Merry, Magical, and Bright: Late Fall Adventures of Cam & Luke Updated 3/12 - Page 13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Y'all had a great Studio day. I love seeing the Chinese Theater down Hollywood Blvd rather than the hat. That sounds like quite a haul on souvenirs. I love getting the reusable shopping bags when I travel. They become some of my favorite souvenirs because I use them weekly when I grocery shop, and get good memories each time.
Good time in Studios with some nice PP photos of the two of you! Glad Luke enjoys RNRRC so much as one of my faves too! Love the Christmas decor and especially around Echo Lake and Gertie! They are probably doing more with the decorations here since they discontinued the Osborne Lights!
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Originally Posted by purplegal
I can understand why you took so many pictures of the lagoon it is very well decorated. I love Disney socks, our store in Winnipeg doesn’t carry them very often but I am happy when they do. Your trip report is really making me want to go for the holidays one year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by patclairesmom
Great pictures and great finds. Now I have been to Disney many times and obviously am on these boards and I never knew that Gertie blew smoke or her eyes lit up. Thanks for sharing!
The smoke and eyes were added in the last refurbishment of the lagoon. So they are recent additions.
Gertie is just the cutest, all decked out for Christmas!
I've always liked Gertie, but she was even cuter for Christmas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lindawdw
It sounds like you were able to find a lot of souvenirs to your liking on this trip! I totally agree with you about the Christmas decorations at DHS this year. I couldn't get enough of them myself. When we were there in October, there was so much construction around the lake area that you couldn't enjoy it in the same way but in November I was just in awe of it all!
I did get very lucky on souvenirs this trip. I'm glad you got to see the lagoon in November. Luke kept telling me that it should be done before we arrived, but if not it was going to be a mess.
Y'all had a great Studio day. I love seeing the Chinese Theater down Hollywood Blvd rather than the hat. That sounds like quite a haul on souvenirs. I love getting the reusable shopping bags when I travel. They become some of my favorite souvenirs because I use them weekly when I grocery shop, and get good memories each time.
I love the shopping bags, too, a reminder of a trip every time I reuse them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
The Studios really stepped up their game with the decorations this year. They look awesome. The dancing Minnie window is one of my favorites.
I wish I had thought to video the dancing Minnie window, too. But that didn't cross my mind until I wrote the update.
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I too absolutely loved the Christmas decorations in DHS! They were fantastic! Although I didn't even notice the floating ornaments in the lagoon, even though I have many pictures of the tree. I also adored nighttime in DHS, and I wasn't expecting that! I loved both Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam and Sunset Seasons Greetings, and the atmosphere in the park as night was magical with the snow and lights and decorations!
I too absolutely loved the Christmas decorations in DHS! They were fantastic! Although I didn't even notice the floating ornaments in the lagoon, even though I have many pictures of the tree. I also adored nighttime in DHS, and I wasn't expecting that! I loved both Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam and Sunset Seasons Greetings, and the atmosphere in the park as night was magical with the snow and lights and decorations!
We loved Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! and the Sunset Seasons Greeting's, but those won't come until later in our trip. It was magical day and night this year at DHS. it!
NEXT: Will we return to the lagoon for round four??
Day 2 Part 6 – Monday, November 6 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
By this point, Luke and I were beginning to lose energy, but it was still a while before our 7:00 PM dinner ressie at Mama Melrose’s. Our plan was to see Muppet Vision 3D, and then see if we could possibly check in early at Mama Melrose’s. On our way to see our favorite Muppets, I noticed yet another light fixture decorated for Christmas.
A few minutes later we were entering Muppet Vision 3D and headed straight in to the pre-show, which still cracks me up. The pre-show was almost over, so I only managed a couple of photos before we were making our way into the theater for comfy seat and hilarious show.
After some chuckles and laughs, Luke and I headed straight to Mama Melrose’s where they were happy to seat us early. We did have a short wait but by 6:40 we were seated at a table. I had Luke take a couple of photos of the Melrose signs because we have a great niece named Melrose.
When our server arrived, we discovered she was Steffi, a nickname we often used for our Stefanie. Steffi first took our drink orders, getting a Banfi Rose Regale Sparkling Wine for me and a Mama’s Margarita for Luke. From the menu, I chose the Grilled Flat Iron Steak, though the receipt calls it the New York Strip Steak, for my entrée. It was served with fingerling potatoes and broccolini. Luke ordered Wood-Grilled Chicken and Penne and decided to order a Mixed Green Salad for us to share. Both our meals were exceptionally delicious, but there is not a single photo. Prior to receiving our salad or entrees, we enjoyed the bread with olive oil dip.
With full tummies and tired bodies, we began to make our way back to the front of the park. As we walked, I kept thinking about that mesmerizing tree and ornaments in the lagoon. How would they look at night? Luke was reading my mind, and asked if I wanted to walk to the front via the lagoon. Of course, I squealed. Now for nighttime shots. I pretty proud of these, and looking at them instantly takes me back to the joy and excitement of this day.
We noticed while I was photographing the lagoon that a PhotoPass photographer was in the same spot where we had stopped back at the beginning of the day. When I finished up, we got in line. I love the photos, but nighttime photography is difficult and these came out just a smidge blurry.
As we left the gates, I stopped, turned around, and got one last shot of the park that had made this such a wonderful day, full of Christmas and magic and joy and merry and bright.
Our bus arrived back at Saratoga Springs Resort around 8:30. We got off at The Grandstand to walk the Carriage House in order to pick up a Diet Coke and juice for the room from the gift shop. That little errand accomplished, we trekked back to our room where we were ready and in bed by 9:30. Luke wanted to watch a bit of football. It was a Monday night. While he watched, I finished up the days notes. By 10:30 it was nighty night for us.
Stats for the Day:
17,068 Steps 7.02 Miles 2,344 calories
Next: Another Day, Another Park, Small Roadblock, and Free Starbucks
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I have been so pleasantly delighted by all your holiday shots from the Studios. It's no secret that it's my least favourite park and even more so with all the construction. However, they really have made up for it with the decorations, it looks stunning and I have so enjoyed all your photos of them. so much for sharing them.
I love your nighttime shots of DHS!! And again, like you guys, we didn't expect much as far as decorations go at this park but it really was beautiful and unexpected this year!!
So glad you were able to get into Mama Melrose early and have such a delightful dinner. I never did go back to see the lagoon lit up at night and now I wish I did!!! You really captured such beautiful pictures of it. So glad you enjoyed your day in DHS so much. Merry Christmas to you and Luke.
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That sounds like quite a haul on souvenirs. I love getting the reusable shopping bags when I travel. They become some of my favorite souvenirs because I use them weekly when I grocery shop, and get good memories each time.
Love the Christmas decor and especially around Echo Lake and Gertie! 
Steffi first took our drink orders, getting a Banfi Rose Regale Sparkling Wine for me and a Mama’s Margarita for Luke. From the menu, I chose the Grilled Flat Iron Steak, though the receipt calls it the New York Strip Steak, for my entrée. It was served with fingerling potatoes and broccolini. Luke ordered Wood-Grilled Chicken and Penne and decided to order a Mixed Green Salad for us to share. Both our meals were exceptionally delicious, but there is not a single photo. Prior to receiving our salad or entrees, we enjoyed the bread with olive oil dip. 
While he watched, I finished up the days notes. By 10:30 it was nighty night for us. 
PassPorter Guide Author
so much for sharing them.
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