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

[franandaj]

Hi Bret,
I've been lurking here, but always too far behind to comment!

Great MFW pics, I'm so glad to see that they are finally working on the backside of the Cadillac Range. I hope they do the whole way around. When we were staying at the Hilton for the Expo, it looked awful with all that scaffolding. I didn't think Disney would let it look so unmagical.

Really enjoying the pics. We're going on Sunday for the Candlelight Processional. I can't wait to see all the decorations, but I know it will be PACKED!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
I've been lurking here, but always too far behind to comment!

Great MFW pics, I'm so glad to see that they are finally working on the backside of the Cadillac Range. I hope they do the whole way around. When we were staying at the Hilton for the Expo, it looked awful with all that scaffolding. I didn't think Disney would let it look so unmagical.

Really enjoying the pics. We're going on Sunday for the Candlelight Processional. I can't wait to see all the decorations, but I know it will be PACKED!

Thank you Allison. It was nice to see that the construction crew started to work on the back side of Cadillac Range. I haven't seen the Katella road side of Cadillac Range, but I am hope that they will fill the back side too.

Hope you and Fran have a great time during the Candlelight Processional on Sunday.


I am so far behind finishing this TR since I am only a week away till my Holiday trip to WDW. I got to finish this TR fast before I head on out. So I might have to do two to three posts a day until it is finished. Just like that, it is almost time for my next Disney trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 7​

Since we have seen all the pics from MFW, I will skip the rest of the pics from my 2nd time around. We got off MFW and my DA wanted to go and see Turtle Talk with Crush at the Disney Animation building at Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Instead of going through TSMM, we went through the PP restaurant area and had to get the new Christmas wreaths for PP.

After passing the PP restaurants, we saw that LMR was decorated with a few garlands.

Right by the LMR and the Embarcadero Gift store, there were a few wreaths for the Wreath Quest

We walked down towards Condor Flats and the side entrance to DCA while BVS is under construction, that area started to pick up with more and more guests coming in so we knew that the park will be crowded that day.

I forgot to say that when we entered the park, we got FPs for Soarin when the park opened. So before we head on over to the Disney Animation Building, we first went on Soarin. Our time was 10:20am to 11:20am so it was perfect to go on Soarin before we head on over to HPB. The wait time was already at 30 minute wait time.

We got off Soarin and head on over to HPB. On the way over to HPB, we got to see the Carthay Circle Theater under construction. It has changed a lot since I was there in September and can’t wait to see it when it is finished later this summer.

The BVS pump house which is the information center

The former Greetings from California Store

We were now close to HPB and head on over to the Disney Animation Building. But that will be on the next post.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 8​

After passing through the walls around BVS, we were in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot and on our way towards the Disney Animation building. The Electronica theme is still out here since last year and it is still a popular theme at night for HPB, but I’m waiting when the management will add something new to HPB in the future. The management didn’t even put any Holiday decorations when we walk down the street.

We head on in the Disney Animation and the first thing we head on over was Turtle Talk with Crush, but it wasn’t time for the show, so we waited outside the entrance until it was time for the show. Here are some pics from inside the Disney Animation building.

It was time to head on in the room and we had to walk fast to get in. We made it and enjoyed Turtle Talk with Crush.

When the show was over, we head on in the Off the Page store which is my favorite store at DCA since it has a lot of great art, videos and books to look at. I have bought a lot of my Disney merchandise from this store in the past and haven’t disappointed me yet. They also have some Holiday merchandise in the store.

This was my favorite Holiday item that I saw in the store which was a hand cut paper sculpture of SB Castle during the Holiday season. I wanted it, but it was limited edition size of 15 and the price was $950.

We left the Off the Page store and the next pat of DCA was ABL. I wanted to go there and get the pictures of the Holiday decorations. On the way, we passed through the ToT which is always a great picture.

Now we were in ABL and to get the Holiday decorations which were the giant Christmas lights and ornaments.

We just left ABL and the next destination was the Blue Sky Cellar which has the updated BVS presentation. Before we entered the BSC, I had to get some pics of Cars Land from this angle which you can see a lot of different pictures.

You can see Luigi’s Cassa Della Tires store and the Leaning Tower of Tires

After getting the pictures of Cars Land from the BSC, we head on in and saw all the new update for BVS. My DA liked all the art work and presentation about BVS. We head on out and was thinking of what to do next. But that will be another post.

 

[franandaj]

Thank you Allison. It was nice to see that the construction crew started to work on the back side of Cadillac Range. I haven't seen the Katella road side of Cadillac Range, but I am hope that they will fill the back side too.

Hope you and Fran have a great time during the Candlelight Processional on Sunday.


I am so far behind finishing this TR since I am only a week away till my Holiday trip to WDW. I got to finish this TR fast before I head on out. So I might have to do two to three posts a day until it is finished. Just like that, it is almost time for my next Disney trip.

Thanks! I didn't subscribe to your PTR for the WDW trip, but will you do a separate TR or just continue on that one? I want to see your pics, but I've been so swamped I can barely keep up with my current subscriptions.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks! I didn't subscribe to your PTR for the WDW trip, but will you do a separate TR or just continue on that one? I want to see your pics, but I've been so swamped I can barely keep up with my current subscriptions.

I have started a TR on the WDW Pre-TR so you can check it out on my signature below. I will give an update on my WDW TR as a link towards the TR. I hope that everything goes well this coming week.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 9​

When we finished the Blue Sky Cellar, we were getting hungry so we decided to eat at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta restaurant at PP. She wanted to try the flat bread pizza at PP again and so we head on over to PP.

On the way towards PP restaurants, the park wasn’t that crowded on the way. The rides were at the regular wait times like LMR at 10 minute during the afternoon, Goofy Sky School was about 20 minute wait time. Not bad wait times around noon, but still long.

We got to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta restaurant and the first thing we saw when we entered the restaurant is a Christmas tree in the front as well as a nice plant.

I had the pepperoni pizza while my DA had the cheese pizza. A little bit different than the last time we ate there except for me. I have said it in the past and I will say it again, the pizza at the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta in my opinion is better than Redd Rocket’s Pizza at DL Tomorrowland. Some people say that it is okay, but Iwill have no problem eating there again.

After finishing our pizzas, we walk through towards TSMM. On the way, the wait time to get on TSMM was at 45 minute wait. So we weren’t planning on riding it since we have the Lilly Belle train ride at 1pm.

On the way out of PP, I had to get the Christmas tree at PP. The Christmas tree at PP is always fun to look at with all those ornament. Can you see the Hidden Mickey?

It was time to head on over to DL for the Lilly Belle parlor car ride so we head on out of DCA. While exiting the park, the park crowd level started to pickup.

Now back at BVS

We head on out of the DCA and now on our way back to DL.

At the turnstiles at DL, they started to get more and more people. It was interesting to see that more and more people started to show up at DL the afternoon. But it wasn’t that crowded like in the morning when DCA opened.

We head on over to MS station and get on the Lilly Belle. The Lilly Belle was already at the station, but we knew that it wasn’t time to ride it since it was around 12:45pm.

The park wasn’t that bad with the crowd level at MS Town Square, but it can get really crowded later on when the 2:30pm parade starts.

Over at MS station, we checked in with one of the CM conductors and told us that the train which is the Ward Kimball with Holiday 4 carrying the Lilly Belle will circle around until it gets back to MS station. While we were waiting, we saw that the Fred Gurley with the Excursion car set pulled in to the station.

Then the CM conductor gave everyone riding the Lily Belle a ticket. It was nice to get a ticket and prove that we rode the Lilly Belle.

While the train is not expected to return about 15 minutes, I wondered around MS and took some more pics of the Holiday decorations.

That’s it for this post and I will be right back with the Lilly Belle ride.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 10​

I have left the MS station while the two of us waited for the Lilly Belle parlor car to return so we can ride it. While my DA was waiting at the station, I walked down MS and get any pics of the Holiday decorations. This time I got the window displays. Some you can’t see because of the glare of the sun light on the window. I had some more of them later during the nighttime days so don’t worry about it. There was some new merchandise in the stores while some of them were the same in the past.

Most of the window displays are from the Disney Showcase store

I love the retro Disneyland shirt with the Mickey Santa hat

You can see me take a picture of the window

Another one

It was almost time to ride the Lilly Belle, so I will get pictures of the window displays later on. Here are some more pics of MS while I walked back to the MS station.

The flowers right by the Flag retreat

I got back to the MS station and it was about 5 minutes until it was 1pm and the Lilly Belle.

When I got back to the station, the Ward Kimball with the Lilly Belle hasn’t arrived yet so I just waited with my DA until it came. At the station, the C.K. Holliday engine #1 arrived at the station with Holiday 2 car set which is the cattle car and one of the original car set when DL opened back in 1955. It was re-modified back in the 50s for the Grand Canyon diorama.

Here is a tip if you don’t know about the C.K. Holliday and E.P. Ripley is that you can actually ride with the engineers on the tender. You have to ask a CM conductor is they could let you ride with the engineers of the two engines. Mostly they do let the guests ride with them, but it depends on certain times. You can only ride on those two engines and not the other three which are the Fred Gurley, Ernest Marsh, and Ward Kimball.

We waited until the Ward Kimball arrived after the C.K. Holliday left the station about 5 minutes after it left. I don’t have any more pics for this post so stay tune for the next update of the Lilly Belle.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 11​

The Ward Kimball with Holiday 4 car set which is the open car with the green roof overhead. You can identify Holiday 4 & 5 by the color of the roof. 4 is green while 5 is blue. Once in awhile, Holiday 4 or 5 will have the Lilly Belle attach to the cars. If the other one has the Lilly Belle the other car set will be in the park without it. I have seen both Holiday sets have the Lilly Belle on each of them and it was nice to see Holiday 4 have the Lilly Belle.

When the Ward Kimball with Holiday 4 was at the station, we waited until the CM conductor told us to head on in towards the Lilly Belle. My DA was really excited to ride the Lilly Belle. It was the same thing for me since I haven’t rode it in quite awhile.

Our group head on over to the Lilly Belle after all the other guests that were riding the train were on first so we wouldn’t be in anybodies way.

The two of us got to sit close to the entrance and exit of the Lilly Belle. It was nice to be in the Lilly Belle and was the same as the last time I have ridden in it.

Man I forgot the name of our conductor, but she was really energetic and talked about the history of the Lilly Belle car. It was nice to hear a little brief history of the Lilly Belle being one of the original cars when DL first opened back in 1955. She also talked about the engines and cars at the DLR as well as the transformation of one of the original yellow passenger coaches into the Lilly Belle.

After going around the park around the Lilly Belle, it was time to head on out of the car. Before we did that, we had to check out the back side of the car.

After we were got off the Lilly Belle, we were about to take our regular rest time from the parks. When we left the MS station, the area around TS started to be a little bit crowded while people are waiting for the 2:30 "A Christmas Fantasy" parade. So it was good to take a break after a long morning and afternoon.

We head on back to the room and rested up until we need to head back to the parks for the 5:30 "A Christmas Fantasy" parade and the 8pm WoC show.

I will be back with more later.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I love the picture of the lightpost with the clock in the background. I've never been on the Lilly Belle. Your pictures were just like being on it. How were you able to get the tickets to ride it?

What a busy day already. I'm thinking you enjoyed your break.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
I love the picture of the lightpost with the clock in the background. I've never been on the Lilly Belle. Your pictures were just like being on it. How were you able to get the tickets to ride it?

What a busy day already. I'm thinking you enjoyed your break.

TK

The wreath and the clock was a very nice picture. When I go back through the pictures I can tell what time I have taken for all the pictures that I have took that weekend.

When you go on your Holiday trip later this month, you should ride the Lilly Belle during your visit. It was fun to ride in it and get to hear the history about the Lilly Belle car.

In order to ride the Lilly Belle, you have to walk up to the Main Street Station and talk to the stationmaster and asked if you and your party can ride the Lilly Belle that day. The stationmaster will write down your name and how many in your party and will give you a time of when to come back and ride the Lilly Belle. I would get to MS station first thing in the morning since you will be able to get a spot to ride the Lilly Belle. We were lucky to get on the Lilly Belle that morning when we checked in at the MS station. There was like three spots left to ride the Lilly Belle at 1pm, but they had some times available at 3pm, but we prefer the earliest which was the 1pm ride. I have read that Lilly Belle will have four ride on with a conductor each day. If it is raining, they will not have people ride the Lilly Belle. So on non-raining days, it is a good opportunity to ride the Lilly Belle.

Even it was only about 5 hours in the parks, it did felt so long with all the picture taking. The next post will be a nice one with "A Christmas Fantasy" parade at night as well as WoC and the Holiday segment.

 

[tksbaskets]

The wreath and the clock was a very nice picture. When I go back through the pictures I can tell what time I have taken for all the pictures that I have took that weekend.

When you go on your Holiday trip later this month, you should ride the Lilly Belle during your visit. It was fun to ride in it and get to hear the history about the Lilly Belle car.

In order to ride the Lilly Belle, you have to walk up to the Main Street Station and talk to the stationmaster and asked if you and your party can ride the Lilly Belle that day. The stationmaster will write down your name and how many in your party and will give you a time of when to come back and ride the Lilly Belle. I would get to MS station first thing in the morning since you will be able to get a spot to ride the Lilly Belle. We were lucky to get on the Lilly Belle that morning when we checked in at the MS station. There was like three spots left to ride the Lilly Belle at 1pm, but they had some times available at 3pm, but we prefer the earliest which was the 1pm ride. I have read that Lilly Belle will have four ride on with a conductor each day. If it is raining, they will not have people ride the Lilly Belle. So on non-raining days, it is a good opportunity to ride the Lilly Belle.

Even it was only about 5 hours in the parks, it did felt so long with all the picture taking. The next post will be a nice one with "A Christmas Fantasy" parade at night as well as WoC and the Holiday segment.

I think we'll do this! It would be fun to ride in this car. Looking forward to seeing the night time parade posting!


TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 12​

After taking a long rest at BWAI which was around 2 hours, my DA was still tired that morning so I head on back to DL. I didn’t try to force her since all that walking that morning made her tired so I will meet her when the 8pm WoC show starts. I planned on getting my favorite spot which is the fire hydrant area for the blue section.

I left the hotel around 3:45pm and walked back to the park. Over at the turnstiles at DL, there were more people leaving the park at that time since it wasn’t a parade. But I had no problem with it since the turnstiles were not that crowded. So I brought all my equipment with me which is my video camera, DSLR camera and my tripod which I like to use to videotape the shows.

When I was in MS Town Square, I head to my spot to watch the parade. It is right across the street from GMwML and by the Flag Retreat on the East side. I will have to wait about 1 ½ hour of my time until “A Christmas Fantasy” parade starts at 5:30pm. So I got my blanket right by the curb so I can claim my spot and be patient until it was time for the parade.

This is the same spot that I have videotape from last year and this is my favorite spot to see the 2nd parade of the day. It is easier to watch it from the start since the music is so timely with each float.

Here is my video of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade from last year. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

There were some more people trying to get a spot where the 2nd parade starts right by the Mad Hatter store. I just waited until it was time for the 4:30pm Flag Retreat.

Another wreath for the Wreath Quest

Flowers right by the Flag Retreat

Now it was time for the 4:30pm Flag Retreat at MS Town Square

Now the Flag Retreat is over with the Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band

When the Flag Retreat was over and just about a few minutes, it was time to light up the Christmas tree at Town Square which is always stunning to see at MS.

Lights off

Lights on

I just waited until it was time for the 5:30pm “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. There were a lot of people that were trying to get a curb side seat within 15 minutes of the show. I had at least 4 families asked me if I could let them in. I said no since I waited for about 1 ½ hour of my time. They were not happy after what I have said to them, but hey if you get here before me I have no problem with that.

The family that was on my right had them all crushed together and I offered them part of my spot for the parade and they were so happy about it. The father of the family saw my video camera and we talked about the videos of the parade. They wondered if the parade would start from IASWH to MS. But I told them that it will start from MS right in front of us which were happy to hear. It is so fast when you watch it from the start of the parade.

Now it was time for the 5:30pm “A Christmas Fantasy” parade on November 19, 2011. As I have said at the beginning that this is my favorite to see the 2nd parade. The parade comes out right by the Mad Hatter store. During the day the parade is great, but at night it is even special with all the lights lit up at night.

Here is my video of “A Christmas Fantasy” that night. I have used my tripod so I was able to videotape and take pictures that parade. Part 1, Part 2

Some will be blurry because part of the pictures are with flash and non flash.

That’s it for this post since I am out of pictures, it will be back up shortly today.

 

[tksbaskets]

I just love this parade and your videos are great! What a good spot to watch and take pictures.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

I just love this parade and your videos are great! What a good spot to watch and take pictures.

TK

Thanks TK. This is a great spot to watch the 2nd parade on that same day since it will start from MS Town Square.

The next batch of pictures of the parade will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 13​

Back to the pictures of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade

That’s it for this post and I will be back with more of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 14​

Back to the pictures of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade

Where was Drizella and Anastasia?

There they are, I was surprise not to see them, but they were late to the ball.

That’s it for this post and I will be back with the final pics of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 15​

Back to the pictures of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade

After the parade was over, I packed all my stuff and my next destination was DCA and for the 8pm WoC show. A lot of the people that watch the parade from MS Town Square also head on out of the park.

I went out of DL and now I am heading on over to DCA.

There were quite a number of people at DCA that nighttime. It was an easy walk over to PP where I am about to wait for WoC. When I got to the PP, I went to the blue FP queue waiting area which was right by the bridge. The CM told me that they changed the blue waiting area right across the street from the LMR. The entrance was right by the fire hydrant spot. I was so surprise to hear that they changed the waiting area again. I hoped that no one claim that spot when I get inside the blue viewing area. It was too early to get a spot for the viewing area, so I decided to head around PP and get some pics of the Holiday decorations around the area.

The garlands on the LMR look very nice at night

The Holiday decorations at PP restaurant area

I went through TSMM and the waiting time is still around 45 minute wait time. It would be nice to try it at night, but I just don’t have time to ride it since I was planning on getting my spot.

Now I was back at PP and the Christmas tree which is stunning at night

Here is a nice wreath and garland right at Duffy meet and greet area

I head on back to the light tower right by the LMR and waited until the CMs let the guests in for the 8pm WoC show. There was quite a line at the blue section so I waited in line for the show. I told earlier that the original line was right by the bridge, now it is right by the fire hydrant entrance area. Here are some pics of the new waiting area for the blue section.

We will find out if I got the fire hydrant spot or not. So stay tune for the next post.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 16​

I left off at the blue waiting area for the 8pm WoC show. I was worried that someone in front of me would get that spot. But when the CMs started to let the guests in the viewing area at 7pm I head on over to my spot. I got my spot at the fire hydrant. I was so happy that I got my spot and I set up my spot as well as my blanket so my DA would get her spot as well. Most of the people that were ahead of me went straight down towards the viewing area as expected.

While I was waiting for my DA since I asked her to meet me around 7:30pm, all of a sudden it started to sprinkle. I was really worried so much that time since I didn’t wear too much clothing and had no umbrella. So I called my DA and asked her to bring the umbrellas, but she was already inside DCA. I was just hoping that it wouldn’t sprinkle during the show.

She finally showed up at 7:20pm at the spot. I was surprised to see her early, but it was nice to have some company. While we were waiting, I was talking to some other people right next to me and asked if this was a good spot to watch WoC. I told them that this was the best spot to see the show and show up later than showing up early. The couple was happy to hear those word and can see why it is a good spot to see the whole show without putting in the wait time.

Just about 10 minutes until the show, the back side of the blue and yellow area was already full.

While we were waiting for WoC, I had to get some pics around PP.

Now it was time for the 8pm WoC show at DCA. Before the regular show of WoC starts at 8pm, they showed pre-show “Prep and Landing”. It was okay, it didn’t live up to the hype as I have thought. It was a nice opening to the show and when the regular WoC show started it was even better with the Prep and Landing pre show which help the beginning of the regular WoC show better.

Here is my video of World of Color Christmas Pre-show Prep and Landing on my youtube.

These are pics from my video that I have made into pictures.

These are pics from my DSLR camera

After WoC was over, we head on over to the Lucky Fortune Cookery to have the Asian rice bowls. The two of us always get this when we are at the park. This is like our new tradition at DCA that we must at least eat there during our trip.

I had the Mandarin Orange Chicken while my DA had the Spicy Korean Beef bowl

While we were eating, “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks were going off at DL, so we knew that the 9:15pm WoC show was about to start so we finished and head on over to DL. We went through the other way instead of going towards GRR since there will be a huge crowd area. So we went towards BVS.

We got out of the park when the 9:15pm WoC show started so we were back at DL that night. I will be right back with more.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – November 19, 2011 – Part 17​

Now the two of us were back at DL and saw that the people are start leaving the park after the fireworks. I wanted to get some pics of Critter Country so we head on over to CC.

On the way, it was a great opportunity to get some pics of the window displays.

Another tree for the Tree Quest

We walked in one of the stores and saw another tree for the tree quest.

My DA wanted a picture of Belle and the Beast in one of the window display.

The Christmas tree from the Ice Cream Parlor

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6044/6370346261_cac72e3e17_z.jpg/img]

The Coke Corner Christmas tree
[img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/6370354975_427135f649_z.jpg

After leaving MS, we head on over to Froniterland. We cannot go through Adventureland since F! just finished. So we went inside the Pioneer Mercantile Store and get some more pictures of the Holiday pictures.

The Pioneer Mercantile store had a lot of different holiday merchandise as well as a lot of Christmas trees. There were a lot of nice decorations and merchandise.

We left the store and had to wait until the 1st show of F! guests leave the area until we are allowed to enter CC. That will be another post since I am out of pics. So stay tune for the next post.