I would rather be here on the DLR side of the board than the WDW since you and all the other DISers are very friendly like I have said over and over again. It would be nice if WDW has something like this thread, right now they just have the
MVMCP thread which is nice to understand all the tips during that exclusive event.
I just read Bumbershoot TR and looks like she is having a great time at the WDW resort. You are right that the resorts are so much fun you forget where you are during your trip. When I went to WDW for the first time in 96, the Contemporary hotel which I have stayed was so great and they had a lot of things to do instead of going to the park. The WDW hotels are very great but I got to understand where I am at and enjoy it more at the parks than at the hotel. But all the different activities at the hotels gets you occupied so easily. I really do enjoy all the three hotels at the DLR and it is so easy to access all three hotels at once than at WDW where you to different locations.
Bret - one problem with doing a "Resort Only" vacation at WDW is that all the hotels are not necessarily next to each other, correct? Some of them are close together but others are far apart, as I've heard. So it might require more time and energy getting from hotel to hotel to hotel than to just get from one park to another. At least at DLR, with the 3 little hotels we have, you can easily walk from one to another.
Sherry I hope whatever it was that tried to make you sick went away and stays away. We have had a nasty bug passed around up here in Nor Cal that hangs on and hangs on. I still have not found the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha ice cream they teased me with.
I know what you mean about spearmint and peppermint. I can't explain to a non-peppermint person at a coffee place that Creme de Mint is NOT the same as peppermint!
I am not a white chocolate fan and the peppermint fudge looks like that variety. If it was a dark chocolate with the peppermint then
you would know where to find me! I am going to have to try the marshmallow stick with it rolled in the peppermint, though!
Sorry to ramble on but this thread gets me going! OK, off to work to earn a few more dollars to spend @
Disneyland!
SueTGGR - Don't worry about rambling! I think we all appreciate that anyone takes the time to write something thoughtful and detailed and actually pays attention to what's happening in the thread!
Thank you - I think I have warded off whatever it was that was trying to get me. But I know what you mean - there is something going around that is making people sick for weeks and weeks. Even when they think it's gone, it's not really gone.
I have a feeling my local Ralphs probably will have the Starbucks ice cream, but I have been avoiding the ice cream until after I get to DLR and back home - mainly because I know if I head to the ice cream section, I will end up buying the Dreyer's Peppermint Ice cream...and I want to wait and eat it in a chocolate sprinkled cone at DLR!! I would feel like I am cheating if I eat it before! But once I get home from DLR, I will raid the ice cream section of the store and load up on the Dreyer's and the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha!!
You're right - people get their 'mints' confused. I realize it is hard to explain to a non-peppermint person what the difference is, so then I break it down in colors! I tend to say, "When you think of spearmint, think of green. When you think of peppermint, think of candy canes and pink!"
HAHA!
I need real human confirmation on the weather because I'm starting to wonder what the heck are we going to pack?
Warmer weather means less clothes too launder... YES!!!
Have a wonderful time there Sherry! Post pictures!!!
cseca - of course, you have a bit of time before you head to DLR, so you never know - the weather could change drastically again. This really has been one of the oddest weather years in SoCal that I've ever experienced. You may not get the toasty 80 degrees I am supposed to get on Sunday. You may get the 50's or 60's!!
I've been to DLR in December when it was literally so cold my teeth were chattering and I had to wear big, honkin' Mickey earmuffs and big, giant coats and scarves and gloves. Even in the daytime it was cold (but I loved it!). And I've been to DLR in December when I was wearing a t-shirt at night, with no jacket. In fact, one of our DIS'ers here - smiley_face2 - had a photo a while back in which she was wearing shorts in December!! I have also been there when it poured rain everywhere and I had to lug my umbrella around.
But for right now, the forecast for the next week - with the exception of one day that looked rainy - is supposed to be decent and kinda warm for December. And it feels warmer in my apartment now - it was beginning to feel too much like the Arctic Circle for a while....which I love, because I HATE heat!!! I am no hot weather fan, so I don't mind living on the frozen tundra.
I actually skipped the peppermint ice cream
because I have some here and I was COLD most of the weekend! Lots of hot cocoa (Disney's is better then La Brea Bakery, we decided).
I liked the peppermint fudge on the Holiday Tour. I thought the regular fudge was OK, but the peppermint was better. Of course I think everything is better with peppermint, so I'm not the best judge.
OK, off to upload MORE PHOTOS!
PHXscuba
Skipped the peppermint ice cream?
What on earth is the world coming to? Did you get to try the peppermint demitasse thingy? A peppermint mocha beverage, perhaps?
Thanks for warning me about the cocoa at La Brea Bakery. I might have ended up with it and now I know the stuff in DL is better.
Our first afternoon and evening we spent in DTD and at the hotels. Despite many trips, neither of us had done this much because we usually have the DHs and kids in tow.
We saw the carolers in the front lobby of the Disneyland hotel (I think the same set amamax posted a few pages ago). Then we came around the corner near Goofy's and saw Santa -- with NO ONE around but one family getting off his lap and the photogs. So we took a picture -- I'm the brunette on the right.
We also saw this monster wreath -- the floor-to-ceiling windows behind it should give you a clue to its size. I didn't think I could get it in my van, so we left it at the DLH.
Sherry, I can't thank you enough for your suggestion to hang out in the great hall of the GCH. We found a couple chairs near the Christmas tree and spent an hour or so talking and watching people get their pictures with Santa (some adorable tiny babies), soaking up the ambience, etc. It's now on both of our lists to come back to.
PHXscuba
Cute photo with Santa!! You both look really happy to be there, and like you are having a great time! So Santa was at the DLH in the evening? If so, it sounds like they are switching things up a bit. He used to be at the DLH in the late morning/early afternoon.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the GCH lobby idea!! It's such a simple, understated thing to do - which may escape many people - and yet, it's so festive and holiday-esque!! It's such a cool holiday atmosphere, and it is fun to watch the people get their photos taken. Everyone seems to be in a good mood, and strangers chat amongst each other. When there are carolers by the tree (and I don't know if they are by the tree this year or not), people curl up on the couches and carpets to watch them. Was the pianist there or the guitarist by the fireplace?
And aren't those chairs deceptively comfortable? You look at them and they don't necessarily look all that comfy. But after a while of sitting in them you realize how relaxing they are!!
We will be on the holiday tour tonight! The parade seats look so awesome. Can someone please help me with seating for the fireworks at 7:30. We usually just plop down on the ground but my DMIL is with us and just had a knee replacement. Where is a really good spot to see the fireworks on a bench ? What time should we get there ! Should we just stay in our parade seats ? Thanks bunches !
Torgue - I hope you have a great time on the tour!! I don't know where a good bench spot is for the fireworks. I wish I could help with that. We were standing when I was there in November. I would start looking for a spot at least 90 minutes before hand, maybe even more. I'm sure others will have the same idea about sitting down.
So, out of curiosity I went to the Slema's website in hopes of being able to order some of those gingerbreads. No luck on that, but when I was looking around at what all they had...I have to say, it seems like Disney may be using more than just their gingerbread men. A LOT of the cookies and rice krispies look like the ones I saw in the parks.
MattsPrincess - Hmmm....now you've made me wonder how many of the DLR baked treats are actually coming from Selma's - whatever Selma's is. I am just baffled as to why they would not be baking their own stuff when they have a big, almost brand new, baking facility on the premises. What
are they baking in that facility? I assume Disney must contract Selma's out to bake their goodies, but somehow it seems less festive to get a cookie wrapped in Selma's wrapping when you are at DLR, I would think!!
Wow - that's gorgeous, Mike! And I stand by my earlier statement that you got a
lot accomplished in your one day at DLR!! So many photos in such a short time - and great photos, at that!!