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

[mvf-m11c]

Bret, Have a blast at WDW!!

TK

Thank you TK.

I am getting so excited tonight and I might not be able to sleep if I am still on my computer.

 

[skiingfast]

Bret almost 100 pages of picture filled trip reporting, and on a plane to the world. Have a great trip!

 

[skiingfast]

 

[deejdigsdis]

We will look forward to more TR when you return from WDW. Have a great trip!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret almost 100 pages of picture filled trip reporting, and on a plane to the world. Have a great trip!

Yup a lot of pictures and more to come. Thank you Matt. Just got to the Sheraton Vistana Resort and getting supplies at Costo and Wal Mart.

We will look forward to more TR when you return from WDW. Have a great trip!

Thank you Deej.

 

[franandaj]

Have a great time! I'm really jealous! We had to cancel our October trip and we would be there now on our rescheduled trip, but I'm glad I canceled that too. We'll just have to wait for May for WDW....I'll be happy to check out your TR when you get back!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Have a great time! I'm really jealous! We had to cancel our October trip and we would be there now on our rescheduled trip, but I'm glad I canceled that too. We'll just have to wait for May for WDW....I'll be happy to check out your TR when you get back!

Thank you Allison. I will definitely look forward to your WDW trip in May.


Just got back from the MK this morning and it was insanely crowded after 10am. I may have picked a bad day to go to the park, but it was so nice during the first few hours with short wait times and no crowds. Here are some pics from today and I will have to put them on my WDW TR. But here is a sample of my pics today at the MK.

You can go to my TR on my link below on my signature and see more pics from my WDW TR.

 

[skiingfast]

It's so strange to see DLR then WDW both in Holiday form on the same TR. Can't wait to see what you see.

 

[mvf-m11c]

It's so strange to see DLR then WDW both in Holiday form on the same TR. Can't wait to see what you see.

DL and the MK at WDW look great during the Holiday season, but I will still choose DL over the MK during the Holiday season. Now it is time to get back to my November TR.


Just got back from my WDW trip this afternoon and it was fun to go back to WDW during the Holiday season. But my favorite time during the Holiday season will always be the DLR. I have a lot to do these next few days since I am uploading my pictures from my WDW trip. There were some that were uploaded on the first few days, but since then the hotel internet was really bad and didn’t upload any pictures.

Let’s get back to the DL TR before I start the WDW TR. I still feel bad of not finishing the DL TR before I left to WDW last week, but it will be nice to finish the DL TR and get started with the WDW TR.

Day 3 – November 20, 2011 – Part 6​

My DA and I have loaded all of our stuff from BWAI to BW Stovall’s. I didn’t want to move to another hotel during my trip, but there weren’t any rooms available at BWAI and the price at BW Stovall’s was really good for one night.

When we check-in our room around 11:45am which was a double non-smoking bed for the price of $80 a night was really good. We head on out of BW Stovall’s and head on over to the ESPN Zone to have lunch and watch the 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals.

I was worried that it was going to rain that time we approached the ESPN Zone so we head on over to DTD and get in the building before it rains. On the way over to the ESPN Zone, the DTD Christmas tree was already there and it just looked like the same from last year. Same spot and have all those ornaments.

When we got inside the ESPN Zone around 12:30pm, there were a lot of people that were trying to have lunch. Not only the people who were here for the parks, but also the big NFL fans that wanted to watch their favorite football teams. The ESPN Zone is a great place to watch football games. Most of the lobby was all crowded with a lot of people and the waiting line was almost towards the door. We waited about 12 minutes to get from the back of the line to the booth. Even though I have a reservation that I did online which will guarantee us the first table available, the wait time was just crazy. A lot of the fans there were Oakland Raiders fans that were watching the Raiders and Minnesota Vikings game at 10:30am.

When we were starting to wait for our table, it started to rain outside and most of the people started to take shelter. Luckily, we brought our umbrellas so we won’t get soaked. I decided to go outside around DTD and find more Holiday decorations. The walkway towards DTD was small thanks to the rainy day. But I didn’t mind since I had an umbrella.

It was close to 12:45pm so I decided to head on back to the ESPN Zone and hope that we will be seated. But when I got back, our table wasn’t ready and I knew that it was going to be a long time until we can sit at a table. The time for us to get a seat at the big screen room was around 1:15pm. It took almost an hour to get a seat.

We stayed at the ESPN Zone for about 3 ½ quarters of the 49ers and Arizona Cardinals game since the 49ers were winning with no problem. We had to order at least $10 of food or beverages since that is the restaurants policy for watching any big sport game days.

It was around 3:30pm and we head on back to the hotel. It was still raining at that time and my DA wanted to rest up. She hasn’t been at the park all day that Sunday since she was tired that Sunday morning and didn’t want to go in while it was wet. I decided to to go back after dropping off the stuff.

GCH Self parking lot right by the theater

We got back at BWAI and my DA wanted to go to the WoD store and find some Holiday gifts for her colleagues and family members. So we head on out of the hotel and back to DTD.

On the way back to DL, we stopped at the WoD store so she could buy her stuff. Also when we were there, I continued to search for those trees and wreaths for the Holiday quests. There were quite a number of them in the store so here are some pics of the trees, wreaths and Holiday merchandise.

My DA have bought a lot of different merchandise at the WoD store, but I told her that I was going back to the park and possible see a nighttime show at DL or WoC at DCA she went back to the hotel while I went back to DL at the beginning.

When I got back to DL, the park had some people and it was just sprinkling that night. So I went down MS and back to the Hub and get some pics of SB Castle.

When I got to the Hub, I was hoping to see the 6:30pm Wintertime Enchantment lighting, but it was still too early so I decided to go around the park until it was time.

I went around the castle since it was closed off for SB Wintertime Enchantment lighting and over to FL. But that will be another TR.

 

[tksbaskets]

Very nice pictures of the castle at night. WoD has so much for sale I am not surprised your DA was able to find some treasures for here friends.

Looking forward to more.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures of the castle at night. WoD has so much for sale I am not surprised your DA was able to find some treasures for here friends.

Looking forward to more.

Thank you TK. MY DA must have bought about $200 dollars worth of merchandise at the WoD store and she used my Premier AP since I get a 20% discount at the store while her DAP gets 10%. She was happy that day. For me, I didn't bought much that day.

Here is the next update to my TR.

Day 3 – November 20, 2011 – Part 7​

After passing SB Castle, I head on over to IASWH and get some pics of IASWH during the nighttime. On the way while it was raining, most of the outdoor rides were closed due to rain. It is always great to see IASWH at night. It was completely different when we saw IASW at the MK at WDW. The WDW version is great, but it wasn’t the same without the lights on the façade.

The wait time for IASWH was not that long which was wet

It was almost time for the 6:30pm Wintertime Enchantment lighting at SB Castle so I head on back to the Hub.

Got to watch the 6:30pm SB Wintertime Enchantment lighting which is different when you compare to the other four shows. They are all not the same and different for each time. I didn’t videotape it since it was sprinkling that night.

After it was over, I went towards Frontierland and get some pics of the Holiday decorations. I went back looking for any Holiday decorations and found some that I didn’t go back.

The Pioneer Mercantile store window display

I got some trees inside the Golden Horseshoe building

After leaving the Golden Horseshoe, I head on back to NOS and get more pics of the Holiday decorations. I said it before in my previous posts that NOS holiday decorations is toned down this year from the previous years.

Court of Angels tree

After leaving the area, I went back towards Frontierland

While it was raining, it looks like that F! have been cancel since the Mark Twain was still at the dock and no guests were staking a spot by the ROA.

Back at the Golden Horseshoe

I decided to head on back towards BT Ranch and possibly see the decorations again.

I was back at BT Ranch and the outside Christmas lights were bright on the outside of the walkway.

I was on my way back to FL, but that will be another time since I am out of posts.

While the pictures are uploading, I will try to work on my WDW TR.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Welcome home Bret!

I love the pictures with the lights reflecting in the wet streets. So pretty. I think my favorite picture this time was the one of the single Christmas tree in the Golden Horseshoe. It's dark with just the tree glowing. Looks so peaceful and Christmas-y.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Welcome home Bret!

I love the pictures with the lights reflecting in the wet streets. So pretty. I think my favorite picture this time was the one of the single Christmas tree in the Golden Horseshoe. It's dark with just the tree glowing. Looks so peaceful and Christmas-y.

Thank you Deej.

I like when the park is raining and glad that the pictures with the light reflection worked really well on my camera. I can't believe I haven't got a picture of the Christmas tree in the Golden Horseshoe after all these years. It was nice to finally get it on that raining day.

My first post of my [post=43486854]Friends and Family Holiday trip to WDW Dec 9 - 16, 2011 Update Post #24[/post] is up. I will be back later tonight with more or tomorrow.

 

[Sherry E]

I really like the trees in the Golden Horseshoe (both the small ones and the regular one that deej was commenting on). They are particularly pretty.

My favorite photo is the last one with the blue sparkly lights! How beautiful. Was it taken at the Round-Up?

I was chuckling at your Pioneer Mercantile window display photo - I remember you got one last year too (right?), and it looks like the window display has not changed from one year to the next! Glad to see DLR is staying consistent with its Pioneer Mercantile window displays and not cutting back anywhere like they do in NOS!

Thanks for giving us the link to the WDW report! I will be following along with that.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I really like the trees in the Golden Horseshoe (both the small ones and the regular one that deej was commenting on). They are particularly pretty.

My favorite photo is the last one with the blue sparkly lights! How beautiful. Was it taken at the Round-Up?

I was chuckling at your Pioneer Mercantile window display photo - I remember you got one last year too (right?), and it looks like the window display has not changed from one year to the next! Glad to see DLR is staying consistent with its Pioneer Mercantile window displays and not cutting back anywhere like they do in NOS!

Thanks for giving us the link to the WDW report! I will be following along with that.

The trees at the Golden Horseshoe were so nice and I can't believe I haven't been in the Golden Horseshoe during the Holiday season. I must go there at least one time every time I go to DL during the Holiday season.

The last photo from my post was from Santa's Reindeer Round-Up.

You are right that I did get a photo of the Pioneer Mercantile store just like the one from last year. Glad that the management hasn't change the window display at the Pioneer Mercantile store. They use the Holiday merchandise and put them through the window which makes it nice to see.

Your welcome and glad to see that you are following along my WDW TR. I still have a lot of photos to upload as well as videos from my WDW trip.

Here is one of my videos that I just have uploaded which is Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World 12/12/11 Hope everyone enjoys the video. I did have some cameras and heads in the way, but it was hard to videotape since I am a short guy and there were quite a lot of people in front of me during Wishes.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
The rain is a bit of a bummer but it made for some stunning night pictures that you took with the Christmas lights reflecting off the pavement. The IASWH shot was great!

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
The rain is a bit of a bummer but it made for some stunning night pictures that you took with the Christmas lights reflecting off the pavement. The IASWH shot was great!

TK

It was a little bummer since it was raining that day, but was is neat to get some pics while it was raining. Thanks to the Christmas lights the images of the wet road makes the pictures looked really nice.

Thank you TK.

Day 3 – November 20, 2011 – Part 8​

After leaving BTR I was about to head on out of the park and go on over to DCA. It was a nice night while it was still wet and partially sprinkling, that Sunday night was very nice and quiet.

The back side of SB Castle

Now back at MS and going out of the park. But on the way, I had to get more pics down MS.

Wreath by the Carnation Cafe

I was out of DL and now heading on over to DCA. On the way, there were not that many people outside the esplanade.

I went inside DCA and now on my adventures of finding more Christmas decorations.

I will be back later today with more.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – November 20, 2011 – Part 9​

After leaving DL, I head on over to DCA. I was about to watch the 8pm WoC show that night since I got a FP that Sunday morning. The only reason I would not see WoC that night is that I didn’t bring my tripod and it was still sprinkling. I really want to enjoy the show without videotaping and I will decide the last second. There will be some people that wouldn’t see the show that night since it was sprinkling. But we will find out shortly if I did see WoC that night.

On the way in, there were quite a number of people that were leaving and entering on a raining day.

I head on over to PP and some people were already in the waiting area at PP.

I decided not to see the 8pm WoC show and I did felt bad of not seeing it that night. But it was a long day and I went around the park until it was time to go back to BW Stovall’s.

Electronica was not running that night since it was raining.

After going through HPB, I decided to call it for the night since I was tired. So I head on out of DCA and back to BW Stovall’s

A nice picture of the BVS information center

Over at Soarin, it was only 20 minutes to get on the ride which is short during the nighttime.

I got out of the park and back in DTD. While I was walking out I was taking some more pics of the Christmas decorations that I have found on my way out of the DTD.

DTD tree at night looks very nice

I got back to the room around 8:25pm that night since I was tired from those other days. I also wanted to get to DL first thing in the morning before we head on back to Sacramento. That night, I was loading all my pictures that I took that night and checking out the DISers boards that night.

That concludes Sunday at the DLR which was great in the morning then it hit us with a raining day. I was a little bummer about waiting more then 30 minutes to eat at the ESPN Zone during a football Sunday. But overall it was great. It was not that insane when my DA and I ate at the ESPN Zone when the Los Angeles Lakers played the Boston Celtics during the 2009 NBA Finals which was crazy.

Got to take some great pics with the rain and it was nice to go to the parks when it was raining. But I now wish I brought my tripod so I could videotape the nighttime shows. But I have already done that on the first two days.

Now is the sad part of the TR which is the last day so I will get back later tonight with more.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Bret,
Great pictures and trip report! I am really enjoying it. I think the rain makes the streets look so pretty.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret,
Great pictures and trip report! I am really enjoying it. I think the rain makes the streets look so pretty.

Thank you Lisa. The rain does make the pictures at night look very nice with the reflection from the lights.