Shanta's 12/3-15 Trip Report... finally!

[DaveInTN]

I ran into this sweet gal in Germany, too. Take note Dave, she's in GERMANY... like a dozen times a day.

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Well it figures the EB would come out of hiding for Claus himself. Maybe on my March trip I need to dress up like the Easter Bunny.

 

[BradyBz12]

Thanks so much for the great trip report and so many wonderful pics, Shanta - I love all the wonderful "Claus" moments, but this has got to be my favorite...

I gave him my disappointed look, shook my head, and waggled my finger at him. He straightened right up and actually huddled up next to dad, who mouthed "Thank You" as they passed. ...the young fellow came up to me very contritely and said, "Santa, I'm sorry". I said, "Did you tell your daddy you were sorry?" He shook his head yes, and I said, "Okay then, we'll just wipe that one right off the list, alright?"

So sorry you got sick on the way home. Been there with DH and it's no. fun. whatsoever. (and resulted in me driving all 1300+ miles home UGH)

Hope you're all better now and here's wishing you and the missus a very Happy New Year!

 

[Big Kahuna]

Thank You for the memorable and warm trip report. I really enjoyed it.

 

[tlh0726]

Great trip report!
Glad you are feeling better. If your sickness was anything like what went through our house Friday night It would have taken me alot longer than 3 days to get home. It took me 3 days just to get all the extra laundry it created done.

 

[indimom3]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I thought I spotted you at Trail's End having lunch on the 16th, but it looks like you were gone by then and it must have been an imposter! I was hoping to point out the "real" Santa to my kids.
I agree about the Gluwein in Germany, btw.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Thanks for the great trip report! It was great seeing Disney through Santa's eyes!

 

[VACAMPER]

looks like you had a magical time.

 

[tellnotails]

great TR shanman.......I too was disappointed in the HDDR......overpriced and rush you out the door atmosphere......

 

[Boomer1]

Wonderful TR, thank you for sharing your adventures as the Claus. We were there from Dec. 12 - Jan. 5th. DH flew back down yesterday for meetings and then to drive his parents home from FW.
I was excited to hear you talk about your Six Bits. He is our favourite too. The way he cracks up the other cast members is awesome. We too have found the 9:30 show to be less rushed and more enjoyable.
I'm not sure if we will be returning to FW next year for Christmas as I am beginning a new job in the spring.
Here's wishing you and yours a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

[CampingBandit]

Shan, your trip reports always make me smile....

 

[Shan-man]

Thanks for all the nice feedback on the TR, and the well-wishes re: my sickness. I don't know exactly what I had but I was in bed for two days straight (partially thanks to codine cough syrup) and was pretty much useless for two weeks. But as was mentioned, much better to get it on the way home than on the way down! Oh and Monique, that was probably my favorite encounter this trip too... I just wish I could duplicate the contrition in that little boy's voice with the written word! It was priceless, and very humbling to realize how important this image I bear is to little ones.

I do have one more story I should share, I think it's my wife's favorite memory from this trip. We were on the dock one evening, I think waiting to go to Citricos, and a family with maybe 8 children came up behind us. When they saw it was Santa in line ahead of them the children all got very excited and gathered around. Mom and dad sprang into action snapping pictures and directing kids where to stand... pretty standard fare. After the pictures subsided I asked one of the little girls if she was excited about Christmas, and she said, "We're Jewish, we celebrate Hanukkah". I was pretty surprised by this response since the whole family seemed so stoked to meet Santa. I tried to recoup and asked if they had a nice Hanukkah and if they knew my dear friend Hanukkah Harry (who, if you don't know, is analagous to Santa but wears blue with white fur). While I was trying to recoup with the kids, my Mrs. was excitedly talking about Jewish things with the father when I heard her say, "Oh, Santa knows Hebrew". The father lit up and started spouting off in Hebrew. I had to interject and explain that no, I took three semesters of Biblical Hebrew and if given enough time and a good lexicon I can translate written Hebrew, but I didn't speak any Hebrew, much less modern Hebrew. This didn't seem to dampen the father's excitement much as I think he was just amazed that someone so overtly Goy would know even that much Hebrew (and presumably about Judaica, by extension).

 

[BradyBz12]

Now that's priceless!

 

[dalovett]

Hey Shan-man, GREAT REPORT. Just wanted to say, it was really nice meeting you at the Fort. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you had a nice Christmas. Look forward to seeing you again next year.

Dave

 

[Shan-man]

I knew I was missing some important bits in this TR... I saw Dave and his Castle Spectacular again this year on our last night at the Fort, right after the 'photo shoot' with the Pioneer Hall players. I rushed right over and got there for the last 2 minutes of the last show of the night since quiet hours begin at 10pm. Fortunately for us another cart full of folks showed up begging for one more show, and then a sleigh ride came too and Dave relented and broke the rules and ran one more show. It was fantastic, and I really like the upgrades... Tink was a very nice effect.

I also met quite a few other DISers for the first time this trip, interestingly a whole lot of lurkers. There is no way I could reproduce a list of everyone I met, but most notably I had the pleasure of meeting Stacktester (aka Donnie, aka Dropsy Donnie

) and the recently elusive TCD

. Both of these gents are real swells* and it was a pleasure to meet them in person.

*swell (N) - 4 c : a person of high social position or outstanding competence.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I had the pleasure of meeting Stacktester (aka Donnie, aka Dropsy Donnie

That would be "caucasian Donnie" now

 

[Shan-man]

"Caucasian Donnie"? Is this supposed to be a 'new' development?

I mentioned (in installment 2) that Mom bought me a lovely Santa Claus beer stein in Germany... well, here it is:

 

[RocklandRVers]

Loved your report! Nothing like Christmas at WDW. We sure missed going this year!

So tell us does the lid on your new stein keep the hot cocoa hot?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We met "Asian Jason" one evening while Donnie was there, and I thought it was appropriate for everyone to know Donnie's ethnic background.

 

[Disneylitch]

Thanks for the report. We were at the Fort the first 2 weeks in December. You can visit other times of the year because you never know when Santa is checking things out. I remember when my kids were young, they would see Santa in the summer and were always excited. I love Christmas and don't take the decorations down until atleast the beginning of February. I'm what you would call a true believer.
Hope to see you next year:

 

[DaveInTN]

Thanks for the report. We were at the Fort the first 2 weeks in December.

Hey Disneylitch - we saw your RV at the Fort in December. You were in 1700 right?? Came by a couple times while looping but no one was out and about.