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

[mvf-m11c]

Good wind up.

I was thinking of your pictures when I went on MFW. Though DS wanted the MFWoD. But we wear paired with a DM and DD. So instead of taking lots of picture myself I spoke to the mom about here trip. Gave her some tips about FP, SR and Parent swap, and really hope they used the later because she was missing some of the big rides, while her DS and DH rode them. But the whole ride my back was to Carsland and I only peaked over me shoulders a bit to look into it.

Rode this after TSMM and getting a WoC FP and LMAUA after we left you at the gates. So you were possibly that close to riding the big wheel.

Thanks Matt. I forgot to put on my ending about you and your son. It was fun to finally meet you in person and we had a great time during that short morning.

I am glad that you were trying to take pictures of MFW after seeing my pics from my past trips. But it was really better for you to give those tips to the people who were in the gondola with you and your DS.

I was not happy that I didn't get my usual aerial photos of the DLR, but I can trade it for the good times with my dad's friend family that day. I also helped my dad get that picture at the DTD and he was happy with it.

Thank you Matt for a great time.


Also I am now considering doing another trip to DL again. This time I was thinking of going to DL during the Halloween season on the first day of MHP. My plan was going to the DLR on Sept 30. to Oct. 2nd. I have done this last year with my DA and DC, but this time I was thinking of going solo and attend MHP on Sept. 30. The main reason is not MHP, but it is for the Halloween overlay of WoC. I have read that WoC is doing a Halloween overlay for the Halloween season and that is the main reason I want to go back to DL during the Halloween season. Also the price for the hotels during the first week of October is cheaper to go. I know that it was hot during that time last year, but it is good to get the Halloween season done early then later.

 

[kylie71]

Good thinking Brett, it could be very hot that time of the year in Anaheim.
I know exactly what your talking about in Sacramento,,, I was born in Carmichael.. interesting to hear a fellow Sacramento person refer to my hometown!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Good thinking Brett, it could be very hot that time of the year in Anaheim.
I know exactly what your talking about in Sacramento,,, I was born in Carmichael.. interesting to hear a fellow Sacramento person refer to my hometown!

The weather when I was there in October last year was really hot and it did felt like summer time especially it is during the Fall season.

The weather at this time of the month in July is the hottest in Sacramento. That is neat that you were born in Carmichael Kylie. It is good to hear from another Sacramento person that talks about it. This is a great city to be in and I love it so much.

Thank you Kylie

 

[kylie71]

I enjoy going to the Arden Fair mall, on the way to my brother's who lives in Middletown, Ca. That's about 30 miles from Napa, in the hills above.
I really like Sacramento, but like living in Reno, NV. It's smaller nd I love the weather.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love your reports!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I enjoy going to the Arden Fair mall, on the way to my brother's who lives in Middletown, Ca. That's about 30 miles from Napa, in the hills above.
I really like Sacramento, but like living in Reno, NV. It's smaller nd I love the weather.

I see, stopping at Arden Fair Mall is a nice place to relax. Arden Fair Mall is really nice which has a lot to do there, not only the shopping, but all of those different restaurants in the area plus it is right next to Cal Expo where the California State Fair is always being held there every summer. That reminds me that the State Fair is only a week away till it opens. I bet the weather out there is really nice than here.

I love your reports!!

Thank you Kaitlin.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi Deej, its nice to hear from you.

The trains at DL are very important to me since I love trains since I was a little child. My parents took me a lot to Old Sacramento to ride the trains down the Sacramento River. The trains and the monorails are by far my favorite rides at the DLR & WDW. Everytime when the steam engines pull up to the stations, I always guess what engine is pulling up. I mostly get them right since I know the whistle sounds of each of the five engines. All of the engines & cars are very unique. The C.K. Holliday #1 and E.P. Ripley #2 are the youngest steam engines in service at DL since they were built by the Disney Company. The Fred Gurley #3, Ernest S. Marsh #4, & Ward Kimball #5 are the oldest engines at the DLR. All three engines were purchased from these different companies and refurbished them for service at DL.

When you go back to DL one day, you should try to ride up in the cabin with the engineer and fireman. That is so fun to ride up front in the cabin and talk to the CMs about the steam engines. Another possibility is the Lily Belle which I have rode in the past and enjoyed it so much. I heard that you have to go to City Hall or the MS station and asked the CM if you can do any of those two options.

Thanks for the train info. Very interesting! I knew you could ride in the Lilly Belle (which I haven't done yet), but I didn't know you could ride up with the engineer. How fun!

Well, I reached the end of another great Trip Report! Thank you for sharing! I am looking forward to hearing about your August trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks for the train info. Very interesting! I knew you could ride in the Lilly Belle (which I haven't done yet), but I didn't know you could ride up with the engineer. How fun!

Well, I reached the end of another great Trip Report! Thank you for sharing! I am looking forward to hearing about your August trip.

Your welcome Deej. The engines that you could ride up in the cabin with the CMs are the C.K. Holliday #1 and the E.P. Ripley #2 which has seats in the tenders. The other three engines don't have seats for the guests so you have to be in one of those two engines to ride up front with the engineer and fireman.

Thank you once again Deej for coming along my TR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I just concluded my trip this month [post=41584919]A Reunion with an Old Friend at DL June 20 – 21, 2011[/post] This was the first time in almost 3 years back when I went to DL during my July trip in 2008 is when I was with a big group of people. Not just one or two people, but 4 people that day and more. It reminded me of the good times with so many people at the park and also bad times too. But all those days were great and I had a blast. Not only I got to meet some nice people that are my dad’s friend family, I also got to meet a DISer that day (skiingfast). I got to do some rides that I haven’t done in quite some time like MTWR, SWSA, Pinocchio, etc. But the main about this trip is that everyone had a great time.

Now I am planning my pre-trip for August 18 – 22, 2011 during the 2nd Annual D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Cast: Me Bret 29 & DA Fae 59

This will be my sixth trip to DL this year (Jan. 21 – 23, Feb. 19 – 21, Apr. 8 – 10, May 27 – 30, & June 20 – 21). This will be my DA 1st trip to DL this year.

Our trip is not until the third week of August and right now we are getting our plans ready for our trip. This trip is all about the D23 Expo. For some of you don’t know what it is here is the website for the D23 Expo. This is the big Disney convention that any Disney fan has ever dreamed of. I have been to the first D23 Expo back in 2009 and you can read my trip from First Trip Report DLR & D23 Expo 9/9 – 9/13. That TR back in 2009 was my very first TR and it was not that great back than. This time, I will give a full report about the trip and a lot of pictures. My DA has been looking forward this trip since I told her about it back in 2009. I am going to be in the park for one whole day which is Thursday when my DA and I arrived at Anaheim. Friday to Sunday are all reserved for the D23 Expo since I am not going to repeat back in 2009 and spend more time at the D23 Expo than at the DLR.

Here are some of my pics from the 1st ever D23 Expo back in 2009.

D23 Expo Sign outside the Anaheim Convention Center

D23 Expo Sign outside the Anaheim Convention Center

D23 Expo Dream Store Entrance

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Pavilion Entrance

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Posters of the attractions

Radio Disney Pavilion

We will be driving down from Sacramento to Anaheim like my DA and I always do on our previous trips together. It is nice to fly, but I do bring a lot of bags and camera equipment so it does make sense to drive down in just 7 hours. It is not worth paying the extra money for extra bags and getting a rental car. We will be driving down in my Honda Civic Hybrid which saves us a lot of money. I haven’t used the Hybrid since the February 19 – 21, 2011. I had some problems with it, but this time, I will be using it for the August trip. For a round trip to DL, we only have to fill the car up twice during the trip. That is not bad since the car needs only 10 gallons of fuel to be full. We will stop at Livingston (close to Merced) that is always on our way to Anaheim to see my grandmother. After we stop at my grandmother house, we will head on over to Anaheim. The plan for us is to leave Wednesday night and head on over to my grandmother house. On Thursday morning, we will leave around 7am. With the calculations, we will be at DL around 12:30 and check-in to the hotel.

We will be staying at the BW Stovalls. I have stayed at BW Stovalls in the past and it is a very nice hotel that is just across the street from the DLR and the Anaheim Convention Center. I have chosen this hotel is that it was cheaper and in between the hotel. I wanted to stay at any of the hotels that is just across from the ACC, but the price wasn’t right and I got a free night staying at BW Stovalls. I like staying at the BW Stovalls since the beds are way better then the other hotels that I have stayed.

The only time that we might be in the parks is on Thursday and Monday when we leave that day. I might be able to get on over to the parks that day. But with the D23 Expo the top priority, I might not go on any of those days during the Expo. I am also trying to convince my DA to buy a Deluxe AP since we have a trip to DL in November and possibly a trip in June next year when DCA is all finished. Since with the AP monthly payment, it might convince her to buy the AP. We will wait and see if she wants to do that or not.

Our goal for this trip is the D23 Expo. I plan on going early all of those days during the Expo since I am a D23 member and the Expo will let the members in one hour before the general public. Even though the times have not been posted yet of this day, I would guess that the D23 Expo will start at 9am while the D23 members get to be in the Expo one hour before the other people.

I plan to get in line for the D23 Expo Dream Store and get the LE D23 merchandise. I plan on buying a lot of items and I will also be taking pictures of everything at the D23 Expo.

We are also looking at the current schedule to see the Disney Legends Ceremony, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the Walt Disney Studios and the Lion King 3D at the Arena. I am hoping that they will show more schedule of what is happening. But I will write up my plan for that trip.

As for the days that are not the D23 Expo, I plan to take my DA to DCA and see TLMAUA. She has been waiting for this ride since she has seen the drawings at the Blue Sky Cellar. I am hoping that she will get the Deluxe AP since she could use it for the November trip and possibly the June trip if she is still planning.

I will keep planning on my August trip and than the WDW trip in December.

Please feel free to say something about my trip in less than six weeks until the 2nd Annual D23 Expo.

Thank you

 

[kylie71]

Hi Brett,
If you don't mind telling me, how much are are the tickets to the Expo?
It sounds like it's going to be a really fun trip!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Brett,
If you don't mind telling me, how much are are the tickets to the Expo?
It sounds like it's going to be a really fun trip!!

Hey there Lori.

When I bought the tickets last year in August, I had to pay $85 for three days since I am a D23 member. I read that the regular three day was around $105 last year. Right now, the ticket prices are $115 for D23 member and $136 for the general. Talk about a big price increase from one year ago to two months to the D23 Expo.

Here is the link for the prices of the tickets. http://registration2.experient-inc.com/showDIS111/Defaultmember.aspx

It will be a fun trip to the D23 Expo and then later to DL on Thursday and Monday. I might get in the park later those days during the Expo if my DA and I are tired.

Thank you for coming along Lori.

 

[skiingfast]

This will be awesome when you do live updats, I'm excited to hear some park news from expo. Will you be watching the special movies?

 

[mvf-m11c]

This will be awesome when you do live updats, I'm excited to hear some park news from expo. Will you be watching the special movies?

I will try to do all the live updates at the D23 Expo. I hope that I will be able to upload all my pics on my iPad while I am at the Expo. If not, I will have to load them later that day at the hotel. I hope that I will be able to load them on the iPad and then to flickr. The last time I tried to upload the pics from my iPad back in May and it couldn't upload to flickr.

The main schedules that I am looking forward is the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts at the D23 Arena. I am looking forward to the 2011 Disney Legends Ceremony, The Walt Disney Studios and the lion King 3D. The ones on Sunday doesn't seem to interest me that includes Marvel Comics and Disney Channel. I am looking forward to the D23 Expo Dream Store and the Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion. During the last D23 Expo at the Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion, I got a glimpse of the Cars Land model, the new expansions for Hong Kong Disneyland, Dreams cruise ship, etc.

The D23 Expo Dream Store I am looking forward to the LE D23 Expo merchandise. I have a lot of the D23 Expo merchandise from the 2009 one and I am planning on buying a lot during this upcoming trip.

I will be definitely be watching the Lion King 3D exclusive D23 screening on Saturday. I am also thinking of signing up for the D22 Expo 2011 Live and Silent Auction. I am not planning on bidding on anything, but I like to collect the auction catalog, paddle and pin. The only problem is that it is $45 for three items.

I am still waiting for more event schedule to be posted so I can finalize my PTR.

 

[kylie71]

Brett, Thanks for all the links and info and Pics!
I might make it next summer....
Right now planning/saving for a trip at Thanksgiving, and next June!!!

 

[skiingfast]

During the last D23 Expo at the Disney Parks and Resorts pavilion, I got a glimpse of the Cars Land model, the new expansions for Hong Kong Disneyland, Dreams cruise ship, etc.

This is a lot of what I would want to see. I'm just hoping they have stuff on what's next not all the being built HKDL,DCA, Fantasy, and MK's FLE.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Brett, Thanks for all the links and info and Pics!
I might make it next summer....
Right now planning/saving for a trip at Thanksgiving, and next June!!!

Your welcome Lori.

That is neat that you will planning a trip to DL during the Holiday season and next June when Cars Land is opened. I didn't see your name on the November 2011 Check In. Did you say that you are considering going during Thanksgiving week? If so, I hope that you can go to DL during the Holiday season. It is so amazing during the Holiday season and is still by far my best time to visit the DLR.

This is a lot of what I would want to see. I'm just hoping they have stuff on what's next not all the being built HKDL,DCA, Fantasy, and MK's FLE.

The first D23 Expo blew me through the roof. After reading Al Lutz Update of the D23 Expo, it almost feels like there won't be too many new announcements to the Parks and Resorts. I am hoping that this is just a rumor and when they have the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts event at the Arena they will announced something new to the parks that day. I want to be blown away at the Arena and know something unexpected at the parks.


Also, it was nice to good to see some of the D23 Expo merchandise that will be offered at the Expo next month. D23 Expo Dream Store Merchandise. This helps me a lot of what to expect at the Dream Store that weekend. I have already picked what I want to get at the Dream Store and have to be there very early in the morning to guarantee to get the stuff. Just like back in 2009, I had to get up early and was in line about an hour to two until the doors opened at 8am.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

you have some magical pictures,

it's fun because we were there in late june. this thread is
liked a regular disney's picture show!


would you mind if i made a few copies? i had an encounter

@ the airport where a person was not holding onto the tram

& he came flying. he also had a baby & we all ended up in

one big tangled mess. in the process , my camera came

up missing & probably under the tram. it was our second trip

@ disneyland, so it would be nice to have a few references

from the things we did.

we stayed @ the grand california...& had a prefect view. i think

in one of your pictures was our room. they also had a viewing

area on the 6th floor. by chance , was you there june 28, 29, 30th?

thanks for considering.

 

[mvf-m11c]

you have some magical pictures,

it's fun because we were there in late june. this thread is
liked a regular disney's picture show!


would you mind if i made a few copies? i had an encounter

@ the airport where a person was not holding onto the tram

& he came flying. he also had a baby & we all ended up in

one big tangled mess. in the process , my camera came

up missing & probably under the tram. it was our second trip

@ disneyland, so it would be nice to have a few references

from the things we did.

we stayed @ the grand california...& had a prefect view. i think

in one of your pictures was our room. they also had a viewing

area on the 6th floor. by chance , was you there june 28, 29, 30th?

thanks for considering.

Thank you Lil' Grumpy

Did you and your family had a great time in DL in late June?

I'm sorry to hear about the tram incident. If you want to take some pics from my flickr, I am fine with that.

The GCH is a very nice hotel and it was amazing to stay. I was not at DL during June 28 to 30. I was there last on June 20 -21. You can read my TR on the bottom of my signature.

Thanks for checking out my thread and my photos.

 

[kylie71]

Brett,
Yes Disneyland during the holiday season is truely magical.
We we're there last November, stayed at the Red Lion... not the greatest, but the price was right on Priceline...
Trying to decide between driving or flying. It's a concern, because getting over the Sierra's in the winter is hard. I would prefer to drive, I don't mind the I-5. It will be my sister and I. I'm 40 and she 50. We love Disneyland, and have been going every year or every few years since 1976!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Brett,
Yes Disneyland during the holiday season is truely magical.
We we're there last November, stayed at the Red Lion... not the greatest, but the price was right on Priceline...
Trying to decide between driving or flying. It's a concern, because getting over the Sierra's in the winter is hard. I would prefer to drive, I don't mind the I-5. It will be my sister and I. I'm 40 and she 50. We love Disneyland, and have been going every year or every few years since 1976!

I have never stayed at the Red Lion and I heard that it is decent. But you can't beat the price when you get a good deal on priceline, expedia, etc.

You are right that going through the Sierra is bad during the Winter. But it should be fine to drive in November.

Hope you and your sister have a great time at DL in November.