Nothing to See Here...

[mvf-m11c]

Thank you, Bret.

Don't worry - I have not forgotten about your TR. I have seen what you've been posting and am fully planning to go back to your TR (and to "Boo to You") after I get done with this report (which will be very soon) and before I head out on the next DLR trip. Your fireworks pictures and your IASW pictures were absolutely spectacular - really, those fireworks photos were probably the best ones you've taken so far. And your IASWH photos are always good, but these seemed particularly crisp and clear. Good job, Bret!

I saw your Christmas Village pictures and I noticed one extra stand with merchandise that was not there a few days earlier, when I was at DLR. So they added that in but not much else. It wasn't that exciting of a Christmas village, was it?

One thing I wondered was, when you were at DLR was there a tree up in DTD (other than the little trees at the Village)? If not, I wonder if there is some kind of DTD tree there now. I think that DTD needs a big tree.

I know that you are a very busy person and you are getting ready for your upcoming trip to DL during the Holiday season. Glad that you like those pictures of Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks as well as IASWH. Most of the DISers say that those are the best firework pictures that I have ever taken. I really was satisfy with the picture qualities on the fireworks, but it would have been nice if my lens was a little wider so I can get more in the picture. But if I have a wider lens or moved back from my spot, I would be able to get everything. Overall it was great and I was happy that the pictures turned out well. I do appreciate it Sherry.

The Christmas Village at DTD wasn't all that great as we have thought. They should have added something interesting to the Christmas Village instead of just the stores and the Ice Rink.

I didn't see the big tree that we have seen at DTD the last few years. When I was in DTD on Friday the 16th, I was hoping to see a Christmas tree in DTD. But with the Ice Rink taking the spot of the tree where it used to be, there wasn't any good spot to put the tree. DTD needs a tree just like at the parks & hotels. Maybe there might be one when you go later on next month.

Glad that you are able to do more updates from your November trip. I still have a long way to go and post all my updates from my trip. Nice job.

 

[Sherry E]

I speechless! Five great installments in one day?? We have to break out

I think my favorites are of CL at night. I can't get over how wonderful the whimsical decorations are. Tires, air filters, all at their twinkling best.

Of the merchandise I like the cookies and milk for Santa set.

OH, I love the new digs for the Santa op. I just watched Miracle on 34th street and it does have the same vibe.

Hope you are feeling tons better!

TK

TK -

Thank you! I think that, overall, my back/hip/leg situation is better - or back to its usual state of the mild discomfort that I experience all the time. For example, now I can sit in a chair without wincing in pain. But, every so often, I will twist a certain way - you know, just twist at the waist a little bit during everyday movement, and it hurts a lot. So while the general pain seems to have subsided a great deal, there is still something in my back or hip or whatever that has been aggravated and is still inflamed. That's what I have to watch out for. If I don't do anything to tweak that further over the course of the next week, then hopefully I will not be any worse off when it's time to head to DLR.

I have to be super careful when it comes to my heavy bags - carrying them to and from vehicles, or to and from the Bell desk at the hotel, can be rough.

Yes - a is definitely in order here! Or maybe a double shot of Dancing Bananas - ! I knew I had to crank out the TR installments now, because it is getting ever closer to the trip date. I wanted to be done with the pictures from 11-12-12 before I leave for the next trip, so that I'm not backlogged. I only have one more installment to go - and that literally has only 2-4 photos in it. And then I am going to be bogged down with pre-trip stuff all next week, and won't have much time to do anything else.

You know, I really like that cookies & milk/Santa set too! I think that is the cutest idea. Kids must have a lot of fun with that. The merchandise at DLR was a little lackluster for a few years, but all of a sudden it got better. Now it is to the point where there are so many cute things that's hard to take it all in!

The location for Santa at Elias & Co. is very bright - not dim and moody, like the old Reindeer Round-Up spot was. That is very much like the old department store Santa spots. But the Jingle Jangle Jamboree has an outdoor location for Santa, and on a day like today - when it is raining a lot - I wonder where the JJJ Santa goes?

I have to say, I agree with you - I think the Cars Land decorations are my favorite too. I really thought I would love the BVS decorations best - and I will give them a second chance when I get back to DLR in 9 days - but the Cars Land decor is so thorough, so theme-specific and so whimsical that it's hard to not love it. Plus, it makes a bigger impact at night than the BVS decor does. And I say this, being a person who cares nothing about automobiles in real life, as well as being someone who has openly admitted to not loving "Cars," the movie. So if I can love the CL decorations, then a big "Cars" fan will be in heaven!

Don't get me wrong - I think the BVS decorations are ideal for BVS. I get the whole minimalist approach. It's a more elegant, classy kind of vibe. I get that the BVS decor is not supposed to be blindingly bright and over the top. However, after you've become accustomed to Main Street's decor - and especially Main Street at night, which is just glorious during the holidays - BVS seems to be a bit inferior. And after being used to the Golden Gate Bridge's holiday lights and decorations, the new Glendale Hyperion Bridge just does not pack the same punch at all. So it all boils down to a matter of readjusting my old California Adventure holiday perspective and getting used to a new DCA holiday perspective, I suppose.

I want to experience BVS again, though - I want to be there for the Bell Ringers, and I would like to see the tree being lit. I think that BVS has the potential for a real authentic Christmasy feel, with singers in holiday attire and all of that.

Both BVS and CL have the advantage of music, too - the holiday songs in both lands are theme-specific and quite audible, so you are kept in the holiday spirit the whole time.

I am thinking that maybe it is a good thing that we didn't go. I would shot my entire budget on the ornaments! They are so cute!

Michele -

I know what you mean. In a way, I'm glad I have no money to spend. I wouldn't want to be tempted! I think those ear hat ornaments are probably a big hit. They are sturdy, and they can be used as little figurines on display when they are not hanging on trees! And the different Disney themes are just great.

Even the other ornaments - not the ear hat ones, but the really elegant (painted glass) ones that come in different colors and designs - are just beautiful. I know that Laurie owns some of them and has them on her tree, but there are soooo many different designs.

I know that you are a very busy person and you are getting ready for your upcoming trip to DL during the Holiday season. Glad that you like those pictures of Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks as well as IASWH. Most of the DISers say that those are the best firework pictures that I have ever taken. I really was satisfy with the picture qualities on the fireworks, but it would have been nice if my lens was a little wider so I can get more in the picture. But if I have a wider lens or moved back from my spot, I would be able to get everything. Overall it was great and I was happy that the pictures turned out well. I do appreciate it Sherry.

The Christmas Village at DTD wasn't all that great as we have thought. They should have added something interesting to the Christmas Village instead of just the stores and the Ice Rink.

I didn't see the big tree that we have seen at DTD the last few years. When I was in DTD on Friday the 16th, I was hoping to see a Christmas tree in DTD. But with the Ice Rink taking the spot of the tree where it used to be, there wasn't any good spot to put the tree. DTD needs a tree just like at the parks & hotels. Maybe there might be one when you go later on next month.

Glad that you are able to do more updates from your November trip. I still have a long way to go and post all my updates from my trip. Nice job.

Bret -

The fireworks photos are really amazing.

The Christmas Village would be a cool idea if it actually looked like a village! If Disney could somehow find more space between the DLH and DTD to set up extra tents and stands, it would seem more Village-ish. Right now it seems like an ice rink with a couple of tiny stands.

Downtown Disney is a shopping center and it needs its own Christmas tree, like every shopping center has. Even if the tree is not a gigantic one, it needs some sort of a main tree. I have not had time to keep up with any recent comments or posts about DTD, so I'm not sure if a tree went up after Thanksgiving (which is when the trees go up at the hotels). I know that DTD always plays holiday music and there was no holiday music on 11/12, so I can imagine it must be playing now.

I only have a few more pictures to post from 11/12. I took over 700 pictures in that one day. You had 3 days to take pictures so I'm sure you won't be done with your TR from 11/16-11/18 for quite a while! You probably have a lot of ground to cover.

On 11/12 I was trying to snap a lot of pictures in a short period of time, but when I go back in 9 days I'd really like to kind of focus more on getting some different things or looking for interesting photo spots/perspectives that I haven't captured yet. I don't want to feel like I am just taking the same photos every time I go for the holidays. I may end up with the same stuff every year, but I'd really like to try to be creative and come up with some new ideas when I get to DLR on 12/9. We'll see if I succeed in this plan or not. I may come back with the same set of pictures I always have after a holiday trip!

 

[funatdisney]

Beautiful pics, Sherry. No.... really stunning pics and narrative.

I know I have been MIA. Life's been busy.

Happy you are going in about a week! Should be awesome!

As for me, going with the Hubby tomorrow for 2 days. I got lucky and was able book a one bedroom at the Villas just last month. When I saw the availability on the DVC member website, I just couldn't pass it up. I plan on taking some pics, but I really don't have much time to do so. Plus there is the Candlelight Processional that will make it hard to get through (I am not going)

 

[Sherry E]

Well, as I come to the conclusion of this Disneyland Resort holiday photo report from 11-12-12 and anticipate my upcoming annual multi-night stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel in just over one week, I realize I made the right choice by switching my arrival date from 12/2 to 12/9.

It is raining now - and from what the news says it should be raining on and off throughout the weekend. The last thing I need is to be out in the rain, taking photos at DLR and ruining my camera.

Yes, I like the look of pictures taken on rainy days, but I don't want to risk ruining my camera...and I don't want to not be able to take photos. Many people enjoy being at DLR on rainy days - but that's because there are no lines for the rides and the parks are pretty empty. If you are someone who can easily skip rides and who likes to take lots and lots of photos, however, and your camera is not prepared for wet weather, it can be a big mess!

The last time I was at DLR in the rain was 4 years ago - in December 2008. And my camera died shortly after I took these pictures:

​

I was able to get a new camera the following year because, at that time, I had a couple of good clients and some steady work coming in. If the same thing were to happen now I would not be able to get a new camera.

So I am glad I delayed my upcoming DLR holiday trip by one week! Currently, Accuweather shows 81 degrees for Sunday, 12/9 (too warm for December), and lower temperatures each day after that - but no rain.


So, continuing on with the last few photos from 11-12-12...

The look of Cars Land at night continued to amaze me. Again, remember that I did not see it at night back in June when I did the preview, and had only seen photos of it since then. Seeing it in person is a whole different story, especially during the holiday season. All of the wacky Christmas trees are really cool.

I like the green and purple of the Ramone's facade, with the slight hint of the red mountain range in the background...

And then, with a simple step or two forward, the red rocks magically disappear!

Goodnight, Santa Stanley!

I'll see you again in 9 days!

And that's all, folks!

​

All in all, it was a productive, rewarding trip. I had to rest here and there during the day, as the sun was getting to me. I didn't feel well for a couple of days after 11/12 because of it. That darn sun always gets me.

I also had an incident in which I was walking through Downtown Disney, unaware that a girl and her boyfriend (I assume he was her boyfriend) were so close behind me. I turned left towards the Grand Californian Hotel property, then stopped to look at something in a window, and noticed that the girl was glaring at me as she passed by. I am guessing that she was not paying attention to where she was walking because she was chatting with the guy. So when I stopped she didn't notice it right away, and by the time she looked up she almost bumped into me. So, as they walked off into the GCH she was shooting me dirty looks over her shoulder - as if it was my fault and as if it was going to ruin her entire evening.

I was initially going to apologize, just because it seemed like a polite thing to do even though I sensed this girl had not been paying attention to where she was walking. But as soon as I saw her glaring - and continuing to glare - at me as she walked away, I was no longer sorry and I glared back at her! I have no patience for people like that. Get over it, already! You didn't bump into me. Everyone made it out alive. I am entitled to stop. I don't have a built-in brake light or turn signal. You should have been paying attention but you weren't. So move on!

As I was saying to another friend, it's not like we were in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Main Street, or in a line for Haunted Mansion Holiday or something. It was Downtown Disney. What possible good reason is there to walk so close behind another person in DTD? It's okay to allow space between you and the person in front of you - it's just Downtown Disney! Keep your distance, for corn's sake!



But, overall, I'm satisfied with the trip, and with the majority of the photos I got because I think I covered a broad range of things in one day - holiday decor, merchandise and treats. I think I got a good array of photos of all of the new things (including the Jingle Jangle Jamboree and the breathtakingly thrilling "Christmas Village"). I got a lot of daytime photos. I got some good dusk photos as well, and my nighttime photos were not too bad!

I ate some tasty peppermint ice cream...which turned out to be a good thing since my supermarket doesn't appear to be carrying it this year. I also got a couple of free peppermint bark samples.

Oh - and I also briefly saw Jessica/Belle Ella (who I saw back in June too). Very briefly. The first time I tried to catch her she was on her break. By the time I went back she was about to leave work and had to clock out, then meet up with someone. So hopefully I will be able to see her for a little bit longer during my upcoming trip.

Thanks, everyone, for tuning in. I don't know how much time I will or will not have to get back here over the next week and post any detailed updates about the 12/9-12/12 trip, as I will be super-busy, but I will pop in very quickly here and there!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I enjoyed your Veteran's day trip report Thank you so much for sharing! DBF and I went for Veteran's day weekend, and it just so happens we'll be there on Dec 9 as well xD. I feel like there's been several trips where we both go at the same time! I like reliving my trips through your trip reports. Can't wait to see your PTR for this upcoming trip!

 

[tksbaskets]

I enjoyed your day of fun too! Thanks for sharing. Still smiling over the turn signal comment!

9 days!!

 

[Sherry E]

You know, it just dawned on me that I completed 4 different trip reports between June 9th and November 30th of this year! That is a record for me!

And what's notable is that 3 out of the 4 trips on which I reported were "fluke" trips - trips that I would not normally be taking in a given year. Only the 12/2011 trip and subsequent TR would have been considered 'usual' (although it was a disaster).

In order, the TR's I did between 6/9/12 and 11/30/12 were:

1)The photo report for the Cars Land/Buena Vista Street preview in June (which can be found in this thread);

2)The photo report for my Catalina Island birthday day trip in July (which is in a separate thread - see the blue link in my signature below);

3)The "Aunt Betty..." full-fledged holiday extravaganza TR (from the December 2011 trip), complete with Christmas songs, humor, sadness, and illness (it's in this thread); and

4)The November 12, 2012 holiday day trip photo report that I just finished yesterday!


I've never done 4 TR's in a 5-6 month span of time before, so it is new territory for me! It's a lot of work! I'm not sure how Bret manages to do these TR's every other month!

With any luck, I should have the 5th and final 2012 TR (for my upcoming DLR holiday trip in 8 days) at least started before the end of this year, though I'm not sure if it will be finished before 2012 ends. It will depend on how many photos I take, and IF it is a trip that warrants an actual story or if I can get away with just doing another photo report! Also, we'll see what happens when I get back (if I am sick; how exhausted I am; if I'm busy; if my computer is working properly or not working properly, etc.).

Beautiful pics, Sherry. No.... really stunning pics and narrative.

I know I have been MIA. Life's been busy.

Happy you are going in about a week! Should be awesome!

As for me, going with the Hubby tomorrow for 2 days. I got lucky and was able book a one bedroom at the Villas just last month. When I saw the availability on the DVC member website, I just couldn't pass it up. I plan on taking some pics, but I really don't have much time to do so. Plus there is the Candlelight Processional that will make it hard to get through (I am not going)

Hey there, Liza!

Welcome back to the DIS! Being MIA is okay now and again because - let's face it - if we don't stay off of the DIS for a while, it tends to be very time-consuming and addictive. It's good to get back to 'real life' every so often and then come back to the board for special occasions or whatever.

Thank you so much for the kind words on the photo report. I really appreciate it.

Speaking of pictures, I have discovered that I average in the 700-photo range on single day trips. I don't plan it that way, but looking at my photos from this past 11/12/12 trip, from my Catalina trip in July and from the Cars Land preview trip in June, the photo tally at the end of each one of those days was somewhere between 720 - 770 photos! How odd is that?

And then, when I think back to December 2010, I had approximately 2-1/2 full days to myself...and I came home with over 1600 photos (some of them were garbage, though). That would mean that I probably took about 700 photos on one of those days, 700 photos on the other day...and 200+ photos during the remainder of the trip! Who knew that "700" was my magic photo number?

(Last December's trip doesn't count because it was a fiasco!)

The Candlelight Processional tonight and tomorrow night is the invitation-only event. Now this is the way it has been set up for the last few years, and the non-invited folks still managed to crowd around Town Square and Main Street to watch. The CP in years past has notoriously attracted huge crowds into the parks. But that could be because it only covered 2 nights.

What will be interesting to hear about is whether or not the crowds at DLR today and tomorrow are lighter than they would normally be on the CP days - simply because there will be 18 more nights of the CP and the crowds could descend on those nights instead of this weekend.

Anyway, have fun! You surely lucked out with that DVC room on such short notice.

I enjoyed your Veteran's day trip report Thank you so much for sharing! DBF and I went for Veteran's day weekend, and it just so happens we'll be there on Dec 9 as well xD. I feel like there's been several trips where we both go at the same time! I like reliving my trips through your trip reports. Can't wait to see your PTR for this upcoming trip!

Welcome, mysteriouspnai, and thank you for joining in to say hello!

I am so used to seeing you on the main section of the forum (and not in the TR section as much) that I had to do a double take to be sure the post was from you!

I'm glad you enjoyed the report. Thank you. You are absolutely correct. There have been at least a few occasions when we've been to DLR at the same time, or within a day of each other. I know for certain that Halloween Time 2011 was one of those instances. I think that you were there on the first day of the Halloween season or right after it (which, in 2011, was 9/16, as I recall), and also at the MHP on the night I went in 2011, if I'm not mistaken!

I remember you posted in the Christmas thread about being at DLR on 11/9 (when you got your photo taken in front of Flo's, when the holiday lights were working properly!). Were you still there on 11/12 too?

When you head to DLR on 12/9, are you staying for a couple of days, or are you just doing a one-day trip?

I find - and tell me whether or not you agree - that even though I love that DLR begins its holiday season in early/mid-November and I wanted to be there on the official opening day of the season this year in particular, it feels much more Christmasy and holiday-esque to me in December. This is why - if given a choice, or if I could only go on one day for the holidays - I would always choose DLR in December over any other day in the season. I like that everything is in full swing in December - the 3 hotels are decorated (which they are not in early/mid-November); Downtown Disney is playing holiday music; now the Candlelight Processional is taking place, etc. It's more of a full, complete holiday experience when December hits.

Same thing with Halloween Time - while I love going in September to be there on the first day of the season if I can make it there, nothing compares to October for a full Halloween-ish feel!

I enjoyed your day of fun too! Thanks for sharing. Still smiling over the turn signal comment!

9 days!!

Thank you kindly, TK!

Yep - now it's 8 days. I wish I could say that the week leading up to 12/9 was going to be problem-free and stress-free, but it never works that way. I can never start a trip without some major aspect needing to be worked out right up until the day before I go. It's going to be a matter of ironing out certain things (like transportation) until the last minute.

It is true - we don't come with built-in brake lights or turn signals. And in a busy place like DLR or WDW, we will all inevitably be inconvenienced or we will accidentally inconvenience someone else by bumping into them, or stopping, or getting in the way or whatever. It happens. We've all dealt with this. In many cases it cannot be avoided, though we try to be courteous and polite.

I truly had no clue that anyone was so close behind me as I walked along in DTD that it would ruin their entire night if I stopped. But this girl shot me such a look as she walked away! It seemed to be an overreaction to something that was probably largely her fault, because she was probably not paying attention to where she was walking when I stopped, and didn't look up until the last second!

 

[rentayenta]

One week!!! ​

Okay so I'm an hour early.

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Welcome, mysteriouspnai, and thank you for joining in to say hello!

I am so used to seeing you on the main section of the forum (and not in the TR section as much) that I had to do a double take to be sure the post was from you!

I'm glad you enjoyed the report. Thank you. You are absolutely correct. There have been at least a few occasions when we've been to DLR at the same time, or within a day of each other. I know for certain that Halloween Time 2011 was one of those instances. I think that you were there on the first day of the Halloween season or right after it (which, in 2011, was 9/16, as I recall), and also at the MHP on the night I went in 2011, if I'm not mistaken!

I remember you posted in the Christmas thread about being at DLR on 11/9 (when you got your photo taken in front of Flo's, when the holiday lights were working properly!). Were you still there on 11/12 too?

When you head to DLR on 12/9, are you staying for a couple of days, or are you just doing a one-day trip?

I find - and tell me whether or not you agree - that even though I love that DLR begins its holiday season in early/mid-November and I wanted to be there on the official opening day of the season this year in particular, it feels much more Christmasy and holiday-esque to me in December. This is why - if given a choice, or if I could only go on one day for the holidays - I would always choose DLR in December over any other day in the season. I like that everything is in full swing in December - the 3 hotels are decorated (which they are not in early/mid-November); Downtown Disney is playing holiday music; now the Candlelight Processional is taking place, etc. It's more of a full, complete holiday experience when December hits.

Same thing with Halloween Time - while I love going in September to be there on the first day of the season if I can make it there, nothing compares to October for a full Halloween-ish feel!

I'm surprised that you remembered about MHP and first day of Halloween season! I'm very flattered

Unfortunately I was not there on 11/12; DBF had work the next day so we needed to drive home on the 10th. It was a very quick trip for us, but completely worth it nonetheless. We'll be there from 12/9-12/11, 12/12 if we get CP tickets for that day. It's a graduation present for me, as I walk on the 8th. I still have to finish my thesis, but the ceremonial stuff will be next week.

I completely agree with your statements about experience Christmas and Halloween in their proper months. It's great to be one of the first to experience the new season, but with Halloween taking over the start of school and Christmas taking over Thanksgiving.. sometimes it just doesn't feel right. However, the good thing about Halloween and Christmas being more than 2 months is that you have more time to experience the seasonal offerings. Since DBF and I experienced most of the holiday stuff (Buena Vista tree lighting, bell ringers, Jingle Jangle Jamboree, Carsland Christmas lightup with kinks haha), we're completely committed to getting up early for a candy cane, watching Disneyland's tree lighting, and staking out a spot for Candlelight Processional at 12 noon if we don't get tickets. We're just crazy xD.

Thank you for your wonderful welcome. I'm gonna have to take some time to read through your entire trip report thread this Christmas break!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

7 days now. Lucky you!

I am saddened your trip report is over. I so enjoy the pictures you post, and they make me smile, which is always important. Thanks so much for sharing your very busy day with us in this report.

For your next vacation in a week I hope that you take it easier on yourself since you will be there for a longer time. I hope you get to go to Goofy's Kitchen, ride Toy Story Mania, take lots of Photopass pictures. Things that you love to do. Oh and I know you get to sleep in a bed at your home away from home, so enjoy that too. I miss the Paradise Pier but love going more than once a year.

I am so excited for you to go on this next trip. I hope also that you get to enjoy the CP one night.

Thanks again Sherry for this wonderful trip report thread. I have enjoyed it immensely. I feel like you and I are great friends because you have at times poured your heart out here.

 

[Sherry E]

One week!!! ​

Okay so I'm an hour early.

Thanks, Jenny!

Now it's 6 days! I will breathe a sigh of relief once again for deciding to switch my dates to just one week later. If I had gone to DLR this past Sunday, it would have been raining on and off all the way up through today, which would have totally messed up my photo-taking. At this point it doesn't appear that it's going to be raining during my dates. In fact, at one point Accuweather said it was going to be 81 degrees on my arrival date. Then the next time I checked it said 66 degrees on my arrival date! That's quite a difference, isn't it!

To be honest, I don't care if drops down to 30 or 40 degrees for the entire stay (it won't, but I wouldn't care). Just don't rain on me or force any crazy heat on me!

I'm surprised that you remembered about MHP and first day of Halloween season! I'm very flattered

Unfortunately I was not there on 11/12; DBF had work the next day so we needed to drive home on the 10th. It was a very quick trip for us, but completely worth it nonetheless. We'll be there from 12/9-12/11, 12/12 if we get CP tickets for that day. It's a graduation present for me, as I walk on the 8th. I still have to finish my thesis, but the ceremonial stuff will be next week.

I completely agree with your statements about experience Christmas and Halloween in their proper months. It's great to be one of the first to experience the new season, but with Halloween taking over the start of school and Christmas taking over Thanksgiving.. sometimes it just doesn't feel right. However, the good thing about Halloween and Christmas being more than 2 months is that you have more time to experience the seasonal offerings. Since DBF and I experienced most of the holiday stuff (Buena Vista tree lighting, bell ringers, Jingle Jangle Jamboree, Carsland Christmas lightup with kinks haha), we're completely committed to getting up early for a candy cane, watching Disneyland's tree lighting, and staking out a spot for Candlelight Processional at 12 noon if we don't get tickets. We're just crazy xD.

Thank you for your wonderful welcome. I'm gonna have to take some time to read through your entire trip report thread this Christmas break!

mysteriouspnai -

Congratulations on your graduation!

I hope you get selected for seats for the CP - that would be a nice 'icing on the cake' sort of thing for your graduation gift trip. Are you trying to get into the Lou Diamond Phillips CP on 12/11, or into the Dick Van Dyke CP on 12/12?

I'm positive that not everyone who won seats will show up - since the seats were free of charge, people won't really lose anything if they change their minds and don't go. It's not like they bought dinner packages.

I would also guess that a lot of folks probably asked for 5 guests (or whatever the maximum allowance was) for the CP, and only some of those guests will show. One way or another there will be some seats that open up for each show - I would be shocked if there weren't any sudden openings. Of course, the Dick Van Dyke CP on 12/12 will be massively crowded because of his Disney history, but the Lou Diamond Phillips nights don't appear to be as popular so it may be easier to get seats for LDP's CP's. In fact, when I checked the AP hotel calendar yesterday or the day before, there was still availability in standard rooms at the Paradise Pier Hotel for the entire week beginning 12/9! That tells me that fewer folks will be piling into Disneyland to see the CP as narrated by Lou. So, getting seats for Lou's CP may actually be feasible!

You know, I agree - I like that Disney does begin its Halloween and holiday seasons early (sometimes Halloween Time feels especially odd in September when it's occasionally 100 degrees outside!) because it allows more time to get in everything that you want to do. You know that if you can't get something done in September, just go back in October. If you can't get something done in November, you still have December!

I would much rather have the longer Halloween & holiday seasons at DLR than to have Disney suddenly cut them short. And I am one who loves any and all Christmas-y things, so I don't even mind that holiday merchandise hits the shelves in October! I am not one of those folks grumbling, "It's too early for Christmas stuff!" I welcome it as soon as November hits.

I guess that, for whatever reason, even though all the decorations are up in the 2 parks, the music is playing and the necessary elements are in place in early November, it just doesn't feel like it has quite 'clicked' into Christmas mode. I can't figure out if it's the weather that throws me off - because if it's too warm it doesn't feel holiday-ish to me - or something else. All I know is that, as much as I love that the holiday season begins in early November now, I always feel I have to be there in December for the 'real' experience!

Oh, by the way, of course I remember your MHP from last year - you created the thread with all of the fantastic tips for getting the most out of the party, and what to expect, etc.! It was a great thread with a lot of helpful information! And I remembered that you mentioned that you'd been in the parks either on the day I was there for Halloween Time or right after that. I have a pretty good memory to begin with, but I remember some folks more than others if they contribute valuable info!

If you take the time to read through this thread at some point (which will probably take forever), I can save you some time and suggest that you skip the 2008 TR's and even the 2009 reports (I have them listed on the first page, in the first post of this thread, in order). Those reports are not all that interesting, really. I think that starting with the December 2010 report and working your way forward would be more interesting - and you can find links to the December 2010 TR and everything beyond it in my signature below. I think that the ones from 2010 until now are the more noteworthy trip reports, and it will save a lot of time.

But I appreciate that you'd be willing to go back and read anything else at all!

7 days now. Lucky you!

I am saddened your trip report is over. I so enjoy the pictures you post, and they make me smile, which is always important. Thanks so much for sharing your very busy day with us in this report.

For your next vacation in a week I hope that you take it easier on yourself since you will be there for a longer time. I hope you get to go to Goofy's Kitchen, ride Toy Story Mania, take lots of Photopass pictures. Things that you love to do. Oh and I know you get to sleep in a bed at your home away from home, so enjoy that too. I miss the Paradise Pier but love going more than once a year.

I am so excited for you to go on this next trip. I hope also that you get to enjoy the CP one night.

Thanks again Sherry for this wonderful trip report thread. I have enjoyed it immensely. I feel like you and I are great friends because you have at times poured your heart out here.

Thank you!

 

[tksbaskets]

Counting down!

 

[Sherry E]

Counting down!

Yes, indeed, TK! Five days!

I am in the usual pre-trip chaos mode. There are a lot of little odds and ends to take care of over the next 4 days, from getting new ear plugs at the store (I have to sleep with ear plugs or I can't sleep at all), doing laundry, trying to make sure that I write a comprehensive list of things I need to pack/bring, making sure certain things are in my suitcase while other things are in my other bag, certain money-related things, printing my reservation info (if my printer will work), trying to find out once and for all if I need to get a shuttle or not get one, etc. There are a lot of things that need to be done - both in and out of the house.

Also, add to that the fact that some sort of (I think) mysterious plumbing issue has popped up and that will have to be dealt with. There is a slight bit of moisture (not a lot) coming up between the tiles of my entry way floor. I don't have time for this. This same thing happened a couple of years ago, and neither the apartment manager nor the plumber could figure out what the source of the problem was...but it seemingly had stopped on its own, which is uncommon for a plumbing issue! The plumber/manager thought that maybe the water had been related to another tenant's plumbing issues - and when their problem was fixed, the water dried up and stopped seeping through my floor.

Now, only a couple of years later, I don't think that the exact same tenant's plumbing issue would be happening again in the exact way, and yet there is a tiny bit of moisture once again coming through the tiles.

So now I am beginning to wonder if it somehow had something to do with the recent rain! We had quite a bit of rain off and on for a few days in the last week. Like, perhaps, maybe there is some sort of tiny fissure in the roof of the building somewhere, and the rain is coming through very slightly.

Whatever the case, I have no time or patience to deal with that right now!

I just want to snap my fingers and bypass all of the pre-trip stress that I hate, and already be at the PPH, nicely settled in and about to hit the parks for a photo-taking extravaganza!

You know I will come back with at least 1600 photos - probably more this time around if I can pound the pavement and quietly roam free by myself, with no particular places I have to be - and I want to get to it and not have to do all of this pesky pre-trip stuff or deal with unexpected crises.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm getting excited for you too Sherry since you are only a few days away till your trip. I would like to go in December to see the CP but I have other things to do and was glad that I was able to go in November.

 

[rentayenta]

Sherry, I'm so so excited for you. You're my Disneyland link for the holidays. No pressure.

 

[tksbaskets]

Sherry, I'm so so excited for you. You're my Disneyland link for the holidays. No pressure.

I agree! You and Bret are mt DL connections this year. Hope your pesky plumbing issues are quickly resolved so you can enjoy your pre trip mania!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

I am so excited for you! Less than a week, how quickly the time came. And it is not raining in Anaheim right now, so may that trend continue while you are at Disneyland. We don't want the rain ruining another camera of yours.

And lets just hope and pray that this moisture in your tile is not indicative of a major plumbing issue in your apartment.

Finally, I would go ahead and make the shuttle appointment. It is a lot easier to cancel one than to make one last minute at times. Hopefully your friends won't flake out on you and you can save that shuttle money and ride with someone you know.

 

[Sherry E]

I'm getting excited for you too Sherry since you are only a few days away till your trip. I would like to go in December to see the CP but I have other things to do and was glad that I was able to go in November.

Thanks, Bret!

Hopefully you can make a December trip in 2013!

Sherry, I'm so so excited for you. You're my Disneyland link for the holidays. No pressure.

It's no pressure. I've got you covered with the hot-off-the-press December-at-Disneyland scoop!

Thank you!

I agree! You and Bret are mt DL connections this year. Hope your pesky plumbing issues are quickly resolved so you can enjoy your pre trip mania!

Thank you! You know I will deliver the goods and get in-depth into the DLR holiday-ness.

Bret's fireworks photos are spectacular!

You know, this seems to be the same plumbing issue that was happening a couple of years ago...which may not actually be a plumbing issue (technically) if my suspicion is right and it is rain-related. The plumber didn't know what it could have been in 2010. It may be something that involves someone other than a plumber to fix it. It's not an emergency - in fact, it was going on for a long time back in 2010 and before that (we assumed) and no one ever even realized it. We only realized that there had been some moisture after it had already stopped and dried up. It's not something that is flooding the floor, in other words. I am actually hoping it can wait until after I get back next week, so that I don't have workmen stomping through here and bugging me while I am trying to do things over the next few days - or while I am not here at all.

I am so excited for you! Less than a week, how quickly the time came. And it is not raining in Anaheim right now, so may that trend continue while you are at Disneyland. We don't want the rain ruining another camera of yours.

And lets just hope and pray that this moisture in your tile is not indicative of a major plumbing issue in your apartment.

Finally, I would go ahead and make the shuttle appointment. It is a lot easier to cancel one than to make one last minute at times. Hopefully your friends won't flake out on you and you can save that shuttle money and ride with someone you know.

It's not really an issue of flaking out - my friends are not set to pick me up on 12/9. They never were. We're just meeting up at some point on that day. I've been planning to take a shuttle the whole time. I was only going to skip the shuttle if something happened at the very last minute and someone could take me down to Anaheim...but I need to get there when I need to get there, so it's hard to find someone willing to wake up that early in the morning, so I have to arrange the shuttle.

I'm not going to make the shuttle appointment now. This shuttle company that I'm using is not like the other ones out there. I can call one or two days before and they will make room for me in the schedule. I don't have to pay anything up front. Plus, I really, really, really do not have the time or patience to make the call to book it, then make another call to cancel it if that scenario came up. I want to just make one call and be done with it. I've booked shuttles before - I know what I'm doing! This is what works for me.

 

[rentayenta]

I agree Sherry, Bret's firework photos are insanely amazing! I guess I'm leaning on both of you to scratch my Disneyland Christmas itch.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks, Bret!

Hopefully you can make a December trip in 2013!

It only depends if I am still continuing coaching basketball next season. We also don't know what will happen during the Holiday season next year with all the rumors of the possible party event at DL. I have enjoyed the CP at Epcot and one day would look forward to the CP at DL.

Hope the pluming issue will be done before your trip.