Nothing to See Here...

[tksbaskets]

I meant to remind you all earlier when I posted - but got distracted and had to suddenly exit the post, and then got hit with a bad headache - that in just about 3 weeks I will be at DLR, meeting my new friend Snowy the Snow Car for the first time!

I may even christen my first visit of the holiday season by eating a peppermint ice cream cone!

I hadn't really thought about how late I would stay in the parks that day (knowing myself, I will likely get a very early morning start - because you all know how I love the crisp, cool quiet mornings at DLR), but I realize that staying until dark is probably a key factor, as the Christmas lights in Cars Land and on Buena Vista Street will inevitably be amazing. As it is, I haven't even spent nearly enough time in Disneyland at night, let alone in California Adventure!

This means I'd better grab one of those 'free refill' coffee deals at the Market House, so I can keep loading up on the caffeine when I need it!

I have not yet decided if I will just make it a totally solo day - which would be better for photo-taking - or if I want Shawn to come over and meet me for dinner in DTD or the hotels something. I'm assuming I'll be back in December and can spend time with her then.

Anyway, it could be 3 weeks and 2 days, or 3 weeks and 3 days. Either way, in just about 3 weeks I will be back at DLR for a taste of the holidays!

Awesome! Dancing Banana awesome

 

[Sherry E]

Awesome! Dancing Banana awesome

TK -

Very true! Thanks to deej's husband, we all now have a new barometer for awesomeness - the Dancing Banana. If something is awesome, then it is super, mega awesome!

I must admit, though - I'm almost as excited to see what the new Fantasyland at MK looks like as I am looking forward to seeing Cars Land & Buena Vista Street's decor. I can't wait to see your photos of it, TK!

I don't know if the new FL will be decorated for the holidays this year, but I bet that it has tons of potential for holiday decor in the future!

Honestly, I've always been a bit shocked that there isn't more holiday decor in our FL in Disneyland. There is a little bit here and there, but I would expect more for that setting and theme.

When I think of Christmas time scenarios, one distinct image that pops into mind is a snowy European village. The "Christmas markets" are extremely popular in various European countries. The holiday season is a big deal in Europe! They have gorgeous Christmas trees and all kinds of fun. I would have thought that DLR would use that Europe-Christmas connection and really decorate Fantasyland more. But...Fantasyland has been around forever, and if they haven't gone all out with the holiday decorations in FL by now, they probably never will!



I'm off to run some errands now, a.k.a. get some coffee. For some reason, I've let myself run out of coffee, and it is not pretty. How can I properly map out my agenda for my DLR visit in a few weeks without some caffeine?

 

[Virgoinab]

Okay, did you get some freaking coffee or what????

Geez you do like to leave us in suspense don't you??

TK Really looking forward to that new MK FL pictures trip report. We had wanted to go back to WDW this Feb, but I told my DN that I wanted to wait until it was completely finished. So we are looking at a 2014 trip. Plus, since we like to stay at the GFH, I am hoping the new DVC units will be done. Although DH wants to stay at BLT.

Okay, back to Sherry, I know of what you speak when there is no coffee in the house, I only drink two cups a day, but I make it strong, and dang if I have no coffee I am like Malificent on a bad day.

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, did you get some freaking coffee or what????

Geez you do like to leave us in suspense don't you??

TK Really looking forward to that new MK FL pictures trip report. We had wanted to go back to WDW this Feb, but I told my DN that I wanted to wait until it was completely finished. So we are looking at a 2014 trip. Plus, since we like to stay at the GFH, I am hoping the new DVC units will be done. Although DH wants to stay at BLT.

Okay, back to Sherry, I know of what you speak when there is no coffee in the house, I only drink two cups a day, but I make it strong, and dang if I have no coffee I am like Malificent on a bad day.

Virgoinab!

(I'm having a sneezing fit at the moment, so I am trying to type in between sneezes!)

I'm glad you popped into this thread again! In your signature, I see that you were just at Mickey's Halloween Party and that you loved it.

Coincidentally, Time Warner Cable just aired their own Halloween special focusing on Disneyland's Halloween Time and Knott's Scary Farm/Halloween Haunt - but it was 75% about Disneyland. Every year, Time Warner does a little low-budget show for Southern Californians, featuring local Halloween activities. In the past they've done a show about Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights, and a longer show about Knott's. This was the first time I've seen a show that mainly focused on Halloween Time at DL.

It's weird, though - in the Time Warner show, they took footage from last year's Halloween Time (like the old Villains photo spot) and mixed it in with footage from this year's season (specifically, the Conjure Up a Villain tent and the Carnival). They also spent a good deal of time talking about Haunted Mansion Holiday - with footage of last year's gingerbread centerpiece in the ballroom!

I'm so sad I wasn't able to get to DLR for Halloween Time this year - not just because I want to go, but also for practical reasons. Being there and seeing everything in person, first-hand, helps me with Theme Weeks and giving info in the Halloween Superthread.

But, alas, I think I have to set my sights on the holidays this time around, and try to focus on throwing together some great trips. Hopefully 2013 will bring a bigger and better Halloween Time season.

​

Yes, I got coffee! It's not the coffee I wanted or planned to get, but it had caffeine in it, which is what was important at that moment. I don't drink more than 2 or 3 cups per day anymore, either (unless it's an extreme circumstance). I used to drink much more in the old days, but it affects my blood sugar too much and it doesn't give me as much of a caffeine buzz anymore. I'm not going to drink 13 cups of coffee per day just to try to get a caffeine buzz, so I will just stick with a few cups.

The area in which I live is ideal if you are (A) single, and (B) don't have a car. It is centrally located to everything one would need, and it is a safe enough area to where you don't feel in danger by walking around the neighborhood. There are any number of stores I can go to for coffee. Because there are so many places to shop around this area, there are quite a few choices depending on your budget and mood. We have everything from the more upscale (Whole Foods & Bristol Farms) to the inexpensive (the 99 Cent Store), and whatever falls in between (Ralphs & Trader Joe's).

If I have a big load of groceries to get, I order from Vons.com or Yummy.com and have it delivered. If I just have a few things to get, I might go to Ralphs or CVS Drugstore and carry them home. If I have only a few dollars in my wallet (literally, a few dollars), I can go to the 99 Cent Store - which, in my area of town, is a really good 99 Cent Store, albeit exceptionally crowded. They have really good items.

Yesterday I had planned on going to Ralphs, but I decided to stop in the 99 Cent Store on the way just to take a peek at whatever they had in stock. Once people get inside the store, they catch sight of all of these great things on sale for 99 cents (name brands, too) and get carried away. I saw some things I needed and decided to get those, and while I was there I figured I'd get my coffee as well. The 99 Cent Store is great for certain items, but not so great for coffee. All they seemed to have in stock was instant coffee (Taster's Choice & Nescafe).

Just as I mentioned the other day about enjoying the ritual of going to a tree lot and picking out a Christmas trees vs. ordering one online and having it delivered, I also like the process and ritual of brewing coffee! "Instant" coffee is quick and easy, but it doesn't have the same taste as regular brewed coffee, and the smell of the coffee doesn't fill the house (like it does when it's being brewed). I like to hear the coffee percolating and inhale the aroma. I don't get either of those things by drinking instant coffee - but, hey, if you're just in need of a quick caffeine fix and don't need the other sensory effects, then in a pinch a cup of instant will do the trick!

 

[Sherry E]

​

Disneyland-related holiday trip stuff...

I woke up in the middle of the night (a frequent occurrence) and tried to watch some TV to fall back asleep (but "Love Actually" was on again, so of course I had to watch it all the way to the end!). When I finally settled back down I found myself thinking about upcoming DLR trips and how exactly I will map them out. For example, I'm planning on being there either on 11/11 or 11/12. I'll have to double check the hours to be sure, but I think there will be a big difference between the parks' closing times on 11/11 and 11/12, correct? In other words, Disneyland will close at midnight on 11/11, but much earlier on 11/12?

This will make a big difference in my plan. If the Holly Jolly Jamboree is not going to be open until 11/12, then that has to be the day I go...but it will mean shorter hours (I think). So...I really have to focus on as many of the "new" decorations in California Adventure and on the Holly Jolly Jamboree as I can that day - as the photos of those things and the information I can bring back will be useful for the Christmas Superthread and for the podcast.

I have to inspect every possible inch of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street (inside the stores and restaurants too) to see what holiday merriment can be found during the daytime, and then I have to head back to those 2 lands when the sun goes down. Timing will be crucial.

In between the daytime and nighttime visits of CL & BVS, I want to see what, if anything, will be in place of the old Santa gazebo location on Paradise Pier. Will they put up a new tree or keep the same photo spot, but with characters instead of Santa?

I want to check out Ghirardelli and see if they are giving out samples of their chocolate/peppermint goodies, or any other seasonal sample.

I also need to check out some shops in both parks, to see what kinds of merchandise is available. Photos of merchandise are always important too!

And, of course, I need to visit the Holly Jolly Jamboree and see what that's all about, and how different it is from the Reindeer Round-Up.

Plus, in the constant quest to determine which decorations have been added in and taken out, I will do a thorough sweep of Toontown and New Orleans Square to be sure the decorations have not been scaled back.

This is going to be a very busy, jam-packed day - especially if DLR is closing earlier on 11/12. I'm exhausted just thinking about it all!

​

When December rolls around, IF I can whip up a trip (or "conjure up" a trip, Villains-style!), that will hopefully involve the Candlelight Processional (we'll see what the charge is) and much more time in Disneyland at night. I need to try to get some better photos of DL at night during the holidays.

​

The GOOD news is...and I don't want to say too much just yet, for fear of jinxing anything...I think that I may be in store for some Christmas magic (which I desperately need). I think a December trip (like an actual trip, with a hotel stay) is in the cards for me! It just may happen after all! When I know with 100% certainty that it is happening and that I can get into a hotel, I will let you all know. I should know within the next week or week and a half!

 

[Virgoinab]

Virgoinab!

(I'm having a sneezing fit at the moment, so I am trying to type in between sneezes!)

I'm glad you popped into this thread again! In your signature, I see that you were just at Mickey's Halloween Party and that you loved it.

Coincidentally, Time Warner Cable just aired their own Halloween special focusing on Disneyland's Halloween Time and Knott's Scary Farm/Halloween Haunt - but it was 75% about Disneyland. Every year, Time Warner does a little low-budget show for Southern Californians, featuring local Halloween activities. In the past they've done a show about Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights, and a longer show about Knott's. This was the first time I've seen a show that mainly focused on Halloween Time at DL.

It's weird, though - in the Time Warner show, they took footage from last year's Halloween Time (like the old Villains photo spot) and mixed it in with footage from this year's season (specifically, the Conjure Up a Villain tent and the Carnival). They also spent a good deal of time talking about Haunted Mansion Holiday - with footage of last year's gingerbread centerpiece in the ballroom!

I'm so sad I wasn't able to get to DLR for Halloween Time this year - not just because I want to go, but also for practical reasons. Being there and seeing everything in person, first-hand, helps me with Theme Weeks and giving info in the Halloween Superthread.

But, alas, I think I have to set my sights on the holidays this time around, and try to focus on throwing together some great trips. Hopefully 2013 will bring a bigger and better Halloween Time season.

​

Yes, I got coffee! It's not the coffee I wanted or planned to get, but it had caffeine in it, which is what was important at that moment. I don't drink more than 2 or 3 cups per day anymore, either (unless it's an extreme circumstance). I used to drink much more in the old days, but it affects my blood sugar too much and it doesn't give me as much of a caffeine buzz anymore. I'm not going to drink 13 cups of coffee per day just to try to get a caffeine buzz, so I will just stick with a few cups.

The area in which I live is ideal if you are (A) single, and (B) don't have a car. It is centrally located to everything one would need, and it is a safe enough area to where you don't feel in danger by walking around the neighborhood. There are any number of stores I can go to for coffee. Because there are so many places to shop around this area, there are quite a few choices depending on your budget and mood. We have everything from the more upscale (Whole Foods & Bristol Farms) to the inexpensive (the 99 Cent Store), and whatever falls in between (Ralphs & Trader Joe's).

If I have a big load of groceries to get, I order from Vons.com or Yummy.com and have it delivered. If I just have a few things to get, I might go to Ralphs or CVS Drugstore and carry them home. If I have only a few dollars in my wallet (literally, a few dollars), I can go to the 99 Cent Store - which, in my area of town, is a really good 99 Cent Store, albeit exceptionally crowded. They have really good items.

Yesterday I had planned on going to Ralphs, but I decided to stop in the 99 Cent Store on the way just to take a peek at whatever they had in stock. Once people get inside the store, they catch sight of all of these great things on sale for 99 cents (name brands, too) and get carried away. I saw some things I needed and decided to get those, and while I was there I figured I'd get my coffee as well. The 99 Cent Store is great for certain items, but not so great for coffee. All they seemed to have in stock was instant coffee (Taster's Choice & Nescafe).

Just as I mentioned the other day about enjoying the ritual of going to a tree lot and picking out a Christmas trees vs. ordering one online and having it delivered, I also like the process and ritual of brewing coffee! "Instant" coffee is quick and easy, but it doesn't have the same taste as regular brewed coffee, and the smell of the coffee doesn't fill the house (like it does when it's being brewed). I like to hear the coffee percolating and inhale the aroma. I don't get either of those things by drinking instant coffee - but, hey, if you're just in need of a quick caffeine fix and don't need the other sensory effects, then in a pinch a cup of instant will do the trick!

Well I am glad to hear that you did get coffee, even if it was instant. Agree completly on the the whole "instant vs brewed" Some of my best childhood memories involve the smell of brewed coffee in the house. No I was not allowed to drink it, but it reminds me of Sunday''s when my dad would make breakfast, that was a big thing cause he went nutso with it

I blame him for my pancake issues.....

 

[kaoden39]

 

[Sherry E]

Well I am glad to hear that you did get coffee, even if it was instant. Agree completly on the the whole "instant vs brewed" Some of my best childhood memories involve the smell of brewed coffee in the house. No I was not allowed to drink it, but it reminds me of Sunday''s when my dad would make breakfast, that was a big thing cause he went nutso with it

I blame him for my pancake issues.....

Virgoinab -

Yes, there is just something fun about brewing the coffee, smelling it as the aroma fills the house, and hearing it percolate!

I wasn't allowed to drink coffee as a kid, either. I don't think I started drinking it until I became a older teenager.

Did your dad make really big breakfasts, with the whole range of breakfast foods, or mainly just pancakes? Whatever it was, if it was enough to cause pancake issues, it sounds wonderful!

There is something intoxicating about that breakfasty smell. That's one thing I love about River Belle Terrace at Disneyland - the smell in the morning. It reminds me of the good parts of my childhood, going to DL and eating Mickey Mouse pancakes to start the day. We'd walk into RBT when I was a kid, and the aromas of pancakes, waffles, maple syrup, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, orange juice and coffee filled my nostrils. It was amazing!

Michele -

I agree! And I'll throw in a Dancing Banana!

 

[PlutoRocks]

Yay!! I'm so glad to hear that you will get to the parks in a couple weeks...i'll keep my fingers crossed for the holiday trip.

Sorry I've bee away for a few days I went to Bisbee, AZ to do the Bisbee 1000...it is a "race" which is 5 miles and you climb 9 staircases which total 1034 stairs!! It was fun (after it was over ) but I'm fine if I don't see another staircase for quite some time

 

[Sherry E]

Yay!! I'm so glad to hear that you will get to the parks in a couple weeks...i'll keep my fingers crossed for the holiday trip.

Sorry I've bee away for a few days I went to Bisbee, AZ to do the Bisbee 1000...it is a "race" which is 5 miles and you climb 9 staircases which total 1034 stairs!! It was fun (after it was over ) but I'm fine if I don't see another staircase for quite some time

Hi, Dawn!

Oh my goodness - that many stairs would kill me! The only fun I'd have with that is watching other people struggle too! But that's so awesome and amazing that you finished it!

You know, when I did my Avalon/Catalina Island day trip in July (see the link in my signature below), I revisited this place called the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden. I've been there in the past, but it's been years and years. Anyway, the 'memorial' part of the location is located up these steps. Many, many, many steps. First you walk up a bit of a hill (a very slight incline) and then get to the steps. In order to see the memorial and get to the spot where the good views are, you have to climb the steps. I saw other people - including much younger people and people who were extremely fit - complaining about and cursing those steps. I felt better that I was not the only one cursing the steps. It's not like they were the steepest steps ever - they were not - but they just seemed to be never-ending.

Then again, I would bet that a lot of the town's residents probably love the steps at Wrigley and use them as a workout!

Yes, I'm definitely going to DLR in a few weeks, just for one day, so I can gather info and photos of the new holiday stuff for my Christmas thread. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether I'll go on Sunday, 11/11 - before the season officially begins, but when most of the holiday things will be running - or go on Mon., 11/12 - the official start of the season, when I know for sure that everything will be up and running!

I think that a bit of wonderful Christmas magic is going to make a December trip possible for me after all - and with a hotel stay, too! I should know by this time next week if I am going to be able to snag a room at one of the Disney hotels for the dates/rates I want in December. In other words, if all goes according to how I hope/think it will go, one week from today I should have a definite plan in place and a room booked for December...and I will have a do-over trip to make up for last December's fiasco!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi, Dawn!
Yes, I'm definitely going to DLR in a few weeks, just for one day, so I can gather info and photos of the new holiday stuff for my Christmas thread. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether I'll go on Sunday, 11/11 - before the season officially begins, but when most of the holiday things will be running - or go on Mon., 11/12 - the official start of the season, when I know for sure that everything will be up and running!

I think that a bit of wonderful Christmas magic is going to make a December trip possible for me after all - and with a hotel stay, too! I should know by this time next week if I am going to be able to snag a room at one of the Disney hotels for the dates/rates I want in December. In other words, if all goes according to how I hope/think it will go, one week from today I should have a definite plan in place and a room booked for December...and I will have a do-over trip to make up for last December's fiasco!!

Yeah! I look forward to your upcoming trip (trips I hope) as I know you'll share your experiences with us. November 12th isn't that far away!

 

[Sherry E]

Yeah! I look forward to your upcoming trip (trips I hope) as I know you'll share your experiences with us. November 12th isn't that far away!

Thank you, TK!

November 12th is not far away at all. It will be here in no time! It's already been a month since Autumn began, and Halloween Time at DLR only lasts one more week. The time has flown by!

​

And then, starting in about 10 days, it's all holidays, all the time, for me!


Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but I've already been checking out the line-up for the first weekend of the Hallmark Channel Christmas movie marathon, which will take place every weekend starting 11/3, and will extend through - I'm guessing - December 30, or possibly through January 6! I became addicted to that marathon last year, as it provided good, lighthearted holiday entertainment, and it also served as good 'holiday background TV' to keep on while I was doing other things around the house!

I can't wait to see "Farewell, Mr. Kringle," "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "Trading Christmas" again!!! I must have watched each of those movies 4 times apiece in 2011, over the course of the whole season. "Moonlight & Mistletoe" is good too!

And then, of course, over on Lifetime I'm sure they will be re-running "The 12 Men of Christmas," starring Kristin Chenoweth, which is another great one! I watched it about 4 times over the season too! (Well, when I say "watched," I mean that I watched the movie in full - from start to finish - one time, and then caught bits and pieces of it another 3 times.)

Don't get me wrong - I am usually not a 'syrupy, sappy movie' fan. One would think that this Hallmark Channel 2-month long Christmas movie marathon is not for me because it has a definite sappy element to it. But it is addictive, I tell you! Christmas movies are the exception to the 'syrupy, sappy' rule! You leave the marathon on the TV long enough for one full weekend and then you find yourself seeking it out every weekend thereafter!

If you are someone who truly loves Christmas and every single thing about the season, these marathons will be like little gifts to you - little delicately-wrapped pieces of sugary Christmas candy to enjoy and snack on!

And don't even get me started on the assorted "elaborate Christmas display" shows that air on a few different channels! I adore those and have all of them saved on the DVR!


I just love the holidays... But, you know, if the 'holiday season' fell in the middle of the year (in some crazy, backwards, Bizarro World of mayhem and madness), I don't think it would be as special. It wouldn't feel as magical to me. There's something amazing about ending the year with the Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas triple whammy!

​

Now...as for my December DLR trip plans...

I told myself that I was not going to look at the hotel calendar again until I was in the position where I could actually book something on the spot (which will be sometime in the next few days). It only frustrates me when I check because I see that the dates I want are available and then I get nervous that I won't get those dates by the time I can book.

But, of course, yesterday I decided to go ahead and hesitantly peek at the hotel calendar, against my better judgment. And, of course, sure enough, the dates I was initially eyeing are now booked. Those were the "1st choice dates."

But, I tried to look at it in a positive way - like maybe, for some reason, I am not meant to be at DLR on those specific dates. And I even thought of a few good reasons to back up that theory for the sake of convincing myself.

I then looked at the "2nd choice dates." Those were still available at last glance. However, I'm afraid they may be gone by the time I can book. I am crossing my fingers and hoping they will still be available - basically, if I can't get these 2nd choice dates, then I will have to choose a higher-level room, which I didn't want. If I have to go with a higher level room, it will mean I can only book 2 nights instead of 3 nights...or book one really expensive night at the GCH (which would just be a pointless waste).

The "2nd choice dates" will allow me to book 3 nights. I need as much time as possible to hit the ground running with the camera! As long as I am solo, I can get a lot accomplished!

There don't appear to be any other kinds of good (or better) hotel discounts coming down the road this year, so I have to go with the 'lesser of however many evils' approach!

So...my plan is to snap up the "2nd choice dates" IF they are still available. If they are, then I will feel secure that I have something booked and can relax. I can then decide if I want to stick with those dates, or keep a watchful eye on the calendar to see if anything suddenly opens up for the "1st choice dates" and make a quick switcheroo if need be.

Now, if the 2nd choice dates are no longer available either, then I just have to pick a higher level room and go with whatever is the least expensive of all of the remaining options...even if it means just staying 2 nights.

​

So...the suspense is building! Which exact December dates will I end up with? Which hotel will it be? What kind of room will I get? And will I manage to finagle 3 nights, or only 2?

These answers and more should be known in the next few days!!!! Stay tuned!!

 

[tksbaskets]

Very suspenseful!

I LOVE Christmas movies. My DVR will be getting a work out for the Hallmark Channel. I have rarely watched a holiday movie (OK, maybe not the Jonathan Taylor Thomas one) that I didn't enjoy. I liked the 12 Men of Christmas so much I purchased it on Amazon!

The thought of a movie marathon makes me so happy I think I'll enjoy a pixie dust face wash!

 

[6Smiles]

OK Sherry -

You have me hooked to see what your trip plans will be.

Kris

 

[PlutoRocks]

Hi, Dawn!

Oh my goodness - that many stairs would kill me! The only fun I'd have with that is watching other people struggle too! But that's so awesome and amazing that you finished it!

You know, when I did my Avalon/Catalina Island day trip in July (see the link in my signature below), I revisited this place called the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden. I've been there in the past, but it's been years and years. Anyway, the 'memorial' part of the location is located up these steps. Many, many, many steps. First you walk up a bit of a hill (a very slight incline) and then get to the steps. In order to see the memorial and get to the spot where the good views are, you have to climb the steps. I saw other people - including much younger people and people who were extremely fit - complaining about and cursing those steps. I felt better that I was not the only one cursing the steps. It's not like they were the steepest steps ever - they were not - but they just seemed to be never-ending.

Then again, I would bet that a lot of the town's residents probably love the steps at Wrigley and use them as a workout!

Yes, I'm definitely going to DLR in a few weeks, just for one day, so I can gather info and photos of the new holiday stuff for my Christmas thread. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether I'll go on Sunday, 11/11 - before the season officially begins, but when most of the holiday things will be running - or go on Mon., 11/12 - the official start of the season, when I know for sure that everything will be up and running!

I think that a bit of wonderful Christmas magic is going to make a December trip possible for me after all - and with a hotel stay, too! I should know by this time next week if I am going to be able to snag a room at one of the Disney hotels for the dates/rates I want in December. In other words, if all goes according to how I hope/think it will go, one week from today I should have a definite plan in place and a room booked for December...and I will have a do-over trip to make up for last December's fiasco!!

I was pretty proud of myself for finishing (if I do say so myself...)! Trust me, no one is going to mistake me for a physically fit person. I was struggling too much to pay attention to anyone else struggling but I was so happy to not come in last

I am thrilled to see that if all works out you can get a 3 night stay for the holiday season - you deserve it! You also deserve to have a pleasant trip where you can do what you want when you want to do it and not have to worry about anyone else. I'm excited already to see the amazing pictures I know you will come up with.

 

[PlutoRocks]

Hey look! I learned to quote - that is very exciting!!

 

[azdisneylover]

Okay, Sherry,
We are having some days where I can open the windows wide open and I am having a bake-a-thon here making cookies, testing out a few recipes, especially another banana nut bread recipe!

I am happy to read you will be heading back to DL next month and a trip in December with a stay at the DLR too! Woohoo! Awesome!

 

[Sherry E]

So...I thought you'd all like to know that...

My December DLR Do-Over Trip is ON!!!!!!​

I am booked for the PPH from 12/2 - 12/5!!!! These dates were not available a few days ago and they suddenly opened up with the announcement of the Candlelight Processional narrators!

There is a chance that I may switch over to 12/9 - 12/12. I have to poke around and find out if there is any chance that "M" and company could be at DLR during my currently booked dates. So far, no one seems to have heard anything about her dates...but if I find out that she will be there during my time frame again, I'm going to try to switch (for obvious reasons).

One reason I would like to keep my existing dates (even though I have a feeling that week in early December is going to be super-crowded) is that IF I decide to book a Candlelight Processional thingy, the narrator will be Kurt Russell during my time frame. If I switch to the 12/9 - 12/12 dates, I think I get Lou Diamond Phillips - who I am actually okay with. I like Lou, but I think I'd rather get the Kurt Russell nights.

So this means I am headed to DLR in about 2-1/2 weeks for the start of the season in November - which will be a mission to hunt down all the new stuff and report back to my peeps. And then, I will have my yearly 'real' holiday visit in December! Shawn will come and meet me at some point on my arrival date - not sure if she will go in the park or just meet for a meal.

Then, the next 3 days will be glorious solo time...time to do nothing but roam free and explore with my camera and take photos for Facebook Timeline covers and for next year's Theme Weeks in the Christmas Superthread...and maybe catch the Candlelight Processional! After last year's debacle, I can't wait!!!

Christmas magic and face-smashing pixie dust are in the air, friends!! I feel very blessed to be able to have a chance to return to DLR for my holiday visit. I would have done a day trip if I had no other choice, but I would have been sad about it.

Very suspenseful!

I LOVE Christmas movies. My DVR will be getting a work out for the Hallmark Channel. I have rarely watched a holiday movie (OK, maybe not the Jonathan Taylor Thomas one) that I didn't enjoy. I liked the 12 Men of Christmas so much I purchased it on Amazon!

The thought of a movie marathon makes me so happy I think I'll enjoy a pixie dust face wash!

TK -

Actually, the idea of a face wash called "Pixie Dust" is not a bad one! Is there a Tinkerbell line of beauty products?

The Jonathan Taylor Thomas movie is not great. If you like "12 Men of Christmas," I think you'd enjoy all of the movies on the Hallmark Channel - especially the ones I mentioned a couple of days ago ("Farewell, Mr. Kringle," etc.).

Have you seen "Love Actually" (which I keep raving about)? It's sooooo good.

OK Sherry -

You have me hooked to see what your trip plans will be.

Kris

Hi, Kris!

The plans are set! I get to have a do-over to make up for the fiasco from last year (I'm not sure if you read all of my TR for December 2011 - I know you had gotten to a certain point in it)!

I'm so excited. I'm afraid to be excited and happy about it because I'm so afraid something will go wrong. I'm not really used to having a lot of 'luck' or having good things happen for me, so when they do (once in a blue moon), I fear they will go awry.

I was pretty proud of myself for finishing (if I do say so myself...)! Trust me, no one is going to mistake me for a physically fit person. I was struggling too much to pay attention to anyone else struggling but I was so happy to not come in last

I am thrilled to see that if all works out you can get a 3 night stay for the holiday season - you deserve it! You also deserve to have a pleasant trip where you can do what you want when you want to do it and not have to worry about anyone else. I'm excited already to see the amazing pictures I know you will come up with.

Dawn -

You should be proud, most definitely! Stairs are not fun and not really that easy after the second or third flight.

I probably would have been the one coming in last in the race/stairs thing you did, but if I could have beaten just one person that would be an accomplishment!

Thank you for all the kind words and support, Dawn! It means a lot, and I so appreciate it. I don't know if my pictures will be amazing or not - we'll see if I can scrounge up even 20 halfway decent ones - but I will be able to have the time to take them and really focus, which I was able to do in 2010 but not last year because of all that was going on.

Hey look! I learned to quote - that is very exciting!!

Dawn -

You sure did! PHXscuba learned how to multi-quote here. Being part of my TR thread is an education!

Okay, Sherry,
We are having some days where I can open the windows wide open and I am having a bake-a-thon here making cookies, testing out a few recipes, especially another banana nut bread recipe!

I am happy to read you will be heading back to DL next month and a trip in December with a stay at the DLR too! Woohoo! Awesome!

Linda -

We had dropped down to a nice 68 degrees, 70 degrees, 72 degrees...and now we are back up to just under 90 degrees. Add to the heat the fact that we had some wind in the last couple of days and the air is dry...that is a recipe for wildfires. But the wind makes it seem more like October to me. I expect wind in October. We are supposed to have some heavy winds later today, I guess (they're not here yet).

Those cookies and that banana bread sound amazing! I want some!

Yes, I will be back at DLR in about 2-1/2 weeks for one day, and then for 3 nights/4 days in December (early December, unless I change my dates)!

Peppermint ice cream cones are calling my name!!!

 

[Chereya]

So...I thought you'd all like to know that...

My December DLR Do-Over Trip is ON!!!!!!​

I am booked for the PPH from 12/2 - 12/5!!!! These dates were not available a few days ago and they suddenly opened up with the announcement of the Candlelight Processional narrators!

There is a chance that I may switch over to 12/9 - 12/12. I have to poke around and find out if there is any chance that "M" and company could be at DLR during my currently booked dates. So far, no one seems to have heard anything about her dates...but if I find out that she will be there during my time frame again, I'm going to try to switch (for obvious reasons).

One reason I would like to keep my existing dates (even though I have a feeling that week in early December is going to be super-crowded) is that IF I decide to book a Candlelight Processional thingy, the narrator will be Kurt Russell during my time frame. If I switch to the 12/9 - 12/12 dates, I think I get Lou Diamond Phillips - who I am actually okay with. I like Lou, but I think I'd rather get the Kurt Russell nights.

So this means I am headed to DLR in about 2-1/2 weeks for the start of the season in November - which will be a mission to hunt down all the new stuff and report back to my peeps. And then, I will have my yearly 'real' holiday visit in December! Shawn will come and meet me at some point on my arrival date - not sure if she will go in the park or just meet for a meal.

Then, the next 3 days will be glorious solo time...time to do nothing but roam free and explore with my camera and take photos for Facebook Timeline covers and for next year's Theme Weeks in the Christmas Superthread...and maybe catch the Candlelight Processional! After last year's debacle, I can't wait!!!

Christmas magic and face-smashing pixie dust are in the air, friends!! I feel very blessed to be able to have a chance to return to DLR for my holiday visit. I would have done a day trip if I had no other choice, but I would have been sad about it.

Woohoo!! This calls for the dancing banana!

So glad that you were able to make a Dec trip happen, Sherry! You deserve to have a fantastic time taking lots of pics, eating peppermint ice cream and having pixie dust facials!

 

[Sherry E]

Woohoo!! This calls for the dancing banana!

So glad that you were able to make a Dec trip happen, Sherry! You deserve to have a fantastic time taking lots of pics, eating peppermint ice cream and having pixie dust facials!

Thank you so much for the kind words, Chereya!

This is definitely Dancing Banana-worthy!

Believe me when I say that I would not have been able to pull off a trip this year if not for some Christmas magic...literally, Christmas magic! I don't know if 'the universe' heard me and responded, or if I have an angel looking out for me. Either way, I am very blessed and elated to have another chance to enjoy the holiday season - and what a wonderful season it will be - at DLR. That's my only holiday tradition or activity, after all, so I would hate to miss out.