Nothing to See Here...

[Sherry E]

Sherry,

You are the queen of quotes!!

That sure sounds like a laid back office, kind of not like the normal Disney office.

Michele -

It always bothers me if I am unable to get on and reply to people who are kind enough to post here about the trip(s) in question. Sometimes I haven't been able to do it - there's just not enough time, or I'm having too many computer issues, etc. Even if I read everything, I have not always been able to comment - and by the time I was able to, it all seemed like it was outdated information and the subject had switched to something different. So when I am able to reply, I often go quote-crazy! I become a quotin' machine! I am trying to overcompensate for all the times I haven't been able to reply!

Yes, the Special Activities office is different. There are very friendly, helpful CM's in that office, but they simply do not handle making reservations on a regular basis like the people in the Reservations office do. They will do it for those celebrities or VIP's, but it is still not on a frequent basis. So it's not like I can just call and give my name or a confirmation number and make changes by talking to any old random person. I have to find the one who is assigned to me. And while I enjoy the personalized attention, the whole reservation process is handled a bit differently and it is not as easy to make changes as it would be if I were going through the normal route. I can't even make a toll free call to the SA office!

So, even if I am able to shift my holiday dates over by a few days - and I am still on the fence about that - I don't know if it will be worth the hassle. I would have loved the all-December dates if I had booked those to begin with, but now that I have chosen what I chose, I wonder if it's better to just stick with what I have. I basically have to weigh all the options and do what's best for me in the long run - whichever scenario works best for me.

It's no problem, on the next TR I will shrink them down just for you. Some of the details could use the bigger picture, but a lot of the pictures are fine at the medium size.

Bret -

Well, the good thing is that at least I can still view all of your photos by clicking on the links in the e-mail alerts. It's just something about loading the actual pages of the TR that gives me trouble.

You're absolutely right - the big pictures are great for showing colors and details! I think most people prefer looking at big, colorful shots!

I went in to World Of Disney and Emporium. I also went to a few more.

Kaitlin -

That makes sense, then. I did not go into WoD or into the Emporium like I normally would have because I didn't have enough time. So I didn't see all the other Christmas stuff - only the regular Christmas section on China Closet.

When I was a child, I remember watching one of the Peanuts/Charlie Brown TV specials, and some of the Peanuts kids were walking through a store and commenting on how they couldn't believe there was already Christmas merchandise out, even though it was not even Halloween yet (or maybe it was right after Halloween? Can't recall!).

At that time - many, many, many years ago - it was actually very surprising to see anything Christmas-oriented show up on the shelves so early, which is why it was a funny joke on the Peanuts special. That kind of thing did not happen very often at all back then. There was more of a 'separation' of the holiday seasons, where you could clearly tell when it was Halloween, when it was Thanksgiving and when it was Christmas. They didn't all blend together like they seem to do now.

Somewhere along the line, Christmas stuff began appearing in early September or before. Valentine's Day stuff began appearing in December. Halloween stuff began appearing in August. Now it almost seems like the seasons and holidays are blurred and have all become one.

In a way, I don't mind it because I love the Fall and Winter holidays and the sooner they come around, the better. On the other hand, I definitely think there should be more of that separation like there used to be when I was a kid, when the Christmas stuff didn't hit the shelves until after Thanksgiving ended!! I think it helps to build anticipation for each holiday a little better if they are kept more separate, and it lets each holiday kind of stand on its own.

I'm not counting myself in this because I love all things Christmas, but for the average person...when they see snowmen and reindeer hit the shelves in late August/early September, it's hard to get excited for the holiday when it finally comes around in December!

I'm almost 100% certain that the shortbread version is the only kind available during the spring and summer seasons. I spent an absurd amount (absurd for the average, non-Disney-obsessed person...I blame the swing dancing on Wednesday nights and Trader Sam's ) of time hanging around DLR this past summer and the only kind I saw were the shortbread (they are just as adorable as the gingerbread, imo).

Welcome back, AmericanItGirl! You haven't posted in this TR in ages!

Thank you so much for speaking up about the cookie mystery! I was very befuddled about that and I needed confirmation! (Because I don't have anything more important to worry about, clearly!)

I can't recall which DIS'er it was, but someone claimed that the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears had been spotted in May and at other times of year. Actually, I think more than one person said it on the DIS. I know DLR tends to roll out their holiday stuff as soon as the previous season has ended - so it wouldn't be too much of a shock to see actual gingerbread cookies pop up in late August, after their Summer season ends, for example, because they transition right into the Halloween/Fall treats.

But seeing real gingerbread cookies anytime after early January and before late August sounded very peculiar to me because that flavor is so season-specific. So when I saw photos of the adorable shortbread 'faux' gingerbread cookies with the colored ears and colored buttons (and you're right - they are just as cute with their little pastel ears!), I began to think, "Hmmm...I wonder if people are confusing these with the actual gingerbread cookies." Another DIS'er, MattsPrincess, must have been thinking the same thing I was because she spoke up and said these cookies with colored ears looked like sugar cookies or something else that was not gingerbread.

I think it is just the shape of these darn cookies that confuses people - because they are made from the same mold to look like the gingerbread cookies but are not made of gingerbread, it throws people off!

 

[Belle Ella]

Hi, Jessica!!

You may want to look away/hide your eyes soon, as I will have a couple of more photo posts to put up before I am done with this TR (even though I don't think I have photos of anything that you didn't see during your Halloween trip last year - it all looks to be the standard Halloween fare). I guess I will see you on Monday at some point!

I have been sneaky, If it looks like photos are going to start loading I close the thread. I got lucky, lol. I don't have to hold out much longer, I leave in less than 24 hours. Guess I'll be seeing you on Monday! And I wont take no for an answer.

 

[ddwlms]

ddwlms -

I am so glad you spoke up a second time! I couldn't help but laugh! I know! The nerve of my friends to inconvenience you too! It's bad enough that they are disrupting my own plans!

I don't know if it's a good idea to follow my planning details, as my plans always seem to go horribly awry in some way or the other! Perhaps I should be following your planning details!

In any case, I am glad you're following along, whether things go awry or not!

Ohhhh, if your plans go awry that would not be good. I'm the one that is supposed to be the "expert" disney planner and we have friends following my planning, (your planning) so I'm really rooting that all your plans go SMOOOOOOTHLY this time!

(I have to laugh at what my totally amateur friends believe is an expert. I know so little compared to you real disney experts.)

So, I suspect you've already explained and I've just missed it, but how is it that you came to have these VIP type reservations through the Special Activities office?

 

[Sherry E]

I have been sneaky, If it looks like photos are going to start loading I close the thread. I got lucky, lol. I don't have to hold out much longer, I leave in less than 24 hours. Guess I'll be seeing you on Monday! And I wont take no for an answer.

Okey dokey! If you still have my cell number, give me a call sometime on Monday. I don't foresee that we'll be out of the parking lot and in the parks any earlier than 11:30 a.m.

Ohhhh, if your plans go awry that would not be good. I'm the one that is supposed to be the "expert" disney planner and we have friends following my planning, (your planning) so I'm really rooting that all your plans go SMOOOOOOTHLY this time!

(I have to laugh at what my totally amateur friends believe is an expert. I know so little compared to you real disney experts.)

So, I suspect you've already explained and I've just missed it, but how is it that you came to have these VIP type reservations through the Special Activities office?

You mention planning - it's funny because my friends who have been going to DLR for years and years (like since we were kids) can't even conceive of the planning that goes on in this day and age. If they used to live in SoCal and visit DLR once or twice a year, every year, they don't understand - decades later - that the whole resort has changed now, and it's not the same place that it was back in the '70s, '80s and '90s. For example, this friend who is now giving me all the difficulty about the dates for the holiday trip used to live in SoCal and go to DL every year. She has not been to DL in 10 years, and she now lives out of state...BUT I think she still can't wrap her mind around the fact that there is more to do now, and more planning required.

The crazy reservation I have for the PPH - which must be handled through the Special Activities office - came about after a billing goof that occurred during my PPH stay this past December. I had paid in full for my room when I checked in, but because a few different wacky things, somehow the PPH's computer system automatically blocked almost $300 on my card...and I was unaware of it. I went merrily along my way, putting charges on this particular card (like meals at Storytellers - Yum! Love that spaghetti!), not realizing that the funds were not technically available because of this hold they had put on my money. The PPH didn't tell me this was going to happen. They didn't ask me which card was okay to use. Their system just picked a card on file and applied the hold.

I didn't become aware of this madness until I returned home. By that time, the transactions I initiated during my DLR trip were about to post before the PPH released the hold on my money...meaning overdraft fees and non-sufficient funds and all that.

I called the PPH and wrote a letter to Guest Communications, complaining about what happened. Everyone I spoke to agreed they had goofed, and that it was definitely their mistake. So, to make it up to me - which I was NOT expecting at all - and to invite me back to the PPH, they gave me this sweet deal of one totally free night at the PPH, $99 each additional night, free parking and VIP seating/viewing for at least a couple of shows (which would include the parade, World of Color, Aladdin, etc.), pending availability. It was above and beyond the call - I truly didn't expect anything other than having them compensate me for the overdraft fees, if it had come to that. The PPH offer was a surprise!!

I have read a couple of other accounts from DIS'ers who have had a less than favorable trip, and DLR ended up not only giving them multiple free park hoppers but also multiple free nights at one of the Disney hotels!! To me, that is mind-blowing! That is a LOT of value!!

My trip last December was wonderful - no complaint there! It was just the billing mishap that was the problem. Otherwise, it was a fantastic time! So I feel very fortunate to have this awesome PPH deal to use for the holidays this year - although it means that I have to go through that Special Activities office, which is not accustomed to having to make lots of reservations for guests. And I can only use this PPH deal in 2011 - I can't wait until next year to use it.

 

[ddwlms]

Kudos to DLR for making things right by you. ("right" and then some. yay you!)

Planning to me is half the fun. Planning, and counting down the days. --which this trip, I'm afraid I'm going to miss out on half of that just 'cause my life is so busy at the moment. And will be right up till the moment we leave. I'm actully resigned to just giving up Thanksgiving this year all together. -I've already had 46 in my life, I can afford to give up one. I'm just swamped. (software conversion at work. accounting software, and I'm the accounting manager.)

But I've tried to make up for it by starting my count down much earlier. I may be oblivious when we're down to 7 days, but I REMEMBER pretrip day 223, and 157, and breaking the triple digit mark!

(57 more days and I'll be "walking right down the middle of main street, USA.....")

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Kaitlin -

That makes sense, then. I did not go into WoD or into the Emporium like I normally would have because I didn't have enough time. So I didn't see all the other Christmas stuff - only the regular Christmas section on China Closet.

When I was a child, I remember watching one of the Peanuts/Charlie Brown TV specials, and some of the Peanuts kids were walking through a store and commenting on how they couldn't believe there was already Christmas merchandise out, even though it was not even Halloween yet (or maybe it was right after Halloween? Can't recall!).

At that time - many, many, many years ago - it was actually very surprising to see anything Christmas-oriented show up on the shelves so early, which is why it was a funny joke on the Peanuts special. That kind of thing did not happen very often at all back then. There was more of a 'separation' of the holiday seasons, where you could clearly tell when it was Halloween, when it was Thanksgiving and when it was Christmas. They didn't all blend together like they seem to do now.

Somewhere along the line, Christmas stuff began appearing in early September or before. Valentine's Day stuff began appearing in December. Halloween stuff began appearing in August. Now it almost seems like the seasons and holidays are blurred and have all become one.

In a way, I don't mind it because I love the Fall and Winter holidays and the sooner they come around, the better. On the other hand, I definitely think there should be more of that separation like there used to be when I was a kid, when the Christmas stuff didn't hit the shelves until after Thanksgiving ended!! I think it helps to build anticipation for each holiday a little better if they are kept more separate, and it lets each holiday kind of stand on its own.

I'm not counting myself in this because I love all things Christmas, but for the average person...when they see snowmen and reindeer hit the shelves in late August/early September, it's hard to get excited for the holiday when it finally comes around in December!

They should do that too. I was not born when you saw all of those peanuts specials but I would love to see them.

Thanks, Kaitlin!!

They will probably still be going, and I will still be going - but we just may not be going at the same time!

Oh gotcha.

 

[funatdisney]

At long last, Jessica (the famous Belle Ella) and I will be in Disneyland at the same time on Monday, for the party - normally her DLR trips and my trips do not coincide or overlap - so with any luck we will be able to meet up amid the assorted pumpkins, scarecrows, candy, costumes and overall Halloween merriment. We have met before, early this year, but this will be the first get-together on Disney property! Plus, add to that the fact that she will be with Paula (smile4stamps) and I will be with Liza (funatdisney), and it will be a regular DISboards summit! It will be like a Mt. Rushmore of DIS'ers!!

Sherry, I am looking forward to Monday and the MHP with fellow DISers. We should have a great time. BTW, I'm keeping away from any threads that may contain MHP reports or pics.

As for your trip, I'm so relieved that SA has room availability for your Holiday trip. That way you can make decisions that will make the most of your time at DLR. Well, at least until you can decide.

See you on Monday!

 

[bumbershoot]

Now...on to Frontierland, where Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead - is celebrated in a colorful display!

You mention planning - it's funny because my friends who have been going to DLR for years and years (like since we were kids) can't even conceive of the planning that goes on in this day and age. If they used to live in SoCal and visit DLR once or twice a year, every year, they don't understand - decades later - that the whole resort has changed now, and it's not the same place that it was back in the '70s, '80s and '90s. For example, this friend who is now giving me all the difficulty about the dates for the holiday trip used to live in SoCal and go to DL every year. She has not been to DL in 10 years, and she now lives out of state...BUT I think she still can't wrap her mind around the fact that there is more to do now, and more planning required.​

I love those pictures SO very much! So much that I wish the ONE key on my keyboard that doesn't work still worked, so I could snag the picture and put it into my Pictures file. Maybe I should find a mouse and use that instead of my apple keyboard shortcut thingies... Because I love them!


My Florida family is like your SoCal friends. They still do go quite often, for not-even-a-day trips, and they seem to do the same things over and over, and they don't really notice what has changed around them. I made several reservations without consulting them because they just couldn't talk about things so far in advance, because they just don't understand that they NEED to do so. etc.​

 

[kaoden39]

Sherry, I will be curiously awaiting to see what you decide with your Christmas trip. I am just glad that you are doing YOUR trip and not someone else.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret -

Well, the good thing is that at least I can still view all of your photos by clicking on the links in the e-mail alerts. It's just something about loading the actual pages of the TR that gives me trouble.

You're absolutely right - the big pictures are great for showing colors and details! I think most people prefer looking at big, colorful shots!

But these last few post that I have done, I have made it medium size so you will be able to see the pics on my TR. Hope this helps you when you look on my thread and my pics of the Halloween decorations.

It was nice to see the Halloween decorations for only one day, but you can't beat the Holiday season which I always love going too. I hope everything goes well for you when you do your annual Holiday trip to DL next month. This years Halloween decorations were great and I got to remember to go there next year for a full weekend trip since I like to take pictures of the Halloween decorations at night.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Welcome back, AmericanItGirl! You haven't posted in this TR in ages!

Thank you so much for speaking up about the cookie mystery! I was very befuddled about that and I needed confirmation! (Because I don't have anything more important to worry about, clearly!)

I can't recall which DIS'er it was, but someone claimed that the gingerbread cookies with mouse ears had been spotted in May and at other times of year. Actually, I think more than one person said it on the DIS. I know DLR tends to roll out their holiday stuff as soon as the previous season has ended - so it wouldn't be too much of a shock to see actual gingerbread cookies pop up in late August, after their Summer season ends, for example, because they transition right into the Halloween/Fall treats.

But seeing real gingerbread cookies anytime after early January and before late August sounded very peculiar to me because that flavor is so season-specific. So when I saw photos of the adorable shortbread 'faux' gingerbread cookies with the colored ears and colored buttons (and you're right - they are just as cute with their little pastel ears!), I began to think, "Hmmm...I wonder if people are confusing these with the actual gingerbread cookies." Another DIS'er, MattsPrincess, must have been thinking the same thing I was because she spoke up and said these cookies with colored ears looked like sugar cookies or something else that was not gingerbread.

I think it is just the shape of these darn cookies that confuses people - because they are made from the same mold to look like the gingerbread cookies but are not made of gingerbread, it throws people off!

I blame the popcorn fumes those people must've inhaled (I still buy into the rumor that Disney flavors their popcorn with liquid crack to make it so darn tasty and addictive). Although, maybe they just thought the cookies were Disney's attempt at being equal-opportunity in cookie tone colors by magically making "white" gingerbread cookies? I could see them extend the cookies into February, since there are probably people doing post-holiday "holiday" trips, and gingerbread is one of those classic "cold weather" treats.

Speaking of Christmas not hitting the shelves until after Thanksgiving, my local CVS is hilarious in that respect. The day after Thanksgiving, it's a sea of Christmas, and not a day earlier (I'm pretty sure that they're up all night to shuffle around the merchandise and string up all of the decorations). Usually they'll milk the few days after the holidays with the merchandise (cutting prices until everything's 50% a week later), but never with Christmas/Thanksgiving.

 

[Sherry E]

I've been so busy and yet I am still running behind on everything.

I am off to DLR today to hit Mickey's Halloween Party (and meet up with Jessica/Belle Ella and Paula/smile4stamps at some point; I would have been meeting Laurie/DizNee Luver too, if she had been able to go as she had planned!)!!!

I don't anticipate taking too, too many photos because I doubt my camera will get the job done at night. It depends on how much time and patience I have to deal with its settings. And I have a bunch of stuff to get done in the daytime (not time to explain now), so I don't know how many photos I will be taking. We'll see. I feel very out of sorts and disorganized today so I can't think straight. Too much to do. Too little time.

I still have about 2 installments left from the 9/16 TR to post here!

Anyway, I have 9 million things to do this morning before leaving, so I will bid farewell now.

 

[mariezp]

Have fun!!!! We'll expect a full report when you get back.

 

[tksbaskets]

I've been so busy and yet I am still running behind on everything.

I am off to DLR today to hit Mickey's Halloween Party (and meet up with Jessica/Belle Ella and Paula/smile4stamps at some point; I would have been meeting Laurie/DizNee Luver too, if she had been able to go as she had planned!)!!!

I don't anticipate taking too, too many photos because I doubt my camera will get the job done at night. It depends on how much time and patience I have to deal with its settings. And I have a bunch of stuff to get done in the daytime (not time to explain now), so I don't know how many photos I will be taking. We'll see. I feel very out of sorts and disorganized today so I can't think straight. Too much to do. Too little time.

I still have about 2 installments left from the 9/16 TR to post here!

Anyway, I have 9 million things to do this morning before leaving, so I will bid farewell now.

Have fun!!

TK

 

[ddwlms]

Have so much fun! Can't wait to hear details. (and hoping for a few pics at least )

 

[kaoden39]

Have lots of fun!! I can hardly wait to hear all about it!!

 

[bumbershoot]

So glad you're going today!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Love the update Sherry!!

 

[Disney owl]

great reports & photos

 

[DizNee Luver]

I've been so busy and yet I am still running behind on everything.

I am off to DLR today to hit Mickey's Halloween Party (and meet up with Jessica/Belle Ella and Paula/smile4stamps at some point; I would have been meeting Laurie/DizNee Luver too, if she had been able to go as she had planned!)!!!

I don't anticipate taking too, too many photos because I doubt my camera will get the job done at night. It depends on how much time and patience I have to deal with its settings. And I have a bunch of stuff to get done in the daytime (not time to explain now), so I don't know how many photos I will be taking. We'll see. I feel very out of sorts and disorganized today so I can't think straight. Too much to do. Too little time.

I still have about 2 installments left from the 9/16 TR to post here!

Anyway, I have 9 million things to do this morning before leaving, so I will bid farewell now.

I was so looking forward to meeting up with you.......Missing the trip is painful to think about.......especially when seeing pics & reports of others trips. I'm glad you went & met up with Paula & Jessica!!! One of these times we'll meet in person.....even if I have to show up at your house!