Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[skiingfast]

In case you wondering I did like the Ride Vehicle shots. Some are totally awesome.


Looking at the rainy day pics makes me really want to go during the rain. The shot of the letters at DCA is incredible except for one things. Not the construction tarp, the slippery when wet sign. I would of moved it out of the way if I was standing there with you.

Anway really great stuff and I'm very much looking forward to your WDW TR.

 

[skiingfast]

Yea what a coincidence, I think you are right that we are almost exactly at the very same table. But I was more close to the corner when I did the solo dining. That is a very nice picture of your kids with Captain Hook at the Plaza Inn.

I can't wait to read more of your TR and see your pics. I read that you said that it was a madhouse last week. But it looks like you have done everything you want to do during your trip.

Oh and also I'm wondering, Plaza breakfast and zero food pics?

I am really curious what breakfast looks like in there.

 

[mvf-m11c]

In case you wondering I did like the Ride Vehicle shots. Some are totally awesome.

Looking at the rainy day pics makes me really want to go during the rain. The shot of the letters at DCA is incredible except for one things. Not the construction tarp, the slippery when wet sign. I would of moved it out of the way if I was standing there with you.

Anway really great stuff and I'm very much looking forward to your WDW TR.

I believe it is great to go to DL when it is raining. It means less locals and shorter lines on specific rides. But some of the rides will not be open when it rains and mostly the entertainment shows like parades, F!, and possibly fireworks. I was also considering taking a pictures of the letter C on the left side of it so I won't get the tarp. But on both of those mornings more people start to show up and are taking pictures by the letters.

I'm hoping that everything goes well during my WDW trip in less than two weeks. I will try to do a live TR when I am there and I will write a little bit and post pics on my DL thread. But most of my live TR will be on the WDW TR. I'm hoping that everyone read my TR will read my WDW TR.

Oh and also I'm wondering, Plaza breakfast and zero food pics?

I am really curious what breakfast looks like in there.

I apologize for not taking any pictures of the breakfast food at the Plaza Inn. When I looked at the breakfast, it is standard breakfast food where ever you go for breakfast. The only thing that I would have taken a picture of the food at Minnie and Friends character breakfast was the mini Mickey waffles. They were a little bit smaller than the Mickey waffle iron I have at my house and I use almost every weekend.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It took me awhile to post the 2nd Show of "A Christmas Fantasy" parade on Nov. 19, 2010 at 5:30pm. It was taken by the Flag retreat and by the Disney Showcase store. I hope you all enjoy the video.

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Part 1 2nd Show 5:30 Nov. 19, 2010

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Part 2 2nd Show 5:30 Nov. 19, 2010

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade Part 2 2nd Show 5:30 Nov. 19, 2010

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi... I just wanted to pop in and say I started reading your Holiday Time TR today. I love your pictures! I'm up to the part of the lighting of the castle your first night. That was really nice of you to offer to watch that family's stuff, and it was nice of the family to offer to bring you a drink. It's really nice to hear about those kinds of guest interactions, as opposed to the experiences people have with rude guests. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Can't believe I am only one week away till I head on over to WDW for my birthday Holiday trip. I hope you guys read my [post=38536860]WDW Trip Dec. 10-17, 2010[/post]. I will be doing a live TR and take a look at my pics on my flickr during my trip. Even though I am excited to go to WDW during the Holiday season, the Holiday season at DL is by far my place to be during the Holiday season.

Here are my pics of IASWH on Nov. 19, 2010.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Very nice, I got some of the same shots. I'll be sure to share them on my trip report.

 

[merrrydeath]

This picture and all the night time IASWH shots are beauuutiful.

 

[skiingfast]

Bret you have some excellent coverage of Small World's Holiday version. Thank you for taking the time to get it all. Inside and Out, night and day!

 

[skiingfast]

Bret, have fun at the world. I always go to this thread to find the link on you signature to you WDW thread.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, have fun at the world. I always go to this thread to find the link on you signature to you WDW thread.

Thx Matt. I can't believe I am only 5 days away until I am at WDW for the Holiday season. When I leave on Friday, I should be able to update my signature below and put it on the right post of my live TR. I will be taking a lot of pictures like I did on my last trip and I will compare both resort pictures of each land, ride, tree, etc.

Hope you other DISers on this thread will read my live WDW TR.

 

[amamax2]

Bret,

I finally finished this - thanks for such a great trip report!!! I love all the pictures and how you tell us how you got some of the shots (night time mode) plus all your descriptions!

I'm heading over to the WDW report now - have a great time! Definitely do a super early morning character breakfast there too - it is the best way to get those great empty park shots! We've only once done a character breakfast here, but did three at WDW! And I think the food was a lot better.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret,

I finally finished this - thanks for such a great trip report!!! I love all the pictures and how you tell us how you got some of the shots (night time mode) plus all your descriptions!

I'm heading over to the WDW report now - have a great time! Definitely do a super early morning character breakfast there too - it is the best way to get those great empty park shots! We've only once done a character breakfast here, but did three at WDW! And I think the food was a lot better.

Thx amamax2 for reading my TR last month and subscribing to my WDW TR in just less than 4 days.

I wasn't on planning on doing a character breakfast during my WDW trip this week. But after doing the character breakfast at DL during Minnie and Friends, I was considering doing a character breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table or Chef Mickey's. But all of those restaurants during my trip are all full and I can't get in. I know that I need to get in way in advance to get into those popular restaurants. I'm just doing five sit down restaurants during my visit (Coral Reef, Plaza Restaurant, Via Napoli, 2 ESPN Club for Kings game).

I am now considering doing a character breakfast when my family and friends go to WDW next year during the Holiday season in 2011. If we do a character breakfast next year, I would choose Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary hotel. I have stayed at the Contemporary hotel in the past and I have ate at Chef Mickey's and loved it.

 

[skiingfast]

Bret what about Crystal Palace of Akeresh in Norway or Hollywood and Vine in DHS or the place in AK?

I think like you empty park shots of DLR during the rainy morning you could get some with an early ADR there.

Or is more about the characters?

 

[amamax2]

But all of those restaurants during my trip are all full and I can't get in. I know that I need to get in way in advance to get into those popular restaurants.

Yes, it is hard to get in to most of their restaurants if you don't make reservations way in advance - when we went I got up at 3 a.m. 180 days out to make our ADRs. But it was so worth it to get those empty park shots, lol. It's all about the photo.

And people do cancel. We ended up canceling some of ours once we got there and walking up and getting in, too. So it can happen. Sounds like you have plenty of big meals planned, you'll have to let us all know what you think of the places you eat - none of those are ones we ate at.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret what about Crystal Palace of Akeresh in Norway or Hollywood and Vine in DHS or the place in AK?

I think like you empty park shots of DLR during the rainy morning you could get some with an early ADR there.

Or is more about the characters?

The other character breakfast restaurant that I would choose to go to is the Crystal Palace, the other two restaurants are okay. I always wanted to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table when I am in the park but the price is so expensive. I have ate at Chef Mickey's three times during my stay at the Contemporary. I believe the restaurant you are talking about Matt at AK is Tusker House.

It's a possibility to get empty park shots during my trip to WDW. But if I get there early at the parks. I will see if I can get park shots without any guests. One day during my trip, I will get some good shots of the parks without any guests.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Yes, it is hard to get in to most of their restaurants if you don't make reservations way in advance - when we went I got up at 3 a.m. 180 days out to make our ADRs. But it was so worth it to get those empty park shots, lol. It's all about the photo.

And people do cancel. We ended up canceling some of ours once we got there and walking up and getting in, too. So it can happen. Sounds like you have plenty of big meals planned, you'll have to let us all know what you think of the places you eat - none of those are ones we ate at.

I tried to get a reservation at Le Cellier at EPCOT, but when I called around 7am exactly 180 days out for my ADR. They said there was nothing available. I was kind of shock to hear that there was no reservation available on that day. Than when I do the next day at EPCOT and got up earlier around 5am, once again there was nothing available. I don't know what I have to do to get a reservation at Le Cellier.

You are right that people do cancel at the last second and some walk up person can get in the restaurant without getting a reservation. I would like to do more dinner plans during my trip at the WDW resort, but I would prefer to eat more off property and save more money during my trip so I can use to buy merchandise. I definitely will write it down on my TR about each different restaurant.

 

[skiingfast]

I was just curious. On my last WDW I got to have breakfast at LTT which was special because they were only open because Crystal Palace was in rehab. The food was awesome, it's served family style there for any meal. The funny thing was my 4 yo ate all the strawberries off the fruit plate and all the bacon off the meat place. I made it for 30 minutes after the first seating and showed up on the first bus from my resort. They did a sort of Rope Drop near the right tunnel. We were 3rd in line and because there were about 20 CMs there to greet people and staff the turnsyles and only 100 guests. They were talking to all us anxious guests.

When they let us in I pulled my son to the middle of the Square and let all the other people rush in. Got great pictures of him all the way down mainstreet and some Photopass photographers were out too. They had CMs guiding us from the HUB to LTT. My plan was to eat and be in the park for the opening. The waiter let us know we had to go back to the hub for rope drop there. So we stalled and the same CMs who guided us to LTT were guiding us back to the Hub. I looked at my watch and said I have 9 is the park open? One CM said no it would be a couple minutes, but then the other near the hub waved to us and said it was ok guests are coming down MS. So we walk around ROA and got a couple quick rides on BTMRR in partially filled trains.


I'm planning the same strategy you did for Minnie's next time I go with him to DLR. So we can get in on a MM. But I may do like in MK and try to stall so I can good empty MS pics.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I was just curious. On my last WDW I got to have breakfast at LTT which was special because they were only open because Crystal Palace was in rehab. The food was awesome, it's served family style there for any meal. The funny thing was my 4 yo ate all the strawberries off the fruit plate and all the bacon off the meat place. I made it for 30 minutes after the first seating and showed up on the first bus from my resort. They did a sort of Rope Drop near the right tunnel. We were 3rd in line and because there were about 20 CMs there to greet people and staff the turnsyles and only 100 guests. They were talking to all us anxious guests.

When they let us in I pulled my son to the middle of the Square and let all the other people rush in. Got great pictures of him all the way down mainstreet and some Photopass photographers were out too. They had CMs guiding us from the HUB to LTT. My plan was to eat and be in the park for the opening. The waiter let us know we had to go back to the hub for rope drop there. So we stalled and the same CMs who guided us to LTT were guiding us back to the Hub. I looked at my watch and said I have 9 is the park open? One CM said no it would be a couple minutes, but then the other near the hub waved to us and said it was ok guests are coming down MS. So we walk around ROA and got a couple quick rides on BTMRR in partially filled trains.


I'm planning the same strategy you did for Minnie's next time I go with him to DLR. So we can get in on a MM. But I may do like in MK and try to stall so I can good empty MS pics.

Are you talking about Liberty Tree Tavern at the MK? That must have been exciting to eat at LTT when the Crystal Palace was in rehab. That is very nice from that CM to let you in before the rope drop and got to go to Frontierland and get on BTMRR.

That is good to hear that you are using the same strategy that I did during my character breakfast last month. But if you do that, I would suggest that you get the earliest time at Minnie and Friends character breakfast. You can use the extra time to eat and greet the characters. Than you can go in early during MM at DL. When I walked down MS during MM, the CM didn't ask me go straight over to the Plaza Inn so I took my time to take pictures of MS when I was walking.

 

[skiingfast]

Bret, do you recall how the characters cycled through? Did they all break at the same time? How long did it take them to make the circuit? If we get there early will we need to wait for them to come out?


Yes LTT is Liberty Tree Tavern. It's really odd because it's like a house with different rooms of tables.