Jenasweetemotion -- Thank you for posting the photo of the WWS gingerbread house! I love the not-so-hidden Mickey on it. In the past, the WWS houses didn't have any hidden Mickeys that I could find. I'm glad that the cute little trees and snowmen are back as well.
I notice that this year's WWS gingerbread house is on a different counter than the counter where it had been set up for the last couple of years. From your photo, it almost looks as if this year's house was made specifically to fit in that little nook next to the baked goods.
xApril -- I'm actually not sure how the digital downloads work for the on-ride photos. I assume it means that it's in your PhotoPass account (as well as the actual photo you bought) and not that you can print unlimited photos from the download, but I can't be entirely sure.
tlovesdis -- I hope your birthday trip is amazing! Yes, the crowds were supposedly crazy yesterday from all reports that I've read -- it wasn't just the Candlelight crowds alone. It was likely the combination of the Candlelight people, the RaverDay people and probably some pharmacists in town for their Midyear meeting (which started today), especially the ones who are staying at the DLR hotels.
disneygrandma -- Thank you for reporting back to us about your trip! It definitely sounds as though there were some good moments and some not so good moments.
The inconsistency of information given out from Cast Members seems to be a trend, unfortunately.
You bring up very good points about rain at DLR. A lot of people talk about how they love being at DLR in the rain (I'm
not one of them, by the way). Maybe those are people who can get back to DLR often enough so that if they miss something on one trip they will have another chance to do it again soon.
Or, maybe the people who enjoy being at DLR in the rain are the ones who come from states that get rain much more regularly than California does, and so they don't think twice about it. I'm not sure.
But the truth is -- as you described, from your experiences -- a lot of things will simply close or not happen at all (like the parade, etc.) if it rains at DLR. And then when those things start up again, the lines and crowds are bigger because there are many people trying to play catch-up and see/do the things that they missed on the rainy days.
Orbitron -- Thank you for reporting back here as well! It sounds like you did a lot of things on your trip, and went many places! When you were at LEGOLAND, did they already have their cute
LEGO Christmas displays up -- or was it too early in the season? Grinchmas at Universal Studios didn't start until, I think, yesterday, 12/6 (I'm not sure why it starts so late)!
And you were at The Grove! That's in my neighborhood! Did you stay to see the snow at night? I don't know if you saw the photos that I shared from The Grove and Farmers Market (I posted them in this thread on Thanksgiving), but one comment I made was that I felt that the snowfall at The Grove was actually better than the snowfall at DL. Of course, the snow at DL comes with lights and fireworks and nice aromas wafting through the air and all of that wonderful Disney magic. But in terms of how much actual snow falls, I think there is more snow at The Grove, and I think it falls (or seems to fall) for a longer period of time at The Grove than it does at DL.
As for the Winter Village in Downtown Disney -- was this your first year seeing it? Wasn't it there last year when you visited, or did you miss seeing it in 2013? I agree that it is lacking when compared to the fun Christmas markets that can be found throughout Europe. I haven't even been to Europe and I can see (from TV specials) that the Christmas markets are charming and festive. I would love it if Disney did something like that. Since we don't have an Epcot to celebrate different holiday traditions, it would be amazing if Disney could throw in a Christmas market sort of situation in DTD, or somewhere in DCA.
However, the Winter Village -- as it is right now -- is a huge step up from what it was back in 2012, when it was barely there at all. It's a big improvement. So it may not be as charming as an authentic Christmas market, but at least Disney isn't taking a step back with it and scaling it down. Also, it's an added bit of holiday cheer in Downtown Disney, and DTD really needs the extra holiday cheer!
We are back from our Holiday Disneyland visit! It was wonderful! I am so grateful I had these boards to read leading up to our visit. It was so helpful while we were there. I will come back and write up a few thoughts after I have caught up on some things. We are already plotting our return trip next holiday season!
Tracy -- I can't wait to hear about your trip, since it had been soooooooooo long since your last DLR visit.
And also... I can't wait to find out what you think of
Mr. Miracle!
Let me just say this... maybe I wasn't concentrating on it or focusing enough. Maybe I somehow just didn't 'get' it. Maybe the casting was horrible, and another actor should have played the title role. But it will be joining
One Christmas Eve near the bottom of my rankings. It is no
Mrs. Miracle, which is a gem!
However, I can't wait for Alicia Witt's new movie tonight! She can't let me down! I have loved her other Hallmark/Lifetime movies, and I have faith!
Jenasweetemotion --
Thank you so much for taking the time to write up your report for us!
I really, really appreciate it, and I'm sure that everyone else will too.
My goodness! That is a really long drive back -- yikes!
Well, I'm so glad that Disney made things right for you and moved you over to the GCH (I am hoping they didn't charge you anything extra for that hotel) after the DLH fiasco. It sounds like the Disneyland Hotel was just not meant to be on that specific trip, from the under the weather CM to the noisy neighbors, to the noisy mini-fridge! Maybe on another trip the DLH would have been fine. The noisy neighbors would have been too much for me. I get enough 'noisy neighbor nonsense' at home -- if I am going to stay at a Disney hotel I don't want to be bothered there too!
The time spent at Steakhouse 55 sounds a bit long -- almost 2 hours.
The scent on Jingle Cruise that you didn't like -- was that the cinnamon, or some other aroma?
Although I am not personally a fan of being at Disneyland in the rain, I totally agree that it clears out a lot of people (which is awesome), cuts down lines (even better) and makes everything looks shiny, sparkly and magical when the rain stops! I'm sure you got some great photos during that rare window of time in which the park was not packed with people and the pathways were glistening!
The cupcakes and roses at Plaza Inn sound lovely! What a nice anniversary treat.
Did you notice that any bites had been taken out of the GCH gingerbread house?