I know Sherry. I can't believe it's so close. We leave 2 weeks from Wednesday. And now of course I'd sort of like for time to slow down. I know that once it gets here, it's just a short time before it's over.
I'll PM you my phone number so you can text me while you are there to see if we can meet up.
I LOVE the photos you added today. Katie was just as smitten as I was with that tiny gingerbread cone town. Where exactly is that? I'm going to have some fun photographing that one. I told Katie to expect me to want to spend some time just gazing at it.
Janet -
I got the PM. I haven't had a chance to reply yet, but I got it!
The mini-cone holiday display is in the "office" at the Cozy Cone Motel. When you go to Cars Land and arrive at the Cozy Cone you will see Mater's PhotoPass spot next to a little office. The gingerbread display is closer to the other side of the office (not Mater's side, in other words). It's closer to the actual food stands (Popcone, etc.). The office stays locked so you cannot go inside, but be sure to peer through the glass and look at all of the amazing details inside, one of which is the mini-gingerbread cone town on a table. Whoever set it up this year moved it closer to the window where most people would be looking at it so it is easier to see the details.
Thanks! I think I saw them in a photo someone posted, but I'm guessing that was from a prior year.
Janet --
I think I'm the someone who posted the photo of the red ears during our Treats and Treasures theme week. I posted it because I know that ears like that (albeit a different color) are sold each year, and it gives people an idea of what to look for in types of merchandise.
The Christmas elves where hard at work last night GCH has it's Christmas tree and garland all around HoHoHo
The World of Color was great last night at the end of they release giant snow flakes the size of big balloons. Me and my son had on our glow with show ears so they took us with my DH to special seating area that was very roomy
laurasvwee --
Yay! I had a strong feeling that the hotel decorations would go up early this year. For one thing, I've commented about it to Disney (and the Social Media people at Disney know of this specific thread, so that helps to get the word out). Also, the late Thanksgiving/early start of Hanukkah made me think that Disney would attempt to put those hotel trees up earlier than normal. I don't think we can expect these early hotel decorations every year, but in years where there is at least a late Thanksgiving I think there is a good chance of it!
I am assuming, though, that Santa and the carolers will not be at the hotels until Thanksgiving and beyond.
Thanks for your rain opinion, Sherry! Thats certainly what I'm hoping for
kirstie101 --
No problem! When I see 40% chance of rain in the forecast, I kind of think it probably won't happen. When it gets to 50% I pay more attention. When it gets to 60% I think there is a fairly good chance of at least a quick, light shower. When it gets to 70% and above I think it is almost certain it will rain and the rain will probably last for a little while.
So excited that the Grand is all decorated! The tree and garland are just beautiful! We have also seen all the ladies of the View in and out of the Grand and at parks! Just browsed for makeup at Sephora beside Sherry Shepard!
Disney Liz --
That's one of the things I mentioned in regards to
The View taping quite a while back. I was saying that even though it would be a hassle for some folks to deal with, it probably meant that the ladies of the show would be seen at the GCH all week long. A good opportunity for people-watching! I am guessing they all had Security with them?
Sherri is actually the one who I think might be the most approachable out of all of the ladies.
Got back from
Disneyland and California last night.
Highlights:
Christmas was in full swing and we had a blast burning the candle at both ends. Boy am I tired!!
Christmas parade and fireworks were fantastic.
Saw Billy Hill and the Hillbillies one last time on Saturday but Kirk was off that day which made me sad.
Got to eat at Club 33. It was great.
Converted another person to Disneyland!
Took so many pics my face hurt at the end of the vacation.
Crowds were busy but we managed to get everything accomplished.
Kids ate at Steakhouse 55 and gave it two thumbs very high up AGAIN! This was their second time visiting that restaurant.
I really like the Mad T Party in DCA. I hope they keep the party going for more years to come. It adds a great ambiance to the park.
Lowlights:
WoC was a letdown. We love the original. I think the original is one of the top nighttime shows in all of Disney. Winter Dreams isn't.
The TV show the View had blocked off most of the Castle and had equipment blocking off parts of the front of the castle. Bad form Disneyland. All of this was three days before they even started taping. Why?
Time really flies at the end of the night when your trying to capture night photography.
Our trip is over.
Mike -
Thanks for the recap! I was there on Friday -- maybe we passed each other in the parks and didn't know it!
I feel bad for those folks who may only get to DLR one time and not have a chance to get a scaffolding-free picture in front of the Castle or Partners. On the other hand, I must admit that this week of filming at DLR has gotten me to watch
The View. I doubt that Barbara Walters would have really wanted to go to So Cal and tape anything at DLR, but her bosses at ABC probably insisted on it. In a way, I'm glad that DLR is now being seen as a real vacation spot by being showcased on a popular show like
The View. On the other hand, the equipment is a nuisance for all.
twinky Billy Hill is still playing back in Big Thunder Ranch area. They had a special surprise at the end of the show which was kind of neat. I won't give any spoilers though unless someone really has to know then they can PM me for the info.
Please don't let my opinion take you away from WoC. You might enjoy it.
Mike --
Don't worry about spoiling anything. If people don't want spoilers they can tune out and then tune back in. That surprise at the end of the Billy Hill show has been mentioned in this thread in the past (and seen in pictures), as well as in other threads (in fact, I just mentioned it in another thread a couple of days ago). I was going to post my Jingle Jangle Jamboree photos here the other day, but I posted 5 separate installments of photos from Friday (covering different categories) and I thought I'd give everyone a break from my pictures!
I'm sure they would like to see someone else's photos for a change!
So please don't hesitate to reveal details and share your photos, spoilers and all! If we don't put it all out there, people often end up missing certain little hidden gems or surprises. It's better to let people know what is there so they can seek it out if they want to (or avoid it if they want to!).
Two weeks from right now and we should be pulling up to the DLH. I think that everything is as planned as I want it to be (only a few ADRs, Holiday Tour and Fantasmic Dessert Package) and I'm ready to start thinking about packing.
My three year old keeps telling me he's going to Mickey's house, so I think that he's ready too. We'll have six days in the park, so should be able to take it nice and easy and go at a toddler's pace.
I don't know what I would have done without this thread helping me every step of the way. Bless you, Sherry and everybody who contributed their two cents!
beckykarstetter -
I'm so glad this thread has been a helpful tool for you. I hope you have a wonderful time! Staying at the DLH should be amazing (one of these days I have to get back there -- it's been years since I actually stayed overnight at the DLH).
Thanks. I will remember to go upstairs. We waited over 30 minutes last time we were there, so we spent way too much time upstairs. IASW is not a ride I enjoy, but I am looking forward to IASWH. HMH was wonderful. Connor had not stopped talking about the Jungle Cruise, so I know he will love the Jingle Cruise.
We love El Capitan. The last time we were there was the opening weekend for Brave. Of course, we also went to Disneyland for Connor's first birthday and the opening week of Carsland. I love watching movies there, but the added events with each movie are what make the experience. They did a fantastic live stage show before the movie. When we watched G Force there, the experience was at the mall across the street. It was an obstacle course thing, and Xander loved it. If we were not so close to the theater, I would be fine seeing Frozen anywhere. To me, 45 minutes to an hour is not that bad of a drive. We watch all of the Disney movies in the theater, so I would have watched it whether we went to El Capitan or not. I just did not want to take away from our Disney time.
The solution was to see the movie and get more Disney time. Rather than driving home midday on the 8th, we are going to stay until the evening at Disneyland (leaving after dinner probably). Then, we will drive to Hollywood and check into the Roosevelt Hotel for the night. I get to have breakfast at the French Crepe Company. The one at the Farmer's Market is better than the one at the Hollywood and Hiland, but the mall is right near the hotel and theater. We'll go to the mall if we decide to sleep in. Otherwise, I want to go to the Farmer's Market.
After the movie, we are going to eat at the new Ghiradelli Soda Fountain. I am guessing the food will taste better than the old one. Then, we will drive home. Xander misses an extra day of school that way, but I like this much better. Crap already had the day off as his relaxation day, but I stole his relaxation (oh well).
Kim --
If the line for Jingle Cruise is short, you won't be able to go upstairs and see the decor because it will be roped off. That's why I was kind of disappointed -- I missed seeing some of the decorations upstairs just because I got in a short line.
It would take 45 minutes to one hour to get to L.A./Hollywood only if there was no traffic at all. So you'd have to time it so that you went when there was no traffic at all. If you run into traffic it will take a while. For example, this past Friday it took much, much longer for me to get home because we got stuck in traffic on the freeway. It wasn't even close to 45 minutes.
If you end up at Farmers Market you'll be in my neighborhood! Be sure to go next door to The Grove and see the beautiful, enormous tree and festive holiday stuff. Go to See's Candy and get a free sample! Go to Sprinkles Cupcakes too!
I can't believe that we are leaving in 11 days!!! And I haven't started packing yet.
Have any of you done the holiday tour this year? I know it's only been on a few days, but I would like to know how it is this year. We are doing it on the 3rd of Dec
the_princess -
Good question! We have not heard about anyone taking the tour this year so far, have we? I am guessing it's pretty much the same as previous years but it would be good to get a review!
Thanks for all the advice guys....I'm still on the fence. I moved my WOC Dining package from 12/25 to lunch on 12/26 just in case I decide not to go to the parks on 12/25. With a 5 1/2 plane ride, getting up early on Christmas morning to go to the airport...I'm not so sure my family can hold up. I of course will be juiced up on pixie dust so I could go the whole night
I'm thinking plan B right now and using 12/25 to have early dinner someplace I can get reservations and maybe an AMC movie. But do you know how hard it going to be for an east coaster to be at the gates of DL and not go in!
David in Manassas -
Maybe you can eat at Storytellers Cafe in the Grand Californian on Christmas? I like that restaurant anyway, but it might be extra nice on Christmas. Plus, they have a cute gingerbread house set up near the entrance every year.
I lurk more than post, but I just sent an email to vacation planning to request a couple of surprises for my husband and I had to share it with someone, lol..it will be our 17th anniversary and we can't wait to return...
BunnieGene -
Have a great anniversary, a great holiday and a great DLR trip! By the way, whether you're lurking or posting the important thing is that you're following along!
Thanks Sherry for posting all of those great holiday photos! I'm getting more and more excited about our trip in 3 weeks!
That Duffy just might have to come home with me. I saw that picture of Duffy and the movie Elf was the first thing I thought of. I'm excited to see DTD all decked out. DH can't wait to hit the Ghiradelli shop for some peppermint bark. I tried to get him some at
Walmart last week and refused because it doesn't taste the same unless it comes from Disney.
Oh, and the gingerbread loaf from FFP is a Starbucks creation. They put candied orange in it this year vs the candied ginger that was in there in the past.
MinnieLovesMickey --
You're very welcome! I'm happy to share photos so people know what to look for and expect. I hope you have an amazing holiday trip.
That Duffy elf is impossibly cute -- and you're right, it is very
Elf-like! (I love that movie!)
I tasted the orange flavor instantly upon biting into the slice o' gingerbread loaf, and the orange kind of took away from the gingerbread flavor. I sort of wish they would sell a straight gingerbread loaf without that candied orange.
Yeah PPH has it's tree and it's beautiful!!!!!
laurasvwee --
Yay! I love that PPH tree -- it is especially striking in person, would you agree? I'm glad the hotel trees are going up. Now we just have to wait for Santa to appear at the hotels! Disney advertises the "entire resort" or "whole resort" as being decorated (including the hotels), so they should get the hotels ready when they get the parks ready if they are going to advertise it.
My apologies for not posting here much. Our washer that we purchased 5 1/2 months ago packed it in last week
. The good news is that it's under warranty, the bad news is that it's going to take up to 2 more weeks to get the parts for it
. So I've been doing alot of handwashing for the kids in prep for the the trips. I've been enjoying the pics, and I leave for Edmonton on Friday, and on Sunday to DL. So much to do and so little time to do it in. I think I'm under control for the trips, but that's subject to change at a moment's notice these days.
Trish --
I hate it when sudden, unexpected stressors and/or expenses pop up right before a trip is about to happen. It's hard to look forward to it and get in vacation mode when you have other things to deal with.
I hope you have a great time on your trip!
