November 2011 Check In

[hjgaus]

We will be staying @ VGC from Monday NOV. 21st to Wednesday NOV. 23rd!! So excited!!!
I hope some holiday decor is up!! Have not been around the DLR during the Holidays since 2005!! Usually we are in WDW at that time.

 

[Sherry E]

We will be staying @ VGC from Monday NOV. 21st to Wednesday NOV. 23rd!! So excited!!!
I hope some holiday decor is up!! Have not been around the DLR during the Holidays since 2005!! Usually we are in WDW at that time.

hjgaus -

The holiday season officially begins on 11/14 this year, so all the decor will be up and holiday entertainment will be running when you are there, except for the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney. The hotels and DTD don't seem to get their holiday makeover until after Thanksgiving, which is too bad because the GCH is a real highlight during the season.

 

[Scribble Kitty]

Seems Mom and I have decided on Nov. 17 - 19 for our trip.

I was there last December for the first time in 13 years and had a blast with the boyfriend. Now it's time to take mom. Hope there won't be too many closures and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[smiley_face2]

We are coming in November, 2-12, its our first ever Disney Trip, actually first time in the states too! We are coming all the way from Christchurch New Zealand, devastated by two major quakes in 6 months (the ground is still moving) so we REALLY need a break and looking forward to this trip has been something really important for us all to look forward to through some tough times around here.

So sad to read the of the other poster losing her precious son, I can't begin to imagine, I wish you all the love and support in the world.

We are staying at Hojos 2-12 November, all tips welcome

thankyou so much I'm midway through cancer treatment which is really kicking my butt right now as well. I had a really rough time the past few weeks, and have finally got enough energy to come back and get this thread updated! I'm so sorry you area is getting hit so hard with the earthquakes. We've watched all the news coverage and it is really really scarey. I'm glad you are safe and able to get away on a holiday!! There are so many new people to add to the list, and so many awesome reasons for trips (not that you need any particular reason to go to DL!!

 

[jernysgirl]

thankyou so much I'm midway through cancer treatment which is really kicking my butt right now as well. I had a really rough time the past few weeks, and have finally got enough energy to come back and get this thread updated!

So glad to hear that you are feeling better this week. Every time I think about the November thread, I know that I am seeding my thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[smiley_face2]

So glad to hear that you are feeling better this week. Every time I think about the November thread, I know that I am seeding my thoughts and prayers your way.

thankyou so much! I am very grateful for every single positive thought, prayer, or wish anyone has to offer.
That was a huge update! 14 people to add!
I hope I got it all correct, if anyone sees a mistake in their dates etc. please post and I will get it fixed up asap
I was sad we had to cancel our early fall trip, but it gives me a little longer to be in better health for the big family trip in November, and with 5 grandchildren hopefully going, I`ll need all the energy I can get!!
forgot to add....thanks to Sherry-E for injecting some life into the thread!
I'll be trying to add links to the OP to the Christmas super threads, Disney site info, etc. as soon as I can

 

[hjgaus]

Sherry E -

Thank you for the info! I am a little bummed out about the hotel cuz I was looking forward to hanging around that huge but beautiful Christmas tree!! Although - since we are premuim annual passholders I suppose I can always see it some other time! Even though this will be our 1st time actually "in our house" for Christmas,still looking forward to the spirit of the holidays @DLR! Last year we spent Christmas in Kauai but was not the same as surrounding yourself in "Holiday Au Disney Style!" The only reason for this particular date is my son's HS band/school schedule(due to school furlough days, we will get the 3 days before Thanksgiving off which is great for us but not so for the teachers)

 

[IandGsmom]

We will be there 11/23-11/27 This is our first time we will enjoy Thanksgiving at our "home" VGC!!

 

[duckwife]

We are planning our second trip this year November 10-15.

When we were there in May we decided to upgrade to DAP's and have been trying to decide when to go again. Just so happens that DS 15 has 5 days off school at that time AND it overlaps with the beginning of the Christmas season We did extend our stay by one day to be able to take in one full day of official Christmas season. So excited to be there for the Christmas season as we have been there at every other time of year
Now I just have to wait for a good seat sale and we are all set!

 

[mtretired]

Thanksgivings at Disneyland. Yeh. Birthdays are a good excuse. Nana, Papa, two granddaughters, daughter and husband, daughter and boyfriend, 4 sisters-in-laws, 2 husbands. 4 neices and probably others. Can't wait

 

[colin25]

My sister and I are going to be in DL Nov. 6-16. I've been there in Nov a couple times, so I've seen all the decorations, but my sister has never been there during the holidays. We had no plans of going this year because of expensive airfare, but I found a great deal that was just too hard to pass up.

I've always stayed at Hojo, but this deal included the Super 8 on Katella. A friend of ours gave us good reviews about it. We'll miss Hojo, but the main thing is that we'll be at DL, so I sure can't complain.

 

[StyledSugar]

I posted in the October thread (we get there on Halloween lol) but technically we will be there in November. We are there from October 31-November 6. Can't wait!

Any idea when the Christmas decorations will begin to go up? I read from someone else that the snow on the castle will be up but will we be able to see any of the other decorations?

We are staying at the Desert Inn and Suites.

 

[Sherry E]

I posted in the October thread (we get there on Halloween lol) but technically we will be there in November. We are there from October 31-November 6. Can't wait!

Any idea when the Christmas decorations will begin to go up? I read from someone else that the snow on the castle will be up but will we be able to see any of the other decorations?

We are staying at the Desert Inn and Suites.

You will see some decorations, but not all. The snow on the Castle is one of the first things to appear and it will appear before HalloweenTime even ends.

There are basically 3 phases to the holiday transformation of DLR.

Phase 1 begins at the start of November - when you will be at DLR - and thngs like New Orleans Square will be decorated. You will get to see the beautiful Mardi Gras masks around various lampposts in NOS. Little bits of the holidays will go up every day, around the 2 parks only. You will also see some holiday merchandise appear, many of the holiday treats being sold, and you may or may not see decorations in ToonTown and A Bug's Land.

Phase 2 is the official opening day of the holiday season - this year it's 11/14 - and that's the day IASW Holiday will be running, the holiday fireworks and parade will be going, the Reindeer Round-Up will be open and anything entertainment-wise in the 2 parks begins. Santa will be in both parks. The Winter Castle will also be aglow in icicle lights at night. Most of the 700 Christmas trees are up and in all the shops and restaurants.

Phase 3 is right after Thanksgiving, when the 3 hotels get their holiday decor - the GCH lobby is a highlight - as does Downtown Disney. Santa and carolers appear at all 3 hotels. The remainder of the 700 Christmas trees are up in the DTD shops and the hotels. All the holiday food and merchandise will be available.


So you will be there for Phase 1, and you will see little things appear each day - check the window displays on Main Street, too, as those can change rather quickly to a Christmasy theme!

 

[Cagirl767]

Staying at Homewood Nov. 21-25_


Smiley_Face - I hope you're doing well!

 

[smiley_face2]

Staying at Homewood Nov. 21-25_


Smiley_Face - I hope you're doing well!

thankyou! I have only 3 more chemotherapy sessions to go, followed by a month of radiation. It has been a hard battle, made so much harder by our grief. In between there is a 2-3 week break, so we have decided we are heading down then!! just hubby and myself though. We plan on doing the coast and napa as well, so will be in Disneyland for only a few days. We will get our annual passes so that in November we won't have to pay for them then. It's supposed to be a time for me to heal before radiation, so we will really be taking it easy. I desperately need some time away from doctors and hospitals and everyone I know every where I go looking at me with such sadness and asking how I am. I know everyone means well, but it makes it hard to forget about it for even a short while.

 

[Cagirl767]

OMG Smiley face, I just read this entire thread, I wanted to say how so very sorry I am to hear about your son and hope that you are on the road to finding peace.

DH is a 7 year cancer survivor, so I definitely can comiserate with the emotions you're going through. It's an ongoing battle. People will never stop asking.

You're on the upswing now, you're almost there! Hang in there!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Finally joining in! We'll be there *I've purchased the PHs dang it Our dates are 11/24-26 *Thanksgiving weekend - we'll drive down on Wed the 23rd and come home late on the 26th/27th It'll be me, DH *his very 1st visit to a Disney park* DS & DD and maybe my mom. For now I have the Super 8 on Katella booked.
This will be our 2nd time driving *did this for the 1st time last year *same weekend* and it was easy, however coming home was scary - St George to Cedar City which should take no more than an hour took 4!! It was dark by the time we got there so we stopped for the night - I'd had enough! We should've been able to drive straight through - did so on our way down...
We'll probably do our Turkey Day lunner at Mimi's again ~ the turkey has some spice to it

 

[ddwlms]

hjgaus -

The holiday season officially begins on 11/14 this year, so all the decor will be up and holiday entertainment will be running when you are there, except for the 3 hotels and Downtown Disney. The hotels and DTD don't seem to get their holiday makeover until after Thanksgiving, which is too bad because the GCH is a real highlight during the season.

ok, Expert Sherry, do you know how much after Thanksgiving until the hotels are converted. More specifically, the GCH. We plan to be there 11/27 - 12/2. Will we get to see the tree?

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!

 

[Sherry E]

ok, Expert Sherry, do you know how much after Thanksgiving until the hotels are converted. More specifically, the GCH. We plan to be there 11/27 - 12/2. Will we get to see the tree?

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!

ddwlms - You are very welcome!

You will get to see the tree!

Basically, the 3 hotels and DTD get their full holiday-ization almost immediately after Thanksgiving ends. In fact, I would bet that the assorted trees at the 3 hotels will probably go up either overnight after Thanksgiving ends or first thing the following morning.

I strategically planned my trip so that it would be after all the hotels are decorated too because I like the full, immersive Resort-wide holiday experience! I don't like to think I am missing anything. So I will be there on 11/28!

The GCH lobby experience during the holidays - and anyone who has seen it will know what I mean - is a really nice one. It's more than just the tree. It's Santa and the PhotoPass photographers and families posing by the tree. It's the carolers performing by the tree and a guitarist by the fire. It's the pianist playing familiar holiday tunes. It's people curled up on the sofas and in the chairs - and even on the floor - laughing, eating snacks and sipping beverages. It's kind of the whole atmosphere that really encompasses the season well - and it's FREE!

Don't hesitate to walk across the street to the PPH too - even though the PPH is not as inviting and comfy as the GCH lobby is, the PPH tree is gorgeous. It's a towering tree with glowing blue-green lights that really catch your attention. The DLH trees are not that exciting, but the DLH has other fun decorations around the property, such as the Goofy's Kitchen tree!

 

[pattyduke34]

Wow Sherry! I love the way you describe CGH...I can not wait! I will also be there 11/28 thru 12/4 with my family! I never ventured over to the CGH the only other time I have been there at Christmas time....but believe me....I will not pass it up this time!