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

[Funball]

bret, great sign quest photos!! some of these are really good!!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – January 21, 2011 – Part 20​

Back to another part of the TR. I left off at Carnation Cafe Sign so I will start right there. I am still doing all the stores on the right side when I leave the park.

Fortuosity Shop Sign

Jewelery Shop Sign

Crystal Arcade Sign

MS Cinema Sign

Its time for another Sign Guessing Game. Which store does this sign belongs to?

I was about to leave MS while I looked around the whole area of all the construction. Even though it was awful with all the construction walls around the area. They had to work on the streets since they need work. I have seen some people took time to get through the walls around the Emporium.

As you can see from this picture that there is a little walk way around the Emporium and the Disney Showcase Store. It was awful during that part of the day, but can you imagine when the fireworks is over and you will see what happen. I will get to that part of my TR later.

Now it was time to go back to my room and rest up so I can get ready for the 9pm F! show. Originally I was planning on seeing RDCT fireworks from the Hub, but with all the construction work around the hub, I decided to watch the 9pm F! than waiting at the Hub area.

Before I left the entrance area around the park entrance I decided to look for more signs around the area.

Another Sign

Next Sign is the Stroller/Wheelchair rental area where you can rent a stroller, wheelchair or ECV.

Stroller Shop Sign

Strollers & Wheelchairs Sign

Stroller Shop Sign

Convenience Vehicles Sign by the Stroller Shop

Than I left the Stroller Rental Area and walk through the Bus stop area and found some different signs on the way out.

Harbor Blvd & 15 Min Parking Sign

Than I walked out of the parking area

Thank you for Visiting Sign when you leave from the East side of the DLR.

BWPPI Hotel which where I am staying

BWPPI Parking Lot

Now I rest up so I can get ready for the 9pm F!. I just rested up for about 1 hour and than will head on back to DL.

Another Day of writing my TR and got a lot done. Actually part of the day is done, but I still have a long way to finish this TR.

 

[skiingfast]

The side that I had on Part 15 is actually the TL Side.

FL Side

TL Side

Darn. Matterhorn has 4 big waterfalls on it. The double falls is toward the NE side. Since the loading area makes a V, I guessed that in the photo you saw that over the FL side of the V. Very tricky Bret.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – January 21, 2011 – Part 21​

Now is the time to get back to my TR and this is actually the best part of the day since I always like to do nighttime shows at the DLR. So lets gets to it. This TR doesn't have a lot of pictures since it was at night, but I will try to get them in as much as I can.

I left my hotel around 5:30pm for only a one hour rest since I need to get to the ROA for my usual spot for the 9pm F! right behind the white rope off area. I have said that I would like to watch RDCT from the Hub, but with the walls up around the area and no good spots around there, I decided to watch the 9pm F! instead of the 10:30pm show as I planned.

When I got to the main gate at DL it was already dark. Whenever I go to DL around this time, there is some daylight time but coming during this month of the year it was kind of interesting.

When I got into the park, the first thing I did was walk over to the ROA and see how crowded the sitting area is. But first, I had to get some different pictures of the signs at night down the street of MS USA.

Those mini walls on the streets were kind of annoying when you walk down the streets of MS when you are so used to not have those construction walls.

I didn't get too much on that trip, but I needed to head on over to the ROA to see how bad it is. In the end, I knew that I could have use my time wisely instead of waiting at the ROA for the 9pm F! show.

Plaza Pavilion Sign at Night

Than I walked through Adventureland that I always walk through when I go to F!. The Tiki Juice Bar line is always crowded like always around this time of the day and most of the rides were busy or long. I believe Indy was at 30+ minute wait time.

When I got to the ROA around 5:45, it was still too early to get a spot at the ROA so I decided to walk around the ROA before I got my dinner at RSV.

The Mark Twain was still accepting guests around that time and I should have tried to go on the MT at night.

I went around NOS to take some pictures of signs that are light up

CO Sign

FM Sign

It was way early to go to the ROA and than I walked past the HM and than saw the construction walls around Splash. It was kind of sad to see Splash down during refurbishment, but it needs some work on it during the major part of the season.

Splash under construction

It was around 6:20 and I decided it was time to go over to the ROA and get a spot for F!. When I looked at the ROA, it was not even 1/3 full. I should have known that during this part of the slow season that not too many people would show up.

Before I got a spot I went to RSV and got my usual first meal at DL. I had to get Steak Gumbo every time I go to DL. This is now a tradition for me that every time I go to DL, I had to get this no matter what. Even though Funball said on that night it does look like dog food in a bread bowl, I just love it every time I go.

I got my spot around 6:30 at my usual spot right in front of the F! dessert seating area right by Light Tower C. A lot of people like the front view angle of the show, but I like the side angle of the left side since it can get the boats at a good angle when they come down the river.







When I was waiting around 7pm, one of the CMs was looking at one of the strollers that were unattended right by the railings. There were three strollers and blankets unattended so the CMs took the blankets and strollers away from the spot and I would say that they moved them towards the POTC parking area. This is a good example of why you don't leave your stroller or blanket unattended because this will happen and you lose your spot. There were at least two families took the spot when the other two families arrived and were wondering where their stuff were. They ask the CM and said that they moved it towards the POTC area. They were not happy of having there stuff moved, but they should have known that you can't leave unattended stuff right by the ROA for about more than half an hour. Now you know why you got to have at least one person watching the stuff or these things will happen to you when you don't watch it carefully.

It was close to one hour to the show and my area on the left side is not even full yet. The other areas around the ROA is already filled up but not my area. A lot of people have to get the good area while no one cares about the left side.

Than F! started at 9pm and as always, it is still the same thing. With all the characters, boats, and Murphy was running with np.

Here are some pics from F! 9pm 1/21/11 show from my HDR-XR520V video camera. But I took each frame and made it into a pic. It will be a little blurry, but still not bad at night.

You are wondering why I put a orange box on Dale, I will explain to you shortly about it.

And of course the Grand finale of the show with the green fireworks.

I will get to that part chip part shortly.

 

[tksbaskets]

I'm wondering if he fell off the ship

 

[mvf-m11c]

Well not really TK. I remember this CM so well. I have seen him for almost 3 years during the Mark Twain scene. I always like Dale when he is about to fall off the ship. He does the same routine when I watch him all the time, I always guess is that the same CM that is playing Dale during the Mark Twain Scene. I have seen him at least 5 shows and still always looking for him during the scene.

F! 6/12/09 1st show


F! 9/11/09 1st show


F! 1/21/11 1st show


As you can see from each different show that he does the same thing during the show.

 

[brookies_mommy]

I am going to have to look for that when we go soon! Chip and Dale are some of DD favorite CM.. she calls them chickndale all one word. lol

That name art.. was it a name drawn in princess' I got DD one last time and she LOVES it.. probably the most pricy thing I got in DL but she still thanks me for it almost 2 years later!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I am going to have to look for that when we go soon! Chip and Dale are some of DD favorite CM.. she calls them chickndale all one word. lol

That name art.. was it a name drawn in princess' I got DD one last time and she LOVES it.. probably the most pricy thing I got in DL but she still thanks me for it almost 2 years later!

If you are sitting on the left side of the ROA, you will be able to see it. If you are in the center or right hand side, it will be difficult to see.

Those name arts are very interesting.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – January 21, 2011 – Part 22​

Now is the time to get back to my long TR again and I believe this is the last part of Friday. (Finally)

After the F!, I stayed at the same spot and just in a few minutes was RDCT fireworks. As a lot of DISers would say that RDCT is by far the best firework show at the DLR and possibly the world.

Oh yea I also forgot on my last post that Funball (Sara) was planning on being at the DLR later during the day. I didn't expect her to be at the parks later during the night but when I talked to skiingfast (Matt) on the threads and said that she was going to be at the resort later during the day. I thought it would be nice to meet her in person. I will get to that later.

After the fireworks was over, I thought it would be nice to go over to DTD and feet funball. So I than went on out of the ROA and head straight towards the exit. When I walked out and got to MS, this is where the mayhem starts. As you have already know that MS is under construction around the Emporium and the Hub. When I tried to walkout of MS, it almost took me little steps to walk past the Emporium and Disney Showcase store.

This does not look like off-season to me at DL that day.

I finally got out of that mess and I was able to walk at a steady pace.

Its not good for the other people behind me that are trying to leave the park.

Before I head on over to DTD, I thought it would be nice to take some different pics around MS.

I than left DL and head on over to DTD and meet funball at the WoD store which I said that where I would be. It took awhile when I was waiting at the WoD entrance right by La Brea Bakery. I kept waiting and waiting until she finally showed up at the WoD store. We talked a lot of different things and I finally got to meet another DISer.

Sara LGMH

funball (Sara)

Than we went outside of the WoD and just kept talking about a lot of different things. We also stopped at some different stores along the way. She was trying to take a picture of the Tigger tails at one of the shops.

Than I decided it was time to go back to the hotel and rest up. So funball and I parted ways, but she said that I would see her the next day and she gave the time to meet up with her at the same spot at 12pm.

We parted around the WoD store and it was time to go back to the room. I got back to the room at 11:30pm and fall asleep immediately.

That was my day at DL for the Sign Quest and met funball for a few hours.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – January 22, 2011 – Part 1​

After finally finishing Day 1 with 22 parts which someone can get a whole TR done, but I have all these signs t o do and will try to keep it up.

Now for my Tr for Saturday, I didn't get up until 8:30am since DL is not open until 9am and I have no MM. I needed that extra sleep after driving all the way from Livingston and didn't take much of a break on Friday. This was an important day for me to get all the signs around DL and do DCA & DTD. This is going to be a very long day.

I left the hotel around 8:50am. Than it was time to head on over to DL. And as always, the monorail was running during MM.

I got to the gate around when the park opened at 9am and now was time for the 2nd day of the Sign Quest.

There were quite a few people that were trying to enter the park, but it was just about a small amount of people.

Now is time to get some Signs around the alley way.

Hotel Marceline Sign

Than I had to get the MS Cone Shop which has some nice ice cream cones.

Ice Cream Cones Sign

MS Cone Shop Menu Sign

MS Cone Shop Sign

Than next to the MS Cone Shop is the MS Lockers and Storage which is at the end of the alley on the right hand side.

MS Lockers and Storage

E.S. Bitz Window

Painless Dentist Sign

Than I left the Alley and took pictures of the different signs and windows down the street.

Since 1888 Sign

Meteor Cycle Co

Bob Gurr Window

Chester Drawer's Store Sign

Togs for Todlers Sign

Chester Drawer's Window Sign

PhotoPass Pick-Up Sign

That it for tonight.

 

[skiingfast]

I found it interesting that twice you were asked to not take pictures. You must have a suspicious look about you.

So what would you rate RDCT out of 10 from the ROA and Hub areas?

 

[mvf-m11c]

I found it interesting that twice you were asked to not take pictures. You must have a suspicious look about you.

So what would you rate RDCT out of 10 from the ROA and Hub areas?

No kidding, since I was alone they thought I was suspicious. Also I was wearing my D23 Expo Hat, Disneyland polo shirt, and a WDW backpack. Its not like I am wearing inappropriate clothing while I was doing the Sign Quest. When the security guard asked me when I was at DTD that taking pictures at DL was meant with people than doing a scavenger hunt. They barely have those kind of people.

I would rate the ROA about a 4 since all of the special effects are at SB castle and you barely see Tink from that area. You can watch the fireworks around the resort anywhere, but you can't get the full effects at the Hub. Which of course you know that in front of the Hub is a 10. The sides are close to a 9-10 while behind the hub is a 8-9 because of the trees that are blocking the castle.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – January 22, 2011 – Part 2​

Oh boy, its another day back at the TR. Now you already know that I am going sign crazy for the first 30 minutes of the park before I head on over to DCA so I can get a WoC FP for the blue section.

I left off at the PhotoPass store and after getting that sign, I was about to head on over to Adentureland. I already have the Plaza Inn & Pavilion signs so I just went straight on over to Adventureland.

When I got over there, there were any people walking in that direction, I thought that since the West side of DL is not open during MM. Most of the people would head on over there, but that was not the case.

Adventureland Entrance Sign

Right next to the AL Sign is WD Enchanted Tiki Room which has many different signs.

Tiki Room Next Show Sign

WD Enchanted Tiki Room Sign

Enchanted Tiki Room Exit Sign and another ETR Sign

Another WD ETR sign and Entrance at the Gateway to Adventureland Sign

Than I walked past the Enchanted Tiki Room sign and now saw many more different signs around the area.

Adventureland Bazaar Store Sign

Aladdin's Oasis Sign

I was going to make this into another Sign Guessing part, but I forgot the name of this stand. It is right next to JC and which sells drinks and snacks.

Market Sign

Tropical Imports Sign

South Seas Traders Sign

Than I looked back and still not too many people were coming from MS

The next sign on the way is the JC which was not running that part of the morning. They say that they have some technical issues, but they say that it will be running later during the day.

JC Entrance Sign

On the other side of the JC is the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost Store

Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost Store Sign

Next door to it is the Bengal BBQ which has some great skewers

The Bengal BBQ Sign

Across the street was of course Indy

Indy FP & Return Signs a lot of them

INDY FP Entance Sign

Very interesting that INDY was also not running that part of the morning and a lot of people were bummed by that INDY was not running. That was kind of interesting that JC & INDY were not running that first thing in the morning. There must have been something wrong for them not to run both JC & INDY that morning.

INDY FP Return & Wait Time Sign

INDY Sign

Than right across the from INDY is Tarzan's Treehouse which was one the former Swiss Family Treehouse.

Tarzan's Treehouse Sign

Tarzan's Signs around the Exit area

Now I have to go to work and I will get back to the TR shortly.

 

[tksbaskets]

Thanks for the installment. Love the Tiki room signs. SOOooo much better at DL than WDW.

 

[mvf-m11c]

But before I start that, I got to tell you that I finally got my dates for my trip in May. I am now going to DL on May 27 to 29. I'm finally happy to get my dates, but I am also not fond of those dates because it is during Memorial Day weekend which means heavy crowds. I didn't like the dates of the trip, but I won't too many chances to see my middle school play at the Carnation Plaza Gardens at DL. So right now I will be booking at the BWPPI, no matter what the price is unless the DLR hotels are close to the price. I just don't like walking far distance from the hotel and don't like to park the car at the parking lot especially I do have an AP and get free parking. But I take breaks in the middle of the day and don't want to re-park the car. Now everything is set for the May trip so I have to make another PTR for this upcoming trip.

We will talk about that later and get back to my TR.

Day 2 – January 22, 2011 – Part 3​

I left off around Tarzan's Treehouse and that where I will start. I don't think I want to leave something out of my TR. After I left Tarzan's Treehouse and the next sign I seen on my path is the Disney Dream Suite Sign. I would love to spend at least one night at the Dream Suite.

Disney Dream Suite Sign right by Tarzan's Treehouse

Than when I walked above the bridge over the POTC queue, you can see the POTC sign & Disney Dream Suite Sign.

POTC Sign & DDS Sigh

DDS Sign by the RSV

This is almost a rare picture to see that NOS is empty but there is at least one person waiting.

Than our next sign is the RSV Sign and menu, even though it is not opened because it is not lunch yet.

RSV Sign & Menu

Than I walked down NOS to find all the signs around the area. Some of the stores and restaurants were still closed since they don't open first thing in the morning.

Port Royal Store Sign

21 Royal Sign

Pieces of Eight Store Sign

Cafe Orleans Sign

POTC Exit Sign

BB Sign

BB Entrance Sign

Cant get tired of this sign when I am in NOS.

Club 33 Logo Sign

Than I walked deeper in NOS.

Le Bat en Rouge

Royal Street Pole Sign

Crystal d'Orleans Sign #2

Crystal d'Orleans Sign #2

Now is the time for the Sign Guessing Game This picture below Royal St & Orleans Pole Sign which store is close to this sign?

Royal St & Orleans Pole Sign

Crystal d'Orleans Sign #3

Jewels of Orleans wall painting ]

Jewels of Orleans Sign

Now here is the 2nd Sign Guessing part On this picture below what store has this picture right next to it?

Now I'm about to take a break and get back to you later. If you guess what the two signs are in NOS, I will get back to my TR immediately.

 

[kaoden39]

Bret, I love that area of Disneyland and have that very picture of the bicycle "poster". But, I am not positive about what I think is there. Is it the Crystal Shop?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, I love that area of Disneyland and have that very picture of the bicycle "poster". But, I am not positive about what I think is there. Is it the Crystal Shop?

Thx Michele

The bicycle picture on my last pic is right next to the La Mascarade d'Orleans store. It is the pin trading store in NOS just right across the street from L'Ornement Magique. Here are more signs and posters of NOS since I am still continuing my TR.

La Mascarade d'Orleans Sign


L'Ornement Magique Sign


More posters right by La Mascarade d'Orleans


Another poster right by La Mascarade d'Orleans


La Mascarade d'Orleans Wall painiting


Another poster right by La Mascarade d'Orleans

 

[kaoden39]

Those are all wonderful Bret. I love all of the details of New Orleans Square.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Those are all wonderful Bret. I love all of the details of New Orleans Square.

I completely agree with u Michele about NOS has very nice details of the buildings. The signs and posters at NOS are very colorful and interesting to look at.

 

[kaoden39]

I completely agree with u Michele about NOS has very nice details of the buildings. The signs and posters at NOS are very colorful and interesting to look at.

They are and you managed to make them look as pretty as they do in person. I would love to have some of those for my walls at home.