Hubby got a Camera & I got Christmas!!! 51 Chapters Completed!! 926 Pics!

[kaoden39]

Ewww....I wouldn't either! Ours was served hot & the shredded meat was hot!

I might have enjoyed it much more if it had been at least warm. I am sure.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty-One~~It's Santa!! It's Santa!!

Ok, I can admit this.....I'm a 49 yr old who still believes in Santa!! Ok, maybe not there is one person that's Santa, but the spirit of what Santa stands for. I was very lucky growing up, having a family that made decent money, so I was extremely spoiled at Christmas time. When Mike & I got married, we had very little & money for Christmas wasn't something we had. When we had the 3 boys, money was still tight & if it hadn't been for "Santa", they wouldn't have had a very nice Christmas. Santa means a lot of different things to each person.....but to me Santa means thinking of others, giving, happiness & love. So whenever I meet a Santa, I'm like a little kid again!!

So Day Two, Sherry isn't feeling well & lets us know at 6:30am that Molly & I could use the shower first since she wasn't sure what her plans for the day would be. Of course, I usually am an early riser on Disney trips, but after getting a couple hours of sleep the night before, heading to the airport at 4:30am & then being out until 10:30pm....I was tired. I really didn't feel any urgency to get up yet. Molly went ahead & got ready for the day & then I drug my sleepy self up & got ready too. Molly & I decided to go try breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace......so off we went. When we got down to our lobby, we come around the tree to see SANTA!!!!!!! Yup, I was excited!!!

When it was my turn, he asked if I had my family with me & I explained that I was taking a much needed respite from the twins & he said, he'd love for me to bring them next year......he missed seeing them. He really was a wonderful Santa & he had me smiling & laughing!!

After getting my Christmas cheer, we made our way over to the Disneyland Hotel. It was nice to see most of the construction walls down. So we did a little tour to check it all out.....besides, we wanted to get pics of the trees here. So as we were making our way to the Frontier Tower, we paid homage to what used to be the beautiful waterfalls & koi pond. They did leave a little waterfall, but I really miss the original.

It even has a geyser:

The new signage for Tower 3:

The Christmas trees in the lobby of the Frontier Tower:

It's funny we walk into the lobby & I make a B-line to the trees & Molly points out a humungous scale model of my favorite ride in the lobby.......it's Big Thunder Mt RR!!!!!! AWESOME!!

Next Let's Splash in some Adventure!

 

[Trentmom]

You know, I've never gotten a Mickey pretzel.....what's up with that?? I like pretzels!!!

Of course I'm not a fan of the churros......I'm in the minority on that one.

WDW was experimenting while we we were there and I had one in frontierland..so good. I hope they keep them around. so cool

 

[Trentmom]

How cool Santa was in the lobby

That model of BTM is amazing

 

[Sherry E]

I love seeing the photos of the brand new stuff at the DLH because I didn't have the time to go there this year and thoroughly explore, and it's interesting to me to see what has been added in one year's time - since when I last explored DLH! About all I saw (in person) of the brand new stuff at DLH this year was the crazy shiny blue wall situation happening in the check-in lobby and the Mary Blair carpeting.

Well, hmmmm....the geyser is an interesting idea (which DLR stole from one of WDW's hotels), but I will never forgive them for getting rid of the lush, tropical waterfalls and koi pond. That little rock waterfall - if I am not mistaken - is probably the same or similar to the one that has been there for as long as I can remember (at least since the '80s - I have photos next to it), but it won't take the place of the main waterfalls we all remember (I called them the "green waterfalls" because the water often looked green to me).

I used to love walking around the DLH property and hearing the sound of the 'falls in the distance. I also loved walking behind the 'falls in that little pathway and getting sprayed with mist.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Two~~Let's Splash in Some Adventure!

As we came out the door of the Frontier Lobby, it's hard not to miss the huge Disneyland monorail slides for the new pool area.

Now, this looks pretty cool & the way they've redone the area between the 3 towers, makes the pool more accessible to all 3 towers pretty evenly.....something I didn't think was happening before. I always felt the 3rd tower was the unwanted tower.....seemed like it was away from everything....but now that it's been opened up.....it seems better balanced.

I miss the pirate boat & crocodile by the pool, but I'm kinda a fan of originals, retro, how I experienced it for the first time, yada yada yada......so seeing it gone & the new pool area.....made me kinda sad. I think the thing that bugs me the most about the new pool area & how it's all been opened up, is just that.......its OPEN. Before, the pool area was somewhat hidden behind a higher fence & landscaping, but now anyone wandering by can see you in your swimsuit!! Trust me, that is not something you want to see!! lol It's missing that privacy, that you kinda want when vacationing at a "resort".......this is now wide open for everyone to see & watch.

Our next stop was seeing Trader Sams & the Tangaroa Terrace. This is outside the Trader Sam's lounge.

Here's the Tangaroa Terrace Restaurant. When you enter, you go off to the right to one of the ordering stands. The touch screen will walk you through the process & send your order off to the kitchen, while you go pick up other items from the refrigerated case & drinks. You take your purchases & order ticket to the register, pay & then take a seat & wait for your hot food to be delivered to your table.

I had the French Toast with warm banana & caramel sauce. It was pretty tasty.....not a huge fan of hot banana slices but who can resist caramel sauce......yummo!!

After enjoying our breakfast, Molly & I went back to touring the grounds & found that outside & to the right of the restaurant & lounge, they've added a fireplace with outdoor seating. Nice!

We made it to Tower Two (I know this one used to be called the Dreams Tower, this was the one we stayed in) is now the Adventure Tower.

This is the smallest lobby of the three....probably due to the way it's set up with elevators & stairwell dead center of it, but they did put a themed tree in here.

Chapter 23 will bring this reaction.......

 

[DisneyStitch626]

You can see a cord in the tree pictures!! Is that allowed at Disney? lol

The trees and he waterfalls look so pretty. I don't really remember much of the old waterfalls, but I do remember them being much grander. Sad they had to go.

 

[DizNee Luver]

WDW was experimenting while we we were there and I had one in frontierland..so good. I hope they keep them around. so cool

On the Churros??

How cool Santa was in the lobby

That model of BTM is amazing

I love those big models......lots of details!

I love seeing the photos of the brand new stuff at the DLH because I didn't have the time to go there this year and thoroughly explore, and it's interesting to me to see what has been added in one year's time - since when I last explored DLH! About all I saw (in person) of the brand new stuff at DLH this year was the crazy shiny blue wall situation happening in the check-in lobby and the Mary Blair carpeting.

Well, hmmmm....the geyser is an interesting idea (which DLR stole from one of WDW's hotels), but I will never forgive them for getting rid of the lush, tropical waterfalls and koi pond. That little rock waterfall - if I am not mistaken - is probably the same or similar to the one that has been there for as long as I can remember (at least since the '80s - I have photos next to it), but it won't take the place of the main waterfalls we all remember (I called them the "green waterfalls" because the water often looked green to me).

I used to love walking around the DLH property and hearing the sound of the 'falls in the distance. I also loved walking behind the 'falls in that little pathway and getting sprayed with mist.

I was not happy when I read the waterfalls were being ripped out.....one of my favorite pics was one I took of a tree out by the waterfall......really cool the way it came out.....besides, it was peaceful (ok the water was a bit noisy, but its a good noise). One of my favorite places to go......so seeing the little waterfall left was....well.....ok....I guess it's better than nothing.

WooHoo found the photo:

 

[DisneyStitch626]

You know I agree with you about the banana slices. When we went to Storytellers, I was soooo excited for the Banana French Toast, and it was good, but it would have been way better if the banana slices were cold like they should be, IMO.

That pool area looks so nice, but I find it strange that they would open it up for the public to see like that.

 

[DizNee Luver]

You can see a cord in the tree pictures!! Is that allowed at Disney? lol

The trees and he waterfalls look so pretty. I don't really remember much of the old waterfalls, but I do remember them being much grander. Sad they had to go.

They were really neat & fun to explore. They also had koi & a different area had remote control boats. So that's all gone now & very different look & feel to the grounds.

 

[DizNee Luver]

You know I agree with you about the banana slices. When we went to Storytellers, I was soooo excited for the Banana French Toast, and it was good, but it would have been way better if the banana slices were cold like they should be, IMO.

That pool area looks so nice, but I find it strange that they would open it up for the public to see like that.

The Storyteller's didn't bug me as much as this one did but it would be nice to have them offer the banana slices cold vs hot.

The pool area being so open is strange to me, even though you can see the pool areas at the Grand, they're still behind some landscaping to try & offer some privacy......but the area where all the benches for sunning are, used to be where you entered the pool area & now it's a short chain link fence with no landscaping to cover/hide the area.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ooh you got some good pictures!

I can confirm, just in case anyone thinks Laurie's exaggerating about that Santa, that he was a really really GOOD Santa! I didn't grow up visiting Santa (too scared), and I tend to avoid the whole thing, but I got to see and hear him in actions twice on this trip, and he's really good. Great voice, he looks real, and his interactions are just seamless. Telling Laurie that he misses the twins, it really felt like he knew them and did truly miss them!

He was just that good.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Ooh you got some good pictures!

I can confirm, just in case anyone thinks Laurie's exaggerating about that Santa, that he was a really really GOOD Santa! I didn't grow up visiting Santa (too scared), and I tend to avoid the whole thing, but I got to see and hear him in actions twice on this trip, and he's really good. Great voice, he looks real, and his interactions are just seamless. Telling Laurie that he misses the twins, it really felt like he knew them and did truly miss them!

He was just that good.

Thanx Molly!!

He really WAS a wonderful Santa!!!!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Only the best at Disneyland!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Three~~ Where is the Retro Feel I Loved so Much???

On to the Main Tower/Registration Lobby....now known as the Fantasy Tower.

I had read before leaving on this trip that the giant Mickey that welcomed guests to the hotel was gone now. This was a tradition for my family to go & pose with the Mickey every trip...so I knew there were going to be lots of changes with this remodel. Nothing prepared me for this.........

It's very blueish/purple now......It's different......not what I was expecting. Gone was the retro feel of the original Disneyland Hotel. I don't mind updating, but I felt this hotel needed to keep that old feel to honor the history of this building & the celebrities & dignitaries that had set foot through the doors here. I even attacked the poor CM who asked if he could help us, about the missing giant Mickey.....poor guy, he was pretty new to the Disney corporation & I was taking my obvious disappointment out on him.

Here's the Christmas tree in the lobby. It was the smallest (main) Christmas tree of the 3 hotels. It was pretty, but small compared to the Pier & the Grand's.

This was some of the artwork in the newly refurbed lobby:

With all the changes, I got to wondering if all the old photos that once lined many of the halls would still be there.....so we wandered that direction, first stopping off at the gift shop to look at some of the Christmas stuff.

This was the set up for the DLH's Santa.....cute little photo op area!!

Well my fears were realized when I started looking for all the photo's that used to be here........most are gone!! I'm so glad we took the time to take lots of photos of them last trip. A huge piece of history is gone & it really saddened me. I'm sure they've been put somewhere......but it was always amazing to go & look at all the different famous people that had been there over the years & the old pictures of the park & Walt. The DLH to me has walked away from it's past & is trying to be something I could care less about.......being new & shiny!! I've seen pics of the remodeled rooms & have no interest in them, as they remind me of any other higher priced hotel room. The backboards that light up are nice, but they've lost the magic feel I got when I stepped into this place.

This was what was left......

This of course, is my personal opinion & experience. Other's really love the new feel & that's fine for them......but after seeing so much of what made me love this place gone, a piece of the past.......I just walked away feeling let down & nostalgic for the good ol' days.........

As we made our way thru the lobby, I stopped for a couple more pics. Here's a huge wreath that was in the window leading to a meeting area.

Here's another look at the new carpeting.

I did like the new Goofy's Kitchen sign!

Molly & I headed out & towards DTD........lets look up the Sorceror's Hat!!

Here's the DTD Christmas tree during the day.

We decided to catch the monorail into the parks & made our way to the platform. We had just missed it but knew another one would follow shortly. As we were waiting, an announcement was made letting us know that the one coming in would be letting passengers off but not picking any up as it needed to have some maintenance done on it. So at this point, we decided not to wait & to walk through DTD.

Molly was going to Disneyland & my plan was to hit up DCA......so once we got through security, we said our goodbyes & went our separate ways.

Next up: Disney's California is an Adventure!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter 24~~Disney's California is an Adventure!

So the new entry is different, very reminiscent of the pictures I've seen of the WDW Hollywood Studios entrance........ gone are the letters spelling out California & all the picture ops. DCA is under a major overhaul. This park isn't going to look like it did when it opened. They're going in a whole new direction. I'm excited to see it when it's all done.....but the letters will be missed!!

So as you enter the gates, you are met by plywood walls.........lots & lots of plywood walls. Instead of going straight thru the gates, you go thru & make a right turn. You just follow these walls around until is spills into Condor Flats. I decided since Disney does take the time to decorate the walls, I would take pictures of some of the concept art of the future of this park.

Once I hit the opening, I headed towards the Hollywood Backlots. Once you pass the Taste Pilot's Grill.....you again hit the construction walls. You can only go to the right. The new Carthay Building can't be missed as it stood tall over the walls.

At the "intersection" you can continue off to the right which will take you towards the rest of the park or go to the left thru the plywood walkway towards the Hollywood Backlot.....this was the path I chose.

The only picture I got back there was of the new Disney Junior sign. There wasn't any signs of Christmas back in this area....just lots of large, clunky Electronica stuff......yuck! It stands out so badly & to me, just a big eye sore!!!

While back here, I did spend some time in the Off the Page store, looking for the perfect gifts for the 3 grown boys. I don't really want to go into details about what I got until after the holidays. I will try & remember & back track to show you pictures!!!

Next up will be Time for a Bug's Eye View.

 

[Sherry E]

I did see a bit of the tent next to the giant DTD tree, by the way. I remember catching sight of it as we walked by. But the trees in the tent escaped me. They must have been hidden or sealed up when my group and I walked around DLH on the evening of 12/5. Oh well. Hopefully there will be another tree contest next year so I can see them in person. I would like to be able to vote on my favorite tree!

I am having a hard time getting used to the blue, shiny, modern-looking wall situation in the DLH lobby. The carpet I can deal with, but that wall... Hmmm. It's...interesting. It's kind of space age-esque.


You know, I'm glad you got a close-up photo of the ornaments on the DLH lobby tree. I can tell by looking at that tree and its ornaments that it is different this year than the tree they had in that same lobby last year. It is the same height - it's still a short tree ("living room-sized," as I call it!), but the decorations are different. I wish I had the incentive at the moment to dig up my pictures of that tree from last year so I could remind myself exactly what the ornaments were, but I am 99% positive they were not what is on that tree this year.

Anyway, I love your particular close-up of the DLH tree's ornaments. It's very pretty! I'm a sucker for ornament close-ups, but some are better than others or more interesting than others.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I did see a bit of the tent next to the giant DTD tree, by the way. I remember catching sight of it as we walked by. But the trees in the tent escaped me. They must have been hidden or sealed up when my group and I walked around DLH on the evening of 12/5. Oh well. Hopefully there will be another tree contest next year so I can see them in person. I would like to be able to vote on my favorite tree!

I am having a hard time getting used to the blue, shiny, modern-looking wall situation in the DLH lobby. The carpet I can deal with, but that wall... Hmmm. It's...interesting. It's kind of space age-esque.


You know, I'm glad you got a close-up photo of the ornaments on the DLH lobby tree. I can tell by looking at that tree and its ornaments that it is different this year than the tree they had in that same lobby last year. It is the same height - it's still a short tree ("living room-sized," as I call it!), but the decorations are different. I wish I had the incentive at the moment to dig up my pictures of that tree from last year so I could remind myself exactly what the ornaments were, but I am 99% positive they were not what is on that tree this year.

Anyway, I love your particular close-up of the DLH tree's ornaments. It's very pretty! I'm a sucker for ornament close-ups, but some are better than others or more interesting than others.

Well if you saw the tent thing, then you found the trees, but like you said, they might have been closed up by the time you walked by. I was disappointed that they were so far away.....really hard to pick your favorite one when they keep you a good 12 feet away from them....my eyesight it horrible!!!

I don't think I'll ever get used to the futuristic looking purply-blue wall thing in the lobby.........I am not a fan of all the changes!!

The tree had some pretty ornaments on it, but I was surprised at how small it was compared to the other 2 hotels.

 

[Sherry E]

After my trip last year, I recall commenting (can't remember if it was in my TR or in the Christmas thread) that all 3 of the DLH trees (meaning each one of the towers' trees) were smaller than the GCH's tree or the PPH's tree. Someone pointed out that it was likely because the ceilings in each of the DLH towers' lobbies were not as high, whereas the GCH has a super-high ceiling, and the PPH's is pretty high too. So it was suggested that the DLH had no choice but to have the "living room-sized" trees. I guess that makes sense.

Still, even if you have to have short trees, you can make a big impact with the style or type of ornaments you put on the trees. The DLH lobby tree - about 10 years ago - used to have these wonderful golden Mickey and golden Chip & Dale ornaments - big ornaments. That was a fun tree even though it was short, because it was very Disney.

Last year I recall not being impressed with the ornaments on the DLH lobby trees at all. At least the tree in the check-in area this year (in the space age lobby) has prettier ornaments than it had last year.

 

[DizNee Luver]

After my trip last year, I recall commenting (can't remember if it was in my TR or in the Christmas thread) that all 3 of the DLH trees (meaning each one of the towers' trees) were smaller than the GCH's tree or the PPH's tree. Someone pointed out that it was likely because the ceilings in each of the DLH towers' lobbies were not as high, whereas the GCH has a super-high ceiling, and the PPH's is pretty high too. So it was suggested that the DLH had no choice but to have the "living room-sized" trees. I guess that makes sense.

Still, even if you have to have short trees, you can make a big impact with the style or type of ornaments you put on the trees. The DLH lobby tree - about 10 years ago - used to have these wonderful golden Mickey and golden Chip & Dale ornaments - big ornaments. That was a fun tree even though it was short, because it was very Disney.

Last year I recall not being impressed with the ornaments on the DLH lobby trees at all. At least the tree in the check-in area this year (in the space age lobby) has prettier ornaments than it had last year.

It was pretty & yes the ceiling wouldn't allow a taller tree, but where the 2 other tower trees fit the new tower name in theming......I just wasn't quite sure how this one said Fantasy. It wasn't super Disney-like, just pretty.