Candlelight & Cannonballs! (MANY MARDI GRAS MASK PICS!) Dec. 2012- Start Pg.235/#3524

[tksbaskets]

Sweet!!! I can't wait to start seeing all these great decorations in your trip report. Do you think you'll go for more than one day? Your little emoticons are adorable too. HO HO HO!!

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

Sweet!!! I can't wait to start seeing all these great decorations in your trip report. Do you think you'll go for more than one day? Your little emoticons are adorable too. HO HO HO!!

Hi, TK!

I had to search high and low for those emoticons! I needed to find the right ones to express myself! To be honest, I'm not even sure exactly where I ended up finding them because I looked so many places. I think they may have been on a publicly shared page on Photobucket - like a community-shared page, not a private account.

As excited as I am about Cars Land's decorations, I think I may be more excited about BVS' set-up! If it's done right, it could look like something out of vintage holiday snapshot. I'm ready to camp out there now and wait for November!

So this makes me wonder - will there be no photo spot in the Paradise Pier area at all? Not even for Santa Goofy or Santa Mickey? The actual Santa will be in Elias. That gazebo on the Pier was so nice and picturesque.




You know, if ever there were a trip that would necessitate a multi-night stay, or a multi-day visit, it would be this one! There is new holiday territory to cover! I would have thought that last year's trip would be the one that required multiple days, but we all know how that trip went.

At this moment, the reality of the situation would seem to tell me that I will probably head to DLR on the holiday season's opening day or the day before it, in November, and then head back again for a day sometime in December - when it feels extra, extra Christmasy (and to possibly see the CP, depending on how that is handled).

Ideally, of course, I would like to do a multi-night stay - heck, I'd even settle for offsite at this point, although it will make me sad to not pass by the PPH tree every morning and evening!

But I think that, given the fact that we're in October now, I don't see a windfall happening in enough time to book a hotel stay. So I think the reality will win out over the ideal scenario.

TK, Do you think your next DLR holiday trip will be in 2013 or 2014?

[bumbershoot]

I hope you get a trip in soon!

And I adore the "year of holidays" idea that's bubbling around in your head.

Seems you feel the same way about the 80s as my mom did about the 60s. She felt that most movies got it just wrong enough to be annoying. She was there in SF, living it all on the outskirts, just a bit less wasted than everyone else, so she saw things a bit more as they were. Everyone who makes movies who was there was just blitzed, and didn't have as much reality left in their head as she did. That's what I imagine you were like; the one who was much more aware of reality than people around you. I know it was very frustrating for her!


Just one last little mention of the TR you finished..."I honestly think that she goes out of her way to be super-nice to our mutual friends, just so they won't believe me." EW ew ew and more ew. If she does that in her family, ew ew ew. That's all I can think and say. I've been a child on the receiving end of that sort of dynamic (or related dynamics), and EW.

There, I'm done.



I wonder if maybe the reindeer are getting old? I wonder if guests are harming them with dropped food (being generous here, since I imagine there are a lot of guests who GIVE them food) or weird human diseases, or if it's just overwhelming for the animals to be out there in the public like that? I like to think that the reindeer might be going away in order to protect them, not to just be cheap.

[tksbaskets]

Hi Sherry,
My plan is DLR December 2013 We'll see.

TK

[mvf-m11c]

I haven't been reading your updates lately since I have been busy lately. It will be very nice Sherry if you are able to go to the first day of the Holiday season at the DLR. I would like to go on the opening week as well, but as you know that I will be there on the first weekend. At least we can hear from you about the new additions to the holiday season. I did read what you said about NOS having the decorations up this year and I am glad that they are having them. It wouldn't be the same without NOS holiday decorations. But the other question is how much will they have up in NOS.

I didn't like to read that article by Al Lutz a couple of days ago and hoped that isn't true. We did talk about this in the past that the DLR is leaning towards the parade and fireworks as part of an exclusive party just like MHP.

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by bumbershoot

I hope you get a trip in soon!

And I adore the "year of holidays" idea that's bubbling around in your head.

Seems you feel the same way about the 80s as my mom did about the 60s. She felt that most movies got it just wrong enough to be annoying. She was there in SF, living it all on the outskirts, just a bit less wasted than everyone else, so she saw things a bit more as they were. Everyone who makes movies who was there was just blitzed, and didn't have as much reality left in their head as she did. That's what I imagine you were like; the one who was much more aware of reality than people around you. I know it was very frustrating for her!


Just one last little mention of the TR you finished..."I honestly think that she goes out of her way to be super-nice to our mutual friends, just so they won't believe me." EW ew ew and more ew. If she does that in her family, ew ew ew. That's all I can think and say. I've been a child on the receiving end of that sort of dynamic (or related dynamics), and EW.

There, I'm done.


I wonder if maybe the reindeer are getting old? I wonder if guests are harming them with dropped food (being generous here, since I imagine there are a lot of guests who GIVE them food) or weird human diseases, or if it's just overwhelming for the animals to be out there in the public like that? I like to think that the reindeer might be going away in order to protect them, not to just be cheap.

Hi, Molly!

Gee, I appreciate your taking the time to pop over here and comment. Based on what you've been posting in your TR lately, I know you've had a lot going on.

Thank you - I hope I get in some kind of a trip soon too. Well, there will be some sort of trip - I am not missing "Snowy the Snow Car" in Cars Land for anything - I just don't know the length of the trip. It could be a short one, or a few short ones spread out over November/December...or something!

I wish I could get the Year of Holidays idea going. I like the idea. I think it would be a fun quest. I don't know if it will happen. It may just continue to bubble around in my head!

I was much more aware of reality in the '80s than some others, yes! Most folks were in some kind of altered state (but I was not)! However, at the time I was around the Poison camp, they were not doing anything terribly toxic or horrible. They were not even drinking on any kind of unhealthy level, if at all, when we saw them. It was after "M" and I lost touch with them and they began to tour even more that they started in on the bad stuff.

But I still remember the good ol' days of driving down La Brea in "M's" car, with Bret Michaels in the back seat, stopping at 7-11 or McDonald's along the way, listening to Boston (the band) or Motley Crue and talking to Bret about how he didn't really drink.

It definitely sounds like I have a similar view to your mom's view of the '60s. One interesting documentary about the '80s on the Sunset Strip is "The Decline of Western Civilization: The Metal Years." It was directed by Penelope Spheeris (who also did "Wayne's World). I remember seeing Penelope walking around the clubs or after Poison concerts as she did her "research" for the film. It was interesting when it finally came out - there are a lot of people I either know, knew or saw frequently on the Strip in that movie.

You know, I think "M" is up to those same sorts of shenanigans (acting extra nice to some and not to others) with family, friends and whomever else. I have probably just not heard of all of the other people (besides the cousin) who have witnessed it too.

As for the reindeer - I am sad to see them go from DLR, but I always felt bad for them because their breathing was very rapid and shallow. I always worried that they were not taking in enough oxygen in this SoCal air! The baby goats and the burros seemed to be faring a little better in the breathing department. The reindeer are likely used to different climates. So if the reindeer are better off health-wise by not being on display at DLR, I don't mind them being gone. I don't want any animals to suffer miserably for my entertainment. I would rather that they be in an environment where they are happy and comfortable.

People would try to feed the reindeer - which was forbidden at the Round-Up - and the reindeer were ornery and hostile!

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

Hi Sherry,
My plan is DLR December 2013 We'll see.

TK

TK -

I am crossing my fingers for you that a 12/2013 trip is in the cards! And you'll be at WDW this season - will you be taking lots of pictures of the new Fantasyland? If so, I can't wait to see them!

Originally Posted by mvf-m11c

I haven't been reading your updates lately since I have been busy lately. It will be very nice Sherry if you are able to go to the first day of the Holiday season at the DLR. I would like to go on the opening week as well, but as you know that I will be there on the first weekend. At least we can hear from you about the new additions to the holiday season. I did read what you said about NOS having the decorations up this year and I am glad that they are having them. It wouldn't be the same without NOS holiday decorations. But the other question is how much will they have up in NOS.

I didn't like to read that article by Al Lutz a couple of days ago and hoped that isn't true. We did talk about this in the past that the DLR is leaning towards the parade and fireworks as part of an exclusive party just like MHP.

Bret!

I was wondering where you were - not in this specific TR here, but in your own! I had planned on going over to your TR in another day or two and asking if you were okay! It seemed like you had disappeared. I read the updates in your "Boo to You" thread. I hope that can still be an enjoyable trip for you.

Yep - I think a Christmas party with the parade, snow and fireworks is inevitable at DLR. I think it's just a matter of exactly how it will be handled, what exactly will be included in the party, and on which non-party nights will those things be showing (in other words, only during Christmas week and New year's week, which would be a crowded nightmare)?

I am thinking that something will have to be added into DCA, holiday-wise, to make up for the party in DL, if it happens. DLR does not have enough alternate choices for holiday entertainment if people don't want to buy a party ticket. WDW has lots of places to go and things to see. I would think that something extra has to be added in to DCA to kind of balance it all out - decorating Cars Land won't be enough.

Did you read the full article on Stitch Kingdom about what the Cars Land and Buena Vista Street decor will entail? Snowy the Snow Car!! Santa inside the store! (Maybe no more photo spot in the Paradise Pier area of DCA??) It all sounds great!

You read my mind - I was very relieved and happy to hear back from Erin that the NOS and TT decorations will be back again this year (hello, ugly Toontown trees!), but I also wondered "How much?" I kept thinking that we will be able to tell if any wreaths or masks or trees are missing from those lands - so in case DLR tries to be sneaky and remove some random things here and there, assuming that we won't notice...wrong. We will notice!

I'll be at DLR either on 11/11 or 11/12, I think. I want to be sure that the Holly Jolly Jamboree will be open when I go - I don't want to miss that.

Bret, I know you'll be at DLR on opening day of the season, but when does your trip begin? Does it begin on 11/12 or just before that date? You'll probably catch quite a few things that I don't have time to catch, and you'll have more time to take more photos, so the Superthread folks will count on you to report back and tell everyone what you see as well!!

[tksbaskets]

Oh you know I'll be taking a TON of pictures of the new FL!

TK

[mvf-m11c]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

[B]Bret!

I was wondering where you were - not in this specific TR here, but in your own! I had planned on going over to your TR in another day or two and asking if you were okay! It seemed like you had disappeared. I read the updates in your "Boo to You" thread. I hope that can still be an enjoyable trip for you.

Yep - I think a Christmas party with the parade, snow and fireworks is inevitable at DLR. I think it's just a matter of exactly how it will be handled, what exactly will be included in the party, and on which non-party nights will those things be showing (in other words, only during Christmas week and New year's week, which would be a crowded nightmare)?

I am thinking that something will have to be added into DCA, holiday-wise, to make up for the party in DL, if it happens. DLR does not have enough alternate choices for holiday entertainment if people don't want to buy a party ticket. WDW has lots of places to go and things to see. I would think that something extra has to be added in to DCA to kind of balance it all out - decorating Cars Land won't be enough.

Did you read the full article on Stitch Kingdom about what the Cars Land and Buena Vista Street decor will entail? Snowy the Snow Car!! Santa inside the store! (Maybe no more photo spot in the Paradise Pier area of DCA??) It all sounds great!

You read my mind - I was very relieved and happy to hear back from Erin that the NOS and TT decorations will be back again this year (hello, ugly Toontown trees!), but I also wondered "How much?" I kept thinking that we will be able to tell if any wreaths or masks or trees are missing from those lands - so in case DLR tries to be sneaky and remove some random things here and there, assuming that we won't notice...wrong. We will notice!

I'll be at DLR either on 11/11 or 11/12, I think. I want to be sure that the Holly Jolly Jamboree will be open when I go - I don't want to miss that.

Bret, I know you'll be at DLR on opening day of the season, but when does your trip begin? Does it begin on 11/12 or just before that date? You'll probably catch quite a few things that I don't have time to catch, and you'll have more time to take more photos, so the Superthread folks will count on you to report back and tell everyone what you see as well!!

I have been busy lately and I am now back in basketball season mode. So I will be barely on the threads. But I'll still check-in once in awhile to see what kind of updates from the threads that I read. I am sometimes reading the threads and I have barely respond to them.

I can tell you about the Christmas party at DL which will not go well with the regular Holiday guests where they have to pay another separate admission just to see the fireworks, parade and snow. If this does happen, I will never even pay to see those nighttime events since I have seen them a lot at DL. If they do a new firework show, parade, etc. where this is the first time doing it, than I would consider paying for a ticket. I am wondering the same thing and what will they do for the party, will it be a lot like MVMCP at the MK. MVMCP had a treat station where they had cookie and hot chocolate for free as part of the admission. There is a lot of questions about the party. It will be a nightmare and so much confusion.

DL does not have a lot of choices where the MK at WDW has more to offer at that park than at DL.

I didn't read the whole article yet and I will remind myself to read it later tonight or tomorrow morning. That will be interesting to see Snowy the Snow Car and a Santa inside the store.IT does sound great.

It was nice to hear that NOS and TT will have there decorations for the Holiday season. I was kind of surprised that your question about NOS and TT on the Disney Blog didn't show up. At least they told everyone that those two lands with the decorations will be back up. I am also wondering the same thing and how much decorations will they have up? With most of the decorations going to CL, we are hoping that Disney won't take much decorations out of all the other lands at the DLR.

As least you will be there during the first few days of the Holiday season.

I will be there on the 16th to 18th. I was considering going on the 10th to 12th, but I'll be back from WDW in one week and heading back to DL in a week is too close. So my DA and I will be going in two weeks after I get back from WDW. I'll be looking forward to your report and I will be all set up when I go to DL.

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

Oh you know I'll be taking a TON of pictures of the new FL!

TK

TK -

I hope so! That whole forest area looks like it will be amazing.

I was chuckling to myself as I recalled the "new" Fantasyland that we got at DL in 1983. While it was nice to have a new Pinocchio ride and some other changes, it was nowhere near the scope and scale of the New Fantasyland that is coming to MK!

Originally Posted by mvf-m11c

I have been busy lately and I am now back in basketball season mode. So I will be barely on the threads. But I'll still check-in once in awhile to see what kind of updates from the threads that I read. I am sometimes reading the threads and I have barely respond to them.

I can tell you about the Christmas party at DL which will not go well with the regular Holiday guests where they have to pay another separate admission just to see the fireworks, parade and snow. If this does happen, I will never even pay to see those nighttime events since I have seen them a lot at DL. If they do a new firework show, parade, etc. where this is the first time doing it, than I would consider paying for a ticket. I am wondering the same thing and what will they do for the party, will it be a lot like MVMCP at the MK. MVMCP had a treat station where they had cookie and hot chocolate for free as part of the admission. There is a lot of questions about the party. It will be a nightmare and so much confusion.

DL does not have a lot of choices where the MK at WDW has more to offer at that park than at DL.

I didn't read the whole article yet and I will remind myself to read it later tonight or tomorrow morning. That will be interesting to see Snowy the Snow Car and a Santa inside the store.IT does sound great.

It was nice to hear that NOS and TT will have there decorations for the Holiday season. I was kind of surprised that your question about NOS and TT on the Disney Blog didn't show up. At least they told everyone that those two lands with the decorations will be back up. I am also wondering the same thing and how much decorations will they have up? With most of the decorations going to CL, we are hoping that Disney won't take much decorations out of all the other lands at the DLR.

As least you will be there during the first few days of the Holiday season.

I will be there on the 16th to 18th. I was considering going on the 10th to 12th, but I'll be back from WDW in one week and heading back to DL in a week is too close. So my DA and I will be going in two weeks after I get back from WDW. I'll be looking forward to your report and I will be all set up when I go to DL.

Bret -

I think that maybe new people - people who have never gone to DLR for the holidays or who have never seen the parade/fireworks/snow - may be more inclined to buy the ticket.

I also think that some people will convince themselves that by purchasing a ticket to a Christmas party, they will be avoiding big crowds (which won't be the case - the crowds will still be everywhere because it's the holiday season), so they will buy tickets.

Outside of those two groups of people, I think that many, many folks who have already seen the parade and fireworks will refrain from buying tickets to a party. I'm not sure that sticking the Candlelight Processional into the party package would be enough to get those folks to buy tickets. Quite simply, if people have already seen the parade and fireworks many times over the years, there won't be any reason to buy a ticket to see them again.

Now, if Disney starts to do things like hold all of the holiday entertainment options hostage - for example, they don't open up the Holly Jolly Jamboree except for the party; they don't turn the icicle lights on the Castle until the party, etc., that may make a difference. Then it would be like they were holding Christmas hostage and forcing everyone to pay even more to enjoy any of the holiday entertainment, leaving us only with the decorations on the non-party days.

I'm guessing that DLR will add something extra into DCA - an all-holiday WoC; a holiday TSMM; something. - to give people other things to do if the party in DL happens.

For some reason, I think it escaped me that you had decided on 11/16 - 11/18 for your DLR dates, and yet it makes sense because your WDW trip is ending very close to the DLR date and it would be packing too much into a small window of time.

I'm hoping that everything in the Stitch Kingdom article is true - it sounds as if they got a 'scoop' or an exclusive story from the Disney people. That's why I'm thinking it has to be true and accurate - they gave so many specific details about what's to come in CL and on BVS for the season that we have not heard before. I mean, this is the first time we've ever heard of Snowy the Snow Car! And I had no idea they would put Santa inside the store - I thought he would be out in front of the tree!

And unlike Al Lutz, SK did not say that this is what's being discussed - they said that this is what's happening. So I am thinking it's all accurate.

You know, if Disney does this holiday season right and doesn't skimp on decorations in any of the other lands (NOS, TT, MS), and if Cars Land and Buena Vista Street are as amazing as they sound, I might just forgive them for totally scaling back Halloween Time!

[Sherry E]

I meant to remind you all earlier when I posted - but got distracted and had to suddenly exit the post, and then got hit with a bad headache - that in just about 3 weeks I will be at DLR, meeting my new friend Snowy the Snow Car for the first time!

I may even christen my first visit of the holiday season by eating a peppermint ice cream cone!

I hadn't really thought about how late I would stay in the parks that day (knowing myself, I will likely get a very early morning start - because you all know how I love the crisp, cool quiet mornings at DLR), but I realize that staying until dark is probably a key factor, as the Christmas lights in Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street will inevitably be amazing. As it is, I haven't even spent nearly enough time in Disneyland at night, let alone in California Adventure!

This means I'd better grab one of those 'free refill' coffee deals at the Market House, so I can keep loading up on the caffeine when I need it!

I have not yet decided if I will just make it a totally solo day - which would be better for photo-taking - or if I want Shawn to come over and meet me for dinner in DTD or the hotels or something. I'm assuming I'll be back in December and can spend time with her then.

Anyway, it could be 3 weeks and 2 days, or 3 weeks and 3 days. Either way, in just about 3 weeks I will be back at DLR for a taste of the holidays!

[tksbaskets]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

I meant to remind you all earlier when I posted - but got distracted and had to suddenly exit the post, and then got hit with a bad headache - that in just about 3 weeks I will be at DLR, meeting my new friend Snowy the Snow Car for the first time!

I may even christen my first visit of the holiday season by eating a peppermint ice cream cone!

I hadn't really thought about how late I would stay in the parks that day (knowing myself, I will likely get a very early morning start - because you all know how I love the crisp, cool quiet mornings at DLR), but I realize that staying until dark is probably a key factor, as the Christmas lights in Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street will inevitably be amazing. As it is, I haven't even spent nearly enough time in Disneyland at night, let alone in California Adventure!

This means I'd better grab one of those 'free refill' coffee deals at the Market House, so I can keep loading up on the caffeine when I need it!

I have not yet decided if I will just make it a totally solo day - which would be better for photo-taking - or if I want Shawn to come over and meet me for dinner in DTD or the hotels something. I'm assuming I'll be back in December and can spend time with her then.

Anyway, it could be 3 weeks and 2 days, or 3 weeks and 3 days. Either way, in just about 3 weeks I will be back at DLR for a taste of the holidays!

Awesome! Dancing Banana awesome

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

Awesome! Dancing Banana awesome

TK -

Very true! Thanks to deej's husband, we all now have a new barometer for awesomeness - the Dancing Banana. If something is awesome, then it is super, mega awesome!

I must admit, though - I'm almost as excited to see what the new Fantasyland at MK looks like as I am looking forward to seeing Cars Land & Buena Vista Street's decor. I can't wait to see your photos of it, TK!

I don't know if the new FL will be decorated for the holidays this year, but I bet that it has tons of potential for holiday decor in the future!

Honestly, I've always been a bit shocked that there isn't more holiday decor in our FL in Disneyland. There is a little bit here and there, but I would expect more for that setting and theme.

When I think of Christmas time scenarios, one distinct image that pops into mind is a snowy European village. The "Christmas markets" are extremely popular in various European countries. The holiday season is a big deal in Europe! They have gorgeous Christmas trees and all kinds of fun. I would have thought that DLR would use that Europe-Christmas connection and really decorate Fantasyland more. But...Fantasyland has been around forever, and if they haven't gone all out with the holiday decorations in FL by now, they probably never will!



I'm off to run some errands now, a.k.a. get some coffee. For some reason, I've let myself run out of coffee, and it is not pretty. How can I properly map out my agenda for my DLR visit in a few weeks without some caffeine?

[Virgoinab]

Okay, did you get some freaking coffee or what????

Geez you do like to leave us in suspense don't you??

TK Really looking forward to that new MK FL pictures trip report. We had wanted to go back to WDW this Feb, but I told my DN that I wanted to wait until it was completely finished. So we are looking at a 2014 trip. Plus, since we like to stay at the GFH, I am hoping the new DVC units will be done. Although DH wants to stay at BLT.

Okay, back to Sherry, I know of what you speak when there is no coffee in the house, I only drink two cups a day, but I make it strong, and dang if I have no coffee I am like Malificent on a bad day.

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by Virgoinab

Okay, did you get some freaking coffee or what????

Geez you do like to leave us in suspense don't you??

TK Really looking forward to that new MK FL pictures trip report. We had wanted to go back to WDW this Feb, but I told my DN that I wanted to wait until it was completely finished. So we are looking at a 2014 trip. Plus, since we like to stay at the GFH, I am hoping the new DVC units will be done. Although DH wants to stay at BLT.

Okay, back to Sherry, I know of what you speak when there is no coffee in the house, I only drink two cups a day, but I make it strong, and dang if I have no coffee I am like Malificent on a bad day.

Virgoinab!

(I'm having a sneezing fit at the moment, so I am trying to type in between sneezes!)

I'm glad you popped into this thread again! In your signature, I see that you were just at Mickey's Halloween Party and that you loved it.

Coincidentally, Time Warner Cable just aired their own Halloween special focusing on Disneyland's Halloween Time and Knott's Scary Farm/Halloween Haunt - but it was 75% about Disneyland. Every year, Time Warner does a little low-budget show for Southern Californians, featuring local Halloween activities. In the past they've done a show about Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights, and a longer show about Knott's. This was the first time I've seen a show that mainly focused on Halloween Time at DL.

It's weird, though - in the Time Warner show, they took footage from last year's Halloween Time (like the old Villains photo spot) and mixed it in with footage from this year's season (specifically, the Conjure Up a Villain tent and the Carnival). They also spent a good deal of time talking about Haunted Mansion Holiday - with footage of last year's gingerbread centerpiece in the ballroom!

I'm so sad I wasn't able to get to DLR for Halloween Time this year - not just because I want to go, but also for practical reasons. Being there and seeing everything in person, first-hand, helps me with Theme Weeks and giving info in the Halloween Superthread.

But, alas, I think I have to set my sights on the holidays this time around, and try to focus on throwing together some great trips. Hopefully 2013 will bring a bigger and better Halloween Time season.

Yes, I got coffee! It's not the coffee I wanted or planned to get, but it had caffeine in it, which is what was important at that moment. I don't drink more than 2 or 3 cups per day anymore, either (unless it's an extreme circumstance). I used to drink much more in the old days, but it affects my blood sugar too much and it doesn't give me as much of a caffeine buzz anymore. I'm not going to drink 13 cups of coffee per day just to try to get a caffeine buzz, so I will just stick with a few cups.

The area in which I live is ideal if you are (A) single, and (B) don't have a car. It is centrally located to everything one would need, and it is a safe enough area to where you don't feel in danger by walking around the neighborhood. There are any number of stores I can go to for coffee. Because there are so many places to shop around this area, there are quite a few choices depending on your budget and mood. We have everything from the more upscale (Whole Foods & Bristol Farms) to the inexpensive (the 99 Cent Store), and whatever falls in between (Ralphs & Trader Joe's).

If I have a big load of groceries to get, I order from Vons.com or Yummy.com and have it delivered. If I just have a few things to get, I might go to Ralphs or CVS Drugstore and carry them home. If I have only a few dollars in my wallet (literally, a few dollars), I can go to the 99 Cent Store - which, in my area of town, is a really good 99 Cent Store, albeit exceptionally crowded. They have really good items.

Yesterday I had planned on going to Ralphs, but I decided to stop in the 99 Cent Store on the way just to take a peek at whatever they had in stock. Once people get inside the store, they catch sight of all of these great things on sale for 99 cents (name brands, too) and get carried away. I saw some things I needed and decided to get those, and while I was there I figured I'd get my coffee as well. The 99 Cent Store is great for certain items, but not so great for coffee. All they seemed to have in stock was instant coffee (Taster's Choice & Nescafe).

Just as I mentioned the other day about enjoying the ritual of going to a tree lot and picking out a Christmas trees vs. ordering one online and having it delivered, I also like the process and ritual of brewing coffee! "Instant" coffee is quick and easy, but it doesn't have the same taste as regular brewed coffee, and the smell of the coffee doesn't fill the house (like it does when it's being brewed). I like to hear the coffee percolating and inhale the aroma. I don't get either of those things by drinking instant coffee - but, hey, if you're just in need of a quick caffeine fix and don't need the other sensory effects, then in a pinch a cup of instant will do the trick!

[Sherry E]

Disneyland-related holiday trip stuff...

I woke up in the middle of the night (a frequent occurrence) and tried to watch some TV to fall back asleep (but "Love Actually" was on again, so of course I had to watch it all the way to the end!). When I finally settled back down I found myself thinking about upcoming DLR trips and how exactly I will map them out. For example, I'm planning on being there either on 11/11 or 11/12. I'll have to double check the hours to be sure, but I think there will be a big difference between the parks' closing times on 11/11 and 11/12, correct? In other words, Disneyland will close at midnight on 11/11, but much earlier on 11/12?

This will make a big difference in my plan. If the Holly Jolly Jamboree is not going to be open until 11/12, then that has to be the day I go...but it will mean shorter hours (I think). So...I really have to focus on as many of the "new" decorations in California Adventure and on the Holly Jolly Jamboree as I can that day - as the photos of those things and the information I can bring back will be useful for the Christmas Superthread and for the podcast.

I have to inspect every possible inch of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street (inside the stores and restaurants too) to see what holiday merriment can be found during the daytime, and then I have to head back to those 2 lands when the sun goes down. Timing will be crucial.

In between the daytime and nighttime visits of CL & BVS, I want to see what, if anything, will be in place of the old Santa gazebo location on Paradise Pier. Will they put up a new tree or keep the same photo spot, but with characters instead of Santa?

I want to check out Ghirardelli and see if they are giving out samples of their chocolate/peppermint goodies, or any other seasonal sample.

I also need to check out some shops in both parks, to see what kinds of merchandise is available. Photos of merchandise are always important too!

And, of course, I need to visit the Holly Jolly Jamboree and see what that's all about, and how different it is from the Reindeer Round-Up.

Plus, in the constant quest to determine which decorations have been added in and taken out, I will do a thorough sweep of Toontown and New Orleans Square to be sure the decorations have not been scaled back.

This is going to be a very busy, jam-packed day - especially if DLR is closing earlier on 11/12. I'm exhausted just thinking about it all!

When December rolls around, IF I can whip up a trip (or "conjure up" a trip, Villains-style!), that will hopefully involve the Candlelight Processional (we'll see what the charge is) and much more time in Disneyland at night. I need to try to get some better photos of DL at night during the holidays.

The GOOD news is...and I don't want to say too much just yet, for fear of jinxing anything...I think that I may be in store for some Christmas magic (which I desperately need). I think a December trip (like an actual trip, with a hotel stay) is in the cards for me! It just may happen after all! When I know with 100% certainty that it is happening and that I can get into a hotel, I will let you all know. I should know within the next week or week and a half!