Candlelight & Cannonballs! (MANY MARDI GRAS MASK PICS!) Dec. 2012- Start Pg.235/#3524

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by Carolwoodpr

Sherry, I know you said you didn't like the Walt and Mickey pictures but I have to say that I loved all of them. Having never seen this statue, your pictures gave me a picture in my head of what I have to look forward to seeing.

I have to agree with you on the color of the sky in the Christmas Tree pictures on BVS. Amazing pictures of that tree. How did you get them without so many people? I would expect people to always be at the base, so I am quite impressed with those pictures too.

And what can I say about the food porn at Trolly Treats. I can't wait to go into that store to see what else they offer and to get me some of that candy in the window. I LOVE your window shots.

Alex is lucky, he has two computers. So sorry yours is so bad. That is how Alex's desk top computer is. He is lucky though he got daddy's old laptop so uses that for almost everything now. He has to keep it plugged in because it won't hold a charge, but that is no big deal. I had problems uploading a cd to iTunes the other day. One CD took 45 minutes to upload and I was going crazy. I couldn't imagine having to wait that long every time I tried to do something. You must have the patience of a saint.

I know we have got to be getting close to the end of the trip report but we have something to look forward too. Your next trip report. That trip is only 2 weeks away. I can't wait for you to get back to your home hotel and have a blast.

This computer wouldn't even be able to load anything from a CD to iTunes. It would freeze up. It's almost 13 years old and has suffered major damage. In fact, I was just trying to get into my last post here to edit it and it took 20 minutes just for the edit feature to open up. I don't have the patience of a saint at all. This PC tests my patience, my sanity and my temperament on an hourly basis! There are times when I have literally almost tossed it out the window.

The BVS tree did have a lot of people all around it, everywhere. But for some reason I could deal with the people around the tree better than I could deal with the people around the Storytellers statue! I think the fact that the statue is at a regular height and not elevated makes a difference. We can't aim our cameras upward at it to take photos like we can with the Partners statue. So the people around it seem more intrusive!

Thank you, as always, for the very nice compliments.

Originally Posted by mvf-m11c

Nice pictures Sherry.

The Christmas Village that I saw during my trip wasn't that all great as I have read. Just regular stands selling Christmas merchandise and not too many different activities that night.

Excited that you will be back at the DLR during the Holiday season in 10 days.

Thank you, Bret.

Don't worry - I have not forgotten about your TR. I have seen what you've been posting and am fully planning to go back to your TR (and to "Boo to You") after I get done with this report (which will be very soon) and before I head out on the next DLR trip. Your fireworks pictures and your IASW pictures were absolutely spectacular - really, those fireworks photos were probably the best ones you've taken so far. And your IASWH photos are always good, but these seemed particularly crisp and clear. Good job, Bret!

I saw your Christmas Village pictures and I noticed one extra stand with merchandise that was not there a few days earlier, when I was at DLR. So they added that in but not much else. It wasn't that exciting of a Christmas village, was it?

One thing I wondered was, when you were at DLR was there a tree up in DTD (other than the little trees at the Village)? If not, I wonder if there is some kind of DTD tree there now. I think that DTD needs a big tree.

[Sherry E]

Fourth photo post for today! Yee haw! (So if you don't flip back to the previous page you are missing out on a lot of pictures!)

Continuing on at Marceline's Confectionery, Downtown Disney, 11-12-12...

Trees made of candy!



















Goodies!









One of my 'avant garde' shots of the World of Disney window display!









And...while still trying to compose myself after the excitement of the Christmas Village, I went back to Buena Vista Street...












And then I moseyed back to the Paradise Pier area...
















Finally, after only eating ice cream, peppermint bark and drinking a big Coke, I caved in to hunger for 'real' food and stopped in at a rather un-crowded Taste Pilots' Grill for a burger and onion rings...and a Coke in a holiday cup!


Burger & onion rings - $10.49
Coke - $2.99
AP 15% discount - $2.02
Tax - $.89

TOTAL = $12.35













Over to A Bug's Land/Flik's Fun Fair...










And who's that hiding in the shadows in his cute little Santa suit?










And what do you think my next stop was going to be? It shouldn't be a surprise!

More nighttime Christmas fun in Cars Land (11-12-12) coming up!

[DizNee Luver]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

Hmmm. The BBQ looks enticing. I'll think it through. I may not know what I'm doing until I actually get to DLR and see how things are rolling along and how much I am getting accomplished from my checklist of things to do.

Thank you for offering to treat for Surf's Up. That's very sweet. I may very well take you up on it and skip EE, but I'll figure it out when I'm there.

As for Laurie and I meeting up - Laurie and I will run into each other at DLR, I'm sure. We've met in person so we will recognize each other - plus, I'd recognize her family from the photos I've seen. I don't know yet what I'm going to be doing beyond my first day at DLR. I have things I want to accomplish, but I kind of want to wing it and just roam freely, playing it all by ear.

At this point, I just want to actually get there - get to DLR and get settled in - and then worry about everything else later.

What's funny is that, even though I joke about running into Laurie by the Christmas tree at the PPH - because that would be the most obvious place to run into each other, since we're both staying there - what will probably end up happening is that we won't see each other in the most obvious spot, just because that would be too easy. We will probably bump into each other in a totally unexpected place, like, say, in a gift shop in the middle of Frontierland or something.

Laurie is going to be at DLR long enough to where she will probably be meeting up with people every day! She should just set up a location - like Santa's photo spots at the hotels - and let people come to her!

I'll let you decide and if you want to join us for any of the meals....we'll figure it out!!

That's funny....... We'll never see each other at the PPH, but run into one another in the gift shops.....or bathroom.......or on the train.......etc. You would think the hotel would be the place or coming or going.....but you're right....we'll probably run into each other in an unexpected place!!

Hmmmmm, a meet-n-greet place for me?! I like it!!!

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by DizNee Luver

I'll let you decide and if you want to join us for any of the meals....we'll figure it out!!

That's funny....... We'll never see each other at the PPH, but run into one another in the gift shops.....or bathroom.......or on the train.......etc. You would think the hotel would be the place or coming or going.....but you're right....we'll probably run into each other in an unexpected place!!

Hmmmmm, a meet-n-greet place for me?! I like it!!!

As long as your phone # is the same, I still have it stored in my phone and can call or text when I figure out what I'm doing.

I think that's what will happen - we'll probably never see each other in the most obvious places (at the PPH, or crossing the street from the GCH to the PPH/vice versa), but will run into each other in some random unexpected spot.

After last year's fiasco - in which my 'friend' "M" and her group ran smack dab into me in the middle of DCA, immediately after flaking out on me and blowing me off for other people - I think anything is possible!

Yes! You need to just get your own little meet-n-greet spot and let the masses come to you!

[Carolwoodpr]

Hmm...your burger didn't look that enticing in the photo. Was it good? The onion rings looked good, but sparse.

Again, you got me with the candy porn. Those ribbon candy Christmas tree's you took pictures of, for some reason they remind me of my childhood but I can't exactly remember why. Maybe when I see them in person the memory will come to me. That reminds me of a story I shared on facebook about a ceramic Christmas tree I inherited. Hopefully soon you can accept my friend request and see the post - I think you will like it. And yeah, I know, getting FB to load is a pita.

I too like the Cheshire Cat hat Christmas ornament you took a picture of. I may have to purchase that for my tree this year.

Sherry I am absolutely loving all the pictures and you are making my anticipation higher with each and every post you make. I guess I should get over to the Christmas thread and see what is happening there but I have been so busy time is of the essence and your TR comes first in my mind.

When you post pictures from the trip you are taking in a few weeks I will be absolutely giddy with anticipation for our trip since we are going a week later. I can't wait to see those pictures, and hope and pray that you get to see the Candlelight Processional.

Maybe you and Laurie should do all of those meals together, girl you need to eat when you are there, and this would force you to do it! So if you can swing two additional meals since Laurie is going to treat you to surfs up, go for it. Live on the edge.

Are you planning on Goofy's Kitchen with Shawn and Jackie? You mentioned meeting up with friends so had to ask.

[PHXscuba]

Those ear hat ornaments are absolutely adorable! Must ... resist ... urge ... to check Disney Store online (like I haven't spent enough there already).

Loving the Marceline's photos. I'm not as wild for the pre-packaged stuff at Disneyland, but anything fresh in the case just makes my mouth water, even from 400 miles away!

How frustrating with your computer. I have had times like that. How about for the next one you get a laptop that you can move around to get away from the sunny window or sit somewhere you can get your leg comfortable? Here's hoping!

PHXscuba

[Sherry E]

And where have I been since I posted the fourth installment of photos until now? Trying to get my computer to work. Again, it froze up. Then it started to work again, and then it froze again. And then I lost the entire post of photos for the fifth installment of the day, so had to copy them again.


Anyway, this is the fifth photo post for today. Even though my computer has been freezing up and staying frozen in between each of these posts, I still forge ahead! I am more stressed and anxiety-filled because of it, but I have to get this finished.

Continuing on in Cars Land as nighttime settles in - 11/12/12!

Snowy was still quite the popular car about town, and the people were still lining up to get PhotoPass pictures with him. I had to snap quickly to get him without people posing in the shot.








At Fillmore's Taste-In...







At Mater's Junkyard Jamboree...the tree is very beautiful, in a wacky automotive sort of way...








These are the lights on Mater's tree...









This is the Petting Zoo - I think it could have used something more than just the garland. It looks like it needs a little miniature tree, I think.















Sarge's Surplus Hut's tree...














This tree at Sarge's is absolutely gorgeous!























Over at Flo's, there is a nighttime PhotoPass person set up in front...














The tower of tires at Luigi's is not all that impressive as a holiday 'tree' - they could have done more with it. In the Disneyland holiday TV ad, this tower of tires looks more decorated than it actually is.

Coming up - I will wrap this photo report up with the final few photos from my very productive day trip to Disneyland Resort (and especially Cars Land/Buena Vista Street) on the first day of the holiday season - 11/12/12! (But don't worry - there will be a photo bonanza coming soon, in the wake of my 12/9-12/12 DLR holiday visit.)

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by Carolwoodpr

Hmm...your burger didn't look that enticing in the photo. Was it good? The onion rings looked good, but sparse.

Again, you got me with the candy porn. Those ribbon candy Christmas tree's you took pictures of, for some reason they remind me of my childhood but I can't exactly remember why. Maybe when I see them in person the memory will come to me. That reminds me of a story I shared on facebook about a ceramic Christmas tree I inherited. Hopefully soon you can accept my friend request and see the post - I think you will like it. And yeah, I know, getting FB to load is a pita.

I too like the Cheshire Cat hat Christmas ornament you took a picture of. I may have to purchase that for my tree this year.

Sherry I am absolutely loving all the pictures and you are making my anticipation higher with each and every post you make. I guess I should get over to the Christmas thread and see what is happening there but I have been so busy time is of the essence and your TR comes first in my mind.

When you post pictures from the trip you are taking in a few weeks I will be absolutely giddy with anticipation for our trip since we are going a week later. I can't wait to see those pictures, and hope and pray that you get to see the Candlelight Processional.

Maybe you and Laurie should do all of those meals together, girl you need to eat when you are there, and this would force you to do it! So if you can swing two additional meals since Laurie is going to treat you to surfs up, go for it. Live on the edge.

Are you planning on Goofy's Kitchen with Shawn and Jackie? You mentioned meeting up with friends so had to ask.

Thank you.

The burger at TPG is something I've gotten before. It's okay - not great, but it hit the spot at the time.

My trip is in 10 days. I probably won't get too many of those photos posted before you leave. Maybe some, but not many.

I don't know what my Orange County friends and I are doing yet. I always see them on the first day when I do these trips. All I know is that I'm seeing them. Anything else will be figured out when I see them.

I'm not on Facebook enough to keep up with status updates. Laurie knows this about me. Michele knows this about me. I can't hang out on Facebook for more than a few minutes at a time because I just don't have the patience to deal with my computer freezing up - especially when Facebook is not a mandatory thing. It's not something I have to do. And I sometimes go a week or two without signing on at all.

I'm not even sure I'm joining Laurie for one meal, and now you've got me eating at least 3 meals with her and her family? I appreciate the input, but she and I will figure it out.

It's not a matter of living on the edge/not living on the edge or eating vs. not eating. It's a matter of doing what I want to do or not doing what I don't want to do - like, for example, IF I decide to do the Early Entry to DCA on my final morning, which I won't know until closer to that day, I'd like to be free to do it. This is a solo trip for me, remember? I have a bunch of things I want to try to accomplish, and not much time to do them. Plus, I'm not necessarily interested in eating at all of the places that Laurie has carefully planned out for her family! Also, I like to eat when the mood hits me and when I feel really hungry - not necessarily at a set time.

So I will play it by ear and see what happens as I go along. Right now, as I mentioned earlier, I just need to get to DLR and get settled. Then I will see about everything else.

Originally Posted by PHXscuba

Those ear hat ornaments are absolutely adorable! Must ... resist ... urge ... to check Disney Store online (like I haven't spent enough there already).

Loving the Marceline's photos. I'm not as wild for the pre-packaged stuff at Disneyland, but anything fresh in the case just makes my mouth water, even from 400 miles away!

How frustrating with your computer. I have had times like that. How about for the next one you get a laptop that you can move around to get away from the sunny window or sit somewhere you can get your leg comfortable? Here's hoping!

PHXscuba

PHX -

There were many, many different ear hat ornaments, in all sorts of Disney styles. They were so cool. If I were still a collector like I used to be in the old days, I'd probably be buying all of them. Now, I can look at them and appreciate them...but I don't need to have them. (Just remember - you can get 3 of them for $50 at World of Disney!)

A laptop would be nice. At this point, a whole new desktop system would be nice. That's what I need - a whole new system, with all new software, a new printer that is small enough to fit on my table, a new monitor. The works. This one is just too damaged and old (the hard drive is basically like Swiss cheese) to fix.

[tksbaskets]

I speechless! Five great installments in one day?? We have to break out

I think my favorites are of CL at night. I can't get over how wonderful the whimsical decorations are. Tires, air filters, all at their twinkling best.

Of the merchandise I like the cookies and milk for Santa set.

OH, I love the new digs for the Santa op. I just watched Miracle on 34th street and it does have the same vibe.

Hope you are feeling tons better!

TK

[kaoden39]

I am thinking that maybe it is a good thing that we didn't go. I would shot my entire budget on the ornaments! They are so cute!

[mvf-m11c]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

Thank you, Bret.

Don't worry - I have not forgotten about your TR. I have seen what you've been posting and am fully planning to go back to your TR (and to "Boo to You") after I get done with this report (which will be very soon) and before I head out on the next DLR trip. Your fireworks pictures and your IASW pictures were absolutely spectacular - really, those fireworks photos were probably the best ones you've taken so far. And your IASWH photos are always good, but these seemed particularly crisp and clear. Good job, Bret!

I saw your Christmas Village pictures and I noticed one extra stand with merchandise that was not there a few days earlier, when I was at DLR. So they added that in but not much else. It wasn't that exciting of a Christmas village, was it?

One thing I wondered was, when you were at DLR was there a tree up in DTD (other than the little trees at the Village)? If not, I wonder if there is some kind of DTD tree there now. I think that DTD needs a big tree.

I know that you are a very busy person and you are getting ready for your upcoming trip to DL during the Holiday season. Glad that you like those pictures of Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks as well as IASWH. Most of the DISers say that those are the best firework pictures that I have ever taken. I really was satisfy with the picture qualities on the fireworks, but it would have been nice if my lens was a little wider so I can get more in the picture. But if I have a wider lens or moved back from my spot, I would be able to get everything. Overall it was great and I was happy that the pictures turned out well. I do appreciate it Sherry.

The Christmas Village at DTD wasn't all that great as we have thought. They should have added something interesting to the Christmas Village instead of just the stores and the Ice Rink.

I didn't see the big tree that we have seen at DTD the last few years. When I was in DTD on Friday the 16th, I was hoping to see a Christmas tree in DTD. But with the Ice Rink taking the spot of the tree where it used to be, there wasn't any good spot to put the tree. DTD needs a tree just like at the parks & hotels. Maybe there might be one when you go later on next month.

Glad that you are able to do more updates from your November trip. I still have a long way to go and post all my updates from my trip. Nice job.

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

I speechless! Five great installments in one day?? We have to break out

I think my favorites are of CL at night. I can't get over how wonderful the whimsical decorations are. Tires, air filters, all at their twinkling best.

Of the merchandise I like the cookies and milk for Santa set.

OH, I love the new digs for the Santa op. I just watched Miracle on 34th street and it does have the same vibe.

Hope you are feeling tons better!

TK

TK -

Thank you! I think that, overall, my back/hip/leg situation is better - or back to its usual state of the mild discomfort that I experience all the time. For example, now I can sit in a chair without wincing in pain. But, every so often, I will twist a certain way - you know, just twist at the waist a little bit during everyday movement, and it hurts a lot. So while the general pain seems to have subsided a great deal, there is still something in my back or hip or whatever that has been aggravated and is still inflamed. That's what I have to watch out for. If I don't do anything to tweak that further over the course of the next week, then hopefully I will not be any worse off when it's time to head to DLR.

I have to be super careful when it comes to my heavy bags - carrying them to and from vehicles, or to and from the Bell desk at the hotel, can be rough.

Yes - a is definitely in order here! Or maybe a double shot of Dancing Bananas - ! I knew I had to crank out the TR installments now, because it is getting ever closer to the trip date. I wanted to be done with the pictures from 11-12-12 before I leave for the next trip, so that I'm not backlogged. I only have one more installment to go - and that literally has only 2-4 photos in it. And then I am going to be bogged down with pre-trip stuff all next week, and won't have much time to do anything else.

You know, I really like that cookies & milk/Santa set too! I think that is the cutest idea. Kids must have a lot of fun with that. The merchandise at DLR was a little lackluster for a few years, but all of a sudden it got better. Now it is to the point where there are so many cute things that's hard to take it all in!

The location for Santa at Elias & Co. is very bright - not dim and moody, like the old Reindeer Round-Up spot was. That is very much like the old department store Santa spots. But the Jingle Jangle Jamboree has an outdoor location for Santa, and on a day like today - when it is raining a lot - I wonder where the JJJ Santa goes?

I have to say, I agree with you - I think the Cars Land decorations are my favorite too. I really thought I would love the BVS decorations best - and I will give them a second chance when I get back to DLR in 9 days - but the Cars Land decor is so thorough, so theme-specific and so whimsical that it's hard to not love it. Plus, it makes a bigger impact at night than the BVS decor does. And I say this, being a person who cares nothing about automobiles in real life, as well as being someone who has openly admitted to not loving "Cars," the movie. So if I can love the CL decorations, then a big "Cars" fan will be in heaven!

Don't get me wrong - I think the BVS decorations are ideal for BVS. I get the whole minimalist approach. It's a more elegant, classy kind of vibe. I get that the BVS decor is not supposed to be blindingly bright and over the top. However, after you've become accustomed to Main Street's decor - and especially Main Street at night, which is just glorious during the holidays - BVS seems to be a bit inferior. And after being used to the Golden Gate Bridge's holiday lights and decorations, the new Glendale Hyperion Bridge just does not pack the same punch at all. So it all boils down to a matter of readjusting my old California Adventure holiday perspective and getting used to a new DCA holiday perspective, I suppose.

I want to experience BVS again, though - I want to be there for the Bell Ringers, and I would like to see the tree being lit. I think that BVS has the potential for a real authentic Christmasy feel, with singers in holiday attire and all of that.

Both BVS and CL have the advantage of music, too - the holiday songs in both lands are theme-specific and quite audible, so you are kept in the holiday spirit the whole time.

Originally Posted by kaoden39

I am thinking that maybe it is a good thing that we didn't go. I would shot my entire budget on the ornaments! They are so cute!

Michele -

I know what you mean. In a way, I'm glad I have no money to spend. I wouldn't want to be tempted! I think those ear hat ornaments are probably a big hit. They are sturdy, and they can be used as little figurines on display when they are not hanging on trees! And the different Disney themes are just great.

Even the other ornaments - not the ear hat ones, but the really elegant (painted glass) ones that come in different colors and designs - are just beautiful. I know that Laurie owns some of them and has them on her tree, but there are soooo many different designs.

Originally Posted by mvf-m11c

I know that you are a very busy person and you are getting ready for your upcoming trip to DL during the Holiday season. Glad that you like those pictures of Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks as well as IASWH. Most of the DISers say that those are the best firework pictures that I have ever taken. I really was satisfy with the picture qualities on the fireworks, but it would have been nice if my lens was a little wider so I can get more in the picture. But if I have a wider lens or moved back from my spot, I would be able to get everything. Overall it was great and I was happy that the pictures turned out well. I do appreciate it Sherry.

The Christmas Village at DTD wasn't all that great as we have thought. They should have added something interesting to the Christmas Village instead of just the stores and the Ice Rink.

I didn't see the big tree that we have seen at DTD the last few years. When I was in DTD on Friday the 16th, I was hoping to see a Christmas tree in DTD. But with the Ice Rink taking the spot of the tree where it used to be, there wasn't any good spot to put the tree. DTD needs a tree just like at the parks & hotels. Maybe there might be one when you go later on next month.

Glad that you are able to do more updates from your November trip. I still have a long way to go and post all my updates from my trip. Nice job.

Bret -

The fireworks photos are really amazing.

The Christmas Village would be a cool idea if it actually looked like a village! If Disney could somehow find more space between the DLH and DTD to set up extra tents and stands, it would seem more Village-ish. Right now it seems like an ice rink with a couple of tiny stands.

Downtown Disney is a shopping center and it needs its own Christmas tree, like every shopping center has. Even if the tree is not a gigantic one, it needs some sort of a main tree. I have not had time to keep up with any recent comments or posts about DTD, so I'm not sure if a tree went up after Thanksgiving (which is when the trees go up at the hotels). I know that DTD always plays holiday music and there was no holiday music on 11/12, so I can imagine it must be playing now.

I only have a few more pictures to post from 11/12. I took over 700 pictures in that one day. You had 3 days to take pictures so I'm sure you won't be done with your TR from 11/16-11/18 for quite a while! You probably have a lot of ground to cover.

On 11/12 I was trying to snap a lot of pictures in a short period of time, but when I go back in 9 days I'd really like to kind of focus more on getting some different things or looking for interesting photo spots/perspectives that I haven't captured yet. I don't want to feel like I am just taking the same photos every time I go for the holidays. I may end up with the same stuff every year, but I'd really like to try to be creative and come up with some new ideas when I get to DLR on 12/9. We'll see if I succeed in this plan or not. I may come back with the same set of pictures I always have after a holiday trip!

[funatdisney]

Beautiful pics, Sherry. No.... really stunning pics and narrative.

I know I have been MIA. Life's been busy.

Happy you are going in about a week! Should be awesome!

As for me, going with the Hubby tomorrow for 2 days. I got lucky and was able book a one bedroom at the Villas just last month. When I saw the availability on the DVC member website, I just couldn't pass it up. I plan on taking some pics, but I really don't have much time to do so. Plus there is the Candlelight Processional that will make it hard to get through (I am not going)

[Sherry E]

Well, as I come to the conclusion of this Disneyland Resort holiday photo report from 11-12-12 and anticipate my upcoming annual multi-night stay at the Paradise Pier Hotel in just over one week, I realize I made the right choice by switching my arrival date from 12/2 to 12/9.

It is raining now - and from what the news says it should be raining on and off throughout the weekend. The last thing I need is to be out in the rain, taking photos at DLR and ruining my camera.

Yes, I like the look of pictures taken on rainy days, but I don't want to risk ruining my camera...and I don't want to not be able to take photos. Many people enjoy being at DLR on rainy days - but that's because there are no lines for the rides and the parks are pretty empty. If you are someone who can easily skip rides and who likes to take lots and lots of photos, however, and your camera is not prepared for wet weather, it can be a big mess!

The last time I was at DLR in the rain was 4 years ago - in December 2008. And my camera died shortly after I took these pictures:

I was able to get a new camera the following year because, at that time, I had a couple of good clients and some steady work coming in. If the same thing were to happen now I would not be able to get a new camera.

So I am glad I delayed my upcoming DLR holiday trip by one week! Currently, Accuweather shows 81 degrees for Sunday, 12/9 (too warm for December), and lower temperatures each day after that - but no rain.


So, continuing on with the last few photos from 11-12-12...

The look of Cars Land at night continued to amaze me. Again, remember that I did not see it at night back in June when I did the preview, and had only seen photos of it since then. Seeing it in person is a whole different story, especially during the holiday season. All of the wacky Christmas trees are really cool.

I like the green and purple of the Ramone's facade, with the slight hint of the red mountain range in the background...









And then, with a simple step or two forward, the red rocks magically disappear!










Goodnight, Santa Stanley!








I'll see you again in 9 days!









And that's all, folks!

All in all, it was a productive, rewarding trip. I had to rest here and there during the day, as the sun was getting to me. I didn't feel well for a couple of days after 11/12 because of it. That darn sun always gets me.

I also had an incident in which I was walking through Downtown Disney, unaware that a girl and her boyfriend (I assume he was her boyfriend) were so close behind me. I turned left towards the Grand Californian Hotel property, then stopped to look at something in a window, and noticed that the girl was glaring at me as she passed by. I am guessing that she was not paying attention to where she was walking because she was chatting with the guy. So when I stopped she didn't notice it right away, and by the time she looked up she almost bumped into me. So, as they walked off into the GCH she was shooting me dirty looks over her shoulder - as if it was my fault and as if it was going to ruin her entire evening.

I was initially going to apologize, just because it seemed like a polite thing to do even though I sensed this girl had not been paying attention to where she was walking. But as soon as I saw her glaring - and continuing to glare - at me as she walked away, I was no longer sorry and I glared back at her! I have no patience for people like that. Get over it, already! You didn't bump into me. Everyone made it out alive. I am entitled to stop. I don't have a built-in brake light or turn signal. You should have been paying attention but you weren't. So move on!

As I was saying to another friend, it's not like we were in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Main Street, or in a line for Haunted Mansion Holiday or something. It was Downtown Disney. What possible good reason is there to walk so close behind another person in DTD? It's okay to allow space between you and the person in front of you - it's just Downtown Disney! Keep your distance, for corn's sake!



But, overall, I'm satisfied with the trip, and with the majority of the photos I got because I think I covered a broad range of things in one day - holiday decor, merchandise and treats. I think I got a good array of photos of all of the new things (including the Jingle Jangle Jamboree and the breathtakingly thrilling "Christmas Village"). I got a lot of daytime photos. I got some good dusk photos as well, and my nighttime photos were not too bad!

I ate some tasty peppermint ice cream...which turned out to be a good thing since my supermarket doesn't appear to be carrying it this year. I also got a couple of free peppermint bark samples.

Oh - and I also briefly saw Jessica/Belle Ella (who I saw back in June too). Very briefly. The first time I tried to catch her she was on her break. By the time I went back she was about to leave work and had to clock out, then meet up with someone. So hopefully I will be able to see her for a little bit longer during my upcoming trip.

Thanks, everyone, for tuning in. I don't know how much time I will or will not have to get back here over the next week and post any detailed updates about the 12/9-12/12 trip, as I will be super-busy, but I will pop in very quickly here and there!

[mysteriouspnai]

I enjoyed your Veteran's day trip report Thank you so much for sharing! DBF and I went for Veteran's day weekend, and it just so happens we'll be there on Dec 9 as well xD. I feel like there's been several trips where we both go at the same time! I like reliving my trips through your trip reports. Can't wait to see your PTR for this upcoming trip!