We Defected to the West! DLR 2013

[ArwenMarie]

Very nice update! Christmas in July
Your daughter is so photogenic!
We have never done Pick-A-Pearl, can you believe that? Will have to put on the Must-Dos list for next time.

 

[momof2n2]

You make me almost wasn't to go for Christmas!

My son starts high school this year. And although we homeschool, we will plug into dual enrollment classes with the local community college the following year. (10th grade)

Other than just having my baby get much older, I am really going to hate not getting to travel whenever I want to.

 

[MEK]

Thanks! I'm so glad you found us! Do your boys shun Disney the way mine do? I hope not. Thankfully my daughter is a big fan and loves going.

Yup - pretty much! My youngest son went for the last time between his junior and senior year. At the end of the trip he declared it his "last" for awhile. But it may have had something to do with the fact that his 4 younger nephews hung all over him for 5 days straight.

I've asked him to go to DL next summer (right after he finishes finals) and he didn't say no. My older son's idea of Disney is sleeping late, sitting by the pool, and meeting the family for a free dinner every night.

Your pictures of your daughter are adorable.

Love how cute DTD looks decorated for Christmas. I didn't know they had pick a pearl there. Very cool!

And I have to admit - your fireworks pictures have me googling how to take a fireworks picture.

 

[natebenma]

Wow! All of your pictures are stunning! The dark ride pictures are amazing and I your night and fireworks shots!!!

Goat Selfies!

I work as a teacher on a farm/museum. We have 3 goat and I have to say I totally get the attraction. They are such friendly, funny critters.

 

[mom2rtk]

Absolutely!

I might need one of those carriage pearl cages. I don't wear a lot of jewelry but might have to make an exception for that.

Very nice update! Christmas in July
Your daughter is so photogenic!
We have never done Pick-A-Pearl, can you believe that? Will have to put on the Must-Dos list for next time.

Thanks ArwenMarie!

And Pick-A-Pearl really is fun. And doesn't cost a ton of money by Disney standards. I love that we can do it at DTD on a non park day if we want. Although the best experience is at Epcot, where they approach the whole thing with a lot more ceremony.

You make me almost wasn't to go for Christmas!

My son starts high school this year. And although we homeschool, we will plug into dual enrollment classes with the local community college the following year. (10th grade)

Other than just having my baby get much older, I am really going to hate not getting to travel whenever I want to.

Sounds like you better do it this year then! DIS meet in December?

I hope you find that maybe the community college classes get out early enough in the year you can still eek something into December.

Yup - pretty much! My youngest son went for the last time between his junior and senior year. At the end of the trip he declared it his "last" for awhile. But it may have had something to do with the fact that his 4 younger nephews hung all over him for 5 days straight.

I've asked him to go to DL next summer (right after he finishes finals) and he didn't say no. My older son's idea of Disney is sleeping late, sitting by the pool, and meeting the family for a free dinner every night.

Your pictures of your daughter are adorable.

Love how cute DTD looks decorated for Christmas. I didn't know they had pick a pearl there. Very cool!

And I have to admit - your fireworks pictures have me googling how to take a fireworks picture.

Fireworks photography really is a lot of fun. If you have questions, let me know.

There's Pick-A-Pearl in DTD at both DLR and WDW. It has been fun to do on non-park days.

I think that while many teenage boys enjoy Disney, it's much harder to keep them hooked. And if your younger son didn't say no, well, that's almost as good as a yes, isn't it???? And maybe as he faces leaving the nest he'll decide a Disney trip won't be so bad.

Our older son was 17 on his last Disney trip (to DLR). We were only there a few days, and it was part of a longer driving trip through the southwest. He loves thrill rides, and I thought he'd enjoy the trip. I think he did, but if you ask his favorite Disney moment it would have been the day we let him sleep and order whatever he wanted from room service while the rest of us went to the parks.

Wow! All of your pictures are stunning! The dark ride pictures are amazing and I your night and fireworks shots!!!

Goat Selfies!

I work as a teacher on a farm/museum. We have 3 goat and I have to say I totally get the attraction. They are such friendly, funny critters.

So there we have it! Someone who "gets" the goat selfies! I mean really, what's NOT to get?????

Thanks for the kind words on the photos.

 

[mom2rtk]

Saturday December 7, 2013 Continued:


When we left again around 5, there was a different group of carolers in the lobby. The costumes worn by both groups were just gorgeous and I really enjoyed hearing them sing.


IMG_6387 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6388 by mom2rtk, on Flickr




Our first stop was the GC. Santa was out and his line was fairly short. The carolers we had seen on Thursday at PPH were on the other side of the tree, so I let Katie hang out watching them while I went around photographing the lobby.

IMG_6393 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Hmmmm...... gotta think on this list some more..........


IMG_6395 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6398 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6402 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6405 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6421 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6424 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6443 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6457 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6474 by mom2rtk, on Flickr





From there we headed over to the Disneyland Hotel to visit their Santa. I think I liked their Santa setting the best. Very pretty and homey.


IMG_6484 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6487 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6489 by mom2rtk, on Flickr



Maybe it's time to call it a day?

IMG_6492 by mom2rtk, on Flickr




When we were done there, we made our second visit of the trip to Earl of Sandwich to get dinner to bring back to our room. We watched The Santa Clause 3 on TV while we ate our picnic. I really enjoyed that. We turned in early (or at least I did) so we could hit the parks early the next day. I enjoyed that so much I might have to wait and schedule our next trip after they publish the schedule for this year's 25 Days of Christmas.


IMG_6496 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_6505 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[mvf-m11c]

Nice pictures from Winter Village and Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink. It was nice that the DLR improved the Winter Village last year when you compare the other Winter Village in 2012 where the shop stands are better decorated. It was nice to see the DTD Christmas tree last year and in the middle of the ice rink. It will be nice to see the Winter Village return this coming year and maybe with more improvements to it.

Your pictures of you and your DD with Santa at the GCH with the Christmas tree is very nice. It is so amazing to see the GCH lobby all decorated during the holiday season.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love the pictures of your DD, you and Santa. You both look so happy in them.

Did the carolers sound good? Wish I could hear them.

 

[momof2n2]

You make me want to try December.
Such a busy month for us, though...
Beautiful pictures.

 

[jenseib]

How neat there was an ice rink right in there. I do love the Carolers costumes too.
Did Katie give Santa new ideas for Christmas that time?

 

[KCmike]

Just wonderful images from the hotels Janet. We always go so soon in November that we miss the decorations at the hotels which is a big part of the Christmas spirit at Disneyland. I can't remember did you say you have stayed at all three properties? I have stayed at GC and DLH but not PP and have always wondered about if I would enjoy it. I know I would love being able to view WoC from there in the evening.

The decorations are lovely and I didn't know that there were three separate Sandy Claws. Did you say you got any pool time when you were there? Was it warm enough? May I ask were you using a flash for the Carolers or Christmas tree in GC?

 

[petals]

Well, to be fair, it really isn't so much a fastpass even though they call it that. Everyone getting in needs one, so it's more of an admission ticket distributed through the FP system. And yes, it really seems to be a fail on Disney's part to design such a poor viewing area for such a fantastic show.

Good to know. I'll make sure to get fastpasses and sure if we don't get a good spot the first time maybe go more than once

Luvin all the Christmas decorations from the hotels.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

SO SO So glad you guys did the holiday tour! It was Adam and my favorite when we went for our honeymoon. Wish the had had the Jingle Cruise though, next time I guess.

 

[MEK]

....but if you ask his favorite Disney moment it would have been the day we let him sleep and order whatever he wanted from room service while the rest of us went to the parks.

That sounds SO familiar.

Those carolers - OMG their costumes are phenomenal. And the lobby of the VGC is just stunning. Of course its even lovelier during Christmas.

What a nice evening to end you first full day.

 

[amandaw]

Hi! I'm joining in late. I saw the link to your TR in your signature when you posted on Mesaboy2's TR. So, I just had to come over and check out your report. My family is planning our 1st DLR trip for next year. We're very excited and I'm trying to learn all that I can.

Your room @ Paradise Pier looks cute. I think you said y'all have stayed @ all 3 DLR resorts. Is there one you like the most? We are looking at DLH but may do Paradise Pier if DLH doesn't cooperate with my budget.

I agree with everyone here - your pictures are beautiful! I can never get good fireworks shots. Do you use a tripod? One day I need to just breakdown & bring my tripod with me. I just hate hauling stuff.

Looks like you & your DD were having a great trip together!

 

[missangelalexis]

More great pics with Santa! The costumes on the carolers look amazing.

Love those teacup seats- so cute!

What a sweet way to end your night

 

[PHXscuba]

I agree with you that the Santa setting in the DLH is the prettiest, even if it doesn't have an enormous tree behind it. It's not like you can get the huge tree into a Santa picture anyhow. If I were taking the "Christmas card" shot I'd want the DLH setup. But the GCH has Santa at night and is way more visible, so that's where everyone seems to go.

PHXscuba

 

[Orbitron]

Great trip report and pictures. It's fun reading it, because it brings good memories back to our trip last year. We were at the Disneyland Resort from December 1st to 9th.

 

[momof2n2]

sounds like you better do it this year then! DIS meet in December?

If only I could get a tax return between now and then, I'd sign up for this!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Nice pictures from Winter Village and Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink. It was nice that the DLR improved the Winter Village last year when you compare the other Winter Village in 2012 where the shop stands are better decorated. It was nice to see the DTD Christmas tree last year and in the middle of the ice rink. It will be nice to see the Winter Village return this coming year and maybe with more improvements to it.

Your pictures of you and your DD with Santa at the GCH with the Christmas tree is very nice. It is so amazing to see the GCH lobby all decorated during the holiday season.

The Grand Californian lobby is a must see for everyone visiting DLR at Christmas time. As is the lobby at the Wilderness Lodge. Both are similar, and just so........ grand.

I love that when we go back this year we'll finally be able to make our own comparisons of the resorts over time. I love hearing from posters like you and Sherry comparing this or that detail to last year and look forward to doing it myself this year!

I love the pictures of your DD, you and Santa. You both look so happy in them.

Did the carolers sound good? Wish I could hear them.

Thanks PiO! The carolers sounded even better than they looked. They were awesome.

You make me want to try December.
Such a busy month for us, though...
Beautiful pictures.

I hear you. Doing Disney in December certainly adds to the hectic factor. But once you do it....... It's an amazing island in the sea of craziness that time of year.

How neat there was an ice rink right in there. I do love the Carolers costumes too.
Did Katie give Santa new ideas for Christmas that time?

The ice rink is cool. He he ....... see what I did there? OK, sorry that's just the mood I'm in today. And I'm glad they got one at DHS now too. I'd be shocked if at least that part of the promotion doesn't stay around through the holidays there.

And I don't think Katie gave Santa any different ideas. Thankfully. But it had only been a few hours since telling him she wanted red Vans.

Just wonderful images from the hotels Janet. We always go so soon in November that we miss the decorations at the hotels which is a big part of the Christmas spirit at Disneyland. I can't remember did you say you have stayed at all three properties? I have stayed at GC and DLH but not PP and have always wondered about if I would enjoy it. I know I would love being able to view WoC from there in the evening.

The decorations are lovely and I didn't know that there were three separate Sandy Claws. Did you say you got any pool time when you were there? Was it warm enough? May I ask were you using a flash for the Carolers or Christmas tree in GC?

Thanks Mike! I don't know that we'll spend as much time touring the hotels again this year, but it's something everyone should do at least once. Although I bet I end up doing it all again, just to make comparisons to last year!

We have now stayed at all 3 hotels. We stayed at DLH on 2 or 3 of our early trips, then at GCH in 2010 when they were running some great discounts. I'm glad I went with my gut and stayed there when the price was "reasonable". We're shooting for PPH again this year, just as the least expensive way to stay onsite. But we got 20% off last year, and so far I'm not seeing any chances to do the same. We used cheaptickets.com and so far this year thy only have premium view rooms listed, and that's more than I want to spend.

Katie would have loved some pool time, but it was never warm enough. I'm sure that will be high on our priorities this year.

All of my shots from a distance in GCH were without a flash. I think everything up close were with a flash, but there could have been a few of just the tree without a flash. All of my shots with the carolers were with a flash. I just like having a light on faces.