will write that down later. We went to have dinner at RSV and have steak gumbo like I always do and my DA got the vegetarian gumbo. My DC didn't want gumbo, so we head on over to the Golden Horse Shoe and she got chicken nuggets. We had a nice meal and it was around 6:30 so we went to the hub and get our spots for HS.

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When we got there, the CMs were roping off the area right in front of SB castle. Everyone including my group were wondering why they were blocking the viewing area. They said that until the non-ticket holders leave the park, they will open the viewing area. I was kind of bummed that we had to wait until 8pm to be let in the viewing area. DL announced to the park that DL would be closing at 7pm and guests who do not have a ticket will be able to purchase one at the Plaza Pavilion. But later they said that they would let guests in the viewing area after the Mickey's Cavalcade parade is over. I was not happy of how DL didn't plan it better. DL CMs were going around the park with their flash lights and were checking everyone in the park to see if they have a wristband for tonight.

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It was around 8pm and most of the non-ticket holders have left the park. But there were some guests who did not have a wristband and were asked to leave the park. Some of those guests were not happy, but they had no choice.

The Cavalcade parade started at 8:15pm from IASW to MS USA. When I get back on Sunday, I will try to put the cavalcade parade on my youtube account. The parade was okay and have many Disney characters that we see all the time and some characters that I haven't seen in ages. Most of the CM were in costume and some were great and okay. It was like the parade was built on the cheap end, but the last float was the best when they had all the main Disney characters in there costumes.

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I'm getting tired, since we will be getting up early in the morning for MM. I will update my TR later.

Thank you for reading part 1 of my TR.

[amamax2]

Great report so far! I cannot believe that after all the driving, DL stuff, and knowing you have to get up early for MM, that you still took the time to write this up! :worship::worship:

Can't wait to read more! and Thanks!!

[mvf-m11c]

Just got back and taking a quick break until we head on over to Paradise Bay for the 9:00pm WoC show. Now I left off at Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade parade and I will go back from last night.

When the Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade has left the Hub around Tomorrowland, everyone sprinted over in front of SB castle. My DA didn't want to sit on the curb with my DC, so we were in the center in front of SBC for HS around 8:40. In just around 10 minutes, the whole area in front of SBC was already full. There were people laying on the ground, trying to walk by through the guests to find a small spot to sit. It was chaos after MCPC and everyone just went to the hub and see HS.

There was also a Disney camera crew behind us and another one in the front of SB castle. I would expect that they would post the video on the main website and other property own Disney videos. I thought it was just a media crew, but it was an actual Disney Media crew.

When HS was about to start, my DA was sitting alone on one of the park benches until a tall man just came in the last second and blocked her. She asked him "excuse me", than he turned around and ignored my DA and turned back over in front of SB castle. She was irate and had to sit on top of the bench in order to see HS that night. I was also kind of mad that someone would be so rude to come in the last second and block my DA when we got there for two hours.

We got to see HS at 9:30pm last night and it was even better than I had watch on youtube. Now I know why it was rated so high from a lot of other DISers. This made our day, but my DA was still mad about that man blocking her out. But she was able to see HS and she was so impressed with the fireworks. They said that it was better than Magical and maybe Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks during the Holiday season. I still believe RDCT is the best fireworks at DL. I would say the RDCT is 1st, HS 2nd, Believe 3rd and Magical 4th. It was a great night to see the fireworks and now is time to go at more treat stations.

After HS, we head on over to NOS and was hoping to get on HMH, when we got to NOS, we saw Jack and Sally right next to the French Market. It was very interesting to see that the eating area i the French Market was turned into a dancing area for MHP. That was kind of neat and everyone had a blast at the dancing area in the French Market. The ROA was kind of neat too that DL use the smoke around the ROA and use the light towers for F! to make the ROA glow at night. When we got to HMH, it was already at a 10 min wait, so we waited and got on HMH.

The HMH is still the same over the years, but I really like the gingerbread house in the dining room when Jack in his Santa costume popped out of the back from the gingerbread house.

After HMH, we head on over to Critter country and went to a few treat stations around the area. We also got to see Pooh and his friends. After Critter Country, we head on over to the back side of Frontierland and went to Big Thunder Ranch and went to more treat stations. We got to see Buzz, Woody and Jesse in there. We also got to see Mickey and Minnie in the Ranch also. Than we went into Fantasyland and went to more treat stations.

We head on over to IASW and got to see a lot of different Disney Villains like Captain Hook, Jafar, Malificent, and Cruela. We also saw that they had Disney princesses at the DPFF and we didn't go in that area since it was crowded with a lot of young kids. Than we head on over to the back side of Matterhorn Mountain and there was four treat stations in a line and we got our treats in just one walk.

It was around 11pm and we need to get up first thing in the morning so we could enter DL at 7am for MM and 9am for WoC FP. We head out of the park and walked back to the GCH. We all went to bed around 11:30pm.

That was kind of a exciting day and a miserable day. It was great to see HS and go to each different treat stations. But my DA was mad about the tall guy blocking her. HS made up for her to forget the guy blocking her.

I will post another part of my TR later while we are going to get ready for WoC at 9pm.

Thank you

[disneymum58]

Do you know what rides in Fantasyland are operating while the fireworks are on? Did you happen to notice what the lines were like for Peter Pan during MHP?

[mvf-m11c]

Do you know what rides in Fantasyland are operating while the fireworks are on? Did you happen to notice what the lines were like for Peter Pan during MHP?

Most of the fantasyland rides were open during MHP, but I was in front of SB castle for HS and I would assume that most of the fantasy lands rides were closed due to the fireworks. The line for PP was not long during MHP, I would say bout 15 min wait around 10:30 last night.

[mvf-m11c]

I am almost back home in Sacramento and now I am writing my TR on Saturday Oct 2nd.

It was around 6:30 am and my DA was tired from Friday night and decided not to go to DL during MM. So my DC and I went to DL during MM. We left our room at 6:55 am and walked out to the main entrance of DL.

We got inside DL at 7:05 just a few mintues after DL opened for the MM guests. This was my first time in years that I went to MM and my DC has done it a couple of times during her stay. I asked her what she wanted to do first, so we went over to Fantasyland and went on PP first. It was only a 5 min wait so we on it first. Than we head on over to Matterhorn Mountain and it was just a walk on. We went on the Tomorrowland side and it was fun. Than we head on over to SMGG, the line was only 10 min wait and it was already around 7:30 am. We went on SMGG and it was just like a walk on. I thought there was a waiting area when we got to the loading station. After SMGG, we went on BLAB. I love going on this ride since I broke my personal best on my last trip. When we got off, my DC had 313,100 points while I had 845,500 points. Than it was time for the all the guests to enter the park, so we head on over to the barricade at Adventureland and wait to go on Indy.

We did not use the ridemax prgram since it would be more fun to go onrides by our instincts that a plan schedule. When DL had the rope drop, we sprinted over to Indy and we were just few people away from being first in line. We had to wait a couple of minutes until they let the guests on Indy. It was nice to go on Indy and than we head on over to Splash and got FP. Than we went on Splash and it was just a walk on. Than we head on over to ride Winnie the Pooh. After Pooh, we head on ov to BTMRR and it was just a few minutes wait.

It was close to 9 am and we head on out of DL and head back to the hotel so we can get our FP for WoC. We met my DA at the GCH gate and we got st the gate around 9:10. We had to show our room key to the CMs at the gate and we were inside DCA. We got the blue FP for the 9 pm WoC show. We knew what color we got and my DC was excited to see WoC. We still havethe FP for Splash, but since my DC and I have done it, we decided not to go back to DL and go on Splash. We all decided to go back to the hotel room and rest up for awhile.

When it was around 10 am, we went back in DCA through the GCH entrance and we went to Paradise Pier and the first thing we did was to go on Mickey's Fun Wheel and I got to take pictures of DCA in the sky. While my DA went to Soarin to get FP for all three of us and she didn't want to go on MFW. After MFW, my DC and I went on SSS. She like this swings than the orange stinger. After SSS, we went over. To Hollywood Land and went to see the Tron area and it was not bad as we have thought after they took out Glow fest. Than it was time to return to Soarin at 11:00 am. We went Soarin and it was great like always. We also go the best view, the center stage and the very top of the ride. My DA and DC were happy to be on the dead center and the very top. After Soarin, we head on over to the Blue Sky Cellar and see all the new upcoming expansion of DCA. The weird thing about that day in the morning to the afternoon was that it rain during that time. I was kind of surprised to see it rain and than later during the day it just cleared up.

Than it was close to noon, so we head on back to the GCH and went to luck st Storyteller's Cafe for our 12pm reservation. It was my DA and my first time eating at the restaurant since 5 years. My DC loved the restaurant and she will want to try it again with her family the next time she comes down. She had the pasta, DA had the chicken sandwich and I had the angus burger.

After Storyteller's Cafe we went back to our room and rest up. My wants to go to the pool and chill out while my DA wants to watch the Ryder cup in the room. I decided to go outside with my DC at the pool. The GCH pool was very nice and it looked better in person. I liked the photos from KCmike who provided the pictures of the pool on the GCH thread.

I will post the 2nd part of the trip later.

Thank you for reading my TR.

[mvf-m11c]

Pictures from MHP on Friday Oct. 1st 2010

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[RweTHEREyet]

I have loved all your pictures and em enjoying reading your Trip report. Thank you for taking the time to post all the pics and give us such detail on the Halloween Party. Glad you and your family had such a good time.

[mvf-m11c]

Now I am uploading HS onto youtube so it will be awhile until it uploads and I will continue my TR from Saturday afternoon.

To recap, myself and my DC were resting up at the GCH pool while my DA was watching the replay from the Ryder Cup in our hotel room. We stayed at the pool till 3pm. It was very nice to relax at the pool and the view of DCA was nice. When it got to 3pm my DC and I head back to the room and get ready for another day at DL in the afternoon to night. My DA just wants to rest up instead of going to the park with my DC. She will meet us when we are getting ready at the blockade for the 9pm WoC show.

So my DC and I head back to DL at 3:30 pm and was hoping to get on some rides in DL. When we got in, it was really crowded. It also seems like a regular summer crowd, but we can do most of the rides in the morning so we decided to look around for all the Halloween decorations around the park. So first we started at MS USA and looked at all the buildings for pumpkins. I have the pictures and I will post some of them in the windows.

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After we looked for all the pumpkins in the MS USA building windows, we head on over to Frontierland and check-out the Halloween tree. It looked so great with the decorations and we got to see it later that night. I will talk about that later. Than we check out the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS right by Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant. I liked all the decorated skeletons and the color of each display.

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Than we head on over to Big Thunder Ranch and saw all the different character designs. Here is the link of my pictures on the Halloween at DLR Superthread - PART 2!!!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38462555&postcount=920) I really like how the CMs cut up and design all the different characters with pumpkins.
My favorite was Yoda.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5050735671_fe74302aeb_z.jpg

Than we walked around the park and was hoping that we could get on a ride for a short time, but they were all at least 30 min + wait on almost all the rides. I was kind of surprise to see that most of the wait times were long, but I was not surprise that it was crowded that it was during Gay Days week. It was around 5pm and it was time to head back to the hotel and go meet up with my DA so we can have dinner.

I will post more pics and update my TR.

Thank you

[McNic]

Great TR! Quick question about the HS fireworks...is everything mostly in the sky? If we are a little farther back I won't mind looking up, but is there anything "eye level" that we would miss?

Would love to watch your video, but I don't want to spoil the surprise ;) Only 8 days left! :woohoo:

[mvf-m11c]

Great TR! Quick question about the HS fireworks...is everything mostly in the sky? If we are a little farther back I won't mind looking up, but is there anything "eye level" that we would miss?

Would love to watch your video, but I don't want to spoil the surprise ;) Only 8 days left! :woohoo:

Thx. Not everything is in the sky, all of the special effects are on SB castle. For where I am sitting in front of SB castle, you should be able to see everything.

Have a great trip.

[mvf-m11c]

Now I left off when my DC and I went back to the GCH and meet up with my DA.

It was around 5:15 pm, than we all head on over to the ESPN Zone to eat dinner before we head on over to the 9pm WoC show at DCA. I always like to go to the ESPN Zone and eat at the restaurant and watch sports game. That day, we watch different college football games. My DC and my DA shared the Baby Back Ribs while I have the Angus Top Sirloin Steak.

After dinner, we didn't finish everything so, my DA went back to the room and dropped off our left over food from the ESPN Zone while my DC and I head on over to DCA and get ready at the blockade for WoC. It was around 6 pm and my DC and I were way early to be at the blockade. So I told my DC that I have decided to go over to Greetings at California store and go upgrade my DL Premium pass to the Premier. I am planning on going to WDW in December with my DA so I will do a TR for that trip also. While we were at the Greetings at California store, my DC went to look and find something to buy while I go to the AP center and upgrade my pass. It only took a few minutes and I am now the proud owner of the Premier AP.

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Than it was around 6:30 and we decided it was time to wait around the blockade by Paradise Pier. My DA met us there at the blockade and we were already waiting while the CM's brought out the barricade for the blockade for the 9pm show. We talked to some other groups of people about WoC. A lot of them were excited to see the show and my DC was extremely excited to see the show.

Also unexpectedly, I saw an old friend from my childhood was at DCA and waiting for the 9pm show. We went to High School together and I was surprised to see him during my trip. We talked to each other until it was time to go to the viewing area. My DF and his friends was in the yellow section while my group was in the blue section.

While we were waiting, we saw a group of family that tried to come in the crowd and moved in front of us. I was irate to see that family come in and be in front of us. I talked to him and said that you have to be back in the crowd, he ignored me and the other guests were irate. Than a CM came and told that family they had to move in the back and he refuse. Than the management came and told them that they have to be in the back. The father was mad, but you can't just come up and be in front of other people while we waited for awhile.

Than it was 7:45 pm and they started to let all the guests with FPs for the 9pm show and I said goodbye to my DF and I might see them in the park after WoC. We got a railing view and I got all my equipment ready for WoC. My DC was getting excited to see WoC and she couldn't wait any longer to see it. As always, WoC had the pre-show ata 8:30 pm and I was surprise to see the green section Team Wazowski was the winner and we were in that section. I thought it was going to be Tigger or Sabastian area. But that was a surprise to me.

Waiting at the blockade for the 9pm WoC show.
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Guests are waiting at the blockade waiting to get in Paradise Pier Viewing area.
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Our Spot for the 9pm WoC show.
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The WoC pre-show 1
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The WoC pre-show 2
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Than we watch the 9pm WoC show and my DC was so amazed by the show and wanted to see it again in the future. But I told her that I have videotaped the show and will give it to her when we got back. My DA was tired so she went back to the GCH and rest while my DC and I decided to go over to DL and try to make the 10:30 F! show at DL. I know that it is possible so we went on over to DL until we had an unexpected stop.

When we were in Condor Flats right by Soarin, we saw a long line at the popcorn stand and wondering why there were so many guests to buy popcorn. Than all of a sudden, we saw the Mickey's Ghost Popcorn Bucket and told my DC that I was looking for that the whole time during our stay and we decided to wait in line and get the buckets. As you read from the Halloween Superthread 2 page, I have posted that DL had the buckets at DCA right by Soarin. We have picked up three buckets, one for me, one for my DA and my DC. I was excited to get the bucket so we went back to the hotel and drop off the buckets at the room.

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It was around 9:45 and I knew that we won't be able to get a good spot for the 10:30 pm F! show, so my DC and I decided to go back to DL and hope to go on some rides. My DA stayed behind and rest up at the room.

Halloween Mickey Ghost Popcorn Bucket
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My DC and I got inside DL around 10:10 and we went to go and see if we can do any rides while we were inside DL. Most of the rides were already long. So we just walked around the park and than we were at Frontierland and saw that F! was running for the 10:30 pm show. We watch it from the back and it was kind of interesting to see the show from the other side instead of seeing it at the viewing area.

F! from the back side of Frontierland by BTMRR
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We couldn't do much, so the only rides that we have done all night was the monorail and the DL railroad.

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After that, it was around 11:15 pm and we decided to go back to the GCH and rest up and get ready for MM the next day. When we got back to the GCH, I have posted all the photos that I have taken during that night and it was exciting and disappointing.

The excited part was to use MM and my DC seeing WoC for the first time and was excited. The only problems during that day was the rude family that was trying to get in front of the line when there were a lot of other guests waiting and the Premier didn't show my picture on the screen at the turnstile. But it was a great day.

[mvf-m11c]

Now my last day at DL during the Halloween season on Sunday Oct. 3rd, 2010.

My DC and I woke up 6:30 am and were planning on going over to DL for MM while my DA didn't want to go to the park first thing in the morning so we just let her sleep in the hotel.

We left the GCH and head on over to DL for MM. We got to the park around 7:05 am and I was about to use my premier pass for the first time in DL. When I showed them my pass, they said that there is no picture in the data. I told them that I have a picture since I was a premium AP holder and I just upgraded my pass on Saturday. She said to go to the AP center to get it fixed. I was wondering why should I go first thing in the morning during MM. I just ignored her and plan to use our MM wisely.

When we got in, it wasn't that crowded just as Saturday. The first thing we did was to get on PP. We only had to wait 5 minutes to get on PP. Than we head on over to Matterhorn mountain and it was just a few minutes to get on. After that we head on over to Tomorrowland and got back on SMGG. We only had to wait 5 minutes to get on SMGG. Than we went on the FNSV.

It was almost 8am and we decided to get over to Adventureland and get on Indy first thing in the morning. When We walked over to Adventureland, we saw the non-MM guests waiting by the MS USA stores to enter the other lands.

It was 8am and we went straight toward Indy and we had to wait awhile since it was not opened yet. We had to wait a couple of minutes until the CMs let everyone on the ride. We only had to wait a couple of minutes to get on Indy. After that we went on POTC, it was just a walk up like all the rides in the morning. After that we went on the DLRR at the NOS station and we got on the C.K. Holliday with Holiday 4 set and also the Lily Belle was attached to the train. We rode the train until we got to Tomorrowland.

We got off the DLRR and went to catch the monorail and head on over to DTD.

When we got off the monorail at DTD it was time to head on over to DCA and get FP for WoC. Especially we didn't need to get FP since we will be leaving in a few hours, but I always like to collect FP for my scrapbook. I still have my WoC FP on the first night to the public on June 11, 2010.

When we got back into the GCH and were heading on over to the entrance, we had to show them our room key since we are guests at the DL hotels. When we got to the gate and I gave them my premier pass and once again it still is having trouble of letting me in the park. The CM said that I don't have a picture on the card and I need to get one. I told her that the premier doesn't need a picture on the card but in their system. So she let me in the park and we head on over to GRR and get FP for WoC.

When my DC and I were about to get our FP, her ticket was fine but my ticket had a problem and said that it wasn't scan when I got i the park. As you all know, if you want to get a WoC FP, you got to have your ticket scan when you enter the park. I told them that they scan the ticket when we got in and they said that it wasn't scan properly. He said that I should go to the AP center and see if my premier was working. I was so frustrated since my premier wasn't scan and register that I was in the park today.

So my DC and I left DCA and head on back to DL so I could find out what is going on with the premier. We got back to DL around 9:30am and the first thing I did was to go to the AP center at the Plaza Pavilion and see what it going on with my premier. My DC went to the Emporium and I told her not to buy anything until I came back with my AP so she could get the discount. I went to the Plaza Pavilion and the CM ask what was the problem, I said that my premier didn't show my picture and it wouldn't let me in the parks. When they checked it out they can see my picture clearly and said that the premier should work with np. I ask again that there won't be any problems, they said that it won't be a problem. I took her words and I still don't believe what the CM said back at the Plaza Pavilion.

I left the Plaza Pavilion and went to get my DC at the Emporium. She found a lot of nice clothing for her family and friends. So we head on over to the check-out register and I hand them my AP and once again the system won't accept my AP until we wait for the manager and gave us the discount.

After we left the Emporium, I told her that I want to go over to DCA and back to the AP center in Greetings at California store and see what is the problem with my premier.

When we got to DCA and inside Greetings at California store, my DC went around the store while I went to the AP center. I told them the same situation at DL and the Plaza Pavilion and once again the CM at the DCA AP center said the same thing and it should be fine. I told them that it wasn't fine and I had to wait for the manager at the stores to give me the discount and I couldn't get FP for WoC. Since the whole park was open there was no point on going back to GRR and get a FP.

My DC and I left the store and I was still irate that the premier was not working. It was around 10:15 am and it was time for us to leave DL and go back home to Sacramento. We went back to the GCH park entrance and went back to the room and packed up all of our stuff.

It was around 10:45 am when we left the GCH and head on back to Sacramento.

It was a great trip and a frustrating trip. It was great to go to DL during the Halloween season and I got to thank Sherry and all the other DISers on the Halloween Thread for all the information. MHP was outstanding and I want to do it again in the near future. Everything went as plan as I have thought except for the premier. It was just so disappointing that it wasn't scan when I enter the park properly, get FP for WoC and the merchandise discount. But overall it was a great trip.

Now I am planning my trip for WDW on December 10 - 17, 2010. This is my first time going to WDW during the Holiday season. Mostly in the past, I always go to DL during the Holiday season. But since my last trip to WDW in March/April 2010 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36049501#post36049501) my family got vouchers for free round trip tickets to anywhere in the US from United Airlines. While my dad had got timeshares left for this year, he used the remainder of his timeshare for a trip to WDW in December for my birthday. My DA and I will be going to DL during the Holiday season and I am very excited. I will have a TR for the WDW trip and hope everything goes well.

[mvf-m11c]

Gingerbread house in the HMH.
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[mvf-m11c]

Electronica center stage in just 6 days until it opens

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[mvf-m11c]

Mickey's Halloween Party sign on the Matterhorn during MHP.

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[mvf-m11c]

Here are some pics of HOJO's NQQ2 room that I have stayed last year during D23 Expo last year.

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The rooms are very nice for the price, but it is a long walk to the main entrance of DL. I believe it is a 8-10 min walk from HOJO to DL. For the price is great, but it does kill you when you walk back after a long day at the park. If I had to choose again in the future, I would do it again.

[mvf-m11c]

Today photo is:

HMH main entrance
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/5080973877_371f7ef3f4_b.jpg

[mvf-m11c]

I am now considering doing a trip in November during the Holiday season. I was planning on going the 2nd weekend of November. This is really crazy for me since I always go to DL during the Holiday season in December. But since I am going to WDW in December, I just can't stop thinking about not going to DL.

So I need some advice if I should go to DL next month during the Holiday season. I was thinking about 11/19/10 - 11/21/10 before Thanksgiving weekend or the first weekend of the Holiday season. So I need some help if I should do this and what weekend should I select?

Thank you

[mvf-m11c]

I just concluded my trip this month October 1 - 3, 2010 during the first Mickey's Halloween Party weekend at DLR. This was the first time DL had a exclusive party just like MNSSHP and MVMCP at WDW. And my cast had a great time to attend a party exclusively only to party guests only. I have read from other DISers on the exclusive parties at WDW and I have plan this as a WDW party. I thought that this was the first year DL is doing a party and have to clear out the non-MHP guests, I thought DL did a good job. I don't know how good WDW is clearing out guests until I see it on a MVMCP day.

Now I am planning my pre-trip for November 18-20, 2010 during the Holiday season at DL. I'm planning on going solo since everyone of my group is busy and can't make it

Cast: Me Bret 28

This will be my sixth trip to DL this year (Mar. 16-18, Mar. 26, June 10-13, Aug. 13-15, & Oct. 1-3).

My trip is not until the third week of November and right now we are getting my plans ready for my solo trip. This is a kind of a unusual trip for me since I mostly go to DL during the Holiday season in December for my birthday. But since my DA and I are going to WDW this December, I have no time to go to DL in December and I am not going during the first week of the Holiday season, Thanksgiving week, CP for the first week and after the third week of December to January. I have talked to Sherry E about my situation that I wanted to go to DL during the Holiday season and I have not missed it since 2005. It just seems so magical during the Holiday season at DL and I am looking forward to WDW Holiday season, but I just can't stop thinking about DL. The main objective for me during that week is to videotape "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. I have videotaped both shows in the past, but the quality of the video camera was not good enough so I'm using my Sony HD camcorder and videotape those shows. (You have seen my videos on my youtube and they are very nice)

I will be driving down from Sacramento to Anaheim like my DA and I always do on our previous trips together. It is nice to fly, but I do bring a lot of bags and camera equipment so it does make sense to drive down in just 7 hours. It just not worth paying the extra money for extra bags and getting a rental car. I will be driving down in my Honda Civic Hybrid which saves me a lot of money. For a round trip to DL, I only have to fill the car up twice during the trip. That is not bad since the car needs only 10 gallons of fuel to be full. We will stop at Livingston (close to Merced) that is always on my way to Anaheim to see my grandmother. Than after we stop at my grandmothers house, than I will head on over to Anaheim. The plan time for me to leave is around 7:30 am and get to Livingston around 9:00 am. Than I will leave around 9:30 am and head over to Anaheim. With the calculations, I will be at DL around 3:30 and check-in to the hotel.

I will be staying at Best Westerns Stovall's Inn hotel right on the southwest corner of the DLR. I have stayed at Stovall's in the past when I went to DL in August 2009 and it is a nice hotel. for the price of only $70 a night that is a good deal to past up since it is right across the street from DL. The rooms have been renovated and it is only a 10-15 min walk to the park entrance if you go through the GCH entrance. I just needed a place to stay and is a good place to stay while I am by myself.

I will be in the park for all three days of the trip and I will be in the parks until 11 am on Saturday and head back home to Sacramento.

My goal for that week is getting a front row view of "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy Parade" and videotape both shows during my visit. I have done F! on my August trip and did WoC for all my previous three trips that I have to DL this year. That is the goal is to take pictures and videotape around DL.

I will write more about my TR and ask for any advice of what I should do with my time when I am by myself.

Thank you

Bret

[mvf-m11c]

Here are pics inside HMH
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[mvf-m11c]

For my PTR on Nov. 18 - 20, I am just going by myself for only the 2nd time in my life and I just can't hold myself of not going to DL during the Holiday. My plan for that week is to take as many pictures around the park and videotape "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. I have done all the rides in the past and I might just go on a few rides like HMH again just like on my last trip this month, IASWH, and TSMM which wasn't opened during my last visit.

I will take challenge by skiingfast and take the pictures of all the different ride vehicles at the DLR. This doesn't include show seats like GWwML, etc.

Also I will be buying two autograph books for my dad's colleague daughters since they didn't buy them when they were at DL last month. So I will surprise them by buying the autograph books but also will get them to sign them.

Here is my Plan for my days which I will be at DL during the Holiday season.


Thursday Nov. 18
I was planning on getting to DL at 3pm, but I am now moving it up by two hours and show up around 1pm. I won't be able to check-in at BW Stovall's until 3pm so I will leave the car at the hotel and go in early and take pictures during my visit. I also want to see if my new Premier AP will work, but if is still having problems I will have to go to the AP center and see what is the problem. I would assume that it will be fine when I get there.

When I get to the park, I will go around and take pictures of all the Holiday decorations and go inside the stores and take pictures of the food and merchandise. Take as many pictures of the ride vehicles that I can before I go back to the hotel. When it is time to go back to the hotel and check-in than come back later during the day for the night events.

For dinner I always go to RSV and get Steak Gumbo every time I go to DL on the first day.

The plan was also to get a good spot for the 5:30 parade right by the Hub and hope the spot right in front of SB castle will be fine for the 7:45pm fireworks.

Than head back to the hotel and rest up.


Friday

Do as many rides first thing in the morning at both parks (Indy, SM, Matterhorn, & TSMM) and get the pictures of the ride vehicles. Than later just do take many pictures around both DL and DCA. During my visit, I will be going around DL and get autographs from Disney characters for my dads colleagues daughters.

Lunch will be at TT one of my favorite restaurants and for dinner at Pacific Wharf for clam chowder bowl at DCA.

Do the first parade at 2:30pm, get ready for the fireworks at 8:40 and do the 10:30pm F! show.

Saturday

Having breakfast at Minnie & Friends Character Breakfast at the Plaza Inn during MM. Reservation @ 7:20am. I am doing this so my dad's colleagues daughters will be able to get an autograph from the Disney characters.

Need some help of what I should do just by myself and need some more tips of what I should do!!!

Thank you

[skiingfast]

I also want to see if my new Premier AP will work, but if is still having problems I will have to go to the AP center and see what is the problem. I would assume that it will be fine when I get there.

Maybe the passes won't work in DLR for quite some time. Just speculating on speculation. Supposedly the new gates into DCA are going to get finger scanners and a ticket pass through just like the WDW gates. Then DL will get them too. Of course at one time unnofficial reports were that the DCA gates would be torn out and being rebuilt but it apparently got bumped back. So I think they just waited for the problem with the premiers to sort themselves out with new gates but things didn't come together very fast.
Need some help of what I should do just by myself and need some more tips of what I should do!!!

Thank you

I have a challange for you, let me know if you are interested, I'll check your TR in the next couple days.

[mvf-m11c]

What kind of a challenge is it skiingfast? I just want my pass to work when I go to DL next month and to WDW in two months. I won't have to ask them why my Premier is not working. Especially since I have paid over $700 and have problems when I activated this month.

[mvf-m11c]

I'm hoping when I go down to DL next month, one of my dads colleague asked me to get two DL autograph books for her daughters. I am hoping that DL will have a Holiday autograph book. They are both young girls (10, 8) and wanted to get the autograph books when they were at DL in September. They were very expensive when they were down there and I told her that I get a 20% discount off with my AP and they were excited. What kind of autograph book I should get, a regular DL autograph book, princess autograph book or a Holiday book if they have it?

This is a Christmas present from my dad to his colleagues daughters who wanted an autograph book and get autographs from each different Disney characters.

[skiingfast]

What kind of a challenge is it skiingfast? I just want my pass to work when I go to DL next month and to WDW in two months. I won't have to ask them why my Premier is not working. Especially since I have paid over $700 and have problems when I activated this month.

As I reread this I was thinking of an actual challenge to do while in the parks. Not a challenge having to do with your premier. Maybe that got confused.

Also when you goto WDW will you post your WDW TR on the DL side of the boards?

So regarding the challenge. Can you take a picture of every ride vehicle in the parks?

[mvf-m11c]

As I reread this I was thinking of an actual challenge to do while in the parks. Not a challenge having to do with your premier. Maybe that got confused.

Also when you goto WDW will you post your WDW TR on the DL side of the boards?

So regarding the challenge. Can you take a picture of every ride vehicle in the parks?

Ok, I thought you were talking about to see if my Premier was working when I go to DL next month. It would be disappointing to see my Premier still not working during my trip.

I would like to post my WDW TR on the thread, but it is not a DL TR only a WDW TR. I will try to set up two TR on the WDW and the DL thread. I don't think Moderators would like a WDW TR on the DL TR.

Now that is a very interesting challenge, if I do this challenge, I can take pictures of the ride vehicles even if I am not going on the ride or does it have to be when I am on the ride? Also is this only for DL & DCA or just one of the parks? It possibly would take me at least a few days to take pictures of all the ride vehicles when I am going on them. The ride vehicles that are not seen outside like SM, HMH, POTC, are rides that you need to be on to see the ride vehicle.

[skiingfast]

Ok, I thought you were talking about to see if my Premier was working when I go to DL next month. It would be disappointing to see my Premier still not working during my trip.

I would like to post my WDW TR on the thread, but it is not a DL TR only a WDW TR. I will try to set up two TR on the WDW and the DL thread. I don't think Moderators would like a WDW TR on the DL TR.

I think if you keep going on this thread it won't matter than if gos from DL to WDW. If you wanted to keep this one running.

Now that is a very interesting challenge, if I do this challenge, I can take pictures of the ride vehicles even if I am not going on the ride or does it have to be when I am on the ride? Also is this only for DL & DCA or just one of the parks? It possibly would take me at least a few days to take pictures of all the ride vehicles when I am going on them. The ride vehicles that are not seen outside like SM, HMH, POTC, are rides that you need to be on to see the ride vehicle.

I just think it would be a good one for you to get detailed pictures. It would be up to you to be on the ride or not, and you're right easy to get a lot of the pictures while not riding but nearly impossible on some if you don't ride. You'll have to decide the parameters.

[mvf-m11c]

I think if you keep going on this thread it won't matter than if gos from DL to WDW. If you wanted to keep this one running.

I just think it would be a good one for you to get detailed pictures. It would be up to you to be on the ride or not, and you're right easy to get a lot of the pictures while not riding but nearly impossible on some if you don't ride. You'll have to decide the parameters.

I guess you are right that if I want to keep my own thread going, I have to put my WDW TR on the DL thread. But have you seen any WDW TR on the DL TR thread? I haven't seen any yet on this thread.

The ride vehicles that I know that are not visible when not riding in DL are SM, Indy, POTC, BLAB, RRCS (but it is down), HMH, & ST (down). DCA has Monster Inc & Soarin. All of those rides are easy to get on and average to long lines. So it should be np to get on those rides in the morning and there are rides that you can barely get the picture of the ride vehicle in the broad daylight.

[skiingfast]

I agree, but won't you be riding HM and Indy ect.... anyway?

Also keep in mind that seating area on Captain EO moves. :thumbsup2

[mvf-m11c]

I agree, but won't you be riding HM and Indy ect.... anyway?

Also keep in mind that seating area on Captain EO moves. :thumbsup2

I was planning on riding Indy & HMH anyway if I didn't do the challenge. I just love those two rides and I always do them whenever I go to DL. If I was doing this challenge I would have failed if I didn't go on the rides that are not visible outside.

Good point that EO chairs move up and down during the show.

One of the Moderators that I have talked to said that if I posted the a WDW TR on this thread, it will be moved to the WDW TR section. That is a shame but that is part of the WDW TR instead of the DL TR. But I can at least post the link that is going toward my WDW TR just like on my signature down below.

[skiingfast]

Well that will work if on here you through up a post with link to your WDW TR.

Of course if you put WDW in this thread, and it got moved there. Then if you put your next DL trip onto this thread wouldn't it get moved back???

Anyway, A link should do. It's always interesting for me to see what people do at the other park when thier home is DL. Or vice versa.

[mvf-m11c]

Well that will work if on here you through up a post with link to your WDW TR.

Of course if you put WDW in this thread, and it got moved there. Then if you put your next DL trip onto this thread wouldn't it get moved back???

Anyway, A link should do. It's always interesting for me to see what people do at the other park when thier home is DL. Or vice versa.

I agree with what u r saying. I still have my first WDW TR on the first page of my contents and it was great time this year going to WDW.

[mvf-m11c]

Just 27 Days until my solo trip to the Happiest Holiday place on Earth. :santa:

Here are more pics from Halloween Round-Up
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5045508037_142ec18283_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5046133150_96687e047f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5046140610_dcba40f9da_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5046143030_b9cc560a12_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5046145924_068c05d303_b.jpg

[reyasmommy]

Awesome pictures..... I love the pumpkin of Boo! Very cute!

[mvf-m11c]

Some pics of the food porn from the Halloween season.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5051535604_f3ab62baed_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5051539886_1594f39c49_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5050929243_8c72b20b32_b.jpg

[mvf-m11c]

I'm now thinking of changing my plan since I am going by myself to DL on Nov. 18 - 20, 2010. So here is my new plan when I go to DL.

Wednesday
Instead of going first thing in the morning to DL straight from Sacramento, I was planning on staying at my grandmothers house at Livingston on Wednesday night and leave first thing in the morning so I will be able to spend some extra time at DL on Thursday.

Thursday

Plan

I was planning to leave my grandmothers house at 7am on Thursday and get to DL around noon to 1pm.

Than when I get to Anaheim, I could use that time to park the car at BW Stovalls and go to the park and take on the challenge by skiingfast which ask me to take all the photos ride vehicles at the DLR. Almost 2/3 of the rides vehicles at the DLR are visible if you do not ride on the rides. Also I was planning on taking pictures of the Holiday decorations, merchandise, and food around the resort. I will go around in a circle counter clockwise and take pictures of the different ride vehicles that are visible when not riding on them. I will start from Adventureland than to NOS, next is Critter Country, than go towards Frontierland, on the way is Fantasyland than Toon Town and go back to FL and head on over to Tomorrowland.

Than when it get to 4pm I will head on back to the BW Stovalls and check-in my room and rest up a little before I head back on over to DL with my camera equipment. I will head on back to DL for the 5:30 parade, my spot was to be right next to the hub so when the "A Christmas Fantasy" parade is over I will head on in front of SB castle for the fireworks. My main goal will be to get a front row spot for "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks at 7:45.


Dining

Eat at RSV for dinner and get Steak Gumbo around 5pm.


I will plan Friday on my Solo Trip later.

[mvf-m11c]

Friday

Plan

The plan is simple, get on the rides that are inside the buildings and take photo of the ride vehicles. I get to DL when it opens at 8am and the first thing to do is get a FP for SM, than head on over to Adventureland and get on Indy. Than after Indy, get on POTC. Go around DL and take photos of the Christmas decorations until I go back to SM and use the FP.

When I finish SM, I head on over to DCA and get FP for Soarin @ 9:30am, than get inline right by Paradise Bay and get on TSMM. Than after that take photos of all the rides around Paradise Bay and head on over to Hollywood Land and get on Monster Inc ride. Than when it will be time to head on over to Soarin and use the FP. Than I should be able to take all the photos of all ride vehicles at DCA. When I am DCA, I will order the WoC picnic for the 2nd Show. I was not planning on seeing WoC that week, but after WoC added Tron in the show it is worth now seeing. I am planning to get a Blue FP so I could try the best viewing area right next to the VIP section.

Head back on over to DL and go to Tomorrowland and get on EO. Than after that just do my usual take photos around the park and get on rides that I always go on. Go on the Monorail and the DLRR. Head on over to TT and have lunch.

When it gets to 1:30pm, get a spot for "A Christmas Fantasy" parade and wait until it starts at 2:30pm. After the parade, head back to the hotel and rest up. Upload all the pics that I have taken during the first part of the day and go back to the park. Than I'll bring all my camera equipment like my tripod and camcorder and get ready to tape during the night.

It will be around 5:00pm when I get back to DL and first thing to do is go and get dinner at DCA Pacific Wharf for Clam chowder bowl. Than after that, I head back over to DL and get a spot in front of SB castle for "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks. Get a spot around 6:30 to 7pm for a spot in front of SB castle.

After the fireworks, head on over to DCA and get in line for the 2nd show of WoC. After WoC the 2nd show of WoC is over I will go see Electronica that Funball and skiingfast said that I should do when I get there on Friday night. I am very looking forward to seeing Electronica at night and from what I have read so far on the DL thread, it is something to check out.

Later during the night, I will head on back over to DL and take photos of the Christmas lights around DL park.


I will post the Saturday later and I hope to get some more tips of what I should do that day.

[mvf-m11c]

Here are some old photos from the Holiday season in 2008.

DTD at night with Christmas lights
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1072/5132890850_b5f79061ba_b.jpg

DCA main entrance with the candy cane decorations
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/5132292715_b112b0e164_b.jpg

Fireworks outside right next to BWPPI where my DA and I were staying
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1146/5132896848_a2c5fdef0b_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/5132298913_c5a8fe972c_b.jpg

[skiingfast]

Is it sad to think it may be the last chance to see the cany cane letters? And even worse to think since they left them WoC colored for Halloween that they may not change them for Christmas either?

[mvf-m11c]

Hey Matt, from the report on the disneylandnews.com (http://www.disneylandnews.com/press+releases/disneyland+holidays.htm) DL will have the CALIFORNIA Candy Cane letters at the front entrance. Like what Sherry said on the Christmas thread, this could be the last chance to see the sign with the Candy Cane on it.

I was planning to see ElecTRONica on Friday night after "Believe...In Holiday Magic" at DL, but now that has change since with the addition of TRONcore to the WoC show. I was thinking of doing Believe first at DL, than I will go to the 10:30 show of WoC by getting the picnic on the day of the show. I know if I do that, I will lose the opportunity to see ElecTRONica that Friday night since the park will close at 10pm. I also want to see ElecTRONica that night. I was thinking of just seeing Believe on Thursday and get a FP for the 9:00pm WoC show and after WoC, go over to Hollywood Land see ElecTRONica after WoC. My original plan was not seeing WoC since I have seen it four times this year and seeing Believe twice. But after with the addition to WoC, that has all changed and I want to see WoC on Friday.

Which plan should I choose or should I do another plan instead? I'm just going crazy :crazy2: and need some help.

[skiingfast]

I'm sure you got the PM about this and will see there is some flexibility on seeing the different parts of ElecTRONica. Did it clear anything up?

[mvf-m11c]

Thx for the info Matt on ElecTRONica nightly schedule. This will make it easy for me to do my solo trip. Now I am now setting up two plans on my trip on Friday. It only depends on how well I videotape "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks on Thursday. If everything goes well I will go with Plan A, but if it doesn't turn out well with so much background noise I will have to go with Plan B. I'm hoping to go with Plan A instead of Plan B since I can get a lot done with the first plan.

Plan A
If I videotape Believe great on Thursday night, here is the plan for Friday nighttime.

After I take a break back at my room, I will head on back to DCA and get ready for the opening of ElecTRONica at Sunshine Plaza around 5:45pm. Than I would spend the first two hours of the day in Sunshine Plaza and Hollywood Land to take photos and videotape ElecTRONica during the first part of the night.

Than I will use my FP for the Blue section and get in line for the 2nd show of WoC. I was planning on getting in the line around 8-8:30. When it is time to go to Paradise Bay viewing area, I will try the best spot for the blue section right next to the VIP section from the map made by Disneyland 1951. I wanted to try that spot for awhile since I have watch it from the 2nd level tier of the blue FP and the center area of the dining package.

After the 10:30 show, I will head on back over to DL and take pictures of the castle and other parts of the park at night.


Plan B
If I wasn't satisfy with my videotaping on Believe on Thursday night, here is the other plan for that night.

After I take a break back at my room, I will head on back to DCA and get ready for the opening of ElecTRONica at Sunshine Plaza around 5:45pm. Than I would spend the time to see the first performance of the night. I will possibly stay in DCA for just a half an hour to an hour and I will head on over back to DL and get ready for Believe.

I will try to get the curb side area right in front of SB castle like I did on Thursday. But that will take awhile to sit around the Hub and wait until the fireworks starts at 8:40pm.

After the fireworks, I will head on back over to DCA and get in line for the 2nd show of WoC at 10:30pm. If I get the blue FP as planned with the picnic, I will try that spot in the blue section right next to the VIP area.

After the 10:30 show, I will head on back over to DL and take pictures of the castle and other parts of the park at night.


I want to use Plan A, but if it doesn't go well on Thursday I will have to go with Plan B. But in the end, I might just go with Plan A. I just need more advice of which plan I should go with?

[mvf-m11c]

I have decided to go with Plan A since I barely have time at DL during my solo trip. It would be great to see ElecTRONica during Friday night and see WoC later during the day. It will be a fun trip not only doing skiingfast challenge of taking pictures of the ride vehicles and seeing the Holiday season at DL.

Now is time to post more pics during the Holiday season.

Here are some pics of IASWH
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5132327995_f7233f9fc8_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/5132333553_ce7a57d215_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1372/5132937736_354b10a8c2_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1137/5132940828_049a354225_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5132342449_793ffcb5d4_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/5132345395_3b62425fb3_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1051/5132949714_23235f443d_b.jpg

[Tink91]

Wow! Your camera takes amazing shots...
What kind of slr do you have? :)

[mvf-m11c]

Wow! Your camera takes amazing shots...
What kind of slr do you have? :)

I use a Nikon D60 DSLR camera.

[skiingfast]

So Friday WoC first or second show? Even if you get a poor video of Believe on Thursday would it be worth missing WoC and Electronica to get a second chance to film Believe, even though the second time you could end up next to a screemer or talker?

[mvf-m11c]

So Friday WoC first or second show? Even if you get a poor video of Believe on Thursday would it be worth missing WoC and Electronica to get a second chance to film Believe, even though the second time you could end up next to a screemer or talker?

I have chosen the first WoC show since I just bought the picnic online with the AP discount at $12.99 for the first show at 9pm. It will be nice to do the picnic package since I have done it in August. It does save me time in the FP line at GRR.

I was planning to be in front of SB castle 2 hours prior to the fireworks. So I would get a prime spot no matter what the case is. There are guests who would wait 3 hours for the fireworks but that is for the benches and guests get a curb side area right around 2-3 hours prior to the fireworks. I don't care for a bench seat like those other guests who are waiting for the fireworks (no offense to the people who wait that long on the benches, since I don't like the view from that spot). If I do that I have to be in front of other guests during the show. I just get a curb side area right by the hub so I get another half feet above the guests that are in front of me so I can videotape the fireworks. It is painful to wait that long by yourself but it does seem worth it to me since I like to do nighttime activities.

I have got a lot of talkers and screamers in the past when I videotape the fireworks. I had a loud talking family right next to me when I videotape Wishes at WDW and RDCT on my trip in March. So it does make me mad when other people talk during the fireworks, but they do have the right to talk. It is rude if they do that when I and other guests around the park videotape any events.

Thx for the help.

[skiingfast]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Enjoy the decorations on SB castle while you wait.

[mvf-m11c]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Enjoy the decorations on SB castle while you wait.

I am also looking forward to Wintertime Enchantment Holiday Lighting on SB castle since I seen it a couple of times last year during my Holiday trip. This year I will be videotaping the 5 min lighting show while I am waiting for Believe.

[mvf-m11c]

Here is my Plan for Saturday on the last day of my trip.

Plan

Get up early in the morning on Saturday and get to the park entrance at 7am in the morning so I could eat at the Plaza Inn for breakfast. I am doing this breakfast so my dad's colleague's daughters will get autographs in their books. I am doing this solo since it does feel weird to me, but with the confidence from Goofy_Mom, Sherry, and the other DISers who gave me confidence to do this for the girls. I wanted to eat at the Plaza Inn for breakfast since I was a little kid.

After what I have read on a thread that you can go on the rides after you finished your breakfast before the park opens at its schedule time. It would be nice to do that, but someone needs to clarify that you can do that or not. After that, I will just go around the park and take more pics of the food porn and merchandise.

Around 10 am I will head on back over to BW Stovalls and pack everything and head on back to Sacramento.

[Goofy_Mom]

good plan:thumbsup2

[skiingfast]

Here is my Plan for Saturday on the last day of my trip.

Plan

Get up early in the morning on Saturday and get to the park entrance at 7am in the morning so I could eat at the Plaza Inn for breakfast. I am doing this breakfast so my dad's colleague's daughters will get autographs in their books. I am doing this solo since it does feel weird to me, but with the confidence from Goofy_Mom, Sherry, and the other DISers who gave me confidence to do this for the girls. I wanted to eat at the Plaza Inn for breakfast since I was a little kid.

After what I have read on a thread that you can go on the rides after you finished your breakfast before the park opens at its schedule time. It would be nice to do that, but someone needs to clarify that you can do that or not. After that, I will just go around the park and take more pics of the food porn and merchandise.

Around 10 am I will head on back over to BW Stovalls and pack everything and head on back to Sacramento.

That is how I understand it, you go in eat and when you are done since it's MM you don't go back out the gates so you are free to go into FL and TL for the remaining MM time.

Have you done a character meal before? Since you want all those autographs it may take some time for each Character to make the rounds. So I wouldn't plan on getting done with breakfast and into the park too quick.

Is 7am the earliest you can enter the park for you breakfast or the time of your reservation? If you can get in earlier you can get some really good empty park pics in town square and on Mainstreet.

[mvf-m11c]

That is how I understand it, you go in eat and when you are done since it's MM you don't go back out the gates so you are free to go into FL and TL for the remaining MM time.

Have you done a character meal before? Since you want all those autographs it may take some time for each Character to make the rounds. So I wouldn't plan on getting done with breakfast and into the park too quick.

Is 7am the earliest you can enter the park for you breakfast or the time of your reservation? If you can get in earlier you can get some really good empty park pics in town square and on Mainstreet.

This is what I have read on this thread PS @ the Plaza Inn before park opening??? (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2584213&highlight=character+breakfast+plaza+mm) that after you finish breakfast, you can walk into DL during MM. That is what Goofy_Mom said on the thread that you can go in the park and go to TL & FL. after breakfast.

I have done character meal in the past, I haven't done one in almost 7 years. Yes, you are right that it will take time to eat in the morning and get the autographs from the characters. So I am planning to stay in the restaurant until DL opens to the public at 8am.

My reservation is at 7:20am and I only have 40 min until DL opens. I asked for the earliest time in just less than a month when I made my reservation. That is the earliest time they had available on Saturday. I can always take pictures of MS when I walk in the park with the CM.

[mvf-m11c]

Now I am all set my PTR and I am just 2 Weeks away to DL during the Holiday season and I am so excited to go back to DL.

Now its time to post more photos of DL.

Today is photos of the Mark VII Monorails at DL and the Mark VI Monorails at WDW.

Mark VII Monorail Red over FNSV
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/508/red1.jpg

Mark VII Monorail Blue in DCA by Soarin
http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/509/blue3.jpg

Mark VII Monorail Orange in GCH pic taken in my room balcony
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5042457737_57879a1639_b.jpg

Mark VI Monorail Gray at TTC
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4495358738_53b3d70a4c_b.jpg

Mark VI Monorail Green & Gray at EPCOT parking lot
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4506266402_111ec9fb67_b.jpg

Mark VI Monorail Gray at EPCOT by The Seas w/Nemo & Friends
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4505743685_d7d2472f23_b.jpg

Mark VI Monorail Gold at EPCOT during Flower & Garden Festival
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4506415428_8cd3dd598e_b.jpg

TRONRAIL (aka Mark VI Coral) at EPCOT
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4505846073_f9091a6984_b.jpg

[mvf-m11c]

Now that the Halloween season at DL is over, I still like to post pics of the Halloween season.

Mickey in his costume right by GMwML
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1068/5149951033_48f69daa8c_o.jpg

Pluto later during the day
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/5149949739_7fbcd2caa3_o.jpg

I also thought it would be nice to post my dog Halloween costume with my neighbors dogs also in their costumes.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5150563952_44493cc79d_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/5149955891_bae3a8227b_o.jpg

[skiingfast]

Now that the Halloween season at DL is over, I still like to post pics of the Halloween season.


I also thought it would be nice to post my dog Halloween costume with my neighbors dogs also in their costumes.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/5150563952_44493cc79d_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/5149955891_bae3a8227b_o.jpg

Hey Ceasar, how do you get your dogs to pose?

[mvf-m11c]

Hey Ceasar, how do you get your dogs to pose?

The white dog is mine while the other two are my next door neighbors. All three are good dogs and obey our commands really well. When we asked them to stay they stay and as you can see from my pics that they did a good job posing in front of me.

[skiingfast]

The white dog is mine while the other two are my next door neighbors. All three are good dogs and obey our commands really well. When we asked them to stay they stay and as you can see from my pics that they did a good job posing in front of me.

Oh, they are good dogs, so that why. Not because you are the dog whisperer? ;)

I just noticed you monorail pics. That is a cool spread, its nice to see the old school rides in the sky they still have at WDW.

[mvf-m11c]

Oh, they are good dogs, so that why. Not because you are the dog whisperer? ;)

I just noticed you monorail pics. That is a cool spread, its nice to see the old school rides in the sky they still have at WDW.

Thx. Well actually, my dog was a little bit crazy with other people when they approach her in a mean way. Whenever people get closer to her, she was a little bit mean but it was in a self defense way. But it took her some time until she has become a better dog.

Thx for liking my monorail pics. :thumbsup2 I just love the monorail so much at DL and WDW. I want to go to Tokyo DL one day and ride on there monorails. I can't believe the monorail has been in DL for over 50 years and still does look like the future of transportation. I have plenty of monorail pics of both WDW and DL. If you want, I do have more different monorail pics around both resorts.

It was a shame to hear about that accident last year in the summer time and not to be able to ride in the front was a bummer. I'm hoping that when I go to WDW in next month, they will let guests ride in the front. But what I have been reading so far on the WDW thread, they still aren't letting guests ride in the front cabin.

[skiingfast]

Thx for liking my monorail pics. :thumbsup2 I just love the monorail so much at DL and WDW. I want to go to Tokyo DL one day and ride on there monorails. I can't believe the monorail has been in DL for over 50 years and still does look like the future of transportation. I have plenty of monorail pics of both WDW and DL. If you want, I do have more different monorail pics around both resorts.



Ok, this is not something you need to do but since you are going West o East coast Disney style, maybe you will create a photo type essay of corrosponding rides?

[mvf-m11c]

Ok, this is not something you need to do but since you are going West o East coast Disney style, maybe you will create a photo type essay of corrosponding rides?

I just like posting my pics on my thread since not too many see my pics on my flickr account. Not too many people look at my photos and it would be nice if they look at it.

[mvf-m11c]

It's now time to post pics of the DL and WDW Railroad Steam Engines.

C.K. Holliday #1 Engine with Holiday 5 car set
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5013458213_ebb2889cb2_b.jpg

E.P. Ripley #2 Engine with Excursion car set
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5150561400_71e227b455_z.jpg

Fred Gurley #3 Engine with Holiday 2 car set
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5014096622_a842f222d4_b.jpg

Ernest S. Marsh #4 Engine with Holiday 5 car set
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5013476887_cd75863f0d_b.jpg

Ward Kimball #5 Engine with Holiday 2 car set
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5013493321_c3c54923b9_b.jpg

Walter E. Disney #1 Engine
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4489391365_72459b1cd7_b.jpg

Lilly Belle #2 Engine
It is only seen during the rope drop at the Magic Kingdom so I don't have a photo right now but I am planning on getting one when I do the Steam Engine tour next month.

Rogger E. Broggie #3 Engine
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4489212340_3aff8cfbaf_b.jpg

Roy O. Disney #4 Engine
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4489386321_3d011181ae_b.jpg

[skiingfast]

Nice Bret. The Engine Tour should be really cool since it's a bigger rail system in Florida.

[Goofy_Mom]

My DS is a HUGE train fan. What is the Stream Train Tour? What's the age limit?

[mvf-m11c]

My DS is a HUGE train fan. What is the Stream Train Tour? What's the age limit?

Here is a link of the Disney’s Behind the Magic of Our Steam Trains (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=922485&highlight=steam+engine+tour) on the WDW thread that I have read from other DISers who have done the tour. It's on the 2nd post that the DISer posted about the tour when they experience it. It said that the age limit is 10 years or older. I am looking forward to this tour when I go to WDW next month. I am planning on doing the tour on my birthday December 11, 2010 on a Saturday. Than the next day I will be at the MK for MVMCP. Talk about a lot of great activities at the MK during that weekend.

[Goofy_Mom]

Here is a link of the Disney’s Behind the Magic of Our Steam Trains (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=922485&highlight=steam+engine+tour) on the WDW thread that I have read from other DISers who have done the tour. It's on the 2nd post that the DISer posted about the tour when they experience it. It said that the age limit is 10 years or older. I am looking forward to this tour when I go to WDW next month. I am planning on doing the tour on my birthday December 11, 2010 on a Saturday. Than the next day I will be at the MK for MVMCP. Talk about a lot of great activities at the MK during that weekend.

Thanks for the info, unfortuantly DS is only 2 and we're not going to WDW, I was hoping it was for DL. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to share your pictures with him instead, so keep them coming:thumbsup2

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks for the info, unfortuantly DS is only 2 and we're not going to WDW, I was hoping it was for DL. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to share your pictures with him instead, so keep them coming:thumbsup2

Your welcome.

When I read on that thread that you can't take pictures of the roundhouse in the backstage area. I was kind of disappointed about that you can't take pics of the roundhouse but that is off stage shoots that WDW doesn't want guests to take. I read that you can take pics of the steam engines in the roundhouse when they let the guests on board one of the engines. I will take as many pics of the tour as I can.

[mvf-m11c]

It's the nighttime which means more different pics of the Disney Parks and Resorts.

Today night pictures is the castles at DL and WDW.

Sleeping Beauty Castle with the Holiday lighting
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4792722394_8aa23cae8d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4792795162_fb276eaf54_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5081561518_f1a61d7e41_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/5081554934_69842b879f_b.jpg

Cinderella Castle during my March/April Trip
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4490075674_13d4c94cbc_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4488394011_61f8ae8a3b_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4489234192_3e31e4d539_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4489240438_7e2563d50a_b.jpg

[skiingfast]

Next trip to wdw will you be gathering photos of their castle with icicles on it?

[mvf-m11c]

Next trip to wdw will you be gathering photos of their castle with icicles on it?

Oh yea no question. I am attending MVMCP on December 12. I am planning on getting pics and video of the party and I am looking forward to the "Holiday Wishes" Fireworks. Now that I have done MHP last month, I will know how MVMCP be run when the CMs ask the guests without the tickets to exit the park during the party.

[mvf-m11c]

I have some old photos from DL all the way back to my childhood back in the mid 80's but I am going through them and I should have it up by tonight. But you can watch the Disneyland 35th Anniversary Celebration on my youtube.

Video of Disneyland 35th Anniversary Celebration Special on youtube
Opening with Cheers Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLkdsly_7Mo)

Haunted Mansion Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIdQepc_q7M&feature=related)

President Reagan Part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIdQepc_q7M&feature=related)

Jungle Cruise w/Tony Danza Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Hox7x51To&feature=related)

C3PO, R2D2, Miss Piggy and Gonzo Part 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmAY7CUh-Ig&feature=related)

Ernest P Worrell Part 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdSz1vYKN-Q&feature=related)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Will Smith & Jeff Townes) Part 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv10eN4UP1Y&feature=related)

[mvf-m11c]

I found some of my old photos of DL from 1985, the 30th Anniversary year of DL. I was around 4 years old when my parents had taken these pictures at DL in 1985. I can't believe how different DL looks today and 25 years later. I thought that DL back in the old days in the 80's and 90's before they added DTD was a magical place. I missed the old parking lot where we just get on the tram and head straight over to the main entrance of DL. Now today you have to do more traveling to get to the main entrance. Now here are the old pictures from the 80's.

Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck on one of the 30th Anniversary Floats
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/5162697727_c1158c21a3_b.jpg

Minnie Mouse on one of the 30th Anniversary Floats
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/5162697885_b8c409ee06_b.jpg

Disneyland Plaza Gardens Stage
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1249/5162697349_759e0ef9f7_b.jpg

Submarine Voyage Lagoon with the old colors of the Submarines and on the left hand side of the pic is the old Skyway buckets. The submarines original colors back when DL first introduced the ride was a gray military color than in the late 80's they were bright yellow.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5163293114_5330ed9b75_b.jpg

The old Mark III Monorail Red. Back in the old days, the DLR had four monorails (red, blue, yellow and green). If I remember correctly that was the year that DL was changing out the old Mark III Monorails to the new Mark V Monorails. Now today is the Mark VII Monorails which only has three trains instead of the usual four trains since the last 3 series.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/5162684177_9986da178e_b.jpg

[tksbaskets]

Bret - your nighttime pictures are just spectacular. LOVED the retro pictures. Wish I could find the ones my parents took when we went to WDW in 1976. I think my mom might have taken 3 pictures...

I hadn't thought about the steam engine tour at WDW. How many hours is it? When we are going all the Christmas parties are done but we will be there for New Years~

[mvf-m11c]

Bret - your nighttime pictures are just spectacular. LOVED the retro pictures. Wish I could find the ones my parents took when we went to WDW in 1976. I think my mom might have taken 3 pictures...

I hadn't thought about the steam engine tour at WDW. How many hours is it? When we are going all the Christmas parties are done but we will be there for New Years~

Thx. Can't believe how DL is so different from the old days.

I really wanted to do the Holiday tour since 2001. But my family was not interested in doing the tour. So my DA and I will be down there next month and we would do the tour together. I believe the tour is 2.5-3 hours from what I have read on that thread. Its going to be very fun to see WDW with all the Holiday decorations.

[tksbaskets]

Thx. Can't believe how DL is so different from the old days.

I really wanted to do the Holiday tour since 2001. But my family was not interested in doing the tour. So my DA and I will be down there next month and we would do the tour together. I believe the tour is 2.5-3 hours from what I have read on that thread. Its going to be very fun to see WDW with all the Holiday decorations.

WDW is really great at the holidays. All the parks are decked out. Be sure to see the Osborn Lights at Hollywood Studios. The first year I was there I thought everyone was just talking about the lights on the buildings....The last time we were there (2 years ago) we discovered a light and music show that was really neat.

A tour will be much more fun with someone to enjoy it with you!

[mvf-m11c]

WDW is really great at the holidays. All the parks are decked out. Be sure to see the Osborn Lights at Hollywood Studios. The first year I was there I thought everyone was just talking about the lights on the buildings....The last time we were there (2 years ago) we discovered a light and music show that was really neat.

A tour will be much more fun with someone to enjoy it with you!

I am looking forward to "The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights" at DHS. That is one of my objectives to do when I go WDW next month with MVMCP & EPCOT. My DA is looking forward to EPCOT to see how each country celebrates Christmas.

It is so much fun to do a tour with someone that enjoys it so well. I was looking at one of the Holiday tours at WDW like the Holiday D-Lights Tour. But that was $199 a person. :scared1: I wanted to do the Steam Engine tour since 2001 and this time I am doing my first tour at WDW. I am so excited to do this tour. It would be neat if the WDW offered a monorail tour but it is not as popular as the steam engines.

[tksbaskets]

I am looking forward to "The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights" at DHS. That is one of my objectives to do when I go WDW next month with MVMCP & EPCOT. My DA is looking forward to EPCOT to see how each country celebrates Christmas.

It is so much fun to do a tour with someone that enjoys it so well. I was looking at one of the Holiday tours at WDW like the Holiday D-Lights Tour. But that was $199 a person. :scared1: I wanted to do the Steam Engine tour since 2001 and this time I am doing my first tour at WDW. I am so excited to do this tour. It would be neat if the WDW offered a monorail tour but it is not as popular as the steam engines.

Your DA will really enjoy EPCOT. They have Santas from the different countries too. One really fun thing we did was take the Segway Tour at EPCOT. It was New Years Day before the park opened and we practiced for about an hour and then when through the World Showcase before it was open to the public. The guide gave us all sorts of info. Zipping through China on a segway - Priceless. (Well at least it wasn't 2 bills a piece!)

Planning is half the fun, right? :goodvibes

[mvf-m11c]

Your DA will really enjoy EPCOT. They have Santas from the different countries too. One really fun thing we did was take the Segway Tour at EPCOT. It was New Years Day before the park opened and we practiced for about an hour and then when through the World Showcase before it was open to the public. The guide gave us all sorts of info. Zipping through China on a segway - Priceless. (Well at least it wasn't 2 bills a piece!)

Planning is half the fun, right? :goodvibes

That sound so much fun to do the Segway Tour at EPCOT. Get to go through World Showcase before the public goes in and see that side of the park not crowded.

Planning is always fun to do since you want to enjoy the full experience during the trip. Some people don't do plans and just go through the flow of their visit, but I like to get the most out of my trip. So planning is very important to me and my cast.

[mvf-m11c]

In just less than one week until I am going back to DL during the Holiday season. :cool1: I can't believe that it is only less than one week away to DL

Now time to post another night time pic or video. The pics and video is "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade at DL. This was taken right across from IASWH when my DA and I have done the Holiday Tour.

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade on my youtube: Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFeUNuia3q0), Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c2eF-z1fhw&feature=related)

Opening Float: Toy Box
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4794888259_b05355c795_b.jpg

Toy Soldiers
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4794888419_7136afe6d4_b.jpg

Santa's Mail Room Float
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4795521434_d50f8727aa_b.jpg

Welcome to A Winter Wonderland Unit: Pooh and Tigger
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4794888707_73da7ef786_b.jpg

Mickey and Minnie ice skate atop the Ice Rink Float
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4795521670_a26ca7b8ba_b.jpg

Eeyore pulls a Sleigh
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4795521764_679b6c6ddd_o.jpg

A Recipe for Gingerbread Treats Float
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4794888925_7911d7ba0e_o.jpg

Candlelight Christmas Ball Unit: Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anastasia
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4794888985_8997786e64_o.jpg

Snow White and her Prince
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4794889099_ebf8195a03_b.jpg

Princess Aurora, Prince Philip, Snow White and her Prince, Belle, Beast, Ariel, Prince Eric, Cinderella, and Prince Charming
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4795522202_32e696fe82_b.jpg

Santa's Toyland Floats: Chip and Dale in the "Humdinger"
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4795522326_eb4b7143ac_b.jpg

Santa's Finale Floats: The Seven Dwarves
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4795522492_501919e757_b.jpg

8 Reindeers with the last Float
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4795522652_2d37179728_b.jpg

We are only just one hour away till Friday on the West Coast and the offical day of the Holiday season at DL. :santa:

[tksbaskets]

Great pictures :thumbsup2 We saw the parade when it was dark out after our tour last December. I have an issue taking night-time photos. Thanks for sharing. I'm feeling more festive after seeing them!

[mvf-m11c]

I'm getting so excited every second when it is time to head out on Wednesday night. Just only 3 days till I head to Livingston and 4 days during the Holiday season at DL. I will try to do the best on my live TR at DL on Thursday to Saturday. As for the weather, it looks like that it will rain this weekend. It said that it might rain on Friday night and might screw my plans on Friday night.

As you read my PTR on Friday that I was planning to see WoC and the new segments from TRON legacy. I know that WoC will be running even if it rains and I'm just worried when I am videotaping WoC that night. I don't want to get my video camera wet during the show and I don't want to have my umbrella up high during the show and have other guests behind me get angry because I am blocking their view. I'm hoping that it won't rain on Friday night, but I will have to do whatever I have to do to keep my video camera from getting wet and getting a good video of WoC. I love it when it rains at DL since the parks will not be very crowded.

I remember when I was at DL last year in December, it did rain on Friday night and rain till Sunday. Even though it rained during that weekend, the park was not as crowded during that week. The rides were mostly walk-on's, but the only bad part about itis that DL didn't run "A Christmas Fantasy" parade if it is raining and F! was not running when it rained. But the fireworks was running on Friday night, but the next night it wasn't running. Even if it is a bonus when it rains and the park is less crowded, but it does loose the nighttime shows.

I will post my pics of the 1985 Holiday season at DL later tonight.

[mvf-m11c]

Since we are already in the Holiday season, it is now time to post my Holiday season at DL in 1985. I can't believe I still have these pics when I was 4 years old. 25 years later is a really long time.

This picture was taken at the Plaza Gardens Stage and it was a performance Holiday show with different characters during the Holiday season at DL.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5164562358_2832d9e5cb_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/5164562518_8a6fd6cd52_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1384/5164563884_497ef7b770_b.jpg

Here is the 1985 Christmas Parade at DL. I don't know what it is called but someone who knows that parade back in the day it would be nice to hear what the name of this parade is. There are a lot of characters that we haven't seen at DL in years.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/5164562694_67b8e7534e_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5163957131_2e5dd7f0e5_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5163957367_1145f089eb_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1406/5163957581_414ce363a7_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/5164563526_dd88d00219_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/5164563710_803680bfa9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5163958409_19e88e21af_b.jpg

Hope you enjoy all these classic photos of DL during the Holiday season. :santa:

[Goofy_Mom]

Hurray for pictures!!
Couple of questions/comments:
1) Who's the moose?
2) Love the train in the parade:thumbsup2
3) Did you notice that todays Minnie has a lot more junk in her trunk than she did in '85?

[skiingfast]

Love all the old pics break. Some are of things I miss, some of things I'm glad are gone.

[tksbaskets]

Is it bad that I'm counting the days until your trip too?? :goodvibes I love the retro pictures.

I'm looking forward to your trip report and comments about Tron. :thumbsup2

Thanks for sharing!

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks everyone for liking my old pictures.

Can't wait just 2 Days away till my solo trip to DL and I am just getting excited every second. :cool1: When I get there on Thursday, I will post my pics and do my TR live at the park.

It looks like the weather has changed on Friday night to possibly raining to overnight. But anything can happen and it could rain all of a sudden. I'm hoping that it doesn't rain night and I could do WoC without using the umbrella.

Here is an old pic of Casey Jr. Circus Train from 1985. It looks like the samething today, but the traction on the wheels of the trains today are taken off today.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1241/5163306322_d6f4974038_b.jpg

[skiingfast]

It looks like the weather has changed on Friday night to possibly raining to overnight. But anything can happen and it could rain all of a sudden. I'm hoping that it doesn't rain night and I could do WoC without using the umbrella.

Here is an old pic of Casey Jr. Circus Train from 1985. It looks like the samething today, but the traction on the wheels of the trains today are taken off today.


What is the traction?


Hope the weather stays welcoming.

[mvf-m11c]

What is the traction?


Hope the weather stays welcoming.

The traction rod on the wheel on the engine. Today, the engines on Casey Jr. Circus Train doesn't have the rods on the wheels.

I'm hoping the weather will be nice.


Today I will be heading over to my grandmothers house in Livingston and stay over there for the night and first thing in the morning around 7am, I will head on straight over to Anaheim and DL. I'm hoping that the weather will be calm until Saturday morning, but we will wait and see how it will be on Friday.

I will keep my TR updated every time I get the chance to go on my iPad or my laptop. Hope u can catch my TR and I'm looking forward to see any DISer on my trip.

[mvf-m11c]

This page will be my starting post on my signature for my live TR to DL Tomorrow to Saturday. Hope u get the chance to see my live TR.

[tksbaskets]

This page will be my starting post on my signature for my live TR to DL Tomorrow to Saturday. Hope u get the chance to see my live TR.

Have a safe trip! Looking forward to your trip report.

[mvf-m11c]

Just got checked into my room at BW Stovalls just bout 10 minutes ago and I was in DL for just 1 1/2 hours in the park and I have already posted some pics on my Flickr.com (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/). Today is a really nice day and it is very warm.

I will start part of my TR live before I head back in the park for "A Christmas Fantasy" parade and "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks.

As I have wrote yesterday that I went to my grandmothers house at Livingston so I could save 1 1/2 hours of sleep time while I go straight to DL first thing in morning.

I left my grandmothers houses at 7:15 this morning and was on a five hour drive to Anaheim. I got to DL around 12:30, but I was hungry so I stopped at Panda Express right across the street from Angels stadium.

Than when it was around 1pm I head on straight over to BW Stovalls and park my car. The room wasn't ready so I went to DL and got there at 1:30 pm.

It was just an average crowded day at DL for the first 1 1/2 hours of my time when I was in the park. It was nice to see all the Holiday decorations around the park and it is always magical to see it decorated. The first thing I did in the park was taking pics of all the decorations around the park. Here are some pics during the first 30 min of the park.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5188476612_d4abe31309_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5187875981_dc0f7d52a2_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/5187877949_440eb6d360_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5187879887_3d22aef93f_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/5187886003_d87e7fbb92_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1280/5188493266_a4df0d190d_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1305/5188515840_08c6aaf5ff_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5187942317_2a4419f343_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/5188548944_8e4c66fe11_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/5187950659_9ebd49ef2d_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1002/5187959127_9fc21c42f1_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1274/5188563628_1c99c3761c_o.jpg

I will post more later, right now I am just resting and head back to DL in half an hour.

[tksbaskets]

Glad you arrived safely and enjoyed a sunny afternoon at DL. Your photos are outstanding (as always). I especially like close up of the ornaments.

Looking forward to the parade and fireworks popcorn::

[skiingfast]

Nice Bret I hope you are amped!

[mvf-m11c]

The parade and the fireworks will be posted later when I get back to Sacramento, but I should be able to post some pics of the parade since I am currently waiting for the fireworks. I didn't get a good spot for the parade since Im just waiting for Believe...In Holiday Magic. I will videotape and take pictures of the parade in a good spot until tomorrow.

Tonight is really nice since it is not as crowded on a thursday night during the holiday season at DL. The weather is clear and not windy, so it will be a nice night to see the fireworks.

[specialks]

Glad you arrived safely and your vacation is underway! Thanks for the photos!

[specialks]

The parade and the fireworks will be posted later when I get back to Sacramento, but I should be able to post some pics of the parade since I am currently waiting for the fireworks. I didn't get a good spot for the parade since Im just waiting for Believe...In Holiday Magic. I will videotape and take pictures of the parade in a good spot until tomorrow.

Tonight is really nice since it is not as crowded on a thursday night during the holiday season at DL. The weather is clear and not windy, so it will be a nice night to see the fireworks.

Hey Bret, I'd really like to know how important you feel it is to watch the fireworks by the castle. Does the Holiday show have as many projections and special effects as RDCT???

[mvf-m11c]

I just got back from DL and the report was right that there is a special event at DL tonight. I will do my TR in just awhile.

Thx for reading my live TR.

Hey Bret, I'd really like to know how important you feel it is to watch the fireworks by the castle. Does the Holiday show have as many projections and special effects as RDCT???

All the nighttime shows at DL or WDW is very important to me than the rides. I am just one of those people who like to watch the nighttime shows and get a good spot even if I have to wait hours for it. Also I videotape the shows and post them on youtube later. I must at least be in front of SB castle during each of my trips to see the fireworks from the best view. I have np with the wait and sometimes I save spots for other people who are right next to me.

Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks doesn't have too many projections and special effects as RDCT. It uses some fireworks on the front of the castle and uses the spinning fireworks on the sides. Believe is over 10 years old and RDCT is 5 years old.

[mvf-m11c]

Now to get back to my TR.

When I was in MS USA around 1:30pm today and seeing all of the different Holiday decorations. The first thing I did was take pictures of almost everything that had Holiday decorations around the park. I just walked to shop to shop and almost all the stores had decorations and holiday treats and merchandise.

Here are some of the Holiday merchandise.
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Than I just kept going onto different stores on MS. I'm still getting all the pics for the Tree Quest and Wreath Quest that Sherry has setup. Here are some more pics of the Trees and Wreaths on MS USA.

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I will post the 3rd part of my TR later since I am tired of waiting for the fireworks tonight. I will BRB.

Thx for reading my TR.

[skiingfast]

I'm glad the weather is good today. I looked and tomorrow may be good. I read the rain isn't supposed to start until 4am Saturday. Keep up the good work on the quest!

[tksbaskets]

Thank you for the installment. Sitting at the car dealer waiting for the 'good news' about my car. May not be good... It was wonderful to enjoy the holidays at DL through your pics. LOVE the one with the swags across main street and the beautiful blue sky.

Keeping my eyes on my email for a new installment popcorn:: Hope you are having a ton of fun!!

[roxy72]

Neat pics!! I might go on a solo trip to Disneyland soon. Are you happy when you go by yourself, Brett? I get a little depressed when I see happy couples and families with little children. Oh well. It's still Disneyland and there is lots to do!

P.S. That Snow Glow thingie looks neat...is it a flashlight?

[skiingfast]

P.S. That Snow Glow thingie looks neat...is it a flashlight?

I was wondering that too, but the one on the far right look like it has "snow in it" is it a snow globe? Does it light up too?

[mvf-m11c]

I'm glad the weather is good today. I looked and tomorrow may be good. I read the rain isn't supposed to start until 4am Saturday. Keep up the good work on the quest!

Sry for not replying last night since I needed a lot of sleep after driving for 5 hours. The weather was really nice yesterday and today was also nice. It did sprinkle just a little today but nothing serious. I am prepared for tomorrow when it rains in the morning.

I have more pics on flickr but I can't post them on the thread with my iPad. I'm just waiting for the 2nd parade right across the street from GMwML. The weather is nice and it is cloudy today but it is nice right now.

[mvf-m11c]

Thank you for the installment. Sitting at the car dealer waiting for the 'good news' about my car. May not be good... It was wonderful to enjoy the holidays at DL through your pics. LOVE the one with the swags across main street and the beautiful blue sky.

Keeping my eyes on my email for a new installment popcorn:: Hope you are having a ton of fun!!

I'm sry to hear about your car. I'm glad that you enjoy all my pics during my trip.

[mvf-m11c]

While I am waiting for the 5:30 parade, I write my TR from yesterday.

Back when I was in the park in the afternoon around 2, I head on straight over to Adventureland and rooks pics of Jungle cruise even though it was not running that day, but I was able to get a pic from the exit.

Than I head on over to the ROA and got the pics of the Mark Twain, Columbia and the rafts. The Columbia was still in the dry docks and I was wondering why it was not running that day. Than I realize that it is a short day today and they didn't need to have both boats on the track.

I head on over to NOS and took more pics of NoS without the holiday overlay. I was kind of surprise that this year in NoS, they don't have any garlands over the walkway. I talked to a CM and said that they try to make NOS more of a Marte Gras than the usual decorations in NOS. I have took pics of the trees and wreaths in NOS stores.

After that I head on over to Critter Country and got the pics of the canoes, winnie the pooh, and splash mountain. I also went in the store st the end of critter country and they had a few more trees in the store for the tree quest.

I will write the rest of my TR when I am waiting for WoC tonight. I am going to try that spot right next to the VIP seating with my Blue FP for the first show. I am also going to see Ele tronica after the parade.

Hope u like my incomplete TR.

[skiingfast]

Sounds like it's going great. I'm glad still glad the weather is holding off as much as it can.

Nice pics, your going to end up with a couple hundred trees, I have this feeling!

[IndayMichelle]

Brett! I saw you at the Mission Tortilla Factory this morning! You were moving so quickly I saw your LGMH and then you were gone! I was with my DBF in the wheelchair.

[skiingfast]

Brett! I saw you at the Mission Tortilla Factory this morning! You were moving so quickly I saw your LGMH and then you were gone! I was with my DBF in the wheelchair.

What a bummer. :sad1: I'm sad you didn't get a chance to say hi.

[skiingfast]

Bret, I've looked through hundred of photos. The ride vehicle shots are superb.:thumbsup2


I like the day and night castle shots too.

[mvf-m11c]

Sounds like it's going great. I'm glad still glad the weather is holding off as much as it can.

Nice pics, your going to end up with a couple hundred trees, I have this feeling!

Thx Matt.

The weather today was a little bit bad than the first two days of the trip. It was raining a little first thing in the morning and than it stopped for awhile. Than later it started to srinkled later and stopped again. Than when I was leaving the hotel today at noon, it started to pour. Talk about getting out of the parks and heading back home at a good time. I feel sorry for the guests who were there today after noon while it was raining hard.

[mvf-m11c]

Brett! I saw you at the Mission Tortilla Factory this morning! You were moving so quickly I saw your LGMH and then you were gone! I was with my DBF in the wheelchair.

That was a shame that I didn't see u yesterday IndayMichelle. I was hoping to find any DISer at the park during my visit but looks like I just missed u yesterday at DCA. U saw me with my black hat, red shirt and blue backpack with my LGMH on it? Did u and your DBF had a great time yesterday and what did u do for the rest of the day?

I am a fast walker when I am in the park. I was trying to find the Holiday trees, wreaths and taking pics of the ride vehicles around the whole resort.

[Goofy_Mom]

How did the autograph hunt/ Minnies breakfast go? I saw you got a picture of Donald Duck, I'm so jealous. Every time we go we miss him or he's not there. I really hope to see him in a few days, and Tiana and Rapunzel and Flynn and. . .

[skiingfast]

That doesn't sound aweful. Was the park crowded? It sounds like a lot of people had second thoughts because of the forecast.

[mvf-m11c]

Neat pics!! I might go on a solo trip to Disneyland soon. Are you happy when you go by yourself, Brett? I get a little depressed when I see happy couples and families with little children. Oh well. It's still Disneyland and there is lots to do!

P.S. That Snow Glow thingie looks neat...is it a flashlight?

Sry for not replying to your post roxy72, yes I think it is fun to do a solo trip to DL. Not only do u get to decide of what to do at the park and u don't have to worry bout other members of your group. This is my 2nd solo trip to DL (first March 2010), yes it is kind of not the same without another person that u know. When u are at DL u dont feel those kind of things.

Yes, the snow globe light up. They had those on the nightime carts with all the other light up items during the nighttime.

[mvf-m11c]

How did the autograph hunt/ Minnies breakfast go? I saw you got a picture of Donald Duck, I'm so jealous. Every time we go we miss him or he's not there. I really hope to see him in a few days, and Tiana and Rapunzel and Flynn and. . .

The autograph went well this morning during Minnies breakfast at the Plaza Inn. One of the CM at the front gate was surprised that I am dining just by myself for a character breakfast. I knew that she was going to say someting about that but she was silent about it. I dont think that she would see solo person for a character breakfast. The breakfast was great and I got to see a lot of different disney characters. I have seen Minnie, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Chip, Dale, Brer Fox, Fairy God mother, Max, & Captain Hook during my breakfast. I got Minnie, Chip, Dale, & Fairy God Mother autographs today during the breakfast. I have some some hilarious photos of Dale today. I will post the pics later tomorrow.

A lot of the characters out on MS had their Holiday clothing on and I have seen as many 6 characters out on MS signing and taking pictures with the guests. Tiana is still out at NOS for the Mardi Gras and Rapunzel and Flynn wait line is still as long when it opened.

Thx for the help with the character breakfast and hope u have a good trip this coming week. :thumbsup2

[mvf-m11c]

That doesn't sound aweful. Was the park crowded? It sounds like a lot of people had second thoughts because of the forecast.

The parks didn't seem that crowded on Thursday and yesterday. The parade for Thursday was already filled up half an hour to the show since it is only one show that day.

Today the park was not crowded today since a lot of people including us DISers forecast it was going to rain this whole weekend. It did rain a little this morning, but it did not stopped those people who are there this weekend. I always like it when the park is not crowded due to rain, hey I got the same thing last year back in December 09 when it rained on the weekend of 12-13. You get to be in a less crowded park but the ridess will be shut down during a rainy day and most important for me is the cancelation of the nighttime shows.

[mvf-m11c]

Now it is time to go back to my TR. I believe i left off when I was at the Critter Country gift shop on Thurday. (I will post my pics of each part of my trip when I get back home tomorrow.)

After CC, I head on over to Frontierland and got pics of the Santas Reindeer Round-Up sign by BTMRR. Than I head on over to SRRU. Got to see all the trees, reindeers and Santa was in the house getting pictures with the guests.

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Than I got to FL and took pics of all the ride vehicles in FL. Than I got to see the Rapunzel Tower and there was a long line to meet Rapunzel and Flynn. I was considering getting in line, but I didn't since I just have a short amount of time to be in the park until I head back to BW Stovalls to check in to my room.

Tangled Character Greeting
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I head on over to ISAWH and it looks the same as always during the Holiday season. The line was about 20 min wait at the time I was in the park around 2:45. Than I went to TT and it was always nice to see the Holiday decorations in TT. I got pics of trees at Mickey and Minnies house as well as Goofy wreath on the tree. I also got the pics of Gadgets coaster ride, RRCS was under construction so I couldn't get the picture of the ride vehicle.

Toon Town Wreath
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Toon Town Trees
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It was around 3 pm so I head on back to BW Stovalls to check-in to my hotel room. Before I went back to BW Stovalls I took some pics of IASWH and I went to SB castle to take pictures of the castle.

IASWH 11/18/10
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SB Castle 11/18/10
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It was around 3:20pm when i got out of DL and straight back to Stovalls. I rested up at the hotel until 4:45.

Here are my photos of BW Stovalls Hotel room of a King Room. (I was a little messy when I took these pictures.)
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I will write the rest of my TR tomorrow. Hope u like my incomplete TR again. Thx.

[skiingfast]

Doesn't sound too bad. I'm excited to see the pics.

How long was the drive from Livingston? Did you hit traffic? I've though about staying somewhere outside LA to shorten the drive but I'm worried about traffic trying to make a rope drop.

[Funball]

hey brett!! i heard your at disneyland *right* now!!!! wow dude. i hope you are so having fun!!!! hey i gotta catch up on your TR, but from what matt says its awesome an you are having an awesome time!!!

[mvf-m11c]

Doesn't sound too bad. I'm excited to see the pics.

How long was the drive from Livingston? Did you hit traffic? I've though about staying somewhere outside LA to shorten the drive but I'm worried about traffic trying to make a rope drop.

I would say that it is a 5 hour trip from Livingston to DL. With traffic maybe just another half an hour it only depends on what time u get to LA from the morning to night. That also includes refueling the car.

[mvf-m11c]

hey brett!! i heard your at disneyland *right* now!!!! wow dude. i hope you are so having fun!!!! hey i gotta catch up on your TR, but from what matt says its awesome an you are having an awesome time!!!

Hey Sara

I just left DL 10 hours ago. I was there nov. 18-20. The first two days were great and today was raining like crazy when I must left at noon. Hope u look at my pics on my flickr and will post some on this thread.

[amamax2]

Bret,

Loving your TR and your pictures are wonderful, as always! What a great idea to take pictures of all the ride vehicles!

Can't wait to see more when you get home and settled.

[mvf-m11c]

Just got back 2 hours ago and I am back home in Sacramento safely. I want to thank all the readers who are keeping track of my TR. I will now write the rest of my TR from Thursday night.

It was around 4:45pm and I left BW Stovalls and carried all my camera and video camera equipment with me to videotape the parade and the fireworks. I got out of the hotel later than I expected since I was posting and writing my TR that night.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1292/5189110952_5d6fac7b80_b.jpg

I got to DL around 5:05pm and I was heading straight over to the Hub and get a spot on the Tomorrowland side but the curb sides were all filled up and there were people behind the people who are sitting by the curb. I wanted to get a viewing area behind the people behind the curb but there was none available.

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So I decided to head on over to NOS and get my dinner. I went over to NOS to Royal Street Veranda and got my usual Steak Gumbo. I always go to RSV first for any meal. It was not a long wait and after I picked up my dinner, I went straight back over to the Hub and got my usual spot for the fireworks.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5188512019_66f7863616_b.jpg

As I for the fireworks, the parade came around 5:40 and I decided to take some pics of the parade while I am waiting in my spot for the fireworks.

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade 5:30 11/18/10
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After the parade was over, I was just waiting by myself for the fireworks and I talked to some other families of their experience at DL during the Holiday season. They were so amazed of how DL is during the Holiday season. When one of them needed to go to the restroom, I told them that I can watch their stroller and blanket. They were so happy to hear that and they went out and asked me if I would like a drink. I said that I was fine and that was really nice of that family to get me a drink while I was waiting. While we were waiting I took some pics of the castle. Before the fireworks, we got to see two shows of Sleeping Beauty Winter castle light up. I remember that last year when it light up before the fireworks. After the two shows of SB Winter castle light up, the icicles light up after the show.

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It also snowed during both of the Wintertime Castle light up.

I will post both of the pics of both the two different show of Wintertime Castle light up. These two shows are different than the other.

[skiingfast]

I'm wondering about the walk from Stovalls. How long did it take? I imagine you were walking fast maybe your equipment slowed you down. Did you use the GHC cut through?

[roxy72]

The Stovall's Inn looks nice! What a big bed, too. :D

Great pics, I'm glad you're safely back home!

[mvf-m11c]

Here are pics of Disneyland SB Castle during Wintertime Enchantment Holiday Lighting for the 1st show and the 2nd show.

First Show of WEHL
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2nd Show of WEHL
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I will have both videos of WEHL in the next few days or even tomorrow. Hope u like the pics during the WEHL show.

[mvf-m11c]

I'm wondering about the walk from Stovalls. How long did it take? I imagine you were walking fast maybe your equipment slowed you down. Did you use the GHC cut through?

I believe it was 12-15 min for me to walk from Stovalls over to DL and DCA main entrance. I used the GCH shortcut all of my time I go to the parks and going back to the hotel. I was really walking fast all day both back and forward but it was a bad idea to rush back to the hotel since I had a sore back on Friday night. I was just walking fast all day during my visit as Michelle (IndayMichelle) saw me at Mission Tortilla Factory on Friday morning.

On Friday when I used my tripod for the two parades at DL & WoC, I got a locker inside DL and it just barely fit inside the locker. I got the large locker and I took my tripod first thing in the morning and left it in the locker until I used it for the 2:30 parade. I put it back in the locker and went back to Stovalls to rest up. Than when I got back to DL at night I got it out and used it for the 2nd parade and WoC that night.

[mvf-m11c]

Time to post some of the Holiday Treats at the DLR.

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[mvf-m11c]

From where I left off, I just watch both shows of SB Winter Castle shows. Than it was time to see the 7:30 "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks. As always it is so amazing to watch Believe fireworks from the Hub. I had stayed at that spot for less than two hours to see the fireworks and it was worth it in my opinion. Some people would say that you are crazy of staying in that spot for less than two hours.

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After the fireworks, it was around 7:40 and I called it for the night since I am tired of driving 5 hours from Livingston to Anaheim. I than went down MS and took some pics of the Holiday decorations while I was walking toward the exit. Also DL announced that the MS USA store will be immediately closed at 8pm just as the same time as DL was closing. So there was little time to shop after the fireworks. But I decided not to shop that night after the fireworks.

I remember reading from a thread on Tuesday that DL is having a private party for the radio stations of the different cities. When I was at the exit on the DTD side, there was a stand for people to check-in and there were other people waiting to get into DL that night. It would have been nice to go into a private party at DL one day.

Than I walked straight back to Stovalls to call it for the night and than I posted my pics and did my TR that night.

This was a little blurry
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[mvf-m11c]

Time to post more pics for the Tree and Wreath Quest

Tree from Pooh's Corner at Critter Country
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Tree from Pooh's Corner at Critter Country
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Tree by Santas Reindeer Round-Up
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Wreaths from Toon Town
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Minnie's Christmas Tree in Toon Town
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Mickey's Christmas Tree in Toon Town
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Donald's Wreath in Toon Town
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Goofy's Wreath on his house in Toon Town
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[Markie Mouse]

Loved the TR. I was wondering how you took your pics? I just got my Sony alpha a55 and was wondering from looking at your beautiful pics what settings you used for outside pics and firework pictures. I use some of the auto settings but have recently discovered the beauty of the manual modes. I especially like your tree pics as the colors and the details of the ornaments really pop.:thumbsup2

[tksbaskets]

Just got back 2 hours ago and I am back home in Sacramento safely. I want to thank all the readers who are keeping track of my TR. I will now write the rest of my TR from Thursday night.

It was around 4:45pm and I left BW Stovalls and carried all my camera and video camera equipment with me to videotape the parade and the fireworks. I got out of the hotel later than I expected since I was posting and writing my TR that night.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1292/5189110952_5d6fac7b80_b.jpg

After the parade was over, I was just waiting by myself for the fireworks and I talked to some other families of their experience at DL during the Holiday season. They were so amazed of how DL is during the Holiday season. When one of them needed to go to the restroom, I told them that I can watch their stroller and blanket. They were so happy to hear that and they went out and asked me if I would like a drink. I said that I was fine and that was really nice of that family to get me a drink while I was waiting. While we were waiting I took some pics of the castle. Before the fireworks, we got to see two shows of Sleeping Beauty Winter castle light up. I remember that last year when it light up before the fireworks. After the two shows of SB Winter castle light up, the icicles light up after the show.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/5188519277_f45f3ae558_b.jpg

It also snowed during both of the Wintertime Castle light up.

I will post both of the pics of both the two different show of Wintertime Castle light up. These two shows are different than the other.

Hi Bret,
I am enjoying the heck out of your trip report. SO nice that your kindness to the parade waiting family was rewarded. What goes around truely does come around.

Your parade photos were great but your castle pictures at night are STUNNING!

Your hotel room looks quite nice and comfortable. On my last trip I stayed at the Park Vue which was very convienient, clean, but not as warm looking as your room. Where was your hotel located? I don't know what the BW stands for (I'm new to the hotels that aren't on property).

Glad you are home safe and sound! How many days to your WDW trip? My counter is at 33 days now!

[mvf-m11c]

Loved the TR. I was wondering how you took your pics? I just got my Sony alpha a55 and was wondering from looking at your beautiful pics what settings you used for outside pics and firework pictures. I use some of the auto settings but have recently discovered the beauty of the manual modes. I especially like your tree pics as the colors and the details of the ornaments really pop.:thumbsup2

I used a Nikon D60 DSLR camera and I also took pictures with my Sony HDR-XR520V camcorder. On the first night, I used my video camera for the nighttime pictures. As you can see from my SB Winter Castle pics on the top, I actually recorded the show and than took each pic frame and made it into a picture. I used mostly the non-auto flash during the daytime with my Nikon D60. The video camera was used as a regular camera for taking pics.

Thx for liking my pics.

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
I am enjoying the heck out of your trip report. SO nice that your kindness to the parade waiting family was rewarded. What goes around truely does come around.

Your parade photos were great but your castle pictures at night are STUNNING!

Your hotel room looks quite nice and comfortable. On my last trip I stayed at the Park Vue which was very convienient, clean, but not as warm looking as your room. Where was your hotel located? I don't know what the BW stands for (I'm new to the hotels that aren't on property).

Glad you are home safe and sound! How many days to your WDW trip? My counter is at 33 days now!

Actually it was the fireworks on Thursday night that I have told that family that I would save their spot. It was a mother and a young daughter. They said that if I want a drink and I said that I didn't want a drink, I was just fine and had my own. I'm just that kind of person who would watch someones spot when they need to go to the bathroom or get food.

I'm glad that u like my photos of the parade and fireworks. I will post them on this thread later during the week. But right now I am uploading the SB Winter castle light up and "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks on youtube.

The hotel that I have stayed was BW Stovalls (Best Western Stovall's Inn). It is located south of DLR on the corner of Disneyland Dr. & W Katella Ave. It is right by Coco restaurant. It is about a 15 min walk from the hotel to the park that includes going through the GCH. I have stayed at BW Stovalls back in Aug. 09 and it was just like the same from last year. It was very comfortable.

Here is the hotel pic & map from the website.
http://book.bestwestern.com/props/05185/05185_b1.jpg http://book.bestwestern.com/props/05185/05185_m.gif

Thank you for your concern. I'm only just 18 days away till my WDW Holiday Trip :cool1:. I'm getting excited to hear your TR next month. :thumbsup2

[mvf-m11c]

Here are my pictures from "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks on 11/18/10. These were actually videotaped from my Sony HDR-XR520V camcorder and than I took each frame from my video and made it into a pic. Hope u like it and this is part 1 of Believe.

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[mvf-m11c]

I just uploaded SB Winter Castle on my youtube. I have both the first show and 2nd show uploaded. Here are the links for the two shows.

SB Winter Castle 1st Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j46HetB0jPE)

SB Winter Castle 2nd Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNvAHDBSdAY)

Enjoy the show.:santa:

[mvf-m11c]

I just finished uploading "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks on my youtube. I have both parts of the show uploaded. Here are the links for the fireworks.

Believe...In Holiday Magic Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uvWNBFCyuE)

Believe...In Holiday Magic Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0NNhJOMd0c)

[mvf-m11c]

Okay now is the time to post my TR on Saturday.

I also forgot to mention when I went to the parks on Thursday, I was hoping that my new Premier AP would work. When I got to the main entrance and gave my AP to the CM, when she scanned it, it showed my picture on the screen. :banana: I was relieved that my Premier finally worked especially having so much trouble with it last month. Than when I had dinner at RSV, it had giving me the 15% discount for the food. I'm glad that it worked during my trip and now I am hoping it will be fine when I go to WDW next month. I would assume that it should be fine, but I was planning on going to the park when I get there on Friday Dec. 10 on the day my DA and I arrive in Orlando. I hope u read my live TR from WDW in less than three weeks.

Back in my hotel at BW Stovalls, I got up 7:00am in the morning. I knew that I couldn't go in the park during MM since I am not staying on-property just like my October trip and don't have a PH ticket with a MM on it. I also brought my tripod with me so I can videotape the 2:30pm "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. I didn't want to go back to the hotel and pick it up so I decided to bring it with me and put it in the lockers at the DLR. I left my room at 7:30 and head over to have the continental breakfast at the hotel. I just had orange juice and a bagel in the morning. Than it was off to DL to get there when it opens at 8am in the morning.

I got in DL when it opened at 8am and there were only a few people outside the gate but most of the people were waiting inside MS USA. I also took pics of the CALIFORNIA letters for the last Holiday season and I have took better ones on Saturday, I will post those later.

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The first thing I did when I got inside the park was to head on over to the lockers right by the Cone Shop. I got the large locker and my tripod just barely fit inside the locker. I had use the large locker outside the main entrance of DL right by the GR. It was np fitting inside the locker and like what the reports said that DL has upgraded all the lockers with a keypad at each one instead of going to one of the main screens and punching in the numbers.

After I put my tripod in the locker, I was heading straight over to Tomorrowland until I see the radio broadcasting booths right by the Hub. I remember that DL had a private party for the radio broadcasting but there were a lot of them from different cities on the West Coast. I have seen radio companies from Utah, Arizona, and of course California. I had also see that they are videotaping right in front of SB castle.

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After seeing the event going right by the Hub, I went over to the Tomorrowland and the first thing I did was get a FP for SM. I knew that I could have just got on SM since it was a 10 min wait, but I had to get the pictures of the ride vehicles at the other lands.

After getting the FP for SM, I head straight over to Adventureland and got on Indy. As always in the morning Indy was not that crowded and I got on the ride in just less than 5 minutes. I also took the picture of the ride vehicle of Indy with my Sony camcorder with the night shot.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5199307255_2eb790e4bd_b.jpg

After Indy, I was about to go on HMH, but it was too early in the morning and I know that I could walk-on the ride later during the day. (But that was a mistake for me later during the day. I will talked about that later on this thread.) I decided to go on the DLRR and ride it towards ToonTown depot and head over to IASWH. Here are some pics of the NOS stations as well as a wreath for the quest and I got to ride on the C.K. Holliday with Holiday 5 car set with the Lilly Belle parlor car.

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After I got off the DLRR from ToonTown Station, I went straight over to IASWH. There was no one there and I just got on the ride immediately. When I was on IASWH, it took longer to get off the ride since the CM are adding more boats to the ride. From the time I got on and got off it was around 19 minutes until it was finished.

Than it was time to head on over to Tomorrowland and get on SM and use my FP. I walked over to FL and than I remember to take a ride vehicle photo of Matterhorn Mountain Bobsled.
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After the picture of the Matterhorn Bobsled I also took a picture of FNSV submarines.
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I head on over to SM and it said that it was still a 10 min wait and I showed my FP to the CM and I walked thru the FP line and when I got to the line that connect the standby line there was no CM and I just walked in. I believe it was a 7 min wait to get on the ride. I also got to be in front on the ride. Here is the SM ride vehicle with the night shot.
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Here is my picture after the ride on SM. As you can see that I was in the front with my video camera as I was videotaping the ride in night shot.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5199324427_a35d25b101_b.jpg

After SM, I went over to BLAB and got on in just 5 min. It was around 9:10am when I got on the ride and as always I had to get a pic of the ride vehicle.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5196396898_9129c9ab68_b.jpg

After BLAB, I got a FP for BLAB as a souvenir. Than it was around 9:25am and I decided it was time to head on over to DCA and do the other activities at DCA.

I will write more of my TR later tonight.

Thx for reading another part of my incomplete TR.

[Tink91]

Great pictures!!!! :3dglasses

[skiingfast]

Nice indoor dark shots, very inventive. It's wierd that the radio booths lined the middle of the hub. I noticed for Halloween they set them up on the town square.

I'm sure you premier will work fine at WDW. From when it came out it seemed lots of people had problems at DLR, which have quickly decreased, and very few people ever had problems at DLR. We'll see when you try to scan your finger at the turnsyles. ;)

Are you going to post those onride videos on youtube? I'll keep an eye out.

[mvf-m11c]

Nice indoor dark shots, very inventive. It's wierd that the radio booths lined the middle of the hub. I noticed for Halloween they set them up on the town square.

I'm sure you premier will work fine at WDW. From when it came out it seemed lots of people had problems at DLR, which have quickly decreased, and very few people ever had problems at DLR. We'll see when you try to scan your finger at the turnsyles. ;)

Are you going to post those onride videos on youtube? I'll keep an eye out.

I would assume the same thing when I go to WDW next month and the Premier should work np. It was a better experience this time than last month when it wasn't working. I am interested in how the biometric scan will respond with my Premier.

I have videotape a few rides this past weekend at DLR. I only videotape IASWH, Indy with nightshot SM with nightshot, HMH with nightshot, & POTC with nightshot. I will post IASWH but the others I am still thinking about.

I am also going to be put WoC with just the TRON segment of the show and both the two Christmas parade on Friday that I have videotaped.

[mvf-m11c]

Now is time to do my TR on Friday Nov. 19

After BLAB, I went straight toward the exit and head on over to DCA. When I was walking down toward MS USA I got some more pics of the ride vehicles and some random photos.

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Most of the people were already in DCA at 9:30am so I just got in the park immediately. And it was nice to see the Golden Gate bridge with the Holiday decorations for the last time when DCA gets the new front entrance in the future.

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I also got to see the ElecTRONica stage and I was kind of waiting later that night to see how it goes.
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After taking pics of the ElecTRONica stage, I head on over to Condor Flats and was going to try to get on Soarin, but the line was already towards the outside of the building. So I decided to get a FP for Soarin.

Than I head on over to GRR and get a WoC FP for a souvenir. It was around 9:40 when I got in line at the GRR the sign said that the 9pm show was still available. And from Disneyland 1951 chart saying that I should get a yellow FP at the time I got there. When I gave them my Premier Pass and the CM scan it and all of a sudden I got a blue FP for the 9pm show. I was kind of glad and disappointed about it. I thought I would get a yellow FP when I arrived at the FP machine. Plus I bought the WoC picnic so I could guarantee a blue FP for the 9pm show. But in the end I at least got the blue FP from the FP machine or the picnic. Than I got a pic of GRR vehicle.
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I head on over toward the Paradise Pier entrance where a lot of people were waiting to get into Paradise Pier and go on TSMM. I got there around 9:50 and waited until the DCA opened at 10pm.

When it got to 10am there were a lot of people trying to run or jog to TSMM. I was just walking towards Paradise Pier and towards TSMM. There were a lot of people trying to get to TSMM as always first thing in the morning and when I got to the line I only had to wait only 5 min to get on the ride. And I had a very disappoint score on TSMM. I only had 177,300 points. I mostly get on average 250,000 points on average on this ride. But I missed too many of the targets and didn't hit the secret spots on the ride.
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After TSMM, I head on straight over to Mickey's Fun Wheel and to take pictures of the whole park and the construction sites. It was nice to see the new rides and new lands in the future. It was not that cold and the view is always great to see the whole entire resort.
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I will write the rest of my TR later.

[tksbaskets]

Great pics from the Fun Wheel. I've never been brave enough to go on it.

I got a yellow FP with my WoC picnic. Looking forward to discovering which one you got with your picnic.

I always enjoy a spin on TSMM - it's hard to get a good score going on the ride solo - that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. ;) That and I haven't figured out the dino darts yet...

I am both sad and looking forward to seeing what DCA looks like with the new entrance. I will miss the CALIFORNIA letters.

Looking forward to more popcorn::

[mvf-m11c]

I always enjoy a spin on TSMM - it's hard to get a good score going on the ride solo - that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. ;) That and I haven't figured out the dino darts yet...

I am both sad and looking forward to seeing what DCA looks like with the new entrance. I will miss the CALIFORNIA letters.

Looking forward to more popcorn::

I have seen guys get good scores solo in the 500,000 just by themself. But you got to know your targets and where to hit them. The dino 2nd stage is really kind of easy, you have to hit the lava balloons first than the stego with the three balloons and than the lava balloons again. Than the top of the volcano would shoot out lava balloons worth 500. And lastly there will be two meteor on the left and right side and you have to hit two balloons on them. One will show up on the left first and than the one on the right. Than a it will meteor show 1000 point balloons at the end of the stage.

I will miss the CALIFORNIA letters during the Holiday season, but it will be interesting to see how the new entrance will play out.

[mvf-m11c]

Time to do my TR.

After MFW, I went around the backside of Paradise Pier and took pics of the former Mulholland Madness now transforming into Goofy's Sky School, the Jumpin' Jellyfish and the outside work on the Little Mermaid ride.
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I was also taking pictures of the Paradise Pier Viewing Area for WoC. I also took a picture of my spot for that night. As you have read on my PTR on the earlier posts, I am trying the best blue FP viewing spot right next to the VIP seating by the fire hydrant. I would like to thank disneyland 1951 for the viewing chart of all the best spots for the WoC viewing area. I know that you don't have to get there early but I am not taking any chances and decide to show up early not very early. I am very looking forward of seeing how that view is for the WoC show.
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After that, I went over to Pacific Wharf and went to find anymore Christmas decorations around the eating area and I found a few. Than I head on over to Mission Tortilla and than IndayMichelle said that she saw me walking there that morning and than I just walked quickly away from them. It was a shame that we didn't get to meet each other. It would have been nice to meet a DISer in the park, but maybe on my trip to WDW next month that I will be able to find someone.
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After leaving Pacific Wharf, I head on over to "a bug's land" and it was that time to take more pics of the ride vehicles and the holiday decorations around the land. I barely even go through that land during any of my trip, but it was kind of refreshing to go in there.
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Heimlich's Chew Chew Train
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Flik's Flyers
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Francis' Ladybug Boogie
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Tuck and roll's Drive 'Em Buggies
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I head over to the backside of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot since the going to Aladdin Oasis and ToT was blocked off for the construction of the Red Trolley tracks. I got the picture of the ToT from the outside. I did not want to go on the ToT so I just got the ride vehicle outside instead of inside.
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After the ToT, I went around "a bug's land", and head over to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot and took the pictures of ElecTRONica set. I know that it doesn't start at 6pm that night, but it was nice to see the set in person than seeing it on the computer.
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Than after seeing all the ElecTRONica set, I decided tohead on over to Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue ride and get a picture of the ride vehicle.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5196760046_fbdc3b3c44_b.jpg

I will write more later on my TR.

[skiingfast]

Nice Bret. Really good construction shots from MFW. Lots of nice ride vehicle shots too.

It nice to see that they are starting to wrap the LM building for some reason they did the west side a couple months ago and stopped. At least your photos show them coming around the south side of the building.


I'm interested to see how the night turns out.

[amamax2]

Great report - so detailed!

Did you give the autograph books to your boss yet? I hope he appreciated your hard work!

Also, I am a bit confused about the pictures for where you hoped to stand for WOC - it looks like two different areas...there is the triangular planter with the fire hydrant by a wall, but then a different fire hydrant in a rectangular planter? Were you in front of one of them or where is the good spot? I am so confused when I look at the chart that has been posted, but remember something about a fire hydrant. Thanks for any advcie - we have yet to see it and might try on our upcoming trip.

ETA: Ok, I went back and re-read a WOC thread, and I *think* I understand a little better...but still hope you can clarify. So in the second picture you posted, is the good spot standing to the immediate left of the lamp post that is at the entrance to that walkway, so the fire hydrant is in front of you and to the left? Thanks!

[mvf-m11c]

Great report - so detailed!

Did you give the autograph books to your boss yet? I hope he appreciated your hard work!

Also, I am a bit confused about the pictures for where you hoped to stand for WOC - it looks like two different areas...there is the triangular planter with the fire hydrant by a wall, but then a different fire hydrant in a rectangular planter? Were you in front of one of them or where is the good spot? I am so confused when I look at the chart that has been posted, but remember something about a fire hydrant. Thanks for any advcie - we have yet to see it and might try on our upcoming trip.

I have not give the autograph book to my dad yet and to his colleague. They told me to wait around December. Than wrapped it up for them. I have picked up the pink princess books for the two girls.

On my third pic of the WoC viewing area right in front of the yellow fire hydrant, this is the spot that disneyland 1951 suggested as a prime spot for seeing WoC in the blue FP section. It was a good location for people who are not willing to wait for an hour for a spot. It took me awhile for me to look at the picture that disneyland 1951 posted on the WoC thread. When I look at it, the view was really good and you can get everything with a videotape or picture of all the fountains. I will post my pictures and my videotape of the TRON segment on youtube later. I like this spot and it will help me in the future to see the show if I don't want to wait for an hour for a viewing spot.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5201324861_dd3bf69ec9_b.jpg

[tksbaskets]

I have seen guys get good scores solo in the 500,000 just by themself. But you got to know your targets and where to hit them. The dino 2nd stage is really kind of easy, you have to hit the lava balloons first than the stego with the three balloons and than the lava balloons again. Than the top of the volcano would shoot out lava balloons worth 500. And lastly there will be two meteor on the left and right side and you have to hit two balloons on them. One will show up on the left first and than the one on the right. Than a it will meteor show 1000 point balloons at the end of the stage.

I will miss the CALIFORNIA letters during the Holiday season, but it will be interesting to see how the new entrance will play out.

Thanks for the inside scoop Bret. We'll be using this at DHS next month! Back to your report indeed. Lovin' it. :thumbsup2

[skiingfast]

I have seen guys get good scores solo in the 500,000 just by themself. But you got to know your targets and where to hit them. The dino 2nd stage is really kind of easy, you have to hit the lava balloons first than the stego with the three balloons and than the lava balloons again. Than the top of the volcano would shoot out lava balloons worth 500. And lastly there will be two meteor on the left and right side and you have to hit two balloons on them. One will show up on the left first and than the one on the right. Than a it will meteor show 1000 point balloons at the end of the stage.

I will miss the CALIFORNIA letters during the Holiday season, but it will be interesting to see how the new entrance will play out.

On Facebook there is a user Amanda Tinley who operates a disney site. She interviewed a guy and posted the videos on youtube. They are of the easter eggs in TSM in DHS though DCA is the same and Buzz which is not the same as in DL. Anyhow on Buzz in the MK I cought get the second best level, but in DL couldn't break 100K. It was dismal. But if you look up TSMM on youtube you are likely to find some videos with hints. I can rock that game, but it helps to have a partner that knows what they are doing to unlock things and then not hit the high point targets. :teacher:

[mvf-m11c]

On Facebook there is a user Amanda Tinley who operates a disney site. She interviewed a guy and posted the videos on youtube. They are of the easter eggs in TSM in DHS though DCA is the same and Buzz which is not the same as in DL. Anyhow on Buzz in the MK I cought get the second best level, but in DL couldn't break 100K. It was dismal. But if you look up TSMM on youtube you are likely to find some videos with hints. I can rock that game, but it helps to have a partner that knows what they are doing to unlock things and then not hit the high point targets. :teacher:

The MK and DL version are completely different and have a different scoring system at both places. The MK has all the same targets but the points are different when u hit each different target. There are places during the ride in Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at the MK where there are targets that give more points and some that give u barely any points As you can tell from DL version is by the shapes during the ride which can give u more points. The triangles are worth the most than diamonds, square, and circle. I did use youtube to find all the secret targets for the ride and it does make it easier to have another person with u to unlock the secret targets for each stage.

[mvf-m11c]

Now to get back to my TR on Friday Nov. 19

After Monsters Inc. it was around 12:10, I decided to go back over to DL and do some other activities to do like get pictures of the ride vehicles over at DL. But first I stopped at the Greetings at California store and took many pictures of the Holiday treats, Holiday merchandise and the trees inside the store.

Holiday treats
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Holiday merchandise
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Trees for the Tree Quest
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After the Greetings at California store, I head straight on back to DL and right now it was still too early to get a spot for the parade by IASWH so I decided to go back to NOS and look at the Holiday decorations. Than I went on the DLRR at the NOS. The train I got to ride was the Engine #3 Fred Gurley with Holiday 4 car set. That day the engines that were running on Friday were C.K. Holliday with Holiday 5 & the Lilly Belle and E.P. Ripley with the Excursion car set.
Engine #3 Fred Gurley with Holiday 4 car set
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5199823666_bb8273bcac_b.jpg

Holiday 4 car set
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5199238057_db915fd577_b.jpg

I got on the DLRR and went around till I got to Tomorrowland station. Than I exited the TL station and also got a picture of Autopia when I got off the DLRR.
Autopia
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5199835908_59ffc4c339_b.jpg

Than I still have plenty of time do other things while I wait for the parade so I went to go on my favorite ride at DL. The DL monorail is my favorite ride at DL especially most people call it a transportation than a ride. It is a must do every time I go to DL no matter what. I did a round trip around the resort on Mark VII Blue. It is always fun to ride the monorail, so I got to sit in the back with another nice family. They really enjoyed the back and it is always fun to ride in the front or back. If you are going on the monorail, I would ask a CM and see if your party can ride in the front or back of the monorail.
Monorail Mark VII Orange
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FNSV loading dock
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Monorail Mark VII Blue
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After the round trip on the DL Monorail Mark VII blue. I got off the monorail and it was around 1:40 and it was time to head to the locker on MS and get my tripod for the 2:30pm parade show.

I will write more about it later tonight.

[tksbaskets]

Great installment Bret. Now I'm hungry after seeing the yummy looking treats and I want to spend $ on the adorable holiday merchandise.

popcorn::

[mvf-m11c]

I just have uploaded the WoC TRON segment at the end of the WoC show. This is also from my spot that I have watch WoC on Friday from the back of the viewing area. Thanks again disneyland 1951 for the excellent spot for the show.

Here is the WoC TRON segment on my youtube. You can click on the picture and it will go to my video. I hope you enjoy it.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5202937799_f3394385c4_b.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-us1LZl1Pk)

[mvf-m11c]

I have finally uploaded "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade on my youtube so you guys can see it. This is the 2:30pm show and I will upload the 5:30 later. Just click on the pic to see the parade.

Part 1
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5190963332_8b7e3e44b5_z.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r5yM8v1Wok)

Part 2
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1375/5190372281_c2cb1621ec_z.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpHAsUOM4ZY)

Part 3
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1286/5190380747_da93bea9b8_z.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9okCmDbwjLM)

[mvf-m11c]

Its time to go back to my TR.

When I went back to the locker and got my tripod for the parade, I head on straight over to IASWH area for my videotaping. I really got there around 2pm and already there was just a few people already sitting in the parade line.
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Than when it got closer to the show, more and more people started to show up as always for any parade. I got there late and was behind a family. But I did that on intentionally since I don't want to block a family when I was videotaping and taking pictures of the parade. Than it was around 2:30pm and the music started and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade started and it is just the same as last year except when I saw the parade last year from the reserved viewing area for the Tour, the snowflakes were not part of the parade that I watch last year. This year they had all the characters for the show.
Here are my pictures of the 2:30pm "A Christmas Fantasy" parade on Nov. 19
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/5190963332_8b7e3e44b5_b.jpg

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I will post more of the 2:30pm "A Christmas Fantasy" parade and write the rest of my TR later today.

Hope u enjoy the pics

[skiingfast]

Bret:
Since you saw both what was your opinion of this....you saw the afternoon and evening Chirstmas Fantasy Parade, which was better easier to see?


Did you think that was a good veiwing spot for WoC? I know you didn't like where you first saw it. From watching your video I liked where I had seen it from which was yellow left second tier. It just seemed from the hydrant you are looking over so many heads. Is that a good place to try for?

[PrincessKell]

I always love detailed TR with lots of pictures. you do such a great job. Makes me wish I was there NOW!

[mvf-m11c]

Bret:
Since you saw both what was your opinion of this....you saw the afternoon and evening Chirstmas Fantasy Parade, which was better easier to see?


Did you think that was a good veiwing spot for WoC? I know you didn't like where you first saw it. From watching your video I liked where I had seen it from which was yellow left second tier. It just seemed from the hydrant you are looking over so many heads. Is that a good place to try for?

Yes, I have seen both the first and second parade that day. I wil also post the pics for the nighttime pics of the parade later. The daytime was nice and I thought the nighttime was better than the daytime. But for the video quality was not better than the daytime.

From the spot that I was that night for WoC from Disneyland 1951 chart, I thought it was nice spot to see the show and a excellent spot to videotape the show. I don't have to worry about my video camera from getting wet and I could get the the side projections on the video. Originally I didn't like that spot earlier, but now I changed my mine and I like it right now to videotape the show. But my favorite spot is the 2nd tier for the blue FP. If I don't want to wait at the viewing area (actually I would still wait no matter what) this is a good backup way to see the show from a good spot. When I watch it that night there was some stupid person in the VIP seating area in front of the picture standing up during the first half of the show and than sat on the bleachers during the 2nd half. There were a lot of heads, but I at least got to see the whole show from the bottom to the top. If you get a blue FP and don't want to wait to get a good spot in the viewing area, I think this is perfect to do.

[mvf-m11c]

It's time to finish up the pictures for the 2:30 "A Christmas Fantasy" parade from FL right by IASWH on Nov 19. I believe it is after Goofy and Max float. Some of the photos are blurry since they were taken from my Nikon D60 camera.

Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anastasia
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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5190373185_3c6e66dd45_b.jpg

Princess Aurora, Prince Philip, Ariel and Prince Eric
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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5190973358_c30bcfe33f_b.jpg

Candlelight Christmas Ball Float
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Chip and Dale Humdinger
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5190975308_843ebd44e1_b.jpg

Woody on a rocking horse
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5190976042_5d5e28a298_b.jpg

Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio on the giant Toy Factory float
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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5190377535_94c4ba6f07_b.jpg

Buzz Lightyear on a spaceship
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The Seven Dwarves
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5190379171_a92f414196_b.jpg

8 Finale Dancers
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Santa Claus and his 8 Reindeers
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After the parade, it was time to go over to DCA and get my picnic. Yes, I forgot to get my picnic when I was over at DCA, but I did that on purpose since I could take it back with me to the hotel and have it for dinner. Instead of following the end of the parade since it will take awhile, I decided to go towards Tomorrowland side. And tha when I got to MS USA the Toy Factory float was right there and I was already ahead of the parade. Before I head over to the exit, I went back to the locker by the Cone shop on MS and put away my tripod so I can use it later for the 2nd parade and WoC that night.
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After I put back my tripod in the locker, I tried to get out of the park but the floats were too close to one another and I had to wait until the Santa float came by. I did lose a few minutes of my time, but it was nice to watch the parade while I was waiting.
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When I got out of DL, I head straight on over to DCA. The first thing I did was to get to WCT and pick up my WoC picnic. As I have reported earlier on my PTR, I have chosen the American picnic again just like on the August 2010 trip. I should have chosen something else, but I just like the American version.

Than when I got my WoC tote bag I head straight on back to my hotel. I went through the GCH exit and it did save me about 5 minutes to go through the GCH than going through the main entrance. It was around 3:45 when I left DCA and it took me about 15 min to get back to the hotel around 4pm. I only had 30 minutes to rest up and head back to DL for the 5:30 parade. I just needed that time to take a shower and bring all me other equipment for that night.

I will write my TR for that night later.

Thx for reading.

[mvf-m11c]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, now is the time to write my TR for that night on Friday Nov. 19.

I left off at when I returned back to BW Stovalls around 4:00pm. I used that time to rest up and get all my camera equipment for the two nighttime shows at the DLR. Than it was around 4:30pm and it was time to head back to DLR. I am not even thinking about using the ART system since it does take awhile for the bus to come so I just kept walking. I was considering of getting a ticket for that night since my legs were hurting but it was fine.

I went to DL around 4:45pm and it was time for the flag retreat on MS USA. Its been awhile since I was at the Flag retreat since I am back in my hotel room resting up for the nighttime shows.
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After the Flag Retreat, I got a good spot right at the entrance for the 2nd "A Christmas Fantasy" parade right by the Christmas Tree by the Disney Showcase store. I also got to see the lighting of the Christmas tree on MS USA. It looked even better when the lights turn on.
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I talked to this nice family that was right next to me for the parade and they have never to DL during the Holiday season and they were very impressed with the Holiday decorations. They also was wondering what was WoC and I told them the details of the show and how to get a FP for the viewing area. They were happy about the show and were planning on doing it the next day at DCA. Than it was time for the 5:30pm "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. I thought it looked even better at night than the daytime. But the video quality of my video was not better than the daytime. But it was enjoyable to see the parade again.

(Sry, the image quality is very poor at night)
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When the parade was over I put all my equipment away and in my backpack and it was time to head on back over to DCA and get ready for the 9pm WoC show. I also remember to see ElecTRONica that night.

[skiingfast]

Bret on the ballroom float, are the candles "lit" with real flames?

[mvf-m11c]

After watching "A Christmas Fantasy" parade, I head on over to DCA for the 9pm WoC show. It was around 5:45 when I got to DCA from DL after seeing the parade. This was also the last time to see the CALIFORNIA letters at night for the last time.
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Than I realize I have just a few minutes until the opening of ElecTRONica, but it was already crowded and a sudden I was start to feel hungry and decided to get something to eat. I was going to miss the opening of ElecTRONica if I have done that. I wasn't filled up by the WoC picnic and I wanted to eat something hot than just cold chicken. So there was barely anytime to go to Pacific Wharf, I decided to eat at Taste Pilots' Grill and had the X-3 Rocket Ribs meal which is the 3 ribs and flyby fries.
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After I finished up the meal, it was already time for ElecTRONica opening at the main stage. It was really crowded so I was right next to the kiosk. It was really interesting the first part of the opening. Since it was over, I decided to wait until it died down at ElecTRONica since it was already crowded.
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And after it was finished, I decided to go check-out the WoC area. So I headed over to Paradise Pier and see that the CMs are getting the viewing area ready for the 9pm WoC show. I also showed my viewing area for the 9pm WoC show with the blue FP. I am hoping that this is a good spot to videotape WoC for future shows.
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I was way too early for the viewing of the 9pm WoC show, so I decided to head on back to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot and see ElecTRONica. When I first seen ElecTRONica pictures from Sara thread, I thought it was another version of Glow Fest. But it was a great idea to promote the movie TRON Legacy coming next month (just like the TRON rail aka Monorail Coral at WDW). It was a nice enjoyable experience during ElecTRONica and it was great. I have went back to it later during the night after WoC so I will write the rest down later.
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After seeing the overlay of ElecTRONica, it was around 6:45 and it was time to head on over to Paradise Bay and get ready for my viewing area for the 9pm WoC show. When I got to the viewing area, the barricades were not out and all the CM's are running around to get everything set up. So I waited around the light tower and took some more pics around Paradise Pier. I went up through the bridge of PP and took some more pics around the bay before I head on back to the blockade.
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It was around 7:30 and the CM's just brought out the barricades, but they didn't allow anyone in the viewing area. I would assume that this time of the year that they won't be doing the WoC pre-show since I read from a TR about not having the pre-show. I read from and talked with 3TinksAndAnEeyore (Stephanie) about the change to the guests who are going into the viewing area. When it was around 7:50pm, the CM's start letting the guests in the viewing area. When I went to the blue section line, the line was changed towards the entrance by the bridge FP viewing area. I was kind of surprise that they changed it to the bridge area for the blue FP entrance. Than I was wondering if they would let us in the viewing area. But they said that we have to wait around 8:00 and they didn't let us in yet.

Than around 8:15, they start letting the guests in the viewing area. It was a longer wait than I expected to go in the viewing area, I thought it was stupid to wait this long, but without the pre-show, it does make sense to let the guests in the viewing area. I got my spot for the 9pm WoC show and there was no one there until 30 minutes until the show was about to start when the last second guests showed up.
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I will post the pictures from my viewing spot for the 9pm WoC show later.

Thx for reading my almost completed TR.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret on the ballroom float, are the candles "lit" with real flames?

I don't think they are real flames on the candles. It almost feels like they are real when you watch the video of the parade. But mostly it is just lights illuminating the flames from the candles on the ballroom float.

[mvf-m11c]

Now is the time to post my WoC viewing area pictures from Nov. 19 for the 1st show. The chart that Disneyland 1951 was great and I will try this spot again if I don't want to wait an hour for a good viewing by the bay.
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I will post the TRON segment encore just in a few minutes.

[mvf-m11c]

When the 9pm WoC show was about to be over, than the WoC TRON Segment Encore started to play. I have not seen the TRON segment since I don't want to spoil myself when I see it. It was even better than I have expected and it was worth seeing the WoC show again with the TRON segment.

Nov. 19 WoC TRON Segment Encore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-us1LZl1Pk) on my youtube. Hope you enjoy the WoC TRON Segment Encore

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When the WoC TRON Segment Encore was over, I packed all my equipment and start to head back to Hollywood Pictures Backlot. But first I went over to Paradise Pier and see the Christmas Tree during the night. It was even better at night than during the day.
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Than I head back to Hollywood Pictures Backlot and to enjoy ElecTRONica. More and more people are not started to partying by Monsters Inc. Than I went to see TRON Legacy 3D Exclusive Sneak Peak.
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It was great to see the Sneak Peak of TRON Legacy and I am now committed to see the show when it comes out next month. Than I just more pics around the Hollywood Pictures Backlot and stayed during ElecTRONica for just a half an hour until it was time to go back to DL during the Holiday decorations.
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I left DCA around 10pm and I went over to DL and to take pictures of the Holiday decorations around the park. Most of the people are leaving after the fireworks and the 9pm F! show.
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But first I am going towards the ROA and see how bad it is during the 2nd F! show at 10:30pm, but most of the spots around the ROA were already filled up. So I walked down towards NOS and see the Holiday decorations around NOS. As I have told on my pp about less decorations in NOS this year than the last few years.
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Here is my last years pics and what a big difference from last years to this years.
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After going through NOS with the decorations, the DLRR was not that crowded and I just hop on board the C.K. Holliday with Holiday 5 car set and the Lily Belle. I took the ride on the DLRR until we got to Toon Town Station. And than it is time to take pictures of IASWH and also got to see the projections on the attraction.
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I will post the rest of the pics on that night later tomorrow.

Hope you all enjoy the pics during my Holiday solo trip.

[mvf-m11c]

I have too many photos on this page and now it's time to post some links towards my videos. The video is IASWH. I have videotape and took pictues of IASWH. It is always the same but it does not get tired for me of seeing all the different decorations. I need to shrink it down so I can start a new page, it takes too long to reload with all these pictures on this page.

IASWH Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjhiV6LmKXM)

IASWH Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFT2zVjvz5g)

[skiingfast]

Bret do you have video of the projections?

Also how about the night parade?

[skiingfast]

Your IASW night photos are awesome. This is one thing that make A DLR Christmas way better than in the MK.

Though I always wish DLR would get a Osborne Lights although IMO it should go down Hollywood Blvd and of course ElecTRONica is there this year.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret do you have video of the projections?

Also how about the night parade?

I don't have the video projections on IASWH since when I got to TT around 10:30pm the show was about to begin and I had no time to videotape it. I also was very tired that day and I just couldn't stay for the whole day since I need to get up early for the character breakfast at the Plaza Inn.

I have part of it on youtube. I need to upload the 3rd part of the parade later this week. But it will be up shortly. Here are the two links for the 2nd parade at 5:30pm on Nov. 19. A Christmas Fantasy Parade 5:30 Show Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESMfiOwoXuk), A Christmas Fantasy Parade 5:30 Show Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-vl47I1Nfc)


Your IASW night photos are awesome. This is one thing that make A DLR Christmas way better than in the MK.

Though I always wish DLR would get a Osborne Lights although IMO it should go down Hollywood Blvd and of course ElecTRONica is there this year.

I completely agree with you Matt. It is a shame that the MK doesn't have IASWH and HMH at WDW. I got to see how MVMCP is during the Holiday season in less than two weeks and I am excited to see it. But DL during the Holiday season will always be my favorite no matter what.

Yea, it would be nice to have a Osborne Lights style event through Hollywood Backlot Pictures which is almost close in the same category just like at DHS. But with ElecTRONica, there is no point of having the Holiday decorations up this year.

[mvf-m11c]

I am planning on finishing my TR during my trip since I am taking my time with all my pics and videos. Here is the rest of the night that I was at DL during the Holiday season. After looking at all the Holiday decorations on IASWH, I head on over to TL and took some pics of the FNSV and the Monorail station.
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After looking at the FNSV lagoon, I went through the shortcut towards SB castle by the Matterhorn mountain area. And it was time to take the pictures of several different angles of the castle from front to back.
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After taking pictures of all the different angles around the castle, I decided to head on back to Frontierland and get some pics of the Holiday decorations and see the merchandise at the Bonanza Outfitters store.
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Frontierland Shootin' Exposition with the Holiday decorations
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After seeing Frontierland with the decorations, it was time to head on back over to BW Stovalls and rest up for the night, but I got to take a fiew more pics of MS with the Holiday decorations and the Light up merchandise cart.
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Than I head straight on back to my hotel at Stovalls. For that day on Friday Nov. 19, I got mostly everything done during that day with the parades, ElecTRONica, WoC with TRON segment and got to do all the rides that I want to do during my visit.

[mvf-m11c]

Now I am posting my last part of my TR of my solo trip to DL Nov. 18-20. And this is the one that a lot of you DISers are waiting to hear about my experience at the Plaza Inn character breakfast.

I got up at around 6:20am in the morning so I could get to DL during MM. Yes, I am going to MM with my AP since I have a reservation at Minnie and Friends character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. This was a great tip by some of the DISers on the board that you can enter the park early even without a MM ticket or staying on-site. I left the hotel around 7am and head on over to DL main gate. It was actually raining a little bit during the first part of the morning but it won't get any better later during the day.
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When I got to DTD, there were a few people who were going to DL during MM. I thought there would be less people during the raining day, but right now it is about average in my opinion. Than when I got past the security, there was no one by the CALIFORNIA letters and this was a good time to get the last look at the letters during the Holiday season and the new entrance for the future.
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Now after I finished taking the pictures of the CALIFORNIA letters, it was time to go have a nice breakfast at DL. I got to the left side of the main entrance where there were a few CM waiting for the reservations. They told me that I was here for MM, I should go to the center entrance is where they let the guests in for MM. But I told them that I was here for the character breakfast at the Plaza Inn. When I told them that I was dining by myself and had a reservation, one of the CM was dazing out. I assume that the CM thought it was kind of weird for myself to have a character breakfast. But I told them that I was also here for some autographs from the characters. Than I walked in the park and there was some guests walking down but not too many. Than I head on over to the Plaza Inn for my character breakfast.
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Now I checked in at the booth and my time for the character breakfast was at 7:20am. I was right on the left hand side of the restaurant. It was not that crowded and the atmosphere was even better. When I had breakfast, I almost tried everything inside the restaurant. I love the mickey shape waffles. But they were small, I thought they would have the big size mickey shape waffles. As for the characters that I got to see, I have met Chip, Dale, Minnie, Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Fairy God Mother, Max, Captain Hook, Brer Fox, & Rafiki. The best part is when Dale arrived and I had my iPad out checking out the weather for the day and he tried to play with it but he cant work it well. :lmao: Than he took a nap on the chair. For the autographs I got Chip, Dale, Minnie and Pooh for my dad's colleagues daughters. I didn't get a picture of the autograph books, which were the princess pink ones. When it was around 8am when the park opened, it was time for me to go out and have some fun of taking the last pictures of the day.
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Here is another tree for the Tree Quest
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5215226048_559d8d7842_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5215226048/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5215234690_c701c5da8c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5215234690/)

After finishing at the Plaza Inn for the character breakfast, I only had about 3 hours left until I head back to Livingston and see my grandmother. When I got out it was still raining, but luckily it was just sprinkling so far. So the first thing I did was go to FL and get on PP. The good thing about is that I just got on in less than 3 minutes. It is a fun ride and it is even better when you ride it first thing in the morning.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5214646389_faccb93eca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5214646389/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5214661251_f7039ac243_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5214661251/)

I will finish the rest of my TR later tonight, I am about to have dinner. I hope you enjoyed reading my dining experience at Minnie and Friends character breakfast just by myself. I also want to thank Goofy_Mom :worship: so much for helping me with the information at the Plaza Inn for the character breakfast. This might be my only time in my life that I will do a character breakfast solo, but you don't know what might happen in the future. Hey I might have a character breakfast at WDW in less than two weeks. But who knows. :confused3.

[tksbaskets]

I really enjoyed hearing about your solo-character breakfast. Too bad the weather was so poor. I'm glad you rode Peter Pan. One of my favorite rides.

Hope you had a tasty dinner! popcorn::

[mvf-m11c]

Now it is time to finish the rest of my TR on Saturday Nov. 20.

After I have finished PP, it was started to rain a little bit harder and I went toward Pinocchio Daring Adventure ride and took the picture of the ride vehicle.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5216244449_eee4176711_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216244449/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5216836522_f809e5ec0c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216836522/)

After when I put on my poncho, I went back back toward the castle and took some pictures on the left side of the castle.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5083/5216840950_4baafbf604_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216840950/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5216849044_3ced870661_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216849044/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5216268079_659e516cf3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216268079/)

After that I head on over to towards Adventureland and than head on over to NOS and see the Holiday decorations before I head on over to HMH.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5216273305_04dcc7e082_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216273305/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5216280547_b42879bb49_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216280547/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5216879104_af0226d5ee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216879104/)

Than I head on over to HMH and there was no one there. I had to wait until another family showed up in the line. And also here is another ride vehicle pic when I was on the ride with nightshot. If I have took it with a regular shot, it would turn out blurry.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5216302391_3cdeae0e52_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216302391/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5216897962_1da3af3f97_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216897962/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5216902156_7a33a1faca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216902156/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5216466199_20a0530843_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216466199/)

Than I head out of HMH and went back toward the backside of NOS. It started to rain even more and more but it was still not raining like crazy. I head on over to POTC. Here is also the pic of the ride vehicle of POTC with the nightshot.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5216321817_1e52f0882f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216321817/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5216325379_67ff86749c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216325379/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5216336357_9820eedbe0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216336357/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5216411463_b63128330e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216411463/)

After POTC, I head on over to the Frontierland backside and took some more different pictures.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5216340231_186a4118dc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216340231/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5216343951_b32ffcb550_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216343951/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5216936296_4633211a9b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216936296/)

Than I was back in FL and just walked around towards IASWH.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5216351621_ee96b4f524_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216351621/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5216944436_9fbcc20de0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216944436/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5216359847_b7770208bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216359847/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5216367453_ac05ed3688_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216367453/)

I would say that this is my favorite pic of the monorail during my visit.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5216370149_6cc6425db6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216370149/)

This will continue shortly.

[mvf-m11c]

After going around FL, I head on back over to Tomorrowland and see how crazy it is during a rainy day.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5216373449_6935bed17e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216373449/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5216383739_0548b2ef99_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216383739/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5216386745_a32920c634_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216386745/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5216390087_23b3c983cc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216390087/)

After walking out of TL, it was time to go over to DCA and take my last picture of my ride vehicle quest. The last ride vehicle pic I need was Soarin. But first I took some more pics around MS before I left the park.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5216981094_823a293bdc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216981094/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5216984458_9a867e50af_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216984458/)

Than I walked outside and see that more and more people are now coming into the park. I got inside DCA around 9:35am It was still raining outside while I head straight in DCA. The first thing I did when I got in the park was head on over to Soarin.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5216987370_0fbec336fd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216987370/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5216992990_f0ca4caf1c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216992990/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5216407671_a1efb66ef3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216407671/)

Here is my last pic of the ride vehicle of Soarin on my ride vehicle quest.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5216419207_566ecc7f6f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5216419207/)

After I finished Soarin, I head on over to GRR and get my souvenir WoC FP. After getting a blue FP just like on Friday, I would assume that I would get the same FP color. When I got my FP, it was for the blue section for the 9pm WoC show.

Than I went back to the main entrance and started to buy some of my holiday merchandise at Greetings at California. I bought the classic Disneyland t-shirt with the Santa hat, light up ghost lanyard, recycle tote bag and a nice red tote bag for my mom.

When I finished up my shopping at the store, I exited DCA and the next thing I did was go to DTD and see the rest of the Holiday decorations. After DTD, I went toward DTD and the DLH to see the Christmas Tree.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5202222583_186de13669_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5202222583/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5202225935_aefd86391a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5202225935/)

Than I went back to BW Stovalls and it was around 11:00 when I got back to the hotel. Than I started to pack all of my stuff in the car and than the weather started to get even worse when I was about to leave DL. It was around 12pm when I got all my stuff in the car, but before I head back home. I had to stopped at my DBGF apartment in OC to take some stuff back home to Sacramento.

When I picked up the stuff at my DBGF apartment, I was heading straight towards Livingston. I got there around 7pm that night. Than the next day I left around 8:30am and got back to Sacramento around 10am. Just in time to watch the football games.

This was a great trip just to be solo and got to take a lot of different pictures of the Holiday decorations. I also got a lot of pics for the Tree and Wreath Quest that Sherry has put together on the Christmas thread. I also got to get all the pics of the ride vehicles at the whole entire DLR. The character solo breakfast was nice, but I would not do that again just by myself. It would be better if I have someone else with me. Overall, the solo trip was better than my solo trip in March 2010.

I will do another solo trip one day next year, but I don't know which month to go. I will be going to DL in August for the D23 Expo with my DA. I want to do another trip before the D23 Expo and go on the new rides (Star Tours 2 & Little Mermaid Ride). But I will see if I can get another trip done. If I did another trip, I was thinking about late May to early June before the heavy summer crowds.

Now it is time to plan my WDW Holiday Trip Dec 10-17 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=38536860#post38536860) and hope that you can follow my WDW TR. This will be my first time to WDW during the Holiday season and I just can't wait to go in less than two weeks. I need some advice before I go to WDW in two weeks.

Thank you for reading my TR. :santa:

[tksbaskets]

You sure seem to be making the best of a soggy day at DL. I like your monorail picture too.

Thanks for sharing
TK

[Goofy_Mom]

Hi Bret!! You're more than welcome for the Plaza info. From the angle of your pictures it looks like we had the same table. What do you think?

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee404/GoofyMom77/Disneyland%202010/CptHookwRenaeDrew.jpg

from this angle, if you were to look to your left you would see the main food area, behind you would be an open area and the tree would be in the window.

I like you pictures, so far my favorites are the CA letters with no people, the night time castle shots (if you blur your eyes just a little, they really do look like icikels) and the night shot over FNSV.

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret!! You're more than welcome for the Plaza info. From the angle of your pictures it looks like we had the same table. What do you think?

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee404/GoofyMom77/Disneyland%202010/CptHookwRenaeDrew.jpg

from this angle, if you were to look to your left you would see the main food area, behind you would be an open area and the tree would be in the window.

I like you pictures, so far my favorites are the CA letters with no people, the night time castle shots (if you blur your eyes just a little, they really do look like icikels) and the night shot over FNSV.

Yea what a coincidence, I think you are right that we are almost exactly at the very same table. But I was more close to the corner when I did the solo dining. That is a very nice picture of your kids with Captain Hook at the Plaza Inn. :thumbsup2

I can't wait to read more of your TR and see your pics. I read that you said that it was a madhouse last week. But it looks like you have done everything you want to do during your trip.

[Goofy_Mom]

Yea what a coincidence, I think you are right that we are almost exactly at the very same table. But I was more close to the corner when I did the solo dining. That is a very nice picture of your kids with Captain Hook at the Plaza Inn. :thumbsup2

I can't wait to read more of your TR and see your pics. I read that you said that it was a madhouse last week. But it looks like you have done everything you want to do during your trip.

We did have a great time, DS had a blast. On our last day he was asking if we could "see Mickey Mouse and ride more rides". I'll have to write one day at a time. My pictures aren't as "professional" as I would have liked, most of the time I'm hanging onto DS's leash and it's really hard to shoot one handed when the other hand is being yanked. So, try not to laugh too hard:thumbsup2

What did you think of elecTRONica?

[mvf-m11c]

We did have a great time, DS had a blast. On our last day he was asking if we could "see Mickey Mouse and ride more rides". I'll have to write one day at a time. My pictures aren't as "professional" as I would have liked, most of the time I'm hanging onto DS's leash and it's really hard to shoot one handed when the other hand is being yanked. So, try not to laugh too hard:thumbsup2

What did you think of elecTRONica?

Why would I laugh at your pictures or anyone else pictures. It is always nice to see pictures of DL during someones TR. I have seen Sherry's during her trip a few weeks ago and some of them were blurry but it is good to see pictures when I read the threads.

I thought ElecTRONica was a little bit more like Glow Fest but with the advertising of TRON Legacy. With all the alcohol going around during that time at night and the partying. I am not that type of a person who likes to drink and partying. But I did like the TRON Legacy 3D Sneak Peak and Flynn's arcade was also nice.

[skiingfast]

In case you wondering I did like the Ride Vehicle shots. Some are totally awesome.


Looking at the rainy day pics makes me really want to go during the rain. The shot of the letters at DCA is incredible except for one things. Not the construction tarp, the slippery when wet sign. I would of moved it out of the way if I was standing there with you.

Anway really great stuff and I'm very much looking forward to your WDW TR.

[skiingfast]

Yea what a coincidence, I think you are right that we are almost exactly at the very same table. But I was more close to the corner when I did the solo dining. That is a very nice picture of your kids with Captain Hook at the Plaza Inn. :thumbsup2

I can't wait to read more of your TR and see your pics. I read that you said that it was a madhouse last week. But it looks like you have done everything you want to do during your trip.

Oh and also I'm wondering, Plaza breakfast and zero food pics?

I am really curious what breakfast looks like in there.

[mvf-m11c]

In case you wondering I did like the Ride Vehicle shots. Some are totally awesome.

Looking at the rainy day pics makes me really want to go during the rain. The shot of the letters at DCA is incredible except for one things. Not the construction tarp, the slippery when wet sign. I would of moved it out of the way if I was standing there with you.

Anway really great stuff and I'm very much looking forward to your WDW TR.

I believe it is great to go to DL when it is raining. It means less locals and shorter lines on specific rides. But some of the rides will not be open when it rains and mostly the entertainment shows like parades, F!, and possibly fireworks. I was also considering taking a pictures of the letter C on the left side of it so I won't get the tarp. But on both of those mornings more people start to show up and are taking pictures by the letters.

I'm hoping that everything goes well during my WDW trip in less than two weeks. I will try to do a live TR when I am there and I will write a little bit and post pics on my DL thread. But most of my live TR will be on the WDW TR. I'm hoping that everyone read my TR will read my WDW TR.


Oh and also I'm wondering, Plaza breakfast and zero food pics?

I am really curious what breakfast looks like in there.

I apologize for not taking any pictures of the breakfast food at the Plaza Inn. When I looked at the breakfast, it is standard breakfast food where ever you go for breakfast. The only thing that I would have taken a picture of the food at Minnie and Friends character breakfast was the mini Mickey waffles. They were a little bit smaller than the Mickey waffle iron I have at my house and I use almost every weekend.

[mvf-m11c]

It took me awhile to post the 2nd Show of "A Christmas Fantasy" parade on Nov. 19, 2010 at 5:30pm. It was taken by the Flag retreat and by the Disney Showcase store. I hope you all enjoy the video.

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Part 1 2nd Show 5:30 Nov. 19, 2010 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESMfiOwoXuk)

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Part 2 2nd Show 5:30 Nov. 19, 2010 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-vl47I1Nfc&feature=related)

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Part 2 2nd Show 5:30 Nov. 19, 2010 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glhjvRmkdoQ&feature=related)

[deejdigsdis]

Hi... I just wanted to pop in and say I started reading your Holiday Time TR today. I love your pictures! I'm up to the part of the lighting of the castle your first night. That was really nice of you to offer to watch that family's stuff, and it was nice of the family to offer to bring you a drink. It's really nice to hear about those kinds of guest interactions, as opposed to the experiences people have with rude guests. Looking forward to reading more. :santa:

[mvf-m11c]

Can't believe I am only one week away till I head on over to WDW for my birthday Holiday trip. I hope you guys read my WDW Trip Dec. 10-17, 2010. I will be doing a live TR and take a look at my pics on my flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/) during my trip. Even though I am excited to go to WDW during the Holiday season, the Holiday season at DL is by far my place to be during the Holiday season.

Here are my pics of IASWH on Nov. 19, 2010.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5221464184_90850993e5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5221464184/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/5221464756_cedfe90943_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5221464756/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/5220868135_f2d45bb879_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5220868135/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5221466284_f0d543b892_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5221466284/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5220869145_99099c4c9a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5220869145/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5220869785_09101bf79f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5220869785/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5221467888_3b58381227_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5221467888/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5220871115_d2a8fa1f48_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5220871115/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5220872677_0b85019986_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5220871803/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5221471898_02a1a1c990_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42656047@N06/5221471898/)

[Goofy_Mom]

Very nice, I got some of the same shots. I'll be sure to share them on my trip report.

[merrrydeath]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/5132958302_e77d0695c8_b.jpg

This picture and all the night time IASWH shots are beauuutiful.

[skiingfast]

Bret you have some excellent coverage of Small World's Holiday version. Thank you for taking the time to get it all. Inside and Out, night and day! :thumbsup2

[skiingfast]

Bret, have fun at the world. I always go to this thread to find the link on you signature to you WDW thread.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, have fun at the world. I always go to this thread to find the link on you signature to you WDW thread.

Thx Matt. I can't believe I am only 5 days away until I am at WDW for the Holiday season. When I leave on Friday, I should be able to update my signature below and put it on the right post of my live TR. I will be taking a lot of pictures like I did on my last trip and I will compare both resort pictures of each land, ride, tree, etc.

Hope you other DISers on this thread will read my live WDW TR.

[amamax2]

Bret,

I finally finished this - thanks for such a great trip report!!! I love all the pictures and how you tell us how you got some of the shots (night time mode) plus all your descriptions!

I'm heading over to the WDW report now - have a great time! Definitely do a super early morning character breakfast there too - it is the best way to get those great empty park shots! We've only once done a character breakfast here, but did three at WDW! And I think the food was a lot better.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret,

I finally finished this - thanks for such a great trip report!!! I love all the pictures and how you tell us how you got some of the shots (night time mode) plus all your descriptions!

I'm heading over to the WDW report now - have a great time! Definitely do a super early morning character breakfast there too - it is the best way to get those great empty park shots! We've only once done a character breakfast here, but did three at WDW! And I think the food was a lot better.

Thx amamax2 for reading my TR last month and subscribing to my WDW TR in just less than 4 days. :cool1:

I wasn't on planning on doing a character breakfast during my WDW trip this week. But after doing the character breakfast at DL during Minnie and Friends, I was considering doing a character breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table or Chef Mickey's. But all of those restaurants during my trip are all full and I can't get in. I know that I need to get in way in advance to get into those popular restaurants. I'm just doing five sit down restaurants during my visit (Coral Reef, Plaza Restaurant, Via Napoli, 2 ESPN Club for Kings game).

I am now considering doing a character breakfast when my family and friends go to WDW next year during the Holiday season in 2011. If we do a character breakfast next year, I would choose Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary hotel. I have stayed at the Contemporary hotel in the past and I have ate at Chef Mickey's and loved it.

[skiingfast]

Bret what about Crystal Palace of Akeresh in Norway or Hollywood and Vine in DHS or the place in AK?

I think like you empty park shots of DLR during the rainy morning you could get some with an early ADR there.

Or is more about the characters?

[amamax2]

But all of those restaurants during my trip are all full and I can't get in. I know that I need to get in way in advance to get into those popular restaurants.

Yes, it is hard to get in to most of their restaurants if you don't make reservations way in advance - when we went I got up at 3 a.m. 180 days out to make our ADRs. :scared1: But it was so worth it to get those empty park shots, lol. It's all about the photo. :rotfl2:

And people do cancel. We ended up canceling some of ours once we got there and walking up and getting in, too. So it can happen. Sounds like you have plenty of big meals planned, you'll have to let us all know what you think of the places you eat - none of those are ones we ate at.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret what about Crystal Palace of Akeresh in Norway or Hollywood and Vine in DHS or the place in AK?

I think like you empty park shots of DLR during the rainy morning you could get some with an early ADR there.

Or is more about the characters?

The other character breakfast restaurant that I would choose to go to is the Crystal Palace, the other two restaurants are okay. I always wanted to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table when I am in the park but the price is so expensive. I have ate at Chef Mickey's three times during my stay at the Contemporary. I believe the restaurant you are talking about Matt at AK is Tusker House.

It's a possibility to get empty park shots during my trip to WDW. But if I get there early at the parks. I will see if I can get park shots without any guests. One day during my trip, I will get some good shots of the parks without any guests.

[mvf-m11c]

Yes, it is hard to get in to most of their restaurants if you don't make reservations way in advance - when we went I got up at 3 a.m. 180 days out to make our ADRs. :scared1: But it was so worth it to get those empty park shots, lol. It's all about the photo. :rotfl2:

And people do cancel. We ended up canceling some of ours once we got there and walking up and getting in, too. So it can happen. Sounds like you have plenty of big meals planned, you'll have to let us all know what you think of the places you eat - none of those are ones we ate at.

I tried to get a reservation at Le Cellier at EPCOT, but when I called around 7am exactly 180 days out for my ADR. They said there was nothing available. I was kind of shock to hear that there was no reservation available on that day. Than when I do the next day at EPCOT and got up earlier around 5am, once again there was nothing available. I don't know what I have to do to get a reservation at Le Cellier.

You are right that people do cancel at the last second and some walk up person can get in the restaurant without getting a reservation. I would like to do more dinner plans during my trip at the WDW resort, but I would prefer to eat more off property and save more money during my trip so I can use to buy merchandise. I definitely will write it down on my TR about each different restaurant.

[skiingfast]

I was just curious. On my last WDW I got to have breakfast at LTT which was special because they were only open because Crystal Palace was in rehab. The food was awesome, it's served family style there for any meal. The funny thing was my 4 yo ate all the strawberries off the fruit plate and all the bacon off the meat place. I made it for 30 minutes after the first seating and showed up on the first bus from my resort. They did a sort of Rope Drop near the right tunnel. We were 3rd in line and because there were about 20 CMs there to greet people and staff the turnsyles and only 100 guests. They were talking to all us anxious guests.

When they let us in I pulled my son to the middle of the Square and let all the other people rush in. Got great pictures of him all the way down mainstreet and some Photopass photographers were out too. They had CMs guiding us from the HUB to LTT. My plan was to eat and be in the park for the opening. The waiter let us know we had to go back to the hub for rope drop there. So we stalled and the same CMs who guided us to LTT were guiding us back to the Hub. I looked at my watch and said I have 9 is the park open? One CM said no it would be a couple minutes, but then the other near the hub waved to us and said it was ok guests are coming down MS. So we walk around ROA and got a couple quick rides on BTMRR in partially filled trains.


I'm planning the same strategy you did for Minnie's next time I go with him to DLR. So we can get in on a MM. But I may do like in MK and try to stall so I can good empty MS pics.

[mvf-m11c]

I was just curious. On my last WDW I got to have breakfast at LTT which was special because they were only open because Crystal Palace was in rehab. The food was awesome, it's served family style there for any meal. The funny thing was my 4 yo ate all the strawberries off the fruit plate and all the bacon off the meat place. I made it for 30 minutes after the first seating and showed up on the first bus from my resort. They did a sort of Rope Drop near the right tunnel. We were 3rd in line and because there were about 20 CMs there to greet people and staff the turnsyles and only 100 guests. They were talking to all us anxious guests.

When they let us in I pulled my son to the middle of the Square and let all the other people rush in. Got great pictures of him all the way down mainstreet and some Photopass photographers were out too. They had CMs guiding us from the HUB to LTT. My plan was to eat and be in the park for the opening. The waiter let us know we had to go back to the hub for rope drop there. So we stalled and the same CMs who guided us to LTT were guiding us back to the Hub. I looked at my watch and said I have 9 is the park open? One CM said no it would be a couple minutes, but then the other near the hub waved to us and said it was ok guests are coming down MS. So we walk around ROA and got a couple quick rides on BTMRR in partially filled trains.


I'm planning the same strategy you did for Minnie's next time I go with him to DLR. So we can get in on a MM. But I may do like in MK and try to stall so I can good empty MS pics.

Are you talking about Liberty Tree Tavern at the MK? That must have been exciting to eat at LTT when the Crystal Palace was in rehab. That is very nice from that CM to let you in before the rope drop and got to go to Frontierland and get on BTMRR.

That is good to hear that you are using the same strategy that I did during my character breakfast last month. But if you do that, I would suggest that you get the earliest time at Minnie and Friends character breakfast. You can use the extra time to eat and greet the characters. Than you can go in early during MM at DL. When I walked down MS during MM, the CM didn't ask me go straight over to the Plaza Inn so I took my time to take pictures of MS when I was walking.

[skiingfast]

Bret, do you recall how the characters cycled through? Did they all break at the same time? How long did it take them to make the circuit? If we get there early will we need to wait for them to come out?


Yes LTT is Liberty Tree Tavern. It's really odd because it's like a house with different rooms of tables.

[amamax2]

I tried to get a reservation at Le Cellier at EPCOT, but when I called around 7am exactly 180 days out for my ADR. They said there was nothing available. I was kind of shock to hear that there was no reservation available on that day. Than when I do the next day at EPCOT and got up earlier around 5am, once again there was nothing available. I don't know what I have to do to get a reservation at Le Cellier.

You are right that people do cancel at the last second and some walk up person can get in the restaurant without getting a reservation. I would like to do more dinner plans during my trip at the WDW resort, but I would prefer to eat more off property and save more money during my trip so I can use to buy merchandise. I definitely will write it down on my TR about each different restaurant.

When I was doing my research for our trip, I found out that if you are staying on-site, you can make ALL your reservations 180 days out from your first day...so you could book Le Cellier 185 days out if it was for your 5th day at the parks. So that is how they can be booked already. I read that Le Cellier and Cinderella's Royal Table are the hardest to get.

We went in Sept during free dining, otherwise we NEVER would have eaten at all those expensive places, so I completely understand.

We had early, early breakfasts at Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and I can't remember right now the third. We also had lunch/dinner at Tutto Italia and Tony's Town Square. We ended up canceling all of our other ADRs - it was just way too much food - we are not that big of eaters, lol. But we thought all the food was excellent and the CMs were great at the character breakfasts about making sure all the characters went to each table. At Tusker House, at the table next to us, their camera battery died just as the characters were coming to our section. The mom ran out somewhere and got new batteries, but meanwhile, two of the characters had gone by and to another section of the restaurant. But when a CM heard the story, she had those characters come back so the family could get pictures.

[mvf-m11c]

When I was doing my research for our trip, I found out that if you are staying on-site, you can make ALL your reservations 180 days out from your first day...so you could book Le Cellier 185 days out if it was for your 5th day at the parks. So that is how they can be booked already. I read that Le Cellier and Cinderella's Royal Table are the hardest to get.

We went in Sept during free dining, otherwise we NEVER would have eaten at all those expensive places, so I completely understand.

We had early, early breakfasts at Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and I can't remember right now the third. We also had lunch/dinner at Tutto Italia and Tony's Town Square. We ended up canceling all of our other ADRs - it was just way too much food - we are not that big of eaters, lol. But we thought all the food was excellent and the CMs were great at the character breakfasts about making sure all the characters went to each table. At Tusker House, at the table next to us, their camera battery died just as the characters were coming to our section. The mom ran out somewhere and got new batteries, but meanwhile, two of the characters had gone by and to another section of the restaurant. But when a CM heard the story, she had those characters come back so the family could get pictures.

Thx amamax2. I knew that if you stay on-site you can book early before the non-site guests could. I thought there would at least be a few times available late at night or during lunch. Le Cellier and Cinderella's Royal Table are one of the most popular restaurants at the WDW resort and can book very quickly. I'm kind of disappointed of not to get a reservation at Le Cellier during my trip, I'm hoping that I can get a last second walk up at the restaurant during my trip.

That is a lot of ADRs during your trip. I think the most ADR that I did on my trips to WDW was the first year when I went to WDw in 1996. I believe it was 5 reservations at very nice restaurants. I know that one of them was Chef Mickey's character breakfast and California Grill all at the Contemporary hotel. That was nice of that CM to tell the characters to go back to the family after getting new batteries for their camera.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, do you recall how the characters cycled through? Did they all break at the same time? How long did it take them to make the circuit? If we get there early will we need to wait for them to come out?


Yes LTT is Liberty Tree Tavern. It's really odd because it's like a house with different rooms of tables.

Since the Plaza Inn was not that very crowded (I would say about half of the restaurant was full during that morning) the characters came back at least two times during that morning. Most of the characters that I saw during that day came back to my area for a second time to greet more guests. I would say around 15 minutes for them to come back to the other side of the restaurant. Some of the characters go to different area at the restaurant and meet up with each other for group pics. Remember that it was raining that day and all the characters were inside the restaurant. I don't know if the characters will be out there at exactly 7am, but when I got to the restaurant at 7:20am they were already out greeting the guests.

[skiingfast]

Bret that is a really good point about the rain. I wonder how the Charater Interactions work when they have to go to tables outside too? Could spread them thin.

[mvf-m11c]

Bret that is a really good point about the rain. I wonder how the Charater Interactions work when they have to go to tables outside too? Could spread them thin.

I would think that the characters around the restaurant will be spread thin and the interactions with the guests is very little when there is so many guests during breakfast.

[skiingfast]

That settles it, I'll have to eat there on a rainy day. :lmao:

[mvf-m11c]

Just less than two days away till my trip to the Holiday season at WDW. :cool1: Even though I am excited to go to WDW, I'm missing DL so much even though I was just their two weeks ago.

[skiingfast]

Just less than two days away till my trip to the Holiday season at WDW. :cool1: Even though I am excited to go to WDW, I'm missing DL so much even though I was just their two weeks ago.

Will you miss DL when you arrive at MCO?

[mvf-m11c]

Will you miss DL when you arrive at MCO?

No question, every year I go to DL this is the week that my DA and I go during the Holiday season. This will be the first time in 6 years since I will not be at DL for my birthday trip. I am excited to go to WDW during the Holiday season, but this is something new for me and it should be great.

I'll try to do my TR as best as I can during my visit. I will keep posting pics during the trip and hope you DISers keep track of it. At least you can look at the updates on my signature and on this thread. I have also change part of my plan for my TR. When my DA and I get to Orlando and check-in at the Sheraton Vistana Resort, we will head on over to CityWalk at Universal Orlando and have dinner at NBA City. I decided not to go to EPCOT when we get there and I would go by myself.

[amamax2]

Bret,

In case I don't make it back onto the boards before you leave tomorrow...

Have a fantastic time! I'll be following your TR and can't wait to see pictures and hear about your experiences there with the Holiday decor.