Yes, I totally agree. I also told myself to not watch all the specials this weekend but I have watched some and always find myself crying. I lost my very close, dear cousin, KIA in Iraq, and I tend to link the two events together. It never gets any easier. Which is why I try to keep busy, and these boards are helping me out with that!
Thanks a million for helping me out, I really do appreciate it! You're completely right about the lines getting longer after opening. I didn't really factor that in before, great point!
Getting a locker would probably be best no matter what we end up buying, it'll be good to store snacks, water, and other essentials. That's great to know about the newsstand holding purchases, that will help out if we can't stuff something in a locker
Well I am definitely looking forward to the countdown, and being glued to this thread and the whole forum! Again, thank you
socal wifey -
I can imagine that whenever 9/11 rolls around, it's painful enough to remember that day on its own...but then to have it remind you of your cousin in Iraq on top of that is just too much to bear!
This forum is a great place to come and escape!
You're welcome - I don't know if I helped much in suggesting that shopping in the morning could be a bad idea, but it was the first scenario that came to my mind. Even though you won't be planning on hitting all of the rides in the park(s), it would be good to get to the ones you do like before the lines get too hideous, and I think morning would probably be best for that.
Although, if, for whatever reason, it ends up being too crowded in the parks mid-day, maybe you can use that time to do some shopping wherever you are at that moment!
I think the locker might be the best all-purpose idea for holding your personal items as well as possible purchases (the Newsstand will only hold purchases, not personal things like jackets, etc.), but at least you have a couple of options.
Sherry, I totally understand. DH is a firefighter and we have been watching and talking a ton about 9/11. We always do. I cry every year. As our children have gotten older, we've become a little descript with the details of DH's job, and they are understandng their father is an everyday hero. 9/11 was so monumental.
I was thinking about how many themes you could come up with.
I won't guess but I'm excited.
Jenny -
I did enjoy re-watching the "Concert for New York" yesterday. Even though the actual 9/11 footage and coverage is hard to watch, the concert is one uplifting, positive thing to come out of such a horrible day.
Your husband is definitely an everyday hero! That's not a job for just anyone - you have to be a special type of person to do that!
I have about 9 more themes (and theme weeks) to come. They are pretty much all lined up (and as I said, some weeks will kind of be a 2-for-1 theme), so unless I suddenly think of a better theme to replace one of the ones I have planned, all I have to do is post the Monday countdown and some of my own photos to get the theme rolling, and it should be smooth sailing.
It takes a while to get it all together because I write up the little descriptions and intros to the themes/photos (meaning I don't copy and paste - plagiarize - the text from any other source), and sometimes I am in the middle of typing out what I want to convey....and then swiftly get writer's block!
So I may have the photos chosen to kick off a theme week well in advance, but nothing gets rolling until I get my intro finished!
Thanks for the info!! I'll try and force the fam to go on HM and IASW!! I've been looking at all the photos and getting even more excited!! Can't wait till the next photo theme!
I do have a couple more questions though ( I told you I'll be coming up with more
) is the Santa line long?? If so, which is the least crowded. Like I said, I have two teens so I dont want to intrude on the little ones. Also does anyone know if they are going to still have the Phineas and Ferb parade during holiday season. I checked DCAs calendar but it won't allow me past Oct. Hoping one of you are in the know!!
2prettyprincesses -
I
think the exteriors/facades of HMH and IASW Holiday alone will intrigue your family enough to make them want to at least try them. Both attractions are very eye-catching in person, especially IASW Holiday at night. They may only be willing to go on each ride one time, but at least you'll get to do it once!
Keep the questions coming! We love 'em!
The Phineas and Ferb thing is totally new, so I'm not sure how it's going to be handled when the holiday season starts. I'm sure it will probably still be running in some capacity.
If you are at
Disneyland Resort past Thanksgiving, you will find Santa in 5 places. So if the line is super long in one place, you can maybe try a different location and get a shorter line.
As jacs1234 mentioned, one Santa is in California Adventure, in the Paradise Pier area.
Another Santa is at the Reindeer Round-Up in Disneyland, and I have seen long lines for that one.
The other 3 Santa photos spots are at the 3 Disney hotels. Santa appears in the Grand Californian Hotel lobby by the huge Christmas tree every evening, like somewhere between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.-ish (that may not be the exact time frame, but it's around then). The GCH lobby is a great place to go to enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
The Santa at the Paradise Pier Hotel (they have a really cool tree that glows in blue-green lights) usually appears in the morning, and I have rarely seen more than one or two people waiting for him! In fact, the Paradise Pier Hotel Santa might be your best bet for a short wait!
The Santa at the Disneyland Hotel seems to appear in the late afternoon. His photo set-up is a bit more detailed and elaborate, but the one at the GCH is more elegant.
Sherry E - Your photos are lovely!
I want to eat the cake and buy the Ghosts.
kaffinito -
Thank you so much for the nice compliment!
I really appreciate it. I know what you mean - some of those window display goodies and souvenirs look so enticing! I want to buy the 2 candy houses but they are not for sale!
I just found this thread, and haven't had time to read it all. Wanted to throw in a couple of Main St. photos before the theme changes.
We're planning on going Mon.-Wed. before Thanksgiving.
Hope shots of the castle from Main St. aren't considered "cheating." Can't wait to go back and read everyone else's plans.
dwheatl -
I'm very glad you've joined us here! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos - and no, it's not cheating to post the Castle photos if you want to post them!
The theme weeks are only something to kind of keep us all excited to countdown to the season and to share details around the parks, but you are welcome and encouraged to share any other photos you have at any time!
I went last year for Christmas and had the most wonderful time! It was only the second time I had been to Disneyland, the first time being over 13 years ago. Now I've got another Christmas trip planned for November 17-19 at the Paradise Pier and I can't wait!
I was so excited last year, I didn't take many pictures. But I love looking through these ones.
Scribble Kitty -
I am so glad you've joined us too! I'm excited that so many new people (not new to the DIS, but new to this thread) are now hopping aboard the Superthread!
So you went to DLR for the holidays last year and fell in love with it? I assume so, since you've got the November trip coming up this year! It is hard to visit DLR during the holiday season and not want to go again the next year, and the year after that, and the year after that! It is addictive!
I love the Paradise Pier! I don't think they will have their beautiful tree up by the time you get there (it doesn't go up until Thanksgiving, I think), unfortunately, but I actually like the PPH tree better than the trees at the Disneyland Hotel. It glows in blue and green - not the typical red/green color scheme.
Finally it's NOS this time. Just like you said Sherry that NOS Holiday decorations was toned down a little bit last year due to the light canopies. I hope NOS will get its light canopies back up. But its highly likely it will be the same like last year. For the people who don't know about NOS light canopies in the past, it had strings of lights across the alley and it was bright. Last year, they didn't add them and made it more a little bit darker.
Bret -
I thought of you when I decided to go with the NOS theme for this week. I figured that even if, for some reason, no one had any other photos to share from NOS, I knew that
you had some! So we would all at least get to enjoy your wonderful pictures for the week, even if no one else came up with anything!
I'm a big fan of your photos, as you know, and I was also a big fan of that missing light canopy! Oh, how I miss it - it added so much light and atmosphere to the area! I wish DLR would bring it back but I don't think they ever will. Really, if they brought back the light canopy I don't think it would clash with the masks and all that - if anything, it would just make NOS glow even brighter!
I've got 9 more themes to come in the weeks leading up to 11/14, so stay tuned and keep those photos handy!
Elk Grove Chris -
Your photos are absolutely stunning! The Main Street, etc., pictures you shared last week were great, of course, but these New Orleans Square photos are truly special. The mask photos, in particular, have so much depth. The composition is just fantastic!
I look forward to whatever else you share in this thread for the upcoming theme weeks!
Holiday Season Begins at 
the NOS Christmas photos. I decorate at home with vivid (usually non-traditional) Christmas colors, so that's why I love NOS decorated for Christmas. I really love the lighted swags above the street and the swags on the balconies. I never really noticed *all* of the different masks. Those will definitely be on the "take photo list"! I may have some pics to add, I know I have a great shot of the decorated entrance to "Le Baton Rouge". I will have to post them tonight.
Thank you so much!
They're just lovely, and it further reminds me of the long lost light canopy that disappeared from NOS as of last year.
Even though NOS is still beautiful, it's slightly different than it used to be. It just doesn't 'glow' as much at night as it used to when the light canopies were in place.
I am so glad you've joined us here, and I am so glad you have your very first DLR holiday trip in the works!
