Thank you so much,
Michele, deej, Lisa and ddwlms!!!
Deej-
You really should venture over into all the hotels at some point. It's a whole new opportunity for photo subjects and hidden Mickeys and all kinds of stuff.
Wow! This time you didn't even go into DCA! Well, I think we all agree that even though DLR tries to get DCA into the holiday spirit in some ways, it will never feel as Christmasy there as
Disneyland feels unless DLR steps up the decorating by 200%. Now that the candy cane CALIFORNIA letters and the Golden Gate Bridge are things of the past, that's two
major signs of the holidays that are gone from DCA right there. The new entrance is nice, but it doesn't make a grand holiday statement like the letters and the Bridge did, unfortunately. You kind of have to get up close to the entrance of DCA to even notice that there is garland up. It's not something that is really striking, unfortunately.
And then there is ElecTRONica...I know that it is finally going to be done with in 2012, but then it will be replaced with an Alice in Wonderland-themed 'party.' The thing is, as long as these 'parties' continue at DCA, DLR will not decorate the street in the Hollywood area. That main street in the Backlot used to have Christmas decorations but as soon as ElecTRONica came along, that all went away because of the lighting and equipment necessary to run it. So that is one more area that will continue to be lacking in decorations.
I really think that DCA's entrance is laid out in such a way where that, during the season, it needs some sort of a huge landmark right there past the turnstiles that can be decorated and illuminated at night, and that can be seen from across the Esplanade to make people want to go over to DCA for some extra holiday fun. As much as I dislike those cheap-looking snowflakes above the turnstiles at DL and feel that they could do so much more with the decor in that spot, at least they stand out a bit more and glow at night - unlike the garland and decor on the new DCA entry.
The Golden Gate Bridge and the CALIFORNIA letters made a huge impact, I am realizing, and even though I am looking forward to the new changes in DCA, I have a feeling that the holiday decorations will probably be lacking for a long time. A Bug's Land's decorations are cute and very clever - but let's be honest. How many people actually know that land is decorated OR bother to go over there? It is hidden away!
Lisa -
Speaking of the lighting effects, just as soon as I got used to Photobucket's Holiday Effects section (which added the snow and the borders), it disappeared!!??? I thought it was supposed to be accessible in Photobucket all through December, but it was gone yesterday - on Christmas!! I looked again today and it was still gone!
If anything, I would have assumed they would keep that section up after Christmas so people could apply all the cool effects and borders to their 2011 Christmas photos. But the little red Holiday Effects tab in the Edit section of the page was totally gone from my account yesterday and today.
Can someone else out there who also has Photobucket go into Edit in their account and see if Holiday Effects is showing up on your page? It is a little red tab at the end of all the other Edit options when you open up Edit.
Oh, and be sure to check the Hallmark Channel for any last showings of "Farewell, Mr. Kringle" before they officially put a wrap on the holiday season of 2011. I am guessing they will air it once more before New Year's, and then probably not again until November (because Hallmark seems to start their Christmas movie marathons as soon as November begins!), but I haven't checked the schedule.
ddwlms/DebraDi -
Is the gingerbread house picture still the favorite or have you changed your mind?
Yes, now that I think more about it, I am not sure how visible the house would have been if you just walked past Storytellers. At first I thought it would have been pretty visible, but now I am not sure. You probably had to go into Storytellers to notice it. It was right across from the little desk where you give your name to be seated, but it was kind of off to the right hand side and back a bit, behind the rope. In other words, the desk would have been on your left-hand side and the gingerbread house would have been opposite it, on your right-hand side.
Thank you for the kind words - I'm glad that my countdown (and maybe the Superthread too) helped keep the Christmas spirit going for you!
I was trying to keep myself in the spirit despite a rough year and things not being particularly great for me right now, but in the process my attempt seems to have worked for others too. Yay!!
WOW~ This picture is stunning! Only two more days!
This trip I really outdid myself and never even left 
Anyway, I was thinking when you posted your GCH tree in the background/rock in the foreground pic (which I also loved!), "I really need to get in there sometime!" I really love that style of decor and still have never stepped foot inside. One of these trips...
Just waiting to see your report & pics to hit this thread....... 
Come to think of it.... I bet you pass me by and get yours done first!
