Lots of Completed Trip Reports....Nov 2009 - April 2014

[deejdigsdis]

Wow, what a great trip report! It's had me procrastinating at work for two days. Your April trip was just a few weeks before we went this year. It was nice to see your perspective.
I am still in the post Disneyland depression but the good news is we have booked another trip for November! Yay.
I have a question for you. This could probably be answered in a diff forum but you seem like you're nice and wouldn't mind.
We are going to Disneyland Nov 7-12 this year but we are also going the same dates in 2011. I wanted to buy an AP but figured it would expire as my next trip started. Can you buy park hopper passes and transfer them to an AP on the last day of using them? That way I could fit both trips in on one AP

Thanks!

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. When I'm missing Disneyland it's fun to come back and re-live the trip through the TR.

Yay for November! This is how the ticket thing worked for me: I bought a 3-Day Park Hopper. My first day of use was April 27th. On my 3rd day, April 29th, I went to upgrade to an AP. My AP has an expiration date of April 27, 2011. It's good THROUGH the 27th. I would guess that if you had Nov. 7th as your first day of use for your Park Hopper, and then upgraded on Nov. 12th, that your AP would be good through Nov. 7, 2011. I only have this one experience to draw from, though. I hope if I'm wrong someone will jump in and correct me so you don't get bad info. Any way you could change dates so that second trip would be covered? Have you been in Nov. before? I just loved it. We went later (Nov. 16 - 20) and the holiday stuff was in full swing. I responded to someone on another thread about crowds at that time of year. I thought it was interesting that the day time crowds were lower during our Nov. trip than our April trip, and the nighttime crowds were higher in our Nov. trip compared to our April trip. I guess due to locals coming in to experience the amazing feeling of Christmas time at Disneyland.

Any more questions?

 

[Sherry E]

Well, now that this portion of the TR has sadly come to an end...looks like it's time for you to jump in on the "Halloween at DL" super thread to start planning for your (hopeful) Fall trip!! You know, at one time, the "Disney at Christmas" thread was waaaaay ahead of the Halloween thread in terms of number of views (Christmas was at 16,000 views and Halloween was at 2,000 views), but the Halloween thread has picked up some steam and is quickly closing the gap on Christmas!! I think it's because the HalloweenTime details are beginning to come in now, so we all have something to chat about in addition to just posting photos.

Anyway, a few thoughts before I forget...

1. I think that my favorite duck picture that you took (of them trotting over the bridge with the pink hearts on the right-hand side) should either go in the Spirit of DLR thread or the general daily DLR photo thread - or both. It seems to capture the essence of both of those threads.

2. I, too, had my doubts about Aladdin before seeing it in 2008. I had heard so much about it and people on this board were telling me I would love it, so I decided to give it a try. I figured, oh well, if worse comes to worst it will be a nice rest from the heat for a while. But we ended up loving it! I really think the Genie makes the whole show - and it's not just because he is funny, but because he spews out topical, current references to pop culture, politics and other things to keep the adults interested - and the material constantly changes depending on what's happening that week in the news. When we saw it, the Genie was joking about "Tom" (everyone's friend) on MySpace and the congressional bailout, among many other things. But I imagine he has thrown out many a Tiger Woods reference, probably stuff about "Balloon Boy" from last year, probably the BP oil spill, etc. I am glad that Aladdin is sticking around for an undetermined period of time. As much as I love Toy Story, I was thinking that the Toy Story musical was going to have some pretty tough shoes to fill when it took over for Aladdin.

3. Count me in the club of people who was underwhelmed by the Carnation Cafe breakfast. I mean, it wasn't terrible by any means. It just wasn't great. I really, really enjoy Carnation Cafe as a restaurant in general, because the location is so charming and quaint and the food is good. But I much prefer the lunch/dinner menu (or even dessert only) over the breakfast food. My friend was not keen on the breakfast, either.

4. The funny thing is I totally recognize that tall, blonde waitress in your Carnation Cafe photo (she is taking someone's order in the background). She has waited on us more times than I can count, for different meals at different times of day. She is a stalwart at Carnation!!

5. I forgot to mention in my list of things to look for at DLR (along with the weather vanes, etc.) the different popcorn-turning dudes in the various popcorn carts around DLR!! I was reminded over in the Disney at Christmas thread when Marie posted a photo of the Santa popcorn-turner from the holiday season. But I have seen others. There's an Oogie Boogie popcorn dude near HMH (when it's HMH time at DL). I have seen a clown somewhere (I forget where). There is sort of an old-fashioned looking popcorn guy in a pin-striped shirt and a hat or vest somewhere. I think there may be more, and they are themed to their specific areas!!

Anyway, great, detailed pictures and a great TR!!

 

[funkemorgan]

Any way you could change dates so that second trip would be covered? Have you been in Nov. before? I just loved it. We went later (Nov. 16 - 20) and the holiday stuff was in full swing.

Any more questions? [/QUOTE]

Thanks so much. I had already talked to DH about changing the dates b/c of the Christmas happenings so this fuels my fire! We were most concerned about crowds but if that's not much different from when we went in May then
We've been to WDW in early November and the decorations were up but no events. Both times we've gone to DL we've gone in May. I LOVE the idea of seeing all the Christmas stuff but I am a little worried about liking the Haunted Mansion at that time of year. I Love Nightmare before Christmas but I love the Haunted Mansion just the way it is too!

 

[tksbaskets]

I loved going along on your trip report! You have a wonderful writing style and just the right amount of photos (who doesn't like a story with great photos??)

Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping you'll do another report in the fall

 

[deejdigsdis]

Well, now that this portion of the TR has sadly come to an end...looks like it's time for you to jump in on the "Halloween at DL" super thread to start planning for your (hopeful) Fall trip!! You know, at one time, the "Disney at Christmas" thread was waaaaay ahead of the Halloween thread in terms of number of views (Christmas was at 16,000 views and Halloween was at 2,000 views), but the Halloween thread has picked up some steam and is quickly closing the gap on Christmas!! I think it's because the HalloweenTime details are beginning to come in now, so we all have something to chat about in addition to just posting photos.

Anyway, a few thoughts before I forget...

1. I think that my favorite duck picture that you took (of them trotting over the bridge with the pink hearts on the right-hand side) should either go in the Spirit of DLR thread or the general daily DLR photo thread - or both. It seems to capture the essence of both of those threads.

2. I, too, had my doubts about Aladdin before seeing it in 2008. I had heard so much about it and people on this board were telling me I would love it, so I decided to give it a try. I figured, oh well, if worse comes to worst it will be a nice rest from the heat for a while. But we ended up loving it! I really think the Genie makes the whole show - and it's not just because he is funny, but because he spews out topical, current references to pop culture, politics and other things to keep the adults interested - and the material constantly changes depending on what's happening that week in the news. When we saw it, the Genie was joking about "Tom" (everyone's friend) on MySpace and the congressional bailout, among many other things. But I imagine he has thrown out many a Tiger Woods reference, probably stuff about "Balloon Boy" from last year, probably the BP oil spill, etc. I am glad that Aladdin is sticking around for an undetermined period of time. As much as I love Toy Story, I was thinking that the Toy Story musical was going to have some pretty tough shoes to fill when it took over for Aladdin.

3. Count me in the club of people who was underwhelmed by the Carnation Cafe breakfast. I mean, it wasn't terrible by any means. It just wasn't great. I really, really enjoy Carnation Cafe as a restaurant in general, because the location is so charming and quaint and the food is good. But I much prefer the lunch/dinner menu (or even dessert only) over the breakfast food. My friend was not keen on the breakfast, either.

4. The funny thing is I totally recognize that tall, blonde waitress in your Carnation Cafe photo (she is taking someone's order in the background). She has waited on us more times than I can count, for different meals at different times of day. She is a stalwart at Carnation!!

5. I forgot to mention in my list of things to look for at DLR (along with the weather vanes, etc.) the different popcorn-turning dudes in the various popcorn carts around DLR!! I was reminded over in the Disney at Christmas thread when Marie posted a photo of the Santa popcorn-turner from the holiday season. But I have seen others. There's an Oogie Boogie popcorn dude near HMH (when it's HMH time at DL). I have seen a clown somewhere (I forget where). There is sort of an old-fashioned looking popcorn guy in a pin-striped shirt and a hat or vest somewhere. I think there may be more, and they are themed to their specific areas!!

Anyway, great, detailed pictures and a great TR!!

Thanks Sherry! And thanks for the comments on the duck picture. I was hoping to get a better picture but they kept moving! It's a little intimidating posting photos on that main photography thread. There are some great photographers over there, with awesome cameras.

Can you believe that I've already forgotten the Genie jokes? Oh wait -- I do remember something about Larry King, and another about Kate from "Jon and Kate Plus 8." I just can't remember the jokes!

You've given me a new mission for my next trip...scouting out the popcorn-turning dudes. Except I'll skip the clown one. I'm SO not a fan of clowns. I think my fear dates back to an old Little House on the Prairie episode I saw when I was younger. A man disguised himself as a clown and attacked a girl in a barn. Not very Little House on the Prairie-ish.

Thanks so much. I had already talked to DH about changing the dates b/c of the Christmas happenings so this fuels my fire! We were most concerned about crowds but if that's not much different from when we went in May then
We've been to WDW in early November and the decorations were up but no events. Both times we've gone to DL we've gone in May. I LOVE the idea of seeing all the Christmas stuff but I am a little worried about liking the Haunted Mansion at that time of year. I Love Nightmare before Christmas but I love the Haunted Mansion just the way it is too!

I hope it works out for you! If you love Nightmare Before Christmas then I would guess you'd enjoy the Haunted Mansion Holiday layover. I've never seen the movie. I'm such a sucker for nostalgia and things staying the same (that are just fine the way they are) -- for me the layover is an impostor. But everything else going on in the park holiday-wise more than makes up for that. The "snow" is so magical to me and I love the constant playing of the Christmas music.

I loved going along on your trip report! You have a wonderful writing style and just the right amount of photos (who doesn't like a story with great photos??)

Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping you'll do another report in the fall

Thanks again for joining me on my trip down Disneyland Memory Lane! I thought I probably threw in a few too many photos, but that's my favorite part of others' Trip Reports so I went a little wild. Looking forward to hearing about your trip to WDW later this year!

 

[newrygirl]

delete

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Hi! Well, I just wanted to thank you..................for all the wonderful photos, for all the details that we sometimes take for granted, but most of all for creating even more excitement and anticipation for our upcoming trip!

I too am breaking a 12 year drought.................we have so may things in common, I found myself agreeing with you and nodding my head and laughing right along with your posts! HM is my favourite ride also, so I am now very keen to ride it with the overlay and see what I think. We actually watched The Nightmare Before Christmas not so long ago, and I was not a fan. I will try to keep an open mind although I am going to miss the hitchhikers and the messages.

I am very much looking forward to reading your next instalment, and I will most definitely be doing our TR when we return.
We will be in the USA for one whole month and are staying for Christmas!

So, thanks again and my DD and I can't wait to try one of those Tigger tails!!!

Cheers

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi! Well, I just wanted to thank you..................for all the wonderful photos, for all the details that we sometimes take for granted, but most of all for creating even more excitement and anticipation for our upcoming trip!

I too am breaking a 12 year drought.................we have so may things in common, I found myself agreeing with you and nodding my head and laughing right along with your posts! HM is my favourite ride also, so I am now very keen to ride it with the overlay and see what I think. We actually watched The Nightmare Before Christmas not so long ago, and I was not a fan. I will try to keep an open mind although I am going to miss the hitchhikers and the messages.

I am very much looking forward to reading your next instalment, and I will most definitely be doing our TR when we return.
We will be in the USA for one whole month and are staying for Christmas!

So, thanks again and my DD and I can't wait to try one of those Tigger tails!!!

Cheers

Aw, you're welcome! Thank you for your kind words. Wow, a whole month in the USA! I hope you have a great trip and I will be on the lookout for your TR. I've been thinking that I should watch "The Nightmare Before Christmas" before my Oct. trip, just so the holiday overlay in HM would at least make sense to me. We'll see. And by the way, the Tigger Tails recently changed! They are no longer like the ones pictured in my Trip Report. Instead of the orange-flavored chocolate, they are covered in orange-colored sugar. I don't know if they still have orange flavoring to them or not. There are pictures in some recent posts in the Dining Reviews thread. They don't look nearly as good to me. Anyway, thanks for reading.

 

[travelmel]

Yes, I waited until no one was around before I took pics inside the restroom. And yes, I felt a little silly taking pics inside the restroom.

Amazing trip report.. I really enjoyed it You are a fantastic photographer! I am amazed at the quality of your photo's from a camera that you said cost, what, $200? Wow, I wish I would have made that choice. We got the Cannon SI3 or something and it absolutely REEKS compared to your shots. And, I believe we paid almost $400 for it. Sad. I went to the high tech consumer sites and made all the comparison charts and .... *sigh* I love your pics and camera. Thank you so much for taking and sharing

 

[travelmel]

Hi! Well, I just wanted to thank you..................for all the wonderful photos, for all the details that we sometimes take for granted, but most of all for creating even more excitement and anticipation for our upcoming trip!

I too am breaking a 12 year drought.................we have so may things in common, I found myself agreeing with you and nodding my head and laughing right along with your posts! HM is my favourite ride also, so I am now very keen to ride it with the overlay and see what I think. We actually watched The Nightmare Before Christmas not so long ago, and I was not a fan. I will try to keep an open mind although I am going to miss the hitchhikers and the messages.

Cheers

I am not a fan of change AT ALL (don't get me started on Johnny Depp invading the classically brilliant PotC ride SIGH)... but I have to say that the overlay on the HM is beautiful. I wasn't a huge fan of the movie but have grown fonder of it since.... also, I'm not 100% sure but I think the hitchhikers are exactly the same with the overlay. I don't think you will be disappointed. The movie soundtrack, BTW, is really fun and catchy after you've heard it a few times.. my kids love it TO DEATH. Enjoy!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Amazing trip report.. I really enjoyed it You are a fantastic photographer! I am amazed at the quality of your photo's from a camera that you said cost, what, $200? Wow, I wish I would have made that choice. We got the Cannon SI3 or something and it absolutely REEKS compared to your shots. And, I believe we paid almost $400 for it. Sad. I went to the high tech consumer sites and made all the comparison charts and .... *sigh* I love your pics and camera. Thank you so much for taking and sharing

WOW! Thank you so much! Not sure if I've ever been referred to as a "photographer" before. I know nothing about photography. I really enjoy a great photograph and think, "I wish I knew how to do that.." but then reality kicks in and I realize I don't think I have the patience to learn. If I don't have the patience to actually sit down and read the manual that came with my point and shoot camera, I doubt I would have the patience to focus and learn the necessary photography techniques to justify the cost of getting a nice camera. Who knows... maybe someday.

Anyway, another picture to share...

We are rearranging the kids' sleeping arrangements. DS4 has been saying for months..."Mom, why are there 2 dudes in your bedroom {referring to me and my husband!} and 2 dudes in {DS7 and DS10} room, and only 1 dude in my room? I want 2 dudes, too." More recently it has been, "Mom, why are there 2 peeps in your room, 2 peeps in my bros' room, and only 1 peep in my room? When can there be another peep in my room?" Well, given that there isn't another baby on the horizon, we decided to switch the boys around. DS4 is moving in with DS7, and DS10 will take DS4's old room. It needed a new paint job, though. I painted it yellow when DS4 was a baby. It was overdue for something more older boy-ish. DS10 picked out a bright blue color and we began painting last week. One day my mind was on something other than getting the job done. Hmmmm...

Can't wait! It's really sneaking up on me.

 

[deejdigsdis]

How about this for a blast from the past... August 1979. Kind of creepy.

Well, I should be packing. I should be over the top excited. I should be counting down the days. I always know what my countdown is -- but that's not the case this time. I hadn't even realized I'd hit single digits. My thoughts are consumed with wondering why I am feeling numbness in my feet, that has moved to my legs, that has moved to my right arm, that has moved to my lower back, that moved into my chin for a brief moment yesterday and into my lips for a brief moment this morning. None of it is constant by any means. It hasn't been debilitating in any way. But it has been scary. MRI is tomorrow.

 

[travelmel]

How about this for a blast from the past... August 1979. Kind of creepy.



Well, I should be packing. I should be over the top excited. I should be counting down the days. I always know what my countdown is -- but that's not the case this time. I hadn't even realized I'd hit single digits. My thoughts are consumed with wondering why I am feeling numbness in my feet, that has moved to my legs, that has moved to my right arm, that has moved to my lower back, that moved into my chin for a brief moment yesterday and into my lips for a brief moment this morning. None of it is constant by any means. It hasn't been debilitating in any way. But it has been scary. MRI is tomorrow.

That picture is awesome! I hope your MRI goes incredibly well and that you are clear to enjoy yourself planning and countdown as previously planned!

 

[deejdigsdis]

That picture is awesome! I hope your MRI goes incredibly well and that you are clear to enjoy yourself planning and countdown as previously planned!

Thank You. Now the waiting game begins... I am leaving tomorrow to spend a few days with my husband's family before heading to DL with my mom and sisters, so I will be getting the MRI results while I am gone. Today is the best I've felt since this whole thing started.

In the spirit of Halloween...another creepy photo...

Yeah, I know it's not technically a Halloween picture, but Minnie sure does look scary in this parade back in 1979! Or maybe it was 1976???

 

[deejdigsdis]

Well, I'm back. Hard to believe that yesterday I was doing this:

Any guesses as to what I'm actually doing?

Part 3 of my 3 trips in 12 months is coming up...

 

[deejdigsdis]

No guesses???

OK, here are a few more clues:

Anyway, I'm sitting here drowning my post-Disneyland blues in the last of my Mickey Head Truffles. I want to get my trip down while it is still somewhat fresh in my mind. For Part 1 (Ending My 13 Year Disneyland Drought -- Nov. 2009) and Part 2 (Celebrating Our 11th Wedding Anniversary 4+ Years Late -- April 2010) I jotted down notes here and there during the trips. I also took pictures here and there...not with the intent to print them out, but rather for the purpose of reminding me of little things that I didn't want to forget. This trip I didn't take the time to do those things and I am so regretting it. I guess I took extra pics to help me remember to mention certain things, but I didn't write down a single thing. My little notebook I tucked inside my purse is still fresh as a daisy. So -- I'm going to have to rely on my memory and the pictures I came home with.

OK...so how did this trip come about? Back on Nov. 20, 2009 I was in line for Nemo with my family. It was the first time we'd taken our kids to Disneyland, and my first visit in more than 13 years. So here we were, our last night, that "I have to walk away from Disneyland tonight for the last time in who knows how long" pit in my stomach, growing with each passing minute. (OK, that sounds a little dramatic. But - ugh - that horrible feeling that you'll soon be passing through the tunnel for the last time...it deserves a little drama.) OK, so we're standing in line. I quickly texted my sister, asking her if there was ANY way she would be able to leave her busy retail manager job for a few days within the next year so we could go to Disneyland together. I was just desperate to have a plan to come back. It's easier to walk away when you know you'll be coming back. I didn't really need to know specifics. I just needed to know it would happen. Within the next year. So of course she's all over the idea. I ponder upgrading my 4-day hopper to an AP to put that plan in motion.

(Yeah, I know those pictures from my childhood visits have nothing to do with what I'm currently talking about, but too many words and no pictures is boring to me.)

Back to pondering the AP... my practical side took over and decided not to fork out the extra $90 or $100 to upgrade. Just in case it didn't pan out. I would have been kicking myself if that happened, given my frugal nature. I also realized I didn't have my ID with me, so I couldn't have done it anyway. No time to go back to the hotel and get it. Now I'm kicking myself for NOT upgrading at that time. Given my frugal nature and all, and how the year has panned out Disneyland-wise.

So...I didn't upgrade. Fast forward to April 2010. I went on a short mid-week getaway with my husband. (Details earlier in the TR) I upgraded my 3-day park hopper at that time (paid a total of $263 for my Deluxe AP) because the wheels were in motion for an October trip with my parents and my 2 sisters.

Photo Relief:

Fast forward to October 2010. The trip is a go for my mom (age 71) and my 2 sisters (ages 48 and 36). I am the middle sister at age 38. (Eeewww. I haven't actually written - or typed - that out before.) My dad at age 77 felt he was too old to go. We fought him on that point for a while, but he didn't budge. So it turned into a girls' trip. A much needed girls' trip at that. The last time my mom and sisters and I were all together was more than 14 years ago. Yes, 14 years ago. Due to some falling-out stuff between my 2 sisters, but we'll leave it at that. The good news is they patched things up a few months ago. Funny -- this trip was planned back in January or February, for all of us girls to go in October. They were still on the outs when the initial plans were made. Ah...the magic of Disneyland. And another thing... the last time the 4 of us were altogether more than 14 years ago? That was at Disneyland.

Sorry for the book. I'm sure no one cares how this trip came about. The main reason I do these TRs is to get the details down before I forget. Then, when I print out my pictures and scrapbook them, or just put them in an album with pocket pages, I can come back here and read little details that I might have forgotten. A good way to fill in the gaps. Like right now I should probably say that my sister ate fudge off of Main Street. Yes, right off of Main Street. All 4 of us were plopped on the curb in front of Blue Ribbon Bakery, each with a fork in hand, sharing a tray of chocolate fudge - no nuts. Just digging in. I dropped some on the street in front of me, didn't plan on eating it, and my sister reached over with her fork and picked it up. And ate it. And the rest of us laughed. That's something I want to always remember about this trip. I didn't write that down in my little notebook, and I know I didn't get a picture of it, but it's something I want to remember. There, it's down in my little TR memory bank that I can access later. A memory never to be forgotten.

OK, from here on out there will be less talk and more pictures.

 

[Sherry E]

So I'm guessing Snow White broke down yesterday and you had to get out and walk? Is that what the photos depict?

Okay, I'm following along anyway, of course, but I have one question and I'm dying to know now (because it may be a while before we get to the end of the TR). I asked Tksbaskets the same thing when she recently returned from her first-ever DLR Halloween trip.

Now that you've done both Halloween Time and Christmas Time at DLR and can directly compare - and I know how much you enjoyed Christmas time - would you say you enjoy both seasons at DLR equally in terms of decor, treats and overall atmosphere, or would you say that one season has an advantage over the other?

I skipped Halloween Time this year. I had planned to go, but it just got to be too difficult for me to get there and make it happen (the perils of not having a car). I am sad about missing it - it feels weird to not go this year after going for 3 Halloweens in a row - BUT I feel like I am not missing anything and I can deal with going again in 2011. In fact, it may be bigger and better in 2011.

However, my Christmas at DLR 2010 trip is on track for a December 12 launch date and I feel like I cannot miss that because it's too important to me.

So I guess I am asking, if you were only able to go to DLR for Halloween or Christmas again and had to choose between the two, which would you choose? I ask because I know there are lots of folks on this board who prefer Halloween as a holiday and as a season at DLR more than Christmas, so you never know which way the popular opinion will go!

 

[deejdigsdis]

So I'm guessing Snow White broke down yesterday and you had to get out and walk? Is that what the photos depict?

Okay, I'm following along anyway, of course, but I have one question and I'm dying to know now (because it may be a while before we get to the end of the TR). I asked Tksbaskets the same thing when she recently returned from her first-ever DLR Halloween trip.

Now that you've done both Halloween Time and Christmas Time at DLR and can directly compare - and I know how much you enjoyed Christmas time - would you say you enjoy both seasons at DLR equally in terms of decor, treats and overall atmosphere, or would you say that one season has an advantage over the other?

I skipped Halloween Time this year. I had planned to go, but it just got to be too difficult for me to get there and make it happen (the perils of not having a car). I am sad about missing it - it feels weird to not go this year after going for 3 Halloweens in a row - BUT I feel like I am not missing anything and I can deal with going again in 2011. In fact, it may be bigger and better in 2011.

However, my Christmas at DLR 2010 trip is on track for a December 12 launch date and I feel like I cannot miss that because it's too important to me.

So I guess I am asking, if you were only able to go to DLR for Halloween or Christmas again and had to choose between the two, which would you choose? I ask because I know there are lots of folks on this board who prefer Halloween as a holiday and as a season at DLR more than Christmas, so you never know which way the popular opinion will go!

Yay Sherry! I'm so glad you popped in. I was hoping I wouldn't be talking to myself the whole time.

And you are correct! Snow White did break down and we got out and walked. More on that later.

Since you brought up the 2 seasons... this was just weird:

It was just odd. I know they have to do things like that. There is no way to transform all of Disneyland into a wintry Christmas wonderland overnight. But it is a little distracting in some ways.

On to answer your question. If I had to choose a Halloween Trip OR a Christmas Trip, which would I choose. Christmas -- hands down. I loved this trip. I loved all the fall and Halloween decor. I loved Mickey's Halloween Party. But...it was very easy to forget that it was Halloween Time. As you've pointed out so many times, Christmas Time at Disneyland is so much more immersive and all-encompassing. It feels like Christmas in other areas besides Main Street and Big Thunder Ranch. One of my favorite things about Christmas Time was the constant Christmas music that was playing. Loved it. But it felt like Christmas all over the place. It's not the same with Halloween. The current plan is to go back in 2 years. I would like to go in November again when Christmas is in full swing, but my 10 year old son really wants to ride Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and go trick-or-treating at Disneyland. So we'll see. Oh - what did tksbaskets say? I was excited for her one day Halloween adventure. Did she report back in the Halloween thread? It's been a while since I've made it in there.

I'm a bit behind (OK, a lot behind) on the Halloween thread and your TR, but the last I read you were thinking of going on Friday Oct. 22nd and your friend (who has been a bit interesting) was planning to meet up with you for the party -- and maybe Goofy's? Anyway, I need to get caught up on your goings-on! I am very happy to hear about an actual December date, though. Will this be a solo adventure? Oh, I hope it all works out! I'm sure you've got the details in your TR so I'll check over there.

 

[Sherry E]

Yay Sherry! I'm so glad you popped in. I was hoping I wouldn't be talking to myself the whole time.

And you are correct! Snow White did break down and we got out and walked. More on that later.

Since you brought up the 2 seasons... this was just weird:

It was just odd. I know they have to do things like that. There is no way to transform all of Disneyland into a wintry Christmas wonderland overnight. But it is a little distracting in some ways.

On to answer your question. If I had to choose a Halloween Trip OR a Christmas Trip, which would I choose. Christmas -- hands down. I loved this trip. I loved all the fall and Halloween decor. I loved Mickey's Halloween Party. But...it was very easy to forget that it was Halloween Time. As you've pointed out so many times, Christmas Time at Disneyland is so much more immersive and all-encompassing. It feels like Christmas in other areas besides Main Street and Big Thunder Ranch. One of my favorite things about Christmas Time was the constant Christmas music that was playing. Loved it. But it felt like Christmas all over the place. It's not the same with Halloween. The current plan is to go back in 2 years. I would like to go in November again when Christmas is in full swing, but my 10 year old son really wants to ride Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and go trick-or-treating at Disneyland. So we'll see. Oh - what did tksbaskets say? I was excited for her one day Halloween adventure. Did she report back in the Halloween thread? It's been a while since I've made it in there.

I'm a bit behind (OK, a lot behind) on the Halloween thread and your TR, but the last I read you were thinking of going on Friday Oct. 22nd and your friend (who has been a bit interesting) was planning to meet up with you for the party -- and maybe Goofy's? Anyway, I need to get caught up on your goings-on! I am very happy to hear about an actual December date, though. Will this be a solo adventure? Oh, I hope it all works out! I'm sure you've got the details in your TR so I'll check over there.

Hello! Ooooh...I love that holiday candy corn photo! You should post that picture on our Christmas thread - we are all starved for any photos of the new holiday season over there!!

It's funny because in the 'real world,' I definitely think there should be more of a separation of holidays. Sometimes Valentine's Day stuff hits the shelves before we have even reached the New Year. Sometimes Easter things are put out before Valentine's Day happens. Halloween candy usually appears when it's still the peak of summer! And we all know that signs of Christmas begin to show up very early. It's hard to tell which holidays are happening when, and I think many people feel the pressure to buy 'stuff' when they see it.

But, because I absolutely adore Christmas time - and I don't have the same pressures associated with it as other people do (to buy, cook, bake, shop - or even decorate if I don't want to) - I don't mind seeing signs of it in DLR early. I think I kind of suspend disbelief in DLR in that I buy into the whole fantasy aspect of the entire resort, and I can sort of go along with a storyline in which holidays can co-exist together. In fact, I wish they had a land that celebrated all the different holidays in one place!

Don't get me wrong - I would think it was very odd if they suddenly wheeled out the giant Christmas tree and put it right next to the giant Mickey pumpkin. That would be a bit much. But I like to see little signs of Christmas approaching here and there, like the snow on the Castle or whatever.

Tksbaskets said the same thing you said - she enjoyed Halloween Time but if she had to make a choice to go to DLR during only one season, it would be Christmas Time, hands down. Tdashgirl also said a similar thing. Flitterific (in the Halloween thread) just commented on how Halloween Time wasn't quite as magical as what she envisioned, but she had fun. So I think there are many of us who agree - Halloween Time is fun and we're glad DLR does something for Halloween, but...compared to what they do for the holiday season, it pales in comparison.

As you said, it's easy to forget it is Halloween Time at DLR. You can walk for long stretches of time and not see/hear/smell a single sign of Halloween Time - and it was even this way last year, when they still had Candy Corn Acres in DCA. The fact that they removed CCA from DCA has only made things seem less Halloween-like to me. I think that DLR could really do so much more with it - I'm sure they have the money for it - but I guess that Halloween Time is not a 'big' enough holiday to really go all out for. It seemed like they were building it up slowly, each year, and then suddenly they scaled it down again this year. At least, if they were going to remove all traces of Halloween from DCA, they could add in extra stuff in DL. Stick the giant Candy Corn in ToonTown or something. It's just not immersive enough for me. I like to feel like the entire Resort - hotels, shops, restaurants, both parks, DTD, all of it - is celebrating the season, whatever it is. I don't want to feel like it's Halloween or Christmas in one park, but not in the rest of the resort!! It takes me out of the experience when I walk out of DL and into a hotel and there is not a single pumpkin image anywhere!

Yep, my friend who was being "interesting" (good word for it) said she wanted to go to the MHP and meet me at Goofy's (even though I only asked her to meet me at Goofy's), and then about a week later she decided she couldn't go because she was going to be working too much overtime. So I was going to go solo - I had resigned myself to a solo day trip and I had the money saved up and all that. I was even going to do the MHP solo. But I kept thinking that if I went ahead and did that, I would be forced to only do a one-day holiday trip because of the fact that I would be using up all my funds.

And then I got a nifty PIN code offer for the PPH from DLR - it's on par with what some AP rates are for December. So I took that as a 'sign' that I should skip Halloween Time this year and make Christmas time my main focus, with a multi-night stay at the PPH, which I haven't been able to do since 2008! I don't know if I will be solo or if any friends will come to meet me. I'm proceeding as though I am going solo and whatever happens happens. Either way, I will have a blast and be thrilled to be there!


Anyway, I am looking forward to the rest of your TR!

 

[deejdigsdis]

I've been a little slow getting started. I got home around 1am Saturday morning. DS7 was looking a little ill around 11am as he lounged on the couch. I kind of knew something was up with him...he was still sleeping at 10:30am. Anyway, I had just barely finished eating my bowl of Special K when I looked up and noticed he was about to lose his breakfast. Which consisted of a glass of purple grape juice. I rushed over to him and shoved my empty cereal bowl in front of his face. Just in time -- good catch, mom. So I've got 2 sick boys who are home from school today. They are watching a show now, so let's get this started...

Sunday October 24th. I had already been gone from home for a few days now. I spent 3 days with my husband's mom and his 2 sisters. I went straight from that to 6 days with my mom and 2 sisters. So here we are, the 4 of us girls, making our way to Anaheim. My mom will just be "Mom" -- and my older sister will be known as M48 (cuz her name starts with M and she's 48 years old, in case anyone needed an explanation. ) and my younger sister will be known as D36. It was a very exciting time. Like I mentioned, it had been 14 years. Having Disneyland to talk about made the 4 hour drive from my sister's house go by very quickly.

It won't be long now...

Getting even closer...

We stayed at HoJo. Just can't beat that AP rate of $69/per night in Building 2. I've only stayed at HoJo once. That was last November with the family. We were in a Kids' Suite in Building 1 and absolutely loved it. I know the freeway noise is an issue for some, but it wasn't a problem for us. So Building 2...

We checked in around 3:30 and got settled into our bottom floor room. One of the sink drains was broken. Well, the plug thing just stayed down. I went over to the office to get 2 more key cards and let them know about the drain. They said they would send someone in the morning after we left for the day. (They did and all was fine.)

I bought everyone's park hoppers online from getawaytoday and I wanted to walk over to Disneyland and get the tickets so that come Monday morning we could just sail on in. Getting the tickets was a breeze. I've used both lastminutetravel and getawaytoday now, and haven't had a problem with either. There wasn't a line at the ticket booth. For getawaytoday tix you just hand them your ID. You don't need to give them any kind of voucher or receipt. (For park tickets anyway -- not sure about other things like character meals purchased through them.)

So after taking a picture of each ticket (tip I learned here on the DIS, just in case you lose them), we just had to go check out the character pumpkins over the turnstiles.

Don't you love Minnie's bow made out of leaves?

Looking longingly through the gates before walking back to HoJo...

You know, going back to Disneyland after a 6 MONTH drought is very different from going back after a 13 YEAR drought for me. I also realized that going in first thing in the morning is so much more magical for me than going in later in the day. Just an observation I made this trip. I was excited to get back to HoJo after picking up the tickets and just get a good night's rest before our grand entrance Monday morning. I picked up some take-out from Mimi's on the way back. I need to mention that I was VERY disappointed that their Greek salad I enjoyed several times a year ago was no longer on the menu. So sad. I got a pasta dish instead. Good...but I enjoyed the salad more. After dinner I checked in with my husband and kids. My 3 boys promptly reported to me that they had ice cream for dinner and hot dogs for dessert. Nice.

This brings us to the end of our travel day. We went to bed with plans to leave at 7:15 for an 8:00 opening. I figured this would be easy enough. Afterall, during my growing up years my mom would have 6 kids ready to go to Disneyland for an 8am opening, donning her 70s pantsuit and heels. We didn't take breaks and we'd stay until the park closed at 1am. But she's 71 years old now, so we'll see...