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

[deejdigsdis]

I love those lights that line the street in Radiator Springs.

I never did make it to the tortilla factory, so I'm really looking forward to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. I would choose chocolate over a tortilla any day! My husband would choose the tortilla over chocolate, though. I can't wait to try out that place.

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. I hope a rest did you some good and you were ready to go back for the fireworks.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great update! I hope you have a good time on your trip! We'll be up in Hollywood doing a rehearsal/concert that weekend so it will be crazy. I'm so glad you let me know about the preview thing because we are definitely doing that!

I found out a little more information about the 27th. They are going to hand out wrist bands for people to come back and do the thing in timed increments so that no one is stuck waiting in a line all day, kind of like FPs. What time does your flight get in? When does your return flight leave?

I'm thinking we will get there as early as possible (and that's not very early considering how we roll, but we'll do our best). Maybe they will give the wrist bands out prior to DCA opening and we can go somewhere and get some coffee or hit DL while waiting for DCA to open. If we make it that early. I hope that we can actually do the crack of dawn kind of thing (which is not normally us, but when Disney is involved, you never know!)

Thank you Allison. I might be lucky to even go on one ride next week because of the tournament at LB. But we'll wait and see what it is like next weekend. I might not go if I do well at the tournament.

Thank you for the information of the wrist bands for the AP holders to come back to Stage 17. That will be good that we don't have to wait in line while the other AP holders are trying to get inside on the 27th. My flight will leave at 6am at SMF and I should arrive around 8am at SNA (Orange County). My flight leaves at 9pm at SNA that night.

When I get to SNA and take the Disney Express bus to the GCH, I am heading straight towards DCA. I am not even stopping at DL maybe until after the preview to go on the monorail and take photos of BVS. It will be very interesting to see what the Tuesday will be like during the DCA showcase at Stage 17.

Thank you for the information Allison.

I love those lights that line the street in Radiator Springs.

I never did make it to the tortilla factory, so I'm really looking forward to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. I would choose chocolate over a tortilla any day! My husband would choose the tortilla over chocolate, though. I can't wait to try out that place.

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. I hope a rest did you some good and you were ready to go back for the fireworks.

I really do miss the Mission Tortilla factory especially my DA since we always go in there for a tortilla after a nice day at DCA. It will be interesting to see what Gharardelli will be like when it opens in a few months.

It was not bad, I rested up for a few hours and I was ready to go that Saturday night. As always, I look forward to the night shows at the parks which is my favorite time. I need to upload the pictures so stay tune for the next update.

Thank you Deej.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Before I do my next update during my TR tonight, I have some important news for the people that follow my TR. I am canceling my one day trip to DL during the DCA showcase because of unexpected business work that day. I was really disappointed to hear that I have to cancel my trip on Tuesday on the 27th. But business comes first before pleasure. Looks like I will have to wait during the summertime to get my hands on the new DCA merchandise.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm sorry to hear that. I think that you are right business does come first.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm sorry to hear that. I think that you are right business does come first.

Thanks Michele. It was disappointing at first but if I want to come back to DL in the future, I need to work in order to come back. At least I can hear it from these Disney sites about the showcase.


Now lets get back to the next update.

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 10​

After a great morning and decent afternoon, it was time to head on back to DL for the nighttime events. Since I had the stomach ache in the afternoon, we stayed in the room until it was time to head on back to DL. Luckily, my stomach was feeling better when I was resting in the room.

It was around 5:30pm when we left the room and back to DL for RDCT fireworks which started at 8:45pm. The fireworks mostly start at 8:45pm instead of 9:30pm which it usually happens during the summertime, but it makes it easier for the fireworks to start early so we can enjoy more time at the parks.

I brought my video camera and tripod with me for the fireworks. For the people that follow my previous TR's, I always bring my camera and tripod with me for the nighttime shows. I got to remember one day to bring my video camera with me so I can videotape the rides. I know skiingfast (Matt) said that I should try to videotape the rides, but the only problem about it is that most of the rides are in the dark and are blurry a lot.

There was some daylight when we left BWPPI

When we got to the esplanade, it was a usual busy night around the esplanade. It took quite awhile to get through the turnstiles. There were a lot of people waiting for the 6:30pm parade. So we just walked past all the people and towards the Hub to get a good spot for RDCT.

Already 6:10pm & in 20 minutes the 2nd Soundsational parade so we had to hurry over to the Hub.

When we got to the Hub, there were a few people waiting for the fireworks, but we did get my usual spot on the right side middle in front of SB castle. But one of the CM's came up to me and asked if we were here for the firework. He told us that the fireworks is cancelled tonight. My DA was shock to hear that and it wasn't windy that night. The CM told us that it has been windy the last couple of days and they had to cancel the fireworks. I remember on Friday night that the fireworks didn't run due to high winds. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that the fireworks would be cancel due to high winds. This is not like at WDW MK where they will run the fireworks even on a windy day.

When we packed all our stuff, I told my DA that we did get FPs for the 8pm WoC show. So getting the WoC FPs was a good idea even when the fireworks were cancel. I also asked her if she wanted to do F! that night. But she would rather see WoC instead of F!. I really need to see F! one day since I haven't done it since August during the D23 Expo with HydroGuy.

We head on straight out of DL and head on over to DCA. It was already 5:15pm and the queue for WoC is up so we had to hurry on over to DCA PP to get our spot. We had to get out of DL because Soundsational parade was about to start shortly.

The streets were really busy before the parade.

We got out of DL with about 10 minutes until the parade and head on over to DCA.

When we past through the turnstiles, it was kind of busy at Condor Flats. But what do you expect when it is close to the entrance/exit of the park. I can't wait until Buena Vista Street is opened this summer.

We walked really fast all the way over to PP to get in the queue. Luckily when we got to PP, the queue only had about 10 to 20 people in front of us. When we got in the queue right by the LM ride, we didn't have dinner so I left the queue while my DA waited in line. She wanted me to go to Lucky Fortune Cookery to get rice bowls that night. This is like our usual quick counter restaurant at DCA where we have to get something there.

While I was walking on over to Pacific Wharf, Cadillac Range was lite up that night so I had to get a picture of it.

It was really packed at Pacific Wharf. When I got the food, I head on back to the queue.

When I got back the queue waiting area was already towards the light towere where is was circling around the area. Luckily my DA was in the queue so we can get a good spot. While wer were in the queue, I asked one of the CM's if the area where the firehydrant was useable again. He said that the fire hydrant spot was okay to use after the construction was finished just about a week ago. We were so thrilled to hear that we would get the fire hydrant spot. I was about to get a closer spot at the lagoon to see the show closer, but I wouldn't be able to videotape it since my camera could get wet.

I also saw that the yellow queue is on the other side of the viewing area. The preferred is stil the same in the middle. At least we know where the queues will be if they are still going to have the blue, yellow and preferred sections.

Here are some pics of the queue from the blue section

The queue is starting to fill up with more and more guests ready to go in the viewing area to get their spots.

Around 6:50pm, the CM's started to let all the guests with FPs for the 8pm WoC show to enter the viewing area. I was a little bit surprise to see that everyone was let in 10 minutes earlier then at the designated time at 7pm. This isn't the first time since they opened the viewing area late or early. In the past, we were let in very early or late about 30 minutes until the show. It only depends on how fast the CM's get the viewing area prepared for the show.

When we got to the blue section, we got the fire hydrant spot while all the other guests were heading down towards the viewing area. It still looks the same as always where you see the show from the fire hydrant spot. The areas below are filling quickly while there was no one around us right at the back.

My tripod is already to go for the show.

While we were waiting, I had my dinner at LFC which was orange chicken.

While I was eating, more and more people started to head on down towards the viewing area. I remember that one family was telling each other that they should have gotten in the queue earlier for the viewing area. But I assume that they will be in front of some other family or with a bad spot. If you want to get a railing view get there early at the designated queues so you can get a great spot. If you come late, you have to find a spot and have to make with it.

I will be back tomorrow with more from that Saturday night which was saved thanks to getting a FP that bizarre Saturday.

 

[tksbaskets]

Lots to catch up on. A tornado hit our little town on Thursday and although we are just fine we've been busy in our community with clean up and helping. Keep our town in your thoughts. 100 homes damaged, 13 completely destroyed, no injuries that needed more than a band aid and no loss of life. Thank goodness for tornado warning sirens.

Now I can enjoy the DIS boards.

Hi Deej,

It was weird to see TSMM that short that morning. TK would easily love to go on TSMM with just a short wait.

Thank you. You and your family will love it.

I been away yesterday and it will be a good idea to get back to the TR. So stay tune later tonight.

You've got that right Deej and Bret!

I love those lights that line the street in Radiator Springs.

I never did make it to the tortilla factory, so I'm really looking forward to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. I would choose chocolate over a tortilla any day! My husband would choose the tortilla over chocolate, though. I can't wait to try out that place.

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling well. I hope a rest did you some good and you were ready to go back for the fireworks.

What a bummer to be under the weather at Disneyland Glad you were quickly back to ship shape. I hadn't heard about the Tortilla factory closing. We love that place. Change is good right?

Bret, did the fire hydrant get painted green?
TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Lots to catch up on. A tornado hit our little town on Thursday and although we are just fine we've been busy in our community with clean up and helping. Keep our town in your thoughts. 100 homes damaged, 13 completely destroyed, no injuries that needed more than a band aid and no loss of life. Thank goodness for tornado warning sirens.

Now I can enjoy the DIS boards.



You've got that right Deej and Bret!



What a bummer to be under the weather at Disneyland Glad you were quickly back to ship shape. I hadn't heard about the Tortilla factory closing. We love that place. Change is good right?

Bret, did the fire hydrant get painted green?
TK

I will definitely keep my thoughts and prayers for your community and hope everything is alright.

I could have easily stayed at the parks, but the crowd levels that afternoon was picking up and it didn't make any sense to push it since we have done DL a lot of times. Good thing I got that rest that afternoon so we could enjoy a nice time at DL. The Tortilla factory closed just before the summertime. My DA loved that place so much that she was disappointed to hear that it was closing for Ghiarardelli this upcoming months. Some would say that this change was a bad idea, but we'll wait and see what it will be like.

The fire hydrant at the blue section was originally yellow, but they changed it green last year to match the scenery at PP.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 11​

We got our usual spots right by the fire hydrant at the blue section for the 8pm WoC show. While we were waiting, I was on my iPad checking up on the threads to see what was going on while my DA was reading a book. It was very nice that the section where the fire hydrant was reopened before our trip or we would have to watch the show from a different spot.

Most of the people that were in the blue section were heading on down to the viewing area.

There were no people on the railings on the back side while we were waiting for the 8pm show.

LM ride

I got some pictures of Cadillac Range with the lights on

PP bridge sign

Still no people around our area just yet

Just around 5 minutes until the show, more and more people started to show up.

MFW all ready to go for the show

WoC 8pm show started and here are some pics that I took during the show.

After WoC was over, we packed all of our stuff and head on out of DCA and over to DL for our next nighttime show. No it's not the fireworks since they were cancel due to high winds that night. It didn't seem like it was windy that night. Our next stop was to head on over to IASW to see "The Magic, The Memories, & You!" which has a new segment. I was excited to see the holiday version last year and was looking forward to see the prince and princess MMY segment.

While we were walking alot of other people were trying to get on out of the park.

Around Condor Flats was just a mess with all those people that were exiting the park and entering the park. It almost took about 10 minutes to get out of DCA and over to the Esplanade. That is it for this post and I will try to get some more done tonight.

 

[franandaj]

Before I do my next update during my TR tonight, I have some important news for the people that follow my TR. I am canceling my one day trip to DL during the DCA showcase because of unexpected business work that day. I was really disappointed to hear that I have to cancel my trip on Tuesday on the 27th. But business comes first before pleasure. Looks like I will have to wait during the summertime to get my hands on the new DCA merchandise.

I'm sorry you're not going to make it for the preview. If there is anything specific you are interested in, we could possibly pick it up for you. We plan on being there, but then you never know...

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm sorry you're not going to make it for the preview. If there is anything specific you are interested in, we could possibly pick it up for you. We plan on being there, but then you never know...

It's no problem. This was a tough decision but if I want to keep on doing these trips, I have to work more and more.

Hope you have a great time at the showcase.

The next post will be up shortly tonight.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 12​

We got back to DL around 8:40pm and the fireworks were not running that night. Luckily we got the FPs for WoC so we didn't miss a nighttime show that night. I was hoping that RDCT would run that night, but it was nice to see WoC that night.

When we were heading on over to FL, we knew that it was early and most of the people would be at IASW for MMY until it is time for the show. So we decided to head on over to Adventureland to get a treat. Can you guess what we were thinking of getting that night?

When we got closer to the Hub, we couldn't go through Adventureland since it is an exit if you are around Adventureland and NOS. So we had to go through Frontierland to head on over to the Tiki Juice Bar. Yes, we needed a Dole Whip that night after WoC.

We only had to wait about 5 minutes in the queue to get a dole whip. When we got our dole whip, we head on over to FL so we can get a good spot to see MMY. But when we got there, it was way early so we sat around the area where the snack carts are located at FL.

When we finished our dole whips, we head on over to IASW for the 9:30pm MMY show. It was about 10 minutes until it was time for the show and there was nobody around the area until about 5 minutes.

While we were waiting for the show, I took some pics of IASW with the one touch color.

Now it was time for the 9:30pm MMY show with the new segment. Here are some pics of the new segment. Some of the pics were from my camera while some of them are from my video that I edited as pictures.

I haven't uploaded the video of the new segment and I might not upload it since the quality was not that great. I do apologize to everyone that I couldn't upload the video.

After MMY, we head on over to Mickey's ToonTown Train Depot to ride the DLRR. But I will get that on the next post for tomorrow.

 

[kmedina]

So much has changed since the last time I was there. It is cool to see your pictures. That orange chicken looks so good. I am hungry now. We saw the MMY show in December at WDW. What is the new segment? Do you mean the princess scenes? Looks like you had a great night despite the lack of fireworks. I hope your stomach was feeling better by then.

 

[mvf-m11c]

So much has changed since the last time I was there. It is cool to see your pictures. That orange chicken looks so good. I am hungry now. We saw the MMY show in December at WDW. What is the new segment? Do you mean the princess scenes? Looks like you had a great night despite the lack of fireworks. I hope your stomach was feeling better by then.

Thank you Kim. The food at Lucky Fortune Cookery is really good and this is one of our restaurants that we must eat during our visit. I also like to eat at Royal Street Veranda for the gumbo. But I haven't done it for quite some time since I always try different restaurants or just don't have the time.

MMY is a very nice show that projects videos on IASW and Cinderella Castle at the MK. Both shows are similar, but the only difference between both shows is that Cinderella Castle's is taller while IASW is more wider. I like both versions of MMY, but I really like IASW more then MK because of the facade of IASW while Cinderella Castle has the brick layers. I believe when you were back at WDW to see MMY, they had a Christmas segment of MMY in the middle of the original one. Then during my trip, you can see that they added the princess part of the show where the Holiday version is set up. You can also check out my videos on youtube that I took.

Here are both IASWH and Cinderella Castle MMY:
"The Magic, The Memories, and You!" at Disneyland with the Holiday Segment 11/18/11

"The Magic, The Memories, and You!" at Walt Disney World with the Holiday Segment 12/12/11

It was disappointing that the fireworks were not running that night, but we went with plan B and saw WoC that night which I like to watch all the time. I would still prefer F! over WoC any day, but if we watched F! at 9pm, we would not be able to see the 9:30pm MMY show. We couldn't see the earlier MMY since we will be saving our spots for the first show of F!.

My stomach was feeling better that night, but it was still bothering me just a little.


Now lets get back to the TR.

Day 2 – March 3, 2012 – Part 13​

After watching "The Magic, The Memories, & You!", we decided it was time to head on back to the hotel and call it for the night. We thought about stayin in the park to do some other rides, but we were tired after being the parks for about 4 hours. I know that doesn't seem a long time to be at both parks. But we just like to get a lot of rest after a busy day at the parks. But we didn't spend a lot of times at the parks like we usually do after I got sick.

So we decided to take the DLRR at MTT station so we don't have to walk all the way down towards MS. We haven't rode the DLRR during our trip and it was nice to ride it that night.

The steam engine that arrived was the E.P. Ripley Engine #2 along with the Excursion cars, but the queue was so long because of the people that watch MMY head on over to the station.

When we board, we were told that the TL station was not opened during our visit. So we past the TL station on our way towards the MS station. That's why there were only 3 trains running that day. It has been along time since one of the stations were closed during my visit.

Now passing the TL sation where there isn't much construction going on.

It looks like that they are doing small touches at the TL station.

When we got to the MS station, there were a lot of people heading on out of the park as we are. Now it was the time to head on back to BWPPI to call it for the night.

We head on out of DL around 10pm and head on back to BWPPI to call it for the night. I just didn't even want to stay in the park even though the hours were extended by one hour to the lockdown that morning.

This was a very bizarre day. The day started just like a normal day at the park and all of a sudden, I was wondering where were the crowds that morning. Then I found out just as I was about to head on out of the park and over to DL that the resort was on lock down due to the suspicious package at the esplanade. I did feel bad for all those other people who were not allowed in the park that night. That's why I like going to the park early in the morning while the park was not that crowded. I got to do some rides that I haven't done for quite some time that morning. I got a lot of great pics of the park while it was partially empty.

It was bad at first that I was sick that morning, but this was suppose to be a relaxation trip so it was a good idea to head on back to the room to rest up for that night. If was disappointed that RDCT was cancelled that night, but we went with plan B and saw WoC that night. We could have done F!, but then we can't see MMY that night. It was nice to see MMY with the new princess segment.

Now that Saturday is completed, here is the saddest part of the trip which is the last day. I will get this TR done before I head back to Southern California in four days.

 

[kmedina]

You're right about the MMY show. It looks cooler on the Dl link you p
rovided. We have not been to Dl since 2010, so I have not seen it there
yet. It was a strange day and it ended seeing a train stop closed. Even strange days are awesome though, and you are already going back again. Cool.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You're right about the MMY show. It looks cooler on the Dl link you p
rovided. We have not been to Dl since 2010, so I have not seen it there
yet. It was a strange day and it ended seeing a train stop closed. Even strange days are awesome though, and you are already going back again. Cool.

Thank you Kim. That was one strange day at DL. I knew about the TL station being closed due to refurbishment. It was just like the time when I went to WDW last year during the Holiday season when the former Toontown Railroad Station closed due to the construction of the new FL. Part of FL is now opened just about a week ago and the new FL station at the MK looks really nice.

Just like that, I will be back at DL in just a couple of days. It depends on how long I spend my time at the Long Beach Convention Center on Saturday during the tournament. If I don't do well at the tournament, I will definitely be heading on over to DL in the afternoon or night. It will depend on how the day goes.

 

[deejdigsdis]

You were smart to have a Plan B in place after the fireworks were cancelled. I often listen to the soundtrack for RDCT on our Disney Parks CD. I sure miss some of that old stuff...Remain Seated Please on the Matterhorn, the Pirate battle, etc.

I really need to give Lucky Fortune Cookery a try sometime. Your Orange Chicken looked so good!

Ending the night with a ride on the DLRR sounds nice.

Have fun on your upcoming trip!

TK...how scary about the tornado! I'm glad your family is OK. How goes the cleanup?

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I just love your nighttime photos! We've never seen the memories show live. So many things to keep us coming back to DL

Deej - the tornado clean up is slow. Many chain saws running all weekend. We've had record high temp so that has made the clean up easier. Today's e-paper warned of people coming around with insurance scams. Think 'ambulance chasers'. What is wrong with some people. Thanks for keeping our town in your thoughts. The community support has been wonderful.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You were smart to have a Plan B in place after the fireworks were cancelled. I often listen to the soundtrack for RDCT on our Disney Parks CD. I sure miss some of that old stuff...Remain Seated Please on the Matterhorn, the Pirate battle, etc.

I really need to give Lucky Fortune Cookery a try sometime. Your Orange Chicken looked so good!

Ending the night with a ride on the DLRR sounds nice.

Have fun on your upcoming trip!

Thanks Deej. We could have watch F! that night. But we wouldn't be able to see MMY that night if we did F! instead of WoC. I also have RDCT soundtrack on my itunes and on my iPad. But I can watch RDCT every time. Just like you Deej, I also do miss some of the old soundtracks of the old rides at DL. I also miss the Submarine Voyage soundtrack which is one of my favorites.

Lucky Fortune Cookery is a very nice quick counter service to have Asian cuisine.

It is always great to ride the DLRR or monorail to end a night at DL.

Thank you Deej.

Hi Bret,
I just love your nighttime photos! We've never seen the memories show live. So many things to keep us coming back to DL

Thank you TK. Some people don't like MMY and some do. It is an amazing show and you definitely got to see it in person since you can barely see the whole show on picture or video. There is a lot of things to come back to DL in the future. It will be very interesting to see what TDA management will do when Cars Land is completed this summer.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – March 4, 2012 – Part 1​

After having a bizarre day on Saturday, Sunday is the last day of the relaxation trip which is always the saddest part of any trip. I can't believe it the trip was already over and we had a great time during our visit.

It was around 7am when I got up, but my DA was tired from last night so she decided to not get up that morning. After remembering that DL was on lockdown on Saturday due to the suspicious bag at the esplanade, I would assume that a lot of guests would go to DL early so they wouldn't be on the outside. But I don't expect it to happen a second time in a row. I just like going early in the morning to DL while the park was not that crowded.

I left BWPPI around 7:45am and on my way to wards DL. The time was around 7:55am when I got to the turnstiles and it looked like a usual day at the park. So it was off to a great start that Sunday morning.

DL wasn't officially open since I arrived during MM. When I got to MS, it was quiet, but down at the Hub wasn't.

Carnation Cafe

Around the Hub and by Adventureland and TL, there were a lot of people waiting to get in those lands when it was 8am that morning. But most of the people were over at TL when it officially opens.

DL is now officially open and i head on over to TL to get a FP for ST. It was nice to see DL busy then Saturday. I also thought it would be nice to have the park partially empty that morning just like Saturday.

Most of the people that head on over to TL went straight towards ST or Space Mountain

I head on over to the ST FP machine and expected to get one of the earlier times that day.

After getting the ST FP, I decided to go on BLAB and hopefully get a better score then Saturday.

When I finished BLAB, this was one of my worst scores on BLAB in a long time. I can't believe that I only got 410,800 points that morning. I just couldn't get anything going that day (TK you can bash me on my score that Sunday morning).

After getting off BLAB, I didn't have any breakfast so I thought it would be a good idea to try the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe that morning. I did tell myself that I got to try the food at the new bakery after the Blue Ribbon Bakery is not gone for extending Carnation Cafe. After seeing all those people at the Hub and now it is quiet.

The Matterhorn looks the same like those other two days.

SB Castle

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe

I didn't get too many pictures inside the Cafe which I wish I could have gotten more.

I only had a croisant and orange juice that morning since they weren't serving there regular food until 10:30am. So I really didn't accomplish much eating at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe.

That is it for today and I will be back tomorrow with more.

 

[tksbaskets]

What a beautiful Sunday morning at DL. I did laugh out loud when you said your score wasn't very good and I saw what it was. I'd feel the same way Bret if I scored less than 150K on TSMM.

Now on Buzz.... I just try to look fierce for the picture...

I'm curious as to what kind of food will by at the Jolly Holiday Bakery. Is it replacing Carnation Cafe?

Looking forward to what you do the rest of your....sniff...last day at DL.