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

[Sherry E]

I think the point of the VIP seats that Special Activities so graciously gave me is that they were actual seats, and that no one would be standing in front of us (as would probably happen with normal standing positions for parades). They weren't supposed to be the most close-up or right-in-the-middle-of-the-action seats. They were free for me, after all. Disney usually doesn't give the best stuff away for free. The most close-up seats are for the people (such as yourself) who paid for the tour.

I knew as soon as I booked the VIP seats for the parade that they wouldn't be terribly close - they told me the seats were up the stairs, so that automatically meant that we'd be a bit removed from the action. But again, they were seats and they were free, and there were no tall people standing in front of me, so I was happy that I got them.

Truthfully, I had seen that parade enough times before to where I wasn't interested in seeing it again. I only got the seats so my Idaho friends' son could see it. So if I had to be stuck seeing that parade yet again, I am glad I had seats to do it!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Eighteen~~I Have the Best View of the Castle!!! Where are the Fireworks??

I got myself just to the right of the castle, lined up with the path that leads to Snow White's Grotto & Wishing Well. No one in front of me.....clear shot to take pics of the castle & I assumed the fireworks.

While I waited for the fireworks to begin....I got more pics of the amazing castle!

The music starts & put my camera up ready to shoot amazing pics of the fireworks.......I hear them, I'm looking....but no fireworks!!!! I look up thru the tree to my right.....and WAH-LAH......There they were.......heavy sigh. Off to the right side of the castle (at least from my vantage point).

Next up........Day One isn't over yet!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I think the point of the VIP seats that Special Activities so graciously gave me is that they were actual seats, and that no one would be standing in front of us (as would probably happen with normal standing positions for parades). They weren't supposed to be the most close-up or right-in-the-middle-of-the-action seats. They were free for me, after all. Disney usually doesn't give the best stuff away for free. The most close-up seats are for the people (such as yourself) who paid for the tour.

I knew as soon as I booked the VIP seats for the parade that they wouldn't be terribly close - they told me the seats were up the stairs, so that automatically meant that we'd be a bit removed from the action. But again, they were seats and they were free, and there were no tall people standing in front of me, so I was happy that I got them.

Truthfully, I had seen that parade enough times before to where I wasn't interested in seeing it again. I only got the seats so my Idaho friends' son could see it. So if I had to be stuck seeing that parade yet again, I am glad I had seats to do it!

Seats are always good & believe me.....I was very thankful for them. I think the way my reporting is coming off is total wah, wah......but really that's not what I'm meaning to do. I was so excited to see the parade that our view ended up not being what I had envisioned in my head....so for that, I was disappointed that I didn't come home with 100 totally awesome photos. I was however extremely grateful for the time I got with you & Molly & getting to experience the parade with friends!!!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Loved the update!! I would have loved to meet all of you but I had school.

 

[kelmac284]

Loving your report as always. Great pics and it looks like you had fun!! I must admit I haven't posted much because although I LOVE to see your reports it made me a little sad since we were supposed to go that same weekend BUT I still am forcing myself to see it because you do such an awesome job and I am so happy that you were able to experince it!!

Come hell or high water we are going next year though!! Katy is turning 13 next New Year's Eve and we have said that we always wanted to do the DL fireworks ONCE and Times Square ONCE so at least we can hopefully make that happen. We plan to go after xmas next year and do NYE and then on New Year's day we are going to drive up to pasadena and hopefully see the floats after the parade. So I am REALLY looking forward to that and we are going to MAKE it happen somehow!! Mom is going to let us use her car to save money on airfare and we will prob have to stay in a cheapy place but it will stil be fun!

Looking forward to your next installment!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

At least Tokyo Disneyland still has Toontown, like here.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Loved the update!! I would have loved to meet all of you but I had school.

One of these days, we'll meet up when I'm down there!!!

Loving your report as always. Great pics and it looks like you had fun!! I must admit I haven't posted much because although I LOVE to see your reports it made me a little sad since we were supposed to go that same weekend BUT I still am forcing myself to see it because you do such an awesome job and I am so happy that you were able to experince it!!

Come hell or high water we are going next year though!! Katy is turning 13 next New Year's Eve and we have said that we always wanted to do the DL fireworks ONCE and Times Square ONCE so at least we can hopefully make that happen. We plan to go after xmas next year and do NYE and then on New Year's day we are going to drive up to pasadena and hopefully see the floats after the parade. So I am REALLY looking forward to that and we are going to MAKE it happen somehow!! Mom is going to let us use her car to save money on airfare and we will prob have to stay in a cheapy place but it will stil be fun!

Looking forward to your next installment!!

Oh, I understand Kelly.....when we found out that we didn't get to go at Christmas time, I quit following the superthread.....I switched gears to the Halloween one & then when that fell thru, I stopped following that one......I picked up on the Christmas one again when Mike said I could go for those couple days. It's hard to look at that stuff, when you're missing it so badly & knew you should have been there in person. Hang in there......things have got to start looking up!!! *+*+*Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust*+*+*

I give you lots of props for wanting to do NYE at Disneyland....woof.....WAY too many people for me!!!

At least Tokyo Disneyland still has Toontown, like here.

Have you been to the Tokyo Disneyland Kaitlin??

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Nineteen~~Day One Isn't Over Yet!

After letting the crowds disperse a bit after the fireworks, I wanted to go to It's a Small World to get pictures of it all lit up. Not a good plan!! After the fireworks, then the crowds move down there for the Memories show that's projected on the facade of the building. So I was about halfway between Small World & the Matterhorn trying to shoot pics above the crowds.

It is soooooo colorful & pretty to see!!

Since I knew I wouldn't be getting any closer to it tonight......I headed back towards the castle & got a nighttime reflection shot of the castle.....B E A utiful!!!!

I headed towards the Partner's Statue & couldn't help myself......this shot was calling my name......had my finger's crossed it would come out!!

I made my way in front of the statue to try & capture the lit up Mickey head garlands & the tree.

Once I made it up to the Christmas, I took a few pics of it all lit up!!

Before leaving the park after an amazing day......I stopped to get a picture of the floral Mickey that greets guests as you enter the gates.

Next up Where Oh Where are you Janelle?!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Twenty~~Where Oh Where Are You Janelle?!

For those of you that have followed the PTR & on Facebook.....you know that Janelle & I were super excited that we'd be there on the same day. We didn't have any set plans.....but definitely we're going to meet up sometime during the day. Well the day was spent sending texts back & forth (and having issues of receiving them) & checking FB to see if I was on the same side of the park of her with her check-ins. Nothing seemed to be working & I was getting a bit worried when it was getting later & later in the day & still no set plan of attack for seeing her. Janelle was with a co-worker & didn't want to interrupt their plans. I wasn't too worried, we had talked about meeting up after the park closed at 9pm & have dinner......but when her check-ins stopped & I still wasn't hearing back from her by text or call......I got a bit panicky!! I did get a text right before the fireworks, her battery was dead on her phone....but still no meeting place.

So I decided to head back to the PPH & hopefully hear from her soon! I tried to capture the snowflakes above the entry gates, but wasn't happy with what I got.

The new California Adventure entry at night:

One of the DTD trees all lit up:

These trees are out in front of the GCH:

I made it across the street to the PPH:

Another close up of the PPH tree!!

I got up to the room to drop off a few things, switch out batteries on my cellphone & then I was going to head back to the GCH lobby to see if I could catch Janelle as she came thru. She was staying at the PPH as well for their convention, so I figured they'd come through there.

A nighttime view from our room before I took off in search of Janelle!

I get downstairs & make it to the sidewalk when I receive a text from Janelle.......they're at the Lego Store.....I text back to stay there, I'm on my way. As I make my way to DTD, I pass by the DTD & business Christmas trees. Unfortunately, these didn't come out as I hoped.

I hoofed it to the Lego Store & found Janelle!!! I got to meet her co-worker, Karen too!! Janelle made her purchases & we wandered into DTD. The ladies had been craving nacho's all day & I never say no to nachos or Mexican food!!! We went to Tortilla Joe's for a late dinner. We all ordered the nacho's & got the table-side guacamole......Oh My Goodness.....that was DELICIOUS!!!

Here's Janelle (MommyWithDreams) & her co-worker, Karen!!

Dinner was really good.....this was my first time eating there. I somewhat had avoided this restaurant due to seeing reports of food poisoning the last few years.....but we all survived & no one got sick!! lol

Everything was closing up, so we wandered through DTD towards the GCH lobby. We stopped in front of the tree for a picture.

Since we all were staying at the PPH, we made our way to the lobby & stopped for another picture.

Now here's where it gets funny.......we were staying on the same floor & almost across the hall from one another!!! We said our goodbye & goodnights & turned in.

Before I closed my eyes after my very long day......I had to get a picture of my 2 goodies I picked up at Marcelline's in DTD.

Cake Pop:

Gingerbread Cookie:

What a Wonderful Day!!! Couldn't wait to see what Day Two would hold for me!!

Coming up: It's Santa!! It's Santa!!

 

[princesszelda]

I am loveing your TR as well as your others. That cake pop looks delicious!

 

[Trentmom]

Oh, do they plan on bringing it back when the expansion is done.....or is history??

Mary & Bert always so much fun!!

The castle is pretty neat to see daytime & nighttime!

No, it is almost all history

they are taking goofy's barnstormer, the rollercoaster and moving that to the new area of fantastyland. But it will have a new name and theming

 

[DizNee Luver]

I am loveing your TR as well as your others. That cake pop looks delicious!

Thank you so much!!

The cake pop was.....alright. I've never had one before....it was a little "thick" for me. The cake part that is. The chocolate & confetti was of course yummy......lol

 

[DizNee Luver]

No, it is almost all history

they are taking goofy's barnstormer, the rollercoaster and moving that to the new area of fantastyland. But it will have a new name and theming

Ok.....I know so little about WDW.....I guess one of these years, we should shoot for that.....lol I'll be interested in seeing the differences!!

 

[DisneyStitch626]

I can only guess what a cake pop is by it's title, but never had one. Looks and sounds delicious!

Loving all your photos!

 

[Trentmom]

You are really on a roll. Loving all your updates

Your coke place sounds cool. Ours is club cool and has cokes from all lover world, but none of regular coke



The castle is very pretty. Have you ever see the castle in WDW lit up for Christmas? Amazing. If you have not seen it yet, you have to check it out one year

Glad you finally met up with your friend. That is hilarious you were almost across the hall from each other

 

[DizNee Luver]

I can only guess what a cake pop is by it's title, but never had one. Looks and sounds delicious!

Loving all your photos!

I guess I was hoping the cake part would be lighter....more like cake. It was like taking a piece of cake & squeezing it in your hand & rolling it into a shape, then chocolate coating it. So the consistency was like eating half cooked dough.....not a huge fan but had to try one!

You are really on a roll. Loving all your updates

Your coke place sounds cool. Ours is club cool and has cokes from all lover world, but none of regular coke



The castle is very pretty. Have you ever see the castle in WDW lit up for Christmas? Amazing. If you have not seen it yet, you have to check it out one year

Glad you finally met up with your friend. That is hilarious you were almost across the hall from each other

Coke Corner is a counter service restaurant serving hot dogs & chili. I think it's cool that the Coke company made this special syrup & it's only available there!!

Never been to WDW....I've seen pictures of the castle....would love to go some year!!! Unfortunately flights would kill us.....way too many people in my family.....lol

Janelle's room was one door on the left before our room door on the right....that's how close we were!!

 

[princesszelda]

I have made cake pop before. I wonder if those are just as tasty. I know it takes me two days to get mine done.

day one: Make a cake let it cool put it in a bowl with frosting and mix together. let sit in fridge.

day two: make into balls and dip into choclate then let harden.

 

[DisneyStitch626]

Coke Corner is a counter service restaurant serving hot dogs & chili.

And don't forget, very yummy Mickey shaped pretzels! Mmmmm.

That cake pop sounds a little disappointing. Hm.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I have made cake pop before. I wonder if those are just as tasty. I know it takes me two days to get mine done.

day one: Make a cake let it cool put it in a bowl with frosting and mix together. let sit in fridge.

day two: make into balls and dip into choclate then let harden.

Could be......I think if I had known what to expect ahead of time, I wouldn't have been surprised when I bit into it. It had a nice flavor, but consistency, wasn't working for me.

 

[DizNee Luver]

And don't forget, very yummy Mickey shaped pretzels! Mmmmm.

That cake pop sounds a little disappointing. Hm.

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.