Sherry E
Currently tag-less...
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
1. "Love Actually" - You have probably not followed any of my holiday trip reports (they're all in one big thread), but I have mentioned Love Actually about 100 times, over and over, every year. My readers are probably sick of me talking about Love Actually! I am a sucker for almost all Christmas movies or TV specials in general, but I have said repeatedly that -- just as you said -- Love Actually is not only one of my favorite Christmas movies, but one of my favorites movies of any kind, period! It often pops up on cable at non-Christmas times of year, such as (of course) Valentine's Day, Halloween and even St. Patrick's Day! Currently I think it's in the Cinemax rotation (it jumps back and forth between HBO and Cinemax), and then after it has done its 'uncensored' run it will probably move over to TNT or ABC Family in its PG-rated form.
In fact, in my last two DLR holiday trip reports (from Dec. 2012 and Dec. 2011) I used specific verses from Christmas songs as intros to each individual segment, to kind of set the holiday scene and punctuate the scenarios. The funny thing is that in one installment (from the 2011 report, I think), I used lyrics from Bill Nighy's wonderful "Christmas Is All Around" rendition.....and no one knew what it was! (I guess that idea went over well!) One person even suggested that she may have to Google the lyrics to find out what song it was! Well, I take that back -- fellow DIS'ers Molly/bumbershoot and Jenny/rentayenta are also big Love Actually fans, but otherwise, no one knew it.
I found another person who seemed to know about Love Actually in the Walking Dead thread here on the DIS (because of the Andrew Lincoln tie-in), but it seems that many folks have not seen it, not heard of it or just don't like it.
So when I saw your Love Actually comment, I got excited and had to speak up! I thought, "Yay! Another kindred spirit!"
2. The Paradise Pier Hotel tree - What I always say to people about that tree is that they have to be sure to see it in person. While it looks pretty in photos, it does not translate as well in photos as it does in person. Do you agree with that assessment?
I love, love, love the PPH tree. Color-wise, and in terms of overall allure, the PPH tree is by far my favorite. It does seem a bit detached from its surroundings in a way -- it doesn't blend into the PPH as well as the GCH tree blends into its setting. Rather, it stands out. But I have been in the PPH lobby in the past when people were literally gathered 'round the tree, oooh-ing and aaah-ing, mesmerized by the warm, deep glow of the blue-green colors. It is truly striking up close. At times I have wanted to run into the PPH lobby and burst into song at the sight of the tree!
As far as overall context and theme, the Grand Californian Hotel tree definitely wins the race because it fits so well in that 'elegantly rustic' theme -- the dim lighting, the dark wood, the hearth, etc.
Both the GCH tree and the PPH tree have an edge over the Disneyland Hotel trees, because they are towering. The DLH trees suffer from not having a big cavernous space to thrive (otherwise known as "low ceiling-itis").
3. I loved your photo of the twinkly outdoor GCH trees as the lights were coming on! I love those trees! I love to see them both at dawn -- just before sunrise, when everything on the GCH property is still and quiet -- and at dusk before it gets dark. There is something about the twinkly trees against the background of the deep pre-dawn and pre-dusk blue sky that fascinates me!
4. The carolers at the GCH - I love them too! This is definitely an area where the GCH wins out over the other 2 DLR hotels. While the carolers visit each hotel, the settings at the PPH and DLH are not conducive to relaxing in comfy chairs with beverages in hand, enjoying the music around the trees. The GCH lobby environment is perfect for really being able to enjoy the carolers because the overall atmosphere is inviting and you can actually gather 'round the tree. I have seen people sprawled out on those sofas, feet propped up on the tables, snacks and drinks in hand, shouting out requests. I have seen children stretched out on the carpet in front of the chairs and sofas. It's lovely -- and it's a great thing to do at Disneyland Resort to enjoy a tiny bit of the holiday cheer without spending any money.
I often recommend to people on this board that they should take a couple of hours to visit the GCH lobby during the holiday season so they can sit comfortably and listen to the carolers. Unfortunately, I have recommended it so much that now I can't find an available seat when I try to sit in the GCH lobby! I have talked it up so much that I have talked myself right out of a chair!
I'm already a Christmas fanatic, but I must say that looking at your photos has given me that "Can we just skip all of summer and fast forward to the holidays?" kinda feeling! I need to get back to DLR and see the PPH tree and the GCH tree! That's what a great TR does -- it makes the reader want to be in that particular place, at that particular moment in time!
In fact, in my last two DLR holiday trip reports (from Dec. 2012 and Dec. 2011) I used specific verses from Christmas songs as intros to each individual segment, to kind of set the holiday scene and punctuate the scenarios. The funny thing is that in one installment (from the 2011 report, I think), I used lyrics from Bill Nighy's wonderful "Christmas Is All Around" rendition.....and no one knew what it was! (I guess that idea went over well!) One person even suggested that she may have to Google the lyrics to find out what song it was! Well, I take that back -- fellow DIS'ers Molly/bumbershoot and Jenny/rentayenta are also big Love Actually fans, but otherwise, no one knew it.
I found another person who seemed to know about Love Actually in the Walking Dead thread here on the DIS (because of the Andrew Lincoln tie-in), but it seems that many folks have not seen it, not heard of it or just don't like it.
So when I saw your Love Actually comment, I got excited and had to speak up! I thought, "Yay! Another kindred spirit!"
2. The Paradise Pier Hotel tree - What I always say to people about that tree is that they have to be sure to see it in person. While it looks pretty in photos, it does not translate as well in photos as it does in person. Do you agree with that assessment?
I love, love, love the PPH tree. Color-wise, and in terms of overall allure, the PPH tree is by far my favorite. It does seem a bit detached from its surroundings in a way -- it doesn't blend into the PPH as well as the GCH tree blends into its setting. Rather, it stands out. But I have been in the PPH lobby in the past when people were literally gathered 'round the tree, oooh-ing and aaah-ing, mesmerized by the warm, deep glow of the blue-green colors. It is truly striking up close. At times I have wanted to run into the PPH lobby and burst into song at the sight of the tree!
As far as overall context and theme, the Grand Californian Hotel tree definitely wins the race because it fits so well in that 'elegantly rustic' theme -- the dim lighting, the dark wood, the hearth, etc.
Both the GCH tree and the PPH tree have an edge over the Disneyland Hotel trees, because they are towering. The DLH trees suffer from not having a big cavernous space to thrive (otherwise known as "low ceiling-itis").
3. I loved your photo of the twinkly outdoor GCH trees as the lights were coming on! I love those trees! I love to see them both at dawn -- just before sunrise, when everything on the GCH property is still and quiet -- and at dusk before it gets dark. There is something about the twinkly trees against the background of the deep pre-dawn and pre-dusk blue sky that fascinates me!
4. The carolers at the GCH - I love them too! This is definitely an area where the GCH wins out over the other 2 DLR hotels. While the carolers visit each hotel, the settings at the PPH and DLH are not conducive to relaxing in comfy chairs with beverages in hand, enjoying the music around the trees. The GCH lobby environment is perfect for really being able to enjoy the carolers because the overall atmosphere is inviting and you can actually gather 'round the tree. I have seen people sprawled out on those sofas, feet propped up on the tables, snacks and drinks in hand, shouting out requests. I have seen children stretched out on the carpet in front of the chairs and sofas. It's lovely -- and it's a great thing to do at Disneyland Resort to enjoy a tiny bit of the holiday cheer without spending any money.
I often recommend to people on this board that they should take a couple of hours to visit the GCH lobby during the holiday season so they can sit comfortably and listen to the carolers. Unfortunately, I have recommended it so much that now I can't find an available seat when I try to sit in the GCH lobby! I have talked it up so much that I have talked myself right out of a chair!
I'm already a Christmas fanatic, but I must say that looking at your photos has given me that "Can we just skip all of summer and fast forward to the holidays?" kinda feeling! I need to get back to DLR and see the PPH tree and the GCH tree! That's what a great TR does -- it makes the reader want to be in that particular place, at that particular moment in time!