Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #3!- HOLIDAYS BEGIN 11/12/13!!

[Cheshirecatty]

Sherry--Beautiful pictures!

My favorite is the one of the Castle, taken through the tree branches, which are hung with twinkle lights.

What a lovely and festive perspective!

I am enjoying how sneaky you are at inserting the code word!

 

[Sherry E]

Oh I love these pictures! The castle is my favorite part of the holidays at DL. When I start feeling nostalgic I watch the video of the castle lighting we took - reduces me to tears every time. I'll see if I can get it up to YouTube to share, if that's ok?

And just a clarification - we can reuse pictures? I have some that I already used in the first theme week.

Jamie -

Yes to the YouTube video, and yes to reusing photos. There are probably a lot of photos that can be used for multiple themes in some way or another -- I think that packaging them together in different ways almost makes them seem new! (Also, we have to assume that not everyone who tunes into this thread goes back to the first Theme Week to see what was posted -- they may just pick it up from this point forward, so they will be seeing the photos for the first time.)

Sherry--Beautiful pictures!

My favorite is the one of the Castle, taken through the tree branches, which are hung with twinkle lights.

What a lovely and festive perspective!

I am enjoying how sneaky you are at inserting the code word!

Cheshirecatty --

Yep. It's meant to be sneaky! Corinna mentioned that the first week she had a different idea about it and then figured it out by the second week! Muahahahahaha!

Thank you for the compliment, but I must admit that I took that 'through the trees' photo and then later remembered that Bret/mvf-m11c did a 'through the trees' perspective shot way before I did. At the time I took the photo I was not remembering that. I was just trying to get any kind of halfway decent shot of the Castle when there were a bunch of people in front of me.

After the fact I recalled that Bret got a similar (but much better) photo, so I think I was subconsciously influenced by him! (And I have given him photo ideas too, so I guess it is a fair trade!) So, props go to Bret for the 'through the trees' concept!

I am a big, big believer in giving credit where credit is due. If someone has an interesting photo idea -- something that is a little different from what we normally see -- I want to make sure that people know about it. I have drawn attention to other people's photos on this board for the same reason. It is a pet peeve of mine, for example, if I am lucky enough to come up with something creative and different -- and then someone copies the idea without giving me credit. So if I have seen someone else's great idea and liked it enough to want to replicate it for myself, I will always give that person credit!!

 

[tksbaskets]

2011

hard to follow all the excellent photos that came before my post but here is one I like

Who can look at the Mainstreet vehicles and not smile?

Diggin' the holiday uniforms

One of my favorite shots of DH enjoying a sunny day on Mainstreet

Mainstreet on magic morning before the crack of dawn (felt like it anyway)

2009I liked the Mainstreet vehicles that trip too!

Lovin' theme week Sherry!
TK

 

[pattyduke34]

Here are a few more...

 

[crystal1313]

^Love the Partners statue with SBC behind it! Goregous!

So, I have a question.....we usually go in the beginning of December. My DH just informed me that he has hardly any vacation, but gets the last two weeks off in December no matter what (he works for a college-and school is closed). I know the last two weeks are incredibly crazy...but can anyone tell me how crazy? We have a DS5 and DS4. Tentatively thinking Dec. 21-24. Am I nuts for even thinking about it? (for reference, we go quite often, so it wouldn't be a once in a lifetime trip)

 

[Cheshirecatty]

^Love the Partners statue with SBC behind it! Goregous!

So, I have a question.....we usually go in the beginning of December. My DH just informed me that he has hardly any vacation, but gets the last two weeks off in December no matter what (he works for a college-and school is closed). I know the last two weeks are incredibly crazy...but can anyone tell me how crazy? We have a DS5 and DS4. Tentatively thinking Dec. 21-24. Am I nuts for even thinking about it? (for reference, we go quite often, so it wouldn't be a once in a lifetime trip)

I don't think you're nuts at all!

We'll be there during that very time, again, this year.

Yes, it is very busy, but it can be done in an enjoyable way, if you prepare for it mentally, and have a general plan.

Avoid setting your heart on certain things(just in case they don't happen), and be willing to go with the flow.

Being able to go often, should take the pressure off of you.

Personally, I think it's busier after Christmas, leading up to New Years Eve, than during the week before/of Christmas.

I think you'll love the energy and Christmas Spirit enough(hopefully), that you'll have a wonderful time!

Pack your patience, and a good attitude, and you will have a successful trip!

 

[Sherry E]

TK & pattyduke34 -- Another entry into the random draw for each of you, for submitting the lovely photos!

​

^Love the Partners statue with SBC behind it! Goregous!

So, I have a question.....we usually go in the beginning of December. My DH just informed me that he has hardly any vacation, but gets the last two weeks off in December no matter what (he works for a college-and school is closed). I know the last two weeks are incredibly crazy...but can anyone tell me how crazy? We have a DS5 and DS4. Tentatively thinking Dec. 21-24. Am I nuts for even thinking about it? (for reference, we go quite often, so it wouldn't be a once in a lifetime trip)

crystal1313 --

That sounds like a question for Cheshirecatty!

Also, I don't know if you saw but a while back I posted a link to JediMasterNerd's review of his Christmas week stay last year, as well as a link to Mickey&JoshNut's review of the same time frame. If I recall, they both mentioned the crowd situation. Both of their recap posts are somewhere within the first 3-5 pages of this thread, so they're not hard to find.

I think it will be very crowded because many people are out of work and school on those dates, but half of the battle is being prepared for it (mentally and schedule-wise). If you know what to expect, it probably won't seem as bad.



ETA: Cheshirecatty answered before I even posted -- I knew it was a question for her! Lol.

 

[crystal1313]

Thanks Cheshirecatty! And Sherry, I will check out those links, thank you!

I think I could deal. We've gone every year at Xmas since my DS5 was born (actually, even the year before when I was 8 months pregnant with him) and I'd really miss it and my boys are already asking to see Santa at DL....so I think they would miss it too. We usually go wit the flow of the kids, sometimes riding a lot of attractions, sometimes taking it easy. I just don't want to feel suffocated in the parks. I will mention to DH. Thanks again!!

 

[KCmike]

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks Cheshirecatty! And Sherry, I will check out those links, thank you!

I think I could deal. We've gone every year at Xmas since my DS5 was born (actually, even the year before when I was 8 months pregnant with him) and I'd really miss it and my boys are already asking to see Santa at DL....so I think they would miss it too. We usually go wit the flow of the kids, sometimes riding a lot of attractions, sometimes taking it easy. I just don't want to feel suffocated in the parks. I will mention to DH. Thanks again!!

crystal1313 --

Here are the links:


Two posts from JediMasterNerd, from this thread, in which he details his Christmas trip last year (including crowds and all):

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47018031&postcount=19

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47044215&postcount=31


Here is another post from Mickey&JoshNut, also detailing a Christmas visit last year:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47042102&postcount=28

​

Gorgeous photos, Mike! (And another entry into the random draw.)

What is the pink effect used on that 3rd photo down from the top? That's so different and interesting!

​

 

[ksromack]

And now you have gotten to the entire reason for our trip........ to see the OTHER castle decked out in lights!
Gorgeous photos Sherry!

I concur! Great photos by all who have contributed. I think we are very fortunate to have so many good photographers in this group. I'll be excited to see the castle lighting on video.....i must say my eyes got all misty last December at the lighting ceremony at MK.

Here are a few more...

How in the world did you get a picture with almost no one in the way? This will be my quest as well

 

[pudinhd]

I only have 2 for this week... I can't wait to see what the future themes are!!

 

[tksbaskets]

^Love the Partners statue with SBC behind it! Goregous!

So, I have a question.....we usually go in the beginning of December. My DH just informed me that he has hardly any vacation, but gets the last two weeks off in December no matter what (he works for a college-and school is closed). I know the last two weeks are incredibly crazy...but can anyone tell me how crazy? We have a DS5 and DS4. Tentatively thinking Dec. 21-24. Am I nuts for even thinking about it? (for reference, we go quite often, so it wouldn't be a once in a lifetime trip)

I don't think you're nuts at all!

We'll be there during that very time, again, this year.

Yes, it is very busy, but it can be done in an enjoyable way, if you prepare for it mentally, and have a general plan.

Avoid setting your heart on certain things(just in case they don't happen), and be willing to go with the flow.

Being able to go often, should take the pressure off of you.

Personally, I think it's busier after Christmas, leading up to New Years Eve, than during the week before/of Christmas.

I think you'll love the energy and Christmas Spirit enough(hopefully), that you'll have a wonderful time!

Pack your patience, and a good attitude, and you will have a successful trip!

We've gone between Christmas and New Years every year (alternating WDW and DL) since 2006. Crazy + Fun = you got it~ With the right attitude it is a magical time. Hey, it's vacation in the happiest place on earth.

If you want low crowds and no lines it's not the time to go.

 

[KCmike]

crystal1313 --

Gorgeous photos, Mike! (And another entry into the random draw.)

What is the pink effect used on that 3rd photo down from the top? That's so different and interesting!

​

It is actually balloon strings. I zoomed in so tight on the castle that I decided to leave it in the shot to get a different feel. Thanks for asking.

Great photos everyone!

 

[PHXscuba]

It is actually balloon strings. I zoomed in so tight on the castle that I decided to leave it in the shot to get a different feel. Thanks for asking.

Great photos everyone!

Also adding that I thought that photo was awesome too.

I'll post mine tomorrow ... gotta spread it out a bit.

PHXscuba

 

[Tink121212]

Spending another Holiday in the parks and cannot wait! Here is one of my favorites from 2010.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm loving that shot too Mike! And the b/w ones as well!

What a great collection of photos!

 

[pattyduke34]

ksromack
we were there at rope drop...the rope was right there at the end of main street, we got right up front with a huge crowd behind us....

 

[KCmike]

Also adding that I thought that photo was awesome too.

I'll post mine tomorrow ... gotta spread it out a bit.

PHXscuba

Thanks! Can't wait to see what you've got.

This theme is where I have the most pics to share but I don't want to over do it. I am so excited to shoot this Christmas. The photos I do have were from back in 2010 and I feel like I can do much better this year. Oh the pressure.

I'm loving that shot too Mike! And the b/w ones as well!

What a great collection of photos!

Thanks Janet. How does your son like Rolla? Emily is really enjoying Park! So excited to see what photos you come back with from Disneyland. Have you started a pre-trip report or will you piggy back off your other report from WDW?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thank you for the compliment, but I must admit that I took that 'through the trees' photo and then later remembered that Bret/mvf-m11c did a 'through the trees' perspective shot way before I did. At the time I took the photo I was not remembering that. I was just trying to get any kind of halfway decent shot of the Castle when there were a bunch of people in front of me.

After the fact I recalled that Bret got a similar (but much better) photo, so I think I was subconsciously influenced by him! (And I have given him photo ideas too, so I guess it is a fair trade!) So, props go to Bret for the 'through the trees' concept!

I remember those pictures with the trees in the shot of SB Winter Castle. You did mention that to me before my Disney trip in 2010 where I got some pictures of SB Winter Castle with the trees. It did make it very interesting to see the castle from a different angle and the trees in the shot. You were the one that gave me the tip of getting a picture of SB Winter Castle through the trees. Maybe this trip, I will be able to get some pictures of SB Winter Castle with the trees.

Thank you Sherry and I do give you a lot of the credit for giving me the tip of getting the pictures of SB Winter Castle with the trees in the picture.

Here are some of the pictures from 2010 with the trees in the picture.