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

[mvf-m11c]

I love, love, love Donald's and Goofy's Mardi Gras outfits! Goofy is so colorful - like he is right off of a float during a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans - and Donald is rocking the Mardi Gras beads! Too cute!

And, as always, a continued fantastic job on Heart Quest!! I think you put the rest of us to shame on all the Quests! You are so thorough!

Both Donald's and Goofy's Mardi Gras outfits were colorful and fit the NOS theme. The costume designers did a great job with their outfits.

Thank you Sherry. The heart quest was daunting and hard, but it was fun to do just like all of the other quest. I didn't do too many rides just like my last trip. I like to be there for the nighttime events (WoC, F!, & fireworks). I am just a contributor to any of the quest that we do like all the other DISers.

Everybody looks so great in their Mardi Gras Clothes and what a fun celebration.

I completely agree with you Michele. The characters look great in the Mardi Gras costumes and it was a a good Family Fun Weekend.

 

[kaoden39]

With the music and everything that to me has to be the best of the festivals. I love the party atmosphere. And I would have loved to see the 'gator. I never remember his name.

 

[mvf-m11c]

With the music and everything that to me has to be the best of the festivals. I love the party atmosphere. And I would have loved to see the 'gator. I never remember his name.

The music was and atmosphere was great and this was was better to have it in NOS than at the festival arena. The gator name is Louis.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – February 20, 2011 – Part 5​

After watching Princess Tiana's Mardi Gras Celebration at the ROA, I decided to go around the park and still look for any hearts or signs that I have missed. So I went the back side of Frontierland. The weather was still calm, but the crowds just keep coming in around 11:15.

BTMRR still looks good as always

Fantasyland is always crowded no matter what. During the slow season or the busy season, it does draw a lot of crowds.

When I got to FL and closer to MTT, I decided to get a FP for RRCS. I was not planning on riding it since I have done it before. I have told you guys that I like to collect FP and put it in my scrap book with my other FPs from other rides at DL and WDW.

It was a little busy at MTT, but not that crowded.

Ward Kimball at MTT station

The characters started to come out of IASW and you know what it means.

It's 11:30am in DL

After watching IASW, I decided to go on my favorite ride at the DLR, the DL monorail. So I went towards the TL side and get on. But I had to get some other pictures on the way.

When I got to the lagoon, I had to take some pics of the monorail and the submarines.

Around the FNSV, there was a huge line for people to get on the ride and the stroller area was so large that I couldn't get in the monorail line.

Than I have got pass that line and I just missed riding on Monorail Red, so I had to wait until Monorail blue showed up at the station.

After riding around the DL monorail, I head on out and decided to go back to the MS and do some other activities. I decided to ride on the DLRR since my legs are tired from all that walking. When I got to the TL station, I waited until the Ward Kimball showed up at the station.

When I got to the MS station, I decided to leave the park and get some rest before I come back later that day for RDCT. The lines are the gates are getting longer while more people are coming during the day. I knew this was going to happen when more and more people show up later during the day. Before I did that, I went to DTD an do some shopping so I won't have to do it on Monday. The first thing I did when I was in DTD was to head on over to the Lego Store. My DC birthday was in a few weeks and he likes Legos, so I decided to get something over there since I have my AP and get a discount. I got him a Star Wars Lego set which was $50. It was expensive, but he and his family do so many nice thing for me and my family. He will be very happy with it.

Than I left around the park around 12:00. Than I just went around Anaheim and did some shopping at some different stores. I will be back at the park around 5pm that night. But that will be another time.

 

[skiingfast]

I'm glad I made it through the TR, as of now anyway.

One picture that sticks out and I find kind of funny. Is over the GCH you can see the Splash the mountain and the possibly taller masts of the Sailing Ship.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – February 20, 2011 – Part 6​

Now back to the TR after a long day on Sunday and Monday. I would have done it yesterday, but I need to get some pictures from RDCT and Memories. I have already downloaded Memories on youtube than I will get pics of Memories on the thread. But that will be part 7 later.

When I got back to my hotel, I rested up until 4:30pm. So I didn't get back to DL around 5:00pm. I needed to get back to DL so I can get my good spot for RDCT in front of SB castle. I didn't care if I had to wait 2 hours, but I want a good spot so I can videotape as some of you have followed my past TR.

When I got back to DL, the park was kind of crowded with all the people going on the rides and getting something to eat. Than I walked to the Hub and see if there were any people in the area waiting for the fireworks. I should have known better than that, but I wanted to get the spot no matter what.

It was still too early during the day, so I decided to go find something to eat. I haven't eaten at the Tomorrowland Terrace in awhile, than I head on over there.

The lines at TT, were already so long that I decided not to eat over there. I haven't eaten at the Royal Street Veranda yet, so I decided to head on over to NOS and get a steak gumbo. On the way, I passed FL and the lines were as long. Almost all of the lines were on average of 30+ minute wait on most of the rides.

When I got to Frontierland, the F! CMs were getting the area ready for the 9pm F! show.

The RSV, line was almost towards Cafe Orleans and I knew that if I wait in that long line, I won't get back to the Hub around 6:30pm. I than decided to head on over to Stage Door Cafe and get some chicken nuggets. The line were not that bad. I only had to wait around 5 minutes and I took my food with me back to the Hub.

When I got back to the Hub, my spot was not taken yet and the benches were still empty. I thought that all the benches would be all filled up around 6pm. But it wasn't and I was lucky to rest my back. When I was eating at the Hub on the bench, I talked to a nice gentleman that was saving a spot for them for the fireworks. We had a nice conversation about the park and was nice to talk to someone.

After I finished my food, it was around 6:30pm and I decided to get my spot in front of the curb right where the benches are. When I set up my tripod, a couple asked me why I am setting up my tripod so high. I told them that the CMs will ask everyone to stand up for the fireworks. They thought that by sitting on the benches, they wouldn't have to stand up during the show. I said that would be nice, but that's how they do things at DL. I just waited until RDCT started at 8:45pm. This really helped me a lot when they started the show at 8:45 instead of the usual 9:30 time. After the fireworks, I head on over to IASW for Memories.

Than RDCT started at 8:45 and as always, it is so great to watch this amazing firework show. I always cry everytime I watch this show. It will never get old to me. I love Believe, but RDCT is just better. I videotaped RDCT with my Sony HD camcorder and than I made it into a picture from each scene. Hope you enjoy it.

Than after the fireworks, I than head on over to IASW very fast to get a spot for Memories. But that will be another time on the TR.

 

[mikeyas]

Wow. Beautiful pics of the fireworks! I am loving your trip report!

 

[tksbaskets]

GREAT fireworks pics!!

 

[Sherry E]

I agree with TK and mikeyas, Bret! Outstanding fireworks photos!

I also love all of the variations of Matterhorn pictures you have been posting in this TR - close-up shots, blue sky/clouds shots, the side of the Matterhorn with the heart-like shape, etc. You've presented a lot of different views of the Matterhorn that make it appear as though it's a different subject in each one, and not the same thing.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Wow. Beautiful pics of the fireworks! I am loving your trip report!

GREAT fireworks pics!!

I agree with TK and mikeyas, Bret! Outstanding fireworks photos!

Thank you mikeyas, TK and Sherry. It was nice that the fireworks from my video was good and the pics were even better. I will also try to upload the firework show later this week since I have been busy with other things. I am bout to upload "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" pictures from my video, so it will be awhile until it is done.

I also love all of the variations of Matterhorn pictures you have been posting in this TR - close-up shots, blue sky/clouds shots, the side of the Matterhorn with the heart-like shape, etc. You've presented a lot of different views of the Matterhorn that make it appear as though it's a different subject in each one, and not the same thing.

Each of the different angles of the Matterhorn are very unique and different from one another. It is always great to take pictures of the mountain everytime I see it.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – February 20, 2011 – Part 7​

Back to the TR. This will be a two part of "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" since I have multiple pictures of this nighttime show at IASW.

When I left the Hub after RDCT, I head on over to IASW. But when I got to the FL Matterhorn Mountain side, the area was still closed off due to RDCT. So I had to go across from the TL Matterhorn side. It only took me about just two more minutes to walk from the TL side than the FL side of the Matterhorn.

When I got close to IASW. There were a lot of people waiting right in front of IASW. I was curious if all of these people were waiting for Memories. But when the CMs let all the people in the area, most of them were going on IASW. When I got up, they roped off an area and they brought some K9 dogs in the area that was roped off. I was wondering why they did that, but someone left a nice purse on the ground. The CMs think that it was some kind of threat, but it was nothing. When they removed the bag, they let the people in the area for Memories. I was lucky to get a front row spot for the show. Now is the time for "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" at 9:30pm.

I will post the rest later today when I get back.

 

[tksbaskets]

I LOVED this installment. It was just like being there for the show. Were the pics from your video camera?

Thanks for sharing!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I LOVED this installment. It was just like being there for the show. Were the pics from your video camera?

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you. Have you seen my video on youtube. The Magic, The Memories, and You! The whole video turned out well than I have expected and the clips of each pic was even better.

Your welcome, TY TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – February 20, 2011 – Part 8​

Now part 2 of "The Magic, The Memories, and You!" and back to the TR.

That was an amazing show with all the special effects on IASW. Luckily I didn't watch it in advance. I know skiingfast (Matt) that you want me to videotape this show and it turned out very good.

After Memories, it was already 9:45pm and that means the dolls and the clock is showing 9:45pm.

When I took pics of the clock, it was time for me to head on back to the hotel and rest up. Since the park was crowded that night and I will be leaving later in the afternoon on Monday. On the way, the park was still crowded in FL. I also had to take some pics of SB castle that night.

TL Astro Blaster

There were still a lot of people heading out of the park.

I left the park around 10pm and than head on back to the parking structure. I didn't get back to the hotel around 10:30pm since getting on the tram was long so I just walked back to the parking structure. I hate waiting to get back to the parking structure since there were a lot of people waiting to get back to it just like me.

It was great to watch RDCT like always and to watch Memories. Even though I had a terrible time on Saturday during WoC when it was raining, but it did made up on a nice day on Sunday with RDCT and Memories. The nighttime events were great and it was fun to be out here at DL at night. Now the last day will be posted anytime.

 

[tksbaskets]

Thank you. Have you seen my video on youtube. The Magic, The Memories, and You! The whole video turned out well than I have expected and the clips of each pic was even better.

Your welcome, TY TK

This was SO fun to watch! You must have been right next to a speaker, the music is so clear. Like being there!!

 

[kaoden39]

I always enjoy your pictures so much.

 

[mvf-m11c]

This was SO fun to watch! You must have been right next to a speaker, the music is so clear. Like being there!!

I believe one of the tower speakers was right on the left side right by the IASW Toy Shop. The sound was so clear and there was some people that did speak during the show. But it wasn't that bad.

It would be nice to see Memories at Cinderella Castle at WDW. I have a trip in December later this year and hopefully they will still have it during my visit. I will definitely videotape that show if they have it.

I always enjoy your pictures so much.

Thank you Michele. I can't wait to read and see more pics from your TR.

 

[kaoden39]

I believe one of the tower speakers was right on the left side right by the IASW Toy Shop. The sound was so clear and there was some people that did speak during the show. But it wasn't that bad.

It would be nice to see Memories at Cinderella Castle at WDW. I have a trip in December later this year and hopefully they will still have it during my visit. I will definitely videotape that show if they have it.



Thank you Michele. I can't wait to read and see more pics from your TR.

Thank you Bret. I am going to make an effort to add more later.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – February 21, 2011 – Part 1​

It's been awhile since I have done my TR since I have a lot of things to do the last couple of days. So now I am all free again tonight and now is time to get back to the TR.

On a Monday morning, it was the last day at DL which is always sad for me that I am leaving that last day. But it was also good for me to get back to Sacramento to see all my family and friends. I left the BW Placentina hotel around 7:30am that morning and now back to the DLR. The hotel that I have stayed was an enjoyable, but when I go back to DL in the future, I will be staying close because I didn't like driving my car to the Disney parking lots and spend half an hour getting and going to the parking lot.

I got to the Mickey parking structure around 7:45am and got to the park when it was opened at 8am. I thought there would be some people especially since it is Presidents Day.

As always, when I get to the park when it opens at 8am, there is no one in the park. Just a few people and is easy to walk around MS Town Square. So I decided to go and ride BLAB first.

During my walk down MS, I had to look again at the windows to find any heart shapes during my trip. On the way down the street, I found a heart shape in one of the windows. This was close tot eh Blue Ribbon Bakery Store.

After that, I head on over to TL and when I saw the construction over at ST, it now has some tarp all over the main entrance. This was very interesting to see that the crew put up the tarp on Monday and didn't do it the whole weekend. So this was very interesting to see.

Before I head on over to BLAB, I had to get my FP for SM. I always love collecting FP from SM. I barely ride it, I believe the last time I rode SM was when I did the ride vehicle quest. At least the line wasn't that long and the ride return sign was at the right time in the morning. I got the FP that is showing at the time on the bottom of this picture.

After that, I head on over to BLAB and get my high score. I also remember that the Star Trader store was closed due to refurbishment. The store for Start Trader was int he Starcade room which was crazy. I also can't believe that I had to get some signs during the sign quest since I have been concentrating the heart quest.

Than I got on BLAB and this time I did better than Saturday. I had 1,203,500 points that morning. I wasn't the highest that day since someone had 2,000,000+ that day. That was crazy for someone to have a high score that morning.

On the way out of BLAB, I also had to take some more pics of the construction of ST. They had some more tarp close to the Star Trader store.

Than I went around the park again and try to find any heart shapes around the park. But I also walked around TL which I like to do every morning.

FNSV line is mostly that short in the day, but very long later during the day.

Here is the same pic of the Matterhorn Sherry that has a shape heart where the former Skyway used to go through the mountain.

At least the seagulls are still on the buoy. Looks like one of the submarines are coming off the side dock and onto the main line. I didn't get a photo of one of the subs that is moving out. But I know I saw that.

Over in FL, there were quite a number of guests in the area.

When I was in the area where Casey Jr. is, I have found another heart for my quest. This heart is where the merchandise and refreshment cart is located. This is something that a lot of people would not have guess when they see the cart.

I went to the back side of Frontierland which I like to walk all the time.

After leaving BTMRR, I head on over to NOS. But that will be another time.

 

[Sherry E]

Wow - it's amazing that you kept finding more hearts! I thought Heart Quest sounded like a good idea for a "Quest" and that it was something that would be reasonable.

In other words, I was pretty sure there would be at least a few good hearts around DLR, if not a variety of them in different themes and styles. It's not like it was a quest to find ostriches or 4-leaf clovers around DLR, or something that would be really far-fetched and unlikely!!

But I think Heart Quest turned out to be an even better Quest than I imagined!

Yes, I still think the shape in the Matterhorn now looks more heart-shaped than it used to.