Sherry, this is what I mentioned in my post in the thread discussing If they decide to do Christmas parties at an extra fee. Everytime you turn around, everwhere you go, packages are getting smaller, prices are getting higher, in a much more drastic way than years ago!! Everyone is trying to get away with this now, including things like booking a holiday at an advertised price.... lot's of them are now 5 days where they used to be 7. Do they actually beleive people don't notice...or I guess they just don't care, they will keep pushing it until the profit margin starts to slip. It's the same at my local bakery, I've been shopping there since I was a child shopping with my mum...I've been married for 30 years now so that's a lot of shopping. the special little cakes we used to get for Valentines day were seriously about 1/3rd the size and a good 3 times the price. We quit buying them a couple of years ago. My dad used to say the biggest thing that would put a business out of business was greed. Now though, they can just claim bankruptsy, not pay the bills, and go somewhere else and start again. Ok, this is seriously
just wanted to agree with you really.... and about how to eat the soft gingerbread cookies too.....yummo! I sure hope they have the old kind there when we hit the park in 6 days!!
smiley_face2 - I totally know what you mean. It is happening everywhere, in all categories - the 'product' gets smaller and the prices go up. Another DIS'er just mentioned in a separate thread that Critter Country's holiday lights have been slightly downsized over time too, when, in the past, they were more decorative and colorful for Christmas. Between the huge difference in the NOS decor - which was really so unique to that area, as well as being so ornate - and the downsizing of the gingerbread cookie with ears, and the scaling back on the Critter Country decor over the last couple of years, I am beginning to think that there are probably
many little things all over DLR that have been cut back a bit. They probably don't think anyone will notice, and, in fact, it may not be enough to notice in every case - though I think NOS is
very obvious. If they're just minor changes here and there, it won't be enough to put a dent in the entire holiday feeling, but those of us who have done many holiday trips to DLR in the past will notice that things are missing.
I even noticed a flower bed near Partners that didn't have any holiday colors in it. It looked Easter-ish, if anything, and not Christmasy. It seems like, in the past, that sort of thing would have been changed to reflect the season.
I don't know if this is all an issue of cost - like doing more to make the season festive requires more people and more $$$ - but I hope it doesn't continue.
It says a lot about how wonderful the holidays at DLR are when they can remove or change little things here and there and make drastic changes to NOS, and yet, still, it's the most magical place to be for Christmas!!
3 more sleeps until we are getting onto an airplane for our
Disneyland Christmas trip
It was this reading this thread when it started last year that has made us fork out the $$$$$$ for a Christmas trip. So thanks to everyone that has contributed and thanks especially to Sherry for keeping it going - it has inspired people far and wide to have a Disney Christmas
xxx
Awwww....thank you for the kind words, aussiegirls!!
And thank you for sticking with us this long!! I remember when you said long, long ago that you were ready to hop on a plane and fly halfway around the world to go to DLR! And that was when this thread was in its earlier stages. Look how far it's come! This thread is enough to get anyone in the mood for a DLR holiday visit. I really do think we all have helped (enabled) trigger many holiday trips for people who were maybe thinking of heading to DLR at other times of the year (summer or Halloween or something). They've been swayed over to the holiday side of things!
Thankfully, based on the reports we are hearing from the folks who have now made those trips and are returning home, it sounds like everyone has had a great time and their trips were well worth it. I think this is one case where the end result has lived up to the 'hype,' as it were, which is not the case with so many things.
Really, all the elements are there at DLR to have a magical time. The peppermint, etc., goodies are there, the colorful, clever merchandise is there, the aromas and lights and holiday music are there. Santa is there. Carolers are strolling about. 'Snow' falling on Main Street. IASW Holiday. The Winter Castle. What's NOT to love?
Thanks for the photos of NOS Bret! This is my first holiday going and that is a major let down seeing this year compared to last year. Bummer wonder why
It is a big bummer!
Wow, I'm really bummed about the difference in NOS. I've never been to DLR during the holidays, and that's one of the things I was most looking forward to!
Let's hope DLR comes to its senses and restores the original NOS decorations next year. I can't see them adding anything else this year - I think they are done with the decorating all over the park. But maybe next year they will put the stuff back.
The decorations were AMAZING!!!
billwendy - I'm sooooo glad to see you had a wonderful time. Thanks you for sharing your amazing photos. I love that peppermint ice cream!!!
I know you were debating for a while on which days to be in the parks or how many days to be in the parks - are you happy with your final decision? Do you feel you had enough time at DLR? Too much time in the parks? I'm glad that everything seems to have worked out well. Did you end up visiting the Studios in Burbank or any other places? I know that was also on your list of 'maybes.'
Now is the time to post more pics for the Tree and Wreath Quest
Tree from Pooh's Corner at Critter Country
Tree from Pooh's Corner at Critter Country
Tree by Santas Reindeer Round-Up
Wreaths from Toon Town
Minnie's Christmas Tree in Toon Town
Mickey's Christmas Tree in Toon Town
Donald's Wreath in Toon Town
Goofy's Wreath on his house in Toon Town
Woo hoo!!
Bret is blazing a trail, kicking butt and taking names on Wreath Quest and Tree Quest!!!
Those are awesome photos, as always!!
)
They're beautiful ~ thanks for sharing, I'm so excited for our upcoming visit!!
I will get pix of what I eat ... hopefully before I dig in. And you better believe I am going to eat my way through the parks!!
