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

[kelmac284]

Love all the pics of the DLH. IF everything goes off as planned we will be staying there in Feb. Mom splurged and we got a room there awhile back so looking forward to seeing the changes. We were last there in June so I am sure much has changed since we were there last.

I am looking forward to seeing the rooms up close as well as eating at Tangora Terrace again and trying Trader Sam's!!

 

[MrsPinup]

I chuckled to myself when walking through the esplanade the other day when a tourist exclaimed, "Where are the letters? Where did they go?" Ahhh...the non-Diser's....

I love the new front and am excited to see how it all looks.

 

[Trentmom]

That monorail pool is so cool. I would love to check that out sometime

Enjoying all your pics and feel like I am right there with you.

The lobby of DLH looks so cold to me......shame they didn't leave it alone. It looked great in pics

the entrance to DCA looks exactly like Hollywood Studios like you said

 

[DizNee Luver]

Love all the pics of the DLH. IF everything goes off as planned we will be staying there in Feb. Mom splurged and we got a room there awhile back so looking forward to seeing the changes. We were last there in June so I am sure much has changed since we were there last.

I am looking forward to seeing the rooms up close as well as eating at Tangora Terrace again and trying Trader Sam's!!

Lots of changes since last summer......not my cup of tea, but all new & shiny.

I chuckled to myself when walking through the esplanade the other day when a tourist exclaimed, "Where are the letters? Where did they go?" Ahhh...the non-Diser's....

I love the new front and am excited to see how it all looks.

It does look pretty nice.....will love seeing it when there isn't plywood greeting me when I go through them.

That monorail pool is so cool. I would love to check that out sometime

Enjoying all your pics and feel like I am right there with you.

The lobby of DLH looks so cold to me......shame they didn't leave it alone. It looked great in pics

the entrance to DCA looks exactly like Hollywood Studios like you said

The monorail slides do look like a lot of fun!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Five~~Time For a Bug's Eye View.

When I left the Hollywood Backlots, I made my way thru the plywood maze to the "intersection" & veered off to the left to head towards Bug's Land & the Pier area. I made a stop by the waterfalls to get my photopass photo done.

Ok, time to see things from the perspective of a bug. You may just look at things are oversized....but you need to see it from a bug's eye view to totally understand & appreciate this land. This is a fun place & I enjoyed seeing it with Christmas decorations.

Flik's Fun Fair sign is adorned with a string of Christmas lights.

The string of lights makes it way thru the clover leafs.

The stack of ornaments makes for a festive picture.

I ended up taking a number of different families pictures at the ornaments, but I did get a family to return the favor!!

As I was leaving the area, Chip & Dale came out to greet guests.....so of course, I had to stop & say hello!!

The new meet-n-greet area for McQueen & Mator........I'm also guessing that this will be the entrance into Cars Land when it opens next summer.

I think we should go under the sea next!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Six~~Going Under the Sea!

Time to check out the new Little Mermaid ride. The building is beautiful with lots of neat little touches.

I thought the lights were interesting!!

The mural that greets you as you get ready to load into your colorful seashell.

And here we go!!

Scuttle!!

I loved the effects when we were "going under the sea".....very cool!!

Make sure you look up!

Under the sea, under the sea......

More Ariel Adventures to come!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Seven~~Ariel's Adventure Continues!

More of the under the sea song!!

It's Ursula.....don't do it Ariel!!!!!!

Go On and Kiss the Girl.........

Ah ah ah, ah ah ahhhhhhhhh

Woo Hoo, they lived happily ever after!!!!!

I've read a number of reviews of this ride that weren't very favorable......but I liked it......it made me smile, tap my foot, remember where that scene was in the movie & I enjoyed some of the effects. The "people" might have left you wanting a bit more......but overall the colors & music left me happy.....so I liked it!!

Next will be a leisurely stroll on the pier.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Eight~~Let's Stroll Around the Pier.

When I "surfaced" back to land, I headed to the bridge to take me into the pier area. One of my favorite places for photopass pictures is on this bridge....so of course I stopped.

I was hoping to see Duffy, but he wasn't in but I did get a picture of his cute place for pictures.

The poinsettia's are so pretty!!

It's Santa......bummer, he was going to check on the reindeer!

The pier has a big tree next to the gazebo where Santa is greeting guests (usually where Mickey is).....I was actually a tad disappointed not to see Santa in his beach gear.....I've seen pics in the past of that. The tree is very beautiful in it's red, gold & silver ornaments.

I walked past California Screamin' & the place was empty & no cars ripping around the pier. Not sure if it was down for a scheduled break or for mechanical issues.....was eerily quiet with it down. The pier was virtually a ghost town until you get to Toy Story Midway Mania. I believe the wait time was 40 mins. Craziness!! I'm not a fan of standing in long lines & this ride is fun but not worth standing around for (in my opinion). I wandered thru the shops & ended up down by the new restaurants.

Ok, gonna go off on Disney for a minute. I'm not thrilled with the alcohol being available in this park. I've seen very un-Disney behavior because of people over indulging. If you want to get drunk....go to a bar.......I don't mind having a (as in one) drink with your meal if you so chose, but unfortunately, some people just don't know how to hold their liquor! Ok, moving on.........so look what I spotted next to the Silly Symphony Swings........

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Do we really need a beer shack next to the kiddie rides?? It's probably a good thing they weren't open that day.....I'm sure some innocent CM would have gotten an ear full from me. It really rubbed me the wrong way. Keep the alcohol over with the restaurants in the wharf area....but don't put up beer shacks all over the park...sheesh! (ok done now)

The NEW Goofy's Sky School sign & entry.

Isn't this where the dinosaur wearing sunglasses used to be???

Once my stroll was over, it was time to head back to Off the Page to pick up my special orders. Since I was there, I decided to pick up a few Christmas ornaments as well. The CM packed them up really well for my flight (and I'm happy to say, they all survived!!).

As I headed back towards the exit, I passed by the Fly-n-Buy store across from Soarin' & picked up a few more items (including Passholder pins!!)

With my arms now full of bags, it was time to head back to the PPH to drop off stuff. I exited thru the GCH park entrance & wound thru the hotel & then across the street to the pier. As I was wandering, I received a text from Lisa (LisaCat) that she was in the parks. I texted back that I was dropping off stuff at the hotel & would text when I hit the front gates of DL.

I got back to the hotel & decided to just go ahead & pack up the items I had just bought, so I wouldn't have to worry about doing when I got back that night.

Next I'll be heading back the DL.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I agree with you about the beer stations . I think a beer garden would have been nice. Having its own little area might be better then so many beer and wine stands. I totaly understand guests having a nice cold beer or glass of wine or an iced mixed drink on a hot day. I have never seen anyone that has drank to much, so DCA does a good job watching for that.

Great pictures-- Glad you got the new camera I feel like I am on vacation.

Patty

 

[Sherry E]

Santa has not been in his beach gear (that was Beach Blast Santa) since 2007, so the pictures you saw are very old! He has been this version of Santa since 2009 (in 2008, there was no Santa in DCA at all). His whole photo location was in a totally different area when he had the Beach Blast thing going.

I definitely would have prepared you for that shock/let down had I known you were hoping for a beachy Santa!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I agree with you about the beer stations . I think a beer garden would have been nice. Having its own little area might be better then so many beer and wine stands. I totaly understand guests having a nice cold beer or glass of wine or an iced mixed drink on a hot day. I have never seen anyone that has drank to much, so DCA does a good job watching for that.

Great pictures-- Glad you got the new camera I feel like I am on vacation.

Patty

I have & hunted down security......a guy was like an inch from his significant others face, screaming at the top of his lungs & punching her shoulder. Totally inappropriate & once security showed up, it was defused with an escort out. But I've seen others just getting very loud & obnoxious & arguing back & forth as they sloshed their colored cup of alcohol around the park. Just feel a drink is ok as long as that's it.......it's just not the place to drink yourself into a stouper.......It would also be nice to contain it to certain areas & not let the guests wander around with it like we're in Reno or Vegas.....lol It's just my opinion on that matter (and just so people don't think I'm an alcohol snob....I'm not...I love a cold beer when I go to karaoke & a yummy margarita with my mexican food)....just not at Disneyland....seems all wrong to me.

Santa has not been in his beach gear (that was Beach Blast Santa) since 2007, so the pictures you saw are very old! He has been this version of Santa since 2009 (in 2008, there was no Santa in DCA at all). His whole photo location was in a totally different area when he had the Beach Blast thing going.

I definitely would have prepared you for that shock/let down had I known you were hoping for a beachy Santa!

It's ok......seeing a beach santa would have been "totally rad dudette!!" but I love Santa any ol' way......traditional is always good!!

 

[kaoden39]

I don't get the beer stands. I do not like the idea at all. I am cool with people having a drink with their meal but i do not think it mixes with the rides and family atmosphere. You know this brings up a point. When Dina and I were there in February we had a drunk making slurs about our possible sexuality. I got a laugh out of it but, he was offensive. Alcohol.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I don't get the beer stands. I do not like the idea at all. I am cool with people having a drink with their meal but i do not think it mixes with the rides and family atmosphere. You know this brings up a point. When Dina and I were there in February we had a drunk making slurs about our possible sexuality. I got a laugh out of it but, he was offensive. Alcohol.

Glad to know I'm not alone in this....... I just think that just because you have a liquor license doesn't mean you have to flaunt it!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

That's a neat coat Santa had on. you really did just miss him, didn't you? And no Duffy...sigh. At least you have one more day to try for them.


Since I've never seen anyone acting drunk at the parks, and since I get sad and lonely being stuck behind the lines of a beer garden while hubby (who barely drinks at all) and son wait around for me, I haven't ever minded the presence of the booze stands. I just wish it wasn't as much for ONE beer as it is for a 6 pack at the store! But I totally get why others think it's bad; I can only go from my experience of never having seen a drunk there and of being lonely in beer gardens.

 

[DizNee Luver]

That's a neat coat Santa had on. you really did just miss him, didn't you? And no Duffy...sigh. At least you have one more day to try for them.


Since I've never seen anyone acting drunk at the parks, and since I get sad and lonely being stuck behind the lines of a beer garden while hubby (who barely drinks at all) and son wait around for me, I haven't ever minded the presence of the booze stands. I just wish it wasn't as much for ONE beer as it is for a 6 pack at the store! But I totally get why others think it's bad; I can only go from my experience of never having seen a drunk there and of being lonely in beer gardens.

There are responsible ways to drink while at the parks, but half of our trips have had an incident involving a drunk person at DCA. When your kids are asking if that person is drunk, it's pretty bad & not what I want to get out of a family vacation at Disneyland.

Again, I don't mind the area in the wharf, but wish it was somewhat contained to that area. I don't feel a beer stand between the Silly Symphony Swings & the Jumpin' Jellyfish ride is appropriate. If it was over with the new restaurants, I wouldn't have objected as badly......placement of this stand is bad.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm all caught up

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty Nine~~Back to Disneyland!

Once I had everything packed up, I hoofed it back over to Disneyland, so I could catch up with Lisa before I had to leave for my tour. Once I entered the gates, I sent a text & she was in ToonTown, so I headed that way.....but first a few pics of the characters in their Christmas sweaters.

Janelle had asked me at our late dinner if I had noticed that the lamp was missing from Walt's apartment window & a small Christmas tree was in it's place. I said, I hadn't & neither one of us had heard about this tradition. We assumed the lamp was always there.

I headed to ToonTown to search for Lisa. I was standing by the trolley & looking around when I hear my name being called.......it's LISA!!!!!!

We wandered for a while taking pictures of all the wacky decorations. It was nice to see someone else pull out their camera & take pictures!!

More Goofy's house!!

The wreath in the window of Minnie's house.

Mickey's tree in his front yard.

Lisa posing in Mickey's little red car.

When we were done, we headed towards Storybookland to see what the line looked like. They decorate the miniatures for Christmas, so I really wanted to see it. Luckily the line wasn't super bad, so we got in it & enjoyed our whirlwind trip (have they sped this ride up?? Almost impossible to get pics at the speed they're going & always shooting thru people's heads & arms)

Next we'll be heading out to the ranch.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm all caught up

Yay!!! Of course I just added more.....lol

 

[kaoden39]

I love the tiny decorations. Can you imagine the steady hands needed for that job?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Thirty~~Let's Head Out to the Ranch!

After our speedboat adventure, we decided to head up to the Big Thunder Ranch. The pardoned turkey was out today!!

I don't remember seeing this the day before......so cute!

A couple of the reindeer were sparring & meshing their antlers.....kinda cool to watch. One of the CM's told Lisa that if the reindeer looses their antlers, the Cm's can take them home.

I went around the area to get more detailed pictures. Santa's line here was again super long......heavy sigh, so I didn't get to see him here again!!

The last time, I didn't go around the reindeer pen onto the BBQ side, but today we did, and I'm glad we did.....so much more to see!!

I love the horse drawn carriages/wagon wheels (not sure what to call these).

Lisa decided to go & do the photopass pic by the entrance to the ranch, so while she was in line, I took a few more pics of that area.

Hi Lisa.....smile for the camera!!!

We followed the path to the Rivers of America......Lisa was going to ride Pirates & I needed to get some lunch & then head to the tour office for the Holiday Tour!! So we said our goodbyes....but we might get together again for WoC or the Fireworks.....depends on what we want to do when the time comes.

Coming up .......I'm Hungry as a Bear!!