I was so delighted to see that since I last popped in we've heard from Trish, Kathy and Jamie -- and from RaglanRoad, with photos of the candy canes this year! Yay!
While I'm sad that Jamie's and Trish's trips are over, I enjoy reading about what was happening and how everything went.
I have always loved Christmas music from classic to contemporary. My favorite is The Christmas Song. The Bing Crosby greatest hits album was a favorite if mine when I was a kid. During my teenage years, I adored the 98 Degress Album. Josh Groban's is a staple each Christmas here too.
I love the mini tress. We put them up in the boys' rooms last night.
Kim --
The trees are so cute -- and the perfect sizes for kids' rooms!
It seems as though Bing Crosby and/or Josh Groban are big hits with quite a few people during this time of year!
I am all over the map on my holiday songs. I love the Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas Is You" when I want upbeat. I love the classic instrumental "Sleigh Ride" because it remind me of marching down Main Street playing it with my high school band. "O Holy Night" is probably my favorite spiritual Christmas song. Gives me such peace when I hear it. And the entire Nutcracker Suite. And Handel's Messiah ... and ... and ... so on.
The local radio station has been playing Christmas music for at least two weeks. I don't love their song selection -- very bland -- so I don't listen to it a lot, even now.
I got out my Mickey hot chocolate mug that I got on the Holiday Tour and it made me very happy. Only 10 days until I get to go to DLR again!
PHXscuba
PHX -
I totally forgot about "All I Want For Christmas Is You"! I love that one as well, and it is, of course, featured prominently in a scene from one of my favorite movies,
Love Actually (although not sung by Mariah in that scene).
You've got some good favorites. I know what you mean about some radio stations' holiday selections being bland. I've experienced that before (although I suppose it boils down to personal tastes).
This year my holiday stations are very redundant. I had one station on earlier today -- it's called Holly -- and it's been in holiday mode for the last couple of weeks but this was the first day I actually spent listening to it for an extended period of time so far this year. I don't know how many times I heard the same Paul McCartney Christmas song within the time I had the radio on -- and it's not even a
good Paul McCartney song. It is very bland, I think. They also played "Feliz Navidad" and "Last Christmas" (by George Michael) repeatedly, but then they would switch to 3 different versions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by 3 different artists, and 3 different versions of "Winter Wonderland." They also played the Mariah Carey song.
I guess my issue is with the programmer at this Holly station -- while I love the Christmas songs on a whole, they should probably spread out the different versions of the same songs, and not play the Paul McCartney song soooo much!
We have less than 24 hours before we leave New Zealand. We are leaving our house at 2am to fly to Australia, then on to San Fran, Vegas then we hitting
disneyland on the 13th.... Too excited to think. We will Have a New Zealand christmas stocking hanging off the back of our day pack... If you see us come and say HI!
Have a wonderful time,
princessmiki!
It sounds like you have got a busy and fun couple of weeks ahead of you. Come back and let us know how the trip went!
I can't believe that we are leaving tomorrow! I want to thank each and everyone who helped with the planning of this trip, who answered questions and posted pics to get us in the mood! Thank you so much!!! It's evening here now and we have to get up in 6 hours to catch a flight to Paris and then to LA. We will arrive at 2 pm local time after 16 hours of travel, but we will be in Disneyland, so it will be perfectly fine!
Have a great time,
Stephanie!
I hope you have an amazing, magical holiday trip! Let us know if you enjoy the holiday tour.
My brother and sister-in-law were able to get one of the first candy canes from Disneyland.
RaglanRoad --
ToodlesRN asked about the candy canes and I wasn't sure if anyone would have gotten one yet, let alone posted pictures for us! But you came through for us with the photos! Thank you so much!
Mike --
Wow! So lovely! Each photo you post is a treat for all of us.
I'm back from my trip, and here are my thoughts....
First off the first 3 days (Sunday, Monday, and Tues), the crowds were insane. I was expecting heavy crowds, but not that bad. I did manage to find ways to work around the crowds, and by getting to the parks at park opening I was able to accomplish alot.
I did got to Knotts Berry Farm on Nov 25th and had a great time there. The park was fully decorated for Christmas, and found the park empty until it started getting busy around noon. I didn't go to any of the shows, as they started later in the afternoon. I was also in ride chicken mode at that time, and didn't find my inner adrenaline addict until later in the day at the RSR ride. However I found the park to be squeaky clean, the staff friendly, and helpful, and can reccommend this park to anyone who is a ride addict. The rides looked amazing, it's too bad I conquered my fear of wild rides later in my trip.
I did really enjoy Carsland, and all the tiny details of it. I loved the masks NOS, and took many pics of them. I also enjoyed all the shows that were on all over both parks. The characters were out in force, and there was tons of opportunities to have your pics taken with different characters. As always the lines for the characters were long, but moved quickly.
I did have some of the seasonal treats. I loved the christmas log, but was unimpressed with the pumpkin pie hot chocolate, which didn't have enough spice for my liking. However the pumpkin spice cupcake at EOS was outstanding, and ate at EOS a couple of times on my trip. I did have the holiday turkey sandwich, and loved it. The chicken ceasar was also very good there. Found it was good value for the quantity and quality of what you get at EOS.
I finally conquered my fear of wild rides, and flying, and had a ball using the single rider lines on Matterhorn and California Screamin. DH is thrilled with me willing to do the more wilder rides now that I'm willing to do them without worrying about how my back is going to handle them (it was fine on all the more jerky rides I went on). It was freeing knowing that I had the choice to go on these kinds of rides if I felt like it, rather than being affraid of them.
I found the crowds on Nov 27th and Nov 28th to still be heavy, but lighter and more manageable than earlier in the week. They were still heavy but not as bad, and found I could to alot more rides and pic taking in the morning, until the crowds started to build around 10:30am and beyond.
I didn't encounter Jamie at the Blue Bayou on Nov 28th, as I arrived 10mins early there, and was seated immediately. I had the mint juliep and had mixed feelings about it, as it was my first time having it. I started to enjoy it more once I got used to the flavour of it. I had the gumbo to start, and it was excellent, the spice didn't overwhelm the other flavours in the gumbo. I had the Thanksgiving dinner, and it was outstanding. I was able to get a waterfront table, which I really enjoyed. The Blue Bayou was overbooked, and they were turning people away constantly from park opening. I really enjoyed my meal there, and was the best meal of the trip.
There was entertainment everywhere I looked. The bell ringers in CA were amazing, and there was entertainment all over the parks on a regular basis. I was fortunate to see the parades in both CA and DL. I also caught the lighting of IASW, and the lighting of the tree in CA. The IASW is visually stunning, as is it lighted at night. I also enjoyed both parades, and all the entertainment I encountered on my travels.
A quick review of BWPPI where I stayed. I had a room just past the pool, but found it to be very quiet. I found my room to be very quiet, especially from the outside noise, which includes the fireworks, which I barely heard at all, which says something about how sound proof their rooms are. The staff kept the room immaculate, and they have a guard at their front gate montioring their parking lot, which I found to be very impressive. Overall, other than the WIFI being non existant (no surprise there), I found it to be good value, and really enjoyed my stay there. Their free brekki is above Captain Kidds, but is run by the hotel. I found the basics, such as the usual cereals, toast, bagels, but they also had hot waffles, eggs, hashbrowns, and alternating sauage with ham, so it was a pretty decent breakfast for being included in the cost of the reservation. Found the staff to be helpful, pleasant, and won't hesitate to stay there again in the future.
Trish --
Thank you for the thorough, excellent recap of your trip! That is exactly what we all want -- details and information. It sounds as if your trip was a big success on many levels. For one, you conquered your fear of certain rides.
Also, you enjoyed Knott's and got to see it with the holiday decor. You had a great stay at BWPPI. You had a great meal at Blue Bayou. You sampled treats! You took photos! You had good food at Earl of Sandwich!
I agree -- I love that there is some form of entertainment going on all around both parks and in Downtown Disney, and even in the hotel lobbies around now (counting the carolers).
...My all time favorite Christmas song is Mary Did You Know, with Winona Judd and Kenny Rogers. Bawl my eyes out everytime I hear it.....as a matter of fact, I'm tearing up just typing this now.
Second favorite is O Holy Night. Love Bing but I think Carrie Underwood's version has become my favorite version of that song. Love Mercy Me's Christmas album and Third Day's as well. Love love love any of the Mannheim Steamroller or Transiberian Orchestra Christmas music. I love all the classics too.....but seem to gravitate towards the one's I mentioned. One of our highlights of last year's trip to Orlando was seeing Mannheim Steamroller at Universal Studios.
I did not get any close ups of the PPH tree. This was at midnight and I wanted to try and get our APs a day early so we could utilize the discounts today at DTD....but they couldn't find the AP on our account...which is really strange to me. Anyway, today we went by Grand Californian and their santa hours are 4:30-10pm daily according the CM there today.
Kathy --
The PPH couldn't find the AP on your account? Yikes! Did that get worked out, or did they say that they wouldn't be able to figure it out until it was your check-in day?
Thank you so much for posting that picture of the PPH Christmas tree! I am relieved to see that it has the same blue-greenish glow,
but...here is my problem with this year's PPH tree:
What the decorators have done with this year's PPH tree is add extra stuff around it and on it that did
not need to be added. For one thing, they've put a starfish topper on the tree (it used to be a sun). They've draped what looks to be some sort of colored netting, garland or mesh around the tree that has not been there in years past. They put large seashells, a big surfboard (which looks like the surfboard Goofy usually has in that lobby during the rest of the year) and other extra things at the base of the tree, when it used to be large presents only.
By putting all of that mess around the bottom of the tree, they have (visually) cut down the length. When I first saw your photo I thought, "The tree is shorter!" And then I realized that it's all of that stuff at the base of the tree that is truncating it. It really was fine the way it was. It was beautiful in the past, and it already had plenty of people stopping to stare at it because of the pretty lights. Now I feel that the decorators are trying too hard to tie the theme of the tree into the theme of the Paradise Pier Hotel with all of their seashells, surfboards and starfish! It's too much. Less was more in the case of that tree!
Oh, she already is and she isn't even in the parks yet! Went to Trader Sams last night and had a very strong drink ::hiccup:: and lettuce wrap/flatbread. Today we went to ESPN zone to eat lunch with my sister in law (who was supposed to have been in Phoenix this weekend but didn't make it)......grabbed some beignets at Jazz Kitchen Express and we're eating them in our room at HoJos while watching the Auburn/Alabama game (we need Alabama to lose so my Tigers don't have to play them in the SEC championship game). Thinking about going to Mimi's for dinner....has anyone gone there? Reviews? Early morning tomorrow to make the move over to PPH!
I'm glad to hear you handled the rides ok. My hubby had neck fusion 2 years ago and I'm always worried about his neck on the jerky rides. There are some things at Cedar Point he just can't ride anymore.
Looking forward to seasonal treats and will stay away from the pumpkin pie hot chocolate. Cupcakes, on the other hand.......
We are really looking forward to Blue Bayou. I booked us at opening so hopefully it won't be difficult to get a water table. I'm allergic to shellfish....the gumbo doesn't have any shrimp in it, does it?
Kathy --
It seems like people used to talk about Mimi's a lot in the past. I almost never read anything about Mimi's now, but as far as I know people used to enjoy it and thought the food was good.
So you've already been to the Disneyland Hotel (for Trader Sam's), the Grand Californian Hotel and the Paradise Pier Hotel! And Downtown Disney too! You've made a lot of progress in a short period of time.
I had fun annoying the owner of the Geode shop at Knott's. I did end up purchasing geodes for myself, and my son, and they were amazing. Fortunately he could take it as good as he could give it, so it made the whole geode purchase alot more fun. He was very informative about the geodes and the fossils. Knott's, while I found to be very intimidating (this was me in ride chicken mode) at first, I really enjoyed my time there. I hope to go there when we eventually head back to DL in the future, and ride the wild rides with the rest of the family, who are wild ride addicts.
The Blue Bayou, I was really glad I made decision to eat there. I found the ambiance to be amazing, and the food was outstanding. The service was excellent, and really enjoyed my meal there. I would ask the server if the gumbo has shellfish before ordering it, as they seem to be very knowledgeable.
The pumpkin hot chocolate didn't have enough spice/pumpkin flavouring in it to the point where the flavours were confusing to me. I've got really good taste buds, so this is why. To me it didn't taste like either like pumpkin pie or hot chocolate, but somewhere in the middle. It comes down to a matter of personal taste in this case.
Rumor about the peppermint ice cream. I was bugging the CM at Clarabelle's on Nov 28th about the lack of peppermint ice cream in the parks. I was told that they couldn't get the large tubs of it from Dreyer's. I was given the impression that they were still trying to get it in for Dec, so there is a slim possibiltiy it still may show up sometime next month. I did have the peppermint waffle cone, and enjoyed it with some of the almond mocha ice cream.
Trish --
It sounds as if you got the same explanation about the peppermint ice cream that I got at Clarabelle's -- it's a size issue. Dreyer's wouldn't send them the size they needed. (SO at least everyone now knows that I was not making that up or imagining things when I said that was what I was told!
) Maybe they are still trying to coax Dreyer's into sending it before the season ends. Why Dreyer's would send it to the BBQ and not the actual ice cream shops is beyond me.
And I still can't figure out the mystery of the ice cream supposedly being at Ghirardelli's, but then not there when
longtimedisneylurker checked.
Sitting at LAX waiting for our flight home
We had an amazing trip and have already planned a trip back for next Nov, using our newly upgraded APs!
I'm sad we didn't see Phoenix at BB - we were also there early and after some sweet talking were seated at a waterside table before our ressie. We were a table of 7 seated dead center of that row. I want to say we were the 3rd or 4th table sat of the day. And we also experienced tons of people being turned away.
I will update with a more in depth report tomorrow.
Jamie --
I can't believe you and Trish somehow missed each other, even though it sounds as though you must have been there at the same time for at least a while.
I'm glad the trip was amazing, and sad for you that it's now over. Next November will get here before you know it! Are you trying for another Thanksgiving trip in 2014, or will it be earlier?
I know we will all look forward to the more in-depth report and recap when you have time.
Yep, those are the songs! Love them! I also love a good version of Rudolph and Jingle Bells!
Nice to know I'm not the only one who has the "Holy Cow we're spending all this money" thoughts. I gotta say, I could have strangled our pastor the last few weeks with the being good stewards of our money sermons!
Well, it's already paid for, so too late! Hopefully it will be an AMAZING trip and worth every penny!
mrsw94 --
Oh yes, I think that many of us have that same pre-trip guilt or remorse! Usually the trips turn out to be great, and the memories created and fun that was had make it all money well spent.
Yes! And I'm sure he's looking directly at ME! Of course, i go to a mega church of several 1000 people......I know he isn't looking directly at me....
or is he?
I am sure both of my questions have been answered in this thread numerous times but, well look at this thread. Anyway,
I am wondering about the snow in the park. I know after fireworks I think I read it snows in front of the castle, IASW and New Orleans square...is this correct? I am wanting to try and let my desert dwellers at least kind of see what snow would look like.
My second ? is about snow on the way there. We take 40/15S to 60 to 57. I know there are some mountains in there somewhere. Do I need to worry about snow? I have driven in snow and ice but it has been almost 10 years so I am a bit worried. If there is snow do the roads tell you another way to go around? I know we went to SF in Feb a few years ago and our way home was snowed closed and we had to find another way on our own.
stubby --
I actually don't think the second question has ever been tackled in this thread, so you haven't missed anything there. I have no clue about the snow in the mountains or on the roads you will be passing through.
Yes, there will be light snowfall on Main Street, in front of IASWH and in New Orleans Square. The snow "flakes" resemble very tiny soap or detergent bubbles, and they disappear quickly when they get in hair and clothes. Anyone who is used to real, actual snow would probably laugh at this snow, but for those of us who never see snow it is fun!
I hope she ends up loving it!
I'm just now jumping in; we barely finalized our plans this weekend. 
I do have a quick question for those of you who have been during the weekend of Candlelight Processional. Does DCA get extremely busy when that is going on over at DL? I know last year was vastly different year as far as CP went with it being on 20 nights but do you notice a drastic uptick with the crowds on CP nights? This is our first year visiting during a CP weekend and its been quite a few years since we went during Christmas time. 
but what does everyone think so far?
