Not too shabby for a consolation prize! A Dec 2013 TR! Update 5/3 p. 28 COMPLETED!

[Pinkocto]

I can just feel your excitement! That must have been cool to walk through DTD that early with nobody around. Those teacup chairs are too cute.

I didn't know they charge for phone calls anymore..

I want to see this candy cane!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh that's my favorite kind of split stay when you can pull it off seamlessly like that and the room is ready!

And a candy cane wristband!!!!!!!!!!! You SHOULD be excited

Seriously, even if we don't eat there this trip, I need to at least walk into the DL hotel, those chairs are so cool!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Sounds like everything worked smoothly. What a beautiful morning. Well done for getting the candy cane wristbands.

Corinna

 

[jedijill]

How cool! I first found out about the candy canes on the Food Network special. Someday I have to get to DL for the holidays!

Jill in CO

 

[Sherry E]

Jenny -

I'm going to have to get caught up on your more recent installments soon, but this latest one prompted me to comment on a few things before I forget!

1. The famous candy canes -- I'm so glad you nabbed a couple of candy canes, and without much difficulty! I remember that you posted a photo of one of them in the previous DLR Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (we're in a new thread now, as the former one hit the page limit).

Strangely -- and this is weird because you know I am the queen of peppermint ice cream -- I have no interest in getting one of those giant canes for myself! That is just too much peppermint for me. What's even funnier is that you don't like peppermint ice cream, do you? (I seem to recall that you mentioned that while discussions of Peppermint Wonderland ice cream were abuzz in the Superthread last year.) And yet you wanted the giant canes!



2. DTD in the morning -- I can totally understand the excitement of heading through DTD, early in the morning, when no one else is there.

I don't know if you remember, but in my former trip report thread (the one that no longer exists), I spoke of how much I absolutely love love love walking through DTD -- or from the hotels to DTD, or from DTD to the parks -- really early in the morning, just after dawn breaks and before a lot of people have awakened and left their hotel rooms. I especially love doing that in December -- when the air is crisp, quiet and still, and I can feel the brisk chill of almost-winter on my cheeks. The plants and flowers are dewy. Everything is fresh and clean. And even if I/you do happen to encounter -- gasp! -- other people who are awake and roaming around at that same time, DTD is not crowded, and everyone is chipper and full of cheer because they haven't been dealing with annoying crowds in the parks all day.

I find that time of the morning at DLR, during that specific time of the year, to be exhilarating, energizing and invigorating -- all of those things. It just puts me in a great mood for some reason, and that's before I ever even get to the parks.



3. The hotel schedule of activities -- I am so, so glad you posted that, because you confirmed I was not losing my mind!

My PPH stay was before your DLR trip (I got back home on 12/12) ...but I listened to the daily phone calls that came in from the hotel's front desk, alerting me to what kinds of activities were going on at the 3 hotels during the week I was there. In at least 2 of those calls I thought I recalled the CM saying something about "The Merriest Hotel(s) on Earth." There was a new holiday-related activity or tour or something that he/she was talking about, but I didn't catch what it was and I never went down to the PPH Guest Services desk to inquire about it, as I should have. I never saw anyone else (who had stayed onsite) mention it in the Superthread, so I began to wonder if I had imagined it.

Now I see from your hotel schedule that the holiday-related activity I heard about on my in-room phone calls must have been the "Merriest Holiday Hunt"!! What was that? Was it a holiday scavenger hunt of some kind? Oh, I wish I had paid more attention and done that while I was there! I wondered if the extra Disneyland Hotel decorations that were up last year had something to do with a holiday tour of some kind, but maybe they were part of the "Holiday Hunt"??

I am also noticing there was a "Winter Ornament Workshop"? I don't think that was going on while I was at DLR, but I would have signed up for that too! Drat! I missed out on two hotel-specific holiday activities. I really wish I had done the Holiday Hunt!

 

[mvf-m11c]

That was great that you were able to get the handmade Candy Canes at DL in the morning.

Nice update.

 

[rentayenta]

I can just feel your excitement! That must have been cool to walk through DTD that early with nobody around. Those teacup chairs are too cute.

I didn't know they charge for phone calls anymore..

I want to see this candy cane!

I posted a pic I think but I'll find it and repost. I bought two; one to eat and one I sprayed apoxy on and am going to hang it on the Christmad tree. Such happy memories.​

Oh that's my favorite kind of split stay when you can pull it off seamlessly like that and the room is ready!

And a candy cane wristband!!!!!!!!!!! You SHOULD be excited

Seriously, even if we don't eat there this trip, I need to at least walk into the DL hotel, those chairs are so cool!

You have to get a drink at Trader Sam's. You'll love it.

The split was seamless. Totally seamless. ​

Sounds like everything worked smoothly. What a beautiful morning. Well done for getting the candy cane wristbands.

Corinna

Thank you! I felt rather victorious. I am glad I forgot about the candy canes. Had I planned to get a qwrist band, I would have been a nervous Nellie. ​

How cool! I first found out about the candy canes on the Food Network special. Someday I have to get to DL for the holidays!

Jill in CO

They taste as good as they look. So worth it.​

Jenny -

I'm going to have to get caught up on your more recent installments soon, but this latest one prompted me to comment on a few things before I forget!

1. The famous candy canes -- I'm so glad you nabbed a couple of candy canes, and without much difficulty! I remember that you posted a photo of one of them in the previous DLR Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread (we're in a new thread now, as the former one hit the page limit).

Strangely -- and this is weird because you know I am the queen of peppermint ice cream -- I have no interest in getting one of those giant canes for myself! That is just too much peppermint for me. What's even funnier is that you don't like peppermint ice cream, do you? (I seem to recall that you mentioned that while discussions of Peppermint Wonderland ice cream were abuzz in the Superthread last year.) And yet you wanted the giant canes!

I am not a fan of peppermint ice cream. But I love candy canes and mint chip ice cream.​

2. DTD in the morning -- I can totally understand the excitement of heading through DTD, early in the morning, when no one else is there.

It was so relaxing and magical. ​

I don't know if you remember, but in my former trip report thread (the one that no longer exists), I spoke of how much I absolutely love love love walking through DTD -- or from the hotels to DTD, or from DTD to the parks -- really early in the morning, just after dawn breaks and before a lot of people have awakened and left their hotel rooms. I especially love doing that in December -- when the air is crisp, quiet and still, and I can feel the brisk chill of almost-winter on my cheeks. The plants and flowers are dewy. Everything is fresh and clean. And even if I/you do happen to encounter -- gasp! -- other people who are awake and roaming around at that same time, DTD is not crowded, and everyone is chipper and full of cheer because they haven't been dealing with annoying crowds in the parks all day.

I find that time of the morning at DLR, during that specific time of the year, to be exhilarating, energizing and invigorating -- all of those things. It just puts me in a great mood for some reason, and that's before I ever even get to the parks.

I totally agree with your assessment. The people that are awake and up and about are so because most likely they choose to be and are fresh for the day. It made me in a great mood. How could I not be; waking up at the GCV and heading over the the DLH for another amazing Disney day?!​

/B] The hotel schedule of activities -- I am so, so glad you posted that, because you confirmed I was not losing my mind!

My PPH stay was before your DLR trip (I got back home on 12/12) ...but I listened to the daily phone calls that came in from the hotel's front desk, alerting me to what kinds of activities were going on at the 3 hotels during the week I was there. In at least 2 of those calls I thought I recalled the CM saying something about "The Merriest Hotel(s) on Earth." There was a new holiday-related activity or tour or something that he/she was talking about, but I didn't catch what it was and I never went down to the PPH Guest Services desk to inquire about it, as I should have. I never saw anyone else (who had stayed onsite) mention it in the Superthread, so I began to wonder if I had imagined it.

Now I see from your hotel schedule that the holiday-related activity I heard about on my in-room phone calls must have been the "Merriest Holiday Hunt"!! What was that? Was it a holiday scavenger hunt of some kind? Oh, I wish I had paid more attention and done that while I was there! I wondered if the extra Disneyland Hotel decorations that were up last year had something to do with a holiday tour of some kind, but maybe they were part of the "Holiday Hunt"??

I am also noticing there was a "Winter Ornament Workshop"? I don't think that was going on while I was at DLR, but I would have signed up for that too! Drat! I missed out on two hotel-specific holiday activities. I really wish I had done the Holiday Hunt!

I'm glad I could help with your sanity. I wish I had time to take advantage of so many of the hotel activities. I need a trip with teo down days just like we do when we're at WDW. I always schedule reosrt days and but enver seem to when at Disneyland. That is going to change.

That was great that you were able to get the handmade Candy Canes at DL in the morning.

Nice update.

Thanks Bret. I'm having fun writing it and sharing and reliving it. Thank you for reading and posting.​

 

[PHXscuba]

I also fell slightly in love with the DLH lobby tree and teacup chairs.

Do they not sell 1-park 1-day tickets in advance anymore? I wouldn't have wanted to stand in line twice if I didn't have to!

PHXscuba

 

[rentayenta]

I also fell slightly in love with the DLH lobby tree and teacup chairs.

Do they not sell 1-park 1-day tickets in advance anymore? I wouldn't have wanted to stand in line twice if I didn't have to!

PHXscuba

The chairs couldn't be any cuter. So brilliant. They make me happy. Whoever came up with those is a genius.


There wasn't a line to grab the tickets as it was early. The guest service area is right next to DCA so not a long haul or anything. ​

 

[jedijill]

Guess who's going to DL?

This girl.

Jill in CO

 

[emmysmommy]

Wow! The classic Disney hotel and the new grand dame - how awesome that you were able to stay at both in one trip! I love those empty DTD mornings - so peaceful.

Did you see the carolers in the lobby when you were there. They were by the big gingerbread house in the DLH lobby.

How exciting that you scored the candy canes!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Guess who's going to DL?

This girl.

Jill in CO

Congrats. I'm envious.

 

[rentayenta]

Guess who's going to DL?

This girl.

Jill in CO

When? I saw your FB post but no dates! And not staying DVC, correct? Did you make any decisions last night? I'm so excited for you! ​

Wow! The classic Disney hotel and the new grand dame - how awesome that you were able to stay at both in one trip! I love those empty DTD mornings - so peaceful.

Did you see the carolers in the lobby when you were there. They were by the big gingerbread house in the DLH lobby.

How exciting that you scored the candy canes!

I think I was too early for the carolers. I've seen them before but not this time. They put me right in the sprit though.

I agree, those mornings are so peaceful. The idea of waking to start another priceless day at my favorite place with those I love most in the world fills my heart. ​

Congrats. I'm envious.

Me toooooooo! ​

 

[jedijill]

I'm going 3/30-4/5. I'm still looking at hotels. No DVC for me this trip since I'm out of points until Aug, 2015. I bought a PH through the Orbitz/Ebates deal last night.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

I'm going 3/30-4/5. I'm still looking at hotels. No DVC for me this trip since I'm out of points until Aug, 2015. I bought a PH through the Orbitz/Ebates deal last night.

Jill in CO

Woot woot girl! Awesome! Park Hopper? Sweet! I'm so excited for you. We went last year, for a day, during this time, and the weather was perfect. Leaning towards a hotel?​

 

[jedijill]

Woot woot girl! Awesome! Park Hopper? Sweet! I'm so excited for you. We went last year, for a day, during this time, and the weather was perfect. Leaning towards a hotel?​

I'm torn on the hotel right now. (I blame you for the visions of DLH in my head! ) I'm looking at the Fairfield Inn (I am trying to earn a free night with Marriott rewards), HoJo, Annabella, or I don't know! I was going to rent a car and everyone except HoJo charges for parking. I'm looking at Embassy Suites too...I just found a couple of packages that have free wireless and free parking...plus the free cocktails in the evening...Hmmm, that could work.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

I'm torn on the hotel right now. (I blame you for the visions of DLH in my head! ) I'm looking at the Fairfield Inn (I am trying to earn a free night with Marriott rewards), HoJo, Annabella, or I don't know! I was going to rent a car and everyone except HoJo charges for parking. I'm looking at Embassy Suites too...I just found a couple of packages that have free wireless and free parking...plus the free cocktails in the evening...Hmmm, that could work. Jill in CO

There is nothing like staying on property. The Embassy Suites also has free food with the cocktail hour. And they have ART which is east to use. Promise.

HoJo is totally overrated in my opinion. They charge near resort rates and it's not worth it.​

 

[franandaj]

There's also Casa Nueva, but that's pretty far away and rather primitive. I'm not even sure if there will be a bed there. Probably, but not certain. If there is a bed, you can't beat the roomie!

 

[MEK]

I saw them make those candy canes on a food show. I was absolutely shocked at the size of them and the process they go through to make them. It's very cool. Found this youtube video for you.

Yay for an early check-in. I never thought about using points to pay for a room, but that's definitely an option.

I'm glad everyone got up and going without too much of a hassle. Can't wait to hear about your day!

 

[rentayenta]

There's also Cass Nuevo, but that's pretty far away and rather primitive. I'm not even sure if there will be a bed there. Probably, but not certain. If there is a bed, you can't beat the roomie!

Casa Nuevo. ​

I saw them make those candy canes on a food show. I was absolutely shocked at the size of them and the process they go through to make them. It's very cool. Found this youtube video for you.

Yay for an early check-in. I never thought about using points to pay for a room, but that's definitely an option.

I'm glad everyone got up and going without too much of a hassle. Can't wait to hear about your day!

They're about magical candy canes ever. I'd call them one of the best souvenirs ever. I have the one bubble wrapped and every time I look at it, it makes me smile.

The kids aren't generally a pain at Disney. Maybe that's why I like it so much.

Points are certainly not the smartest use but when our Disney vacation accommodations budget is almost completely paid for with points, we do what we have to. We've been very lucky though. All three times at the DLH, we've paid for a standard view but got a premium one.​