Nothing to See Here...

Don't you find that as you get older, it is harder to accept change? I think we are round the same age, and I have just realized how much I am starting to hate any type of change. And these reports of the changes with the Halloween Time and Christmas decor is getting harder and harder for me to accept. But what can you do, but write a letter and hope that when the construction at DCA and around the DLR is finished that things get back to as close to normal (at lease what I think is normal). It is tough to accept, though.
 
Furthermore, what is the hold-up in getting the trees set up at the hotels? And why take so long in putting the peppermint pot cake/demitasse out? And why is the Mickey popcorn bucket not available until December? And why have the gingerbread men with mouse ears cookies shrunk?

I'm still wondering how long will it take DL to put up the GCH tree. I was hoping to see the Mickey popcorn bucket and I got the same info as the other DISers have said on their trips it should be in during December.
 
Hey Sherry and friends! I am finally getting caught up from my trip and wanted to say how fun it was to spend some Disney moments with you!

I look forward to your update from your next holiday extravaganza, and especially look forward to pictures of the GCH tree. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see it this trip. I think I'll try the first week of December next year and celebrate my birthday a little bit late, to get a better chance at seeing the full holiday regalia. Please eat a peppermint demitasse, chocolate yule log and chocolate-peppermint beignet for me!
 

Deej - I'm so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law! I hope he doesn't have MS. That's just too much to deal with on top of the tumor. What's the prognosis? One of my friends' dads had a brain tumor many years ago, and he seems to be fine now. I hope that's the case for your BIL. And I hope the news turns out good for your mother-in-law. Hopefully, it will turn out to be benign. I'm glad my silly little Trip Report gave you something to chuckle about or something to distract you.:hug:

Ros pronounces her name like 'Roz.' But I know what you mean - it's nice to know how to pronounce people's names when you're reading along.

Yep, this was the first time meeting any DIS'ers! And I made it out alive!!:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: Just kidding, folks!!;)

You're right - as the parking structure will most likely not be part of my December trip, perhaps the 'moment' I know I am at Disneyland will become more evident. Last Saturday, everything was different from my usual DLR trips - the timing was different (I normally get to DLR in the early morning), for example. The weather was too warm for the holiday season. I had to deal with my AP stuff. I was with a whole new group of people and not who I am used to being at DLR with, and it takes a while to figure out where everyone is going or what we're doing, etc. Plus, it was a short trip, which was fine because that's all I expected, seeing that I really was just going to get my AP.

So I don't think that was the right trip to figure out what my moment of DLR arrival realization is. I am hoping I will figure it out when I get there in 3 weeks. And when I figure it out, I will probably hit myself on the head (in that 'could have had a V8' kind of way) and say, "Of course! Why didn't I know this before?"

I do know that, even aside from the moment of knowing you are DLR, there is a giddy feeling about being there. As I have described before, last year upon arrival, I was thrilled to see the giant tree in the GCH lobby when I had the shuttle guy drop me off at GCH (at 6:25 a.m.). I was so excited and thrilled to be there. Maybe, for the year 2009, that was my moment of knowing I was at DLR - seeing the tree in the GCH lobby and wanting to run up and give it a hug like it was an old friend. But I don't think that moment would apply year-round!:rotfl2:

Yes, you're right - getting to the gates early is much more conducive to the warm fuzzies than moseying in later on in the day. I know exactly what you mean there. I can't explain why the difference in time has such an impact, but it surely does. It almost sort of seems as though your defenses are down in the early morning hours. The 'world' has not had a chance to catch up with you yet, so there is nothing to enter your mind and ruin your whole day. Your mind and senses are open to fun and childlike joy. But when you get to DLR later in the day, life has already begun and the regular defenses are up. Other things have come into one's mind to occupy thoughts.

It's much more rewarding to walk into DL at 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. and look down Main Street at the Partners statue, when there is still a chill in the air and not too many people crowding your view yet, than to walk through the gates at, say, 4 p.m. or so, when Main Street is chock full o' people.

Yeah, what was up with the pink and white flowers I saw last week? That's not even Halloween-esque, let alone Christmas-esque!! That screams 'Easter' to me! I was shocked that they had not switched those out for some more season-appropriate flora.:sad2: They are usually so attentive to all the little details. As it was, it was hard to buy into it being a holiday season when it was over 80 degrees, but at least make the flowers the right color!

Now I am hearing (from mvf-m11c/Bret's TR) that New Orleans Square does not have all of its usual decorations this year. It does have some (I saw them) but it doesn't have the light strands hanging over the walkways as it usually does (which are gorgeous at night) because, according to a CM, DLR is trying to make it more Mardi Gras-like this year, rather than holiday-esque??? Okay, why do they have to mess with a good thing? They had perfectly lovely holiday decorations that DID have a Mardi Gras flair (the yellow and purple colors, for example)...but now they are trying to make it more Mardi Gras and less holiday???:confused3 Well, they DO have some stuff there because there were some gorgeous colors at night in NOS last week - there's a beautiful, glowing blue wreath at the entry to the alleyways of NOS. I didn't notice the lack of light strands.

But why deprive NOS of holiday lights now, during the holidays? Why not make it more Mardi Gras-esque in February...when the acual REAL Mardi Gras is happening?:confused3 Sometimes I have no clue where DLR comes up with some of their ideas.

I'm glad that I gave you those laugh-out-loud moments!! But really, when I showed my AP photo to people and asked if it was the worst one they had seen, they were struggling for words!!:rotfl2: "It's not that bad," someone said. LOL!! "Not that bad" if you like that black-tar-between-the-teeth kinda look.

No, you did not take up too much space!! I like to read everyone's replies, no matter how long or short!! To me, they are interesting and it's comforting to know that people are following along enough to be able to comment in depth!!

Well, now that I have bored you all to tears, I have to do a quick little paper for my client (who never stops to think that it's a weekend and I might not be in work mode, but I won't complain because all the money is going into the DLR December fund!:)) and then I am going to try to call DLR Reservations and see about that gift card issue.

I will report back on what I find out later.

Thanks for the thoughts on MIL and BIL. No new news as of yet. We finally told our kids that their favorite uncle has a brain tumor. We figure we won't say anything about grandma until/unless there is something more definite. We won't know anything more for at least a couple of weeks.

I can't believe how fast your trip is approaching! It doesn't seem like all that long ago that you were held up at security because of your scarf! ;) It probably seems like forever ago to you, though.

Can't wait to see all the damage you do with your camera! :santa:
 
Remember, MM is an unadvertised perk, and plenty of normal folk have NO clue about it at all. So while there are plenty of Dis'ers who know to get there early, I'm not sure we can extrapolate out to the normal people. :)

When hubby checked us in for the trip when we got Big Kahuna family of the day, he only remembers one person in front of him. And we were checking our bags with Bell Services *before* he checked us in. If your shuttle drops you off in front of the building, just do it right then before checking in...when I asked DLH Bell people if I could leave my bag with them despite not being a guest, they indicated that they have a list of people staying with them, so that should be good for you (was bad for me of course).

I think that everything should be fine and quick with paying, as long as nothing has gone awry with the magnet strip. I've paid at restaurants etc with more than one card, and the only delay is when the strip has gone floopy and they have to enter it by hand. And even then, the MAIN delay is the CMs REFUSING to listen to me, and trying to scan (first time swipe, second time swipe, then wipe it on their shirts and swipe, then look at it and swipe again, then find a plastic bag to put around it and swipe) it while I tell them to just *enter the numbers*...
 
Deej, I plan to take that lethal scarf with me again - so they'd better watch out at DLR!!:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2: I might just wave it around wildly in line!!:rotfl2::rotfl: I still remember the tone in the Security CM's voice when she looked suspiciously at me and asked, "Is that a scarf?" While I realize wool scarves often look dangerous, this one is harmless!

:rotfl2::rotfl: Waving it around wildly...I love it!

Wow, what a shocking turn of events with Shawn! Now, I have to ask... is she ever "interesting" while she is at DLR with you, or is she just normal and fun? Is the "interestingness" just reserved for the rest of the year? Well, I hope it all works out. That would be great if you had a friend to spend some time with, eat at GK, etc. -- but then still had some alone time for all your picture-taking. I'm counting on you to get snow pictures, you know! :goodvibes
 
Oh, and, barring any other sudden changes, I think that Liza (funatdisney) is going to come and meet up with me on my last day, 12/15, hang out until evening and then take me home, which is very nice of her. That will save me a chunk of dough on a shuttle for one way.

That's the plan. Looking forward to day at DL and with Sherry E.
 
I will wave the scarf around wildly!!:rotfl::rotfl: And I might do a little dance along with it, with exaggerated arm movements and everything, so they'd better be ready!!:rotfl2::rotfl: I even made up a dance when we got our Keys to the Magic at the PPH a couple of years ago, so I can certainly wave a scarf!!:dance3: I am a big dork!

Anyway, I just couldn't believe that the CM at DLR last year was even asking me if it was a scarf as though it was going to be a problem. Even if it had been, oh, let's say...a sweater...or mittens...no matter how you look at it, it's a pretty safe accessory!! I would be more worried about umbrellas in the park doing damage than neck scarves. In fact, my own Mouse of 1000 Faces umbrella stabbed my hand 2 years ago. But my scarf didn't hurt me at all!!:rotfl:

Some of the CM's get a little too carried away with their positions of power, I think. There was one rather snippy CM who was directing the incoming traffic at Autopia a few weeks ago. I think I stepped two inches to the left of where she wanted me to be when I waited for my car to pull up. I can't recall her exact quote, but she snarled something to the effect of, "I said to stand BEHIND the gate." And she glared at me with a 'You should know better' look. Please. Get over yourself, lady. If I were a parent with a child, then, yes - I can see where they would not want tiny kids to dart out from behind the gate and would glare at me for not keeping an eye on my child.

But seriously, I'm a grown woman and was standing there with NO kids, and it wasn't llike I jumped out in front of the oncoming Autopia cars, waiting to be mowed down.:rotfl: I simply stepped a bit out of the boxed-in boundary of #3, which was my designated waiting area. She could have nicely said, "Please stand behind the gate. Thank you."

Maybe they should be a bit more concerned with all the faulty cars that keep breaking down on Autopia rather than scolding adults for putting their feet over the line of box #3.

Deej - I thought of you when I looked at today's TV schedule. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is on TV tonight! Yay!!:cool1: Let the clay puppet Rankin-Bass holiday specials begin!!! You know they always pull out "Frosty the Snowman" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on the major networks. And then over on the more 'indie' channels (chuckle) like ABC Family, they show a whole bunch of those specials leading up to Christmas, like "Little Drummer Boy" and "Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey." Soon they will show my personal favorite with Mr. Heat Miser and Mr. Snow Miser - "The Year Without a Santa Claus"!!! (I was excited when I found the lyrics to "Mr. Heat Miser" on the Internet!! Because I plan to go around singing that song to people on the street...for no apparent reason...even though I hate heat, of course!!:rotfl2::rotfl2: You can find anything on the Web!!:woohoo:)

Anyway, you were asking about my interesting friend Shawn. Well, keep in mind that I am fully aware of and prepared for the possibility that she may not show up on 12/12. It wouldn't be unlike her to say she wanted to go somewhere and then change her mind for no apparent reason, a day or so before.

So I will believe it when I see it. And even if she does go, she won't be there long. Either she will leave that night to get home and into bed for work on Monday, 12/13, OR she will stay overnight at the PPH and then leave on Monday morning. Either way, yes, I will have some alone time on Monday and Tuesday, which should be an adventure.

Oh, and, barring any other sudden changes, I think that Liza (funatdisney) is going to come and meet up with me on my last day, 12/15, hang out until evening and then take me home, which is very nice of her. That will save me a chunk of dough on a shuttle for one way.

Now, as for whether or not Shawn is "interesting" when she is actually ON these trips, no. Not really. Not in a bad way. Well, there is the problem of her sometimes looking like a hostage in PhotoPass pictures. There was the time in 2008 where she preferred to stay seated at the table in the GCH lobby rather than get up and get in a Santa photo. She enjoys Goofy's Kitchen and is game for posing with whichever characters mosey by the table. She really loves the 'game rides' like Buzz and TSMM, because she kicks butt on them. She does really, really well and beats everyone on those rides. She loves POTC and HMH. She likes Soarin' a lot. Basically we are pretty compatible in the rides that we do NOT go on. We both basically avoid the same rides. I might be slightly more daring or open to things but essentially we avoid the same things. And she shouldn't have trouble getting up really early because she gets up at a crazy hour every day for work.

I think she enjoys herself at DLR when she is actually there. When we get together with Jackie or any of our other group of old friends, we are always laughing and laughing and laughing about ridiculous things. It's always fun. I think Shawn does get tired very easily and likes to rest a lot. She really likes when there is a hotel room to take a mid-day break in because she can relax for a while. I can push myself for a while, even if I am tired and in pain, because I am thinking of how much money I spent to have this trip and I am going to get my money's worth if it kills me!!:rotfl2:

I think it's just the in-between DLR trips times that she seems to get "interesting." It used to happen with Catalina too - we would go there every year and have tons of fun, and then all of a sudden she would start making excuses to not go the following year. I think that happens with DLR, too - she has fun on the trips but then either gets burnt out on going OR gets sick of ME, and then makes up reasons to not go.

However, we went last year without her, so I will do that again if need be!! I'd rather have the company if she is being fun and festive, but I can get by on a solo trip as long as I am hunting down trees and wreaths...and SNOW!!!

Ah, Rudolph... I missed it! I knew it was on tonight and had plans to have pizza for dinner in front of the TV while we all watched it. But...as I was finding the channel we came across the Grinch (cartoon) as it was starting so we watched that instead. I was sure they would show Rudolph again. I mean, good grief, it was still November! And I assume the Grinch will be shown again, too, but my kids prefer the non-Rankin-Bass stuff. :scared1::scared1::scared1: What kind of children am I raising -- that actually prefer "Shrek the Halls" to Rudolph, etc. Good grief. By the way, "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" comes on Thursday. :goodvibes Do you remember "Frosty and Crystal"? I haven't seen that one in years. I love the original "Frosty the Snowman" (when I was little I always cried when Frosty melted) but I don't like the impostor "Frosty Returns" with the different-looking Frosty and John Goodman as the Frosty voice. Anyway, back to "Frosty and Crystal" -- I haven't seen it in so long. During the summer when you brought up the whole Heat Miser thing it put me in the mood to watch that little musical number so I went in search of it on YouTube. Love that song and dance number! Well -- then I decided to look for "Frosty and Crystal" and I found it. The whole show in 2 or 3 videos. I didn't watch it though -- decided to wait until the Christmas season started. So now I'm looking forward to that blast from the past as well.

That's the plan. Looking forward to day at DL and with Sherry E.

Aw, that sounds fun! That is really nice of you to take her home as well. :goodvibes
 
I watched Rudolph tonight. It is my absolute Christmas special. Your trip sound so great and I hope you have a wonderful trip you deserve it.
 
Coffee? You ran out of coffee and cocoa and it has been unseasonably cold down there. That sucks.
 
I would not be digging the weather change either. Honestly the cooler weather makes for a better trip crowd wise and comfort wise. Our house feels colder this year too. I wonder if the cold is different? I mean I know that sounds silly but the levels of humidity and everything changes how hot or cold it feels.
 













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