disney at christmas

[Mexikolla]

We're back from our Holiday! It was a fab time The kids had fun running all around both parks with my husband while the infant and I took it easy, enjoyed the people watching, decorations, shopping and of course the TREATS! We drove our RV up from San Diego this trip (instead of staying in a hotel like we usually do) and let me just say... that is the way to go! Not only does our annual pass parking ($99 for the year) cover the RV, but we get to park in the Pinocchio parking lot, the one RIGHT near the tram at Mickey and Friends parking, but we also have a great afternoon rest & recharge spot right there! We are already talking about heading back for another go

Here are some of the pictures I took. There aren't as many as I would have liked due to the fact that I had a dead camera battery the first day, thankfully at the Photoshop on Main Street they offer a charging service, (FOR FREE) so I was only with out a camera for a few hours.

First the Treats!

Gingerbread Beignets at Cafe Orleans

Holiday Cupcake... Decadent Chocolate Cupcake with a kiss of mint throughout We split this cupcake between all of us (three kids and two grown ups) and it was just enough for such a rich treat. It was $4.95 at the bakery inside the train at California Adventure.

Finally the one I waited all week for and finally got it on our last night. I bought it in California Adventure at the bake shop (train). It was only $5.99 and you got this super cute Mickey Mug, I was tempted to get more than one but I refrained. It is actually a chocolate mint pudding and not a cake like I was expecting and the glitter on the top was a bit unnerving to my DS that was worried it wasn't edible. The Holiday Demitasse Dessert

 

[Mexikolla]

Main Street

Frontier Land

Critter Country

New Orleans Square (near the Pirates exit)

Another couple from Main Street

 

[mvf-m11c]

I can't, either, Bret! And I can't believe that your big WDW adventure is fast approaching! Where does the time go? Yikes! It will be Christmas 2011 before we know it!

I keep checking Accuweather, which changes every day! It has been in the 50's and 60's in SoCal for the last couple of weeks. So now it appears as though it is going to jump to the 70's and 80's for my trip! Arrrggghhh.... Even though I know that 80 degrees in December feels different than 80 degrees in Summer feels (not as harsh in December, thankfully), still...I have been loving the 50's and 60's and was looking forward to those temps when I go! Why am I the one who suddenly gets the warm temperatures? I don't want them, but other people do! Let the other people have the warm temps and give me the COLD! I would be thrilled if it were 40 degrees all day long!

The other thing Accuweather had been saying was that it was going to rain on at least one day of my trip (the last day). I didn't want to have to schlep along an umbrella or rain gear (I already pack enough as it is), so I am happy that the rain seems to now be non-existent on my days. Then again, seeing how rapidly Accuweather is changing its forecasts, I wouldn't be surprised if, in a few days, it reports that all of my days will be rainy!!

I can't believe we were talking about your one day trip to DL in November and my trip last month and all of a sudden we are only less than a week until your trip to DL and my trip to WDW. Times goes by really fast during the Holiday season.

I always like it in the 60s during December when I go to DL. Even though it is cold, but I like the feeling of the cold weather during the Holiday season at DL. Just like you in SoCal, we been in the 50s and 60s up here. I'm hoping that I don't have to use my umbrella or poncho during my trip. Right now it looks good during my trip except for Sunday which is raining and that is during my MVMCP. I'm hoping that it won't rain that much that day. These weather updates are always changing everyday so keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Mexikolla]

Golden Gate Bridge

On the train at Main Street

New Orleans Square

Grand Californian

Downtown Disney

 

[Mexikolla]

 

[Janell]

Thank you all for posting photos and information. All very helpful and a joy to read. Its nice to see all the things that DLR has to offer. Because it gives you something to look for when you are there. Many times I have been over whelmed with everything DLR has to offer that you miss some fun things you didn't even know where there.

Thank you all for sharing.

 

[Funball]

..HI EVERYONE!!

just checking this awesome thread.... however i am deeply sad with myself that i have no camera to partake in some photos, i have my cell camera and it's ok quality but it ain't my awesome nikon! anyhow..anamax, your photos are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love, love, love the tree in PPH!! I just love blue lights, blue ornaments and glitter ornaments, and you must of known and that is why you took them right..?!? ... anyhow i am planning on going to the park today, I hope to see santa and maybe stand near him(to old to sit on santas lap according to my mom). ..ok also what is a demitasse dessert? to me it looks like a cupcake?

 

[Funball]

Thank you all for posting photos and information. All very helpful and a joy to read. Its nice to see all the things that DLR has to offer. Because it gives you something to look for when you are there. Many times I have been over whelmed with everything DLR has to offer that you miss some fun things you didn't even know where there.

Thank you all for sharing.

omg yes u said it. its overwhelming!!! this thread i mean. but when your not at the park and you have a thread like this it makes you feel like your there!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, where was this, amamax2? This just might be my favorite thing ever! I love anything made out of cookies or candy - or made to look as if it was made out of sweets!

Beautiful! There is no such things as TOO many pictures!

Can't wait to share some of my own....wait, that means my trip would be over. Nah, I can wait!

I agree, Halloweenqueen! No such thing as too many pictures!! The photos make the thread very happy and colorful and lively. (It just so happens that we have some awesome information sprinkled in between the photos, too!) Even though I know that posting photos will mean your trip is over (which is always a sad feeling), I can't wait to see your contributions, too, Halloweenqueen!!

In fact, I am SO very delighted and happy with the waves of photos we have been getting from people in this thread recently (Bret, Liza, Flitterific and Sara and MattsPrincess, just to name a few), and I notice that the more photos people post, the more it seems to inspire others to post their contributions as well. Seeing all of these fabulous pictures today from amamax2, lapdwife and Mexikolla is making me soooo excited to get back to DLR next week! I cannot wait!!

We're back from our Holiday! It was a fab time The kids had fun running all around both parks with my husband while the infant and I took it easy, enjoyed the people watching, decorations, shopping and of course the TREATS! We drove our RV up from San Diego this trip (instead of staying in a hotel like we usually do) and let me just say... that is the way to go! Not only does our annual pass parking ($99 for the year) cover the RV, but we get to park in the Pinocchio parking lot, the one RIGHT near the tram at Mickey and Friends parking, but we also have a great afternoon rest & recharge spot right there! We are already talking about heading back for another go

Here are some of the pictures I took. There aren't as many as I would have liked due to the fact that I had a dead camera battery the first day, thankfully at the Photoshop on Main Street they offer a charging service, (FOR FREE) so I was only with out a camera for a few hours.

First the Treats!

Gingerbread Beignets at Cafe Orleans

Holiday Cupcake... Decadent Chocolate Cupcake with a kiss of mint throughout We split this cupcake between all of us (three kids and two grown ups) and it was just enough for such a rich treat. It was $4.95 at the bakery inside the train at California Adventure.

Finally the one I waited all week for and finally got it on our last night. I bought it in California Adventure at the bake shop (train). It was only $5.99 and you got this super cute Mickey Mug, I was tempted to get more than one but I refrained. It is actually a chocolate mint pudding and not a cake like I was expecting and the glitter on the top was a bit unnerving to my DS that was worried it wasn't edible. The Holiday Demitasse Dessert

Mexikolla! I'm thrilled to hear that you had a great time! I'm even more thrilled to see your pictures. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Also, that's great to know that the photo shop on Main Street will charge a battery if necessary. I may need that service at some point.

We didn't realize that the demitasse recipe had changed until Goofy_Mom reported back about it. It used to be a cake with peppermint sauce drizzled over it, whipped cream and sprinkles. But they have now changed it to a mousse thing, like what you described. Did you like it? Was it yummy?

After seeing your treats photos, I am now super hungry and craving cupcakes!!

I can't believe we were talking about your one day trip to DL in November and my trip last month and all of a sudden we are only less than a week until your trip to DL and my trip to WDW. Times goes by really fast during the Holiday season.

I always like it in the 60s during December when I go to DL. Even though it is cold, but I like the feeling of the cold weather during the Holiday season at DL. Just like you in SoCal, we been in the 50s and 60s up here. I'm hoping that I don't have to use my umbrella or poncho during my trip. Right now it looks good during my trip except for Sunday which is raining and that is during my MVMCP. I'm hoping that it won't rain that much that day. These weather updates are always changing everyday so keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm crossing my fingers that you don't have any rain on your trip, Bret! I know you leave in a few days for WDW - how long are you staying again? I've forgotten. How many days?

Golden Gate Bridge

On the train at Main Street

New Orleans Square

Grand Californian

Downtown Disney

Just gorgeous, Mexikolla! I love the perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge in those photos!

 

[Funball]

allright.. thanks mexikolla..i am now getting dressed to get to disneyland!!

thanks sherry for mentioning my name as one of the contributers!!

Have a awesome disney day guys!! when i get home i will post what ever photos i have taken with my cell camera!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm crossing my fingers that you don't have any rain on your trip, Bret! I know you leave in a few days for WDW - how long are you staying again? I've forgotten. How many days?

I'm hoping for the same thing.

I'm leaving this Friday Dec 10. I will be there until Dec 17. I will be there for 8 days in Orlando and I was planning on being in the parks for 6 days. We will leave Sac at 6am to LAX and leave LAX to Orlando at 8. We should be there around 4pm eastern time. If my DA and I get there early and check-in at our hotel around 6pm, I might go to the MK that night and use my Premier pass.

 

[amamax2]

Mexikolla:

Fabulous, fabulous pictures!!! Love them all and your perspectives - and what a great idea to take a series of lamp post pictures! Oh Sherry...I think we have another Quest going!


Sara: Thanks so much! I know, I CANNOT believe your camera is dead at this most critical time - we NEED your gorgeous pictures. Any word on when it will be fixed? And of course I took all the blue pictures just for you.

Bret: Have a fantastic time at WDW!!! We went in Fall 2009 and had such a good time - so many things to take pictures of, lol. And six days in the parks is a good amount, though it is never enough. Can't wait to see your pictures and read your TR!

 

[amamax2]

Okay, where was this, amamax2? This just might be my favorite thing ever! I love anything made out of cookies or candy - or made to look as if it was made out of sweets!

This was taken in one of the windows...I want to say of that coffee place beside the fruit cart about half way down Main Street, right-hand side....where you go in for the lockers. It was the window closest to the lockers of that building.

One of my favorite things about DL is all the amazing details each season...all the gorgeous window displays just filled with unique and special items..I wish I could but many of them, lol. And it is one of the best things about having an AP; I can take the time to really look, versus someone who only gets to visit for a few days every couple of year who, understandably, wants to spend most of them time doing things.

 

[JH87]

Mexikolla i LOVE your photos! What kind of camera do you use?

 

[Mexikolla]

Thank you so much for the compliments on the photos, it was my pleasure knowing that you all would be jazzed to see them posted.

Mexikolla! I'm thrilled to hear that you had a great time! I'm even more thrilled to see your pictures. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Also, that's great to know that the photo shop on Main Street will charge a battery if necessary. I may need that service at some point.

We didn't realize that the demitasse recipe had changed until Goofy_Mom reported back about it. It used to be a cake with peppermint sauce drizzled over it, whipped cream and sprinkles. But they have now changed it to a mousse thing, like what you described. Did you like it? Was it yummy?

After seeing your treats photos, I am now super hungry and craving cupcakes!!

Just gorgeous, Mexikolla! I love the perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge in those photos!

I loved the all the treats... Food at DLR is one of my top reasons for going I ADORE the gumbo, and have made it at home several times. The Demitasse {name comes from the French for "half cup"} (wiki) Was DIVINE! It was an ice cold, super thick Chocolate Mint Pudding. The only complaint I have is that it wasn't bigger

allright.. thanks mexikolla..i am now getting dressed to get to disneyland!!

Your welcome? Happy to help, lol!

Mexikolla:
Fabulous, fabulous pictures!!! Love them all and your perspectives - and what a great idea to take a series of lamp post pictures! Oh Sherry...I think we have another Quest going!

Wow, thank you so much. That means a lot coming from you! You have some truly amazing photos floating around on this thread

Mexikolla i LOVE your photos! What kind of camera do you use?

Thank you so much! Its an old Canon Rebel EOS 350D. The photos were taken with either a 55-250mm lens or the standard 18-55mm lens. With only existing light, (no flash, I hate flash )

 

[tdashgirl]

lovely photos everyone!!! I am so far behind I can't comment on them individually, sorry But I did want to let all the contributors know that they are noticed and *greatly* appreciated!

 

[Sherry E]

allright.. thanks mexikolla..i am now getting dressed to get to disneyland!!

thanks sherry for mentioning my name as one of the contributers!!

Have a awesome disney day guys!! when i get home i will post what ever photos i have taken with my cell camera!

Of course I would mention you, Sara! You have been an excellent contributor to this thread, and that doesn't go unnoticed or forgotten! I'm sorry you had the setback with the camera. I can see why you would want that specific camera again (not a different model) - it takes really great photos. I hope the repair people are able to get it working for you soon.

I'm hoping for the same thing.

I'm leaving this Friday Dec 10. I will be there until Dec 17. I will be there for 8 days in Orlando and I was planning on being in the parks for 6 days. We will leave Sac at 6am to LAX and leave LAX to Orlando at 8. We should be there around 4pm eastern time. If my DA and I get there early and check-in at our hotel around 6pm, I might go to the MK that night and use my Premier pass.

Well, Bret, I hope you have an amazing time at WDW. Really, as we've discussed before, there is soooooooo much to get photos of at WDW. Judging by how thorough you've been with getting all sorts of photos at DLR, I can only imagine what you will come back with after the WDW trip. And I can't wait to see it all!

Mexikolla:

Fabulous, fabulous pictures!!! Love them all and your perspectives - and what a great idea to take a series of lamp post pictures! Oh Sherry...I think we have another Quest going!

amamax2 - You know, Deejdigsdis (who has appeared in both this thread and the Halloween thread with some fantastic photos) has been all over the lamps and light fixtures at DLR. She has done an incredible job at getting many of them on camera (photos are in her TR). If she were to head back to DLR for the holidays, I know she would be leading the pack with the lamps!! That sounds like her kind of Quest! Lamp Quest!!

This was taken in one of the windows...I want to say of that coffee place beside the fruit cart about half way down Main Street, right-hand side....where you go in for the lockers. It was the window closest to the lockers of that building.

One of my favorite things about DL is all the amazing details each season...all the gorgeous window displays just filled with unique and special items..I wish I could but many of them, lol. And it is one of the best things about having an AP; I can take the time to really look, versus someone who only gets to visit for a few days every couple of year who, understandably, wants to spend most of them time doing things.

I agree - the window displays are amazing. Ever since I was little and just discovering Disneyland, I remember looking in the windows at the various animated scenes. That was always a big highlight for me - seeing which windows had 'moving' character displays. So even though I can't say that I have always looked in the windows on every trip (in fact, often times it is too crowded to stop and look in the windows, or I just don't allocate enough time to do it), I always know that there are special treasures to be found in them. The details are just incredible.

I must say that the last few windows I did look in on any DLR trip did not have anything that was really exciting. I think I picked the wrong windows!! But in all of the photos I have seen posted in this thread as well as in the Halloween thread, I see that it's necessary to look at all of them - even the ones that might be slightly out of the way, like this candy house that you posted. You never know what might lurk around a hidden corner. And if any place is going to have interesting window displays, it's going to be Disneyland!! Woo hoo! Window Quest!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you so much for the compliments on the photos, it was my pleasure knowing that you all would be jazzed to see them posted.

I loved the all the treats... Food at DLR is one of my top reasons for going I ADORE the gumbo, and have made it at home several times. The Demitasse {name comes from the French for "half cup"} (wiki) Was DIVINE! It was an ice cold, super thick Chocolate Mint Pudding. The only complaint I have is that it wasn't bigger


Thank you so much! Its an old Canon Rebel EOS 350D. The photos were taken with either a 55-250mm lens or the standard 18-55mm lens. With only existing light, (no flash, I hate flash )

You were right - you knew we'd be jazzed to see new photos, and that is the truth! We do love us some pictures in this thread, don't we? It just so happened that this thread turned out to be a good blend of pictures and information, so it works on a few different levels!!

What I'm happy about is that I'm seeing all these wonderful photos from everyone, knowing that I'm about to go back to DLR next weekend and do some ofmy own damage with the camera. However, if I were seeing all of these pictures and I had no trips on the agenda at all, I might be really sad!

You know, you're not the first person to mention taking some excellent pictures with an old Canon Rebel, now that I think of it. Another one of our DIS'ers, barefootmomma (Laura) took some awesome shots during Halloween Time with her old Canon Rebel too. The more and more I see, I realize that 'newer' and 'niftier' is not always better. Sometimes it is better, but sometimes the older, reliable cameras take better shots than what's out nowadays.

Oh, and, of course - treats have to be a big reason to enjoy Disneyland. I'll admit - I've been tempted to head to the store and pick up some peppermint ice cream while I know it's available for the season. I love me some peppermint ice cream. BUT...I'm going to wait to eat that until I get to DLR, because it's more fun to eat it at DLR. I'm sure I could head up to the bake shops or sweet shops near me and get some holiday treats. I am craving cupcakes big time. BUT...it's more fun to get them at DLR, so I am waiting, patiently, until next weekend. Heck, I don't even drink soda or put cream in my coffee until I get to DLR!! When I'm at DLR, all treat restrictions are off! That's where I can head to Goofy's and load up my plate at the buffet two or three times. I can eat 4 times the amount of food I would normally eat for breakfast! That's where I can eat peppermint ice cream and gingerbread men with ears - all in the same day. The only thing I'm not waiting to do at DLR is drink cocoa - but that's because it's been darn cold around here lately!!

If you can't enjoy treats at Disneyland, where can you enjoy them?

 

[Sherry E]

By the way, I should mention that Mariezp recently returned from her 2+ week trip to DLR (I was able to meet her on 11/13). In that long of a trip, there must be tons of photos to share. I know Marie is still getting settled and back to normal after the trip, but hopefully she will share some of her photos with us when she has time.

So, Marieeeeeee....if you are reading this, we want to see all 2+ weeks worth of photos!

 

[Ariel224]