Originally Posted By TDLFAN I just got back from a quick visit to DLP on November 30th.. braving the cold weather and very overcast skies over Paris. The temperature was around the low 20s with some breeze that made the windchill factor a bit rought to bear. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised to see DLP a bit crowded in the afternoon hours, although by 7pm..the park felt empty again. The studios Park on the other hand..was a ghost city with very minimal guest count, which was too bad because they try to make things look nice for the holidays... Due to my short time there, some of the things I wanted to see I simply didn't have the time for...like the Mickey's Winter Wonderland or Noel de Mickey shows at the park. However...what little I saw I was pleased with. First up...La Parade De Noel. The last time I saw this parade was about 4 years ago, before they premiered the new music last year "Chant! C'est Noel" and changed the costuming to white and gold attires. The parade is pretty enough even though it recycles again the same old tired floats that have been performing over there for like over a decade now. However.. they go all out with snowfalls during the parade performance on Main Street (the spot to see this parade folks). Some guests were taken aback and surprised by that added snowflakes since the skies were very dark and they did a great job of conceiling the snow making machines. Great job overall, and not to be missed if you go to DLP. After the parade...I took to the shops to enjoy the decor and merchandise, then headed out to the Hub to check out the lovely decorations, simulating oversized snowglobe-like decorations. Simply gorgeous...these oversized ornaments feature icons from the princesses movies...and also glow in sparkling fiber optic LED lights. Truly pretty. If only we could get this type of things done at our US parks during the holiday season..... Finally, the piece de resistance so to speak are the fabulously elegant and understated Princesses Chandeliere along the stretch of Main Street and towards the Hub. At 6pm...a "Fairytale Celebration" was performed in which the classic characters, Disney Princes and Princesses and other dancer performed..to TDL's "One Man's Dream" theme song and same show's "Princesses Medley" (Who knew TDL has influenced DLP so much in regards to their entertainment? but again.. TDL is the park to follow in that aspect) After all of the song and dance..the castle went dark and sparkled with strobes... with Tinkerbell making an appearance from the top balcony of the Castle, illuminating the chandelieres on Main street, the Xmas tree, and the castle itself into a glittering fantasy of sparkling white lights that was simply... breathtaking to see. I was amazed by the understated and sheer elegance of this display of lights and for once..my jaw dropped in spectacular awe at the sight of it all. While this spectacular light display is not as complex or breathtaking as TDL's Lights of Romance, it still packs a visual punch that simply awes. Pictures do not do justice to this display as the lights on the chandeliers move in rhythmic patterns and are very subtle in motion but still...it was enough to dazzle me like DLP has never done before. This makes me aske the dreaded question... how on Earth is a park in financial stress like DLP able to pull this spectacle off when the supposedly self-congratulatory money pit aka the MK at WDW is still re-using the pretty by old fashioned garlands over Main Street that have been there since 1971???? Time for major changes at that park I guess, but let's not go into the MK's shortcomings here. Not worth it. The only low point for me at DLP this evening was (again) seeing TDL's Fantillusion! reduced to a mere quarter of what that parade used to be, without show mode stops to make it even blander if that is possible. But enough of that! Here is the link to all the pictures I took that evening...some are dark due to the overly overcast conditions over Paris, but I still hope you enjoy the understated beauty and elegance of this year's DLP Xmas at Main Street and the hub. Hope you enjoy (and comments and questions are welcomed..) <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=31980376&f=" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=31980376&f=</a>
Originally Posted By Chelledun Hey thanks for the photos! Daisy looks SO CUTE in her winter wear, lol. I've been to a Disney park only once at Christmas and that was almost ten years ago when I was only thirteen. I have to go again someday to enjoy the awesome decorations!
Originally Posted By code90 Wow! What an elegant way to celebrate the hloidays! Truly stunning photos.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have always loved DLP Christmas celebration, but I do miss the arches this year.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Always enjoy the pictorials. keep 'em coming. Thanks from those of us stuck in Central Florida.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I am stuck in Central Florida too. But I may go to WDW today or tomorrow..and shop and/or walk around. >>I do miss the arches this year.<< Out with the old and in with the new. After seeing the chandeliers, I do not miss the arches at all. But you can always catch them at EPCOT since WDW's management is not one to offer guests exciting new things in the cosmetic dept, especially when it comes to Xmas decor..same old garlands.
Originally Posted By disneyqueenuk Wow what beautiful pictures. I really wish i was going over to DLRP this year, but just back from WDW so cannot complain. Thank you very much for sharing them
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I really wish i was going over to DLRP this year, but just back from WDW so cannot complain.<< I would. WDW's xmas celebration sags while the other resorts keep them fresh with new things and decor.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Great pictures! I stole one of the shots of the castle and tree, and it currently resides on my desktop. It just looks so magical!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Coming from BarryB...it`s quite an honor... The master has given me a compliment!!!
Originally Posted By disneyqueenuk You are right TDL WDW does not do Christmas that great, but nice to be in a Disney park. MInd you still looking at options of getting over to DLRP this year. The castle looks simply magical.
Originally Posted By smedley Thanks for the pics TDLFAN, they're great, make me a little sad we haven't been able to make it out for the Christmas season. Maybe next year.
