Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[kaoden39]

Bret, it all looks so beautiful!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Love the pictures. I'm going on Wednesday.

 

[tksbaskets]

I'm so glad you are liking your camera!! The pictures are wonderful as always. Bummer about the rain. Hopefully it will be a quick shower.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

I quit early tonight since it was raining all day today and my body is tired after a lot of walking tonight. I will post the first part of my TR tonight and hope that you will be up for that.

The park was about above average this morning and there were a lot of people that stayed while it was raining. It wasn't like pouring but did rain and I almost seen everyone with an umbrella, poncho or heavy jackets walking through the park.

Bret, it all looks so beautiful!!

Thank you Michele.

Love the pictures. I'm going on Wednesday.

Thank you Kaitlin. Hope you have a great time on Wednesday. I see that you started a TR and I am looking forward to hear your adventures.

I'm so glad you are liking your camera!! The pictures are wonderful as always. Bummer about the rain. Hopefully it will be a quick shower.

TK

The camera worked really well all week. Some of the pictures were blurry, but they turned up really well in low lighted areas. I had no problem with the rain today, but it did made me quit early tonight since I am not planning on staying out there during WoC and the fireworks. I can't believe I said that and missed on my nighttime shows, but I got them the other nights and turned out well. Just wait in a couple of days and I will have them up on youtube. When I left, it was still sprinkling ever since we ate at the ESPN Zone this afternoon.

 

[mvf-m11c]

My DA and I left Sacramento around 8:30pm on Thursday night since we were both working that day. We stopped at my grandmothers house in Livingston around 10pm and we stayed over the night so we can have a head start to Anaheim the next day.

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 1​

We left my grandmothers house around 7:30am and it took us about 5 1/2 hours to get to Anaheim. Our hotel is Best Western Anaheim Inn which is right on Harbor Blvd just across the street from DL on the east side. The last time I have stayed at BWAI was back in June where I stayed their with my dad. This was my DA first time staying at BWAI and had no problem with the hotel. When we got settled in our room which was room #222 which was easy to find. My DA was a little bit tired from the trip to Anaheim and decided to stay and rest. So I just head on over to DL by myself.

[img[http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6360409453_55f93d6f6d_z.jpg[/img]

It was around 1:30pm when I left BWAI and head on over to DL. When we got here, I was worried about the weather since it is possibly going to rain. That afternoon it was just cloudy and not raining for now. I was relieve that it wasn't raining, but it could happen at any time during my visit. The new DLR sign at the east side of DL is nice and way better then the old one.

At the esplande, the queues for both parks were quite long that afternoon. So it did take awhile for me to get into DL. But while I was waiting, the snow flakes were on top of the turnstiles. Just the far left and far right side didn't have any just the two middle turnstiles have the Holiday decorations.

Now its time for the Christmas Quests and the first one was the wreaths on the poles in front of the DLRR MS station.

I did get more pics of the wreaths around the front entrance of DL, but I had to get to FL and around IASW for the 2:30pm parade. So while I was walking all the way down towards FL, I did get a lot of different pics of the Holiday decorations. Most of the decorations around the park have been the same over the years while some of them are new. I have to check at my past pictures to see what is different from today and the past. The park crowd level was just about above average since there were quite a number of people waiting for the 2:30pm parade around MS.

The Disney Gallery which is all about the Trains at Disney. This something I was also looking forward too. I didn't go inside, but I did went that night. That wil be another post.

Now back down the street of MS looking for any of the trees, wreaths, garlands for the Quests.

It was already 1:50pm and I had to rush over to FL.

When I got around the Hub, there were a lot of tables that were circling the Hub and the first thing I thought that it would be the raido broadcasts from California, Nevada, and Arizona. I remember last year when I went during the same weekend on a Friday which they were set up around the Hub. It was nice to see the radio stands out there and also disappointed. I saw some familiar radio shows that were here that day which includes KHTK 1140 the radio of Sacramento.

Right at the front of SB Castle, there were also two stages that were set up on the right and left side. It looks like there was something filming for the Holiday season at DL. I saw Daisy on one of the stages while there were some people I have never seen before.

Here is the one with Daisy in the picture.

Thats it for now and I will get back to you when I get backto Sacramento on Monday night.

 

[skiingfast]

What is the bad thing about having the radio stations there?

 

[mvf-m11c]

I just left DL a few hours ago and on our way home to Sacramento. Today was a very nice morning after it was raining most of he day yesterday. But we had a gat time and now is the time to head back home and do our usual lives.

What is the bad thing about having the radio stations there?

Because the radio booths were on the edge of the sidewalks and were there that Friday night. I wanted to get my usual spot which is the curb side for the fireworks. But the tables were there until the DL crew moved them out of the area until 45 minutes for the fireworks. It was really crowded that night for the fireworks which was unusual when I get a spot for the fireworks. Some people were there more then 2+ hours and on the road. Talk about a lot of people that were waiting for the fireworks. At least I got my usual spot for the fireworks which is great.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Got home two hours ago and have been working on my videos during my trip to DL. I have just uploaded the Holiday segment of "The Magic, The Memories, and You!". I will also upload the WoC Christmas Preshow Prep and Landing later tonight so stay tune. I'll also write down my next part of my TR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 2​

After leaving the Hub while the radio broadcast booth and videotaping of the Holiday season at DL, I head on over to FL which is through SB Castle. It is always beautiful to see with its Christmas decorations. When I compared SB Castle and Cinderella Castle with the Christmas decorations, by far SB Castle has way more decorations than Cinderella Castle. With the snow, wreath and garlands on the castle makes it so magical during the Holiday season.

In FL, the queues for most of the rides were way long. PP was at least 30+ wait, while MTW ride was at 20+, Dumbo 30+ and SLCB was at 30+ wait time. Talk about long wait times, but you got to be patient to go on those rides.

I passed through FL and head on over towards the walkway to IASWH. On the way, I remember from Sherry TR pictures that there were IASWH wreaths on the light poles going down towards IASWH. So I had to get the pics of the wreaths. So here are the wreaths for the wreath quest.

There were more wreaths out around IASWH, but I had to get my spot for the parade so I the quest will have to wait until the parade. I got a spot right by the concession carts and the IASW store. It was a nice view to see the parade when it comes out of the gates. It was already 2:00pm and I had only to wait for 30 minutes which is a short time to watch the parade. I would suggest to you to watch "A Christmas Fantasy" parade around IASWH since you don't have to wait a long time like MS.

While I was waiting for the parade, I got to meet a DISer at the park before the parade. I got to meet Dizneydaz while I was waiting for the 2:30pm "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. When she got the spot right next to me, she saw my LGMH and knew that I was on the DISer boards. It was nice to meet a DISer that day before the parade. We had a nice chat and her DD was their too. They were there to see her nephew who was performing in the parade. Dizneydaz said that her nephew is one of the performers in the princess scene. She was excited to see him not in a costume during the parade. It also made my day to meet a DISer during the Holiday season.

After the nice chat, I was just waiting until the 2:30pm parade started. Good thing that I chose this spot instead of MS cause that it doesn’t too many people around this area until the parade is about to start. But more and more people started to show up when it got closer to the time.

Another wreath closer to the IASW store

While I was waiting for the parade, there were quite a number of CMs around the area where the guests that do the Holiday Tour seating area. Since the radio booths were around MS Hub plus the Disney media, it did make sense to see so many cameras and people interviewing around the area.

That’s it for now and I will get back to you later with “A Christmas Fantasy” parade.

 

[skiingfast]

That is great you bumped into Dizneydaz. I hope her nephew gave you some good shots.

 

[mvf-m11c]

That is great you bumped into Dizneydaz. I hope her nephew gave you some good shots.

It was nice to meet Dizneydaz that day.

I have also uploaded World of Color Christmas Pre-Show "Prep and Landing" last night and later during the week, I will upload the rest of the Holiday shows.

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 3​

Now the 2:30pm parade started from IASWH. There were a few changes to the parade from last year and this year. I will give you the details of what is different from the previous one and the current one of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. Before the parade, there was a camera crew right by the entrance of IASWH. I would guess that it is an employee of the Disney Company taping part of the parade for the Holiday campaign.

On the opening of the Music box float, it has always been the giant stuff teddy bear, but this year they use Duffy in the Santa’s colors.

Toy Soldiers

Mailroom Elves

The Mailroom float with Donald, Daisy, & Pluto

We can’t forget about Mrs. Claus

Tigger and Pooh on their Sleighs

Welcome to A Winter Wonderland unit

The Snowflake performers are one of the changes during this year parade. Their costumes are different then the ones they used in the past. The most noticeable change to their costume is the silver snowflake on their backs. In the past, they used a white snowflake with sparkles on the flakes. This year, they use a more silverish style snowflake during this years parade.

The Snowy Christmas Tree

Snowpeople

Mickey and Minnie atop the Ice Rink float

We can’t forget about Eeyore pulling his sleigh

That’s it for the first part of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and I will get back to you later today.

 

[kaoden39]

Duffy the Christmas Bear!! How cute!! What and adorable parade!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 4​

Back to the pictures of “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade

Clarabelle Cow, Gingerbread Cookies and Candy Bakers

Goofy and Max on the Gingerbread float

Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia

Candelight Ball float & Dancers

Will be right back for the next part of "A Christmas Fantasy" parade.

 

[franandaj]

Nice pictures! Do they still play the same parade music (that sticks in your head even years after you last heard it?)

 

[mvf-m11c]

I have just uploaded "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks that I have videotaped on Friday the 18th.

Nice pictures! Do they still play the same parade music (that sticks in your head even years after you last heard it?)

Thanks Allison. Yes, "A Christmas Fantasy" parade uses the same music. I still have the parade music every time I see it on video or in person. It is still my favorite parade at any Disney parks.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 5​

Back to the pictures of “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade

Santa’s Toyland unit

Chip and Dale in the Humdinger

Woody and his Rocking Horse

Toy Factory Elves

Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, & Pinocchio on top of the Toy Factory float

Buzz Lightyear in his spaceship

Seven Dwarves

Christmas Tree

Finale Dancers

The Reindeers

Santa atop his Sleigh

That is it for “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and I will get to the next part of the TR in just awhile.

 

[skiingfast]

The Believe video came out great!

 

[mvf-m11c]

The Believe video came out great!

Thanks Matt. I'm glad that the video came out better then I thought. How do you compare this years Believe from my last years?

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 6​

When “A Christmas Fantasy” parade was over, I was close to Mickey’s Toontown so I decided to head on over there and get some pics of any of the Holiday decorations. Before I got to MTT, I was disappointed to see on Micechat Dateline in a couple of weeks before I came to DL that MTT doesn’t have the regular trees at City Hall, Mickey and Minnie’s house. But I will talk about that later when I get to the trees. Let’s get to the TR since you are waiting to see all the trees, wreaths, garlands, etc. in MTT.

Over at IASWH, most of the guests that were around for the parade went straight on the ride. It was a short wait while the parade was going and then when the parade was over, the wait time went way up. The CMs had to ask the guests to go around the left side instead of going through the entrance in the middle.

I head on over to MTT and it was nice to see the decorations. Some of them have changed since last year and this year. But my mission at MTT was to find all the Holiday decorations around the land. Now lets get started with the quests.

First was the wreath was the firehouse

RRCS

RRCS Wreath

Wreath by the Horace Horsecollar Gym

More wreaths on TT Five Dime

Here is MTT City Hall Christmas Tree. This tree if you don’t know once was the Christmas tree at Mickey’s Toontown Fair at the MK in WDW. I just don’t know why DL management would bring this ugly tree to MTT in DL after using the big ornament Christmas tree over the years. It is just a ugly plastic tree that DL is recycling after using those other trees in the past. I hope that DL will one day take these ugly trees out of here and use the regular ones that they have used in the past.

Toontown City Hall

Wreath by the Trolley Station #1

Wreath by the Trolley Station #2

Goofy’s House

Mickey’s House

Here is Minnie’s ugly Christmas tree which was from the former MTT Fair at the MK. Once again another ugly plastic tree that DL has brought from the old land and it doesn’t look good either, I can tell you that the next one is not that good either.

Mickey’s Christmas Tree. I am not going to say anything more about it as you know what I am going to say.

There were quite a number of people in the queue to see Minnie

Donald Duck Christmas Wreath (at least they haven’t changed it)

Goofy’s Christmas Wreath

Wreath by the Trolley Station #3

The last wreath I could find in MTT.

That concludes my adventure of the tree, wreath and garland quest at MTT. I head on out of MTT and on my next land to find any Holiday decorations. I will get back to you later today.

 

[skiingfast]

I think nastalgia is wearing people thin. Those trees borrowed from TT in WDW are more TTish.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I think nastalgia is wearing people thin. Those trees borrowed from TT in WDW are more TTish.

You are correct that those trees are from the former TT at WDW. I just don't like those plastic trees.

Day 1 – November 18, 2011 – Part 7​

I left off just leaving MTT and I head on back to the Hub so I can get some pictures of the radio booths around the Hub. The park crowd levels started to pick up even more with more and more people going on the popular rides. IASWH was already at 30+ minute wait, SLCB was at 30+ and rides like Tea Cups and AiW had long lines.

After leaving FL, I was back at the Hub and there were still activities at the radio booths around the Hub. I saw that my local radio KHTK 1140 was there.

Here is one of the stages in front of SB Castle, but they were already done and begun to disassemble the stage.

Matt this is what I was talking about not being able to get the curb side for the fireworks. You can see that the booths are at the edges of the curb for most of the day.

More pics of the radio booths around the Hub

I left the Hub and the next spot to get Holiday decorations is Frontierland.

Wreaths by the entrance of Frontierland

Frontierland Entrance

So I am now in Frontierland and the first decorations are the Pioneer Mercantile Store

Now I past the Golden Horseshoe

The ROA was nice and quiet not as bad as I have thought

Now here is my favorite part of the Holiday season at DL which is NOS. This is for you Sherry E which is one of your favorite lands during the Holiday season. This is a place where you can get a lot of pics of the trees, wreaths, garlands, etc. for any of the Quests. Some of the decorations look so great and some of them don’t look good. But I will talk about it during my post. At least there wasn’t that many people so it would be easy to take a lot of pictures without any people in my way.

The big Christmas Wreath is still there since last year.

A lot of different decorations on the Disney Dream Suite balcony

This year they added some different decorations that weren’t there last year and this year. The noticeable change to the railings of the balconies are that there are no neon/light up color shape decorations like ornaments, etc. As I have said it before on other threads that DL management has tone downed the decorations this year.

That’s it for now and I will get back to you later tonight.