Yes, 13 years.
The whole time I was there I kept thinking "How in the world did I let so much time go by?" Oh yeah. It costs $$$. And when you're the only one that's "into it" - you know how that goes.
I will be more conscientious about saving up again and hopefully we'll be back in 2 years.
Sadly, i know exactly what you mean about being the only one who is "into it," and the $$$ aspect, etc. I have not had a 13-year absence from DLR, but seeing that it was such an integral part of my childhood and had basically been a twice yearly tradition for my group of friends and me up until about 1994, you can imagine how empty I felt not being able to go back there until 2000. I was hanging with people who were not "into it," and money became ver tight from 1996 on, so it was not an option. When I got back there for the holidays in 2000 and again in 2001, I couldn't believe I had been away for so long and nearly wept at setting foot back in my favorite place. But that nasty lack of money issue reared its head again, and I did not make it back to DLR until 2007! A six-year absence!
While it was easy to kind of get back into the groove at DL, DCA was a different story. I did not take to DCA on my first trip there in 9/07. It took another trip in 12/07 for me to start enjoying it, and of course, when they added in TSMM - my new favorite ride - DCA moved waaaaaaay up on my list!!! Now, because of TSMM, Monsters Inc. Soarin, Aladdin, the Animation Building, A Bug's Land, etc., I love DCA. But it was weird having been away from all things Disney for so long, only to return to a strange park that I had to grow to love!
I would still always choose a holiday DLR trip - even just a day trip - over going any other time of year, if one trip is my only option. Halloweentime is great, but it just does not compare to Christmastime on any level!
Thanks to everyone sharing their holiday pics and stories!
I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sad that we will miss IASW by two frog-flippin' days!
I was planning to go during "the season" to celebrate my 40th
(12.25.2012)
but DH was intrigued with the photos being posted and agreed to go next year!
Ho-ho-hooray!
Can anyone share about the hotels at Christmas?
Just curious... I know that I always said that if we ever went during the season we would have to be at GC (do or die!) ... but with one walking (DD5)and one on wheels (DS1) next year I have read enough about the hallways that go on and on and on and on that I wonder if it would be a good fit for us next year.
Thanks for sharing, everyone!
Yay! I am so glad for you that you get to go to DLR in 2010 for the holidays!!
Okay, as for the hotels at Christmas (and I am explaining this while trying to remember if I included photos of the GCH carolers and the GCH tree in my first post with photos here on this thread - I think I did!) for me, if I am going to do a 'hotel DLR trip' for the holidays, I want to stay onsite. I could do an offsite trip or even a day trip only during any other time of year, but for the holidays, I would want it to be special and if a hotel is involved, then a DLR hotel it must be!
Last year in December we stayed at the PPH and the year before that we stayed at the GCH, both times were the weekend right before Christmas. Even when I do not stay onsite at the GCH, I will still go and take in the holiday ambience, so you can do that too if you choose to stay elsewhere. Back in 2001 for holiday season, we stayed at the GCH and we had 'one of those rooms' where the walk down the endless, winding corridors was bothersome, but it gave way to a wonderful DTD view and a great vantage point to see the fireworks. I loved that view! During our 2007 December stay, we had a standard view room sort of overlooking the entry to GCH, and we were right near the elevators, so the walk was a breeze and I loved being so close to DTD.
Now, personally - and there are those who disagree - I really find the GCH to be a hotel which lends itself magnificently to the holiday vibe. To me, there is something about those comfy chairs and sofas (so comfy that I could barely hoist myself up and out of them), that very dimly lit lobby, the dark wood and the fireplace/hearth area that is reminiscent of enjoying Christmas in someone's (humongous) living room, OR in a sort of elegant mountain chalet somewhere! I think it is just wonderful - but again, you can enjoy the GCH lobby/Grand Hall area and all that it has to offer at Christmastime - even if you stay elsewhere. The GCH Christmas tree is enormous, but it is not particularly colorful as one would want from a tree, because it has to conform to the sort of rustic ambience and color scheme of the GCH. There is a Santa/PhotoPass opportunity at the GCH by the tree. The piano player entertains guests with ambient Christmas songs. There is a guitar player (who plays when the pianist takes a break) strumming acoustic versions of Christmas favorites by the fire. Carolers show up periodically to do a little 'set' by the tree (on the non-Santa side), where they take requests. I just love sitting in those sleep-inducing chairs and watching the carolers. Other guests were sprawled around on the sofas, beverages in hand, feet up. Everyone seems to be in a very merry mood, and conversation flows freely among strangers. I love to also just sit there and watch the various people from all over the world come to take pictures by the tree. So to me, a holiday trip to DLR would not be complete without a visit to the GCH lobby to soak in the atmosphere. I feel that the only thing that is missing from the holiday feeling at the GCH is snow on the ground outside.
Over at the PPH, the Christmas tree is brighter and more typical of what you would expect of a tree. Santa also appears there every day but is not a PhotoPass opportunity. The carolers come by to sing at PPH as well, but it is not the same warm, comfy set-up as at the GCH, so you can't wuite relax as well. I have not stayed at the DLH during holiday season in probably about 15 years, so I could not give you an updated account on what the decor and vibe is like, but I am sure it does not disappoint. If I recall form whizzing through the lobby en route to Goofy's Kitchen last year, the tree was beautiful.
)! I think that is one area of DL during the holidays where many people forget to look and take pictures - the window displays! Some of them are so fantastic.
It rained one day but we came prepared and still enjoyed our time, however the parks did close early that day. Make sure you check out the decorations in New Orleans Square!
